8 Common Mistakes Travelers Make at European Border Control

Autumn might be in the air, but that doesn’t mean tourists have stopped flocking to Europe—quite the opposite, in fact. In many southern areas in Europe, it still feels like summer, while the northern regions are preparing for a busy holiday season—the European Christmas markets are a bucket list experience that rivals the casual summer vibes the region is known for. Whether you’re preparing to travel to Europe for the first, fifth, or 50th time, there are some regional borders and customs control etiquette guidelines to follow—especially if you’re connecting onward from your first point of entry.

We asked three travel agents to discuss some of the most common mistakes travelers make upon landing in Europe—and the genius travel accessories and other hacks that will actually help make the experience run more smoothly. And, because most of these items are available at Amazon, you can grab them ASAP if you’re mere days from take-off to ensure your travels stay stress-free.

From a colorful passport holder to spot your important documents in a flash to a power bank that will keep your devices charged to access crucial info, read on for these expert-recommended essentials to breeze through your next EU border control experience.

5 Smart Travel Essentials to Pack

Mistake: Misplacing important documents

Solution: A crossbody bag

Ushake Mini Sling Bag

No matter how frequently you travel, coming off a night flight to Europe can be overwhelming—the switch in time zones and lack of sleep can make your brain foggy. You’ll want to prepare for that well in advance, advises Heather Christopher, founder of HC Travel Firm. “I highly recommend purchasing and utilizing a crossbody bag so everything is secure and in an easy place to find it which means you’re not slowing the line,” she says. She points to this sling bag in particular for its comfortable strap and multiple compartments to keep your passport, documents, visas, and any tickets you booked in advance.

Solution: A vibrant passport holder

ORDER PASSPORT HOLD COVER

While Christopher likes the ease of the crossbody, she recognizes that some travelers prefer to pack a larger bag. For this case, she recommends buying a brightly colored passport holderwhich works in the same way: the bright color will help you find everything you need “quickly and without panic,” she says. This holder offers RFID blocking technology to help keep all your information safe while around a crowd of people.

Mistake: Skipping VAT refunds at the airport

Solution: Keep receipts in one place

Zoppen Multi-purpose RFID-blocking Passport Holder

One of the perks of shopping in Europe are the VAT refunds at the airport—and yet so many travelers “leave money on the table” by skipping out on them or losing their receipts so that they can’t take advantage of them, says Lauren Grubbs of Lauren Grubbs Travel Co. “Keep all your receipts tucked into your travel wallet so they’re ready for the VAT refund kiosk,” she says. This handy travel wallet is a sleek option that has slots for cards, too, and will make it a breeze to keep your receipts in order.

Mistake: Not tracking checked bags

Solution: Luggage trackers

Apple AirTag

So many travelers make the mistake of solely relying on the airline to keep track of their tracked bag—don’t be this person, warns Grubbs. “Slip an Apple AirTag inside your suitcase so you can follow its every move from your phone,” she says. “You’ll have peace of mind even if your bag takes a detour.”

Mistake: Using the wrong passport

Solution: A dual passport sleeve

Snazzy Hawk 2 Passport Holder

For dual citizens, like travel agent Yvonne Salait can be easy to flash the wrong passport when entering or exiting the Schengen Zone. If you show a U.S. passport when you enter Europe but use your EU passport when leaving, or vice versa, the stamps won’t match, and suddenly, border control takes longer than it should. Storing them in a dual passport holder or wallet is an easy way to keep track of them, or you can take a page from Sala’s book: “Use different-colored passport holders so you can spot the right one in a hurry. Keep a simple note in your phone that says which passport you used to enter—future you will thank you.”

Mistake: Running out of phone battery

Solution: A slim power bank

Anker MagGo Power Bank

If you’re traveling to Europe and have a connecting flight, you need to clear border control at your first point of entry. This usually includes showing proof of onward travel or a hotel confirmation of where you’re staying. If your boarding pass or hotel receipt is on your phone and then the battery dies before you need to show it, you’re left awkwardly explaining yourself, shares Sala. “Pack a pocket-sized power bank,” she says, favoring the Anker’s slim version that’s easy to pack in a personal item but holds nearly two full charges. Alternatively, you can print your booking information; “old-school paper can be a lifesaver when Wi-Fi isn’t,” Sala adds.

Mistake: Getting duty-free liquids confiscated

Solution: IATA-approved secure tamper-evident bags

Secur-Pak 100-pack Security Bags

Purchasing wine, spirits, or even specialty olive oil duty-free, then landing in another EU airport for a connection without a proper security-sealed bag is a common occurrence even among well-traveled individuals. “Security may confiscate items if not in a STEB (Security Tamper-evident Bag),” says Sala. “I always advise clients to carry a few spare STEBs so they can re-seal duty-free liquids if security breaks the original seal.” This 100-pack should be plenty to support your journeys for years to come—and make sure you can safely bring purchases home.

Mistake: Carrying tired kids

Solution: A kid-friendly ride-on suitcase

Stokke JetKids Suitcasecurity Bags

Overtired kids can add to your airport stress, especially if you’re in charge of carrying them and their belongings through customs after a long overnight flight. Grubbs recommends traveling with a child-friendly suitcase for their carry-on, like the Stokke Jetkids Suitcase. “Not only can they ride on it through the airport (saving everyone’s energy), but onboard, it cleverly converts their seat into a cozy bed for a smoother flight,” she says.

Mistake: Skipping refreshing your breath post-flight

Solution: Carrying breath mints

PUR Mints

This is less of a technical mistake, but Christopher advises packing a breath mint for yourself or to offer to your neighbors, as European border control lines can get awfully close. Of course, you can always pack a mini toothbrush or mouthwash for a refresh after an overnight flight, but breath mints can easily fit in your mini sling bag or bigger pack without having to worry about running to the toilet before getting in line (you’ll want to get there as quickly as possible as the lines can get backed up if multiple flights land at once).

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