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Planning a Trip to Europe: Your 10-Step Guide

Caroline Costello

Caroline Costello's travel accomplishments include surviving a 2 a.m. whitewater rafting excursion in the Canadian wilderness, successfully biking from Dusseldorf to Cologne without a map, and gaining access to a covert pizza speakeasy in New Orleans.

Caroline is an active member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). Her work has appeared on USA Today , the Boston Globe , AOL.com, MSNBC.com, ABC News, TODAY Travel, and CruiseCritic.com, among other publications.

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Before you can experience authentic Spanish tapas, piazzas in Rome, or rooftop terraces in Prague, an important to-do list stands between you and your European vacation. The logistics involved in planning a trip to Europe may seem tedious or overwhelming, but the more prepared you are, the greater your chances of a successful trip that lives up to your expectations. That’s why it’s important to do a bang-up job creating an itinerary, arranging transportation, and tackling the brass tacks before you’re off to the Continent.

The following guide explains how to plan a trip to Europe in 10 simple steps—so you can spend less time worrying about your travel arrangements and more time staring at pictures of castles and men in kilts.

1. Get your documents in order.

If you don’t have a passport, it will take at least four to six weeks from the time of application for you to receive one. Expedited services—either through the State Department or an expeditor such as Travel Visa Pro —can trim the process down to a week or so, but it will cost you an additional fee, so it’s best to take care of this well before your trip.

Already have a passport? Check its expiration date. The last thing you need is to find out your passport has expired while you’re in line at airport check-in. Keep in mind that some countries require your passport to be valid for six months beyond your trip dates.

All car rental companies require drivers to have valid licenses in their home country, so you’ll also want to check the expiration date of your license. Some car rental companies also require an international driving permit for European rentals in addition to a valid driver’s license. For U.S. citizens, these can be obtained through the American Auto Association (AAA); in Canada, try the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

Depending on length of stay, some destinations require valid visas in addition to passports; obtaining one is a complicated process that can take weeks even after you have been approved—so start early.

2. Establish a budget.

When planning a trip to Europe, establish a budget as early as possible—even before you know your destination, travel dates, or itinerary. Some destinations are generally cheaper than others, but there are ways to save everywhere: travel in the off-season, pick budget accommodations, plan a shorter trip. For example, London is an expensive city, but many travel providers and airlines offer affordable vacation packages to the city, and it’s not hard to find cheap air deals to London, especially during the winter.

Set your budget early on, and you’ll avoid any disappointment that could come from forging a fabulous itinerary, like two weeks in Switzerland during summer, and then discovering you can’t afford it. Travel budget apps such as TrabeePocket ( iOS | Android ) can help you keep track of your expenses once you start making bookings.

The Most Expensive Cities in the World

3. Pick a destination.

Now that you know how much you can spend, where do you want to go? If you’re like many travelers and you have a humongous list of places in Europe you want to visit, this could be tricky.

One strategy is to pick a particular site that’s on your must-see travel list, and plan your vacation around that. Last year I planned a trip to Ireland centered on an excursion to remote Skellig Michael Island , a UNESCO World Heritage site I’d dreamed of visiting. The excursion turned into an unforgettable two-week Emerald Isle road trip.

Another option is to pick someplace timely. Visit countries’ tourism websites and search for seasonal events like festivals or local holidays (which you may want to either avoid or join, depending on how you feel about crowds). Don’t forget to check the weather before you decide on your destination.

4. Create a rough itinerary.

So you want to go to France, eh? Don’t go ahead and buy a roundtrip flight to Paris and a hotel room—at least, not yet. Planning a European vacation takes a lot of prep work. You’ll want to sketch out a day-by-day itinerary of your perfect trip to France before you book a thing. Research sites and cities you really want to explore, and then figure out which ones you have the time and budget to get to.

Check out alternative ways to travel in Europe. If you want to see multiple countries or cities but are on a tight budget, you may want to consider a cruise (exchange rates are naught for U.S. citizens onboard American ships). If you’d rather not do the work of creating your own itinerary, continue booking a group tour with a company such as Intrepid Travel , G Adventures , Trafalgar , or Rick Steves’ Europe .

5. Book your airfare.

Because airfare will probably be the most expensive part of your trip, you’ll want to book it before anything else (car rental, hotel, etc.). This will allow you to be more flexible with your dates, which is a great way to save money on your flight. You can often spend less by flying on international discount airlines like Aer Lingus or Norwegian . Check multiple booking sites , including meta-search sites such as Skyscanner and traditional booking sites such as Expedia , to make sure you’re seeing a wide range of options. You can also set up fare alerts using Airfarewatchdog , SmarterTravel’s sister site, so you’ll be notified when the price of your flight drops.

Consider spicing up your trip with a layover in a different country. Icelandair has a long-running program that allows passengers flying elsewhere in Europe to take a free stopover in Reykjavik for up to seven nights.

Where to Find Premium Airfare Deals on First Class and Business Class

6. Book your accommodations.

It’s time to go back to that rough itinerary you jotted down and fill in some places to sleep. As is the case with pretty much everything you book for your trip, the earlier you make arrangements, the better—especially during summer high season.

Sure, you can just book a room at the local Hilton and be done with it. But do a bit of research and you could discover some funky lodging that’s almost as exciting as the attractions you plan to visit. Keep your eyes open for historic castles, tiny bed and breakfasts, houseboats, eco-friendly hotels, or organic farms. Budget travelers take note: Vacation rentals , homestays, farm stays, and house-swapping are accommodation options that can be shockingly affordable … or even free.

As with airfare, you should shop around on multiple hotel sites to make sure you’re getting the best deal, and read reviews from past guests to see what the experience is like. TripAdvisor , Booking.com , and Hotels.com are a few good places to start.

7. Consider travel insurance.

There are several kinds of travel insurance: trip cancellation insurance, flight cancellation insurance, medical insurance, etc. The best time to buy insurance is right after you put down the major deposits on your trip, whether that entails airfare, a package, or prepaid hotels. Once you know how much money you’ve paid upfront, you can ensure your trip if you so choose. Many airlines and travel providers sell insurance that you can purchase along with your flight or tour package. Always, always read the fine print in your policy and compare it with other travel insurance policies before you make a purchase.

Check your medical insurance coverage to see if you’re covered overseas. If not, you may want to purchase supplemental medical insurance to cover situations like the cost of transportation back home for emergency care.

Reputable travel insurance companies to consider include Allianz Travel and Seven Corners .

Travel Insurance Coverage: 18 Things Your Policy Won’t Cover

8. Book local transportation and day tours.

When in Rome, ride the Metropolitana. Find out how the locals get around the destination to which you’re traveling and act accordingly. You won’t need a car rental in places like bike-friendly Amsterdam or London with its convenient underground Tube, unless you plan to go outside the city.

A car rental is your best bet if you’re traveling to locales that can’t be easily reached by rail or plane (such as the Irish countryside). Be mentally prepared to drive in a foreign country, which can be a frightening experience when faced with incomprehensible traffic signs, narrow streets, or sheep roadblocks.

To get from city to city or country to country, examine your rail options in comparison to routes and prices offered by European discount airlines like easyJet  or Ryanair . Travelers embarking on extensive travel within Europe may save money by purchasing a rail pass from Rail Europe that permits unlimited train travel within a specified region.

Check out Viator to book day tours, especially if you want to take advantage of skip-the-line options.

9. Tackle last-minute logistics.

A few weeks before your departure date is the right time to start taking care of a number of key logistics: money, phone, house-sitter, pet-sitter.

Call your credit card companies to let them know you’ll be traveling abroad. While you’re at it, find out if you’re going to be charged a fee for using your card overseas. Research the locations of ATMs in your destination, especially if you’ll be relying on cash.

Does your cell phone plan allow you to make calls overseas, and if so, how much will it cost you? Many cell phone companies offer temporary international plans that you can purchase for the month you’re traveling. You might also want to consider a mobile hotspot device to keep you connected.

5 Ways to Use Your Phone GPS Without Data

Packing for Europe requires both different items and a different mindset in comparison to some other types of trips. After all, there’s no arguing that Parisians are more stylish than your typical North American tourist. Most of central and western Europe have milder climates throughout the year, but that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter rain or a heatwave. You should pack clothing that’s easy to layer , and always include a packable raincoat or travel umbrella in your suitcase when traveling to Europe. Think about how you’ll be carrying your money —pickpocketing schemes are more common abroad, so it’s important to carry your money and personal belongings securely. When researching your European destination of choice, consider the overall climate and time of year you’ll be traveling. Then, about a week before your trip check out the forecast, mobilize a packing list , and ensure your suitcase is in working condition and meets your airline’s size restrictions.

Pro packing tip: If you’re tight on packing space, invest in a packing cube set . They do wonders, especially if you’re stopping in multiple destinations as they make repacking a breeze.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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Europe Trip Planner

Euroventure specialises in multi-city europe trips – specifically interrail and eurail adventures., check out our resources and tools below to help you plan your european escape.

It can be really overwhelming trying to plan your Europe trip. There are a ton of things to work out, research and eventually book. That’s why we offer as many resources and services as possible. From planning tools and rail trip advice, to fully guided tours , we can help you plan your ultimate Europe trip on your terms.

Use our interactive Europe Trip Planner tool to create your own route.

Use our Europe trip planner map  to create your own self-guided route, including any major European destinations – plus some further afield including Russia and China!

The map tool is interactive and super easy to use; you can make a plan without any obligation to book your trip with us. We’ll then send you over our best ideas for your route, plus a price including all your trains and accommodation. If you like the idea of having your multi-destination trip planned for you, you can book it within minutes! If not, no problem – you can still use the planner.

Not sure which destinations to visit? Get some inspiration with our destination guide !

Planning a trip to Europe but need some inspiration? Take a look at our self-guided itineraries.

Choose the route you like the best, and we’ll plan your Europe trip. You travel on your own, or with friends, but we’ll organise everything and send it all to you in a handy travel pack. We can also book activities, attractions and excursions for you. All you have to arrange is a flight to and from your start/finish point, plus your travel insurance (which you can sort through our partners here ) and spending money. Find out roughly how much spending money to take .

Wherever we can, we use trains to get from A to B. They’re the most sustainable, sociable and convenient way to get around – and we’ve got deals with all the main providers plus a ton of expert knowledge! Read more about  travelling Europe by train  – or check out our comparison of  different ways to travel Europe  for more inspiration. Scroll down for Europe trip itineraries from 1 – 8 weeks or longer!

If you prefer to travel with likeminded backpackers, why not join one of our small group trips across Europe:  Find out more.

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Here's How to Plan Your Very First Trip to Europe, According to a Professional Traveler

Heading to Europe for the very first time? We've got some advice for you.

Whether you study abroad , backpack solo, or go with a group for your first trip to Europe, it's an experience that will change your life — and alter your perspective in all the best ways — forever. Even if you visited the continent with your parents as a kid, your first "solo" adventure to Europe as a young adult promises to reward you with rich memories. From digging into freshly baked pizza in Italy to picnicking beneath the Eiffel Tower with a still-warm baguette, it's a trip filled with experiences you'll talk about for the rest of your life.

Though I had visited Italy with my parents as a kid, my own first adventure to Europe as a young adult was in 2015. I was 21, newly married, and heartbroken at the loss of my father four months earlier. I had been studying British literature and European history in my college classes and was eager to make real-world connections to my curriculum. In preparation, my husband and I watched every Rick Steves video on YouTube and movies like Under the Tuscan Sun , Midnight in Paris , Notting Hill , and Eat, Pray, Love . The spring semester of my junior year ended, and we set off with nothing but backpacks containing a few (and I do mean a few) sets of clothes, a budget of about $100 per day, and five short weeks to see it all.

Besides opening our eyes, pushing us to our limits, and expanding our perspectives in ways that nothing else could, that trip ignited in us a shared passion for travel — and for encouraging others to do the same. Read on for tips for planning your first trip to Europe like a pro.

Get Around With a Eurail Pass

Do you need a Eurail pass to get around Europe? Maybe not, but I devoted a large chunk of our shoestring budget to it on my first trip, and I've bought one for every extended trip I've taken to Europe since then — even now that I've hit the ancient age of 28 and no longer qualify forEurail's discounted youth pricing — so that should tell you something.

Most of Europe is well connected via a vast rail network spanning the continent. A Eurail pass — available exclusively to non-Europeans — makes it hassle-free to hop between countries and even navigate regional trains. Depending on your travel plans, you can purchase passes for specific countries or regions and choose whether you need unlimited use or a set number of travel days.

Remember that once you're in Europe, hops between major cities are often surprisingly low-price (I've seen flights for as little as $6), but often a train is the best choice when you factor in time, convenience, price, and the chance to watch the world go by from your window. Splurge on first-class passes , and you'll always have a comfortable seat.

Plan Your Trip Geographically

Make a list of all your must-hit places, then look at where they fall on a map — connect the dots, and you have your route. Maybe you start in Spain and work your way east, or fly into London, take the Chunnel to Paris , and work your way down to Italy. Whatever you choose, ensure that your route makes sense geographically so you don't waste time (or money) crisscrossing the continent.

Keep Seasons in Mind

Europe is a large continent covering a variety of climates. It may seem obvious, but if you're planning a summer trip, don't expect to frolic in fields of Dutch tulips (that happens in the spring) or ski the Austrian slopes (that would be a winter thing). And as enchanting as the European Christmas markets look on Instagram, don't be disappointed when you put two and two together and realize that they'll only make it to your feed if you're going to Europe in November or December.

An Italian summer is nothing short of sweltering and ice-cold AC isn't a given, so if you're planning to cover all of Rome on foot at high noon, you may want to rethink that. (I learned this the hard way and damn near had a heat stroke.) A midday siesta is common in countries like Spain and Italy for a reason, so do as the locals do and take the summer weather into account before you overexert yourself.

Book in Advance

A PSA for type-A travelers like me: You don't have to have your entire trip planned out before leaving home. (I had a down-to-the-minute itinerary mapped out for my type-B husband and me on our first venture to Europe, and he almost left me as I dragged him from museum to walking tour to restaurant reservation and back again.) Part of the fun — especially if you have a Eurail pass — is going where the wind blows you and deciding what appeals to you upon arrival.

Pro tip: Taking a bus tour on your first day in a destination is a great way to get the lay of the land and cover a lot of ground quickly (without exhausting yourself).

Make a general timeline and book your departure flight from the USA to Europe before you leave home, but perhaps wait until you've hopped the pond to book your flight back. You may decide to stay longer in a particular country or run out of time to make it all the way to Portugal, where you originally intended to fly out of. Create a general outline, but leave some of your trip open and stay flexible.

The one thing you may want to do in advance is reserve hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs because they can fill up during the popular summer months. That's why it's helpful to have a general idea of where you'll be and when — just don't cling to your plan at the expense of a spontaneous sidetrack or two.

What to Bring to Europe

Start working on your packing list a few months beforehand. What you bring will vary depending on destinations, length of trip, and your fussiness level, but there are a few non-negotiables.

Don't leave home without:

• Your passport
• Converters for European outlets (both UK and EU, as needed)
• A credit card and/or a debit card for getting cash out of an ATM (you'll get a better rate this way than doing it through a currency-exchange counter)
• COVID-era items such as your vaccine card, printed copies of your negative COVID test results (if required) , and a few self-test kits
• A secure envelope to hold all of these important documents (including a few color copies of your passport) in one place
• An international plan added to your phone (unless you're a T-Mobile customer)
• Global Entry (not necessary, but a definite plus when you return to the USA)

You'll also find life a lot easier with the Google Translate app and the XE currency conversion app on your smartphone. Before you depart, download the countries you'll be visiting to ensure offline availability. The Been app , where you can track which countries you've visited and how much of the world you've seen, is another fun app for travelers, especially on a trip like this where you'll be checking off a lot of countries.

And a note on packing light : You'll need nothing more than a backpack and a carry-on, max. Trust me. (There are laundry rooms at every hostel and laundromats in every city.)

Where to Go on Your First Trip to Europe

If you only have time or the budget to see a few places, start with the basics . You've likely learned about major cities like London, Paris , and Rome since you can remember — now's the time to see them through your own eyes.

Once you have the must-hit places on your itinerary, plan some additional stops according to your interests. There's a lot to see in Italy outside of Rome — I'd include Venice, Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, Florence, and the surrounding Tuscan wine country on any trip to Italy, especially for first-timers.

Maybe you've been digging into your ancestry and found that you have Hungarian heritage like I have — Budapest was a shoo-in for us this summer — or perhaps you've always dreamed of hiking the Swiss Alps, clinking glasses in a German beer hall, or soaking up the sun in the Greek Isles .

Maybe you want to visit Poland and pay your respects at Auschwitz — I consider this sobering, heart-wrenching experience a must — or try every waffle you come across in Belgium. You can do it all if you have enough time, but start by arranging a shortlist with your top priorities and then tack on additional destinations if you have space.

These are some of the best places to visit in Europe, but the best destinations for you will depend on your interests, priorities, and goals. If you're purely on "vacation" with no remote work or school obligations, two to three days in each place should suffice, but if you can't devote your full attention each day to exploring, then you'll want a little extra time in each city to do it justice.

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How to Plan a Trip to Europe (2-Week Europe Itinerary)

If you’ve been wanting to visit Europe for a while, you’re probably super excited to begin planning your trip and building your Europe itinerary. In this post, we’re going to show you how to plan a trip to Europe that you’ll never forget!

We know from experience that planning a trip to Europe can be quite overwhelming because there are so many places to go and things to see. You want to make sure you add everything possible to your Europe itinerary. Believe me, we understand how important travel planning is!

We’ve been traveling around Europe for more than 10 years. We now spend at least 2 weekends per month traveling in Europe. That’s why we’ve prepared this Europe trip planner for you.

If you have at least 10 days to spend in Europe, this itinerary will cover all the top spots you must see. Do keep in mind that traveling in Europe can be expensive. You also have to be very wise in your planning to make everything fit together perfectly.

You can fly between cities cheaply if you plan it right. Or you can plan to travel with the Eurail Pass, though this option will take longer.

Let’s get your dream European vacation started. Here’s how to plan a trip to Europe, and see as much as humanly possible in 10-14 days.

Quick. Check these necessities off your prep list!

• Travel insurance : Travelex has reliable coverage at a reasonable price. You can search for the insurance you need on their website, and filing a claim is easy.
• The right luggage can make or break your trip. These hard-sided suitcases come in all different sizes, with spinner wheels and TSA-approved lock.
• Renting a car? Discover Cars helps you search and compare offers from all the top companies. Don’t forget to check if you need an International Drivers License.

Table of Contents

Where to Go in Europe

Europe is full of history, bustling cities, incredible sights, unique places to stay , and – my favorite – amazing food! There are a good number of tourist destinations that just about anyone planning a trip to Europe would want to include in the itinerary.

But, obviously, with just 10-14 days in Europe, there’s no way you can cover them all. We’ve chosen the top destinations that we feel you can fit comfortably into 10+ days.

Planning for Europe? Here’s more…

• How to Plan a 2-Week Trip to Europe

Ultimate Summer Europe Packing Guide

• 11 Charming Small Towns & Cities in Europe

Here are the top destinations we recommend visiting in 10+ days in Western Europe: London (I’m still considering this Europe even if it’s no longer in the EU), Paris , Venice , Rome , Berlin , and Amsterdam .

We love all of these cities for different reasons as you’ll see below, but if you can’t fit them all in, you might need to decide between them. For instance, if you’re wondering if should I visit Paris or Rome , consider aspects like cost, activities, and your own personal interest in those activities.

If you have additional time, you could add Munich , Barcelona , Dublin , and/or Edinburgh . We also suggest checking out some of the more charming and small towns in Europe . Or maybe you’re into history – there are so many great medieval towns to visit .

You might want to take a look at this post with 50 of the best street food destinations in Europe before you decide where to go. There are quite a few that would persuade me.

How to Spend 2 Weeks in Western Europe

There are really two perfectly acceptable ways to take a vacation in Europe. Either way can be quite rewarding, but it depends greatly on your travel style how much time you want to put into planning, and what trips you are looking to book for.

Option 1: Book a pre-planned guided tour

A guided tour is the easiest option, by far. While Europe is very easy to get around for travelers, it can be difficult to figure out how to get from place to place, and very tedious trying to decide what to do in each location.

A pre-planned tour won’t give you the same freedom to do what you want, but it is completely planned out for you and you will always have a guide along to help you with anything you need.

Option 2: Plan your own trip

Planning your own self-guided tour of Europe gives you ultimate freedom to choose what you want to do and when. You can go to the places you want, without a group to tag along with.

The drawbacks are that you have to plan it all out yourself, which can be daunting.  Check out these additional Europe travel tips to help with your planning.

We will give you the options for both below, including a pre-planned tour we highly recommend and a 14-day self-guided itinerary to follow.

Guided Tour of Europe

If you want to try a guided tour, I recommend a Classic Europe 14-day tour.

This tour is run by Expat Explore Travel and includes everything except International airfare, extra excursions that aren’t in the tour itinerary, and personal incidentals.

» See more information about the Classic Europe tour .

The 14-day itinerary includes:

• Start in Amsterdam
• Drive through Brussels for a quick stop en route to Paris
• Visit Burgundy and the breath-taking Swiss Alps
• In Italy , see Pisa, Tuscany, Florence, Rome, and Venice
• Travel into Munich and Bavaria in Germany , then to Nuremberg and Berlin
• Head back to Amsterdam

There are other Europe tour options with varying destinations. Check out the website to see all options with this tour operator .

Self-Guided Tour of Europe – Plan Your Own Travel Itinerary

With a good plan of action, your 2-week Europe trip will run smoothly and provide you with a comprehensive overview including some of the main countries in Western Europe.

If this schedule seems too ambitious for just a 10 day Europe trip, you can always extend your stay in the cities that interest you most and decide not to visit others.

There’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s entirely up to you.

Day 1-2: London

Arrive in London . Take the Heathrow Express from the airport to your hotel.

You’ll want to stay in West London for easy access to all the top sights. London is very walkable. To get around to all the sights in a day or two, you’ll want to get your walking shoes on.

You can take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour if you’re not up for the walking. For foodies, we highly recommend spending some time doing any of these fun foodie activities in London .

The city is one of the best for restaurants in the world. If you want to take a day trip from London, we suggest Stonehenge , Bath , or Windsor . They’re all very close by and offer a fantastic experience.

In London, be sure to see these sights:

(You can purchase tickets in advance for these activities. These links are affiliate links to activities we’ve done and recommend.)

• Tower of London (with the Crown Jewels)
• Tower Bridge Experience
• Shakespeare Globe
• Churchill War Rooms
• Westminster Abbey & Big Ben
• View from the Shard
• Kensington Palace
• Kew Gardens

How to Spend One Day in London

Things to Do in Windsor: A Perfect Day Trip From London

21 Fun Foodie Things to Do in London

Where to Stay in London: We recommend the Trafalgar St James by Hilton . It’s in a historic building in a really prime location. The hotel and rooms are designed in art deco and the rooms are really spacious and bright. ⇒  Read reviews on Trip Advisor .

Day 3-5: Paris

Travel to Paris on the Eurostar train . The journey takes just 2 hours from St. Pancras Train Station.

Don’t forget to take a picnic lunch and a bottle of wine with you to enjoy on the train. There are so many things to do in Paris . In only two days, you can cover a lot of ground. You can do a few of these great foodie activities , see the top sights on a walking tour, or join this fun gourmet bus tour for a multi-course meal on a double decker tour bus.

You’ll want to either plan on walking a lot, or acquaint yourself with the Paris Metro map and take short trips in between sights. You can also take the Paris hop of hop off bus to get between sights.

Check out our 3-day Paris itinerary that will help you plan what to see.

In Paris, be sure to see these sights:

• Eiffel Tower
• Notre Dame (closed for renovations)
• Seine River Cruise
• Luxembourg Gardens
• Arch d’Triomphe
• The Avenue des Champs-Élysées
• Louvre Museum
• Sacre Coeur & Montmartre

How to Spend One Day in Paris

3-Day Paris Itinerary for First Timers

9 Fun Foodie Things to Do in Paris

Where to Stay in Paris: The best location to stay in Paris is 6th Arrondissement. It is the Latin Quarter. The heart of Paris. And it’s the best location for tourist who are planning to see everything. Here are 8 top hotels with an Eiffel Tower view . We recommend the boutique 4-star  Hotel Parc Saint Severin . The rooms are larger than most in Paris and they’re nicely refurbished. Plus it’s a really great location. The metro is really close.  ⇒ Read reviews on Trip Advisor.

Day 5-7: Venice

Venice is just one of those places you have to visit at least once in your life. It’s an incredibly enchanting city, with so much character that you feel a little like you’re floating around in a Disney movie.

The views across the Grand Canal are so beautiful, and the narrow alleys can lead you to get lost in a city of charm. Everywhere you turn is another incredible view, and a gondola floating by in the distance. It’s one of a kind.

With so many great things to do in Venice, you really need to set up a good itinerary before you leave, to make sure you fit everything in. 

Check out our shortcut guide to all the best parts of Venice, which will help you plan. Definitely make time for a Venice food tour .

The food in Venice is great, if you know where to look. And you can check out our YouTube video for the top 10 things to do in Venice , if you need more ideas.

You can pre-book some of the activities. I would definitely pre-book the activities below, so you don’t miss out.

• Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade
• Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour
• Legendary Venice St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace

Essential Travel Guide to Venice, Italy [Infographic]

Top Foods to Try on a Venice Food Tour

Guide to the Best Wine Regions in Italy

Where to Stay in Venice:

Ai Patrizi di Venezia   If you’re staying for 3+ nights, I highly recommend this apartment. It’s in the perfect location, is incredibly comfortable and clean, and has a kitchenette. We sometimes prefer an apartment to a hotel so we’re not being bothered by housekeeping. This place is a gem. | Read Reviews or Book a Stay Hotel Londra Palace   If you’d rather stay in a hotel because you like the extra amenities, then Hotel Londra Palace is a great choice. It’s in a very good location, only 5 min walk from St. Mark’s Square, with free wifi and a restaurant. Some rooms have a balcony and an incredible view. | Read Reviews or Book a Stay

Day 8-10: Rome

Rome is a city that will capture your heart the moment you arrive. It’s amazing to see so much history packed into one place, and so much of it is scattered right in the middle of a modern city. There’s really no where else like it. Plus the food. You have to go on a food tour and witness it first hand.

If you’re planning a trip, we’ve got you covered with our shortcut travel guide to Rome : an informative and helpful infographic that will give you a quick peek at all the top things you should plan to do in Rome. Here’s our 3-day itinerary to help plan it all out.

Top things to put on your itinerary:

• The Colosseum : This monumental amphitheater is one of the most recognized symbols of Rome, offering a peek into the world of ancient Roman gladiators. Try to book a guided tour to get the full historical context.
• Roman Forum & Palatine Hill : Located near the Colosseum, the Roman Forum was the political, commercial, and judicial center of ancient Rome. The Palatine Hill, according to Roman mythology, is where the city was founded by Romulus.
• Pantheon : This best-preserved monument from the Roman Empire is a marvel of architectural design, with its impressive dome and the oculus at its center.
• Vatican City : Here, you can visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s renowned frescoes. Be sure to dress modestly as a sign of respect.
• Trevi Fountain : Throw a coin into this iconic fountain to ensure your return to Rome. It’s beautiful during the day, but consider a visit at night when it’s lit up.
• Piazza Navona : This square is home to Bernini’s famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), as well as various artists, musicians, and street performers.
• Spanish Steps : Climbing these steps from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti offers a wonderful view. The nearby shopping district is a must for fashion enthusiasts.

