Finally returning to Europe to update our Rick Steves guidebooks, I was expecting to find lots of changes due of the pandemic. But the biggest trend is something I didn’t see coming: In just two years, Europe has made huge advances in technology. It used to be, there were two ways of doing things: the tech-savvy way, and the old-fashioned way. Now the two options are “get with the tech” or “get left behind.” If you’re heading to Europe soon, it’s time to get comfortable with technology.
This may sound intimidating. Fortunately, the technology — from “contactless” payments, to e-tickets for museums, to buying train tickets on an app — has also become much more user-friendly. Yes, there’s a learning curve. But the “new way” of doing things is easier than ever. And it comes with a bigger payoff.
Contactless Payment
The prime example of this trend is “contactless” or “tap” payment, for purchases both big and small. This technology has already had a stealth rollout in the USA over the last couple of years. About a year ago, my bank sent me — unsolicited — a new “tap” credit card. At first, I thought, “Why? I don’t need that.”
Now that I’ve traveled in Europe, I understand: Yes, I really do need that. Not just on the road; it’s also a great convenience at home. (Surprisingly, many vendors in the US don’t even realize they accept tap payments. This has happened to me several times: A cashier says, “OK, you can insert or swipe your card.” Instead, I tap my card against the terminal. The cashier says, “No, you have to insert…” BEEP! “Oh, it worked.”)
While some of you may be up to speed on “tap” payment, many Americans haven’t quite fully adopted it. And those people are in for a rude awakening when they land in London or Amsterdam and find that, in very many cases, “contactless” is the only way to pay for purchases.
To get ready for contactless, you have two options:
First, check with your credit card company to see if they offer a “tap” version of your card. They may be able to send you one immediately. Or check the card you already have; it may, heretofore unnoticed by you, have the four curved lines indicating that it works for “tap” payment. Since you’ll be using this in Europe, start trying it out at home before you go.
But what if it’s too late to get a tap card? No problem. You can set up contactless payment on your smartphone. For example, if you have an iPhone, you can link any credit card to your Apple Wallet. (In the “Settings” menu, look for “Wallet & Apple Pay,” then “Add Card.” Here’s more information for Apple devices, and for Google Pay on Android.) When it’s time to pay, just move your phone toward the pay pad and click the side button twice. It’ll scan your face (or ask for your passcode)…and Bob’s your uncle!
I don’t want to overstate the “cashlessness” of Europe. In many places, cash is still widely used. For example, in three weeks in Italy, I could have paid for just about everything with cash…had I wanted to. But if you pay with plastic, you’ll be paying by tap (rarely by inserting or swiping your card).
That said, in some places, cash is effectively extinct. In London, I was surprised how many businesses — big and small — simply refused to accept it. Whether paying for a nice dinner, buying a pack of gum, or booking a theater ticket, everyone just wanted me to tap. When I landed at Heathrow, I withdrew £200 from an ATM — assuming, as on past trips, that I’d pay for things with a combination of cash and card. I still have about £180 taking up space in my money belt. (Fortunately, I’m heading to Scotland later this summer, where I will work harder at unloading those bills.)
Here’s a sign of the times: At the City of London tourist office, I was told that they tried to go cashless last year. But then, Americans began to return — and they kept showing up with cash. So the TI had to quickly figure out how to go back to accepting cash payments. (Of course, other businesses aren’t so accommodating.)
If visiting a place where contactless is dominant — such as London — simply take out less cash on arrival. Or wait a day or two, to be sure you really need it. You may never get around to it.
Once you get used to this change, it’s frankly wonderful. Tap payments make things so easy. Gone are the days of worrying if the European machine would accept your American PIN, or figuring out whether you have to insert or swipe. With contactless, it’s just tap and go.
Museum Changes: Reservations, E-Tickets, and the End (?) of Audioguides
Technology has also altered the way that museums operate. The ability to make online reservations for major sights is old news. But through the pandemic, that process has been streamlined and simplified, and now even smaller museums offer this option. This began primarily as a crowd-management measure. Now that occupancy limits have been lifted, most sights seem to be keeping those systems in place for the convenience of their visitors (or, more likely, because they like the way it helps them track attendance data).
Here’s the catch, though: Just because a sight offers reservations, doesn’t mean they are actually helpful for every traveler. Pre-reserving online takes time and makes your day’s structure more rigid. (In Italy, it also usually costs a couple of euros extra to book ahead.) It’s worth doing some homework to establish whether it’s really worth reserving ahead. I find that for popular museums, at busy times, prebooking saves time and stress. But otherwise, I’d rather keep my schedule flexible.
