H20 Travel Tips

For something so essential, you'd think water would be cheap or clean. Not always - here are some travel tips you need to know about water abroad.

Don't go for the water right away!

Travel Tip 1: Don't assume it's free. Most restaurants in the U.S. will give you free tap water, but in Europe you'll usually get charged, but this water is "cleaner" water than tap. So you can double check with your water/waitress and see if they have tap water for free. Otherwise, you'll be paying for your water.

Travel Tip 2: Still or Bubbly. In Europe these are the two choices between water. "Still" or "flat" water is just plain water (its not tap though), while "bubbly" is carbonated water. Both of these waters will be served in a glass bottle - this water is safe to drink.

Travel Tip 3: Don't always drink the tap water. Even though tap water may be free at your location, it doesn't mean you should. U.S. tap water is not the same thing as Europe or Asian tap water. You can get sick from it cause your body may not be used to it or there may be some bacteria in it. I generally play it safe and buy a sealed water bottle, or I pay for the water in Europe because it won't be tap. **I drank tap water in Spain and I was fine**

Travel Tip 4: Don't forget about the ice. If you are not wanting to drink the tap water in a country, then don't use the ice.

Travel Tip 5: Be careful about what fruit you eat. Do not eat any fruit skins (i.e. peach, apple) if you don't want to drink any tap water in the country. Most of these fruits will be washed in their regular water, so just don't eat the fruit skin (or outer layer).

Overall, use discretion and it doesn't hurt to look up the drinking water for the country you're traveling too. I generally always have sealed water bottles with me (I continually buy them) just in case. Hopefully some of these travel tips will help you know what to do when a glass of water gets set before you.