PRO TIP: Skip the line tickets are necessary in Rome, especially during high season. You won’t waste time waiting in huge lines.

• Eating Europe’s Twilight Trastevere Tour  (We loved this tour! Read about it here .)
• Faster Than Skip-the-Line: Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica Tour (definitely worth it)
• Colosseum and Ancient Rome Small-Group Tour

What To Do in Rome in 3 Days

Essential Travel Guide to Rome, Italy [+Infographic]

Eat Like a Local on a Rome Food Tour

Where to Stay in Rome

The best location in Rome depends on what you want to accomplish during your stay, but it’s always best to be centrally located so you can walk to all of the main attractions. 

Two great choices in the affordable luxury range are  The Inn at the Spanish Steps  (with a gorgeous roof-top pool) and  Il Palazzetto . We also really enjoyed staying at  Nerva Boutique Hotel  in the popular Rione i Monti area.

Day 10-12: Berlin

Berlin is a very modern city with a good art scene, many museums, great food options, and cultural/historical things to see and do. It’s a sprawling city so you’ll want to be ready for public transportation. 

There are a few Berlin attractions and sights you don’t want to miss like these we’ve listed here:

• Brandenburg Gate : This iconic symbol of Berlin was once a symbol of division during the Cold War, but now stands for German unity and is a must-see.
• Berlin Wall Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie : No visit to Berlin is complete without learning about its Cold War history. The Memorial provides an insightful look into the era of the city’s division.
• Reichstag Building : The seat of the German Parliament, the building’s glass dome offers a panoramic view of the city. It’s a good idea to register in advance for a visit.
• Museum Island : Home to five world-class museums, including the Pergamon Museum and the Neues Museum. The latter houses the bust of Nefertiti, an ancient Egyptian queen.
• Alexanderplatz and TV Tower : A large public square and transport hub in the central Mitte district, featuring the iconic TV Tower (Fernsehturm) which provides excellent views over the city.
• Holocaust Memorial (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe) : A poignant, powerful monument to one of history’s darkest times.

The best way to see all of these sights is on this Discover Berlin half-day walking tour . The tour is really inexpensive and is the best way to learn the historical and cultural past of Germany, while see the top sights.

Foodies will also want to check out Markethalle Neun , an indoor market with international food vendors, especially on Street Food Thursdays! Also plan for a beer tour and a Berlin food tour in order to taste the best parts of the city!

Essential Travel Guide to Berlin, Germany [Updated 2024]

Berlin is a city that holds a certain mystery, due to its interesting history that forever changed the world. ...

Where to Stay in Berlin

One of my favorite hotels is the  Hotel am Steinplatz, Autograph Collection . It’s located right in the center of the city, conveniently located for transportation, so you can easily get around to the top sights. There’s a bar, restaurant, and really comfortable rooms. ⇒ Read reviews on  Trip Advisor .

Day 12-14: Amsterdam

As a tourist, you’ll likely find Amsterdam to be a very welcoming and fun place to explore. The canals and old cobblestone streets make it the quintessential European city, and it’s just so easy to get around. Read our full guide to 3-days in Amsterdam for the full rundown.

The many activities in Amsterdam include history, art and food. I think a good plan to tackle the city includes a bit of walking tour, interspersed with stops to try the local food and drinks.

Be sure to try bitterballen, poffertjes, and frites (which you can get with dozens of different sauces), along with all the cheese. There are dozens of different canal cruises you can take that are often paired with cheese, beer, wine or even pizza.

For drinks, we recommend stopping at some of the beer bars , like Proeflokaal Arendsnest and Beer Temple, as well as the top cocktail bars like Tales & Spirits and Flying Dutchman. And don’t forget to sample the genever at Proeflokaal ‘t Kelkje, one of the best places in Amsterdam to taste genever!

Here are a few links to our favorite tours and activities in Amsterdam so you can purchase your tickets in advance:

• Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Classic River Boat
• Skip-the-line Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum Guided Combo Tour – Private Tour

Eat like a local in Amsterdam with Eating Europe Food Tours – there are 5 tours available:

• Jordaan Food Tour
• Jordaan Food & Canals Tour
• Amsterdam at Twilight Food Tour
• Food Tour in Haarlem
• A Taste of Life in Haarlem

Essential Travel Guide to Amsterdam [Updated for 2024]

Where to Find the Best Beer in Amsterdam

Where to stay in Amsterdam

We like staying near Dam Square in central Amsterdam. It’s fun and lively, close to or within easy walking distance of many of the top attractions, and easily accessible for public transportation. 

Radisson Blu – This is a nicely-decorated 4-star hotel located directly on a canal near Rembrandt Square. Great place to stay.  Read Reviews on Trip Advisor

Tips for Planning a Trip to Europe

Best time to go to europe.

When you decide to go to Europe should be based on what type of experience you want to have. A lot of people make it a priority to go to Europe in the summer because that’s when they take vacation, or when the kids are out of school. 

However, everyone else is doing the same thing. That means July-August is high season and there are a lot of visitors. Attractions are packed, lines are long, prices are high, and it can be really hot outside.

The best weather in Europe can be found from late March to early June and from late September to early December. This is considered the shoulder season in Europe and there will be less people and lower prices.

We prefer to travel during these times because it’s just so much easier. And the nicer weather makes all the difference.

We especially caution against traveling in Italy in August. It is one of the hottest months and the weather can be a real hindrance to your happiness.

Getting to Europe

Many top airlines from around the world have direct flights into London. It’s probably one of the easiest cities to get into.

Check Skyscanner for great deals on airfare. We prefer to fly into London for the ease of it all, but you can skip London and fly directly into Paris, if you wish.

Also keep in mind that airfare is lower on the shoulder and off season than it is during the summer. (See this article for more on how to find great airfare ).

We also recommend flying into one city and out of another, so you don’t waste some of your holiday time flying back to the starting point. Using the multi-city option on Skyscanner , you should be able to find this option without the fares getting to high.

Getting Around Europe

When planning your Europe itinerary, keep in mind the distance between each destination. Europe seems small, but it takes a while to get between destinations. In most cases, you’ll need at least a half day to get between locations, more if taking the train.

Once you arrive in Europe, you can either fly or take the train between cities. We prefer to take early morning or late night flights, to avoid burning active hours in our destination.

Flying is relatively cheap on budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet . We fly with them all the time.

There are fees for any extras you add, and checking luggage can be expensive, so do be mindful of that.

See here for an idea of what it costs and the flight times for each of the legs in our itinerary:

• London to Paris: $50
• Paris to Venice: $85
• Venice to Rome: $70
• Rome to Berlin: $95
• Berlin to Amsterdam: $70

Via Train – Eurail Pass

Another way to travel around Europe in by train. You can purchase individual train tickets for each journey you wish to take. That will help you mix and match, if you want to fly between some cities and take the train between others.

However, a more economical way to go by train is with a Eurail Pass. The price of the Eurail Pass varies depending on your needs. They range from $250 to over $1000. For the itinerary we laid out in this post, you would need a 5 days within 1 month pass, which costs $326 (updated 2019).

This allows you to travel on any 5 days over a period of a month. There’s also a 7 days in one month pass for $388, if you think you’d like to tack on another destination. These passes entitle you to travel on specific trains only.

You can’t just show up and get on any train, but you don’t need reservations except for the high-speed and overnight trains (which also require an extra fee). They’re only for non-European travelers. And they can only be used for the class of service booked.

Travel Documents – Schengen Area

Always verify the entry requirements and travel documents needed for each specific country you are trip planning for as requirements can vary. You can check with the embassies or consulates of the countries you’ll be visiting or use official government travel websites for the most accurate and current information.

Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. Some countries may have different requirements, so it’s always a good idea to check the specific entry requirements for the countries you plan to visit.

Depending on your nationality and the specific European countries you plan to visit, you may or may not need a visa. Citizens of the United States can generally enter the Schengen Area (a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passport control at their mutual borders) for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. However, if you plan to stay longer or visit countries outside the Schengen Area, you may need additional visas.

Tipping in Europe

Yes, you do need to tip in Europe. However, it’s not at the custom level of the U.S. There are some key differences.

First of all, 10% is the norm for tipping in a nice restaurant. You can give more if you had a stellar experience, but that’s more like 12%. Not 20%. In a cafe or deli, just round up your bill to the nearest dollar. If it was €3.80, leave the .20 cents as a tip.

In pubs in London and bars in Europe, tipping isn’t expected on small amounts.

Whatever you do, always check the bill for a service charge. There are MANY places throughout Europe now that charge a set service fee and include it in the bill. This is often 10 or 12%. If this fee has been added to your bill, there is no need to tip.

Eating in Europe

Since you’ll be visiting many different countries while in Europe, the food will be very diverse. You will have the best overall experience if you’re willing to try all the foods you come across and have an open mind that you mind really like something you’ve never tried before.

• In London, you should have a Sunday roast , Fish and Chips , a Steak & Ale pie . See our foodie guide to London for more.
• In Paris, are you daring enough to try frog’s legs or escargot ? Definitely make room for crepes and a Croque Monsieur . See our foodie guide to Paris for more.
• In Italy, you’ll find an unimaginable array of pasta dishes , pizza, dried meats, and cheeses. Berlin has a very international food scene. It’s not just Schnitzel and sausage anymore.
• And in Amsterdam, you must try the frites , the bitterballen and the  Poffertjes (pancakes).

In every city, there is now a food tour taking place. We always recommend going on a food tour first thing when you arrive because it gives you a very good overview of the foods you should look out for and where to find them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is $5000 enough for a trip to europe.

With careful planning and budgeting, $5000 can allow you to have an enjoyable and fulfilling trip to Europe. However, the amount of money you need for a trip to Europe can vary widely depending on several factors, including the duration of your trip, the countries you plan to visit, your travel style, and the activities you want to experience.

How early should I plan my Europe trip?

Starting to plan your Europe trip 6 months in advance is a good timeframe, especially if your trip involves multiple destinations, is during the peak season, or requires visas. This allows you to also get your accommodation booked in advance. However, if your trip is relatively simple and during the off-peak season, you might be able to start planning 3 months before your travel dates.

What’s the best time to visit Italy?

Italy is a year-round destination, but many people prefer the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) when the weather is pleasant, and tourist crowds in Italy are generally smaller at this time of year.

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Now you know how to plan a trip to Europe, and we’ve given you a 2-week itinerary to follow. What are you waiting for? Whether you take a guided tour or do this Europe 2-week itinerary on your own, I am certain you will find it to be the most exciting and rewarding trip you’ll ever take.

Europe is fascinating and full of surprises. Let us know how your trip to Europe turns out!

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

21 of the Best Cities to Visit in Europe

18 Best Wine Regions in Europe for Wine Lovers

Like this post? Why not save it to your Pinterest board ?

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

15 thoughts on “ How to Plan a Trip to Europe (2-Week Europe Itinerary) ”

A great two-week itinerary for those looking to see the capital cities of Europe Laura – and totally agree with the London food choices! We are heading to the UK early next month and the Sunday roast and fish and chips ( with curry sauce) are high on our agenda;) Also an afternoon tea with clotted cream! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this thorough article. Shelley x

I always love a good cream tea!

I am planning on visiting Europe – more like a backpacking trip. And believe, I probably have read all the possible articles about “How to Self Organize Europe Trip” and this is the first article which covered everything I needed to know in a simple and minimal way. I couldn’t thank you enough, Laura. Really helpful!!!!!

Glad you found it useful, Sneha. Enjoy your trip.

This is awesome, thank you ❤️

Thank you for ALL of this great information. I’m in the beginning stages of planning a vacation for my family of 6. We will fly out of JFK – probably late June 2023 and we would like to visit: London, Paris, Venice, (Rome maybe) and Barcelona. Does the order of countries make sense? And know we would do train from Paris to Venice – but what would you suggest for the rest of the trip as far as traveling between countries? Thank you!

Hi Jill. That trip route sounds good. You can actually do all trains, if you don’t mind overnight travel, to save time. I would likely take the Eurostar from London to Paris, fly to Venice, train to Rome, and flight to Barcelona. You can easily get low-cost airline flights between all of those places.

Hi Laura, do you know whether the flight from Paris to Venice would be very busy? We definitely want to hit up London, Amsterdam, Paris and Italy (Venice/Florence/Rome) but felt that 14 days was ambitious for us. We also were hoping to avoid flights as much as possible due to the mass flying and worry it might take forever at the airport during August/September.

Hi Linda. The flight from Paris to Venice is likely always full, but it’s not a bad experience. We fly these routes all the time. You could also take the train! If you want to take a slower journey and actually cover it well, I would recommend 3 weeks for that trip. It is quite ambitious to do it in 2 weeks, but most people don’t have that much vacation time.

Hi and thank you so much for sharing all of this information! I am planning a summer trip for next year and am just researching to get a jump start on things and saving up!

I have a question…is there a way to add in the Almafi coast in this itinerary easily? What would you suggest as far as when you would add that? Before or after Venice…etc. and how many days would you recommend there? I was planning to do a boat day there.

Hi Cassandra. We were just in the Amalfi coast! You’ll love it. If you have time, I would suggest doing this itinerary the opposite way – starting in London and ending in Naples. Then you can visit the Amalfi coast and travel home from Naples.

Thanks so much for the in-depth wonderful article you turned out here .God Bless You

Hi there! This is really helpful!! I’m just confused, and trying to follow the map you post at the top. Just underneath your header “Self-Guided Tour of Europe – Plan Your Own Travel Itinerary”, there’s a map with a travel route posted. But that map does not match up with the route that is detailed below. The map appears to start in London and go to Paris, and them double-back to Amsterdam. But in the written itinerary, you talk about going from Paris to Venice, but this is not shown as the route on the map, and there’s no mention of how to get from Paris to Venice. Just trying to figure out if I follow what’s posted on the map, or what is outline in the written itinerary?? THANK YOU!!!

Hi Sherry. It looks like Amsterdam just got inserted in the wrong place on the map. I’ve updated it to be last instead of 3rd. Although if you wanted to fly into London and out of Rome, you could still put Amsterdam 3rd in the itinerary.

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Planning A Europe Trip: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Trip You’ll Love

by  Annie  

Published:  January 4, 2022

So you want to start planning a Europe trip. Where do you start? There are so many questions running through your mind -- where should I go? How much time do I need? What will I do while I’m there? How do I get around? What do I pack? The list seems never-ending. I feel you, my friend, and that’s why I wanted to create this guide for you! Though these examples are specific to Europe, you can apply these same steps to any international trip. 

The first trip I ever planned was for work. My supervisor told me I needed to leave the next day and I’d visit five different facilities in four countries across Europe. Talk about trial by fire! After three hours of booking flights and hotels, shooting off emails, and packing up my desk, I sped home like a madwoman to pack the biggest suitcase you’ve ever seen. I still cringe when I think about that mammoth I hauled around for eighteen days. 

Even though it was totally rushed and I had zero experience, everything went smoothly! The biggest takeaway from that experience was that planning an international trip isn’t nearly as difficult as it seems. This is true even if you know next to nothing about the place you’re going, and don’t have time to research! If I can pull it off in twenty-four hours, I guarantee you can do it with much less stress if you give yourself time to bring it all together. 

*** This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a booking using the link, I receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps me keep the lights on around here. I ONLY recommend products and services I personally use and love. ***

In a hurry? Pin it for later...

How to Use this Guide for Planning a Europe Trip

In this guide, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about planning a Europe trip so you can create the experience you’ve always wanted! We’ll talk about what to do before you even start researching, the process of creating your itinerary, booking all the necessities, and how to have a great time once you arrive.

This travel planning guide is for independent travelers who want to travel to Europe on their own terms. You won’t find information about multi-day group tours, or cruises. In each section of this guide, I’ve answered the most common questions people have at each step of the process when planning a Europe trip. 

There are four parts to this guide that follow the steps for planning your trip: 

• What to do before you start researching and booking. 
• What goes into creating your itinerary and booking the necessities. 
• What happens between booking and leaving on your grand adventure! 
• All the info you need to make your trip to Europe run smoothly.

Bookmark this post so you can come back to it at each step of your travel planning process!

Planning a Europe Trip Part 1: Getting Started

An incredible view of Prague Castle and the city from Petrin Hill

For international travel, I like to start laying the groundwork at least six months before I plan to leave. You can do it in less time, but having plenty of time to find the best deals, research your destination, book accommodations before they sell out, will keep you from feeling overwhelmed. You won’t be booking everything that far in advance because there are decisions to be made before you start researching and booking anything at all. In this section, you’ll find answers the most common questions and everything you need to lay the foundation for an amazing trip. 

3 steps to start planning a Europe trip:

• Passports and documentation
• Setting the parameters for your trip
• Choosing your destination(s)

What documents do I need if I’m traveling to Europe?

The most important thing you’ll need for your trip is your passport! I know this seems totally obvious, but hear me out. Depending on the backlog, the process can take up to six months if you don’t have a passport already. 

When going to Europe, you’ll need to make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you arrive. Many countries want to ensure your passport won’t expire while you’re visiting. The renewal process is pretty simple. The last time I did it, I went to my local Walgreens to get updated photos and sent them in with my old passport and renewal paperwork. I had my shiny new passport in about three weeks. Super simple!

Consider applying for Global Entry (US Citizens)

Global Entry is a program for US citizens that allows you to have a fast pass through passport control when you’re returning to the United States. It also comes with TSA Pre-Check, making getting through security a breeze for domestic and international flights. 

It’s $100 for five years and well worth the money if you plan on traveling internationally just once a year! Since I got mine, it’s never taken me more than ten minutes to get through passport control and customs. Previously, I’d be stuck in these lines for hours! Honestly, this is one of the best tips I can give you in this travel planning guide to make your trip to Europe less stressful. 

The application process is simple. You can get all the information and start your application from this government website . You’ll have to complete a full background check and then meet with a TSA agent for an interview. My interview was at the airport, but other options may be available in your area. The interview was about ten minutes long, and they asked questions about my travel plans. It was really easy!

Global Entry is especially handy if you’re like me and piece together flights on different airlines to get the best deals. Having the “fast pass” through passport control and customs makes the whole process of switching airlines and getting back through security much easier and more predictable. 

What’s the best way to start planning a Europe trip? 

The first step to planning a Europe trip is to decide how much time and money you have to spend. This will make every other decisions easier! Time and money are the parameters every part of your Europe trip will fit within. This article will help with planning your travel budget . Once you know how much money you have to spend determine the priorities for your Europe trip . 

When it comes to maximizing the time you have to spend, build around long weekends and holidays if you’re using PTO. Look for holidays that aren’t celebrated in your destination to avoid crowds. This article about planning an itinerar y can help you decide how to spend your days once you arrive. Research the most popular times to visit - or the peak season - and plan to go when fewer tourists are there. Traveling just outside these times (aka shoulder season) will help you save money and avoid huge crowds. If you go when everyone else is visiting, it’s harder to find deals and reservations book up faster. 

You don’t need to have multiple weeks available to create an incredible trip to Europe! All you need is 7 to 10 days. Seven days in a place you’ve wanted to visit for so long is better than zero days, I promise! If you have a more flexible schedule and can work remotely or take long periods off, your primary consideration will be budget. Your budget will go much farther in Romania than in Norway!

Where should I travel in Europe?

If this is your first time planning a Europe trip, destinations that speak your native language will be the least intimidating. If you’re a native English speaker, the United Kingdom and Ireland are great places to start! However, there are plenty of other considerations when deciding where to visit, so keep reading. 

Choosing a destination is the hardest part of planning a Europe trip, in my opinion. It’s tough to take all the amazing places and narrow your trip down to only a few you can string together! Also, there’s no one place that’s going to be perfect for everyone. 

Knowing which type of traveler you are can help you choose a destination you’ll love. If you’re a Nature Lover, then a bustling city may not be the most enjoyable experience for you. You can use this article to learn about different types of travelers and discover which one(s) resonates with you. Once you understand your travel style, it’s easier to decide which European destinations will provide the experience you want. 

Another thing to consider is the average daily cost of visiting. If your destination is less-popular, it may cost more to get there and back so look at flight prices. Also, consider how long it will take to get to your destination and home again if your timeline is less than ten days. These are important considerations, but there are a few other questions to think about.  Here’s an article that covers choosing a destination in more detail. 

Additional Considerations for Choosing Your Destinations

There are a few other elements to think about when deciding where to go on your Europe trip. The climate and any local events happening are two big ones. If you want to go to Scotland in August, the weather is lovely, but you may not know that the city will be packed because the Fringe Festival and Military Tattoo are both in full swing. Taking the time to learn a little more about the places you’re considering before making your final decision will help you choose the best place for your trip. 

There are some easy ways to get information about your top destination choices. Start by looking at the tourism site for the country or city. You’ll learn more about things to do there, how to get around, and other details that can help you plan. Then get a guidebook for the destination(s). Personally, I love real books, so I buy used guidebooks at Thriftbooks.com to read through. The big things don’t change that much over time -- what to see, different regions, history, etc., so I don’t mind having a book that’s out of date. Plus, I’m a fan of reusing rather than purchasing new when I can. 

Finalize Your Destination

Do some basic research on flights and accommodations. This will help you fill in your travel budget and outline your itinerary options. 

1. Research entry requirements for each place on your list.

Do you need any specific documents or health screenings? Do they have a cost associated with them? When I start this phase, I create a spreadsheet to organize the information for each place to compare them easily when it’s time to make a final decision. 

2. Get an idea of what flights and accommodations will cost.

Skyscanner.com is my go-to for finding a ton of flight information in one place. You can search for multi-city and open jaw flights on this site too. Here’s an article with tips for finding cheap flights for your trip to help you get started. For accommodations, Booking.com is my favorite for finding awesome places to stay in Europe. You can see a variety of accommodations all in one place! There are different types of accommodations to choose from, so check out this article for information about each and ways to save money. 

3. Research how you’ll get from place to place.

You’ll need to get from the airport to the city, around the city itself, and from one place to another if you want to visit multiple places on your trip, which isn’t nearly as intimidating as it sounds, I promise! In this article, you can learn about the different ways to travel around Europe and how to decide which is best for your trip. Right now, all you need to know is what options you have, an idea of what they will cost, and how long they take. 

Once you’ve done this preliminary research, it’s time to finalize your destination choices so you can start building your Europe itinerary. You can map out an itinerary for more than one option; just know that’s going to take extra time. 

For the rest of this guide planning a Europe trip, we’ll assume you’ve chosen one place or a few close together for your trip.

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Planning a Europe Trip Part 2: Creating Your Itinerary

Getting off the beaten path to see the Callanish Standing Stones in Scotland.

Now that you’ve chosen a destination, we’ll start putting together the itinerary for your Europe trip! In this section of the travel planning guide, we will cover the six steps that go into creating your itinerary. You’ll find answers to common questions that include details steps for filling in the details of your travel plans. 

6 steps to planning a Europe trip Itinerary:

• Entry requirements
• Basics of building an itinerary
• Mapping out dates for flights and accommodations
• Booking flights and accommodations
• Planning for transportation
• Planning for sights and activities

What do I need if I’m traveling to Europe?

Some European destinations may require a visa to enter or documentation regarding your health, especially with Covid on the scene. A quick internet search should provide all the information you need. A website from the local government will have the most accurate and up-to-date information. There may be certain timelines for applications, so set a reminder in your phone calendar for any dates you need to remember.

The requirements are subject to change quickly when it comes to health information. Make sure you know what the process and timelines are for your destination. Some require testing, even if you’re vaccinated. Others require you to complete a health form in advance like I had to do when traveling to Turkey. This site will help you find a test in your destination for testing while traveling. Also, at-home tests can work in many situations. This article has great information on at-home tests and other resources. 

How do I make an itinerary?

There are an endless number of ways to spend your days in any European destination. First, decide any “must do” items for your visit. You’ll build your timelines around these. You can always refer to which type of traveler you are and look at the suggested activities. If you’re not sure what’s available in your destination, start by looking at the tourism board website (or your guidebook). They have great information about attractions and events. Locals run tourism board sites to promote their home to tourists, so they know!

Once you have a list of your “must-see” activities and sites, plan to do one or two per day. I know, you’re thinking, “But I can do WAY more than one or two things in a day!” Yes, you can. However, you’re going to find more things that interest you once you arrive. 

Also, leaving time for a pint in the pub around the corner and a stop in the interesting little shop you find yourself walking past will make your trip to Europe all the more enjoyable. Honestly, the highlights of your days will often be the things you didn’t plan but stumbled upon as you went from one of your must-do activities to the next. 

If your trip includes major cities, look at where the attractions you most want to see are located. You can bookmark them on your Google maps, so they’re easily accessible on the go. You’ll probably find things you want to see clustered close together in different parts of the city. Dedicate a day to each area rather than going back and forth. Spending most of a day in one area gives you time to get off the beaten path and see what else is around. 

Did I mention leaving time for wandering? Trust me on this one. 

There are many different ways to get around while you’re visiting, so research what’s available. Here’s an article that tells you more about each one and how to decide what’s best for you.

What is the best way to plan flights and accommodations?

Always start this part of your travel planning with affordable flights! Here’s an article with tips for finding cheap flights . Because flight prices vary widely from day to day and week to week, building around the most affordable flights will help you maximize your travel budget. 

Start your search on Skyscanner by looking at a whole month at a time to see which block of days will be the cheapest. If you insist on specific dates, then you’re at the mercy of airline prices. There are plenty of other ways to save money on your trip!

Once you’ve found cheap flights , look at accommodations that match up with those dates; make sure to note any date changes for your arrival if you’re flying through multiple time zones. Booking.com   is where I start because they have so many types of accommodations in one place, and it’s easy to see prices. Here’s an article where you can learn about the different types of accommodations , tips for saving money, and how to choose the best option for your experience. 

Choose the top three accommodations for your dates based on your priorities. Make a pro/con list for each or send a message to the property with any questions you have. This is why an early start to planning a Europe trip is really helpful. It gives you plenty of time to get the information you want to make the best decision for your experience! Last-minute planning can leave you scrambling, feeling overwhelmed, and getting stuck with whatever’s left. 

How soon should I start booking things while planning a Europe trip?

After you’ve mapped out your timelines, it’s time to start booking your trip. This is where we go from just planning a Europe trip to making it reality! Hitting the “purchase” button for those flights is its own kind of adrenaline rush. Keep a spreadsheet or document that you’ll organize by date to help you make sure everything lines up so you’re not accidentally without a place to stay one night or double-booked somewhere else.

Start by booking your flights. I always book directly through the airline rather than one of the online travel sites. This way, if there’s any kind of problem, you can work directly with the airline instead of having to go through a third party. 

