Your Essential Guide to Europe

August 4, 2016 by California Globetrotter 64 Comments

When is the best time to come to Europe?

How far in advance should I book my ticket?

Is it better to travel by rail or car?

Should I tip? How much do I tip?

Before I uprooted my entire life to move to Europe, I wanted to come as often as possible and there were some of the questions I asked myself whenever I did attempt to come over. But I didn’t have the money or the travel skills that I have now. After living in Europe for 4 years already (how did that happen) and counting, I’ve learned a lot and I certainly made my fair share of mistakes along the way and I’m here now to share with you what I know now that I wish I had known then!

Picking Your Destinations and Making an Itinerary

Hallstatt, Austria

Before you can do anything, you need to know WHERE you want to go and WHAT you want to see. There is so much to see and do here and while Europe is not even half the size of the United States and it is easy to drive from one end to the other, it’s best to pick where you want to start.

Try not to get too overwhelmed with the endless possibilities.

Do you want to hit up just the capitals of each country? Do you want to pick one country and see as much as possible? Do you want to explore one area in particular?

My recommendation is to go grab yourself a nice big map of Europe, either to pin on your wall or spread out on a table so you can visually picture all of your locations. The goal here is to form a clear and efficient route.

Booking Your Flights

Before you go and start booking hotels and whatnot, it’s first important to start keeping an eye on flights. Try to be flexible and don’t settle with specific dates without some breathing room.

When searching for flights, always click the +/- a few days button to give yourself breathing room as sometimes cheaper days might be the day before or after your initial vacation dates.

If you’re keeping an eye on flights on various airlines, I highly suggest you to clear out your cookies as airline websites remember your search and are likely to increase the price because they know you’re looking. Set up alerts when flights drop so not to miss a good deal!

Like the US, all airlines have a main hub that they fly in and out of which generally offer cheaper flights. Lufthansa → Frankfurt, British Airways → London, Air France → Paris.

If you’re looking to hit up multiple cities on your holiday, consider a multi-city flight. This also often helps to lower airline fees. Or consider flying to Europe on a larger commercial airline and once in Europe catch a low-cost airline flight with RyanAir, EuroWings (operated by Lufthansa),  WOW air or easyJet to hop around within Europe.

Consider looking for flights via flight search engines such as Skyscanner.com, Kayak.com or Opodo.de.

Try to fly out mid-week as it’s usually cheaper!

Consider flying with other airlines such as Icelandair, AirBerlin, AirFrance compared to larger airlines such as Lufthansa or British Airways, preferably with a layover where you can stop and spend a few hours or a day. Definitely check out Iceland’s layover deal!

When Should I Go To Europe?

Krka National Park, Croatia

As most companies in America generally don’t allow more than 1-2 weeks off a year, I suggest coming for as long as possible. Personally, one week is not worth coming all this way when you loose 2 days flying and then dealing with jet lag the first couple of days of your trip. I suggest coming for at least 12 days if not more (if you’re lucky!)

Now, you need to decide whether or not you want to come during the summer when it’s likely to more MORE CROWDED but the weather is generally its best or do you want to come in the winter when its cold but LESS CROWDED.

Personally, I suggest coming either during the fall from September-October, during the winter when the Christmas markets are open or late spring from the end of April-end of June before peak season.

Europe is much cheaper and less crowded during these times

Be sure to consider whether or not you’re interested in attending some of Europe’s best festivals! Are you interested in Oktoberfest in Munich? Flower Carpet Festival in Brussels? Notting Hill Carnival in London?

Helpful tip: Google your top destination’s school semester schedule. You don’t want to be going on holiday the same time all of Germany or all of France is. Make for terrible traffic and long lines as Europeans head south.

Booking Your Hotel

Cinque Terre, Italy

First rule to booking a hotel is to never EVER book a room at a hotel near the airport as it will generally cost you a pretty penny!

Second rule: do try to steer clear of chain hotels like the Hilton or Marriott and stay with local hotels. They have so much more character than those big name brand hotels.

I highly recommend using Booking.com to find all of your hotels around Europe! It’s the one website I trust the most, most of the hotels offer free cancellation up to a few days prior to arrival. The website allows you to choose a hotel based on ratings, location, distance from city center and more. **Join their booking.genius travel rewards program and save 10% on hotel bookings as well as freebies and perks such as free airport shuttles!

Find hotels which include a kitchenette so that you can save some extra money by cooking at “home”. It’s also a great way to experience the country by perusing their local supermarkets!

It’s also worth booking an apartment instead of a typical hotel room. Especially if you have a group of people it becomes more affordable.

