If you’re heading to Europe this summer, don’t forget to carry these four essential things with you to make your trip a whole lot smoother.
However, with flights becoming more and more affordable as the years go by, Europe has also become an ideal holiday spot for Indians as well. Gone are the days when the only way you could catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower was in the background of a cheesy Bollywood dance routine on your screen. Now getting to Europe is practically a walk in the park as long as you have all the necessary requirements in order.
In any case, whether you’re heading to Europe for the first time ever or you’re a seasoned traveller, here are four essential things you need to carry with you from a financial perspective that will certainly make your trip a whole lot smoother.
Additional Reading: 5 Affordable European Countries To Visit In 2019
- Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is mandatory when travelling to Europe. In short, if you don’t purchase a Travel Insurance plan, you won’t get your visa. It is an absolute must-have before you apply for a Schengen Visa or a visa to any European country.
If you’re a bit miffed about this, you can relax. Depending on the duration of your travel, Travel Insurance policies can be quite cheap and comprehensive in their coverage as well. It can protect you from financial loss incurred due to flight delays and cancellations, medical emergencies, loss of baggage and much more. In fact, you can get a customized Travel Insurance plan in accordance to your travel destination.
Additional Reading: Everything You Need To Know About Travel Insurance
- Credit Card
Carrying your Credit Card with you on your travels certainly has its pros and cons. If you’re prone to swiping your card for everything that catches your eye while you’re in Europe, you could come back home to a pretty hefty Credit Card bill.
However, if you’re a responsible user, then don’t leave home with it. Not only can it come in handy in situations that require immediate financial assistance, but you could even earn rewards and cashbacks on your card that could go a long way towards getting the most out of your trip to Europe.
Certain Credit Cards could even fetch you flight and dining discounts, complimentary lounge access at airports and open you up to a world of benefits while on your travels. So remember, use your Credit Card smartly and your European trip will certainly be one to remember.
Additional Reading: Top Indian Credit Cards For The Best International Travel
- Foreign Currency
This is obviously a no-brainer. It’s always advisable to carry a sufficient amount of cash with you, which in this case would be Euros, regardless of how may cards you’re carrying. After all, you can’t really buy a giant sausage from a street vendor with your Credit Card.
However, here are a few tips. Get your rupees exchanged for Euros at one of the many foreign exchange outlets in your city, but make sure you visit a few to compare rates so you can get the best deal possible. Also, keep an eye out for forex rates well in advance of your trip, so you can buy your foreign currency if you notice that rates are falling.
Keep in mind that buying foreign currency in airports can be quite expensive, so make sure you get your Euros from within the city to get the best rates.
Additional Reading: Understanding The Basics Of Forex
- International Debit Card
Before you head out, make sure the Debit Card you have is an International Debit Card. This means that you can use it to make purchases as well as withdraw money at ATMs abroad. This way you won’t have to carry too much liquid cash with you on your travels.
However, find out from your bank about any fees that you may be charged when making withdrawals abroad and also enquire about the exchange rate. You certainly wouldn’t want to be withdrawing small amounts every few days and be saddled with fees for every transaction.
Additional Reading: Gen Y On Credit And Debit Cards
There you have it! Don’t leave home without these and your trip should go ahead as smooth as silk since you’ll have all your bases covered. If you’re looking for other financial products to help you save up for your dream trip to Europe, you’ve certainly come to the right place.