DC solo trip to Europe - what are we forgetting?

[Anonymous]

Extra pair of glasses if he wears them.

[Anonymous]

Make sure to copy the front AND back of credit cards. You want the info on the back if you need to call to report a lost or stolen card.

[Anonymous]

Have you gotten him Euros? Best exchange rate is to call your bank and order them. If not exchange a few at an airport kiosk and use the ATM to get more once on the ground. Let the bank know which countries he will be in so he can withdraw from an ATM. Double check which of your credit cards have foreign transaction fees and don’t use those.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all of this!! I'm super anxious about this trip. They do have hotels/hostels pre booked. I have been wondering about cash/money - at home he uses ApplePay with our credit card and reimburses us if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Make sure has an ATM card so he can get cash.

[Anonymous]

He should download offline maps of his locations so he can find his way even without cellphone data.

Research ride shares/taxis in the area and save the app or contact info.

He should bring condoms and bandaids and neosporin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you gotten him Euros? Best exchange rate is to call your bank and order them. If not exchange a few at an airport kiosk and use the ATM to get more once on the ground. Let the bank know which countries he will be in so he can withdraw from an ATM. Double check which of your credit cards have foreign transaction fees and don’t use those.

None of that is accurate, just get cash from an ATM upon arrival. Buying euros from your bank is a bad deal, as is exchanging cash at the airport.

Airport ATMs may add a higher fee than in the city, if there is a high fee at the airport ATM, use one in the city. Avoid "Euronet" ATMs, they charge scam-level fees.

[Anonymous]

I’d encourage him to limit himself to a carry on size suitcase or backpack. If he’s traveling by train, it’s tough to fit anything bigger than that into the luggage space on most trains (it’s usually in the front of the train car; you have to store it there then walk to your seat).

Just reinforce basic safety and situational awareness. Stick together and don’t make yourself an easy target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]His passport valid for at least 6 more months[/b]
International plan for his phone for the duration of the trip or get a SIM card
Notification to bank of travel so he isn’t declined
Enough Medication if he is on any for the trip

Schengen rule is passport only has to be valid for 3 months after return date.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

[Anonymous]

Safety would be my biggest concern these days. Are his friends super responsible, OP?

[Anonymous]

As you would anywhere, leave your passport and valuables in the locked safe in the hotel
Room. Don't carry them with you at all times (just don't leave them behind and carry a copy if you have no other ID).

[Anonymous]

For Spain. Hat. It will be hot af in southern spain next week (seville was 108 today). Encourage him to do as spaniards do and spend siesta time indoors in AC (2 pm to 8pm). Whatever you do, do not tour the alhambra / walk down the ronda gorge / row around seville’s plaza de españa in a rowboat at 4 pm in summer 🥵🥵🥵

Places with decent AC in case hostel has a “no loitering during the day time” rule: fast food restaurants, movie theaters, malls, some museums like el prado. Take high school ID, most museums offer free admission to students with Id

Be cautious when at beach: many do not have lifeguards yet bc is early in season.

Do not hesitate to seek medical care if they get sick—it is very affordable to go to a private ER (like 100 euros without insurance) for very quick and good service. Avoid the public ER unless directed to go there bc it will take forever unless issue is very serious. Hostel can provide advice about nearest best medical care.

Every business in spain is required to take card payments regardless of price. Yes that includes 1 euro water bottles and all taxis. Lots of people use their phones to tap to pay. Maybe have a backup card in case apple pay doesn’t work (sometimes i see signs saying ‘our apple pay is down’”)

Young people party all night, like they start pregaming in parks and plazas and then move to bars around 11 pm and when the bars close at 2 am they go to the clubs until 6, 7 am, then churros and chocolate before bed. To find nightlife suited to young people, go to university campus area. In seville the alameda de hercules is also popular among the youth

Also ibuprofen is readily available in spain. But it comes in 400 mg tablets which is annoying for those of us used to the 200 mg tablets.

Have fun! It will be a great experience for your kid! Spanish high school seniors will have just finished their super high stakes uni entrance exams so it should be a fun and festive time for their age group.

[Anonymous]

Esim card and download WhatsApp
2 credit card or 1 actual card plus apple pay tied to a different one. My kid traveled for 8 weeks last summer and never needed the euros she brought with her
Small lock for locking backpack up at the hostel
Battery pack for phone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Safety would be my biggest concern these days. Are his friends super responsible, OP?

This post is terrifying me. Safety meaning armed robbery?

They aren't a particularly irresponsible bunch but they are still 18 year old boys and I assume they'll be drinking.

[Anonymous]

What about travel insurance? Health insurance for travel?