Tips For Visiting Europe: What Do I Need To Know? Part 2

Planning on visiting Europe soon? Here’s some tips for visiting the major cities you’re most likely to travel to on a business trip:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• The I Amsterdam Citycard might not be the best option. Consider the price vs that of the transport you'll be getting.
• It's not a 24/7 city. Many shops don't open on Sundays or before 10am.
• Check if restaurants & cafes take card before ordering—not all do.

Bucharest, Romania

• Taxi drivers in Bucharest are known to overcharge/scam tourists, so it's safer to use Uber.
• It's recommended to avoid drinking the tap water. You can buy water purification tablets (or water purification bottles) if you don't want to rely on buying bottled water.
• You can get a 10-journey pass to the city's public transport.
• Weather in Romania can be unpredictable. It's best to dress in layers so you can remove your jacket later in the day.
• Euros aren't accepted, only Romanian Leu (RON). Always check which countries take the Euro when visiting Europe. You can find more info here.

Copenhagen, Denmark

• Everything is eaten with a knife & fork in Denmark, even pizza and burgers. You'll likely get some stares if you eat with your hands, especially in a restaurant.
• Being on time means being early in Denmark. While this is good practice everywhere, it's especially important here, where they have little tolerance for being late.
• The Metro is fast and convenient. If you're staying for a while, it's worth getting a Danish SIM card so you can use the Metro app. You might be able to get the app to work with your regular phone number, but it's designed for a Danish phone number.
• Card is accepted almost everywhere. Be aware that it's an expensive city, with a large tax on alcohol.

Krakow, Poland

• When withdrawing money from an ATM, always choose to have it in Polish zloty. Currency exchange offices are called Kantor.
• Buy tickets before getting on a bus or tram. Some have machines on board and will have an 'A' over the door if they do. You'll need to punch your ticket with the validation machine onboard.
• Toilets sometimes have a triangle symbol for men and a circle for women.
• It's illegal to drink alcohol in public places.
• Download the Jakdojade app to help with planning journeys.

Istanbul, Turkey

• Pharmacies are different from 'cosmetic shops'. Look for a sign saying "eczane" or "eczanesi."
• Don't eat at tourist restaurants. Check who is already eating there; if it's mostly locals, then it's good to go.
• A cup of tea doesn't come with milk as standard; be sure to ask for it.
• The side of Istanbul closer to Asia can be more conservative than the side closer to the rest of Europe.
• Haggle at local shops and market stalls. Pay the price on the label at chain shops.

Helsinki, Finland

• Stay near the Lasipalatsi tram station to be the most connected transport-wise to the rest of the city.
• Be aware that restaurants often close at 8 pm, as Finnish people have different meal times. Lunch is around 11:30 am, dinner at 5 pm.
• Many restaurants will be closed on Sundays; per Finnish law, they would have to pay their employees double to work on Sunday.
• It's a very walkable city, and the public transport is good. Buy tickets online using the 'HSL' app. You can also get a 1-day or a 3-day transport card.

Was the city you were looking for not here? You can find part 1 here and part 3 here.