How To Plan The Ultimate Trip to Europe + Step by Step Planning Guide
Wondering how to plan a trip to Europe? You’ve come to the right place.
Europe has become my favorite part of the world to explore over the past few years.
From the incredible food, stunning cities, and villages that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a scene from Beauty and the Beast- visiting Europe needs to be on your bucket list!
In this post, we’ll cover some commonly asked Europe travel questions and helpful tips so you can make the most of your time abroad.
After that, follow my step by step guide to plan your trip and create your perfect itinerary in just a few steps.
Let’s get into it!
How far out should I plan a trip to Europe?
When planning an international trip, it’s best to book flights and accommodations as early as possible, ideally 4-6 months in advance. Even up to a year in advance can be beneficial.
Booking this far ahead of time will guarantee you the best pricing, and give you more time to plan out your itinerary with all the amazing things there are to do in Europe.
This is also true if you plan to visit multiple countries on your trip to Europe, as you may need to book other modes of transportation such as a rental car, train or bus tickets ahead of time.
How do I choose where to travel in Europe?
Europe is made up of over 40 counties, and deciding which destination(s) to visit can feel like a daunting task- especially if you’re a travel bug like me!
Here’s a few things to consider when choosing your destination:
# of days: Planning out 3 days in one country is very different than planning out a 3 week trek through Europe, covering multiple countries.
With 3 days, you can easily explore a city like Paris and be totally fine getting around on foot, or a train ride.
By contrast, if you plan to drive around Germany in rental car, you’ll need to map out where you plan to stop, where you plan to stay (one or multiple locations), what food option are available along your route, etc.
As you can see, the length of your trip can really determine the amount of preparation you may need to do ahead of time.
Your ideal experience: Are the beaches calling your name? Would you prefer to be in a large city, or in a smaller mountainside town?
Do you like to visit a place with lots of things to see and do, or prefer a rural environment that’s more peaceful and quiet?
These are all things to think about when picking which country in Europe you want to visit, and will vary depending on the time of year.
Here are my recommendations for a few different types of European vacations:
Stunning Cities in Europe to explore:
- Paris, France
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- London, England
- Rome, Italy
- Barcelona, Spain
Beautiful Beaches
- Amalfi Coast, Italy
- Santorini, Greece
- Algarve, Portugal
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
Quaint smaller cities
- Heidelberg Germany
- Strasburg, France
- Florence, Italy
- Valencia, Spain
For the mountain escape
- Innsbruck, Austria.
- Lucerne, Switzerland.
- Bled, Slovenia.
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Italian Alps)
On ground transportation and travel times: Since it’s easy to get from one country to the next in Europe, it can be very tempting to pack in as many places as you can.
But something you need to remember is the experience you want to have on your trip. Are you okay with packing in multiple countries and dealing with plane/train travel several times on your trip?
Or would you rather stick to one place, spend all your time really soaking in the culture, and taking your time exploring?
There is no right or wrong way here, just your personal preference and travel style.
For more ideas on where to visit in Europe check out these posts:
The Best Things to Do In Amsterdam In 3 Days
How to Visit Reykjadalur Hot Spring in South Iceland
What month is best to travel to Europe?
The best time to visit Europe is late March-Early June, and September-November. By traveling during these months, you’ll avoid the crowds that flood to Europe in the Summer months.
That being said, some of these months will not lend itself to the best weather depending on where you are going to in Europe. But if you don’t mind chillier weather, or some rain, you’ll be just fine.
How many days is enough for a Trip to Europe?
This will really depend on what experience you are looking to have when you plan your trip to Europe.
On average, 4-7 days is enough to explore a country. If you have the time, 2-3 weeks is also a perfect time frame to take it slow in one country, or make your way around several countries in Europe.
That being said, 3 days for a quick city trip, like to Paris or London is possible too! It really depends on your travel style and timeline for your trip.
How easy is it to travel between countries in Europe?
It is relatively easy to travel between countries in Europe, with a variety of options and costs available.
The average cost for a plane ticket within Europe is around €50-200, depending on the distance traveled and airline chosen.
Train tickets can range from €20-50, again depending on the distance traveled. The train system in Europe is amazing, and makes for the best way to get around Europe for the first time.
What is the best way to travel around Europe for the first time?
Both traveling by train and driving by renting a car are great ways to make your way around Europe.
The train system in Europe is easy to navigate in most places. Typically you’ll find multiple language options on the ticket machines, and throughout the train terminal to help you navigate to your destination.
Renting a car is also a great option to explore Europe, as you will have more flexibility in where you can go, and the times of day (or night) you can travel.