By the way, some sights that used to just recommend reservations now require them. In Rome, I showed up one morning at the Colosseum without a reservation. It was not too busy at other big sights, so I figured I could just buy a ticket and go inside. However, at the turnstile I was informed that all of the ticket windows had been closed during COVID; the only way I could gain entry was by prebooking online. The good news: There were time slots available almost immediately. The bad news: To book one, I had to stand around in front of the Colosseum for 10 minutes, struggling with a buggy website on my smartphone. It worked. But I wished I’d done it back in the comfort of my hotel room.
Will this be the case from now on? Good question. As we update our guidebooks, we’re learning that museum policies are still in flux. Some of my “fresh” Rome updates from just one month ago are already out-of-date. It could well be that, as crowds increase through the summer, some of the Colosseum’s in-person ticket desks will reopen. (Though in that case, you’d still want to reserve ahead, to save time.) To be clear on the latest policy, check the sight’s website for official word before you visit.
When you do book online, it’s easier than ever to enter the sight. Major attractions now have separate entrances for ticket holders. After you book your ticket online, you’re emailed a QR code; just show this at the appropriate turnstile, and you’ll be scanned right in. And that’s it…no need to print anything, or to exchange a voucher or a virtual ticket for a paper one. It’s wonderfully simple. (Some sights, of course, still do have security lines.)
Here’s a handy “travel hack,” straight from Rick Steves: It can be a pain to scroll through old emails to find your ticket, once you arrive at the sight. Consider taking a screenshot of the QR code when you receive it, so it’s easier to find quickly in your camera roll. (Good one, Rick!)
The other trend I noticed was the decline of audioguides. This makes sense: During a pandemic, who wants to press their face against a device that was recently pressed against a stranger’s face? Many museums have replaced physical audioguides with apps that you download and listen to on your own phone. It’s hard to predict anything these days, but now that these apps are in place, I have a hunch that many sights will never go back to physical audioguides (a technology that was already feeling old-fashioned).
As I made these discoveries, I was glad to work for a company that produces our own top-quality audio tours of Europe’s top museums. This sounds like a gratuitous plug, but it’s simply a smart, honest travel tip: As the availability of good museum information is in flux, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of Rick’s entirely free audio tours, which you can download and use via our Rick Steves Audio Europe app.
In London, many museums have also integrated maps into their free apps…and, therefore, have done away with paper maps. Again, this largely began as a “touch-free” COVID measure. But now that they’ve innovated this alternative, museums are figuring out how much it saves them in printing costs. And at museums where they rearrange the collection frequently (such as the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern), digital maps are easier to update, too. I suspect that, for some museums, paper maps will not return. If you don’t want to download the museum app, here’s a tip: Just take a photo on your phone of the map posted in the lobby.
Train Tickets, Getting Online, and Other Technology Issues
On this trip more than ever before, I booked intercity train tickets on apps. In Italy, I used the official Trenitalia app; in Britain, I used the Trainline app. In both cases, I could look up schedules, choose a departure, and book a ticket with just a few taps on my phone. Gone are the days of arriving at the station early to stand in line or grapple with self-service ticket machines. You can just book your ticket over breakfast, or in the taxi on your way to the station. Scan your QR code to enter the platform turnstiles, and keep track of the train’s schedule (including delays updated in real time) right on the app.
I also used apps to hail taxis. In Rome, I used the “Free Now” app to get a regular Roman taxi, for the regular rates, on request, without having to make a phone call or find a taxi stand. And it made it simple to pay and tip with my credit card. (Uber works in Rome, but only at the pricier “Uber Black” level — making a regular taxi more affordable.)
Of course, many of these technology advances require an Internet connection. This can be simple, or an expensive headache, depending on your provider at home. I use T-Mobile, even though their service where I live can be very frustrating, because they offer free (if slower) Internet access in Europe. Some of my relatives use Verizon, which requires buying a special plan to use in Europe. (Here’s an article explaining some of this.)
Even a few years ago, for someone on a casual vacation, I might have advised them not to bother setting up their phone to get online in Europe. Free Wi-Fi hotspots are plentiful, and you’re usually not far from a place to get online. However, with the technological leaps I observed on this trip, getting online abroad is increasingly worth the hassle. While you can still probably get away with skipping it, these days you’re more likely to encounter situations where you’ll be glad you did.