Getting Around: Transportation

By Car:

Take into consideration the option of driving around Europe. Personally, I enjoy traveling Europe by car so as to stop and squeeze things in along the way. As I said, you could drive from one end of Europe to the other in a day if you realllly wanted to. However, keep in mind that most car rentals have a one way drop off charging fee, therefore, think about a route that will allow you to start and end in the same location.

Avoid travel burnout by staying in one location more than one night!

Try to book your car rental through the airline at the same time as the purchase of your ticket as you’ll generally save some buckaroos than booking individually.

Keep in mind that most car rentals in Europe are STICK-SHIFT and even though you requested an automatic car, you may not get one.

Here are some car rental shops in Europe:

• Buchbinder
• Sixt.de
• Hertz

Keep in mind, many city hotels don’t always offer (free) parking and you may need to park in a parking garage which could cost you a lot of money. Therefore, seriously try to find only hotels which offer parking. Not just that, but European parking garages can be quite frustrating to maneuver a car in!

By Train:

Many people consider traveling Europe by EurRail, and while this is exciting, if you happen to be living in Europe and your spouse is a European citizen, you are not qualified to use it. However, you can use the InterRail which is actually cheaper!

Or, consider booking your own tickets between locations within each country. For example, here in Germany, through DeutschBahn each state in Germany has their own special Ticket. In Bavaria it is called the “Bayernticket” (Bavarian ticket) and you can have up to 5 people per ticket starting at 23€ and an extra 5€ per person on the ticket. The ticket is good all day, anywhere in Bavaria, as many times as needed! Monday-Friday the ticket is valid from 9am until 3am the following day. On the weekend, its good for the entire day. Each passenger must sign the ticket.

However, these tickets are not valid for ICE high-speed trains.

If you’re looking to take a high-speed train, you will need to make a reservation and book your seats.

Keep an eye out for ticket machines near the train where you MUST punch your train ticket, as many tickets are open ended and will be checked by train supervisors. Playing the dumb tourist will not get you out of a ticket!

Your COMPLETE Guide to Using the Deutsche Bahn in Germany!

Eating Out

Each country has their own restaurant quirks which you should learn PRIOR to visiting. For example:

In Germany: Many restaurants require making a reservation prior to arriving, especially on the weekends when it’s busy. It’s OK to show up without a reservation, but don’t be surprised if you get turned away or told to finish eating by a certain time because all the tables have been reserved, even if they’re empty!

In Italy: Be careful if you want to sit INSIDE as restaurants have a dining-in fee between 2-5 €. If the weather is nice, enjoy your meal outside or take it to go. Also, be weary of restaurants enticing you to enjoy a bottle of wine. If they put it down on the table, it is NOT free and you will be charged for it, even if you don’t drink it.

In Spain (and many parts of Europe): Bread is NOT free! If you choose to eat the bread, you will be charged per slice of bread! Even if they put it down on your table!

In Italy and Spain, locals eat much later than Americans would like. Don’t be surprised if you find many restaurants closed around 5-6pm and reopening before dinner around 7-8pm.

Ordering a water is also not free and usually comes in a small glass bottle.

If you want water, I highly recommend buying bottled water when you’re out and about, preferably from the nearest grocery store. Otherwise, you can try to ask for tap water, but I can’t promise it will be in a large glass.

Beer is often cheaper than sodas!

While many hotels do offer breakfast included, be sure not to pay extra for the breakfast. A continental breakfast is most often served which is just bread, slices of cheese and salamis, jelly and Nutella and usually some form of egg and cereal. It’s pretty generic. Therefore, I highly recommend you to find a local bakery or a nice restaurant that offers traditional local breakfast.

Try to eat where the locals go! Try to avoid the overly touristy restaurants directly near city centers or tourist sites as they are generally more expansive and the quality of food is lower.

When eating at a restaurant, be sure to check if tip is already included, which it usually is. Never ever leave the tip sitting on the table. Be sure to give it directly to the server. But don’t be surprised either if they refuse your tip as it is not always customary to leave a tip. In Europe, most tipping is around 10% or simply rounding up.

Get More For Your Money

Prague, Czech Republic

Currently, America is enjoying some pretty good exchange rates to Europe and the UK (Thank you Brexit!), however, keep an eye on your account and don’t forget even if you are paying for something that is 7 €, when you get home your account will say $10. It sneaks up on ya!

I highly recommend hitting up some of the countries in Eastern Europe which have yet to start using the Euro as the exchange rate against the dollar (and euro) are REALLY good! Visit the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Croatia.

Be careful visiting the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Switzerland as they don’t use the Euro so exchange rates are VERY good and therefore more expensive!

Try to carry cash on you at ALL times as many small towns, restaurants and shops STILL don’t offer the use of credit/debit cards.