Once you’ve booked, make a note in your spreadsheet or document of:

• the airline
• your confirmation number
• departure date and time
• any layovers
• your arrival date and time

Next up, it’s time to book places to stay. Match up the arrival date of your flight with the check-in date of your accommodation. If you’re staying in more than one place, match the next check-in date with the check-out date of your previous stay. Sometimes this can get confusing, which is why having your planning document organized by date is helpful. 

Make a note in your spreadsheet or document of: 

• the property name
• check-in and check-out dates
• phone number
• confirmation number. 

Then bookmark your accommodation on Google Maps, so it’s accessible when you arrive.

A note on booking multiple accommodations and then canceling what you don’t want -- this puts the local accommodation in a real bind. If you prefer to stay in a small, locally-owned place, it can be difficult for them to fill last-minute cancellations, affecting their livelihood! Please, choose the place you want to stay and only book one.

What is the best transportation in Europe?

There are a number of transportation options for planning a Europe trip. I’m always a fan of public transportation because it’s affordable, efficient, and a more sustainable option. You can reference this article for more information about planning for the different types of transportation . 

You’ll need to plan for getting from the airport to your accommodation and around your destination. If your itinerary includes multiple stops, you need to plan how you’ll get from one place to the next. There are many different ways to travel around Europe , so make sure you explore your options. A rail pass or bus pass can be a great way to save money, if you want to create a multi-city itinerary. 

If you’re choosing an option other than flying, you may not be able to purchase tickets more than 90 days in advance. Set a reminder in your calendar for train or bus tickets for when tickets will be available, so you don’t forget to book them. Make a note in your spreadsheet or document of departure and arrival locations, dates, and times. Bookmark these on your Google Maps as well. 

You may need to print a physical paper ticket for some of these before leaving like I had to do for my bus rides in the Balkans. For other options, you may be able to access everything from an app. Make a note of what’s required, so you’ll know what you need when it’s time to start gathering everything before you leave. 

What should I see and do during my Europe trip?

Research any popular attractions or activities you want to include on your trip. Find out if you can or need to pre-book tickets. I made the mistake of trying to book tickets to the Anne Frank House only a few days before my first trip to Amsterdam and missed out because all the visiting times were already booked for two months out! Lesson learned. 

Also, check out the Go City passes available for major cities. They include many of the most popular sights and sometimes let you skip the line to get in. The pass can also save you money over paying each entrance fee separately, and some include public transportation!

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Planning a Europe Trip Part 3: Preparing for Departure

Soaking in an iconic view of the canals in Amsterdam

Whew, we’ve already covered a lot of information for planning your Europe trip, but there's still more! I told you this was a complete guide! You’ve chosen an amazing destination for your European vacation and laid the foundation for an incredible experience. Now that you have those big pieces in place, let’s fill in the details. 

What needs to happen between booking and getting on the plane? In this section of the travel planning guide, you’ll find nine things you’ll want to know before leaving on your trip. I’ll answer the most common questions and give you all the information you need to feel fully prepared when it’s time to go. 

9 tips to prepare for your Europe trip:

• Decide on travel insurance
• Resources for researching your destination
• What to know about packing
• Make sure you can charge your devices
• Decide how you’ll using your cell phone
• Get your home ready
• Print documents to take with you
• How to get ready for departure day
• Getting ready for a long-haul flight

Do I need travel insurance?

In my early years of traveling, I never purchased travel insurance. Thankfully, I never needed it, though there were times it could have helped with canceled flights or delayed luggage. Over the years, I’ve seen how things can go sideways, and now I’m a fan of having the extra peace of mind. Travel insurance is really affordable, making it easy to insure your trip without too much additional expense. When you're planning a Europe trip, making room for this in your budget could save you a bundle in the long run.

World Nomads is my favorite for general travel insurance. Some of their policies cover Covid-related expenses, but not all, so double-check. If you want to make sure your trip is covered for Covid-related expenses, look for policies that cover “Cancel for Any Reason.” Here is a great list of travel insurance options that do cover Covid . 

I chose one of these for my 40-day trip through the Balkans, and the comprehensive policy was less than $200. Thankfully, I didn’t need it, but it would have saved me much more than that if I had! Honestly, I don’t remember the specific one I went with. I made quite a few coverage comparisons and chose the one that worked best for my needs. 

How do I find cool things to do in my destination?

You’ve already done preliminary research about your destination, and now it’s time to get into the details. 

As I’ve mentioned, when planning a Europe trip, you can use Google Maps to bookmark different places you may want to visit in your destination. I love this feature! It means you don’t have to make a rigid plan for your days but can bookmark a bunch of things and decide what sounds awesome in the moment. 

If you’re at an attraction on your “must-see” list, when you’re finished, you can look at your map and see what else is nearby! Don’t get so focused on going from place to place that you miss the magic in between, though. 

If you are using public transportation, check to see if there’s an app you can use, which will often have a map of the system and allow you to purchase tickets directly on your phone. If you want to take a guidebook, you can cut out the pages you need instead of lugging the whole thing around. 

Personally, I’ll put the important information on my phone or a separate paper to take and leave the book at home. For big cities, the DK Top 10 guidebooks are a great option. They’re lightweight and small! Here’s a great collection of ones for Europe . 

Other things to research about your destination

Map out the best way to get to your accommodation from the airport, so you’re not trying to figure it out when you arrive tired and jet-lagged. Use this post to help you find the way that makes the most sense for you. 

Find out if cash or credit card is preferred where you're going. You can get local currency from an ATM at the airport when you arrive. Depending on where you’re going, a taxi may not take credit cards. 

Finally, save the numbers for your accommodations, local emergency services, the airlines you’ll be using, and the customer service numbers for your credit cards in your phone contacts. 

What should I pack for a trip to Europe?

Packing is one of the most overwhelming parts of planning a Europe trip! It really deserves its own type of travel planning guide, which I’ll get working on for you right away! 

You will want to take anything there’s even a chance you’ll need because you’re not sure you’ll be able to get it at your destination. This is not the case at all! Packing only the necessities is especially important if you’re traveling on a budget flight where there are restrictions for the size and weight of your luggage. 

I fly with only a carry-on whenever possible. Spending three days wearing the same clothes in Copenhagen because our luggage didn’t make it with us was less than ideal. So, I usually do a round or two of practice packing to see how much will fit. Then I have to make the hard decisions about what to leave behind. If you trip is more than a week, plan to do laundry along the way.

If you have any prescription medications, talk to your insurance about getting a vacation refill. Usually, they will let you get one extra refill, so you have everything you need for your trip. Find out far enough in advance that you can make other arrangements with your doctor, if necessary. 

Additional Packing Tips

You’ll probably have a souvenir or two to bring home with you, so plan to have a little extra room for this. I have a duffel bag that folds down flat to pack in the bottom of my luggage, just in case I want to check a bag on the way home. I’ll fill the duffel with my dirty clothes since I don’t care if those are delayed and put fragile items in my carry-on. I don’t buy many souvenirs anymore, but this has been useful over the years! You can find them at Target or REI. 

No extra room to spare? Tickets to attractions and maps make great, lightweight souvenirs, plus you don’t have to spend anything extra. 

Perhaps you want a smaller day bag for when you’re out sightseeing instead of the personal item you took on the plane. Because I travel with my laptop and don’t want to haul it or the bigger backpack every day, I have a little backpack from REI that folds in half so it can be flat in the bottom of my carry-on. When I’m out and about, I prefer that to the laptop backpack. It’s low-key and much smaller, so it doesn’t stand out. 

Do I need an adapter for my electronics?

You’ll need an adapter to plug in your electronics when traveling abroad. I take two with me -- one for my laptop and one for my USB block that plugs into the wall. My husband has a small powerstrip he takes with him, which means you’d only need one adapter! Most of Europe uses the same adapter, except for the United Kingdom, but double-check, just to be sure you have what you need.

Ladies, if you have hair styling tools you want to pack, there are some things you’ll need to consider. The voltage is different, and using them overseas can ruin your products if done incorrectly. I did this on my first trip! My blow dryer sparked, let out a puff of smoke, and died. The end. 

Since that first experience, I’ve gone the natural route, and now my hair takes approximately 30 seconds to do, so I’m not the best person to give beauty advice for traveling! Your accommodation may provide a hairdryer. If not, don’t worry; I did find some information for you! Here’s an article about using styling tools overseas .

How do you I access my money while traveling in Europe?

It’s quite easy to access your money and use your credit cards while traveling to Europe. 

First, let your bank know where you’re traveling and the dates. Ask them if there are any special requirements for accessing your money while you’re gone. When you take money out of the ATM, your bank will calculate the exchange rate and charge you a fee for using an out-of-network ATM. I usually get a few hundred dollars at a time if I’m in a destination that prefers cash. That means I don’t need to use the ATM as often, which saves money on fees. 

You’ll want to alert your credit cards as well. Many of them have a place where you can enter this information online. Others don’t need you to notify them because they have systems set up to detect fraudulent activity on their end. If you’ve never done this with your card, call to find out. They’ll let you know, and it will make things easier for future trips. 

How do I use my cell phone in Europe?

There are a few different ways to do this, depending on your carrier. If you’re planning a Europe trip that's longer than a month, you may want to consider getting a SIM card when you arrive at your destination. This will allow you to access data and make local calls like you would at home. It also changes your phone number to a local one, so having a Google Voice number set up at home is helpful. Here’s an article with more information about using a local SIM card .

Because my trips are usually less than two months at a time, I go with one of the plans my carrier offers. I’m a Verizon user, and they have a monthly add-on that gives me a little bit of data, text and call minutes to use while I travel. Since I want to spend my time being present while I’m out and about, my phone time is reserved for when I’m in my accommodation or a cafe with wifi. The data has come in handy when I need to map my way somewhere or call an accommodation, but I don’t use it otherwise. 

Check with your carrier to see what options they offer, then choose what makes the most sense for you. 

What do I need to do with my home before I go on a trip?

This is one of the easiest parts to forget when you’re getting ready to travel! We get so focused on going to the place, and we forget to make sure everything is taken care of at home. 

Make sure you put a hold on your mail, so you don’t come back to a pile overflowing your mailbox. If you have plants or pets, make arrangements for their care. I assume you wouldn’t leave your pets without care, but you’d be surprised what can slip your mind when you’re getting ready for a big trip! If you’re going in summer and have a yard, get someone to take care of that as well. 

Find a low-wattage light you can leave on somewhere in the house for security purposes. It’s a good idea to make it look like someone is home, or at least like someone might be home. Let a neighbor you trust know that you’ll be gone and ask them to keep an eye on things for you. If you have a friend or family member nearby, see if they’ll stop over to check things out once a week.

What travel documents do I need to print?

As you're planning a Europe trip, keep any digital files in one place on your computer. Also keep your physical documents (passport, global entry, visas, etc.) together so they'll be easily accessible when it's time to go. It’s recommended to make a color copy of your passport and keep it somewhere separate from your actual passport. It’s also a good idea to give a copy to a family member or friend you trust.

Once you’ve finalized all your arrangements, you’ll want to make sure you have all the details easily accessible. Print any tickets you need for transportation or entry into attractions. Also, turn your document where you listed your reservation information into a one-pager (front and back) that you can print to keep with you. I share this document with the same friend or family member that keeps a copy of my passport, so someone knows where I’m supposed to be and when. If you’re traveling alone, this is an especially good idea. 

What should you do before leaving for the airport?

Have a plan in place to help things run smoothly. On the day of your departure, your mind will be going a thousand miles a minute, if you’re anything like me.  Jet lag can be a beast, but thankfully there are apps to help you start the transition to your destination’s time zone before you leave home. I’ve heard great things about Timeshifter , though I haven’t used it myself yet. It’s one of those things I forget and just have to deal with once I arrive. Someday I’ll remember!

Ensure you know how you’re getting to your departure airport and how much time you need. I always build in extra time to ease the anxiety when I travel. Nothing makes me want to crawl out of my skin more than worrying I’m going to miss a flight! I would much rather sit in the airport with a drink in hand for an extra hour than feel rushed and anxious as I start my epic trip.

If you don’t have someone to take you to the airport, you can schedule a pickup time hours in advance with Lyft , use a park and ride facility, pre-book an airport transfer, or call a traditional taxi. Here’s a post about the different ways to travel to and from the airport . 

When I was flying home from Istanbul, my flight was at 6:55 AM, and the airport was at least 45 minutes from where I was staying. Having a transfer already arranged and the ability to confirm it the night before let me actually get some sleep until my 4 AM pickup. 

What should I bring on a long haul flight?

• Refillable water bottle.
• Books, music, games, and movies loaded on your devices.
• Snacks in case you don’t like the food or get hungry between services.
• A pair of socks and underwear in case of delayed luggage, if you’re checking a bag.
• Medication or toiletries you will need during the flight. Pack a few day’s worth, just to be safe, if you’re checking a bag.
• Any documentation you’ll need to show at your destination. 

If you’re crossing an ocean, you’ll most likely be spending the next eight hours or more in the process of getting to your destination. I wish I could say something to make the time pass more quickly. Long flights are one of the parts you just have to get through to get to the places you want to visit. Below you’ll find a few more tips for making your transit and arrival in Europe easier. 

Tips for Making Travel Days More Comfortable

If my flight has more than ninety minutes until boarding, I’ll see if I can visit one of the lounges. Accessibility varies by airline, your frequent-flier status, etc. The lounge is a much more pleasant experience than sitting in the main terminal. 

I have the Delta Platinum American Express because that’s the largest airline in my home airport. This card gives me access to the lounge for $39 where all the drinks and snacks are free (remember to tip your bartender!). I spend way more than $39 sitting at an airport bar for the same amount of time, and it’s not nearly as comfortable.

You’ll be asked to turn your phone on airplane mode before departure. Depending on how you’ve decided to use your device when you arrive, you may want to turn off your data as well. You can map the route you’ll take to get to your accommodation and download it, so you’ll have it available when you arrive. You’ll be able to see your location and surrounding area on Google Maps without data or wifi as long as you’ve looked at the area previously and leave your location on.

Planning a Europe Trip Part 4: Arriving In Your Destination

Exploring Triglav National Park in Slovenia

Woohoo! You've spent all this time planning a Europe trip and you’ve made it! Now it’s time for all the fun! In this part of the travel planning guide, we’ll answer your questions about making the transition to your destination as smooth as possible. 

 In this section of the travel planning guide, you’ll find seven tips that will make your arrival go smoothly and set you up to have the most amazing time! I’ve answered the most common questions and provided all the resources you need to make things super easy. 

7 tips for a smooth arrival in your destination:

• Navigating passport control and customs
• Getting local currency
• Securing your belongings
• Gathering essential items for your stay
• Overcoming any language barriers
• Finding your way around
• How to get to your next destination, if you have one

What should I expect at passport control and customs in Europe?

Going through passport control is a simple process, though it can take a while. You’ll wait in line with the other passengers and approach the border control agent with your travel companions when it’s your turn. They’ll ask how long you’re staying, the purpose of your visit, and possibly where you’re staying, so have that information ready. 

Once you’ve received your shiny new passport stamp, you’ll go through baggage claim and customs. Look around for an ATM, just in case they have them in this part of the airport. As long as you haven’t packed anything you plan to sell or more than $10k in cash, you can just go through the “Nothing to Declare” lane, which will be marked in green. As a standard traveler, you’ll always use this lane. I only mention this now in the travel planning guide because I didn’t know what to do when I encountered this on my first trip. 

Can I get currency at the airport?

Yes! You can find ATMs in baggage claim or in the main terminal when you exit the secure area. I’ve never been to an airport that didn’t have one, but you may have to look around for a bit. 

Once you’ve got your cash, it’s time to find your ride. You planned for this, so look for the signs pointing you in the right direction -- taxis, public transportation, etc. 

How do I protect my belongings when traveling?

Let me start by saying that, in my experience, most people are kind and helpful. There isn’t a thief lurking around every corner waiting to mug you and steal your things. When planning a trip to Europe, the absolute best security is common sense. Do what you would do when visiting a big city in your home country and you should be just fine. Paying attention to what’s happening around you and who is in your space will deter the most questionable activity. 

Safety is one of people's biggest concerns when visiting a place they’ve never been. First of all, don’t bring a bunch of valuables with you. Depending on your accommodation, there are different options for keeping your things secure while you’re out sightseeing for the day -- safes, lockers, etc. If you take more cash from the ATM than you want to carry around, stash it in a random place in your luggage that no one would find, like inside a pair of socks. 

Tips for Securing Your Belongs While Sightseeing

When you’re getting ready to head out for the day, make sure your wallet and passport are somewhere you have to dig them out. The idea is that a thief would have to take your entire bag to get them. For me, this is inside a pocket inside a zippered part of my backpack. The only thing I ever carry in my pockets is my phone and loose change, and my pockets have zippers. 

If you’re not going to carry a bag, make sure your pockets have zippers, and you keep your valuables in your front pockets. When I sit down in a park, at a café, etc., I make sure my bag isn’t in a place where someone can walk by and grab it. Sometimes I’ll set it on the ground and put my chair leg through one of the straps, just for another level of security. 

How do you shop in a foreign country?

You’re definitely going to need to eat, but you may also find yourself needing toiletries, pain killers, or a bottle of wine. Depending on the destination, you might find what you need in separate shops instead of a grocery store like in the US. Even food items can be separated -- a cheese shop, an open-air produce stand, a butcher, and a dry goods store. For me, one of the fun parts of experiencing life in a foreign land is this simple act of gathering what I need. 

Use your Google Maps while you have Wi-Fi to look for the different shops and bookmark them. It’s also fun to wander around your neighborhood to see what’s there. Sometimes small shops won’t be listed on your app, but you’ll find them tucked away on side streets. In my experience, the shopkeepers are helpful and kind. Depending on where you find yourself, you may be a novelty to them! On more than one occasion, I’ve found myself engaged in conversation because they’re curious about why I’ve chosen to visit and want to tell me about awesome things in the area. 

How do you overcome language barriers in Europe?

Typically, people who work in tourism will speak some English, but it’s never guaranteed. When planning Europe trip, it’s helpful to learn a few basic phrases in the local language before you arrive, even if it's just “hello,” “please,” and “thank you.” Those few words and your willingness to try can go a long way. That being said, I’ve found that the language barrier has rarely been an issue when traveling in Europe.

You’d be surprised at how much you can actually communicate with pointing and a few hand gestures. Once, at a campground near Plitvice National Park in Croatia, I managed to get my clothes washed even though the washing machine labels were in German and my host was trying to explain to me in Croatian! 

The Wordless Travel Book is a great little resource to take along if you’re concerned about the language barrier. It’s full of pictures you can point to and use to communicate. Plus, you can always turn on your data and use Google Translate in a pinch, too. 

Will my Google Maps work in Europe?

Yes! Google Maps makes getting around in Europe easy. Make sure your phone is fully charged before setting out for the day. If you’ve bookmarked places, you’ll still see them on your map even if your data is off. You can pick up a paper map at the local tourist information office, which is always worth visiting. They’ll be able to tell you about any fun events and answer questions you might have. I’m a fan of walking, so that’s always my go-to for getting around a new place. However, in larger cities, a bus or metro may be a better option. This article has a ton of information about the different ways to get around and how to choose the best one(s) for your needs. 

Tips for Getting to Your Next Destination

If your itinerary includes multiple stops, you’ll need to do the whole departure and arrival thing over again. If you’re using a different mode of transportation than you did on the first part of your trip, I recommend scouting out the place you’re leaving from, especially if you have an early departure. 

When I was taking the bus from Albania to Montenegro, I went to the bus station the day before to know exactly where I needed to go the next morning. It’s a good thing I did because the bus terminal was tucked behind a gym, and it took me a bit to figure out that it was around the back. 

The next morning, I knew how long I needed to get there and didn't feel stressed about finding the right place. Bonus, it’s a chance to do more exploring! I found more cool places around the area that I may have missed otherwise. 

Go Forth and Adventure!

At this point, I hope you’re feeling more confident about planning a Europe trip. There’s a ton of information in this one travel planning guide, so be sure to bookmark it so you can come back at the different stages of putting your trip together. 

If you’ve made it this far and found this information helpful, I’d love to stay connected! You can find me over on Instagram , where I share travel tips for creating your trips, my own adventures, and highlights from other travelers worldwide. You can also subscribe to the newsletter where you’ll receive updates, travel deals, inspiration, and resources for your upcoming adventures. 

If you’d like to talk about the details of your travel plans or destination to get more insight, you can schedule a one-hour consultation with me. I love helping other indie travelers like you create the travel experiences they’ve always wanted to have! I’ll answer your questions and give you every last resource and bit of insight I’ve collected over the last thirteen years. You can schedule and purchase a consultation using this link . 

Now get out there. The world is waiting for you!

What have you done to plan your own trips in the past?  

Share any tips with your fellow indie travelers in the comments!

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About the author 

Fun Lover. Food Eater. Bold Explorer. Big Dreamer. Annie is a fiercely independent traveler who loves to create unique and interesting experiences. She thrives on finding the magical moments and hidden gems waiting around every corner. Her passion for helping others make their travel dreams come true fuels her work as a travel planner, consultant, educator, and community builder.

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Thank you very much for the greeting!Happy New Year for you too…! Thanks for the very comprehensive travel tips/step by step guide too…!I have read it with a absolutely great interest.

Happy New Year to you! I’m so glad it was useful! 🙂

That is quite a comprehensive guide. I plan to visit Ireland on my next visit to Europe.

Ooh, Ireland is lovely! You won’t be disappointed!

What a beast of a post! This is such a great resource for newbie travellers – amazing!

Ha! I know, it’s a big one! I wanted to create something that has all the basics in one place. 🙂

fantastic points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What could you recommend in regards to your post that you just made a few days ago? Any sure?

I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! I’m not sure which recommendations you’re looking for. Feel free to fill out the contact form to send me an email!

I was recommended this website through my cousin. I am no longer positive whether this post is written by means of him as no one else understand such specific approximately my trouble.

You’re amazing! Thank you!

Thank you! I’m glad he recommended it. 🙂

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Your 13-Step Guide to Traveling to Europe for the First Time

There is absolutely nothing like traveling to Europe for the first time–and we want to help make your experience as magical as possible!

It has been about a decade since our very first trip to Europe, and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

The thrill of the plane touching down in Paris , the confusion of taking the RER B train into the city, and the absolute electricity that shot through my veins as we exited the train stop and I marveled at the real-life version of Saint-Germain-des-Prés unfolding before my eyes (I swear, actual church bells were going off)–I remember it all.

I remember the next trip, too, where we upped the stakes: instead of a week in Paris, we spent 2.5 weeks exploring Krakow ,  Budapest ,  Plitvice Lakes National Park ,  Zadar ,  Dublin , and the  Cliffs of Moher .

… and then we quit our jobs to travel the world , and we’ve only gotten more obsessed with traveling Europe since.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

In the decade since that first trip to Paris, we’ve thrown ourselves into exploring the world, traveling full-time for 4+ years, visiting 50+ countries (including most countries in Europe), and even living in Portugal along the way.

One of my absolute favorite parts of my job, though, is to help people–primarily Americans like myself–plan their first trip to Europe.

Because here’s the thing: neither my husband Jeremy nor I ever had a passport or left the USA until we were adults.

We taught ourselves how to travel Europe and the world at large from scratch, and I remember the fear we felt and the mistakes we made along the way almost as well as I remember the beauty of that first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.

If you find yourself with a major case of European wanderlust and a dizzying array of questions about how to turn those travel dreams into your actual first trip to Europe, this checklist is for you.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to traveling to Europe for the first time!

Table of Contents

Ready to Plan Your First Europe Trip?

Our top 2 tips for visiting europe for the first time, planning your first trip to europe: your 13-step checklist, faq about traveling to europe for the first time.

Helping people plan trips is our passion and purpose here on Our Escape Clause.

Once you read this step-by-step checklist for planning your first trip to Europe, we’d love to help you continue to plan your travels in more detail!

We have around a dozen general Europe travel guides on our website, including everything from suggested Europe travel itineraries to where to find the most magical Christmas markets , plus literally hundreds of posts on specific European destinations!

We’ll link relevant blog posts throughout this Europe travel guide, but if you’re curious about our coverage of any particular place, you can use the search bar in the top right corner of the site (or on the pop-out menu if you’re reading on your phone) to see what we’ve written.

You can also check out our destinations page to browse by country!

We have a lot to say when it comes to Europe travel tips ( here are 75 of our best ones ), but specifically for travelers visiting Europe for the first time, there are 2 pieces of advice we’d give above all others.

First, resist the urge to overcrowd your itinerary.

I go into this more below, but believe us, we absolutely relate: I still have to fight this urge with every trip we take!

However, moving around constantly is a surefire way to end up overwhelmed, exhausted, and not getting to appreciate all of the magnificent places you’re seeing.

Second, know that throwing down money and committing to finally taking the trip of your dreams is often the hardest part–once you board the plane, everything gets easier.

I vividly remember how nervous we were to book our first (and second, and third) trips abroad.

For 2 people who had never even had passports until they were adults, we had a lot to learn!

But at the same time–I’m so, so, so glad we took the plunge, and you will be too.

After all, millions of people travel to foreign countries each year, and there’s absolutely no reason that you can’t be among them.

You’ve got this!

Now onto the details…

Step 1: Get inspired and brainstorm where you want to go.

Without a doubt, the first step to planning a trip to Europe is brainstorming all of the places you want to visit!

If you’re anything like us, odds are high that the list is longer than what you could rationally accomplish in a decade, let alone on a single vacation, but it never hurts to dream!

Whether you want to road trip Tuscany , wander the streets of Paris , marvel at the Alhambra in Spain, hike on a glacier in Iceland, stroll along the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland , or something radically different, pay attention to what calls to you the most.

There are no wrong answers when deciding which destinations are most interesting to you!

Step 2: Check visa requirements for Europe.

While most readers of this blog post, such as Americans like us and other people from non-European, strong-passport countries like Canada and Australia, will likely not need a visa to take their dream trip to Europe, it’s always best to triple-check!

(And, in a post-2020 world, we all know more than ever that expectations can change quickly.)

As you research what you need to travel to Europe, you’ll likely come across many references to the Schengen Area .

These are the 26 European countries that share open borders with each other.

Americans and many others can visit these countries for up to 90 days out of any 180 without a visa.

In the future, the ETIAS system –essentially an e-visa procured by filling out paperwork online before traveling, which will cost a nominal 7 Euro–will come into effect for the Schengen Area.

ETIAS is currently slated to begin operating sometime in 2024, though the starting date has been pushed back several times.

Other countries–like the UK, Montenegro, and Romania, for example–are not part of this system, but if you come from a country with a strong passport, you likely won’t need a visa there either.

A few nearby places that might be on your radar, like Turkey , require an e-visa for Americans to enter.

Step 3: Shop for flights (and be as flexible as possible).

Once you have a list of your most-wanted travel destinations and have confirmed you’re clear to travel, it’s time to shop for your flights to Europe!

We recommend being as flexible as possible during this process, either with your travel dates, your destinations, or ideally, both.

Flight prices and routes can vary dramatically depending on where you’re coming from and where you’re going, which is one reason why we don’t recommend finalizing your Europe itinerary until you have your flights purchased (more on that below).