If you just hate dealing with technology, all of these changes may sound demoralizing. I’d flip that logic around: It’s empowering to know that these changes are afoot, so you have time to get used to them and learn the new system. What would be “demoralizing” would be landing in Europe, unaware that these options are out there…and being constantly frustrated by them. It’s amazing how fast the “new standard” gets set when the world changes. And it’s time to get on board.
I was in Europe updating our Rick Steves guidebooks for our brand-new, post-COVID editions. Those will begin to arrive on bookshelves later this summer.
I’m heading out again soon for another trip to Europe. In the coming weeks, I’ll be in Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Scotland. If you’d like to hop in my rucksack, I’ll be posting occasionally to this blog. But for all the latest updates, be sure to follow me on Facebook. Happy travels!
I am going to London at the end of June. Any advice on using a credit card to tap in and out on the tube? I also have an Oyster visitor card, should use it instead of a credit card?
Oyster cards are now obsolete. The new tap system is fantastic, You tap in when you enter and then when you exit and it magically computes the fare and charges your credit or debit card. I used it all over London and it’s amazing. Just a few caveats:if you’re traveling with your family, everyone needs their own card or phone to tap. We couldn’t get one card to process more than one trip at a time. Also, you need to have the contactless feature on your card. Finally, make sure your card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees or you will be paying extra for each trip. Otherwise, use it with ease and enjoy!
Hello. What bank or credit card do you use that does not charge international fees? I used my US Bank visa 4 years ago and i think it converted everthing so i could see it on my statement . Don’t remember if there were fees. Thanks
Charles Schwab reimburses the international fees. I opened an account years ago and have used my Charles Schwab card at ATM’s all over Europe. By the time I get home the fees have been reimbursed.
I used Charles Schwab debit card just a few days ago at an ATM that stated they did not charge a bank fee. Just the conversion amount between pounds and dollars when I checked on-line a few hours ago. They provide the same fraud protection as a credit card which is great in a debit card.
The Costco card and the Amazon card do not charge foreign transaction fees
Capital One doesn’t charge a fee, at least on the card we have.
Capital One does not charge international transaction fees. Nor do you need to set up a travel alert with them to let them know you’ll be traveling (in the US or internationally). We’ve used them for years and their security measures and customer support are top notch.
I used my Capital One card when I was in Portugal. No fees!
Some of the Capital One cards don’t charge a fee, too.
Shop around. There are cards that don’t charge international fees. I use a AAA Visa card when traveling.
I use a Bank of America travel rewards visa card. No fees, and I get the points to spend on travel!
If you are in Canada the only credit card that I know of that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees is “Home Trust Visa”. All the others mentioned, including “Capital One”, do charge these fees for Canadians. Bummer.
Capital one
My Capital One card does NOT charge foreign transaction fees. My Bank of America card DOES.
We were in London last fall and never used an Oyster card. All public transportation accepted my credit card.
I was just in London. Oyster card works as easily and simply as always. You just tap at the turnstiles in and out. Much easier than all the family members needing their phone/app out for scanning. Plus, you get the benefits of your daily rate capping out as well.
I am in London now. Yes, I could use my credit card to tap my way through public transport but I wasn’t willing to risk inadvertently loosing it in the rush. So I opted for the easily replaceable Oyster card and kept my credit card safely stashed for all other transactions, and I mean ALL. Hardly used any cash in the week I have been here.
I’m just back from London. At first I used my credit card to tap in and tap out on the Tube, but as I usually just slip my card in my pocket during the ride so I can grab it easily on the way out, I soon found that I was feeling uncomfortable with the possibility that it might fall or get picked out of my pocket. After a couple of days I went back to using my Oyster card and felt a lot better. My friend, on the other hand, used Apple Pay on his watch and that seemed to work fine.
Oyster cards are not obsolete – I use one every day! Many people also use their cards, phones, and smart watches. It’s fairly simple and dependent on your comfort level – just wanted to clarify the first response.
Be aware that when I visited in 2018, a London taxicab driver REFUSED to allow me to use my credit card to pay for my taxi ride. The machine was right there, but he refused to let me use it. He offered to drop me off at a streetside ATM — after dark! I told him that I do not use ATMs on the street or after dark. And we were almost late for our show. We gathered up enough cash to pay for the ride, but this left us short of cash for the rest of the night.