Driving in Europe can feel intimidating, but most countries (with the exception of those that drive on the left) are an easy adjustment, especially after one or two days.
A few things that may catch you off guard when driving in Europe:
No turn on red– this is illegal across Europe, unless otherwise marked by a sign or a signal.
Passing– Expect cars to pass you, especially on one lane open roads. We experienced this for the first time in Iceland. Cars would switch to the opposite of the road and speed up to pass.
Having a car pass you on a one lane road can be alarming if you’re not aware that this is a regular occurrence.
By the end of our trip, I was passing other cars just like the locals!
Lane marking and signs– You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the lane markings on the road to know when it’s ok to pass.
Is it better to use cash or credit cards in Europe?
Cash or card preference will vary depending on the country you visit. For example, in Amsterdam you can get by just fine with a credit card.
Certain places in Iceland , like gas stations, require you to enter a pin code, so having a debit card or credit card with a pin number is necessary.
But you’ll find that in Italy and Greece, cash is more widely used. In places such as Paris, I’ve read that taxi drivers only take cash.
No matter where you travel in Europe it’s always a good idea to carry some currency (about 50-100 euros/day) on you to cover tips, purchases from smaller vendors, and surprise cash-only options.
How to Plan Your Trip to Europe : Step by Step Guide
Now that we’ve covered all the common questions about how to plan a trip to Europe, here’s a step by step guide to help your trip come together.
Step One: Dates and Destination
Planning a quick weekend trip to Paris will be different than planning a 3 week trip across multiple countries.
Start your trip planning by deciding the number of days, and pick your destination from there. If you only have 3 or 4 days, one big city like Paris or Rome will do.
If you have a few weeks to work with, a multi- country trip like Vienna, Austria, and Budapest would be amazing.
Off season travel is my personal favorite in Europe, as you’ll find lower prices and fewer crowds.
Step Two: Start looking at flights & transportation
Start looking at flights as early as you can. More often than not, I actually start with this step and base where I travel on the best flight price.
I love Google Flights, as you can look up a specific location and track prices, or use their “explore” page, and search for the best prices for flights anywhere in the world.
Aside from your flight, this is also a good time to look at any on ground transportation during your trip like trains, ferries, buses, and rental cars.
Step Three: Create your itinerary
We’ve made it to the most exciting part- what you’re going to go/see/eat/explore when you get there!
There are a few things to keep in mind when planning out each day along your trip.
First, It’s easy to want to pack in everything, especially if you’re visiting a new place. And if a quick pace is your travel style-go for it.
But if you’d prefer a more relaxed pace, I’d recommend you only have one or two main experiences to do each day, no matter if it’s a specific restaurant you want to try or an attraction that you want to see.
Personally, I don’t mind a quick pace during my travels. However, I do always leave room for wandering about, which usually leads to discovering a hidden gem, or a quaint café with the best food.
When you leaving time to explore on your trip, vs. a jammed packed itinerary, you’ll leave space to stumble upon more locally loved places, and memorable travel experiences.
Step Four: Book your accommodation
This step could technically be done before you plan you itinerary, depending on how important your accommodations are to you.
For example, if you are dying to stay at one specific hotel- then you’ll want to plan around that location.
If you’re flexible on where you stay, this can work to your advantage. Typically, accommodations a bit outside of the city center/main attractions are lower in price.
But, even if you are saving the accommodation, that may equate to spending more time and money on traveling to all the places you want to see, so time wise it could be a disadvantage.
Unless I am looking a specific experience, I usually book a centrally located hotel that’s walking distance to the main attractions that I want to see in order to maximize my time away.
Step 5: Packing list
Packing lists are a huge time saver when you plan a trip and ensure you don’t forget any essential items.
Beyond that, you’ll feel more organized and in control of your trip and enjoy peace of mind knowing that all important items are packed and ready to go.
And if you need a place to start, steal my packing list! Use it for your next trip!
Step 6: Check your documents
Before you leave for your trip, you want to make sure your passport has enough pages and room to be stamped. Also you want to check that it does not expire within 6 months of your travel date.
If these two things are not up to date when you arrive at an international airport, you will not be allowed to board the plane.
Definitely something you don’t want to happen! Also, depending on where you visit, you may need an additional entry visa or other documentation to enter the country.
Important Update: Coming in 2024, you’ll need to complete the ETIAS form, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. The fee is currently listed at 7 euros a person, and must be completed online before your trip.
More information about the ETIAS can be found here, along with official launch updates.
There you have it! Now you’ll be fully prepared to plan your trip to Europe!
Where would you love to visit?
