Travel Tools
Reference tables for planning
Tipping by country
| Country | Typical tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 15-20% | Restaurants, taxis, bars; 10-15% for buffets |
| Canada | 15-20% | Similar to the US; round up for coffee |
| United Kingdom | 10-12% | Only if service is not included; many places add 12.5% |
| France | 5-10% | 'Service compris' is often included; round up |
| Italy | 1-2 EUR | Small change or 10% where service is not included |
| Spain | 5-10% | Not expected but appreciated for good service |
| Germany | 5-10% | Round up the bill; tell the server the total |
| Netherlands | 5-10% | Round up; not expected but welcome |
| Nordic countries | 0-10% | Service is included; rounding up is polite |
Daily budget reference (per person)
| Area | USD/day | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Western Europe capital | 180-260 | Mid-range hotel, two meals, transit |
| Western Europe small city | 120-180 | Lower hotel and food costs |
| Eastern Europe | 70-130 | Budapest, Prague, Dubrovnik good value |
| UK & Ireland | 160-240 | London and Dublin on the high end |
| United States city | 200-320 | Hotel drives the cost; tip on top |
| Canada | 150-230 | Toronto/Vancouver highest |
| Nordic countries | 220-320 | Consistently the most expensive |
Packing checklist
| Category | Pack | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | Passport, visa, insurance, reservations | Keep both paper and phone copies |
| Power | EU/UK/US adapter as needed | UK uses type G; EU type C/F; US type A/B |
| Money | Card + some local cash | Notify your bank before travel |
| Health | Prescriptions, basics | Check entry rules per country |
| Season | Layers for the forecast | See the seasonal guides before packing |
Pass & card comparison
| Option | Covers | When it pays off |
|---|---|---|
| Eurail Global Pass | Multi-country train travel | Good for 3+ countries in one trip |
| Country rail passes | Single-nation trains | Cheaper for one-country trips |
| City tourist cards | Museum + transit bundles | Worth it only if you use most entries |
| Attraction passes | Stacked paid sights | Compare against a la carte pricing first |
Driving cost reference
| Item | Typical cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rental | 20-70 per day by country | Book ahead; young driver fees apply |
| Fuel | 1.6-2.1 per litre EU | US/Canada priced per gallon |
| Tolls | Varies, often high | Alpine and French autoroutes cost most |
| Parking | City centres expensive | Use park-and-ride outside old towns |
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