Ideally, you’ll want to start and end your first Europe trip in a major airport hub.

This doesn’t necessarily need to be the same hub, though!

While one-way tickets can be pricier than round-trip ones, if you’re flexible on your dates  and  destinations (so deciding which cities to start and end in partially based on price), you can usually find excellent deals.

This is exactly how we ended up flying into Krakow and out of Dublin during our first multi-country trip to Europe!

As far as airports go, for those of you coming from the USA (or anywhere in North America, really), you’ll want to potentially check ticket prices for London, Madrid , Dublin, Paris ,  Lisbon , Frankfurt,  Amsterdam , and  Milan .

That’s not an exhaustive list by any means, but there are often flight deals to and from these cities.

Step 4: Narrow down your itinerary for your first Europe trip.

Now that you’ve scored a great flight deal on the “bookends” of your trip, it’s time to fill in the rest of your itinerary for traveling Europe for the first time!

As we mentioned above, the biggest challenge here for most travelers is to not bite off more than they can chew and travel too fast.

Trust me, we understand the temptation–I still have to trim destinations from every. single. trip. that we plan, because my overwhelming desire to do it all fights with logic every step of the way.

I promise, though, you will have a much better trip if you slow it down.

Ideally, allow at least 2 full days (typically not including days you travel to or from the destination, though there are exceptions) to each “base” or city.

Staying in one place for 3 or 4 days is even better, and will give you time for a day trip or two.

We have several suggested Europe itineraries outlined here , and can highly recommend all of them!

However, there are truly infinite possibilities when it comes to structuring your first Europe trip.

When it comes to deciding exactly which of your dream destinations make the cut, we recommend letting geography be the tiebreaker.

For example, if you’re trying to decide whether to visit Amsterdam or Budapest on a trip where you fly into Paris, Amsterdam is the clear winner.

If you fly into Vienna instead of Paris, though… Budapest it is!

Other factors to keep in mind when narrowing down your itinerary include seasonality/weather and your budget.

Using Google Flights and searching the general term “Europe” in the “Where To?” box can be a great way to find unexpected flight deals!

(Don’t forget to play around with the map, zooming in and out on different regions–you might be surprised at what deals you find).

Step 5: Finalize your budget for traveling to Europe for the first time.

Now that you know exactly when your trip to Europe is happening and where you are going, it’s time to finalize your travel budget!

We recommend taking the total amount you hope to spend in Europe, subtracting any splurges or major expenses you know are coming (a pricey tour, some clothes shopping, etc.), and then dividing the remaining amount by the number of days you’ll be traveling in Europe.

Voila–you have your daily Europe travel budget!

This is the number you should try to stay under each day when you add up the amount you spend on food, activities, lodging, and intra-city transportation.

We have used this simple strategy to budget our trips for years and detail it more thoroughly in our travel budgeting guide .

Step 6: Book some of your accommodation.

Once you have your plane tickets, a plan for where you’re going, and a budget set, it’s time to decide where to sleep!

We offer specific hotel suggestions in the vast majority of our destination-specific travel guides, but generally speaking, you’ll want to look for something well-reviewed (we aim for an 8.0 rating or better on Booking.com ) in a central location.

Also, keep an eye out for air conditioning and/or heating as the weather demands–those things are not a guarantee in all areas!

A very general rule to keep in mind when booking hotels?

The smaller the destination, the earlier you will want to book.

Somewhere like Cinque Terre simply doesn’t have as much lodging available as it does people who want to visit, while places like Paris are big enough to absorb their travelers in spite of their popularity.

As a result, tiny, popular places are where we tend to book our accommodation the earliest.

Of course, if you’re headed somewhere for a big event or festival–say Oktoberfest in Munich or Christmas markets in Salzburg –you’ll want to book ASAP.

We find virtually all of our accommodation (short-term apartment rentals included) via Booking.com these days.

If we get stuck, we may occasionally check Airbnb too, but as the years have gone by, prices and guest expectations have both increased dramatically, so we find ourselves using it much less than we once did.

Step 7: Figure out your inter-city (or country) transportation.

When it comes to traveling between each of your destinations during your vacation in Europe, you might find that you come up with quite a mix of methods!

Trains are our favorite way to travel in Europe–they’re simple, comfortable, safe, and extremely convenient for visiting most major cities (there are caveats to this, in places like the Balkans).

We would only recommend renting a car if you’re visiting the countryside somewhere.

If your itinerary is a more typical first-timer’s route and sticks to major cities–something like London-Paris-Amsterdam–then a car is absolutely unnecessary.

Buses are our least favorite method, as they tend to be slow and uncomfortable, but are undoubtedly the cheapest.

Flights are by far and away the best option for extreme distances, but are cumbersome and tend to eat up an entire day.

And, finally: if you’re visiting Europe in the summer , don’t forget about ferries!

Step 8: Book some of your bucket-list travel experiences in Europe.

While simply existing in a gorgeous new destination is a bucket-list travel experience in and of itself, booking some unique tours and attractions can help make your trip even more memorable!

From touring the Colosseum at night to eating our way through Athens on an incredible food tour to snorkeling between 2 tectonic plates in Iceland, we have never been sorry to splurge on a memorable experience abroad.

(And yes, we paid our way on each of those tours–we don’t accept sponsored trips or tell anyone that we’re bloggers while there.)

Booking your experiences in advance goes beyond the small group tours, though: skip-the-line tickets for major attractions like the Arc de Triomphe , Vatican Museums , and Sagrada Familia are so beneficial that I cannot sing their praises enough.

We never show up to a major attraction without booking tickets in advance these days (and it’s even more important in a post-2020 world).

We book our skip-the-line tickets and many of our tours through Get Your Guide .

For bespoke, small-group tours that go above and beyond the “normal” experience, we love Take Walks .

Step 9: Learn a little bit of the local language(s).

If you’re staying firmly on the tourist trail on your trip to Europe, you won’t necessarily  need  to speak any of the local language(s) to travel there.

… But you will almost certainly encounter some monolingual Europeans, and either way, it will definitely enhance your experience in the country to know a tiny bit of their language.

Simple phrases like hello, goodbye, please, thank you, you’re welcome, do you speak English, and the numbers 1-10 can go a long way!

If you’d like to go a bit further, learning to order in restaurants and read menus is both helpful and efficient.

In addition to being fun and practical to learn, it’s one of the conversations that you’re likely to have repeatedly enough during your travels that the phrases will potentially stick with you until long after your trip is over.

Step 10: Make a packing list (and shop!).

Packing can often be one of the most unexpectedly stressful parts of getting ready for a trip, and even more so for your very first European vacation!

We have full suggested packing lists for Europe in spring , summer , winter , and fall , which go into far more detail than I have room for here.

Our absolute biggest advice for packing for Europe, though, is not to stress too much about it: just about anything you could possibly forget will be available there too!

For now, here are a few essentials that we absolutely recommend adding to your list:

Travel Adaptors for Europe — If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll definitely need adaptors for your electronics.

Be sure to check the requirements for any particular country that you visit–the United Kingdom, for example, is well-known for using different plugs than most of the continent.

Comfortable Day Bag  — We currently use  Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack  and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable.

Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized–we used a  Northface Jester backpack  for years and loved it as well.

Portable USB Charger — Don’t stress about your phone dying while you’re sightseeing: add a portable charger to your packing list for Europe.

Basic Medication  — Some people prefer to buy medication for basic headaches, fevers, and stomach aches as needed, but who wants to deal with language barriers when they’re sick?

I personally learned this lesson the hard way on our very first trip to Europe, and have never hopped continents without my own supply since.

Step 11: Purchase travel insurance.

Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance before jetting off to Europe!

While Europe is generally a perfectly safe place to travel, the reality is that traveling in general opens you up to vulnerabilities that you simply don’t have at home.

If you miss a plane or train, have your luggage get lost, get pickpocketed, or worse, get injured, you’ll be glad that you have insurance.

Given how inexpensive travel insurance is when purchased in advance (especially as compared to the price of plane tickets!), it’s well worth the investment.

Consider checking inclusions and prices with  Safety Wing  for your first trip to Europe.

Step 12: Plan for your arrival.

The penultimate step of planning a trip to Europe is as simple as it is important: make an arrival plan.

When you arrive, you’re undoubtedly going to be exhausted, overwhelmed, and probably a bit jetlagged, too!

No matter how many times we step foot in a new country, it never stops being a tiny bit stressful, simply because there are a lot of variables at play in the first few hours of arriving somewhere new.

Make life easier on yourself by thinking ahead!

When learning how to travel to Europe, set aside time to figure out your exact steps for what to do after the plane lands.

That means knowing exactly how far away your hotel is, how you’ll get there from the airport (train, bus, rental car, taxi?).

If you’ll be traveling by taxi, look up what a reasonable price is at your destination and/or if there’s a set fare from the airport to the city center (in major cities, there often is).

Though it’s not strictly necessary, if you’d like to make arriving in Europe for the first time extra easy on yourself, consider treating yourself to an airport transfer when you arrive (like tours, you can often book these on Get Your Guide ).

Options like this one in Rome and this one in Paris can be a great way to make sure your very first Europe trip starts off on the right foot.

Step 13: Have an amazing first trip to Europe!

Once you’ve done the planning… then it’s time for the fun part!

Enjoy every step of your first trip to Europe, from the confusing parts to the magical ones–and yes, both will probably end up with a prominent place in your memories.

If you’re anything like us, the odds are high that your first experience of traveling in Europe won’t be your last.

Once you start… it’s hard to stop.

Every day, I wake up to emails from readers planning a trip to Europe.

I love answering emails (and yes, I will probably answer yours!), but there are definitely some frequently asked questions that come up often enough that they deserve a blanket response here.

These are some of the most common FAQs we see about traveling in Europe!

What’s the easiest way to get Euros and other currency?

The answer to this question has a significant caveat: be sure to check foreign transaction fees and ATM fees with your bank before leaving and let your financial institutions know that you’ll be abroad.

However, generally speaking, by far the easiest way to acquire a new currency when traveling in Europe is to simply withdraw money from the ATM when you arrive.

It has been years since we’ve done anything else, anywhere in the world!

When you’re at the ATM, be sure to opt to have the transaction go through in the currency you’re receiving (ie, Euros), not your home currency (ie, USD).

Your bank’s conversion rate will undoubtedly be better than the ATM’s!

Also, avoid Euronet-branded ATMs like the plague: they’re infamous for their extremely high fees.

Instead, look for an ATM operated by a local bank.

How should I get from city to city in Europe?

This depends entirely on your itinerary, but here’s a very short, very general answer.

Trains are the most comfortable, and often the most expensive.

Buses are the least comfortable, frequently take the longest, and are generally the cheapest.

Rental cars have their place–there are some truly phenomenal road trips in Europe –but rarely make sense for first-time travelers, who tend to bounce between major cities that are well-connected by rail.

Flights are the most cumbersome, as they burn time dealing with things like security and getting to and from airports located outside of city centers, and simply aren’t comfortable.

However, flights can be surprisingly affordable compared to trains and are obviously the fastest option for covering very long distances.

When traveling Europe for the first time, we recommend traveling by train wherever it makes sense, and filling in the other options as necessary ( here’s our full guide to train travel in Europe ).

Our first multi-country trip to Europe included an overnight train, a daytime train, 2 rental cars, and a flight–in other words, you can definitely mix and match!

How can I use my phone in Europe?

If your phone is unlocked, the cheapest and easiest way to use your phone in Europe is to buy a local SIM card.

You can either do that on the ground once you land (there’s almost always a selection of helpful kiosks near the airport exit) or if you’d prefer not to worry about it once you arrive, you can buy one online before you go or even try out an eSIM card.

If your phone is not unlocked, or you just hate the idea of changing your SIM card, check with your carrier and see what they offer as far as international plans go.

Will I need an adaptor for my electronics?

Most likely, yes!

Luckily, adaptors are cheap to buy and easy to carry–we recommend picking these up before you go.

Keep in mind that the UK and a few other countries ( Ireland ,  Malta ) use a separate plug from the bulk of the continent.

If you’re heading to a place that uses UK plugs, you’ll want these adaptors as well.

Do I need to be worried about pickpockets?

I wouldn’t go so far as the use the word “worried”, but aware, yes.

Pickpockets are a problem around the world in places where there are crowds, and that includes major European cities.

Barcelona, Rome, Paris, and Naples are examples of places that are particularly prone to pickpockets.

Watch your belongings carefully, especially near particularly crowded tourist attractions and in and around transportation hubs like train stations, and you will most likely be fine.

Very generally speaking, the closer to a world-famous landmark you are, the higher the risk of getting pickpocketed is in that place.

We have never been pickpocketed, but it does happen, even to experienced travelers.

We don’t choose to use a money belt anymore, and pickpockets certainly know about them, but if you would like another layer of protection, they’re an option (we used this one when we first started traveling).

An anti-theft day bag that can be locked and/or attached to a chair can help too, and we carry one everywhere ( we love this one ).

How severe is the language barrier?

It varies significantly, of course, but generally, it’s not nearly as difficult as first-time visitors to Europe worry before they arrive (ourselves included).

We recommend learning basic phrases in the language of the countries that you are planning to visit during your first European vacation, but this is usually more for good manners than out of necessity.

While you can absolutely find monolingual Europeans in virtually any country, especially in smaller cities and towns, the people employed in customer service roles and in the tourism industry in major cities–in other words, where most or all of your trip will likely take place–generally speak some English.

Can I drink the tap water in Europe?

Usually, yes!

We drink out of the tap just about anywhere in Europe.

In rare cases where the water is not safe to drink (usually in remote areas of southern and eastern Europe, or in very old buildings with iffy pipes), there will generally be large and obvious signs stating so.

If you’re worried about it, though, you can always ask your hotel concierge or host about it!

How far in advance should I book my trip?

For plane tickets, we recommend booking your trip as soon as you can commit to dates!

Not only will this allow you to have more time to plan and budget with a bit of structure, but it will also spread out your costs a bit more.

During peak seasons, like coastal locations in the summer or popular central European cities during the Christmas markets, you’ll want to book your hotels as far in advance as you can commit to them as well.

What’s your favorite country in Europe?

We get asked this all the time, and the answer is: we couldn’t possibly choose!

We definitely have a very special love for Italy –we’ve spent more time there than any other country outside the USA, traveled the country from north to south, know the travel scene there very intimately, and will continue to visit extensively for the rest of our lives.

And no, we haven’t discounted the possibility of living there one day, either!

However, simply naming Italy as our favorite would discount so much.

Like, for example, how much we adore hiking amongst the Alps in Switzerland, or waking up in picturesque bed and breakfasts in Ireland .

It skips over the joy of wandering through the art museums of Paris , admiring the rocky coastline of the western Algarve in Portugal, and jumping into the Adriatic Sea in Croatia .

Simply naming one favorite doesn’t leave room for sharing just how incredible it is to marvel at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, or devour Greek salads on Santorini … or so much more than I could include in this list.

And really, the answer to the question behind the question is this: as long as it’s somewhere that you’re desperate to visit, and you plan your trip well, it doesn’t really matter where you decide to go on your first trip to Europe.

Traveling to Europe for the first time is a magnificent and potentially (in our case, definitely) life-altering experience, and there are no wrong answers.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

2 thoughts on “Your 13-Step Guide to Traveling to Europe for the First Time”

Your blog is SO informative! Planning my first ever trip to Europe (Scotland in particular) and all the info you have is super helpful! 🙂

So glad to help, and I hope you have a fantastic trip to Scotland!

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2 Weeks in Europe: 6 Itineraries

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

Europe is a continent consisting of 44 countries with diverse languages, climates, and cultures . It has numerous world-famous landmarks preserved from years upon years of history.

Spending 2 weeks in Europe will cover plenty of amazing places. It’s not much, but a good start, especially if it’s your first time here.bulga

Another great thing about Europe is that the places are close to each other, you can reach most of them via train, buses, and driving. Land borders separate the countries. However, many of them practice free movement across borders.

This continent has peninsulas, islands, and varied landforms, as well as seas, lakes, and other bodies of water. There are infinite fascinating places to see, foods to taste, and activities to try out during your 2 weeks in Europe.

TIP : This is a long-form article, I highly recommend you check the Table of Contents below to help you navigate the page easier and faster.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING EUROPE

Before you go book your flight and hotels, take a look at the information below first. It will help you visualise and plan your itinerary better. You can get ideas on when to go, how to travel around, and what to pack.

When is the best time to go to Europe

This depends on what you plan to do. Most people go to Europe during summer, but of course, if you want to ski, come between December and February. I personally love going in spring and summer, during autumn, it’s also very pretty but it rains a lot.

You might want to consider travelling during the off-season because this is when there are fewer travellers and the prices of accommodations and tours aren’t sky-high so you’ll be able to save quite a bit.

Getting around Europe

The best way to get around Europe is to rent a car especially if the country you’re visiting are next to each other or have an open border agreement. It’s cheaper and gives you freedom of your time.

However, if you are crossing countries and they are not next to each other, you are probably better off flying than doing a long drive. Check first if your driver’s license is valid in Europe and check what type of cars each country you are going to have.

For example, Italy, Spain, and France are known for using a stick or manual transmission. While the UK and Ireland drive on the left.

Buses and trains are quite reliable and affordable. But there are also domestic flights which are affordable as long as you don’t pack too much unless you are willing to pay extra.

Language and currency

There are over 24 official languages in Europe. You should be able to get around with English but it’s important to also learn basic words to show respect for each country’s culture and easily communicate with locals.

Luckily though, most countries in Europe use Euro, except in the UK, Nordic countries, and maybe some countries in East Europe. It’s easy to pay with credit cards but carrying cash with you for emergencies is still advisable.

Visa and COVID-19 policy

Each country has different visa rules, however, if your destination is an EU member, they have the same visa policy; 90 days visa-free for visitors with a passport from North America, some Latin America, some Southeast Asia and East Asia, and most Oceania. This also applies to non-EU countries such as Switzerland and Norway.

For visitors with a passport from the EU or a European country, you should have freedom of movement for unlimited time except for some nationalities such as the UK and countries in East Europe.

Europe is open to COVID-1 vaccinated tourists. If you are unvaccinated, best to check if your destination has extra entry requirements. Depending on the airline and destination, you might be required to submit a test before boarding.

Wearing a mask is no longer required in many places in Europe, but it’s smart to carry one just in case you get to countries that still require them. Read about the EU reopening .

What is the average cost for 2 weeks in Europe

As diverse as the European culture is, the cost also varies a lot. The budget for 14 days in Europe depends on a few things such as the countries, type of tours, accommodation, and how you plan to move around.

$800 in Eastern Europe will not work for Scandinavia. $800 is a tight budget, but it might work for more affordable countries such as Eastern Europe or the Baltics (assuming this excludes the flights to the region and back). $1,000 will be fine for southern-east Europe, and $1,500 will be decent for central Europe. While west Europe and the Nordics plan to spend around $3,000.

The accommodation will cost the most expensive, but the food can be budgeted. Then the transportation. You can either use public transport or rent a push bike when moving around the cities. Take the bus or train when travelling to the next country or ride a plane.

Travelling during the peak season will also cost a lot more. Check under each itinerary to see the average cost of a 2-week trip in Europe.

Other basic travel tips

Planning a trip can be exhausting and often overwhelming. To make it a bit easier, I use travel sites and services that have flexible cancellation policies in case I change my mind or my travel dates. Here’s a list of travel tools I use. From flight selections, affordable hotels, wide-range options for car rentals, and even affordable travel insurance.

TOP PLACES IN EUROPE (pinned map)

Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google

2 WEEKS IN EUROPE ITINERARIES

I will show your six itinerary options to choose from for your 14 days in Europe. Covering multiple countries and featuring famous attractions that are historical, cultural, and outdoor activities.

Deciding where to spend your 2 weeks in Europe can be hard. Should it be in Spain or Portugal? How about both? Should you visit Rome or Paris ? When unsure, there are a few things you can do to see which places are more suitable for you.

For example, Rome would be ideal if you love historical sites such as ruins. Perhaps you like history, but in the form of art, then Paris is the one. For food lovers, don’t miss visiting France, Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Itinerary #1 South Europe: Spain and France or France and Italy

We have two sub-options in our first itinerary for your 2 weeks in Europe. This includes either Spain and France or France and Italy. Spain is well-known for its lively culture, flamenco, arts, and literature, as well as its wines, beaches, and, of course, football.

If you feel like this itinerary is a little too expensive, you can instead go to Portugal. Take a look at how to spend 2 weeks in Portuga l or even just a few days in Lisbon. Spending 14 days in Southern Europe is a good place to do your first trip to this continent.

France, on the other hand, is well-known for macarons, wine, champagne, great pastries, as well as fashion, museums, and other historical sites. You could also do many water activities in France or if you plan to come during winter, you can head to the Alps for some skiing.

Italy is loved for its opera, its art cities, unique scenery, and good food. They are also among the four fashion capitals, with luxury brands, and of course, who could forget the Vespa?

If you have never been to Italy, make sure you visit Venice, Rome, Florence, and the southwest coast, where you can visit Naples for Amalfi and Sorrento. You can also consider 2 weeks in Greece for this itinerary. Not to mention, the south is a famous region to spend honeymoon in Europe .

Spain for 7 days

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, not only for foreign visitors but also for other European nations. With its stunning beaches, yummy food, and very welcoming culture, Spain is undeniably a must-visit when you come to Europe for 2 weeks.

Most people go to Madrid, the capital of Barcelona, a coastal city. However, if you want to get away from big crowds, head to Seville, Valencia, or even Zaragoza. For young travellers who love to dance and party, Ibiza is a top spot, while Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria are awesome islands to explore and spend your vacation in.

We have a specific 2 weeks in Spain itinerary , which might help you plan a trip there if you decide to spend your trip in one European country only.

Here are some of the top-rated attractions in Spain :

• Alhambra and Generalife in Granada
• Palacio Real in Madrid – get your ticket in advance
• El Escorial near Madrid
• Aqueduct of Segovia – north of Madrid
• Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Sites in Barcelona – check tour prices
• Great Mosque in Cordoba, near Seville
• Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
• Beaches of Gran Canaria

France for 7 days

Some of the options to reach France from Spain include flying, taking a train, riding the bus, using rideshare or driving. The most recommended option is to ride a plane, but if you have plenty of time, you should consider renting a car and driving on your own. We have an article with 3 different itineraries on how to spend 2 weeks in France .

France is a country famous for many reasons. The food is great, it is rich in culture, the abundance of historical sites, and thousands of wineries to explore. France is also known for Tour de France and is a great holiday destination any time of the year. You should geat a hop-on hop-off bu s that will take you to the top attractions of Paris.

Paris is an obvious place to visit, but if you don’t like big cities or have been here before, you can consider other places. For history buffs, head to Calais, Dunkirk, and Normandy. For those who love the outdoors, check out Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and Bordeaux (aka the Basque region).

Here are some of the top attractions n France:

• The Louvre in Paris – book a guided tour
• Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres near Paris
• Eiffel Tower in Paris – get your skip-the-line ticket in advance
• Chateau de Versailles in Paris – visit with a garden access
• Mont Saint Michel
• Loire Valley Chateaux
• Côte d’Azur aka French Riviera in the South
• Provence for lavender fields
• Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for skiing in the Alps

Italy for 7 days

To reach Italy from France, you could either take the train or fly but taking the train is preferred by most tourists and locals alike because you’ll be able to reach your destination in less than five hours anyway. There are tons of routes to choose from if you want to see some interesting scenery and plan to drive instead.

2 weeks in Europe have to include Italy. It is loved for its dishes to die for, beautiful castles, amazing hiking trails, and warm culture. Just like in Spain and France, wine in Italy is world-class and their historical sites are well preserved.

Before you book anything, decide where you want to go. Rome and Venice are the top places to visit in Italy. But if you have been there, it’s time to explore Florence, Milan, Bologna, and Genoa in the north. For the south, head to Naples, Sicily, and all the way to Palermo. Check out our 4 itineraries for 2 weeks in Italy .

Some of the top tourist attractions in Italy include :

• Colosseum in Rome – get your ticket in advance to skip the very long queue
• Spanish Steps in Rome
• Trevi Fountain in Rome
• Venice Grand Canal – don’t skip the romantic gondola ride
• Gode Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice – explore with a tour guide and secure a ticket
• Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Vatican City near Rome; Basilica of St. Peter, Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums – you can visit this in one go
• The Uffizi Gallery in Florence
• Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence
• Lake Como near Milan
• Cinque Terre
• Amalfi Coast
• Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius in Naples – visit this and the entirety of Naples on a day trip from Rome

Travel cost

These three destinations are one of the most expensive places in Europe. Budget around $2,000 for a 2-week trip around Spain, France, and Italy not including the flights from your location and back. Accommodation will be the most expensive cost while food is quite affordable in these places.

Of course, if you want to travel with luxury, you can easily spend $3,000-$5,000 which will allow you to stay at 4-5 star hotels, dine at fancy restaurants, and take a private car with a driver anywhere.

For those on a tight budget, $1,500 is possible , however, you will likely stay at youth hostels and share a room with other people in dorm/bunk rooms or even look at Couchsurfing. You can also save more money by looking at ready-to-eat meals at grocery stores or cooking in the hostel is possible. Join a free walking tour where you will be expected to give a tip based on the tour guide and the tour itself.

Itinerary #2 Central Europe: Germany and Poland

For this next itinerary, we’ll be covering 2 weeks in Central Europe, which consists of the countries Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. However, in this itinerary, we’ll only be covering Germany and Poland.

Germany is well-known for its cathedrals, castles, palaces, and colourful architecture, as well as its sausages and beers. It has many historical sites relating to World War I and II. Berlin is loved for being vegan-friendly, but meat-eaters shouldn’t have a problem finding their way around restaurants either.

Conversely, Poland is famous for its food, stunning geography, folklore, history, and friendly locals. In Poland, you’ll find Europe’s most ancient forest, Medieval Castle, the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp, amazing museums, and more.

Apart from that, you can also visit theme parks in Poland, such as Engerylandia Theme Park, Rabkoland, and Aquapark Sopot.

Germany for 8 days

Germany has so many things to offer that it would take 8 days to satiate your curiosity, and even then, you would barely scratch the surface. Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to see everything in 8 days. If you want t visit Germany only, we have these 2 weeks in Germany itineraries .

Most people will go to Berlin or Munich, but there are also other cities such as Hamburg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Cologne to name a few. I highly recommend you rent a car to move around easier, but taking a domestic flight or the train is also easy and affordable.

If you’re going to Berlin, the best way to see all the top attractions is by buying a hop-on hop-off bus with live a tour guide .

Here’s a list of the top attractions in Germany:

• Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
• Berlin Wall
• Cruise the River Spree – book a 2.5-hour boat tour
• Museum Island in Berlin
• Sachsenhausen Memorial – visit with a tour guide
• Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich
• Linderhof Palace near Munich – book a combo tour with Neuschwanstein Castle
• Marienplatz in Munich
• Pay respects at Dachau Concentration Camp – join a tour from Munich
• Kölner Dom in Cologne
• The Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, near Stuttgart
• Miniatur Wunderland at Port of Hamburg
• Bamberg and the Bürgerstadt near Nuremberg

Poland for 8 days

There are tons of modes of transportation from Germany to Poland, including boarding a plane, using rideshare cars, trains, buses, or driving. Flights between these two countries are frequent and affordable.

