European Travel -- Phones and Cash

Make sure the credit card company and the bank knows they will be there so they will not have issues with using the cards, etc. All you have to do it notify the company of the upcoming travel, dates and who will be using the cards,etc.

As for the phone, I don't know your carrier but you can sign up for international calling, etc during the stay and cancel it after they get home. That way, they are covered for the calls,etc while there.

Sounds like a great experience! Best of luck to them.

If they use their debit card for Euro exchanges, they will get a better rate than a credit card. They need to do their exchanges at banks there - the airport is typically higher exchange rates than banks.

All of the countries they are going to have ATM machines. They can access their accounts from there as well. Notify their bank in advance that they are traveling overseas so they don't get a "fraudulent" status on their card.

You can go to your carrier and for a nominal fee, they can activate the service on the phone for worldwide (depending upon the phone they have). In 2006, it was $75 for us to go use my phone in Mexico for a week.

Prior to their departure, you call your bank and ask if they have a Euro exchange so you can get Euros BEFORE they go.

If they are staying hostels, they shouldn't need much.
if they are staying in hotels or B&B's - then they will put a hold on funds for their stay - they need to be mindful of that as well.

Hope they have fun!! I LOVE EUROPE!!

they can get cash as needed from an ATM, but notify each credit card company and your financial institution of the dates and areas they're traveling so they aren't blocked.
We didn't do the international plan when we traveled. We bought phone cards there and would check in periodically, but I didn't want to have to pay for calls/texts from friends or for work. We emailed a lot, which is easier with the time difference too.

You've had lots of good advice already so I won't duplicate.

My big lesson from European travel is to get at least $200 (euros) BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME. Small denominations help too (tipping and cab rides).

We flew from Miami to Paris, then immediately drove to Normandy (after an all-night flight - what were we thinking?). My husband thought the exchange rates were too high at the airport, so we set out for northern France with no Euros (we had U.S. $$$ on us).

We stopped at a McDonald's in the middle of nowhere in France (en route to Bayeux). Our credit card didn't work. We speak little to no French. We have two teenage sons who were starving and thus ordered a lot of food. Unbelievably, the manager of that McDonald's gave us ALL of our food for free. It was so humbling, and we were thankful. The French people were so nice to us, even in Paris. It really opened our eyes.

Anyway, that's when it occurred to me that I would NEVER again leave for Europe without Euros. You can order them from your bank. My bank needs one week's notice (unfortunately we checked a few days before we were due to leave).

For phones we just switched to an international plan temporarily (AT&T).

Don't forget those power adaptors for European outlets.

It was the best trip we ever took. Your kids will grow so much. I hope they have a wonderful and safe time.

ETA: Our credit card worked fine the rest of the trip. I don't know why we had that initial problem - we had called before we left to let them know we'd be in Europe. In Italy it seemed like cash was appreciated.

We'd need to know more. How old? Are they going to be all on their own, staying in hostels/B&Bs, or with host families? Going to many countries or staying in just one?

We go every year but as a family. My husband bought a "pay-as-you-go" cell phone and plan useable only in Europe and when we arrive he just gets it from his mom and "tops up" the minutes on it and we're good to go. Your kids might do much better to purchase a very cheap cell phone once they're there, but it would help a lot if there is an adult friend at the destination who can do this in advance for them, before they arrive. Be aware that the plan may not include international calls back home to you. Some U.S. cell phones may work overseas -- I don't know -- but check carefully if you go that route, in case the person selling you a phone over here is misinformed about service in Europe.

As for cash: One country's currency? Several countries' currencies? You can convert cash or travelers' cheques into the local currency the moment you step off the plane at any "bureau de change" in an airport or train terminal - but they do charge you for this and it can vary and be quite expensive, so remember to account for that in the amounts they have. You do NOT want them carrying a lot of cash; see about getting American Express travelers' cheques instead before they leave and they must be very careful to keep the records for those cheques so that if the cheques are stolen, they can recoup the money. (Ask American Express about the procedure and the protections available if a traveler's cheque is stolen abroad.)

