European countries - costs and the English language?

Question

I was just wandering, if u have been to any of the following European countries, what is the English like in these countries (like, in terms of signs, ppl's English vocab etc.) and are the prices of the general accessories expensive (e.g. hotels, restaurants, car hire etc.):

Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium.

Answer 1

Germany - reasonably cheap and lots of people speaking some degree of English, especially in the cities.

France - certainly more expensive than Germany and less English speaking

Italy - The tourist areas are very expensive but out of the tourist areas I have found it to be one of the cheapest countries of Western Europe. English speaking is less common in the non tourist areas.

Austria - The Austrians have excellent English speaking skills. On the trains there are even announcements in English! It is reasonably cheap compared to countries like France.

Netherlands - The Dutch are also excellent English speakers. You can speak English in most places without a hassle. It is not the cheapest place, especially Amsterdam but within reason.

Belgium - Belgians are not as great at speaking English as the Dutch but they already have 2 languages of their own to learn. Nevertheless communication should not be a problem. Prices are very good for Western Europe, definitely cheaper than France.

Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Greece - I can not comment because I haven't been to these countries.
Denmark,

Switzerland - I have not been there eaither but have heard from friends that it is EXTREMELY expensive.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I have Been pack packing in Europe for first time in 1976 and visited just about all the European countries. The cost steers very much where to travel.

Austria 3, Belgium 3, Denmark 3 , Finland 3, France 2, Germany, 3 Greece 2, Holland 2, Hungary 1, Italy 2, Luxembourg 3, Norway 4, Portugal 1, Romania 0 , Spain 2, Sweden 3 and Switzerland 4. Czeck 1 and Slovakia 0, Estonia 1.

I have number behind each giving idea of price level there this correspons the price level on regular towns not historic city centers etc... added a few interesting counties to visit on your list.

4 - much higher than states
3 - somewhat higher than states
2 - states level
1 - below states
0 - way below

The same list for ability to get along with locals in English and find chat companion in PUBs among locals (not fellow tourists) 4 very easy 0 slight chance. Getting along with hotels and torist professionals is usually easy in all the countries.

Austria 3, Belgium 2, Denmark 3 , Finland 4, France 1, Germany3, Greece 1, Holland 4, Hungary 1, Italy 2, Luxembourg 4, Norway 3, Portugal 1, Romania 0 , Spain 2, Sweden 3 and Switzerland 3. Czeck 1 and Slovakia 0, Estonia 1.

Answer 3

In all the scandinavian country (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland), almost everybody speaks a perfect english...then i think that in Germany, Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland, you can find quite easily people who is able to speak english. Then, in Latin countries (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece), there is less people who knows english but you will probably find it especially in touristic places...
Concerning the prices, Scandinavian countries are the more expensive european countries...for the other countries, i think it's almost like the USA (even if unfortunately, i never been there)

Answer 4

Euroland is expensive in US dollar terms. You'll get people speaking a good level of English in most countries except Germany, Spain and France. London and UK in general is the most expensive. All others cost less but are nonetheless expensive.

Answer 5

I am an American living in France. If you go to Paris, everyone in the touristy areas speaks English. Many other people understand some English from their foreign language courses at school but they don't like to speak it for fear of sounding stupid.

As for the signs, there is a "Language Protection Act" in France which bans non-French language advertising, places restrictions on the amount of English Songs played on the radio, and forbids movies and television shows to be played in their original languages. All movies(except for a few exceptions in Paris) and TV must be dubbed in French.

Stick to the big city, touristy areas if you are afraid of the language.

Answer 6

go to Prague, its the best.
These countries you list are mostly western europe.
Is this what they recommend you in them Baedekers ?
Why you scared in other countries ?
Oh boy, look I visited them all except scandinavia countries and can tell you this:
germany,denmark,austra,belgium - nothing interesting except alps, viena, berlin and few castles in bavaria
holland ? drugs, homosexuals, flowers, yeah, alright
italy (venezia,rome), spaind (cordoba,madrid,sevila,malaga),france (riviera,monte carlo,paris).
but these countries are cliche, everybody goes there.
Prices ? Where are you from ? slightly more cost then you would pay in the usa, i guess. You will need more money, cause your dollar is very low nowadays.
I used to live in England, where the avg 3* hotel night price cost is about 80 gbp.
dinner in restaurant (UK - 10+ gbp), germany, france (15 euro+).
etc.

Answer 7

go to greece or czech republic prague or south italy best places in europe