Poland has a dark history, but the country is more than that. It has stunning lakes, UNESCO sites, and rather interesting cuisine, and it is in the top 20 safest countries in the world – a great place to discover if you are travelling alone.

Poland also has the biggest castle in the world, and many believe that vodka originated in Poland. In winter, you can ski in Poland, which is more affordable than France, Switzerland, and even Italy.

Many foreigners get confused and think Krakow is the capital of Piland, but it’s actually Warsaw. Apart from these two cities, you can also visit Gdansk, Wroclaw, Katowice, and Lublin. Most of the cities are connected via buses and trains hence moving around during your 2 weeks in Europe shouldn’t be a problem.

>>TIP: Check out our 2 weeks in Poland post if you prefer to explore that country on a single trip. There are two itineraries to choose from.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Poland:

• Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow
• Auschwitz- Birkenau Camps near Krakow – book a guided tour or combine it with the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour
• Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory in Krakow
• Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow
• Warsaw Old Marketplace
• Lazienki Park in Warsaw
• Malbork Castle near Gdansk
• Morskie Oko Lake and Hot Bath Pools near Zakopane – check tour prices
• Crooked Forest near Szczecin

Travel cost:

Central Europe in general can be costly, but only if you plan to visit Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Poland and Czechia are both affordable destinations compared to their neighbouring countries. $2,000 will take you a long way if you choose one expensive place to spend a week and the other one is a more affordable country (e.g Germany and Poland or Switzerland and Czechia).

You can save even more money if you focus on Poland or Czechia only or book a trip to Switzerland just for 2-3 days instead of an entire week.

$5,000 will be a great budget for a luxury trip . This is suitable for couples who are on their honeymoon or retiree travellers. For young visitors and backpackers, you can probably get away with $1,000 to $1,500 for the 2 weeks trip .

Accommodation in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria is costly but affordable in Poland and Czechia. Rely on using public transportation in all countries, such as buses and trains, instead of renting a car or flying.

Itinerary #3 Baltics: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia

The Baltics are one of the most affordable regions in Europe. Although it has its fair share of tourists, the streets and attractions don’t get too busy, even during the summer season. It’s an awesome place to spend your 2 weeks in Europe vacation without being surrounded by a big crowd.

Lithuania is famous for its natural scenery, including forests, lakes, flatlands, and other landscapes. There are also historical spots here to visit, and you must try their local ciders. I personally loved their local food, especially beetroot. If you’re a foody, check this Vilnius food guide for a list of must-try dishes.

Conversely, Latvia is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and art nouveau architecture. It’s on the coast, hence if visiting during summer, don’t forget to dip your toes.

Last but definitely not least is Estonia, which is famous for its dense woods, thousands of uninhabited islands, and rich history. It experienced a boom in tourism recently since it implemented a digital nomad visa.

Estonia is among Europe’s most linguistic nations, is one of the countries with the cleanest air in the world, and half of the country is made up of forest, which probably explains the great air quality. We also have two itineraries specifically for 2 weeks in the Baltics only or 2 weeks in Eastern Europe itineraries .

Lithuania for 5 days

Lithuania is rich in cultural preservation, so much so that UNESCO considered their folk dance as one of the intangible cultural heritages. They also have one of the oldest languages, even older than Greek, German, and Celtic, and the oldest tree in Europe could be found here as well.

With five days in Lithuania, you can do and see a lot of things. You can cover at least two major cities; the capital city Vilnius, and the cultural art city of Kaunas. If it’s warm enough, head to the coast and visit Klaipeda.

Here is a list of the best places to see in Lithuania:

• Gediminas Castle Tower in Vilnius
• Vilnius Cathedral Square
• Hot Air Balloon Flight – over Vilnius or Trakai Castle
• Energetikos ir technikos muziejus in Vilnius
• Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and A.Mickiewicz Memorial Museum in Vilnius
• MO Muziejus in Vilnius
• Gates of Dawn in Vilnius
• Three Crosses Monument in Vilnius – join a full-day tour from Vilnius
• Walk around Uzupis
• Trakai Castle near Vilnius
• Kaunas Castle
• Devils’ Museum in Kaunas
• Hill of Crosses near Šiauliai

Latvia for 4 days

You can go to Latvia from Lithuania by driving, riding a bus, plane, or taking the train. The most recommended option is through riding a bus as it is the cheapest and fastest. Latvia is also a great destination during summer. You can take a swim on its sandy beaches, lakes, and rivers.

You can either spend the entire 4 days in Riga, the capital city or take day trips to see Gauja National Park and Turaida Museum Reserve for example. You can also explore Riga on a segway tour .

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in Latvia :

• House of the Black Heads in Riga – get your ticket in advance
• Riga Cathedral
• Three Brothers, Latvian Museum of Architecture
• St. Peter’s Church
• The Freedom Monument in Riga
• Shop souvenirs at Riga Central Market – join a food-tasting tour
• Gauja National Park outside of Riga
• Rundale Palace and Museum ner Jelgava

Estonia for 4 days

To reach Estonia if you’re coming from Latvia, you could board a plane, ride a bus, take the train, or drive. The most recommended option would be to ride a plane as it’s the fastest, but the cheapest option would be to take the bus.

Estonia is very unique, they have islands but are inhabited – and that makes them interesting to visit. There, you can go fishing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and for those who love birds, birdwatching is a popular thing to do in Estonia.

Tallinn, the capital, is obviously the most popular destination. However, with 2 weeks in Europe, around the Baltics, you can also head to Parnu and Tartu – both are located in the south of Estonia. Go to Haeska, Kabili, and Matsalu for birdwatching and wildlife experiences.

Here are some of the sights to see in Estonia :

• Tallinn’s Old Town
• Lennusadam Seaplane Harbor in Tallinn
• Lahemaa National Parl – sign up to a day trip
• Patarei Prison Exhibition/Communism Prison in Tallinn
• Parnu’s Beaches
• Alpakafarm near Parnu
• Estonian National Museum in Tartu
• Tagurpidi Maja (Peapeal OÜ) / Upside Down House in Tartu
• TYPA Letterpress and Paper Art Centre in Tartu
• Kuressaare Castle in Saare
• Join a 3-hour food tour

Travelling around the Baltics is one of my favourite destinations and one I recommend if you’re on a budget. You will still experience the European culture, walk through the alleys and paves with cobbled stone, and eat delicious meals.

It’s honestly possible to travel here for around $1,000 for those on a budget . You will stay in a hostel and consume street food or grocery store meals. The tours also don’t cost that much. Accommodation is around $25 to $35 a night, but transportation is cheap.

$2,000 is the average cost where you get to have a private room and try out a few local restaurants. For a luxury trip, $3,000 will get you very comfortable.

Itinerary #4 East Europe: Hungary and Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria

East Europe is a massive region. You will have to choose 2-3 countries to cover during your visit and perhaps next time, you go to new places. Right now, we’ll only cover 4 destinations for your 12-day in Europe itinerary; Hungary and Croatia or Romania and Bulgaria.

Croatia has so much to offer, but in the last few years, being the filming location of Game of Thrones, this country attracted more tourists. Aside from that, they also have stunning waterfalls and gorgeous Adriatic Islands, among other landscapes.

Hungary on the other hand is famous for its ruin bars, paprikas, and goulash. It also has sought-after outdoor and public thermal bars and great nightlife. Outside the city, Hungary has a lot of nature preserves and can be an affordable ski destination in winter.

Bulgaria is the oldest country in Europe and has tons of hot springs. It’s undeniable how affordable Bulgaria is as a travel destination. It also sits right on the Black Sea, a popular spot during summer.

Nightlife in Bulgaria is another reason tourists come here for its affordability. Speaking of cuisine, the traditional Bulgarian food is something of a must-try.

Romania is famous for its Carpathian Mountains, Salt Mines, and Medieval Fortresses. Just like Bulgaria, it’s also located on the Black Sea. One might want to visit Romania since it’s famous for being the home of Dracula.

Hungary for 7 days

Hungary, like many other European countries, is a landlocked country. But it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy summer in Hungary. This country has over 1,000 natural springs water, hence, the popularity of its thermal baths.

Budapest is not the only city worth visiting in Hungary, you should also consider Debrecen and Szeged. While Balaton Uplands National Park is the spot to you want to go hiking, join wine tours, and be around nature.

Here are some of the top tourist attractions in this country :

• Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest
• Budapest’s Széchenyi Thermal Bath – book a full-day spa
• Buda Castle
• Buy souvenirs at Central Market Hall
• Take a boat cruise Danube River in Budapest – check cruise prices
• Matthias Church in Budapest
• Esztergom Basilica
• The Caves of Lillafured near Miskolc
• Lavender field at Tihany

Croatia for 7 days

It is relatively easy to travel to Croatia if you’re coming from Hungary as they are neighbouring countries. You could travel by bus, by train or by driving. Any option is fine, but the cheapest option would be to ride the night bus.

As mentioned before, Croatia is now popular for being the filming location for Game of Thrones, but there are other places to see in this magnificent country. Just like its neighbouring country of Italy, Croatia is also a fantastic beach destination and so much more affordable.

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and a must-visit, then you can go to the coast. The most popular city is Split and Dubrovnik, but Zadar,  Hvar, and Pula are an equally stunning area for swimming and other water activities.

Want to spend 14 days in Croatia ? Our guide has three itineraries you can check out and see which one suits you best.

Some of the top tourist attractions in this country include :

• Dubrovnik’s Old Town Walls – join a walking tour
• Trsteno Arboretum, Trsteno near Dubrovnik
• Dubrovnik’s Lovrijenac Fort
• Visit Game of Thrones filming locations – book a tour
• Nikola Tesla Technical Museum in Zagreb
• Diocletian’s Palace in Split – enjoy a walking tour with a local guide
• Blue Cave, near Split – book the 5 island boat tour
• Krka Waterfalls, near Split – visit on a boat tour
• Plitvice Lakes National Park near Zadar
• Kornati National Park near Zadar
• Euphrasian Basilica in Porec
• Pula’s Roman Arena
• Swim at Galebove Stijene in Pula
• Explore Brijuni/Brioni National Park near Pula
• Mulini Beach in Rovinj

Romania for 7 days

A massive country in East Europe, Romania has a lot to offer. From national parks, vibrant cities, historical sites, and beach access to the Black Sea. Bucharest is known for great nightlife, but apart from that, it’s also rich in cultural and historical spots.

Other than Bucharest, you have to go to the Transylvanian region, known as the home of Dracula. If it’s warm enough, head to Constanza, while Brasov and Cluj-Napoca are the areas to go to during winter for skiing and other winter activities.

Here are some of the places you could visit once you reached Romania:

• Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest
• Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest
• National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest
• Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum in Bucharest
• Vaser Valley Forestry Railway
• Bran Castle aka Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania – book a tour combo with Peles and Brasov trip
• Sighisoara Historic Center
• Covered Stairway in Sighisoara
• The Clock Tower in Sighisoara
• The Black Church in Brasov
• Peles Castle near Brasov – book a 2-day tour from Bucharest to visit Brasov, Sibiu, and Sighisoara
• Bucegi Natural Park near Brasoc
• Transylvanian Alps

Bulgaria for 7 days

Just south of Romania, you can reach Bulgaria by train, bus, or driving. The quickest option would be to drive, which would take you more or less five hours, but the cheapest option is by riding a train.

Another country with the best nightlife, Bulgaria is popular with young tourists. But it doesn’t mean non-partygoers cannot enjoy Bulgaria. This country is a great place to explore the outdoors. There are many hiking trails and to ski here, you don’t have to spend too much.

Head to the capital city, Sofia, but for winter sports, you can go to Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo. If you are coming during the warm months, you can still go to the Black Sea by heading toward Varna.

Some of the top spots in Bulgaria are:

• National Palace of Culture in Sofia
• Sofia History Museum
• Rila Monastery – visit with combo tour to Boyana Church
• Seven Rila Lakes – check tour price from Sofia
• Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo
• Belogradchik Rocks
• Prohodna Cave in Karlukovo
• Krushuna Waterfalls
• The Rose Valley near Kazanluk
• The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis in Plovdiv – join a tour of Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery
• Pirin National Park near Plovdiv
• Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari near Shumen

East Europe is one of the most affordable regions in Europe. The accommodation alone can range between $20-$30 while food and the use of public transportation are also very affordable.

It’s easy to travel on a budget in eastern Europe, around $800 is feasible for backpackers and young travellers. If you want to be comfortable, $1,000 will be great and get you your own private room and dine at restaurants. $2,000 can easily be a luxury trip in this region for a 2-week adventure.

Itinerary #5 Nordic: Iceland, Norway, and Denmark

The next option would be the Nordic countries, which consist of Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. However, in this itinerary, we will only cover Norway, Iceland, and Denmark.

Norway is also known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. It is famous for its fjords, lakes, and magical skies (Aurora Borealis), as well as Viking culture and folklore.

Iceland is also famous for a lot of natural wonders such as geysers, active volcanoes, and glaciers. You could also see the Northern Lights here. Iceland is relying 100% on renewable energy; hydropower, and geothermal.

Last but definitely not least is Denmark, which is well-known for its coastal towns, architecture, Royalty, and cuisine. Copenhagen is a must-visit. If you find yourself with extra time, you can hop on a train and head to Sweden.

Iceland for 4 days

Iceland is the land of fire and ice, and you might be wondering why. They have glaciers but have volcanically heated pools at the same time, where you could swim all year round. That’s pretty fascinating.

Aside from that, it is also a literary-focused country. In fact, one out of ten Icelanders will publish a book even at least once in their lifetime.

Iceland is not a big country, but spending four days here is plenty. Most tourists love staying in Reykjavik, but you don’t have to. If you want to save money, you can stay outside the city and rent a car instead. You can easily move around in your own car, which means it doesn’t matter if your hotel is not in the city.

We have a complete guide and itinerary for 2 weeks in Iceland .

Top attractions in Iceland:

• Drive the Golden Circle
• Blue Lagoon – get your ticket in advance including Kerid Volcanic Crater
• Gullfoss Falls
• Seljalandsfoss
• Silfra – snorkel between 2 tectonic plates between North American and Europe
• Þingvellir National Park
• Jökulsárlón
• Chase the Northern Lights – join a tour to find the best spot
• Icelandic Phallological Museum
• National Museum of Iceland
• Reykjanesfólkvangur
• Whale Watching near Reykjavik – book a cruise
• Eystri-Fellsfjara / Diamond Beach

Norway for 6 days

You will need to ride a plane to reach Norway if you’re coming from Iceland. The fastest route takes more or less 6 hours. However, the journey would be worth it because there are so many sights and sceneries once you reach Norway.

This includes the world’s longest road tunnel and the world’s most remote island, among others. This is also an amazing place to ski during winter.

Many tourists usually go to Oslo and Bergen, but you can also add Stavanger, Kristiansand, and Tromso to your itinerary of 2 weeks in Europe.

If you want to see Fjords, you have to head west; from Trondheim all the way down to Stavanger. Check our 2 weeks in Norway itinerary list if you only want to see this country.

Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Norway:

• Bygdoy Peninsula in Oslo 
• Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo
• Viking Ship Museum in Oslo
• Naeroyfjorden
• Akershus Fortress in Oslo
• Oslo’s Fjords – check tour prices or a cruise to Nærøyfjorden, Flåm, and Stegastein 
• Hanseviertel Bryggen in Bergen
• Sognefjord near Bergen
• Osterrjod and Mostraumen near Bergen – join a cruise
• Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen), in Stavanger
• Lofoten Islands
• Geirangerfjord
• Arctic Museum in Tromso
• Find the Northern Lights from Tromso – book a guided tour
• Atlantic Ocean Road

Denmark for 4 days

To reach Denmark from Norway, the best would be to take a plane. There is also a car ferry service, but with a limited time, it’s not ideal. Denmark has the oldest Monarchy in Europe.

Denmark is a small country but popular not only in Europe but around the world. For many years, it has been voted the happiest country in the world. It’s also known for being safe for tourists, the home birth of lego, and has the oldest monarchy in Europe and the oldest flag in the world.

Naturally, visitors will go to Copenhagen, but since the country (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands) is not that big, 4 days in Denmark is plenty

You can explore the entirety of Copenhagen and even have time to go to Odense, where the famous children’s book author Hans Christian Andersen was born. You can actually get to the city centre from Copenhagen airport in just 13 minutes – a great way to save time.

Here is a list of some of the best attractions in Denmark:

• The Little Mermaid (Den Lille Havfrue) – explore Copenhagen in a day
• Freetown Christiania
• The King’s Garden
• Amalienborg
• Rosenborg Castle
• Tivoli Gardens – get your ticket in advance
• Botanical Garden
• The Round Tower
• Memorial Anchor
• Copenhagen Opera House
• Walk around Strøget
• Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
• Christiansborg Palace
• Danish Architecture Centre
• Ofelia Plads
• Legoland in Billund
• Hans Christian Andersen’s Childhood Home
• H. C. Andersens House

Nordic and Scandinavia is undeniably the most expensive place to travel around Europe. Accommodation alone could run $100, and dining and consuming alcohol are costly as well. But taking the bus and train is a little bearable.

To ensure that you will enjoy your 2 weeks in Europe around this region, plan to spend about $2,000 . If you are on a budget, you can probably do it for $1,700 but no less. But for l uxury, your trip cost will really skyrocket up to $5,000 .

Itinerary #6 West Europe: The UK, Netherlands, and Belgium

The last itinerary option for your 2 weeks in Europe includes the countries the UK, Netherlands, and Belgium, also known as the west of Europe.

The UK is popular for many things, including its monarchy, culture, history, and performers. Being the home of four different countries; England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you can easily say that it’s worth a visit. From bustling cities, amazing hiking trails, pubs to check out, and castles to explore.

There are tons of iconic places in the Netherlands despite it being a small country. The Netherlands is famous for many things . Here, you’ll be able to see windmills, cheese markets, bulb fields, and earthenware, among others. The Netherlands also have plenty of historical spots to discover including Anne Frank’s House.

The last country on our list is Belgium. They have high-quality chocolates, hence the name Belgian chocolate. This country is also well-known for waffles and beer and is the home to NATO headquarters.

The UK for 6 days

There are many things to see in the UK, and six days is definitely not going to be enough. But don’t panic. If this is your first time here, list the attractions you really want to see first. The world-famous Big Ben, London Eye, and River Thames can all be found here, and that’s just in London.

If you have been here before, perhaps, you can now explore less popular areas. Perhaps, you can focus on hiking instead of being in the city or just spend 14 days in England only, especially if it’s your first time.

It’s undeniable that the UK has the most famous monarchy in the world. London alone has a lot of attractions related to the British Monarchy and historical places. In order to make the most out of your trip, the recommended duration of stay is at least five days.

ALSO READ: 2 weeks in the UK , 2 weeks in England , and 2 weeks in Ireland and Northern Ireland itineraries.

List of some best places to see in the UK :

• Tower Bridge
• Stonehenge – book a combo tour with Windsor Castle and Bath
• Buckingham Palace
• The British Museum
• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition – buy your ticket in advance
• Kensington Palace
• Madame Tussauds – get your skip-the-line ticket
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Book a Harry Potter tour – Warner Bros. Studio
• Scotney Castle
• Bodiam Castle
• Warwick Castle
• Lake District National Park
• Dean Village
• Edinburgh Castle – book a skip-the-line tour
• Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Scottish Highlands – check the tour price from Edinburgh
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
• Titanic Belfast – join a guided tour
• Crumlin Road Gaol
• Giants Causeway – visit with a stop at Dark Hedges, Dunluce, and Belfast
• Free Derry Corner
• The Derry Walls

The Netherlands for 4 days

You could either ride the train or drive if you want to reach the Netherlands from the UK. Once you reach the Netherlands, you could experience the biggest ice skating tour in the world, or join a cycling tour. You can also know more about world-famous painters like Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Four days sounds too little but you can actually do a lot while in the Netherlands. You can of course explore Amsterdam, and head to The Hague, Rotterdam, and Groningen.

Some things to see and do in The Netherlands:

• Jordaan and Amsterdam’s Canals – book the famous canal cruise
• Anne Frank House
• Rijksmuseum
• Mauritshuis
• Van Gogh Museum – enjoy with an audio guide
• The Windmills of Kinderdijk
• Hoge Veluwe National Park
• Valkenburg Castle Ruins

Belgium for 4 days

To reach Belgium, you could ride the train, ride a bus, use rideshare, or drive. The cheapest option would be to use rideshare and the most recommended option would be to ride the train. It would take you almost 3 hours to reach your destination.

The popular cities in Belgium are Brussels which is the capital, Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges. You can take buses, trains, or rent a car to travel between cities. Don’t forget to go try different beers and waffles which are two of my favourite part of my visit.

Popular attractions in Belgium:

• Grand Palace
• Atomium – get your entry ticket in advance
• Sign up for the famous Hungry Mary’s beer and chocolate tour or join chocolate making class
• Manneken Pis
• Day trip to Bruges and Ghent – enjoy with a tour guide
• The Canals of Bruges
• Battlefield in Flanders
• Belfry of Bruges
• Basilica of the Holy Blood
• Bruges Beer Experience
• Sint-Salvatorskathedraal
• Gravensteen
• Museum Aan de Stroom
• The Rubens House

What I enjoy about travelling in western Europe is how it’s honestly a pricey place but it can be done on a budget. If you think you can stay on your feet for long hours and walking around is not a problem, you can easily cut costs by taking the bus or taxi. The accommodation will surely get you, but dining can be affordable.

The street food in all these countries is fun, globally diverse, and easy to find. For budget travellers, $1,700 is required for your 2-week trip and most likely requires you to stay in a youth hostel. $ 2,500 offers comfort and a bit of luxury where you can dine at nice restaurants. $4,000 means you can stay in hotels right downtown and near the top attractions, With this budget, you can even hire taxis during your entire trip.

SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN EUROPE

There are so many countries to choose from if you plan to visit Europe. Fortunately, Europe has amazing transportation between cities and countries, making it easy to travel around even with limited time.

When planning your 14-day itinerary for Europe, don’t try to cram it too much. It’s better to travel a bit slower, see fewer places, but be able to enjoy and process everything you have seen and experienced. Europe is not going anywhere, you can always visit again and check out a new place.

I hope that you found these 2 weeks in Europe itineraries helpful in planning your own.

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How to Plan a Europe Trip from Scratch: Step by Step!

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If the thought of planning your own trip to Europe makes you want to throw up, keep reading.

Between choosing where to go and finding the best flights, to picking hotels and assembling itineraries, trip planning is not an easy task for the uninitiated.

Luckily, there are pathological planners like myself who thrive on it.

So today, this Type A laptop goblin is going to break down for you step by step how to plan your own Europe trip from start to finish… because at the end of the day, travel (even the planning part) should be fun.

This is going to be a pretty long post, but by the end of it, you should have all the tools and knowledge you need to plan a delightful Europe trip alllll by yourself.

So, let’s get started! No time to lose.

Save this Guide on How to Plan a Trip to Europe for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

1. Understand the Schengen Area

Alright let’s start with the very first step of planning your own trip to Europe. Before we get into the topic of visas and entry requirements, we need to talk about something called the Schengen Area.

A lot of people falsely assume that border-free travel exists all throughout Europe, but that’s not actually true.

In reality, the whole ‘travel without borders’ thing only applies to a certain group of countries in Europe known as the Schengen Area, or Schengen Zone, who have all mutually agreed to not impose internal border controls between them.

As of 2023, the countries belonging to the Schengen Area include…

• Liechtenstein
• The Netherlands
• Switzerland 

Practically speaking, this just means that if you stay within the Schengen Area (i.e. the countries listed above), you won’t need to clear passport control every time you cross a border. If however you enter a non-Schengen country like the UK or Ireland, then you will need to go through passport control.

NOTE: People often confuse the Schengen Area with the EU, and while there’s a lot of overlap, there’s some EU countries NOT in the Schengen Area and some non-EU countries that ARE in the Schengen Area, so it is different and you shouldn’t get them mixed up.

The reason it’s important to know this distinction is it can impact what visas you might have to apply for, or put a limit on how long your trip can be. So, be sure to keep that in mind.

For most short stay visas (and visa exemptions), your time allowance in the Schengen Area is 90 days out of a 180 day period .

The easiest way to understand this is to imagine yourself on the day that you leave the Schengen Zone to go home or onto your next destination.

From that departure date, you should be able to look back on the past 180 days and say you haven’t been in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days total.

… I know it sounds kind of confusing, but read it a few times over and you’ll get what I mean! Or, for more clarifications and examples, read my full written guide to understanding the Schengen Area’s 90/180 day rule.

2. Decide How Long Your Europe Trip Will Be

Alright, now that you know the difference between Europe, the EU, and the Schengen Area, your next big hurdle is deciding how much time you’ll be spending on your Europe trip.

This answer to this of course depends on a lot of variables, but I’ll say this: my first independent trip around Europe was 6 weeks long, and even that felt like barely enough.

So, if you’re coming from overseas, I would recommend a 10 day minimum because you have to make that jet lag worth it, but if you’re working with less time, I would then just adjust the number of destinations you’re visiting accordingly to ensure you’re not overwhelmed.

My list of 40+ one week in Europe itineraries can help with that!

The decision of how long to spend in Europe is very personal so I’ll leave that for you to ponder until you cry, but here are some factors to consider:

• Vacation days
• Number of destinations you want to cover
• Amount of time you can spend away from home
• Maximum stay restrictions with your passport (e.g. most non-EU passport holders can only spend 90 days within a 180 day period in the Schengen Area)

After you’ve figured out how much time you have to play with, we get to…

3. Choose Where You’re Going

Europe may look small on a map, but it’s a vast and varied continent that’s impossible to cover entirely in just one (or even twenty) trips.

A lot of first time visitors to Europe think that they can just land and cover the entire continent in one go like a crazed Energizer Rabbit.

This is 100% what I thought prior to my first European backpacking trip, and let me tell you that my first draft itinerary was loaded with chaos and made zero sense. 

While Europe is a lot more compact than Canada or the US, it does still take time to travel between countries and cities, so if you’re dealing with a short amount of time, it doesn’t make sense to cram your itinerary to the point where you’re spending less than a day in a country, or just stopping in for an afternoon.

SO, for shorter trips, what I’d suggest is picking one country or one area and exploring it thoroughly, rather than trying to visit 10 countries in a week.

Again, if you want inspiration, I have this post featuring dozens of one week in Europe itineraries , so feel free to browse that for ideas, but other places to pillage for inspo include…

• Pinterest (search ‘Europe travel’ or specific countries for photos and blog posts to read)
• TikTok (search terms like ‘Europe travel’, ‘[country] hidden gems’, etc.)
• Instagram (browse feeds from travel bloggers to get ideas, scroll through travel-themed hashtags)
• Good old fashioned Google (google ‘places to visit in ____’)

4. Figure Out Visas/Documents

The next step after deciding your destinations is figuring out what visas or documents might you need to enter Europe.