I appreciate your thoroughness and great writing keeps me interested as well! Stay safe out there!
Good advice, Cameron! I have a credit card I use exclusively for travel because that bank does not charge the foreign exchange fee. However, I checked for the tap logo and it’s not there. Tomorrow I am calling that company and see if I can get a tap card before my summer trip.
Is it easier to use phone or Apple Watch to tap in and out of the tube? Does this also work in Paris? Will be there end of June and July!
apple watch ( I have version 6) worked perfectly for tap. I used it everywhere. The only place that did not accept tap was buying a subway ticket from the Window attendant.
Almost everyone commented on the watch and all very positive. Have Fun!
Thanks for the update Cameron. I’m considering the Omnia Pass for Rome, mainly for the time saving as I understand you can book ahead to a site, or museum already covered under the flat rate paid on the card, in advance. I’m not sure. Do you know how that works? Being from Canada, we’re pretty used to yhe tap and pay cards and chips etc., but I still pay cash for some things, though less and less. I eill be in Italy mid September to October partly on the Rick Steves Sicily tour.
We’re leaving for Poland, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic next week. I read that Vienna doesn’t accept credit cards very much. Is this true? Seems the opposite of the points in this article.
Can use either I believe but being a foreigner you might encounter conversion fees. Contactless was being used when I last visited in 2019 but I always use my Oyster
I was in Vienna Dec 2019 and I tapped and used cash
I leave the end of the month with 2 granddaughters for those countries. I would be interested in the responses.
Tapping my way through Amsterdam this week (May 2022). Don’t need any euros.
When we were in the Netherlands in Aug 2021, we noticed that Master Card was more likely accepted than Visa. Did you notice that? We are headed back this Aug. and I wonder if it’s worth getting a Mastercard.
Yes, it is worth carrying both a Visa and a Master Card, for primary and backup usage if one isn’t accepted.
Amsterdam is probably one of the most tech friendly places in Europe. I don’t think I used cash at all the entire time I was there. There were a few places that even refused to accept cash, and this was back in 2018 before Covid.
The move away from cash in the UK was particularly helpful when we visited Gibraltar for a day. We never took money out of an ATM and was able to use our credit card for even small purchases.
Excellent pointers to help keep the rest of us abreast of the technological changes in Europe! I’d like to piggyback on your recommendation to take screenshots of your entry tickets (which is especially helpful in spotty phone service areas). I also recommend marking that screenshot as a “favorite” on your phone, so that you don’t have to scroll through the hundreds of vacation photos you took during the past couple days, trying to find a needle in a haystack. This saves a lot of time and frustration at the ticket counter when you can simply open your Favorites album and find your ticket right away. I also do this with other crucial pieces of information like itineraries, maps, etc that you may need at a moment’s notice.
Great info! Also, here’s a typo you may want to fix.
When you do book online, it’s easier than ever to enter the sight. (site)
what about travelers who do not have a smart phone?
I am retired, and have never had any type of mobile phone.
Our ‘landline’ is our primary phone.
My wife has a ‘smart’ phone, which she can barely use.
At my age, 76, technology is totally baffling.
Being old is bitch, if this is the future.
Peter, I’m with you sir!
Not just the the getting older thing But,people who are disabled and there’s many forms of that!! Kinda un justified to make people feel there stuck and shut out even more from the world!
Just as in fairness of a single traveler having to pay more is rather than two!
The world of traveling has told people they don’t matter unless you’re going to pay through the nose!
No phone here either! Nor will there be!
Guess traveling etc is out for many
Of us!!
Good luck! Will need it!
OK, being “old” is not as much fun as being “young” was, but YOU are the one who is setting your limits. There are a lot of old travelers out there and they had to learn about new ways of doing things, too. Talk to older folks at senior centers, food courts, playgrounds or dog parks and see how many have smart phones and what they think about them and what apps they like. Watch YouTube videos or get materials from your library about using smart phones. Then, get a young relative, neighbor, or other adult to agree to tutor you and your wife on how to use your smart phone in the ways you want to use it. If you are paying for their time and skill to teach you, you can set the pace and go as slowly and repeat things as often as you feel it necessary. Write down goals you want to achieve before payment is due so they will cover all the things that you want. When your are comfortable with your smart phone, the “tap” technology won’t seem so intimidating and the world will open back up. Good luck.
