Before you can encounter authentic Spanish tapas, rooftop terraces in Prague, pizzas in Rome, a vital to-do list comes in between you and your European vacation. The logistics involved while planning a trip to Europe may seem overwhelming or tedious, but the better prepared you are, the greater will be the chances for a successful Europe trip that meets your expectations. That is why it is significant to do a bang-up job creating an itinerary, arranging the transportation, and handling the brass tacks before you move to the place. Here is a guide that will offer you travel tips for Europe to make your journey a memorable one.
Whether you are a budget traveler, a solo traveler, or traveling with your friends, these travel tips for Europe will help you make the most of this memorable experience. So, let us get started!
Essential Travel Tips for Europe
Important Things to do in Europe
If you are planning a trip to Europe, go ahead. It is one of the beautiful capital cities. There is no denying that each city in Europe has a lot of things to offer. After all, there is a reason why cities like Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Madrid are always on the list of top places to visit in Europe. Each one has a unique style and atmosphere. There is always something to do and find in a major city, beyond the apparent tourist attractions.
With that in mind, understand that this popularity comes with a double edge. Traveling to Europe should be about the capitals. Some of the European cities are regarded as overrated, including the extremely famous Paris and London. They received correspondingly 20 and 16.1 million international tourists in 2017.
The issue is that we have created such a hype around these places that it is at times difficult to feel let down when discovering the city. It is not like they are not attractive, but we simply have too many expectations that they cannot quantify with. Then again, you could always choose capital cities in less-traveled places, like Estonia or Finland. You must also check out what to do in Helsinki or where to eat in Tallinn. The bottom line is the major European cities are worth the diversion for everything they must provide, but they should not be always your go-to destination.
Take a cab.
No, not even from the airport. Most of the major European cities have consistent public transportation, so use it as soon as you reach there. It will not only give you a good feel of the area, but you will also be able to save your money by avoiding cab fares. And if there is a choice to walk, and you are able, do not miss a chance to experience the beauty of the historic streets.
Purchasing Tickets Late
Waiting to get museums or famous sight tickets when you are there is a bad idea. Scrambling last-minute- mainly in Rome or Paris- with either leave you in a dreadfully long line or worse, the place will reach capacity and you may not even be able to enter. Do a favor to yourself and book all that you want to see in advance.
Make sure you travel in the offseason
One of the important travel tips for Europe that you should keep in mind is always traveling in the offseason. While you might dream of sunbathing upon the Mediterranean beaches during summer, so does the rest of parts of Europe, which results in overcrowded beaches and long queues at different tourist places.
Traveling during the off-season is one of the best ways to avoid the crowds and save a lot of money on accommodations, train tickets, airfare, and tours. Many main tourist attractions are opened for the entire year, just make sure you check closing times as some might have short visiting hours during the off-peak travel season.
Choose budget airlines
While you plan a trip to Europe, always choose budget airlines. With over a dozen budget airline carriers throughout Europe, you can fly to anywhere on the continent for an affordable price when you book your tickets with a budget airline. Airfare will often be much cheaper compared to train tickets, but the least costly seats tend to sell out fast.
While you might be getting a bargain on airfare, ensure to check for extra taxes and fees which are not usually included in the advertisement rate. Also, avoid sizeable baggage charges by researching every airline’s rules on the size of the luggage and hand baggage. Packing light will help you to avoid baggage charges and allow you ease through the airport.
Bring a suitcase which is easy to carry
Traversing the train station, walking on the cobblestone streets, carrying luggage up numerous flights of stairs at your hotel, or adding extra baggage charges, packing a light in a suitcase that is easy to carry is a must! You would not need as much as you think, and laundromats are available throughout Europe if you want to do laundry during your trip.
Stay in one place for a long time
Staying in one place for a longer time can help you to experience the neighborhood or city like a pro. Being friends with locals, finding local eateries, and venturing off the beaten path, can make for exhilarating travel stories and often the most memorable experiences.
Do not use credit cards everywhere
While it seems that everywhere credit cards are being accepted, it is not uncommon for areas in Europe to just accept cash. Having euros with you to pay for taxi rides, tips, any purchases at local shops, and restaurants will make your transaction smoother and will also help you to save money on the overseas transaction charges.
Before your trip, ask for foreign currency from your bank or you can even visit an ATM at the airport at the time of arrival. Airport ATM’s do not have the best rate of exchange, but it is better than finding yourself stuck without any money or searching for an ATM while you are tired. Moreover, be sure to notify your bank and credit card company before you start traveling so that your accounts do not get frozen.
Ordering Bread and Water
One of the significant travel tips for Europe is to know the foods that are served in the restaurants. You possibly think these things are served, but there are many restaurants where these things are not free and can quickly raise your bill. Unless you are sure you want it, make it a point to refuse that breadbasket when you sit down. To steer clear dehydration effectively, have a jug of water for a fraction of the cost at a convenience store, fill the water bottle, keep it with you.
Read books about your places.
Once you decide the best place to visit in Europe, find books to read about those places. We do not mean guidebooks, though those too are great. Prefer books that are both nonfiction and fiction, that narrate a story set in Europe. It can make your trip so meaningful when you have some connections.
This is the list of things that you need to do in Europe. Next time, when you plan a Europe trip, make sure to go through these tips.