Travel & Holidays Tips for Travelling Europe with Kids

I can't answer about kids.

While you can use wifi in hotels and many public places, I found it far easier to have mobile data. You don't need heaps, but it's far easier using Google maps and using uber/taxis if you aren't relying on wifi.

Depending on what sort of phone you have and how much it's worth - take your phone or buy a smart phone for $200 - $300. Motorola now make some reasonable phones, and there's some reasonable ones available from Kogan.

If you have dual Sim you may choose to take your Sim card with you and buy local Sims in Europe. Taking your Sim means that people you haven't notified can get in touch, even if it is international roaming. Otherwise just leave your email address on your answering service.

There's some reasonable deals with sim cards which are useable Europe wide. If you weren't going to many countries, you could get by buying one in each country. If you're using wifi then 1- 2 GB for a month should be plenty. I don't know what wifi is like in Europe - but many Australian places charge for wifi, or give you a small allowance, or poor download. Don't expect Netflix, it should be enough to communicate.

Visa - most banks have travel cards which you load money into. They give you two cards with different numbers, so you still have one if you lose one. Just don't keep them together of course.

Use WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to keep in touch with people.

Be careful about just winging it if you're travelling during peak season.

Your email should preferably be one that's not tied to an internet provider- but most providers give you web access to email anyway. Or your phone mail app can give you access to email.

 

Facebook Messenger requires a Facebook account, so that may not suit. I use FB messenger frequently because most of the people I contact are on FB.

Whatsapp: WhatsApp

There’s always Skype, the most well known. I use Skype, but for such a well known app, it can be really user unfriendly at times.

 

Or you can check out Airbnb. If you’ve never used it before, many people here could give you a referral link which saves them and you money. Airbnb can save a lot of money, and give some great experiences, but it’s not for everybody. I love it, my wife barely tolerates it.

 

I wasn't going to risk a huge phone bill so bought an Australia Post prepaid travel sim. I could have added data, but relied on wifi in public places but mostly in our accommodation. I made sure we had free wifi when booking.

But having to use the sim was expensive, but I don't understand things well enough to ensure I'm not chewing up data without realising. I loaded $100 and then another $100 over eight weeks when I had to use it without free wifi.

It also meant I didn't have people calling me from Australia. I loaded photos to Facebook so our kids and selected friends could see where we were.

 

It depends partially on what sort of people you are. Some people travel to see the sights, others travel to experience another place and another culture.

If you're not sure, mix them up. You have a lot of time, and if you are travelling all of that time, you will be completely sick of it. Maybe take 2 to 4 weeks in one place, possibly even house sitting (there are websites where you can find places for minimal cost). Perhaps somewhere in the country, close to a small village. Even take language lessons. South of France, Tuscany, Portugal, Greek island... There's so many possibilities.

 

Btw travel insurance is a must. But don't take what's offered when you buy the flights. Do some research on cost, benefits, and user reviews, especially how good they are for paying out.

As mentioned, a data Sim card is a must, but don't get one that's world wide like the one Wylie mentioned- just a Europe one. To help you save data, either download local maps using wifi on Google maps when you are in a specific location, or use maps.me and download country maps as you go.

To keep kids entertained, especially on the plane, you can download Netflix shows.

A subscription to Google Music or Spotify is cheap, and also allows you to download music.

All this downloading... If you are going to get a phone for the trip, get one with a data card slot and get a big enough card.

 

Sure. But the OP has already got his sights on a number of destinations. I’m pointing out another possibility given the amount of time they have available. 16 weeks is too much time to be travelling around, I’m trying to subtly indicate a slow down point somewhere.