I totally agree with Valerie. I have always kept up with newer technology, especially my smartphone and smartwatch (Apple). Narrow down the few things you want to do on your devices and forget all the other things that these devices can do (you can use those other features as you become more experienced or just forget about those things you don’t need). Also remember: of course you will safeguard your physical phone, but make sure to also add proper safeguards to your phone: anti-virus software (if needed), two-factor authentication, bank alerts for card usage, don’t click on links for which you are not comfortable. You’re smart to travel. Have a great time, you can do it.
My mother is 90 and handles her smart phone with ease, and she’s a technophobe. The problem is not technology, it’s attitude. You can do learn it if you really want to
I was just in Amsterdam and ran into the same issue where I withdrew cash specifically thinking I would have to use it, but then couldn’t use it. I never use cash in the US, so this has always been a big point of inconvenience for me, and I’m glad more people are not using it in Europe.
I’m also glad there is more use of technology during public transport. In the Netherlands, they use a tap in/tap out OV Chipkaart, which was so helpful because when trains were cancelled, I didn’t have to worry about having to buy separate tickets for the new route I was going to take. I also used my phone and Google Maps to find new routes to overcome the cancellations – without this, I literally don’t know how I would have made it back without serious trouble!
Better get with the times and get a smart phone. Resistance is futile!
Myself & travel companion are in the same situation, with a 4 country river cruise coming up late fall. Would welcome advice/info/experiences from others.
Best bet, you arrive in town go to a movil shop, an independent cell phone shop, and buy a used unlocked phone and a simple SIM card,compare the plans offered for phone and internet service before you buy, i use vodaphone for €15 a month, free roaming anywhere in EU, 800 international minutes to US and others, 5G 80Gb internet. A bargain! Get the whole package for about €40 . Then you are set up for anything you encounter, download the free apps for metro,buses, QR codes , trains, guides and WhatsApp used everywhere in Europe. Enjoy without any US phone or internet hassles.
Adding to my previous post. The vodaphone SIM card i use is a prepaid monthly card. Just buy one for the month while you are in Europe. If you have an old unlocked US phone, bring it and buy a SIM card with one of that country’s phone systems. Check with the old phone’s carrier before you leave to make sure it is really an unlocked one. Lots of movil shops have unlocking services, but it sometimes takes a day or two away from your vacation.
I have a question that you may not be able to answer, but given your helpful posts here, I thought I’d give it a try. We have cellphones, but not smartphones, from the UK, that we bought in 2014. If all we really want to do is make phone calls when we are in Germany and Austria (mainly Austria), do you think it might work to buy a SIM card and use those phones there? Again, just to make phone calls? Thanks.
What about small businesses in small towns in France? Is cash preferred?
We went to Amboise in April. Apple Ipay with apple watch worked everywhere there.
I made a post elsewhere about Paris and using the watch. Another posted reminded me that cabs did not like credit cards in and around Paris.
I have found taking a photo of a QR code doesn’t always work if you don’t have WiFi on the street. They go into the cloud, appear blurry, and won’t scan. If you can’t put the code in your Apple wallet, copy the QR photo into notepad and it will stay readable.
BTW, Norway doesn’t use cash. Everything is by card. Even the pay toilet in the park.
Kept trying to pay for the toilet with the wrong Scandinavian coin. Wetting my pants by the time the coin issue got settled,
Same with Iceland – no cash in sight. Everywhere was a tap machine, even in the smallest store in the most remote areas. I hunted down a bank just to get some local currency as a souvenir and the bank cashier couldn’t figure out why I wanted cash! I had to beg them for a few bucks in exchange for my USD.
Our 2021 trip to Iceland, the only time we could have used some cash was 1) tip for a “pay what you want” walking tour, and 2) roadside honor-system farm stand. I’m obsessed with the “tap” payment method ever since my trip to Iceland!
There may be another risk to taking a screen shot of your ticket. Some ticketing systems are starting to use “dynamic” QR codes. The code changes every couple of minutes, like multi factor authentication used by banks and secure websites. A screenshot of one of these QR codes would be invalid in minutes.
Luckily, the ticket can be stored in your wallet for easy access.
Also, if you are storing the photo of your QR code (or any other important document) on a cloud service, most services will allow you to mark it for permanent storage on your hand-held device. That will make it available at all times, regardless of the current availability to the cloud.