The rules differ depending on the country your passport is from, and also where you’re going, so I can’t give specific advice on this, but if you are one of the 50+ countries who get a visa exemption for the Schengen Zone (including US, Canada, Australia), then you do not need to apply for a visa prior to your arrival.

From 2024 onwards (exact date TBA), it has been announced that those from visa-exempt countries WILL need to apply for a travel pre-authorization through the ETIAS which is very quick to do online and costs a small fee, but that’s not the same as applying for a visa, which is usually a much more time consuming and costlier process.

NOTE: I will update this post when the ETIAS is officially launched, but be sure to consult the website linked above to make sure you don’t need to do it before your trip.

Of course, it goes without saying that the best resource for finding out which visas you need for your Europe trip is your own government’s official website , so be sure to get info from an official source and not a third party that’s simply trying to sell you their visa services.

5, Book Your Flights to Europe

With the tough decisions out of the way, the next step in planning your Europe trip is to book flights.

If you want to secure the best deal flying to Europe, I’ve written this extensive guide on How to Find Cheap Flights to Europe , but here’s a quick step by step on how I’d book my flights:

• Hop onto Google Flights
• Enter your departure airport and destination (if you have a specific one in mind). If not, type “Europe” as the destination and it will show you flights across the continent
• Enter specific dates if you have them, or a rough estimate if you’re flexible, then hit ‘Explore’
• Once you’re on the map view, you can see your options, but you can also click on the dates, then hit the ‘Flexible Dates’ tab and choose your parameters (e.g. 1 week trip in the next 6 months) and hit Done to find the best deals
• Scroll your list of options and if you see one you like, click “See Flights” and from here you can also click the Date Grid that shows you if it’s possibly cheaper to fly out on other dates near that

Then repeat this process until you’ve found a destination or some dates that you like.

After you choose your flight, I would always advise booking directly with the airline because this usually ensures you have the best customer support if anything goes wrong.

A QUICK TIP RE: CREDIT CARDS – A lot of people find travel hacking, or credit cards quite overwhelming but I would say if you’re not into travel credit cards at the moment, now would be the time to start if you’re planning a big trip, just because you are going to be spending a lot of money, so you might as well try to reap as many rewards from it as possible. It isn’t for everyone, but I do have great things to say about the Amex Platinum , which has a really high fee but at least for the first year it’s super worth it because you get travel credits, you get travel insurance, lounge access, and most importantly, enough bonus sign-up points to get you a roundtrip flight to Europe from North America.  There’s also a bunch more affordable options, but overall, I’d say it’s smart to look into a travel credit card so you can really milk the benefits you get from all the money you’re about to spend on flights, and hotels. One thing I also do because none of my friends really collect points is I’ll offer to book for everyone, and then they pay me back, which is amazing because I get all the points without needing to spend all the money.

6. Book Your Accommodation

Alright, after booking your flights, it’s time to decide where to rest your head after a face-numbing day of sightseeing. 

This the general process I follow for finding accommodation:

• Decide if my priority is price, location or hotel quality, then set the max budget for my stay
• Hop on aggregators like Google Hotels or Booking.com to see what the options are, usually using the Map view to select places in central locations, making a shortlist of places as I go
• Pick my top favourites from the shortlist and read through their Google reviews before choosing one
• Book directly with the hotel to potentially get a discount or additional perks

If you’re new to booking accommodation yourself, here is a quick-ish rundown of the most common options.

Overall, from cheapest to most expensive, your accommodation options are..

• Guesthouses 

And vacation rentals like Vrbo and Airbnb are kind of an awkward in between. 

One important thing to keep in mind though is this:

Price, Location, Hotel Quality – you can really only pick two.

• If it’s a good location, and good quality, it’ll be expensive
• If it’s a good price and location, the room will likely not be the best
• If it’s a good price and good quality, you’ll probably won’t be as close to the centre as you want

For me personally, location is often the most important consideration. Because European cities tend to be a lot more walkable than in North America, you want a hotel that you can easily get to from all the sights, rather than have to rely on taxis or trying to a rent a car.

But how do you pick where to stay or what kind of accommodation is best for you?

Option A: Hostels

It’s one of the oldest backpacking tips in the history of backpacking, but if you’re doing your Europe trip on a budget, no doubt hostels are a great option.

Because backpacking culture is so pervasive there, there are a lot of really great hostels pretty much across the continent offering shared dorms for less than twenty bucks a night or even private rooms for additional cost.

For me personally, hostels also have social benefits in addition to budget-related ones, so I’d say don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

When I was younger, I thought it was so much fun staying at hostels, meeting people from around the world, and making new friends. If this interests you, check out my guide on How to Book Hostels for Beginners.

But hey, I can concede that hostels aren’t for everybody so, if you’re on a budget, but would rather skip the hostel route, then another great option is guesthouses.

Option B: Guesthouses

Guesthouses have different names depending on which country you’re in.

In Germany for instance they’re known as “ Pensionen “, in Italy they’re Pensione (or Pension, in the singular form), but overall you can view them as smaller, homier hotels with only a handful of rooms.

These tend to be a lot cozier than a traditional hotel and usually a lot more modest in terms of furnishings, but they’re also much more affordable, making them an ideal middle ground between hostels and guesthouses.

Option C: Hotels

But of course, for a lot of first time travellers, hotels are firmly in the comfort zone and probably the go-to pick, with familiar amenities like a check in desk, hotel breakfast, etc.

One really important thing to keep in mind if you’re planning on staying at hotels is that, hotels in Europe use a different star system than in North America.

Whereas in North America, how many stars you have kind of corresponds to the overall quality of the accommodation, in Europe it’s more to do with a checklist of amenities, so most five star places will simply be the BIG ones with a pool, a concierge and lots of different perks.

In contrast, there are some decent one or two star properties that are actually quite nice, but they just don’t have those checklist amenities so their star rating is comparatively lower.

So, keep that in mind when you’re browsing because stars here don’t necessarily indicate quality or luxury as much as the North American star system does.

In terms of choosing hotels, you’ll be choosing between…

• Chain properties (e.g. your Hiltons and your Marriotts)
• Independent hotels

Personally, these days, I’m more inclined to pick independent boutique hotels where I can (as these tend to be more unique), but I admit there’s a lot of reliability when it comes to chains, and if you’re someone that collects points and status, it can of course pay to stay loyal.

Boutique properties vary from city to city, so I won’t discuss them too much in-depth here. Just know that if there’s a place I’ve stayed at that I really enjoyed I’ll always link to it in my travel guides!

But for chain hotels in Europe, I think it’s helpful to include a rundown of budget-friendly European chains I recommend that might be new to you if you’re coming from overseas:

Of course, all over Europe, there’s also the standard North American chains that you’re probably already familiar with, as well as bigger mid-range to luxury chains that I didn’t cover above.

If you decide to book with chain properties, one important tip is to make sure you’re signed up for the chain’s Membership program, because then you get special perks and can rack up points, especially if you make a conscious effort to stick with the same chains throughout your trip.

Option D: Vacation Rentals

Now onto the last option which is vacation rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo.

I used to be a huge fan of renting on Airbnb, because it was a pretty budget-friendly option and you could save money too by cooking if you needed to, etc.

But these days, with extreme fees, and the audacity of hosts, I don’t actually think it’s the best option anymore, especially for shorter stays.

Airbnbs can come with a lot of additional mental labour, like you need to vet reviews, correspond with your host, set a check in time, usually you’ll be asked to do certain chores, and you need to make sure you keep the place in good condition, etc.

This might be fine for a longer term situation like if you’re staying for several weeks, but it’s really not worth it if you’re moving places every few days.

Overall, if you want convenience and ease of mind, Airbnb is probably not for you… unless you are a huge group or you want a homey space where you can settle down for a longer period and cook your own meals, etc.

In that case, check out my guide on How to Book an Airbnb (for First Timers).

7. Choose How You’ll Get Around Europe 

Alright, now with your flights and hotels booked, it’s time to decide how to get from place to place!

First off – I’d say try your best to avoid renting a car.

If you’re doing city trips, odds are you won’t need it and public transport in most European destinations is fantastic. If you’re still undecided, be sure to read my article about considerations to make before renting a car in Europe.

If you have decided to go with purely public transport though (yay you!), my first move is I usually hop on  Omio  to quickly compare the prices of flights, trains and buses going from Point A to Point B. It sorts everything by cheapest, recommended, shortest, etc. and is totally free!

Be mindful of course though that just like with hotels, there’s always that trade-off when it comes to booking transport.

Speed, Budget, and Quality – you can only choose two.

If you want to learn more about transport around Europe, I’ve written this extensive guide on The Cheapest Ways to Travel Europe , but let’s quickly run through the options from cheapest to most expensive, and their pros and cons.

Overall though, your ultimate defense against crazy costs is to just book as far ahead as possible, because bus, train and plane tickets usually get pricier the fewer seats they have.

8. Find Fun Things to Do While You’re There 

If you’ve gotten this far, I think it’s pretty clear… I’m a planner, and I really like knowing what there is to do in a place before I get there so I can maximize my time.

I think it’s important to at least have SOME research done beforehand, because otherwise you waste time in the destination trying to figure it out when you could be using that time to eat spaghetti, you know.

So here’s how I find fun things to do wherever I go :

• 1) Hop on Google. Skim through the top blogs and listicles to get a sense of the top attractions and the most well-known things to do. 
• 2) Head to Atlas Obscura, a really cool website that highlights unusual things to do in a place.
• 3) Hop on social media, like TikTok (a great tool compared to Instagram, especially for food and drink spots).
• 4) Look on local blogs, especially event and news ones because then you can see if there’s any cool pop-ups or special events happening during your trip

Throughout this research process, I’ll usually star places I like on Google Maps instead of just making a list.

This is because I can then easily group together all the spots I want to check out by neighbourhood so I can better organize my itinerary.

Of course, as an easy shortcut, you can also google “Destination” itinerary as well and a travel blogger like me has probably shared one.

9. Choose What to Pack

Alright, onto the final hurdle: deciding what to pack.

First of all – breathe . Packing for Europe isn’t too different from packing for other destinations. Contrary to popular belief, not every single European struts the streets like a runway, eager to judge poorly dressed tourists.

Naturally, what to pack depends on the season and where you’re going. You can check out my generic packing lists for Europe in Winter and Europe in Summer for inspo, BUT I do have a few general tips…

• Travel carry-on only if possible – navigating cobblestoned streets and old Metro systems with a ton of luggage is a nightmare. My guide on How to Pack Light can help with that, but in general when travelling carry-on only, I just pack a week’s worth of clothes and for longer trips, I do laundry along the way.
• Use packing cubes – I’m so obsessed with these. They really help keep everything tidy and organized!
• Avoid packing things like athleisure and sweatpants unless they’re just for sleeping in – While Europeans aren’t mega fashionistas all the time, their baseline casual is very different to North America’s – think clean basics rather than athletic wear.
• Good shoes are everything – you’ll inevitably be walking a lot, so prioritize comfort above all else!

Apart from that, I think packing is a really personal thing and mainly you should just wear what’s comfortable… apart from athleisure. That’s definitely not as common here, and I say this as the most die-hard Vancouver Lululemon girly.

My Europe Trip Planning Workbook

Well, if you’ve made it this far, frankly you deserve a medal… and a treat! So here it is. I’ve created a pretty little Europe trip planning workbook that follows the steps outlined above. Hopefully it well help you plan your dream Europe trip quickly and easily!

You can take a look here and print the pages for personal use, or click here for a digital version that can be filled out from your computer:

Hope This Step by Step Guide to Planning a Europe Trip Was Helpful!

So there you have it, from start to finish, how to plan your own trip to Europe.

I hope that was helpful and feel free to ask in the comments if you have any more questions. Safe travels, and I hope you have an amazing trip!

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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How to Plan an EPIC Trip to Europe in 8 Simple Steps

Want to know how to plan a trip to Europe in just a few simple steps? I can help!

Europe is a dream vacation for many people. With everything from experiencing the Eiffel Tower glimmer after dark in Paris, watching the sun set over the fairytale village of Český Krumlov in Czechia, to kayaking through the Algarve in Portugal, it’s easy to understand why Europe is so highly praised.

But, with dozens of countries, hundreds of cities, and thousands of activities to choose from, you must be wondering “how am I ever going to organize a trip to Europe that encompasses everything I’m looking for?”

And I’m here to tell you it’s simpler than you think! With years of backpacking and travel experience under my belt, I’ve broken the process down into easy steps for you to follow.

Everything from figuring out where to go, what to do, how long to stay, how to book, and what to pack are included so all of the guesswork has been removed!

Just follow my simple guide and you’ll be jetting off to Europe on your dream vacation in no time.

How to Plan a Trip to Europe in 8 Simple Steps

Being an itinerary planner myself, I’ve nailed down the 8 essential steps that everyone must take in order to plan their first trip to Europe. And once you learn them, you’re in luck because they can actually be used for anywhere that you want to travel… not just Europe!

Go in order, organize your thoughts, and you’ll have your itinerary planned in no time.

Step 1: Figure Out Your Travel Style

BEACHES, MOUNTAINS, or MEDIEVAL CASTLES?

Europe is overflowing with charm and culture from its cobblestone streets to its luxurious beaches. When deciding to plan a trip to Europe, it’s important to consider what you’re looking to experience during your trip.

Are you a self-confessed beach snob who is seeking the clearest, turquoise blue waters and fine, golden sand? Would you prefer to spend your vacation enjoying the peace and serenity of the mountains, away from the chaotic cities and crowds of tourists?

Or do you want to get lost in a network of narrow alleyways lined with quaint shops and cafés on your way to a gothic cathedral adorned with sky-high spires?

No matter what you’re looking for out of your vacation, Europe has it! If you like the sounds of relaxing on the beach the best, then Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, the south of France, Croatia… you get it. You have endless options.

But, if the mountains are more your style then you could spend your days hiking in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada Mountains of Spain or the majestic Alps in France, Italy, and Switzerland.

If fairytale towns pulled like a scene from a storybook are calling your name, you have several options, as well.

The southeastern town of Annecy in the Haute Savoie region of France boasts vibrant colors, interweaving cobblestoned streets, and a former island prison whereas the medieval town of Bruges in Belgium is full of gothic architecture, meandering canals, and old time charm.

Got castles on the brain? Head to Ireland! With over 30,000 castles in the Republic alone, you could spend months here and not visit the same castle twice. Not to mention, Ireland is full of lively folk music, hearty cuisine, and the most hospitable people!

If you aren’t really sure where to start when it comes to figuring out your travel style, you’re in luck because I created a travel style quiz that will help you figure it out!

3 DAYS or 2 WEEKS?

When deciding on how to plan a trip to Europe, you’ll need to know how much time you have for travel. If you’re squeezing a trip into a spring break from college, it’s likely you’ll only be able to visit one or two countries.

If you plan on using your full two weeks of vacation time in one go from your job, then you’ll be able to thoroughly explore a larger region and several countries depending on your travel style.

To figure out your travel style, ask yourself this: “do I plan on backpacking through several countries in a short period of time or do I prefer to relax and enjoy each place to the fullest?”

Having done both, I can honestly say they both have their perks.

In college, I backpacked across four European countries in 9 days. I was able to see magnificent sights, explore different cities, try different foods, meet new people, and experience different cultures in a very quick trip.

But, I was on the move A LOT. Every second of my day was planned out and there really wasn’t much room for relaxing.

I have also explored single European countries over longer periods of time and found that I was able to learn more about the region, fit in unique day trips, and enjoy the amenities offered to me by my accommodations.

How you plan your trip will depend on what matters more to you: more countries or more time to explore.

BUDGET or LUXURY?

Next, the budget. If you are like I was in college, you’re probably penny-pinching quite a bit. And, that’s okay! Read through my travel guide below for my best travel tips and advice on how I traveled across Europe when I was in college on a very tight budget.

If you’re not in college and maybe have a bit more money to spare, you’ll have more options for hotels, food, and activities. It’s important to figure out your budget when deciding how to plan a trip to Europe, otherwise, it’s easy to go way overboard.

However, it doesn’t matter if you’re a college student or a millionaire, Europe can be very expensive… I want to make that clear. But, if done correctly, you could be having a picnic under the Eiffel Tower for just a couple hundred dollars coming from the U.S. (I did it!)

Once you know how long you have for traveling, you can start building your budget. Different countries vary greatly in food, accommodation, and travel costs, so be sure to do plenty of research on each place before choosing your country or countries.

Budget travel in Europe typically involves backpacking between countries. In layman’s terms, you’ll be traveling with nothing but a backpack, a good pair of walking shoes, and most likely a Eurail pass.

You’ll be spending most nights in hostels or cheap hotels, will be limiting attractions, and avoiding sit-down restaurants for most of your trip.

On a mid-range budget, you’ll be able to stay in hotels every night, view most of the major attractions but not all, and can comfortably eat at sit-down restaurants a couple of times during your trip. The majority of people live in this world, so don’t feel bad if this is where you are!

On a luxury budget, the sky is the limit. Hotel rooms with a view and rooftop bars and heated pools, room service, guided tours, access to all attractions, and Michelin-starred restaurants if you so choose.

Europe has something for everyone on every budget. Try to think about what you would be comfortable spending and then plan your trip to avoid shocking credit card statements and travel regret!

Step 2: Choose Your Destination(s)

Okay, you have figured out your travel style, set a budget, and know what you’re looking for out of your trip. Now, it’s time to do some research on possible European destinations!

I’ve listed a few good places to start your research below. Be sure to keep your budget in mind when researching destinations… countries like Switzerland and England are some of the most expensive countries in the entire world.

Although they can certainly be visited on a budget, it’ll be easier to stick to your budget by choosing other countries, especially if this is your first time visiting Europe.

For the Avid Hiker:

• Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees Mountain Ranges in Spain
• French, Italian, and Swiss Alps
• Glacier and mountain hiking in Iceland
• If you decide to head up to Spain’s incredible mountains, be sure to read about them in the 33 Most Unique Places to Visit in Spain !

For the Beach Bum:

• Algarve, Portugal
• Costa Brava, Spain
• The Balearic and Canary Islands, Spain
• Amalfi Coast, Italy
• The Greek Islands
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• The French Riviera

For the Fairytale Town Seeker:

• Bruges, Belgium
• Lake Annecy, France
• Chamonix, France
• Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
• Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
• Salzburg, Austria

For the Night Owl:

• Doolin, Ireland (and most of Ireland for that matter)
• Paris, France
• Munich, Germany
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Budapest, Hungary
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Barcelona, Spain

Step 3: Choose Your Travel Method

Once you have decided on where you want to go based on your travel style and budget, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to get there . If you’re coming from the U.S., an airplane is in your future one way or another. A combination of planes and trains is common for European itineraries.

But, if you’re traveling from within the continent of Europe, train travel might be a better option for you.

Typically, if you are already in Europe, but are traveling from more than two or three countries away, it will be far more efficient to fly to your destination. But, if you are residing in France and want to visit Spain, just jump on the Eurail .

You’ll save time and money and will enjoy a beautiful trip through the countryside!

If you plan on visiting more off-the-beaten-path destinations in Europe like the Balearic Islands or Crete, then a boat is likely also in your future. Do plenty of research on the most efficient travel methods for your destination before assuming flights will be the best way to get somewhere!

Once you have figured out the best way to get to your destination, you’ll have to research how to get around your destination , as well. For big cities like Paris, London , or Berlin, I highly suggest taking advantage of their metro systems. They are quick, very affordable, and easy to use.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, try to avoid renting cars in Europe by all means possible . Unless you plan on doing a self-driving tour of Ireland or Scotland, rental cars are very expensive and driving conditions are usually poor.

Instead, opt to rent bicycles or book buses , trolleys , or trains to get between cities. This will save you money and a ton of stress and worry!

Step 4: Check Your Documents

Alright, you’re almost there! You’ve decided on what you want to do on your vacation, where you’re going to go, how you’re going to get there, and how you are going to get around once you’re there. All that’s left to do is book your trip now, right?!

Wrong. You need to double and triple-check all of your documents before booking any trips , especially if you are planning on departing within 6 months .

One of the most important things you can learn about how to plan a trip to Europe starts with learning from other people’s mistakes. Don’t fall victim to forgetting your ID or showing up with the wrong or expired document.

✔️ Pro Tip: Additionally, if you arrive at an international airport with a passport that is due to expire within 6 months or doesn’t have any open pages left, you may not be allowed to board the plane.

Before booking anything, be sure to confirm that your passport has available pages for stamping and won’t expire within 6 months of your travel dates. You’ll also want to take a look at your government-issued photo ID and check the expiration date, as well.

Typically, you’ll only need your passport, but having extra identification is always smart when traveling internationally.

If your documents are due to expire, be sure you have enough time to get them renewed before the start of your trip.

Passports can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months to get renewed along with several fees, and licenses require a long trip to your local registry with additional fees and several items proving your identification, as well.

Once you have confirmed that all of your paperwork is in order, you can start getting ready to book your trip !

Step 5: Plan Your Route

You have decided on whether you want to travel to one or multiple destinations, so now you can start planning your route! You can use Google Maps or the map at the bottom of this article to help you plan the most efficient way to get from one place to the next.

This is a big step in deciding how to plan a trip to Europe. Be careful not to get caught skipping over a country just to decide you want to turn around and go back to it.

You’ll waste precious travel time and we want to make sure you get the most out of your time in Europe!

The best way to ensure your route is efficient is to check the distances and travel times between each destination.

Be sure you don’t pass by one of your stops on the way to a different stop, and if you do, try rearranging your travel itinerary a little.

Step 6: Book It!

Now, don’t jump to the confirmation page just yet. Be sure to check your bank account and any credit card statements prior to booking to avoid any unwanted overdraw fees!

Once you have done that, then you can book your trip to Europe .

First, if your dates are not flexible, start with booking your flights . International flights are at their cheapest the further out you book and only drop on very specific days within a few weeks of departing which can be hard to track.

If you have flexible dates, consider looking at the available accommodations first. If there is somewhere you really want to stay but they only have room on certain days, consider shifting your dates a little.

Keep in mind, however, that this usually also affects the price of flights depending on the days of the week you fly. Tuesdays are typically the cheapest day to both book flights, depart, and return home.

Once you have your flights booked, go through your planned travel route and start booking your accommodations in order. If you’re traveling across France from the Alps up to Paris, start in Chamonix, then book your stay in Annecy, possibly Lyon, then Paris last if it’s the last stop in your journey.

Then, book any necessary plane, train, bus, or ferry travel between destinations. Once you’ve done this you’re all booked and ready to get to the airport… look at you learning how to plan a trip to Europe all on your own!

This is also the time you can choose to do a little more research on possible excursions or adventures if you so choose. We are big adventure travelers, so we went paragliding in the French Alps. I highly suggest this if you are looking for an adrenaline rush on your European vacation!

Step 7: Prepare to Leave

Now, this may seem simple and to the point, but in fact, there are a lot of things that need to happen before you head to the airport. Just because you now know how to plan a trip to Europe, doesn’t mean you can forget about all of your prior responsibilities.

First, you need to prepare your home to be vacant. If you own a house, this can be a lot of work. If it’s summer, you may want to hire someone to mow your lawn , and if it’s winter, hiring someone to shovel your driveway in the case of a storm is a good idea, as well.

Ensure there are no dirty dishes or laundry left lying around and that the trash and recycling gets taken out to prevent coming home to any bad odors . It’s also a good idea to unplug any unnecessary items (i.e. toaster, microwave, chargers, etc.) to reduce the risk of an electrical fire while you’re away.

If you own pets, be sure to hire a pet sitter well in advance and make sure your pet is comfortable with them before leaving. Typically, I book my dog sitter 4 months in advance and always use the same sitter to ensure my dog will be comfortable with my absence.

Animals get stressed just like people do, so be sure to take this into consideration before booking your vacation.

Be sure to call your bank and let them know where you will be traveling, including layovers, and your travel dates. This will ensure that they don’t shut your credit or debit cards off for suspicion of fraudulent charges.

Also, call your phone provider if you would like to purchase a temporary international plan. Most plans range from $15-$50 and include unlimited texting and calling for 30 days.

Otherwise, just download WhatsApp and let anyone know who wants to get in touch with you that they’ll have to download the app and text you through it (completely free and works with wifi!)

Lastly, if you’re close with your neighbors or have family or friends that live nearby, it’s worth asking if they’ll check on your home once or twice while you’re gone.

Empty apartments and houses are, unfortunately, targets for unwanted visitors so letting someone close to you know you’ll be away is a good idea.

Step 8: Enjoy Yourself!

You’ve made it to Europe! The dream destination you’ve always wanted to go to is finally here. You’ve gone through all the struggles of learning how to plan a trip to Europe, booked everything in sequence, aligned your trip with your schedule, and ensured everything was all set for you to leave.

Now, there’s simply nothing left to stress about and you can sit back and enjoy yourself. Stroll some streets, sample the cuisine, practice speaking the language with the locals, check out a few sights, and enjoy a freshly baked pastry and an espresso while people-watching.

Do whatever pleases you. Remember, there is no reason to rush through everything in order to get to the next item on your list. Really take the time to enjoy all of your hard work and planning and do what makes you happy.

+And if you’re traveling with others, be sure that they do the same. Most people are only allotted a few short weeks of time off from their jobs each year, so make the most of it!

One of my favorite travel quotes…

“Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living” Anthony Bourdain 

3 Sample Itineraries for Europe

Now that you know how to plan a trip to Europe, it’s time to start designing your own! I have created 3 sample itineraries below to help you get started. Remember, make your budget and try to stick to it !

Otherwise, you may come to believe that traveling is too expensive for your lifestyle… and that’s simply just not the case. Anyone can travel on any budget, you just need to stick to your goals.

3 Days in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a wonderful city with a lively night scene, eccentric neighborhoods, and fun attractions. With neighborhoods geared towards college kids and young adults and museums and open-aired markets suitable for any crowd, this city packs a cultural punch with something for everyone.

In 3 days, you’ll have enough time to experience the nightlife, enjoy a boat ride through the meandering canals, take a peek inside the museums, and have your fair share of sampling their famous stroopwafels.

✔️ Day 1 : Canal Boat Tour & Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum ✔️ Day 2 : Free Walking Tour of the City & Explore the Neighborhoods (Amsterdam Center, Jordaan, De Pijp, De Wallen) ✔️ Day 3 : Bloemenmarkt & Waterlooplein Flea Market

Free walking tours meet almost daily in Amsterdam and are typically organized by the local hostels. Just pop into one and see if they have any available that day, or even better, create your own with a local map!

One Week in France

France offers some of the most beautiful landscapes, incredible wine and cuisine, and famous attractions in all of Europe. It would be impossible to see everything there is to see in one week, but you’ll still get to experience France’s genuine culture and unique flair!

✔️ Day 1 : Arrive in Chamonix, France & Stroll the Town ✔️ Day 2 : Paragliding in Chamonix or Bus to Annecy ✔️ Day 3 : Annecy & Le Palais de I’Île & Lake Annecy Boat Ride ✔️ Day 4 : Day Trip to Talloires. Explore the town and go for a Hike Overlooking Lake Annecy ✔️ Day 5 : Train from Annecy to Paris & Eiffel Tower & Arc de Triomphe ✔️ Day 6 : Notre Dame Cathedral & Le Louvre & Musée d’Orsay ✔️ Day 7 : Shopping on Champs-Élysées & Return Home

If you only have one week in France, you could easily spend the entirety of it in Paris, or you can venture out and see another small region. My favorite region in France is the Haute Savoie region which is absolutely beaming with charm and beauty.