Be certain they have money belts that they can buckle around their waists and wear underneath their clothing whenever they're out; their extra travelers' cheques should go in there (unless they are staying in a very safe place like someone's home) and so should most of their daily cash. If they are on the go and carrying a passport I would ensure the passport was safely zipped in the money belt as well -- not in a pocket or a backpack, ever! Also be sure they know the basics for any country they visit: What a real cop looks like, the local language for "I need the police" etc.; how to phone for police locally (it's not 911!); how to avoid being pickpocketed (never carry a wallet in a back pocket, never carry anything precious in a bag or backpack, avoid crowds, take care on crowded buses and trains, sling your bag in front of you and don't wear it behind you, etc.).

If they have not traveled alone much, it is worthwhile to ensure they have a little savvy about those things. I've visited several major European cities (and lived in one) and though they are great, they also are full of professional pickpockets who are experts and who can spot a foreign tourist from miles away. I've never been pickpocketed but my husband nearly was (I saw the guy actually reaching into husband's pocket and yelled "Hey" and the guy instantly melted away in a crowd) and a friend's big bag was rifled through -- while she held it -- in another country. So you do have to take care and be alert. Not trying to scare you, just noting that if your kids are not yet adults, you may want to give them some talking to about these things before they leave. I love Europe but in any large city, or transportation hub, it's best to assume there are pickpockets, and to act accordingly.

*ETA:
Lots of Europeans, speak English. They are multi-lingual. So know that.
When I was there w/my Husband, I often just went cruising around by myself and was fine.
Also, make sure that your daughters, don't get caught up in the savvy gorgeous men there. MEN. Or young men. If your daughters are street-smart, then they won't get carried away or hung up on oogling the guys/men there. They are at an age... in which, they notice men/good looking men/boys. And they can be a lot more savvy or street smart, then them. And hopefully, your daughters are not the "partying" types who will go with a bunch of men to a party if they are invited, because they are Tourists.
I mean, here in Hawaii, I often see young women here on vacation... and they often fraternize with the handsome local men or go night clubbing... and think they are "friends." Which they are not. Local men... KNOW tourist women. They stand out.
It is just common sense.
Tell your daughters, do NOT separate.

And make sure, your daughters KNOW how to use the Euros. And pay for things. Its not hard.
AND make sure, that they AND you... have the phone numbers to the Consulates or Embassies.

You said they are making their own plans.... and you are not entirely sure, where they are going/where they are staying/etc. So you must, make sure. Have a copy of their itinerary, their lodging info/phone numbers/contact, their flight info. etc. It is not a matter of you being a micro-manager parent. It is just common sense. Just in case. If it were your Husband going, you'd know all that info. So same for your daughters.
------------------------------

I didn't read all the responses here yet.
Anyway, per cell phones... you HAVE to make sure, it can be used in Europe. Or not.
Ask the Provider.
And, does your daughter, KNOW how to use it in Europe? The "area codes" are different etc., when calls are made there to outside the country.

Like any traveling, make sure she has some cash on her.
Euros and American money.
American money for using while they are still on lay overs etc. at the American airports and/or for tipping etc.
Euros for when they hit European soil.

KNOW that, in Europe, there are lots of pick pockets.
Wear a waist pack or inside-your-waist type travelers pouches or whatnot.
Look online for travel pouches and for their I.D's etc. and passports.

Are they going with a tour group?
Or just your daughters by themselves?
You said they are making their own plans...... so, what is their itinerary etc.? You need a copy of that. Too.

If they have an iPhone or Smart phone, they should also be able to do "online/internet" things on it. If there is WiFi around where they are. And thus, they will be able to contact you either via phone or Skype or Face Time etc.

Again, make sure that their cell phones, CAN be used in Europe.
Some can. Some can't. And depending on the plan you have and the type of phone.

Before they leave, make sure you/them makes copies of ALL their passports/credit cards/medical insurance cards etc.
Just in case.
Make copies of everything, both the front and backsides of it.
And you, keep the copies. At home.