London in April had cabs that said (when asked before we got in) if they’d accept credit cards, and upon arrival heard, ‘oh, it’s not working, cash only.’ MULTIPLE times. Even when they had the little tap units in the back of the cab. Many offers to drive us to ATMs to get cash, which we refused to have them do. Other than that, everything (restaurants, attractions, even most stalls at Covent Gardens) was tap. I’m concerned now about heading to France, where we know in advance there are road tolls, gas, toilets, and other things that are cash only. From what I’m reading, that seems to be true more on the continent than in the UK. Without a Schwab account, it does appear that there are fees on every bank and credit card to take cash out of an ATM. Suggestions appreciated.
Capitalone credit cards are all free of foreign transaction fees. I have been using them for more than 20 years all over the world. Also when paying with any card make sure you choose to pay in the local currency not in USDollars. That way you pay your bank’s exchange rate, not the local jacked up price which also often includes up to a 3% fee.
Yes, we have used our Capital One card for decades and now appreciate the ability to “tap” instead of insert or swipe. To avoid unexpected transaction fees you must absolutely choose to pay in the local currency!
On a side note, during a trip to London in March I used my Oyster card and keep loading it as needed. Very few vendors would accept cash, in England or in Scotland
I also recommend the Omio app for Italy trains – it provides schedules for both Trenitalia and Italo trains so you can find the best train to fit your schedule.
Has anyone been to Scotland this year? Do you think we’ll need any pounds? I was thinking about £100 just in case we’re in small towns or villages that might still prefer cash.
Thank you!
You don’t have to travel to Europe to experience “tap” and the other technological advances described: Just look North to your neighbour, Canada.
What is you don’t have WiFi to download the app? That was our problem in past trips before Covid, we either could not down load the app or there wasn’t good enough wifi to operate the app to hear the guide
If you have enough cellular data available, you can use that to download any app you need.
One suggestion I would make with the use of audio guides on your phone is that you burn through your phone battery very quickly so make sure to bring some quick charging battery packs with you. We learned this the hard way using Rick Steves Audio Europe as in Paris! My daughter and I found an electrical outlet in the Louvre and hung out there for a while we charged up our phones! Having a phone that is fully charged is critical when you are relying on it to hold all of your ticket information, pay for your train or taxi, for your food etc.!
Great tip! I have 2 power banks to go with us on our upcoming trip to Scotland.
Thanks!
Good point, always bring along a backup charged battery and cable (or use wireless, if you can on your device). Also, when using outlets to charge, make sure to bring your charger plug with your cable. Avoid using the USB direct charge devices (without a plug) in public areas to be safe from data thieves (or get a USB Data Blocker – Protect Against Juice Jacking).
I always always always bring a power bank with me when I go to Europe. It is a lifesaver when you run out of juice on your phone. I use my phone for GPS and taking photos, both of which can suck the life out of a phone. So not only does it charge your phone wherever you are, but it charges it about 3 times as fast as your regular charger. I use an Anker power bank that I bought on Amazon but there are others out there.
I should also add that with these power banks, you do not need an electrical outlet. You charge the power bank before you go and then charge your phone while you’re out and about. I’ve been able to get two full charges on my phone out of one full charge on the power bank. It really is a lifesaver.
I concur. In fact the article should be amended to have in CAPS to bring a battery pack/power bank with you. Something about traveling seems to alter physics and cause phone batteries to go to zero after just a few hours! And if your QR tix or other key digital wallet info is needed, you’ll be up-the-creek! ALWAYS HAVE A BACKUP POWER SOURCE!
Although a non-tipping culture in general, we noticed in Italy last fall that a line for a gratuity was appearing on some restaurant checks. Caused by the intense use of credit cards where once cash was king, no doubt. Like you, we didn’t use much cash and no longer try to take some home for the next trip.
I love the e-tickets, buy-on-the-fly train tickets, and any way to eliminate paper. Keeping up with technology in our later years is not a problem, it is a solution!
What is the situation in Greece? Do most places take credit cards?
We just got back from being in Greece for the month of April and cash and tap to pay are widely accepted. We used very little cash and it was easier to use tap to pay with a credit card even for small purchases like gelato. Only in some restaurants tips had to be paid in cash.
Thanks for the information, Ken.
I’m currently in formerly-cash-only Germany, but tap-to-pay seems to be available practically everywhere. Sometimes a signature is required, but only about half the time.
