European Union and United Kingdom

The European Union and United Kingdom offer an extraordinary mix of grand capitals, medieval villages, dramatic coastlines and regional food traditions. Build a route around a few contrasting bases rather than trying to collect every landmark: pair Paris with Normandy, Rome with Bologna, or London with York and the Cotswolds. Plan by transport connections and opening days, especially for popular museums and seasonal attractions.

Before departure, check entry rules for every nationality on your passport. The Schengen area covers most EU countries and generally permits short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period for eligible visitors, while the United Kingdom has separate border requirements. As of 2026, many visa-exempt visitors to the UK need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, before boarding; the UK government says it costs £16 and is valid for multiple journeys for up to two years or until passport expiry. Requirements can change, so verify them through official government websites before booking.

Use Hello trip planning to keep reservations, rail journeys and attraction times in one itinerary. Leave room for unplanned discoveries: a village market, a neighborhood café or a sunset walk often becomes the most memorable part of the trip.

Rail is usually the most rewarding way to travel between major European destinations. High-speed trains link cities such as Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Milan and Madrid, while scenic regional services reach places that airports bypass. Reserve seats early for popular international routes, and compare the complete journey time with flying once airport transfers and security are included. In the United Kingdom, trains connect London with Edinburgh, Bath, Manchester and York, while coaches can be more economical for flexible schedules.

The Schengen area allows travel between participating countries without routine internal border checks, although police checks and document requirements still apply. The United Kingdom is outside Schengen, so journeys between Britain and EU countries involve a separate border crossing. Keep your passport accessible and allow extra time for Eurostar, ferry and airport procedures.

For city travel, buy a local day pass only after checking its zones and exclusions. Contactless payment is widely useful in major cities, but transport rules differ: London’s Underground uses zones and daily fare caps, while cities such as Rome, Lisbon and Prague may require validated paper or mobile tickets. Hello eSIM can help with live departure boards, digital tickets and maps; buy and activate it before landing so you can connect without roaming charges.

Food is one of the best ways to understand this region. Order tapas in Seville, fresh pasta in Bologna, moules-frites in Brussels, pastel de nata in Lisbon or a full English breakfast in a traditional café. In the United Kingdom, look beyond London for Yorkshire pudding in York, Cornish pasties in Cornwall, Welsh rarebit in Wales and haggis in Scotland. Local markets often offer better value and a more relaxed introduction to regional specialties than restaurants near major attractions.

A few practical habits make dining smoother. In busy destinations, reserve dinner—particularly on Friday and Saturday nights—and check whether service charges are already included. Menus may distinguish between table service, counter ordering and takeaway prices. Water policies vary, and free tap water is not universal, so ask clearly if you prefer it. Many restaurants accommodate dietary requirements, but learning a few phrases such as “vegetarian,” “gluten-free” or “no nuts” in the local language is helpful.

Track meals and small purchases in Hello’s budget tracking feature, using the local currency for an accurate picture of daily spending. When travelling with friends, Hello expense splitting can settle shared tapas, train snacks or a group dinner without a notebook full of calculations.

The euro is used across much of the EU, but not everywhere: the United Kingdom uses the pound sterling (£), while countries including Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Denmark retain their own currencies. Card payments are common in cities, yet a small amount of local cash remains useful for market stalls, rural buses, lockers and older cafés. When a card terminal asks whether to charge you in your home currency or the local currency, choosing the local currency often avoids an unnecessary conversion set by the merchant.

Keep your passport, accommodation details and emergency contacts available offline. Public Wi-Fi can be unreliable, and roaming arrangements vary by nationality and phone plan. Hello eSIM provides connectivity across your itinerary without relying on expensive roaming charges; purchase and activate it before you land, then use maps, translation tools and transport apps immediately on arrival. Check that your phone is unlocked and compatible before buying.

Use Hello to record spending in pounds, euros or another local currency, and review your budget every few days rather than waiting until the end. Carry a backup payment method separately from your wallet, watch for pickpockets in crowded stations, and remember that smaller towns may operate at a slower pace—shops and restaurants can close between lunch and dinner.