Is tap water safe to drink in Europe?

Yes in Western and Northern Europe. Drink freely in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, and Spain. Use bottled water in parts of Eastern Europe unless you confirm locally. Italy tap water is safe but many Italians prefer bottled — your choice.

What is the cheapest way to get caffeine while traveling?

Instant coffee packets in your accommodation. Costs $0.10-0.20 per cup. Tastes like instant coffee. If you need real coffee, find where construction workers and taxi drivers drink coffee. That is the cheap local spot.

Should I buy a water filter bottle for travel?

Only if you are traveling extensively in places where tap water is unsafe and bottled water is expensive or environmentally problematic. A LifeStraw or Grayl filter bottle costs $30-50 and pays for itself after 40-80 bottles of water. Not worth it for a two-week trip to Thailand. Worth it for six months in South Asia.

How much does coffee cost in expensive cities?

A regular coffee in Oslo, Zurich, Tokyo, or New York costs $4-6. A specialty drink costs $6-8. A local bakery or convenience store coffee costs $2-3. If you are in an expensive city for a week and drink two coffees daily at cafés, budget $60-80 just for coffee.

Can I bring my own coffee to make in hotels?

Most hotels have coffee makers or kettles. Bring instant coffee or pour-over coffee bags. A box of 10 pour-over bags costs $8-12 and saves you $40-50 in café coffee. Airbnbs usually have coffee makers. Hostels have kettles. Pack your own grounds or instant if coffee is a non-negotiable part of your morning.

How to Budget for Water and Coffee While Traveling

Expect to spend $2-8 per day on water and coffee depending on where you travel. Buy large bottles of water at supermarkets instead of tourist areas, and alternate between local coffee shops and international chains based on your budget. Street coffee in Southeast Asia runs $1-2, while a Starbucks anywhere costs $4-6.

Find the local supermarket within 24 hours of arrival. This is your water source. A 1.5L bottle costs $0.50-1.50 at a supermarket versus $2-4 at a hotel or tourist shop. Buy 2-3 bottles at once. In hot climates, budget $1-2 per day for water. In temperate climates, $0.50-1 per day.
Learn what locals drink for coffee. Skip Starbucks for your daily coffee. In Italy, espresso at the bar costs €1-1.50. In Vietnam, iced coffee from a street vendor is $1. In Turkey, Turkish coffee at a local café is $2. Save $3-5 per day by drinking local. Reserve international chains for when you need wifi or a familiar experience.
Carry a refillable bottle in tap-water-safe countries. In Western Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, tap water is safe. Carry a 750ml refillable bottle. Refill at restaurants, public fountains, your accommodation. You will spend $0 per day on water.
Know the bottled water math. If you drink 2L per day at tourist prices ($3 per liter), that is $6 per day or $180 per month. At supermarket prices ($0.75 per liter), that is $1.50 per day or $45 per month. The difference funds a nice meal every three days.
Set a coffee boundary before you leave. Decide your coffee budget: $2 per day ($60/month), $5 per day ($150/month), or $8 per day ($240/month). Stick to it. If you blow your budget on fancy coffee, you are eating instant noodles for dinner. Your choice.

Is tap water safe to drink in Europe?: Yes in Western and Northern Europe. Drink freely in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, and Spain. Use bottled water in parts of Eastern Europe unless you confirm locally. Italy tap water is safe but many Italians prefer bottled — your choice.
What is the cheapest way to get caffeine while traveling?: Instant coffee packets in your accommodation. Costs $0.10-0.20 per cup. Tastes like instant coffee. If you need real coffee, find where construction workers and taxi drivers drink coffee. That is the cheap local spot.
Should I buy a water filter bottle for travel?: Only if you are traveling extensively in places where tap water is unsafe and bottled water is expensive or environmentally problematic. A LifeStraw or Grayl filter bottle costs $30-50 and pays for itself after 40-80 bottles of water. Not worth it for a two-week trip to Thailand. Worth it for six months in South Asia.
How much does coffee cost in expensive cities?: A regular coffee in Oslo, Zurich, Tokyo, or New York costs $4-6. A specialty drink costs $6-8. A local bakery or convenience store coffee costs $2-3. If you are in an expensive city for a week and drink two coffees daily at cafés, budget $60-80 just for coffee.
Can I bring my own coffee to make in hotels?: Most hotels have coffee makers or kettles. Bring instant coffee or pour-over coffee bags. A box of 10 pour-over bags costs $8-12 and saves you $40-50 in café coffee. Airbnbs usually have coffee makers. Hostels have kettles. Pack your own grounds or instant if coffee is a non-negotiable part of your morning.