It’s easily accessible by flying into Geneva, Switzerland and taking an hour-long bus ride or by arriving in Annecy by train and taking a bus to Chamonix. I do suggest starting with Chamonix and then heading to Annecy since you’ll need to go through Annecy to go up to Paris anyway and it will save you a bus ride.

As one of the most stunning regions in all of Europe and just a few hours from Paris, I highly recommend squeezing in a few days in these incredible towns!

2 Weeks in Spain and Portugal

Spain and Portugal are a classic European itinerary combination that work very well together. With similar climates and activities, you won’t have a hard time packing and furthermore, they are both simply amazing.

One of my favorite backpacking trips in Europe was bouncing between Portugal and Spain, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most beautiful regions in the world.

With daily departures via both train and plane between the two, setting up this itinerary is a cinch! Both Spain and Portugal boast some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and are well known for their indescribable cuisine, hospitable people, and unique culture.

In just two weeks, you’ll be able to cover a lot of ground and see some of the best sights these countries have to offer. I’ve created an itinerary below that encompasses beach days, hiking days, and sightseeing days.

If it’s your first time visiting Europe, I would suggest limiting the number of additional buses and trains you take to limit confusion. Also, check out my Greatest Tips for Traveling to Europe for the First Time !

✔️ Day 1 : Arrive in Barcelona & Arc de Triomf & La Sagrada Familia ✔️ Day 2 : Park Güell & Las Ramblas Street ✔️ Day 3 : Gothic Quarter & Barcelona Cathedral ✔️ Day 4 : Train to Valencia & Beach Day ✔️ Day 5 : Central Market & Valencia Cathedral ✔️ Day 6 : Train to Seville & Plaza de España ✔️ Day 7 : Royal Alcázar of Seville & Seville Cathedral ✔️ Day 8 : Train to Faro, Portugal & Sightseeing ✔️ Day 9 : Beach Day ✔️ Day 10 : Train to Lagos & Cave Kayaking ✔️ Day 11 : Beach Day ✔️ Day 12 : Train to Lisbon & Sightseeing ✔️ Day 13 : Day Trip to Cascais & Estoril. Cabo da Roca & Boca do Inferno ✔️ Day 14 : Day Trip to Sintra & Sintra Castle & Short Hike in the Park ✔️ Day 15 : Train to Lisbon and Return Home

This is my ultimate Spain and Portugal trip, but do your research and make some changes depending on if you want even more beach days or if you’d like to spend more time hiking! Spain is known for its mighty northern mountain ranges and Portugal’s Porto is packed with culture.

If you do decide to visit Cascais, be sure to check out the 10 Best Beaches in Cascais . Traveling on a budget but still want to visit Barcelona? Here are my top 25 Best Free Things to do in Barcelona !

Europe Trip Planner Map

Take a glance at this map to gauge the proximity of the countries you wish to explore. This will aid in your determination of whether to add or remove destinations, modify your travel route, and more!

FAQ: How to Plan a Trip to Europe

How do i organize my trip to europe.

Let’s face it, organizing a trip to Europe is a daunting task, to say the least. There is SO much to consider! Even just thinking about which countries to visit is a very hard choice, especially if you’re like me and enjoying everything from the mountains to the beaches and city life.

But, if you break the process down into more manageable steps, you’ll be far less likely to stress yourself out.

First, think about your priorities and make a list. The top of the list should be inclusive of your must-do’s and your must-see’s, while the bottom of the list will encompass everything that would be an added perk – great if it happens but not a problem if it doesn’t, so to speak.

From there, you’ll be able to identify which destinations are your top priority and you’ll have the information you need to organize a time- and cost-efficient trip to Europe!

Simply keep an eye on your budget and your time allowance to ensure you stay within your personal limitations.

How Far in Advance to Plan a Trip to Europe?

Since we want you to follow the step-by-step process that we’ve laid out for you above, you’ll want to start planning your trip to Europe up to a year in advance. Any longer than that and accommodations can close down, travel requirements may change, and so forth.

When it comes to actually booking your trip, you can often find the best deals the further in advance you book for international travel. If you’re flying domestically or are coming from within Europe, this isn’t always the case.

✔️ Pro Tip: If you’re coming from outside of Europe, then I would recommend booking your flights as soon as you know your travel dates. The earlier the better. But, if you’re already in Europe, then 4-6 weeks before your travel date is usually the cheapest time to book.

How Do I Plan a 7 Day Trip to Europe?

There are several options available if you’re planning a trip to Europe for 1 week, depending on the destinations you wish to see. To begin, decide on the countries or cities you would like to visit and then research different transportation options.

Flying is usually the most convenient method of travel, but rail and bus services can also be used. Once you’ve figured out your transportation, start looking into accommodation options in each city or country, as well as the cost of food and drinks.

It would be wise to compile a list of activities that you want to do during each day of your trip too. Take note of any attractions that you’d like to see, as well as restaurants or cafes you want to visit.

Having this information in advance will help you plan out your day-to-day activities much more efficiently. Consider whether a tour guide would be beneficial, particularly if it’s your first time visiting the area.

Be sure to take the time to look up local customs, laws and regulations. Depending on the country or city you’re visiting, certain cultural norms may be quite different from what you are used to. Additionally, make sure that you have appropriate travel documentation like visas and passport stamps where necessary.

It may sound daunting at first, but with a bit of research and organization, planning a seven day trip to Europe can be an exciting and rewarding experience! Good luck!

How to Plan a 15 Day Trip to Europe?

Wondering how to plan a trip to Europe for 2 weeks? Fortunately, it’s pretty much the exact same process as planning a trip to Europe for 3 weeks, 5 weeks, 1 week, or 2 days.

You’ll still need to prioritize your activities and destinations before creating the itinerary itself. First, start with your budget and your time allowance, From there, figure out what you want to do and where you want to go.

Once you’ve done all that, start researching efficient travel methods (i.e. flights, trains, etc.) and planning your route. To save money, take a look at the best departure and arrival days for flights and ensure you have an accommodation for every night of your stay.

Planning a 15-day trip to Europe is relatively simple, but you’ll want to focus on time and cost efficiency. Avoid flying from Paris to Vienna then going back to Barcelona. I use Google Maps to ensure my routes are as efficient as possible, which is why I’ve included a map in this post.

What is the Cheapest Month to Travel to Europe?

Most newbies heading to Europe have heard the same rumors time and time again… Europe is expensive !

And while these rumors aren’t wrong per se, there are a lot of gray areas here. Each country in Europe (there are over 40 of them) has an entirely different cost of living. Visiting France in July is going to cost a lot more than visiting Portugal in July.

With that being said, the shoulder seasons of March through May and September through October are the cheapest months to travel to Europe .

This is when most countries experience a decrease in tourism due to less desirable weather, a general lack of events or festivals going on, and it’s outside of the holiday season when Christmas markets are thriving.

With the decrease in tourism, flight costs significantly drop, tour agencies and hotels drop their rates, and even food prices go down. You can also find great deals on train travel between European countries!

In our experience, the shoulder season months are by far the cheapest time to visit Europe as a whole, but you’ll want to do some extra research on your particular destination if you’re on a tight budget.

How Much Money Do You Need to Travel Europe Comfortably?

The average cost of a European vacation is going to vary drastically depending on several factors.

First, the countries that you visit will make all the difference . Portugal can be visited on a very tight college budget whereas Switzerland is often rated as the most expensive country in the world with budget options being few and far between.

Second, how long your trip is will make a big difference, as well. If a one week European vacation roughly costs you a few thousand dollars, then a two week European vacation will roughly cost 1.5x-1.75x as much.

Flights typically won’t change too much from the same destinations over the course of one week (day of the week will make prices vary greatly, however).

Lastly, your travel style is a big contender in determining the cost of your European vacation.

Depending on if you prefer budget or luxurious accommodations, don’t mind eating at food trucks or prefer sit-down restaurants, or are content with self-guided walking tours over full-day guided private tours, the cost of your trip will vary a lot .

So, to travel Europe comfortably, you’ll want to research the average cost of food, lodging, transportation, activities, and so forth in your preferred destination.

With this information, you’ll be able to create an informed estimate of how much money you should bring to comfortably travel to your European destination!

✔️ Pro Tip: There is no way to give an accurate average since these factors will drastically alter the cost of your vacation, but if you’re someone who likes numbers then be sure to take a peek at my article on tips for traveling to Europe for the first time .

Is $2000 Enough for a Europe Trip?

Absolutely, $2000 can be enough for a Europe trip, but it entirely depends on your travel style. If you’re a backpacker who doesn’t mind staying in hostels, eating street food, and using public transportation, you could possibly spend even less!

However, if you prefer a bit more comfort and luxury, you might need to increase your budget.

How Much Should I Budget for a 3 Week Trip to Europe?

For a 3-week trip to Europe, your budget will largely depend on your personal preferences, travel style, the season, and the countries you plan to visit. On a shoestring budget, you might be able to pull it off with around $1800 – $2500, which will cover basic accommodation in hostels, cheap meals, public transportation, and modest entertainment.

If you prefer mid-range accommodations like budget hotels or Airbnbs, expect to spend somewhere between $2500 – $4500. This budget will also afford you the occasional nice meal and entrance to more attractions.

For a luxury experience, with high-end hotels, meals at top-notch restaurants, and private tours, expect to spend at least $6000 or more.

Remember, these are rough estimates and your actual spending might be different. The key is to plan ahead and keep track of your spending so that you know where your money is going.

Where Should I Go in Europe for the First Time?

If this is your first trip to Europe, there are endless options for countries and European itineraries to choose from. Most common beginner trips to Europe begin in popular destinations such as London or Paris, which are great starting points.

However, if you already know you’re going to enjoy getting a little bit more off the beaten path, then I would recommend considering the options of less popular destinations like Budapest , Chamonix , Berlin , or Prague .

Even if you prefer to get out of the cities and explore more of the rural towns, these are great starting points to do so!

If you’re visiting Europe for the first time, be sure to check out my post on everything you need to know about traveling to Europe for the first time at the bottom of this post!

How to Plan a Trip to Europe on a Budget

If you’re wondering how to plan a trip to Europe on a budget, I’ve got some great tips to help! I actually backpacked across 4 countries in Europe when I was just 20 years old, so I picked up a thing or two about how to see some of the world’s most beautiful countries on a tight budget.

✔️ First, don’t be fooled into thinking that you can’t visit expensive countries on a budget.

Of course, it will cost you more overall to visit a place with a higher cost of living, but you can always find cheap accommodations and travel arrangements.

You can also get a more in-depth guide on how I continue to travel Europe on a budget by entering your name and email in the guide at the end of this section!

✔️ Book Cheap Accommodations

So, keep an eye out for deals on accommodations. Hostels and Airbnb’s are very popular across Europe, so you can easily save hundreds of dollars just by booking one of these over a hotel.

You can also use websites like CouchSurfing to find cheap and even free places to stay. For the most part, this website is safe, however, you will always need to use your best judgment when staying with strangers.

Long-term accommodations like condos and apartments are often cheaper when booked on a weekly basis in comparison to nightly rates, as well.

✔️ Be Mindful of Where You Eat

Second, opt for buying food at local supermarkets, farmer’s markets, and food trucks . In Europe, the food quality is almost always superb, so there’s no need to always sit down at nice restaurants when the food is top-notch everywhere you go.

✔️ Be Your Own Guide

Also, create your own walking tour of the city or join a free one. Guided tours are fantastic if you have room in your budget, but if you don’t, then consider researching where the guided tours go with their guests then get yourself there on your own!

Usually, everything in Europe is reachable via walking, biking, or the metro, so there’s no reason to exclude an activity simply because you aren’t joining a tour.

✔️ Take Advantage of Public Transportation

Lastly, buy full-day or one-week metro passes when exploring a city . This is a far cheaper option than booking numerous single journeys.

Also, take the Eurail to get between countries ! Train travel is one of the best ways to score super cheap rates between major capital cities and even smaller, more rural towns.

The train is almost always cheaper than flying, though sometimes it will take 5x as long to get there.

Depending on how much room your budget has, be sure to research the difference in cost and travel time between flying and taking the train when creating your Europe itinerary.

How to Plan a Trip to Europe for 10 Days, 2 Weeks, 3 Weeks, or One Month

Whether you’re planning a trip to Europe for 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or even one month, you’re going to follow the same steps that I have laid out above.

You’ll still need to determine your travel style, decide on your budget, and consider all of your options and what you want to include in your itinerary.

It’s also important to mention that if you’re traveling with other people, you’ll want to make sure that you take their thoughts and preferences into consideration, as well.

As a general guideline, you’ll need to remember that if you stay in Europe longer, then you’ll need to plan out more accommodations, trains, buses, and meals. That is, if you plan on moving around.

If you simply plan on picking one country and only moving to a new accommodation once a week or so, you’ll have very little extra planning to do.

So, depending on how much you know about how to plan a trip to Europe and how to get around Europe on your own, you may want to limit how much moving around you do.

What to Pack for Europe

Almost there!!

You’ve booked your trip, prepped your house, taken care of your pets, and now all that’s left is just packing your suitcase. However, figuring out how to pack for a trip to Europe can actually be harder than figuring out how to plan a trip to Europe. But, I’m here to help!

Europe has countries that hit every climate zone during every season of the year. If you are only visiting one country, you’ll have a much easier time packing than if you are traveling between multiple destinations, but you’ll still need a broad range of clothing to be comfortable.

Before throwing your entire wardrobe in your suitcase, check the weather of your destination(s). Plan out your outfits ahead of time, neatly fold and roll them up into small cylinders, and pack them into your packing cubes .

If you don’t have packing cubes yet, be sure to check out my article on the Top Things You Must Include On Your Europe Travel Essentials List !

✔️ First things first…always, always, always, pack a rain jacket .

No matter what. Even if there is no chance of rain, pack one anyway. Due to the vast coastline and sky-high mountain ranges in Europe, the weather can change drastically in just a few hours.

One minute you can be soaking up the sun on Barceloneta Beach and the next you could be running to the nearest restaurant to escape a rogue thunderstorm.

✔️ Next, be absolutely sure to pack comfortable and supportive walking shoes

You’re going to be walking over uneven cobblestoned streets and putting a lot of miles on your feet (especially if you’re traveling on a budget!)

Bring along a nice pair of shoes for when you want to go out and look nice, but good walking shoes are essential for a pleasant trip.

✔️ Bring layers

In addition to the weather shifting frequently, the temperature also drops vastly at night. Even in the summer when you’re expecting to walk around in your bathing suit at the beach all day, you should expect low temperatures in the 60s once the sun starts going down.

This means you’ll most likely be comfortable in pants and a light sweater, rather than a bikini.

✔️ Lastly, don’t overpack !

I can’t express this one enough. Traveling is a little bit of a hassle anyway, so lugging around extra items with you across multiple countries is just going to cause frustration.

Plan your outfits ahead of time and add a rain jacket, your shoes (2 pairs maximum if you’re going for a week or less), and an extra warming layer or two and you’re good to go.

How To Travel Around Europe On A Budget

With just pennies to my name, I figured out how to travel to some of the most expensive countries in Europe! ​ ​

Get my simple 5-step guide on how I have saved thousands on European travel by subscribing below.

Hint : You won’t be staying in hostels!

Learning how to plan a trip to Europe is no easy feat, so be sure to pat yourself on the back if you’ve followed my steps and were successful in booking a trip! Europe is so full of wonder and magic, it’s not hard to see why so many people fall in love with it.

Each and every country has so much diversity and a multitude of sights and adventures to offer, you really can’t go wrong.

So now that you know how to plan a trip to Europe, be sure to teach your friends and family! Plan a friend’s trip, a family trip, or even a romantic getaway for your parents’ anniversary. Whatever the occasion, Europe is always a good idea!

Other Helpful Resources for Europe

✔️ The Ultimate Europe Bucket List: 101 Experiences to Have in Europe ✔️ Packing List for Europe in Winter: A Full Country by Country Guide ✔️ Minimalist Packing List for Females Traveling to Europe ✔️ 5 Things You Must Include on Your Travel Essentials List ✔️ Backpacking Europe Routes for 2 Weeks: Routes & Tips ✔️ European Honeymoon Itinerary: 9 Incredible Options for 1 Week, 2 Weeks, + 1 Month ✔️ 30+ Best Places to Visit in Europe in December ✔️ 73 Best Places to Visit in Europe in January 2024 ✔️ 25 Best Places in Europe for New Years Celebrations ✔️ 30+ BEST Places to Visit in Europe in March 2024 ✔️ 30+ BEST Places to Visit in Europe in April 2024 ✔️ Is Azerbaijan in Europe? The Facts for 2024 ✔️ Is Norway in Europe? Norway & the EEA EFTA States ✔️ Is Denmark in Europe? The EU, the Danish Krone, & Its Territories Explained

Now that you know how to plan a trip to Europe , start planning your next trip abroad!

Hey there! I'm Emily Concannon, a seasoned globetrotter who has backpacked her way across over a dozen European countries, immersing myself in the diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines of the region.

My passion for travel transcends personal experiences; I've spent years learning how to transform my globetrotting knowledge into personalized itineraries for fellow travelers worldwide.

With a tally of 26 countries (and counting!) under my belt, my day job involves extensive research on different countries which often leads me to booking a new adventure every chance I get!

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Planning Your Euro Summer? Here’s 6 Apps to Help You Plan the Trip of a Lifetime

Top travel planner apps

Don’t even know where to begin with planning? The Wanderlog app has got you covered. 

You can create trip itineraries directly on the app, note every restaurant and cafe to dine in, keep track of your flight and hotel reservations, stay up to date with budget costs, and so much more. You can even include notes and attachments to your itinerary to keep everything in the one place.

The best part about Wanderlog is that once you’ve added all of your activities into it, it plots everything out onto a map and organises the days by numbers and colours. So if you’re a visual person, this app is heaven.

All you have to do is sign up for an account and you’re good to go! While there is a paid version of this travel planner app, everything mentioned can be accessed from the free version. 

Check it out here.

For the girlies who have a hard time with math on the go, XE is a lifesaver. While it’s predominantly a money transfer app, the conversion section is a fantastic feature. Instead of figuring out how much €36 is in Australian dollars while in the blazing hot European sun, this app does it for you immediately. It’s up to date with the latest conversion rate, updating every 60 seconds, and you don’t even need to make an account!

Download it here.

Navigating train lines in a new country can be incredibly overwhelming. The Trainline app makes figuring out where to go next in an unfamiliar city that little bit easier. The travel planning app shows you all the different companies selling train tickets, provides you with the cheapest route, the fastest route, and how many seats are left. If you book on the app, it also tracks your journey and also gives you live updates on any interruptions or delays.

Get it here. 

When travelling to a bunch of different countries, you want to make sure that you’re well versed in the basics of their language because, for one, you’ll be able to really immerse yourself in the country, and for two, there’s nothing worse than rocking up to a country and not even knowing how to say “hello”. 

Mango is an amazing app with over 70 languages. it has specific lesson plans on introductions in your chosen language, and other topics to help you progress quickly!

While the app is free, you need a library card to access its features. So get your free library card at your local library and get learning.

Download for free now. 

Google Translate

The Google Translate app is our best friend when it comes to travelling. The app translates text, photos, handwriting, and speech in over 100 languages right at the tip of your fingers. But the best feature is the Google Lens. 

The Google Lens lets you translate any text you see live. All you need to do is open the camera feature, point it at any block of text, and it will translate it for you before your very own eyes. Neat!

My Maps on Google Maps

This app is for the kids who colour coordinated their assignment headings in high school. 

We’ve all heard of Google Maps, but has anyone actually looked into what it could do other than take us from A to B? Well, we found out that Google Maps offers this great function that allows you to create custom maps (including colour coding and labelling destinations with fun icons) through their My Maps feature. 

The only downside is that you have to organise everything on the Google Maps desktop, but once the maps are ready to go, you can access them in your app (online and offline) whenever you want.

Get the app now. 

Planning for your Euro summer? Have a look at our other travel hacks here . 

The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

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How To Plan A Trip To Europe For Your Family

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I am busy ironing out the details for our trip to Europe this summer, and it has inspired me to write a detailed post for you about how to plan a trip to Europe for your family! 

I know that when we share our  family adventures in Europe  and around the world, people are often inspired to plan their own trips. But everyone tells me that they have no idea where to start.

Today, I am here to help you plan a trip to Europe!

Planning A Trip To Europe

Taking on a family adventure to Europe should be exciting, not overwhelming. Imagine days filled with cultural experiences, historic landmarks, and unforgettable memories. 

However, the truth is that planning such a trip requires mindful consideration and organization, especially when you are traveling to Europe with kids.  

In this  family travel  guide, I will take you through the essential steps to ensure a smooth and enjoyable family vacation wherever you choose to visit in Europe.  And in reality, most of these tips can also be used for other destinations. But a trip to Europe is a good jumping-off point for big, international travel! 

How To Plan A Trip To Europe

I am going to walk you through my exact European travel planning process in order. It may be a little different than others, but it has worked really well for my family.

However, there is one major item that I want to discuss first, and that is  passports ! 

Many European countries require your passport to have 3 or 6 months of validity left on it. The general rule of thumb is that your passport expiration date must be at LEAST 6 months after your departure date. 

When writing this, in early 2024, passport turnaround times are at record speeds. Several months ago, people were waiting 12+ weeks, but now I see people getting them back as quickly as 2-3 weeks. Your mileage may vary, but now is the perfect time to renew if your passport expires this year or your children don’t have passports! 

Also, you want to make sure you have some form of  travel insurance . You can buy a plan from companies like  Travelex ,  Faye , or  Allianz .

Also, many premium credit cards, such as the  American Express Platinum Card  or  Chase Sapphire Cards , include trip protection when you use them. Read the terms in your account, but often, this can cover everything from delays to lost baggage. 

#1 Define Your Destination in Europe

Dreaming up trips to Europe is my specialty! I have to confess that I do it weekly, if not daily. Many of them never come to fruition, but when they do, I never have a single regret. Take the trip. Life is short!  

So, this is inevitably where the travel planning process starts for me. I am always keeping my eye out for great deals and running searches on Google Flights. Most never get booked, but I find something I can’t pass up once or twice a year. I reserve the flights, and that’s usually how our trips start.

The only way you can visit  Europe  is by booking flights there! Unless you take a transatlantic cruise. And don’t tempt me because I almost booked one the other day! 

Booking Flights To Europe

Every big trip that I plan starts with airfare. When it comes to travel, I like to get the best value possible. So, how do I do it?

Knowing Your Airport

First, know what main airlines (domestic and international) service your nearby airports and the routes. For example, Delta reigns supreme in Atlanta along with SkyTeam partners like Air France and KLM. Therefore, there are the most nonstops each day, heading to Paris and Amsterdam for me.  

Head to your airport’s website and look at the flight departures. Where are they heading to? What airlines are operating them? This will help you narrow things down if you are looking for nonstop options or minimal connections. This is key when planning a trip to Europe from USA destinations as particular cities service particular routes. 

Finding Flight Deals With Thrifty Traveler Premium

I am obsessed with  Thrifty Traveler Premium . I have had their annual subscriptions for a few years and have found so many deals! Because I subscribe to all cities, I get emails almost daily with incredible domestic and international flight deals.  

One of my favorite features is that it includes smaller airports, including where I live in  Dothan, Alabama . Most similar services don’t. It lists deals by departure city, allowing me to quickly scan and see if any of my nearby airports (Dothan, Panama City Beach, Tallahassee, Destin, Atlanta) are included.

They share so many great flight deals to Europe that you’ll have a hard time passing up. I am sitting on my hands so as not to book a trip to Scotland they just sent out.

Click here to learn more about Thrifty Traveler Premium ! 

Tips For Your Flight To Europe

When booking, be mindful of times. Most trips from the US to Europe will be overnight. This allows me to leave Atlanta around 8:50 pm and arrive in France at 12 pm the next day. Generally, I can get a decent night’s sleep, rally through that very first day, and start the next full day of my trip with minimal jet lag. 

The route home is often during the day, leaving Europe in the morning and arriving in the US mid-day, on the “same day” due to the time change. So, jet lag tends to be worse for us in that direction, as sleeping on the plane during the day is more challenging. It will usually make for an unavoidable long travel day.

I have one last flight tip before we move on to cities. Generally, a round-trip ticket will be cheaper than two one-way tickets when paying cash/credit (as opposed to points/miles). On your first short European trip, you should resist the urge to do a multi-city trip where you start and end in different places. 

Adding onto that, you will also want to compare prices on partner airlines. For example, using the Sky Team alliance that I mentioned above. You may find the exact flight (same plane and everything) sold from Delta for one price. If you check Air France, KLM, or Virgin Atlantic, you may find a cheaper flight as they codeshare these routes! 

When we went to  Greece  in November 2022, I almost booked flights for $1300 per person on Delta but ended up booking with Air France for $875 per person round trip. It’s the same exact plane! 

Choosing Which City Or Cities To Visit In Europe

So, you have some flight options and are ready to pull the trigger. But is that city right for you? Where should I go on my first trip to Europe?

When deciding on a destination city for your first trip to Europe, consider factors such as kid-friendly activities, safety, and accessibility.  

Destinations like  Paris , Rome,  Amsterdam , London, and Barcelona are known for their family-oriented attractions. They are great options for your first trip to Europe! 

For your first trip to Europe, I recommend focusing on one city. Our favorite thing to do is watch YouTube videos about that city. Sometimes I do this before I book my flights, sometimes after. But it is a great way to learn more about a city and get excited about your trip! 

I browse though the  TripAdvisor  page for that city. I scroll through photos, read user comments, and see the available tours and activities. When you have found the right trip, you know. You feel the urge to lock it in! 

Also, please consider the weather and what you want from that trip. It may be tempting to grab those rock-bottom flights to Paris. But do you want to be there when it’s only 20 degrees? Maybe you do. Or perhaps you were imagining warm lunches on sidewalk cafes.  

Europe is very crowded in summer, but there are some sweet spots. For the past two years, we have headed to Europe immediately after school gets out on the weekend of Memorial Day. Most European schools go into late June, so this is a little sweet spot. Also, Fall and Spring breaks can be excellent shoulder seasons. Winter travel to Europe can be magical with all of the Christmas markets. You have to be mindful of what type of trip you are planning. 

#2 Set a European Travel Budget

Ok, so maybe this should have been number one. But if I know I found some great flights, I can figure everything else out from there. If the total cost of the flights is too high, it’s a deal breaker. Airfare is where I like to save money. 

For many, determining a realistic budget is crucial for a successful first trip to Europe. Many people don’t know what to factor in transportation, accommodation, meals, and attractions. Researching your destination and creating a rough budget will help you make informed decisions throughout the planning process.

And it is possible to plan a  trip to Europe  on a budget! We find food and drink much cheaper than in the United States, and dining out is always a big part of our spending.

