How to Plan a Trip to Europe
If you are a travel enthusiast, you will agree that the difference between a successful and disruptive trip lies in how well you plan beforehand. And, now that you want to tick an important list of touring a great destination, planning can be overwhelming.
The question is; how do you make the most out of your expedition?
From the documentation, budgeting, travel logistics, accommodation, packing list to picking a specific destination in Europe, getting things in order might be daunting.
But, hey! We are here to make things easier for you. In this post, we highlight an ultimate guide for both seasoned and first-time travelers to Europe.
Check your documentation
If you are not traveling from within the European Union (EU), you must have a passport. A new one will take 4-6 weeks to process, so ensure you acquire it ahead of time to avoid the last time rush. If you are running out of time, consider expedited services through expeditors or the state department that can process the passport within a week. Note that you will pay extra for the services.
If you already have a passport, check the expiry date and confirm your names. It will be disappointing to find issues with your documentation when you are checking in to the airport. Note that some countries give clearance for passports valid for six months from trip dates.
Another important document is the driving license. If you are planning to drive once you get to your destination, check your driving docs' expiry. Some countries will need an international driver's license, so ensure you check that and get everything in order.
Establish a budget
Imagine forging a fabulous itinerary only to realize you can't afford it? That is why you need to budget well in advance. This will guide you in picking the right destination, itinerary, and travel dates.
Some places are far much cheaper than others, though; there are ways of making the expensive ones affordable. For instance, traveling off-season, using tent accommodation, and planning shorter trips.
Use travel budget apps TravelSpend (iOS | Android) to make your budgeting easier. The app also helps you track your expenses as you make your bookings.
Or make sure to plan ahead and do your research. For example, check out this guide on how to see Santorini on a budget.
Pick a destination
Before you pick a destination, learn more about Europe as you check your interest. You may be interested in history and culture, spending active time outdoors, or touring the great cities of Europe. Your interest, time you want to spend there, and budget will guide you in picking a good place to visit.
Do not be overambitious; you might not be able to visit all the places on your first trip. Check your must-tick list and pick one that amazes you the most. Will your budget allow you? Is there enough time to visit all the landmarks? If not, make a list of the top five things to see and start there. Check out this guide to Portugal castles as the perfect example.
Create a rough itinerary
Before you make your bookings, you need to create a day-to-day itinerary. Also, research tour availability, hotel availability, the best time to visit, and flight cost to your preferred destination.
Let's say you want to go for a seven-day trip to France. What do you do from here?
Of course, there are a lot of things to do in France that time might not allow. So, research cities and sites to explore based on your budget and time. Be flexible on travel dates; if you go on weekdays, the flight cost will be cheaper than weekends.
Once you have your flight dates, plan the specific day to visit your city or site of interest. For major attractions, ensure dates align and work with your schedule.
Get to know the kind of accommodation offered on your planned itinerary and note it down.
Secure your flights
Before you make any other booking, you need to be sure you will get a flight on your trip date. Be prepared to adjust your trip dates based on the cost of flights, as some seasons are cheaper than others. Note that flight cost takes the most out of your budget.
Try multiple booking sites such as Expedia and Kayak to get the best prices. Alerts from travel apps such as Airfairwatchdog notify you of any changes in airfare so that you can take advantage of a price drop.
Consider flights with layovers as direct intercontinental flights tend to be more expensive. Stopovers are a plus as it spices up your trip even before you get to your final destination.
Book your accommodation
When drafting your itinerary, you should research the accommodation offered. After you have booked your airfare, the next thing is to make arrangements for your accommodation. Booking in advance is important, especially if planning to travel during summer, as hotels can be booked out.
Before booking, keep an eye on bed sizes, organic farms, eco-friendly hotels, and historic castles. You can opt for local hotels or funky lodgings to make your trip more memorable.
If you are on a budget, consider house-swapping, farm stays, homestays, and vacation rentals. These options are way cheaper, with some even offered for free.
Use booking sites, such as booking.com or hostelworld to make your accommodation reservation easier.
Plan your day tours and tickets for local transports
Before you get to your dream destination, get to know how locals get around in terms of mode of transportation and make your bookings accordingly. Car rental might not be necessary for places that can be accessed by train, plane, or are bike-friendly. For instance, the best way to explore Amsterdam is through biking.
However, you will need car rental services if you are touring places not accessible by plane or rail. In that case, you need to be prepared to drive yourself in a foreign country. Please get to know their road rules and adhere to them.
Consider getting travel insurance
While some insurance covers you beyond your country's borders, most do not. Consider getting travel insurance such as medical insurance, flight cancellation insurance, and trip cancellation insurance. That way, you will be on the safe side in case of unforeseen circumstances. Preparation is key to a successful trip.
Make insurance arrangements only after you have made major deposits. Before committing to any insurance agency, read their fine print, compare with others and settle for the best. Take into consideration the customer's comments online.
Handle last-minute logistics
There are key logistics such as pet-sitter, house-sitter, phone, and money that you should take care of a few weeks before your trip date. Inform your credit card company of your trip. Inquire fees for cards used overseas and if you opt for cash withdrawal on ATMs locations.
For the mobile phone, check if your service provider allows for international calls. If not, organize for temporary international plans.
Pack your suitcase
Pack all the necessities one week to or even some days to your departure date. Your length of stay and overall weather condition will inform on what to carry. Ensure you have a sturdy backpack that can hold up all your travel things.
Have a packing list to avoid leaving out some items. It would help to call your airlines to check on suitcase size restrictions to avoid any disappointments at the airport.
Some of the things you will need include:
Passport
Plane, trains and bus tickets
Camera
Charges
Eye cover
Laptop
Clothes and shoes (consider packable raincoat and clothes that are stress-free to layer)
Travel umbrella
Looking for a more comprehensive list? Check out our key travel accessories that we have used to travel all over the world.
Key Insights & Takeaways
There is a lot you need to do and put in order before your trip to Europe. Due to various attraction sites and dream destinations, you’ll first need to draft a budget.
A budget will guide you in choosing a destination, booking flights, booking accommodations, making transport arrangements, and, importantly, deciding your duration of stay.
Travel insurance is also key as you never know when you will need it. And, finally, pack all the necessities to avoid extra expenses in a foreign country!