As a former banker, DO NOT use or bring travel checks as many places rarely use them anymore. This isn’t 1999 anymore!

Never EVER exchange your money at the airport or train stations as it is a complete RIP OFF and exchange rates are terrible. It’s better to just find the nearest bank and withdraw your money there.

I highly recommend asking your bank which banks have a free withdraw transaction fee.

For example, Bank of America has many International partners which has a free withdrawal transaction fee.

Carry change with you at all times as good public restrooms require paying between 50cents and a euro. It’s a nuisance but it is nice to have a freshly cleaned toilet!

Using all your change at the toilets is a great way to spend money you won’t be able to transfer back into dollars.

Visiting the Sites

Rome, Italy

Many of the main hot spots like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, The Eiffel Tower now require you to book your tickets online prior to your arrival. The plus side to this is you no longer have to wait in long lines. The downside is tickets are not always refundable or flexible to change dates. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still buy tickets in person.

I highly recommend getting an early start and arriving at the main attraction as early as possible to avoid long lines and you can still enjoy the site in peace.

The early bird gets the worm!

Always search for “free guided walking tours” in whichever city you are about toe embark upon. While the tour is free, it is highly recommended that you tip the guide based on how much you enjoyed the tour. Or search for do-it-yourself walking tours.

In London and other locations, many museums are free to enter or on Sundays.

Dress The Part!

Do try NOT to look like a tourist! Nothing stands out more than a person who is clearly a tourist. I’m talking to you, Americans, who wear the American flag as an entire ensemble!

Try to dress like you belong! You’re less likely to be taken advantage of if you blend in!

Ladies- During the coolers months, bring comfortable and stylish boots that are made for walkin’, some leggings or jeggings, cute scarves, and adorable winter coats. Be sure to bring a side satchel purse to wear across your torso. In the summer months, bring some cute dresses, a stylist hat and some big sunglasses! Trendy colors here generally include either black, navy blue, grey or bright neon colors.

Men – During colder seasons bring a stylish jacket or peacoat with a scarf. During the summer months, add some color to your to your wardrobe by wearing some shorts paired with a nice polo or V-neck t-shirt.

Be careful how much you pack in that suitcase of yours! It’s not gonna move itself and as you’re traveling around Europe, you’re likely to buy new clothes or souvenirs which add weight to an already packed suitcase! Pack only a few days clothes and either wash them or buy some cute new stylist clothes!

Packing Your Suitcase

Do try to bring only ONE SUITCASE and a carry on. If you can, one backpack carry on as it makes it a helluva lot easier to run after that train you’re about to miss! Plus, storage space on trains is limited and a bitch to find a place for that big ol’ suitcase!

Don’t forget to pack some Tylenol or Advil in case of headaches or hangovers!

Do leave your precious valuables at home! No need to bring your Meemaw’s diamond necklace. It may get lost, stolen or break during a rowdy night dancing at a disco!

Bag it and tag it my friend! Everyone else has that same black suitcase! Tag your bags with a special ribbon to help your bag stand out from the rest!

Don’t forget your TSA-approved toiletry plastic baggie for your carry on – keep your items under 3.5 fluid ounces. It will make going through security much easier!

Definitely pack some clean wipes because you never know when you might need to freshen up and the public restroom has ran out of toilet paper!

Put your shampoo and conditioner in a plastic baggie to avoid accidents in your suitcase.

Leave your sex toys at home. You do NOT want your bag being pulled aside because of a vibration. This is a real problem. No, this did not happen to me!

Do not put your fancy schmancy electronic goods (cameras, iPhones, iPads, laptops etc) in your suitcase! These are carry on items!

Other Tidbits

If you plan on traveling long term throughout Europe, I highly recommend having your iPhone unlocked and getting a SIM card. Or consider getting a MiFi Device if you need to be constantly connected.

Be careful of taxi drivers and they usually charge a hefty starting price, drive like maniacs and are sometimes sketchy. Don’t be surprised in Budapest if they hunt you down and offer you a taxi ride.

Take public transport as often as possible as it’s definitely affordable and easy to get around with.

Brush up on your military time – Europeans use that pesky 24-hour clock where 3:00pm actually means 15:00.

Before booking hotels or eating at a restaurant, see what TripAdvisor has to say! User-reviews can add helpful information companies aren’t likely to share with you, but keep in mind that these reviews are not professional.

If you’re interested in visiting Europe and are looking for more information, I highly recommend using the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Europe! Without these guides, I would be lost! This is my travel Bible!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!

Other related posts:

Tips for Traveling to Germany

9 Tips for How to AVOID Crowds When Traveling

Your COMPLETE Guide to Using the Deutsche Bahn in Germany!

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