By: Chloe Hum
If you’re anything like me, you might think you can handle Europe without any prior research or thought. Unfortunately, after learning the hard way, I have come to the conclusion that you most definitely cannot. Listed below are some of the most easily avoidable mistakes you can dodge just by thinking ahead. I highly recommend you take a look before you travel, but of course, don’t forget to do your own research as well.
- Make sure you research a phone plan before you travel abroad. Navigating foreign streets without data or service is much harder than you think.
- ALWAYS carry cash with you. Surprisingly, a lot of stores only accept cash, and you don’t want to be caught in the middle of your meal with no way to pay.
- Take out foreign cash at home! It’s a lot easier to juggle transaction fees at home than in Prague. At the same time, be wary of traveling with large amounts of cash on your person.
- Make sure you know what kind of currency you are paying in (pounds and euros are not the same), and keep the conversion rate to USD in your head.
- Every self-checkout has an English version and it’s a lot less stressful than paying at the register.
- You don’t need to pack that many toiletries. Prague stores have a lot of U.S. products and unnecessary toiletries will weigh down your suitcase, plus, traveling with liquids can slow you down at the airport.
- Even though they take up a lot of room, you have to pack warm clothes and coats. It also rains a good amount in Prague and the commute to school is not short.
- Bring a BIG backpack so you don’t have to pay for a carry on when you go on trips.
- A converter and adapter are both needed. Different devices need different voltages!
- Double check COVID requirements for the country you’re flying into several times in the days leading up to your trip. These are changing constantly, and you don’t want to be stopped at a border without a necessary test.
And lastly… one of the easiest things you can do; research before you come to Prague and do not underestimate the city. So many problems and mistakes can be avoided; don’t be a dummy!