What can you tell some of the basic things I will need to know in Europe?

Question

I am going to Europe with 17 of my friends in July, and I would like a few survival tips.

Answer 1

The first answer has a lot of useful information, here are some more details.

Do not bring traveler cheques, they have gone out of fashion real fast, not many place do accept them anymore, and some of the hotels charge you to get your own money.
The best way to 'carry' your money is a debit or bank card, check with your bank that your card is ready for use abroad and what each use costs. (There are cards that charge no fee at all, if one of you pays for the whole group try to get one of those.) Sometimes certain banks charge less because of the bank you use at home.

For higher bills, like hotels or hostels and restaurants, use a credit card.
Visa and Master Card are the most used ones in Europe, American Express is not much liked because that costs the shop owners more.

With a group of 17 or 18 you will need to book ahead, and book early, because most hostels (and hotels) will be busy with single travelers.
The Lonely Planet guidebooks are a great source of information, listing hostels, museums, places to eat and drink, tourist attractions and travel between towns and within towns. All with prices and quality warnings where needed.

Western Europe is expensive, east of Germany/Austria/Italy the prices are much lower.
Scandinavia and London are even more expensive than the rest of western Europe.

A lot of practical information can be found on internet, google for whatever you want to know add town and country, and you will get a lot of information. Using English words will mostly get you English sites.

Enjoy your trip.

Answer 2

I travelled extensively on my own in Europe for 5 months with Eurail passes several years ago...So here are some good tips for any travel alone or in groups...Carry your camera(smaller is better) around your waist or neck along with passports and money...you can use travellers checks still and cash at banks. When I was there last year it was expensive to use international bank ATMs because of the charges and conversion rates are better at some banks...I stayed in hostels but they have changed over the years because of the illegal immigrants in Europe so they are still cheaper but bed/breakfasts or pensions may be more private and cheap...There are a couple of hostels that are THE BEST...In Stockholm the hostel is a boat in the harbor next to the Modern Art museum and is wonderful...In Namur, Belgium and down in BadenBaden the hostel was a castle which was a great experience in Octoberfest times because I picked grapes for a day then had the most wonderful experiences at private wine tasting all night...(the hostels close doors early)So a group of us hiked up a trail by moonlight then scaled the castle walls to get in after hours.... Another great hostel location is in Finland at Helsinki Olympic Park....And another in the Lafoten Islands in Northern Norway. The hostel was a fishing shack on a pier....well other than these exceptional hostels, things you need to know are 1) there are lots of pickpockets that make their money off the tourists travelling on their own 2) enjoy the best of the best of every city but you can get tired of every museum or every cathedral so only pick one or two to see and wait on the rest...3) enjoy those special little getting lost moments on your own(1 or 2 people) instead of the whole group that is too much of a tourist group....so split up often and don't be afraid to take the wonderful trams out to the suburbs to see how locals really live. Otherwise you will see everything but won't meet anybody(That's a tour not a trip) Those times that you meet local people and really talk over coffee or in villages off the tourist track can be the real memories for a lifetime...I find every memory that I cherish are the adventures that were one time oportunities that I just went with and found they opened doors to understanding the people who's culture I'm observing...Did you know that Germans pay a church tax unless they opt out and then that person does'n benifit from church weddings or any church sponsored events including services...those kinds of things come from asking questions and getting answers....Also when I travelled people told me to pretend to be Canadian because of the "ugly American' or American political positions do not sit well in countries like France, Italy etc....And always try to learn some phrases of whatever country you visit...ASK ask ask...and smile, be friendly and happy...also know its a full time job being a tourist!