European Union and United Kingdom

Think of the European Union and the United Kingdom as a patchwork of mini-worlds, each only a few hours apart. One week you might be wandering along Amsterdam’s canals, the next you’re hiking in the Scottish Highlands or eating pasteis de nata in Lisbon. To build a realistic itinerary, start with themes rather than countries:

• Culture cities: Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Barcelona
• Coast & islands: Greek islands, Algarve in Portugal, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast
• Nature & small towns: Cinque Terre, the Swiss Alps, the Cotswolds, Lake Bled

Travel time is the hidden cost. A cheap flight might take an entire day once you factor in airport transfers and security, whereas a high-speed train between Paris, London, and Brussels is quick and city-center to city-center. Use Hello’s trip planning tools to pin cities on a map, check journey times, and see at a glance if you’re trying to do too much. As a rule of thumb, aim for 2–4 nights per stop in major cities, and cluster nearby spots (for example, Paris–Brussels–Amsterdam, or London–Bath–Cardiff) to cut down on transit days and make your trip feel like a flowing story rather than a checklist.

You’ll juggle at least two currencies: the euro (EUR) in most EU countries and pound sterling (GBP) in the UK. Card payments are widely accepted, even for small amounts, but it is still useful to carry some cash for markets, small cafés, or rural areas. Budget expectations vary: a simple restaurant meal in many EU cities might run €12–20 (about $13–22), while in London or Dublin expect around £15–25 (about $19–32).

Use Hello’s budget tracking to set a daily limit in euros and pounds and see how your spending is trending; this makes it easier to adjust as you go instead of getting a shock at the end. When paying by card, decline “pay in your home currency” and choose the local currency to avoid poor exchange rates.

Tipping is more modest than in some parts of the world. In many EU countries, rounding up or leaving 5–10% is appreciated; in the UK, 10–12.5% is common in restaurants where service is not already included. For group trips, Hello’s expense splitting helps keep things fair when you’re sharing apartment rentals, rental cars, or that big tapas feast in Barcelona.

The EU and UK are built for travellers who love to move. High-speed trains link major cities like Paris–London–Brussels, Madrid–Barcelona, and Milan–Florence, often faster and more comfortable than flying once you include airport time. Book advance tickets for popular routes to lock in lower fares, especially in countries like France, Spain, and Italy. For longer hops, low-cost airlines connect almost every corner of the region; just watch for extra fees on luggage and seat selection.

Within cities, public transport is usually excellent. In London, the Oyster/contactless system works across the Underground, buses, and some trains. In cities like Berlin, Vienna, and Lisbon, day passes make it easy to hop on and off trams, metros, and buses. Many places also offer bike-share schemes and walkable historic centers.

Staying online makes navigating all this much easier. Activate a Hello eSIM before you land so you can instantly check live departure boards, book last-minute train tickets, call ride-hailing services, and keep your mobile boarding passes handy without worrying about roaming charges. Download key transit apps while on Wi‑Fi and save offline maps for when you’re underground or out in the countryside.

From tapas in Madrid to fish and chips in London, eating your way through the EU and UK is half the joy of the trip. Seek out local specialties: bouillabaisse in Marseille, goulash in Budapest, fresh seafood in Lisbon, hearty pub pies in Manchester. Lunchtime fixed menus, like the French formule or Italian pranzo di lavoro, are often great value, and markets such as La Boqueria in Barcelona or Borough Market in London are perfect for grazing on small bites.

Reservations are wise for popular spots, especially in Paris, Rome, and London. In Spain and parts of Italy, dinner starts late; in Scandinavia or Germany, 18:00–19:00 is more typical. Use Hello’s trip planning to bookmark restaurants and markets by neighborhood so you’re not stuck hunting for food when you’re already hungry.

Basic etiquette goes a long way. Learn a few words like “please” and “thank you” in the local language, and avoid loud conversations on trains or in small restaurants. Splitting shared meals and bar tabs can get messy in bigger groups, especially with changing currencies; Hello’s expense splitting makes it simple to track who paid for that wine tasting in Tuscany or the Sunday roast in a London pub.