In my case, I don’t create an actual budget, but I know how much I think is reasonable to spend on that trip. Sometimes, that means splurging for high-end hotel accommodations in one area for the first part of the trip and using an Airbnb for the other half. This also allows us to explore two areas.  

For example, we are heading to Mexico for Spring break. While it’s not Europe, I took a similar mindset. The  Royalton Splash All-Inclusive Resort  we are staying at for the first few days of our week-long trip is over $700 per night. We want to do other things and explore the Riviera Maya. So, we are spending 3 nights there for $2200 and staying put, followed by 4 nights at a great  Airbnb in Playa del Carmen  for only $600 total to help offset the total cost.

#3 Choose the Right Accommodations 

So, let’s get back to Europe and step 3 in my European travel planning process! 

Here lies one topic that comes as a surprise to many first-time European travelers. In the United States and North America, double Queen hotel rooms that accommodate four are a dime a dozen and often have sleeper sofas, too. However, in Europe, most hotel rooms only sleep two guests. And these occupancy rules are very strict!  

Therefore, you must be open-minded when determining where you want to sleep in Europe.  

Before breaking down the types of accommodations, I want to reiterate my advice to stay in one city or two nearby cities for your first trip, especially if it’s a week or less. It’s easy to think you’ll spend 1-2 nights here and then move on to another town and so forth. You will end up with many travel days spent packing, unpacking, and waiting to check-in. It will feel rushed, and you’ll likely be exhausted and regret it. I do not recommend this for your first trip to  Europe with kids . Save that type of busy itinerary for future trips! 

However, splitting a stay between two areas in a large city or even between two nearby towns such as  Bruges  and  Brussels  is often a good idea. In fact, we almost always do this when our trip is 6+ days.

If you want to plan a trip to Europe for 2 weeks or more, by all means, travel to more places. We all know that airfare tends to be the most significant upfront expense. I just don’t want you to spread yourself too thin on your first short trip if you are planning a trip to Europe for 1 week or less! 

READ:  Airbnbs vs Hotels: Which one is better?

Family-Friendly Accommodations in Europe

So, back to finding a space that will actually fit your family. This is actually easier than it first seems!  

Looking back at our past international travels, we always book in one of three ways, split relatively evenly! We either book directly with hotels, rent an Airbnb, or use  Booking.com ,

Regardless of which site you use, you need to make sure you understand the city you are visiting. Walkability is the #1 most important factor for our family when traveling. So, we always ensure we are in the most ideal location.  

Hotels in Europe

As mentioned above, finding hotel rooms accommodating more than two people can be tricky and costly. We often end up booking 2 adjoining rooms when staying at hotels internationally.  

I always check my favorite hotel chains first, including  IHG  and Hyatt. If I find something perfect, I book directly on their website to use my loyalty benefits and use/earn points for my stay. However, this often doesn’t work out or is too costly. So, let’s move on! 

Airbnb and VRBO in Europe

As you know, I am an  Airbnb host  myself with several vacation rentals on  30A . We frequently stay at Airbnbs when traveling internationally, while less often here in the United States. Hotels are the better route for short domestic trips.

However, internationally, Airbnbs are a great option! Typically, they are less expensive than hotels and offer much more space to spread out. We appreciate this after a long day of travel.  Make sure to check both  Airbnb  and  VRBO !

It’s not unusual for me to find a great 3 bedroom, 2 bath option for $150-$300 per night total after all taxes and fees. Yesterday, while planning our summer trip, I booked 3 nights in Antibes, a small community in the south of France, for only $512 total. It’s in the heart of Old Town and walkable to everything, too! 

There always has to be a downside, though, right? I have noticed that international  Airbnbs  are not always up to the standards they are here. In the US, many are on par with hotels regarding cleanliness, amenities, and cozy beds. Internationally, they usually lack a bit. The expectations and standards are just different. So, read through all of the reviews before booking! 

Using Booking.com To Book Stays In Europe

But there is a third option, which I use frequently, and it’s a blend of the two above –  Booking.com ! 

I love using Booking.com when traveling in Europe. Their site has hotels, including smaller independent hotels, and many  short-term rental-style apartments . Booking.com is based in Amsterdam and is a popular and reputable way to book European accommodations. I have booked numerous stays through them, including that incredible  cave house in Santorini !  

For example, the  apartment we rented in Amsterdam  has the feel of an Airbnb and is similarly independently owned and managed by an individual. That owner simply uses the Booking.com platform.  

If a hotel isn’t part of a big chain where I value loyalty, I book through  Booking.com . They often have the best prices and usually very flexible cancellation policies.  

#4 Plan Your European Itinerary

Flights are booked. Accommodations are booked. Now what?

This is the fun part! You get to figure out what you will do while visiting  Europe . If you haven’t already done so, watch YouTube video travel guides to see what other people are doing in that city. They often share great tips and first-hand insight that will come in handy. We almost always have the kids watch, too. It’s fun when they have a say in the planning process. Abby is my sidekick Europe trip planner these days! 

You should craft a tentative itinerary of  things to do in Europe  that includes a mix of sightseeing and downtime. Be flexible, considering the needs and interests of every family member. Include iconic landmarks, museums, parks, and leisure activities suitable for all ages.

As soon as I start planning, I like to keep my ideas and plans organized in one place, usually a Google Doc dedicated to my Europe travel plans. I continually build on it, and I like accessing it on my phone as well as my computer. As we get closer, I organize it by days, adding links to activities I have prebooked and bulleted notes with other potential ideas.  

I only book things in advance that are 100% necessary, such as Anne Frank House tickets that sell out months in advance and  lift tickets for the Eiffel Tower . Sometimes museums sell out of specific entry time tickets, so take that into consideration. For example, when we  visited the Louvre in Paris , I booked in advance to get the first slot of the day. 

Don’t overschedule your trip or bite off more than you can chew. Europe is known for its quaint cafes and charming streets. Allow time to explore and let the day unfold naturally. You want a mix of downtime and activities. Be cognizant of the time you have. A 3-week Europe Itinerary and a 1-week Europe Itinerary are going to be very different. You can even consider getting a  CityPass !

Get Your Guide Tours and Activities in Europe 

One of my favorite ways to book activities in Europe, including tours, is through  Get Your Guide . Again, this is a top-rated European company and will be helpful for your Europe itinerary. We have used them for  canal cruises in Amsterdam , museum tickets in London,  Seine river cruises in Paris , and more! 

The  Get Your Guide  app is straightforward to use. Most activities have very flexible cancellation schedules. I use it for last-minute bookings fairly often. Last month, while in New Orleans, we had an open evening. I checked the Get Your Guide app to see what was available. I quickly found a  ghost tour , booked it, and we got started within an hour! 

One more perk is that the  Get Your Guide  website and app translate everything to English instead of individual websites where it may be in the local language. This allows me to make sure I have all of the important information and it’s outlined really well. You don’t need paper tickets either. They just scan your app when you arrive! 

#5 Book Transportation As Needed

Most of the hard work is done! We know where and when you’re going to  Europe , including where you will stay and what you will do. So, let’s tie up a few loose ends. 

Before your trip, familiarize yourself with local transportation options. Does this city have public transportation? Can you use Apple Pay, or do you need to buy a cash ticket? Are Ubers readily available? How will you get from the airport to your rental?

One of the most overwhelming moments when I arrive in a new city is when I am trying to exit the airport. I often can’t read the signage, and I am unsure where the Uber pickup is or if I need a taxi. In many places, there is a pain point for scams. You may encounter people trying to direct you to their taxi. So, research this in detail in advance and have a plan. 

Many rentals and hotels will offer you airport transportation for an extra fee that is generally very reasonable. Walking out of baggage claim and seeing a friendly face with your name on a sign is priceless!  

Using Apple Maps Transit Feature

This needs its own section because it is my favorite hack! I love to open Apple Maps and change the map to transit, as shown in my screenshots below. This allows you to see all of the public transportation routes! 

Furthermore, I often use the directions option (set to transit) before and during a trip. Apple Maps does such an excellent job with precise directions here. It usually will also tell you how to pay.  

The example below shows how to get from London Heathrow to the  Hotel Indigo Kensington , where Abby and I stayed in June. It gives us exact directions, including stops in between and time spent walking, and tells me that I can use Apple Pay! The public transportation in  London  is VERY EASY to use!

#6 Familiarize Yourself with Local Customs

Unless you booked a last-minute trip to Europe, you probably have some waiting to do now. In the days and weeks leading up to your trip, take some time to research the customs and etiquette of the countries you’ll be visiting. 

Teaching your family about local customs enhances the travel experience and fosters respect for different cultures. Research the traditional foods that the city is known for, too! You can even visit your local grocery store and look for the section for that country. Grab some snacks!

It’s also important to understand the tipping culture. Generally, you don’t need to tip as you do in the US. Most of the time, you leave the change or round up the bill. Some upscale establishments may have a service charge, usually 10% or well less. PS: In most European countries, you must ask for the bill when ready to pay! 

READ:  Finding a Local Photographer When Traveling

#7 Packing Smart For Your Trip To Europe

We made it to the end, and now it’s time for your trip! And I have one more bombshell to drop. 

Luggage: Carry On Bags 

Our family only uses  carryon bags  when traveling. I don’t know the last time we checked a bag except for when I had to gate-check due to space. I like having my stuff with me at all times. If you stay in vacation rental-style apartments, most have laundry. Sometimes, I do one load in the middle of the trip. 

Using carry-ons gives you so much more mobility! It allows you to utilize public transportation and navigate tight (sometimes cobblestone) streets. In the photo below, you can see Matt and the kids standing outside the  Hotel Indigo Brussels . This is what we use. Each person has a  Calpak carryon  and a personal item.  

Luggage: Your Personal Item 

An under-seater or weekender bag makes great personal items and stores a lot! Don’t miss this opportunity for space by simply carrying a big purse full of items you don’t need. 

My personal item is always my black backpack, where I keep my tech and our  travel wallet  with our passports/travel documents. Abby and I also use cross-body bags. These can easily be put into your personal item when you board, ensuring you don’t exceed the limit. They are a great way to keep your phone and cards/cash safe. The  Lululemon Belt bag  is a great option, or you can choose from many great  cross bodies on Amazon !  

For Matt’s personal item, we have this  Weekender Bag from Target . It opens up wide and is large. We often put all of the toiletries in there. That way, we only have to unpack one bag while going through security. 

We use a lightweight  Fjallraven backpack  as Jake’s personal item and then use it daily on the trip. 

Related List: Shop My Travel Favorites

How To Pack For Europe

Resist the urge to overpack! Remember that you are visiting a city. You can buy toiletries, food/drink, and most other things there!

Pack efficiently by considering the needs of each family member. Include essentials such as travel documents, medications, snacks, and entertainment for the kids. Check the weather forecast for your destination to pack appropriate clothing.

Make sure to check out my  Must Have Europe Travel Essentials  blog post for a list of what you need. This includes the necessary European plus and electrical converters. 

Use Packing Cubes

I highly recommend you use packing cubes. Each member of our family has a different color of  these packing cubes . I roll our clothes when I pack. Here is an  Instagram reel  showing how I do it! 

As I mentioned above, we often switch accommodations halfway through our stay. At this point, I combine the cubes of clean clothes into two or three of our carryons and put our laundry bag of dirty clothes into another suitcase.

Usually, by the end of the trip, half of our suitcases are filled with one large bag of dirty clothes! Grab these  travel laundry bags ! 

Ordering Currency For Your Trip To Europe

There is one final thing I like to do before our trip. I always order currency from Bank of America. I am not 100% sure how other banks do it, but we get a good exchange rate, and it’s delivered right to my door. Most places take credit cards, so make sure to use a card without foreign transaction fees like the  Capital One Venture X .  

You can always use an ATM at your destination, but it will incur a moderate fee. Best practices are generally used to avoid currency exchange places, especially at the airport! 

Now YOU Know How To Plan A Trip To Europe For Your Family 

We did it! We planned a trip to Europe! And it wasn’t that overwhelming, right? For me, the key is booking flights. Everything else falls into place for me after that. 

If you have a dream of traveling to  Europe  with your family, I want it to happen for you! 

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to plan an unforgettable family trip to Europe. And I am confident you will be ready to plan the next one shortly after you get home.  

That’s how it goes! The first trip always feels monumental. However, once you cross the pond and realize how easy and enjoyable a trip to Europe can be, you’ll want to explore as many countries as possible! 

Once you get the first one under your belt, the next one is easy! And you can take a few more risks with your itinerary. 

So, let’s go!  

If you have any questions or additional tips that you’d like to share, feel free to leave a comment on this blog post! 

Follow Along On Our Europe Travels

I can’t wait to share our Summer 2024 Europe trip with you! I am still working out our travel itinerary for this European vacation, but we are heading to the French Riviera and Italian Riviera, including  Cinque Terre ! We are using train travel in Italy and France for most of it. It’s our first time in Italy, too! 

Also, if you want to follow along on our next trip to Europe, hop over to Instagram and give  @ourlittlelifestyleblog  a follow. All of our past trips to European destinations, including travel tips, are saved in my story highlights there, including our  4 Days in Paris ,  Athens travel guide , canal tours in  Bruges  and Amsterdam, and more! 

Click here to browse the European Travel section of my blog!

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Based on post-pandemic tourism data compiled by Italy’s tourist board , planning vacations to the the beloved Mediterranean country has never been more popular. While cities like Rome and Venice will always remain bucket list destinations, what should you do if you’re a solo female traveler looking for an Italian city that’s less crowded, safe, and just as beguiling?

Consider Milan. Italy's second-largest city has long been dismissed as the country’s design and fashion capital, but in reality, there’s far more to Milan’s appeal than Salone del Mobile and Miuccia Prada. From historic attractions to fantastic food, the city is an underrated gem. Plus, getting around is a breeze thanks to inexpensive public transportation, including Milano Centrale—which has several hundred domestic trains departing daily so you can explore even more of Italy.

Here, a handy guide on how to plan a safe and unforgettable solo female trip to Milan.

Where to Stay

Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife pays homage to the church it occupies, 1934's Chiesa del Cristo ... [+] Re.

Anchored by three architectural masterpieces from Zaha Hadid Architects, Daniel Libeskind, and Arata Isozaki, CityLife is a mixed-use development that’s home to stylish shops, enticing restaurants, and as of 2022, one of Milan’s buzziest new hotels, Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife . Spread across two structures including Chiesa del Cristo Re, a 1934 neoclassical-style church, the 185-key hotel offers a stay that’s removed enough from Milan’s city center to ensure peace and quiet, but close enough to access by foot.

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Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife's exterior lounge and reception area

The gleaming all-white structure’s original facade, arches, and soaring columns were carefully restored to nod to Chiesa del Cristo Re’s previous life. The design ethos flows indoors to the main lobby, where seven-meter-high bronze elements resembling organ pipes make the mundane act of checking in a grand one.

Religion, however, isn’t the only source of inspiration for Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife. The city’s fashion legacy is woven into the property’s signature restaurant and lounge Tailors. Lovely for an aperitivo—which in true Italian style arrive with salty nibbles like Taralli and potato chips—a sophisticated dinner of housemade duck ragu paccheri drizzled with Vacche Rosse Parmigiano Reggiano bechamel, or the daily breakfast spread, Tailors celebrates craftsmanship in the kitchen. When the sun’s out, zip up to the roof, where one of only two hotel rooftop pools in Milan and chic al fresco bar await.

NH Collection Milano Citylife has ten duplex suites outfitted with private terraces and hot tubs.

Though the guest rooms skew snug (as do many European hotels), they’re smartly laid out. On top of that: the low-slung beds are dreamy; the branded NH bathroom amenities incorporate sustainable packaging and formulas; and the ceiling-to-floor windows bathe the space in natural light for a more open feel. In the mood to splurge? Then reserve one of the hotel’s ten duplex suites . Cloaked in calming earth tones, they sport one-of-a-kind configurations and come with private terraces and hot tubs.

Federico Vaccari leads personalized tours of his hometown Milan in a beautiful restored vintage ... [+] Fiat 500.

If you’ve been to Milan before, and want to discover a lesser-known side of the city, book a private tour with Federico Vaccari . Over the course of three hours, Vaccari will scoot you around in a beautiful restored vintage Fiat 500 and reveal spots travelers rarely get to see, like Via Abramo Lincoln’s candy-colored houses. Since the car can only carry two passengers, it’s especially well-suited for solo female travelers.

For first-timers: no visit would be complete without seeing the Duomo, Milan's most famous cathedral, and enjoying expansive city views from the rooftop. Teatro alla Scala and Santa Maria delle Grazie, home of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous Last Supper painting, are other cultural landmarks worth scoping out. For retail therapy, head to Milan’s legendary fashion district Milan's Quadrilatero and Via della Spiga. Reserved for pedestrians, this glamorous strip showcases Italy’s biggest fashion houses such as Prada and Moschino. (Bring your passport to enjoy tax-free shopping.)

Where to Eat

A traditional Puglian snack of fried dough stuffed with cheese and tomatoes, Panzerotti is one of ... [+] Milan's most popular street snacks.

Despite being frequently overshadowed by Naples, Rome, and Bologna, Milan is a worthy dining destination in its own right. As of 2023, it’s home to 17 Michelin-starred restaurants like Rome, which run the gamut from Enrico Bartolini ’s innovating tasting menus to IYO , where modern Japanese fare with European flourishes take center stage.

Bice remains a city stalwart for classic Tuscan fare (Ossobuco alla Milanese, Ribollita) and Federico Delrosso’s timeless design, while Peck has attracted discriminating palates since 1883 with an extensive (and immaculately presented) selection of gourmet meats, prepared foods, cheese, sweets, and wines. Ciacco turns out high-quality, small-batch gelato in classic and experimental flavors like the Robiola-infused “Almost Cheesecake.” For a quick bite to go, Panzo has you covered with made-to-order panzerotti, a traditional Puglian snack of fried dough stuffed with melty cheese and tomatoes.

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Announcing the Hot List Winners of 2024

By CNT Editors

It’s inevitable: Every spring when we pull together the Hot List , our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants , and cruise ships , a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of traveling the globe—to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech, or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage—it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali. We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List hotel winners for 2024.

Click here to see the entire Hot List for 2024 .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

North Island Okavango

Angama Amboseli

Jannah Lamu

Farasha Farmhouse , Marrakech

Kozo Kigali

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island — Seychelles

SOUTH AFRICA

Nikkei Cape Town

Molori Mashuma , Mana Pools National Park

Pemako Punakha

Regent Hong Kong

Mementos by ITC Hotels, Ekaaya Udaipur

Naar , Darwa

Papa's , Mumbai

Cap Karoso , Sumba

Further , Bali

Locavore NXT Bali

Le Pristine Tokyo

The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza

Trunk(Hotel) Yoyogi Park , Tokyo

Shinta Mani Mustang - A Bensley Collection , Jomsom

SOUTH KOREA

JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa

Pot Au Phở , Ho Chi Minh

Le Foote , Sydney

Southern Ocean Lodge , Kangaroo Island

Sun Ranch , Byron Bay

MIDDLE EAST

Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain

SAUDI ARABIA

Six Senses Southern Dunes , Umluj

The St. Regis Riyadh

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The Guild , Dubai

SIRO One Za'abeel, Dubai

Soul Kitchen , Dubai

The Lana, Dorchester Collection , Dubai

Koan , Copenhagen

Hotel Maria , Helsinki

1 Place Vendôme , Paris

The Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel , Cannes

Datil , Paris

Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin , Paris

La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin , Cognac

Rosewood Munich

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

Monument , Athens

One&Only Aesthesis , Athens

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll

Bulgari Hotel Roma , Rome

Trattoria del Ciumbia , Milan

Hotel La Palma , Capri

La Roqqa , Porto Ercole

Nolinski Venezia , Venice

Palazzo Roma , Rome

Saporium , Florence

Hotel Violino d’Oro , Venice

Mamula Island

NETHERLANDS

De Durgerdam , Amsterdam

Canalha , Lisbon

Andreu Genestra , Mallorca

Barro , Ávila

César Lanzarote , Lanzarote

Hotel Corazón , Mallorca

Grand Hotel Son Net , Mallorca

Palacio Arriluce , Getxo

Son Vell Menorca , Menorca

The Peninsula Istanbul

UNITED KINGDOM

Broadwick Soho , London

Chishuru , London

The Devonshire , London

Chelsea Townhouse, London

Estelle Manor , Cotswolds

Fish Shop , Ballater

Raffles London at The OWO

Colima 71 , Mexico City

Maizajo Mexico City

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel , Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya EDITION

The St. Regis Kanai Resort , Riviera Maya

SOUTH AMERICA

Casa Lucía , Buenos Aires

Trescha , Buenos Aires

Oseille , Rio de Janiero

99 Restaurante, Santiago

Our Habitas Atacama , San Pedro de Atacama

Puqio , Arequipa

THE CARIBBEAN

Silversands Beach House

UNITED STATES

The Celestine , New Orleans

Dawn Ranch , Sonoma, California

The Fifth Avenue Hotel , New York

Fontainebleau Las Vegas

The Georgian , Santa Monica, California

The Global Ambassador , Phoenix

Hotel Bardo, Savannah

Ilis , New York

Kiln , San Francisco

Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort , Kona, Hawaii

Maty's , Miami

Warren Street Hotel , New York

Yess , Los Angeles

World Voyager, Atlas Ocean Voyages

CRUISE SHIPS

Silver Nova , Silversea

Norwegian Viva

Seven Seas Grandeur , Regent Seven Seas Grandeur

Oceania Vista

World Voyager , Atlas Ocean Voyages

Scenic Eclipse II

Emerald Sakara

Celebrity Ascent

Seabourn Pursuit

Icon of the Seas , Royal Caribbean

MSC Euribia

Viking Aton

Resilient Lady , Virgin Voyages

This story appears in Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List issue. Never miss an issue when you subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler.

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You can still find affordable flights to Europe this summer

Airfare prices to amsterdam, brussels, prague and reykjavik are way down from last year.

Christina Saull and her husband have waited five years to take a 10-day cruise through the Norwegian fjords. The first time they planned the trip, it was postponed for a medical emergency. The second time, there was a family wedding. Now, finally, they were getting ready to go in July.

Only they needed plane tickets.

“It’s interesting to see how expensive fares have been and how they’ve fluctuated,” said Saull, a public relations executive who lives in Alexandria, Va.

The couple watched prices go from as little as $900 round trip to as much as $2,500 for flights from Washington to Edinburgh, Scotland, and back from Copenhagen . They finally settled on premium economy seats for $2,000 each on Delta Air Lines and its partner Air France.

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable for summer Europe travel,” Saull said of what they paid.

Not unreasonable is a good way to describe transatlantic air travel this summer. Even with strong travel demand, tickets are cheaper on average than they were last year.

“Airfare to Europe is less expensive than last year by 10 percent,” said Hayley Berg, the lead economist at flight-booking app Hopper . The average round trip ticket before any extra fees costs $882, according to the data.

The highest fares are in June, July and August, Berg added. Traveling in shoulder months — for example, September and October — could save travelers as much as 30 percent.

Schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium Diio shows airlines will offer 8 percent more seats on U.S.-Europe routes from May through September than last year.

Philadelphia is gaining new nonstops to Copenhagen, Naples , and Nice, France, on American Airlines. Phoenix gets its first nonstop to Paris on Air France. Washington, a new flight to Zurich on Swiss International Air Lines. And many other routes additional flights or options on larger planes.

“In the transatlantic, we are looking forward to another strong summer,” said Glen Hauenstein, president of Delta Air Lines, referring to bookings earlier in April. He added the airline sees “healthy demand” for seats to Europe.

Paris has flight deals, but hotels are pricey

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics are a bump in the finely tuned machine that is summer air travel to Europe. The Games run from July 26 through Aug. 11, and the French capital is expected to host some 15 million visitors during the event and the following Paralympic Games. Last summer, the city saw more than 6.2 million visitors in July and August.

“Paris will be like an Olympic village in July and August,” said Christine Ourmières-Widener, CEO of the French airline French Bee . All those visitors still need a way to get to the city. French Bee , which caters to leisure travelers like those going to the Games, has added flights from Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco to meet the demand.

Flight deals to Paris can still be found. Booking website Expedia recommends travelers buy tickets at least 21 days before their trip and, for international travel, look at departing on a Monday to find the best airfares.

Finding an affordable hotel in Paris during the Games is another matter. Expedia said it has seen a “massive surge” in searches for accommodations there this summer and recommends travelers look at nearby cities for more reasonably priced options.

Consider Nice, Prague and Reykjavik

Finn Vigeland, a transit planner who lives in Washington, was “quite surprised” last month when he found a good deal on flights to Nice, France, in July.

Prices on American Airlines’ new nonstop to Nice from Philadelphia were only $700 to $800 round trip, he said. That was affordable enough to make a trip to France with friends possible, and he booked the flight (with points, not cash).

Average fares to Nice from the United States are down a quarter to $907 compared to last summer, Hopper’s data shows. The city also has the distinction of being one of the few European destinations with lower airfares this summer than in 2019, 11 percent lower to be exact. That drop is, in part, thanks to a plethora of new flights on American, Delta, and United.

Amsterdam, Brussels, Prague , and Reykjavik , Iceland, are other European cities where ticket prices from the United States are down more than 20 percent from last year, according to Hopper.

Airfares are not down double-digits in all markets though. Fares to cities like Berlin and Glasgow, Scotland, are on par with last year.

Traveler after traveler said they felt like they could find reasonably priced plane tickets for trips between the United States and Europe this summer. Those who said they could not often lacked flexibility to adjust their trips to when and where fares are the cheapest.

“I felt like this was doable. It made sense,” Alexander Giess said of his plan to take his 10-year-old daughter on a three-week trip to France this summer.

After a lengthy search, in March the marketing executive paid about $1,000 each for two round-trip tickets to Nice from San Francisco on his preferred airline, Delta.

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights .

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.

Man shocked by $143,000 phone bill from overseas trip

(Gray News) - When it comes to your phone plan, it helps to read the fine print. A Florida man learned that the hard way after he incurred a fortune in roaming charges during a trip to Europe.

Rene Remund told WFTS he was charged $143,269 for using 9.5 gigabytes of roaming data during a three-week trip to Switzerland.

He said he’s been a T-Mobile customer for more than 30 years and said he had been assured beforehand at a T-Mobile store that he would be “covered” while overseas.

At first, Remund said his eyes deceived him, as he thought the bill was for $143.

He said he got in touch with a representative, who assured him the bill was correct. At that point, he turned to legal help.

T-Mobile ended up crediting him for the account.

The Federal Communications Commission encourages people to know the details of their cellular plan coverage before they go on international trips, including whether your mobile phone will work there, what the roaming rates are and how to track your usage.

T-Mobile similarly encouraged its customers to check the details of their plans before setting out, as some older plans don’t include international roaming.

“If you’re not on a Go5G, Magenta, ONE Plan, Essentials, or a Simple Choice plan and you’ll be traveling outside the U.S., you can add World Class International Roaming to each line,” T-Mobile said on its webpage devoted to explaining its international roaming services . Customers can do this by managing their plan .

Other options include blocking international data and having a prepaid plan while overseas.

Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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