Travel Tips: Drinking Water in Europe
Travel Tips: Drinking Water in Europe
When you’re not sipping on Belgian beers, French wine or Italian coffee, it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water while you’re travelling. One question the Albatross Tours team gets asked a lot by travellers on their first trip with us to Europe is, “Can we drink the water?” The easy answer is yes! The water is safe to drink for all the places we visit in Europe (possibly with the exception of Turkey)!
Why Is This An Issue?
The availability of safe drinking water is an important consideration for all travellers. Anyone who has travelled through India or parts of Southeast Asia can tell you about the nasties that can be found in local water supplies. It’s not just an issue in rural villages – there are some very big, thriving cities where it is unadvisable to drink the tap water.
Europe’s Water Is Generally Safe
Leave the iodine tablets at home! The tap water throughout most of Europe is completely safe to drink. The taps in hotels, homes, restaurants and cafés all run with potable water.
Of course, there’s always room for common sense. While the water from the bubbler in Hyde Park is likely to be safe, it might be wise to avoid the water from the well on a rural Croatian farm.
Are You Sure?
Yes, absolutely! Before we left Australia, we researched to see if the tap water was safe to drink in the places we visited. Having then travelled extensively through Europe, I drank tap water the whole time without any issue. Whether we were in the Austrian Alps or on the French Riviera, we always turned to the taps when we wanted a refreshing drink.
But It Tastes Funny?
The trace levels of minerals in the water will determine its taste. This is why the water tastes slightly different wherever you travel – it’s being pulled from the sea or from the ground in a location that has a slightly different co*cktail of minerals than you’re normally used to. For example, the tap water in the United Kingdom is particularly ‘hard’. This means that there are a greater number of trace minerals. While it might taste different, it’s still completely safe. If you don’t like the taste, there are water bottles available that have water filtration systems built in.
Take A Water Bottle
Given the water is safe to drink, my travel tip for Europe would be to pack a water bottle and fill it from your hotel each morning. While the bottled water in Europe isn’t too expensive, you will still save a fair bit of money if you take your own water each day. This will leave you with extra Euros, Lira, Pounds or Francs to spend on the delicious food or souvenirs for your loved ones!
I recommend investing in a large stainless steel water bottle. These bottles will last a lot longer than any plastic option. If you do decide to go with plastic, choose a brand that is certified BPA free – it’s much better for your long-term health.
Take It Empty
As you probably know, there are restrictions on the amount of liquid that can be taken on flights. Make sure you empty your water bottle before packing it for any flights. There often isn’t any sink at the luggage check stations, which means that the officials are more likely to confiscate your full or half full bottle instead of heading off to find somewhere they can empty it for you. Don’t run the risk of losing your favourite stainless steel bottle – empty it before you arrive at the airport!
I hope you found this tip helpful. Enjoy your next trip through Europe and relax, knowing that you can enjoy the tap water too!
As a seasoned traveler with extensive experience exploring Europe, particularly in terms of navigating the nuances of drinking water safety, I can attest to the importance of staying informed about local water conditions. My journeys have taken me through diverse regions, from the Austrian Alps to the French Riviera, and I have consistently relied on tap water without encountering any issues.
The notion of whether it's safe to drink tap water is a common concern for travelers, and it's a question often posed to the Albatross Tours team. Drawing on my firsthand experience, I can confirm that, with few exceptions (such as Turkey), the tap water in most European destinations is safe for consumption. This reassurance is based on thorough pre-trip research conducted before departing from my home country, Australia.
Understanding the global variations in water safety standards, especially having traversed regions like India and Southeast Asia, has reinforced the appreciation for the generally high quality of tap water in Europe. Unlike areas where precautions like iodine tablets are necessary, European taps in hotels, homes, restaurants, and cafes consistently provide potable water.
The article highlights the importance of exercising common sense, acknowledging that while water from urban locations like Hyde Park is likely safe, one might exercise caution when encountering water sources in rural settings, such as a well on a Croatian farm.
The taste of tap water can vary due to trace minerals, with the example of "hard" water in the United Kingdom cited as having a distinct flavor. However, the article emphasizes that these variations do not compromise safety. To cater to personal preferences, the suggestion of using water bottles with built-in filtration systems or opting for bottled water is presented.
A practical travel tip I endorse is to bring a reusable water bottle and fill it from the hotel tap each morning. This not only contributes to sustainability but also saves money compared to buying bottled water daily. I recommend investing in a durable, large stainless steel water bottle for longevity. For those opting for plastic, selecting a brand certified BPA-free is advised for long-term health considerations.
Moreover, the article provides valuable advice about adhering to liquid restrictions during air travel. Emptying the water bottle before reaching the airport ensures compliance and reduces the risk of confiscation by airport security.
In conclusion, my expertise in European travel, coupled with the evidence of personal experiences and thorough research, supports the assertion that tap water is generally safe across most European destinations, allowing travelers to stay hydrated while enjoying their journey.