Lawrence, I’m here now too and I wholeheartedly agree. I think I’ve only had to sign for something to or three times. Everything else is just tap and pay. Even in restaurants, the servers bring you a little credit card machine and take your card at the table. Keep in mind in Germany that if you want to add a tip, you have to tell them to add it on manually to the charge before they run it through. Either that, or leave them a cash tip.
I’ve been using the tap to pay here at home, it’s pretty easy. I’m hoping it’s secure, I haven’t had any problems yet. Even pre-covid I was using my credit card in Europe for almost everything except small purchases. Maybe now I can use the cc even for small purchases. I guess I will still need some cash for tips for guides? I’m not wild about giving my credit card info to phone apps though. I know it convenient and lots of people are doing it, I’m just not comfortable with it. I’ve used Google Fi phone service in Europe and it works great and there is no extra cost! I use more data than I do at home so that cost a little more. It actually works better in Europe than it does at home. Happy traveling!
It sounds wonderful to be able to use all this technology but I have experienced 2 tech malfunctions where my phone has crashed. Once in Italy the phone I had reset itself and I lost everything and couldn’t access backups. It was a good thing I had paper copies of what I needed.
Wanda, two tech malfunctions, crashed, lost everything, reset, no access to backups. So sorry to hear. Perhaps you need to check your phone for malware, use anti-virus software, keep your OS and apps up-to-date, consider a new phone. If you keep your phone synced with the cloud, you could use that as your backup or get all your data accessed using any secure browser via the internet, even on a travel companion’s phone.
Another option that is lower cost is to buy a SIM card. In Italy we bought SIM cards for €10-15 a month. (For 10+GB of Data) Then you can pay the next month at a Tobacchi or in the App.
You phone needs to be unlocked. If you need a way for friends or family to contact you, ask them to email (not call or text). Or use WhatsApp. We found WhatsApp commonly used by Italians.
Frankly, this column scares me to death. We are headed for the British Isles later in the summer, and although we have smart phones, we don’t know how to do much of this stuff on them! It is so easy to say, “Just learn!” but not easy to do. We are experienced travelers and have been all over the world, in wonderful places and circumstances that most younger people will never know, but we are not very experienced with the technology described here. It’s almost enough to make me cancel the trip.
It really is easy to learn if you want to. It’s an attitude issue not a brain matter issue.
Frankly, this column scares me to death. We are headed for the British Isles later in the summer, and although we have smart phones, we don’t know how to do much of this stuff on them! It is so easy to say, “Just learn!” but not easy to do. We are experienced travelers and have been all over the world, in wonderful places and circumstances that most younger people will never know, but we are not very experienced with the technology described here. It’s almost enough to make me cancel the trip.
Do you have a teenager or college student in your life? Recruit them! Tell them what you think you’ll need to do while traveling. Tell them to teach you the basics in the simplest terms — and tell them to let YOU practice instead of just showing you on your phone. Think about what apps you might need – Google maps, transportation company apps for ticket purchasing, mobile payment apps – and get them set up now with accounts and linked credit cards and practice accessing them. Get the young person in your life to teach you how to find wifi networks and sign into one, and how to go in and out of airplane mode, and turn your GPS on and off. Have them help you find an international data plan if you don’t already have one. You can do this. It’s nothing to be scared of. It can seem intimidating, but get comfortable with your phone. Don’t cancel your trip!
What about London’s market stalls? Does cashless still apply?
If you’re planning to tap and pay, you might want to check with your card to see whether there are any limits. I recently found (in England) that over a certain amount I needed a PIN number to validate the charge.
Thanks for the heads up on this!
Thanks, Cameron, for the updated tech news. Just a note: your use of “sight” should be converted to “site”.
Thanks again and safe travels!
On a recent RS Belgium and Netherlands tour, we found audio guides used in many museums. They were cleaned between users.
Cameron, would you have any recommendations/information regarding the best international iPhone plans available to Canadians? We currently don’t have/need a data plan on our iPhone. We usually travel about once a year for a month or so.
We are taking Rick’s Spain tour in September followed by a trip to Morocco then Portugal.
There may be another risk to taking a screen shot of your ticket. Some ticketing systems are starting to use “dynamic” QR codes. The code changes every couple of minutes, like multi factor authentication used by banks and secure websites. A screenshot of one of these QR codes would be invalid in minutes.
Luckily, the ticket can be stored in your wallet for easy access.
