These Europe travel tips are all either things I was taught, or learned (the hard way) during my last trip overseas. There are so many awesome things to do and see in Europe, that it can be hard to choose what you are going to try to fit into your trip!
I’ve taken all of the travel tips I have learned and written this guide to make sure that you get the most out of your next trip to this beautiful continent.
Europe is one of the most popular places for travellers to visit, because of the insane amount of destinations and cultures within close proximity to each other. You can literally travel through Europe by train, and stop at 28 countries. 20-freaking-8!
Europe is home to 39% of the world’s countries, which is insane if you think about it. There’s so much to do and see, so it’s definitely important to make sure you’ve planned for your European trip as thoroughly as possible.
Whether you are looking for a luxury vacation, or backpacking on a budget, these Europe travel tips will definitely be important to your vacation! (trust me, I ended up stranded in London for 3 days when I was travelling to Europe for the first time, but that story is for another day.)
Learn from my mistakes, and make sure you take these travel tips into consideration so you can come back with a new understanding of European culture, and amazing stories to share with your friends and family.
Choosing Countries in Europe to Visit
Don’t just stick to countries that use the Euro
The majority of countries in Europe use the Euro as their main form of currency. When travelling Europe, a lot of people think that it’s easier to just stick to countries that use this currency, because it’s one less thing to worry about when you’re travelling. Don’t do this! You will seriously miss out on so many beautiful countries (Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, and the UK to name a few of my favorites), it’s almost essential to make sure you travel to these to get the most out of your travel in Europe!
Don’t visit during peak season
Most people decide to vacation in Europe over the summer, I have always found that the best time to visit is slightly off season to avoid the large groups of tourists flocking to the beautiful countries. It’s also cheapest to travel in Europe off-season, so that’s a definite bonus!
How To Get The Most Out Of The Place You’re In
Speak the Language
Learning some of the spoken language in your region can be very beneficial to getting the most out of your trip! If anything, at least learn the basic words like hello, goodbye, thank you, and you’re welcome.
A lot of locals like to see that you are attempting to speak their language, and they are much likely to be friendly towards you!
Don’t Try to See It All
One of the biggest mistakes new travellers make (I was guilty of this) is trying to get too much done during your trip. When you are running around to make sure you see everything, you are missing the time needed to truly absorb the culture and significance of what you’re seeing.
It’s much better to see 5 points of interest during your stay then trying to cram 10 different ones into a 2-day location. It’s also better for the wallet!
Try selecting 2-3 must-see things to visit during your trip and make it a goal to see those. If you need a day to relax or don’t feel up for a task, it isn’t the end of the world to miss one!
Travel Like a Local
When I learned this Europe travel tip, I had applied it to my travels and had some of the most life changing trips and experiences you could imagine. Don’t spend all your time at the tourist attractions; they’re beautiful but often overrated.
Go visit the small cafes on the outskirts of town. Visit a market or festival in the city. Find out where the locals eat and go there. When you travel like this, you really get a feel for what the county is about and will apply a lot more of your trip into your day-today life afterwards.
Talk to People
None of the experiences I have had while abroad happened on my own, even when I was travelling Europe alone. Okay, maybe my awesome solo hike in Thailand.
Even when I travel solo, everything that I experienced happened through meeting people in the area. Put your electronics away and talk to people, seriously. If you’re reading this anywhere other than home, I am speaking to you!
I’m very introverted, so being the one to strike up the conversation has always been tough for me to do. To get me out of this comfort zone, the best method I have found is to ask people for I actually ended up going for a beer with one girl I asked to take my picture for me in London! Good times.
Shop Locally
Shopping locally is a no-brainer here. It allows you to connect with the people in the area, and helps to support their economy.
When you are shopping locally, you can also get the best insights into the local deals, hangouts, and less touristy areas! It’s a win-win!
Don’t Just Stick to Feel-Good Attractions
Part of having a good understanding of a countries’ culture is experiencing everything that their people went through, meaning the good times and the hardships!
When you travel, set a goal for yourself to learn more about the hardships that the people have gone through in the past. I find it humbling to learn about the things different people in different eras have faced, and it’s really put into perspective a lot of my life.
Europe Budget Tips
Know Your Currency
The Euro is the most common form of currency throughout European countries, with 68% of them using it as their main currency. For me, it’s extremely important to stay on budget while abroad because the dollar difference from Canada to Europe can put a strain on your trip if you aren’t prepared for it.
Create a daily budget before you leave and make sure you are sticking to it when you travel. Take out your currency before you leave to make sure you have time to find the cheapest rates!
While you are there, avoid the temptation to use ATM’s to withdraw money. They can peg you with large withdrawal fees, and the exchange rates are usually pretty terrible.
Minimize Your Restaurant Visits
Most hotels and hostels will have a kitchen you can use, or at least a hotplate and microwave.
When I am travelling, I like to snack while I am out and about but save my big meals for back there. This saves you a ton of money by the end of your trip, and checking out the local markets is always one of my favorite things to do!
Plan Your Own Tours
This is probably one of my favorite Europe travel tips. When I am heading to a new place, the excitement of exploring it really gets to me. I will find myself scrolling through Pinterest articles and Google searches at 3am (my sleep schedule is never on track) trying to learn about where I am heading!
I have found that I can often find awesome tour plans online for free, and pick and choose my itinerary for when I get there. That way, you can take as long or little at each spot as you’d like, you’re saving money from the tour packages, and you can pick the locations that are most important to you to see!
I love not being tied down to a group for the length of the tour, it makes the exploration so much more exhilarating. You can eat when you want, save money, see what you want, and meet a lot more of the locals!
Find Hostels, Air BnB’s, and Couch Surfing
Hotels can get really pricey depending on how long you’re abroad. Using these cheaper sites can seriously save you tons of money by the end of the trip.
Added bonus? Air BnB, hostels, and couch surfing will have you interacting with people a LOT more. That’s what travelling is all about, right? I have met way too many awesome people while abroad to even keep track of them, thank god for Facebook.
Avoid Scams
- When you travel, you’re often in new surroundings, with ID and cash on you. Pickpockets and scam artists know this, and will try to use it to their advantage. Outsmart them!
- Carry your cash and ID separately
- Consider purchasing a money belt for while you are out and about
- Stay aware of your surroundings, and what people around you are doing
- If you are approached by someone who claims to be a police officer, kindly ask to see their ID if you are unsure. Do NOT reach into your wallet to give them your ID until you are sure that they are a police officer
- Do your best to blend in when you are in crowds, don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
I hope these Europe travel tips will help inspire you and get you prepared for your trip. Don’t forget to leave a comment below if you enjoyed this article!
