Travel Tips Metric Conversion Guide

Use the metric conversion guide tricks below for small measurements that don't require exact figures. They will give you a rough equivalent that serves as a transition until you become familiar and comfortable with the metric system.

Metric System Conversion Guide - Distance

It's easy to learn to think in metric units, but until then there are a few handy guides to convert metric to the imperial system and vice versa.

• Meters are roughly the same as yards (a little shorter).
• One inch is 2.5 centimeters.
• A kilometer is roughly half of a mile.
• One foot is about 30 centimeters.

Temperature

Fahrenheit and Celsius are two ways of measuring the temperature. Fahrenheit uses 32 as a base for the freezing point of water, while Celsius uses 0. Converting one to the other is surprisingly easy!

• From Celsius to Fahrenheit: Double the number, then add 32. So, to find the Fahrenheit equivalent of 8 degrees Celsius, your mental formula would look something like this: 8C x 2 = 16C + 32 = 48F

• From Fahrenheit to Celsius: Subtract 32, then half the number. For example: 54F - 32 = 22 / 2 = 11C

This isn't an exact conversion but will do in a pinch!

Metric Conversion Guide: Currency

Currency around the world can be a daunting affair. Conversion rates vary by the day and are often difficult to calculate in your head. In Europe, currency became a lot simpler with the European Union introducing the Euro. One Euro is roughly equivalent to $1.20, meaning one U.S. dollar is .80 euro. So, if something costs 10 euro, it would be $12. If something costs $5, it should be about 4 euro.

A mental trick for a rough conversion is to add 1 dollar for every 5 euro converted. Finding how many dollars in 25 euro means you simply add 5, so 25 euro is $30. And the same is true in reverse, subtract 1 for every 5 dollars you are converting to euro. It may sound complicated, but it's an easy way to get a more exact number when converting large figures.

Time

Much of the world uses the 24 hour clock, sometimes referred to as military time in North America. You won't see 6 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. on train schedules or digital clocks. Instead, 18:00 and 23:30 will appear respectively. It only takes a few days to become accustomed to the difference, however. Simply subtract 12 from any 24-hour clock time to get the P.M. equivalent.

Weight

Kilograms to pounds are a little trickier to convert in your head. Luckily these weights aren't often used in day-to-day travels. One kilogram is just over two pounds, and one pound is just under half a kilogram. The conversions below are very rough; it's best to consult a good calculator for kilograms and grams.

• To change kilograms into pounds, double the number.
• From pounds to kilograms, half the number.

Language

There are over 4,000 languages in the world. That's a staggering amount of words, cultures, idioms and colloquialisms. In past years, especially with the internet, English has become the unofficial universal tongue of the world. Businessmen use it as a neutral ground for discussion, air traffic controllers are required to speak it, and all across the globe it's the most widely spoken second language.

Don't let that charm you into laziness, however. Before traveling, it's essential to learn even just a few phrases in the language you'll be immersed in. It's respectful for your host country and necessary in many smaller destinations. Speaking the natives' language will also invite friendliness and a host of smiles. Swallow your pride, practice your pronunciation and get ready for an experience!

A few basic phrases and a good knowledge of pronunciation are all you need for traveling. The more you learn, however, the better. At the minimum, learn these phrases in your target language:

• "Do you speak English?"
• "Where is/are..."
• "How much is this/that?"
• "How much are these/those?"
• "Hello / Good Day"
• "Goodbye"
• "Thank you"
• "Please"

Remember that many languages have a formal and informal way of saying almost everything. Learn the formal terms to be more polite.

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