Planning
- Look at train routes before booking accommodations
One of our biggest planning mistakes was focusing on the map rather than the actual travel time between destinations. Two cities may look close together, but once you factor in train schedules, transfers, and travel time to and from stations, a “short trip” can quickly become a 6-hour travel day.
When planning your itinerary, look at how you’ll actually get from one destination to the next before booking accommodations. Doing this helped us adjust our route and would have allowed us to spend more meaningful time exploring instead of constantly feeling rushed.
- Give yourself an extra day in almost every city
If we could change one thing about our itinerary, it would be adding one more day to nearly every destination. Travel days are more exhausting than they seem. Between packing, checking out, walking to the station, taking trains, finding your hotel, and settling in, an entire day can disappear. Having an extra day gives you time to relax, do laundry, sleep in, or simply enjoy a city without feeling like you’re racing from one attraction to the next.
- Don’t overpack your itinerary
It’s tempting to try to see everything, especially if it’s your first time in Europe. But some of our favorite memories weren’t famous landmarks. They were sitting at a park, wandering quiet streets, or watching the sunset with a glass (or bottle) of wine. Leave room for spontaneity. You don’t have to check every attraction off your list to have an incredible trip.
Packing
- Bring backpacks instead of suitcases
If you’re traveling between multiple cities, backpacks are a game changer. Europe is filled with cobblestone streets, staircases, uneven sidewalks, and train stations without elevators. We watched countless people struggle dragging heavy suitcases across the streets while we simply threw our backpacks on and kept walking. We never regretted bringing backpacks instead.
- Pack less than you think you’ll need
Even though we packed fairly light, we still found ourselves wearing the same outfits over and over. Laundry is available almost everywhere, and if you realize you forgot something, chances are you can buy it along the way. Plus, buying a sweater or shirt during your travels makes for a much more meaningful souvenir than bringing clothes you never end up wearing.
- Shipping items home is easier than you think
As our trip went on, our backpacks slowly became heavier with souvenirs and a few extra clothing purchases. Rather than stress about fitting everything on our flight home, we shipped a box home through DHL. The process was much easier and more affordable than we expected. If you’re traveling for an extended period, it’s a great option to keep in mind.
- Carry a foldable tote bag for groceries or beach days
This ended up being surprisingly useful throughout our trip. Whether we were grabbing groceries, heading to the beach, or carrying snacks for a long train ride. Having a lightweight reusable tote bag made life much easier. It takes up almost no room in your backpack but comes in handy far more often than you’d expect.
- Leave room in your backpack for souvenirs.
Don’t pack your backpack completely full before you leave. You’ll almost certainly find things you want to bring home, whether it’s wine, clothing, postcards, or gifts for family and friends. Leaving a little extra space saves you from trying to cram everything in at the end of your trip.
Accommodations
- A kitchen can save you a lot of money
One thing we really appreciated was having access to a kitchen whenever possible. While trying local restaurants was one of our favorite parts of traveling, cooking breakfast or dinner a few times each week helped stretch our budget without taking away from the experience.
- Think about your evenings too
When booking accommodations, it’s easy to focus only on where you’ll sleep. But after walking 20,000+ steps every day, having a balcony, patio, or a comfortable common area to relax became something we really valued. If you’re traveling with friends or family, those evenings together become some of your favorite memories.
- Location is everything
We’d much rather stay in a smaller room in the heat of the city than a larger room far away. Being within walking distance of attractions, restaurants, and public transportation saved us both time and money throughout our trip.
Budget
- Track your expenses
We tracked nearly every purchase throughout our trip, from coffee and groceries to excursions and city taxes. Not only did this help us stay within budget, but it also showed us where our money was actually going. By the end of our 3 months, we averaged about $103 per person per day, which included far more than we expected.
- Grocery stores are your best friend
Some of our favorite meals came from local grocery stores. Not only are they a great way to save money, but they’re also a fun way to experience everyday life in another country. We loved wandering through the aisles and trying snacks, pastries, cheeses, and drinks we couldn’t find back home.
- Budget for city taxes
One expense we didn’t initially think about was tourist or city taxes. Many hotels collect a small tax at check in that isn’t always included in your booking price. It’s usually only a few euros, but over several weeks or months, those charges can add up.
- Always carry a small amount of cash
While credit cards were accepted almost everywhere, there were still times when cash came in handy. Some public restrooms, small cafes, market vendors, or local shops preferred cash. Having a small amount of local currency saves us from unnecessary stress.
Transportation
- Learn your rail system before you leave
If you’re planning to travel by train, spend a little time learning how the system works before your trip. Whether you’re using Eurail or individual tickets, understanding train schedules, reservations, and platforms ahead of time will make your travel days much less stressful.
- Don’t underestimate travel days
A 5-hour train ride rarely means only 5 hours. Packing, checking out, getting to the station, boarding, transferring trains, and checking into your next accommodation can easily take an entire day. Plan accordingly.
- Some trains require seat reservations even with Eurail
This surprised us at first. Although the Eurail Pass covers your train fare, many high speed and international routes still require paid seat reservations. Research your route ahead of time so you aren’t caught off guard.
Food
- Make restaurant reservations
Some of our favorite restaurants filled up days or even weeks in advance. If there’s a place you really want to experience, don’t wait until the last minute to book.
- Try the regional specialty
Even if it’s something you’ve never had before. Whether it was escargot in France, fondue in Switzerland, or paella in Spain, trying local specialities became some of our favorite memories. You may end up discovering a new favorite dish.
General Advice
- Should season (spring and fall) is one of the best times to visit Europe
We traveled during the shoulder season into the busy season and realized how much we enjoyed our days in the shoulder season more. The weather was generally pleasant, attractions were less crowded, and accommodations were often more affordable than during the peak summer months.
- Be flexible
Not everything will go according to plan and that’s okay. SOme of our favorite experiences happened because we changed our itinerary, followed a recommendation from a local, or simply decided to explore without a plan.
- Slow down
You don’t need to be sightseeing from sunrise to sunset every day. Some of our favorite moments were enjoying coffee in a quiet square, watching people pass by, or sitting along a river with a bottle of wine. Those slower moments are often the ones you’ll remember the most.
- Talk to people
Some of the best recommendations we received came from bartenders, hotel hosts, restaurant staff, tour guides, and fellow travelers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Locals often know the hidden gems that never appear in travel guides.
- Don’t wait for the “perfect” time
There will always be a reason to put your dream trip off until next year. Life gets busy. Responsibilities grow. Plans change. If traveling is something you’ve always dreamed about, don’t spend your life waiting for the “perfect” moment, because it may never come. We’re incredibly grateful we took the leap when we did, and the memories we made will stay with us forever.
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