I have traveled to Europe and my Husband is from there.

Lots of good advice, so I will just add: make sure they know exactly what the British flag looks like. Many times at ATMs and when faced with instructions while we lived in Europe, the languages were listed not in words, but with the country's flags. Looking for that Union Jack at the ATM was a lifesaver, as at least I knew I could comfortably use the ATM if I was in an unfamiliar country (like Slovenia).

Also, have a currency converter app on their phone, and perhaps a basic translator book or phrase book. Italy was pretty easy (it doesn't take much to figure out what "polizia" means, since it almost sounds and looks like "police", but Dutch and German can be a little more difficult to decipher at first glance.

Stress to them the very real dangers of pickpockets. They are clever. You kids might think wearing one of those flat wallets under their clothes are dorky, but it's not. My husband knew a military person who was smart and careful, but still his wallet was stolen from his front pocket of his pants! Teach your kids that if they see a distraction (a person fainting, or a flurry of papers falling out of someone's bag, or similar chaotic situation) that is often the scenario created by the pickpocket. That should be their signal to walk away and keep their hands on their belongings.

What we noticed most often was that we could pick out the Americans in a crowd. And they attracted often-unwanted attention (sales people really bugging them, pickpockets, tourist traps, etc). How did we pick them out? By their shabby, often sloppy, barely-there attire. I once saw two women in Venice loaded with shopping bags from Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and several other high end shops (they obviously had spent a tremendous amount of money). The women were wearing stained sweat suits with sneakers that had holes in them. By blending in, by not wearing baggy sweatshirts, by trying to look neat and put together, you're safer. You don't appear like you're a novice tourist. Of course, if you're hiking, you dress for that, but in many European cities, the locals dress respectfully and nicely.

i take cash always. also, have an old iphone that i get a local sim card for, and then just use wifi. you can also use a regular phone but on airplane mode and just use wifi for internet and texting.

Where at in Europe?

Some areas won't be a problem. ATM's will be easily accessible. Other areas, not so much. They'll be able to use their regular ATM cards and should just contact their bank and let them know where they're going so there aren't any security issues.

Europe in general is pretty well connected when it comes to phones. Contact your cell provider and find out if there is a temporary plan they can be on with their existing phones for a couple of weeks.

Some areas (Paris!) are notorious for pickpockets. They should keep NOTHING important in easy-to-enter outer pockets of backpacks, etc. Even inside coat pockets aren't safe. I suggest a wallet that can be worn as a necklace, tucked into the shirt so it's right against the skin.

My phone didn't work in Austria in 2010, but this year on my mediterrean cruise, my phone worked at sea, but not on land. They should check with their providers as far as service. When I was internationally roaming, my calls were $2.50 a minute and text were $.50 to receive and $.05 to send. I did most of my contact by text. It was cheaper and easier because of the time difference, I was calling anyone at odd hours and making their phone ring.

I went to Bank of America to get my Euros. It had the best rates. I got the most for my money. AAA and places at the airport were much more expensive. When we were in Prague, friends of ours got Euros at a little shop on a street and got a great rate too.

Credit cards charge a fee when used internationally, but make sure if they do use them or their debit cards that they call their bank first. Also, I heard that an ATM is a good way to get money as well.

Just go to the AT&T store (or whatever your cell provider is) and see if their existing phones are capable of working on European networks. My husband's iPhone worked just fine when he was in Wales last year; a good friend of ours works 50% of the time in Europe and uses an iPhone 5. I do remember that we went to AT&T and they did something (?) with our plan so he could use the phone in Europe, but we definitely didn't have to get a new phone or anything.

In terms of cash, you can use just about any ATM as long as you have a debit card. Check the back of their existing debit cards and see what networks your bank is a part of (translink, etc), and then you can actually look up the countries that have participating banks/ATMs in that network. And, yes, most places do accept Visa and Mastercard, so they'll just be able to use their ATM cards for the most part, and not carry too much cash.