21 Travel Hacks From This TikTok Account Will Help You Cope With Tourist Traps and Mistakes on Your Next European Trip

Traveling through Europe can be unforgettable, but the small mistakes are often the ones that cause the biggest headaches. From confusing local customs to getting caught in tourist traps, a little awareness can make a trip go much smoother.

This roundup pulls together 21 travel hacks from a TikTok account, covering everything from ordering coffee in Italy to handling public transit in London and avoiding awkward missteps in Amsterdam, Greece, and Paris. The advice is practical, specific, and sometimes surprisingly easy to overlook.

If your next European trip is already on the calendar, these tips are worth a look.

Arielle Mulgrew, a Social Media Manager at EF Ultimate Break.

EF Ultimate Break

A few of these are the kind of travel mistakes people only learn the hard way.

#1 Iceland - Drinking Water

If you visit Iceland, don’t waste your money on bottled water. Anywhere you go, you can fill up your refillable bottle.

Daniel Orth

#2 Paris, France - Don’t Forget to Greet a Shopkeeper

Salut, Bonjour, et au revoir.

Herry Lawford

#3 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Don’t Take Pictures in The Red Light District

This can get you in trouble with security.

☻☺

#4 Paris, France - Ask for the Bill at the Restaurant

You will never receive the bill unless you ask for it, so don’t be shy.

Jim Rhodes

#5 Italy - Try the Local Wine

Try the house wine wherever you are in Italy.

Tony Asleson

#6 Italy - The Word 'Latte' Refers to Milk

So, next time you visit Italy, don’t say 'latte' when ordering a cup of coffee.

Marina Shemesh

#7 Italy - Say NO to Strangers Giving You a ‘Free’ Gift

This is a common tourist trap where someone approaches you and ties a ‘free’ bracelet around your hand, only to later demand money. If this happens to you, just say no and avoid them.

Nenad Stojkovic

#8 Italy - Learn Some Italian

It is always a great way to connect with the locals, and if you happen to know some Italian, we guarantee they will be friendlier 100%.

Curran Kelleher

#9 London, UK - In the Tube, Stand on the Right Side of the Escalator

When they are in a hurry, Londoners use the left side for walking. The left side is the fast lane—avoid making this common mistake.

NH53

#10 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Get Familiar with the Difference Between Café and Coffee Shop

Café is for drinking; a coffee shop is for… well, for something legal in Amsterdam, but not in the rest of the world.

Wohnstuben-Café

#11 Italy - Pay Attention When Ordering Ice Cream

When ordering gelato in Italy, always opt for the one that doesn’t look piled up. All the fluffiness means that there’s a lot of air in it.

RubyGoes

That’s where the tourist-trap trouble really starts.

This is similar to the debate over backing out of a Europe travel plan after last-minute changes, with friends accusing the group of getting blindsided.

#12 Pretty Much Everywhere - Check Out the Places Where Locals Eat

It is always a good idea to ask a local to recommend a good place to eat.

Larry Lamsa

#13 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Don’t Walk on Bike Lanes

This is a hard no. You may get run over.

Design for Health

#14 Greece – No Flushing Toilet Paper on the Greek Islands

Their sewage pipes easily clog. Instead, use the little bins near the toilet.

Darren Foreman

#15 Greece - Bring Comfortable Footwear

Given that many streets are cobblestone, dirt, or lightly paved, bringing the wrong shoes can be a bad idea.

Amy the Nurse

#16 Pretty Much Everywhere - Avoid Currency Exchange at the Airport

They usually offer very poor exchange rates. It is always better to look for an ATM.

vxla

Some of the simplest tips are the ones that save the most stress.

#17 London, UK - Try Something Other Than Fish and Chips

Don’t get me wrong; they are great, but London has so much more to offer.

Chris

#18 Greek Islands - Travel as Light as Possible

Don’t overpack. You can easily end up walking a lot with your luggage.

jessicahtam

#19 Pretty Much Everywhere - Check How Late Public Transportation Stays Open

Avoid this rookie mistake.

Rad Blondie

#20 Paris, France - Street Food is Delicious

Get to know Paris from a different angle. Paris is not just about the restaurants and cafés you see in the movies.

satemkemet

#21 London, UK - Carefully Choose Your Jokes

Jokes about the American Revolution are a no-no.

Bowy Gavid Bowie Chan

Traveling should not be about meticulous planning but rather about embracing the incredible experiences that await. So, let go of the stress and indulge in the joy of exploration.

We hope you find these travel tips helpful, and if you have more, feel free to share them with us in the comment section.

May your next trip be a lot less awkward.

For the “I’m paying, you aren’t” fight, read how one traveler left friends over refused payments.