For those who are concerned about low data plans, or using open wifi connections, or installing a local sim card: consider renting a mobile hot-spot
We used one in Japan a few years ago. You can book it prior to your trip, then pickup and drop off at the airport. The advantages are:
– no need to use your home data plan
– always on wifi connection that is secure and portable
– can be used by more than one person
– range of options for bandwidth and data limits
I’m not sure whether these are still available, but will definitely be looking for our next trip abroad.
How do we tip local guides in Europe without using cash?
We returned from Portugal a few days ago. Extensive use of TAP. In restaurants and other venues, you can have the vendor enter any amount you wish to pay to include a tip. We took a few free walking tours, and, in those instances, cash was our mode of tipping. I did not ask if they did Venmo or PayPal but that may have been an option. Even for small items, such as an espresso, we were offered a technology option but went with cash as it is still easier to reconcile a monthly statement without dozens of 1-2 Euro charges.
Also, when asked, it is best to pay in local currency (Euros) rather than dollars.
Happy travels!
Why do you need to tip anyone?
My wife and I are traveling to the UK this September. We’ll be staying a couple of weeks before and after in London with a Trafalgar 14-day tour of the UK in-between. I like that we can tap a lot of things now days. I don’t think I’d want to use my credit card instead of the Oyster Card. Too much chance of me missing my pocket or it being picked as one person has said. If I understood correctly, we might be able to us Apple Pay for the underground and buses. I have to learn how to do that before I go.
Thanks for this article. We are headed to Spain in a few weeks. I have always been leery to ApplePay but just activated it for my credit card. We are Americans who live in Mexico. The debit card from our Mexican bank has the touch less feature. I guess it’s everywhere now!
I will be going to Munich and Oktoberfest at the end of Sept. Will I be needing to get cash first and if so how much?
Thank you for updating Americans on “new” technology. It is not really new, it is the US banking system is so fragmented it has not invested in banking technology like other countries. In Canada we have had touch payments using your debit or credit card for some years now. I find it strange to go to a US restaurant, have someone take your credit card away and then have to sign for it. With tap payment you never lose control of your card. It is true all credit and debit cards have $ limits on tap transactions. For example in Canada it is $200. Above that amount you must use your PIN (assuming your card has chip technology, which by the way is not new in most of the world). Main point is new technology provides greater security. In Canada, you can now program your card so that you receive text alerts if a charge occurs that is greater than the alert amount you set.
As a US citizen residing in Europe, I can assure you they have been using contactless payment for a very long time. It’s the US that has lagged behind (as usual). Though the move away from cash came into “peak fashion” during the height of the pandemic (when people were avoiding touching “germy” things), that’s still not the case in smaller villages, where cash may be the ONLY thing they accept. Smaller, less wealthy villages can’t afford those fancy machines, nor the associated fees that cut into their profits. (Same with street venders). In some villages you need to be sure to have some smaller coins available as well. (Or be prepared to “tip” really well if they don’t have change).
Tapping in Milan’s transit system was great. They even calculate that a 24 hour rate is better for you after your 4th trip. No need to stand in ticket lines
Didn’t see a very respectful post about old people and tech. Basically, the message was “get with the program… you have no excuse”.
I would like a list of places to visit that really have respect, service, courtesy and more options. Some airlines, by the way, don’t even know what these things are.
A lot of old people have the money and time to travel. Young people have the same lately but that is changing quickly. Give it a couple of years on the track we are on. You will see.
First, Frida, I think you’re underestimating what you’re calling “old people.” I know many octogenarians who are completely up to date and on board with all of the tech I’m describing here. It’s sad to me to imagine a worldview that consists of “old people’ versus “young people.” I simply don’t see it that way. It’s not a competition. Technology, for those of any age willing to grapple with it, can make things easier for everyone.
Second, don’t shoot the messenger. I am simply conveying the reality that people who are tech-phobic will get left behind (or at least, have a more complicated experience) in post-COVID Europe. These days, the world has less “respect” for those who don’t want to get with the tech…not me, personally.
Here’s an example. If you’re taking the bus in Edinburgh, you have two choices for paying: You can either simply tap your contactless credit card on the panel as you board…and that’s it. Or, if you insist on paying cash, you will have to pay with exact change for each and every bus ride, counting out one pound and eighty pence, while holding up a long line of impatient passengers as you do so. There are (waning) options for technophobes. But they will increasingly be the least efficient, most time-consuming, most expensive ones.