How to Plan Your First Trip to Europe, Part 1

Your first trip to Europe is very exciting! So much to see! So much to do!

So much to figure out.

Don’t worry. With a little info and guidance, you can create your perfect adventure. Here are some important tips for planning your first trip to Europe.

First Things First

The number one tip for planning your first trip to Europe is to use a quality guidebook as a reference. You can search online to find additional information, but use your book as your primary source. Review sites are helpful but may widely vary in opinions due to personal preferences.

Guidebook authors often visit a place more than once to get a well-rounded experience. I highly recommend the Rick Steves book series, as I enjoy his low-key style and emphasis on understanding cultures, not just ticking off a photo bucket list.

Get your trip off to the right start with 8 Secrets to Having a FANTASTIC First Trip to Europe.

Creating an Itinerary

Let’s get started! Now, where are you going on this trip? If you have never traveled outside of the U.S. before, it is best to go from easy to hard. I mean, travel to destinations most similar to America to start with. On our initial trip abroad, we went to London first, then Paris, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

Going to the U.K. at the start is a smooth transition, as they speak English and are probably closer to our country in customs and behavior than most places in the world.

A good strategy is to see western Europe first, then move on to the Mediterranean countries. Be sure to consider local holidays and events when planning your itinerary. Oktoberfest in Germany and Easter in Seville can seriously alter typical sightseeing plans.

Additionally, remember it’s best not to backtrack. Fly in one city, tour where you want and fly out of your final location. So, arrive in London, and leave from the Netherlands, for example.

Pro Tip: Create a document or spreadsheet to keep track of dates and detailed travel info. Make sure your travel partner(s) are aware of all the details.

Selecting Flights

You should research what flights are available as much as a year ahead beforehand. Start watching on sites such as Kayak and buy if you see a scorching deal! Some research shows the best prices at about five months before your trip. Of course, price is a huge factor, but also consider takeoff and landing times.

If you take off from the U.S. in the evening you will land in Europe in the morning. This allows you to have a nice meal on board the plane, and (hopefully) a short night’s sleep before arrival. Of course, this can vary depending on your departure and arrival cities.

Seattle and Vienna are nine hours apart, but New York and London are only five hours apart. Ideally, you will be able to spend the majority of your flight asleep and then BAM! You wake up at your destination.

Flights with children can be much simpler with the info in 10 Things You NEED to Do Before Flying With Kids.

Choosing Hotel Rooms

Use an excellent guidebook for selecting hotels and check review sites for more help. My travel preference is to get a clean room with quality service close to the sights. A fancy hotel in a far-flung location is a waste of precious time. Keep in mind that small hotels and B&Bs can provide a bed AND incredible insight into local life, as you have a host eager to share their city with you.

Families may prefer apartment rentals, such as Airbnb, which can be a real bargain. Although, if your group has four or less, a double room at a hotel is still better overall. The bonus of a front desk that provides assistance cannot be understated.

Once my husband and I both got sick over a holiday weekend in France. The sweet ladies at the front desk called around for almost an hour to find a doctor for us! I don’t know what we would have done without them.

It’s also important to understand that hotel rooms in Europe are quite different from what you know at home. Standard rooms are much smaller and typically have space for only two people. Your double bed may actually be two twin beds pushed together.

If you want on an actual full bed, be very clear when booking, although it’s not a significant hindrance for a few nights. Rooms for three or more are available, but harder to find. Book early!

Families should read Top Tips for Taking Your Kids to Europe, for the best experience with kiddos.

Understanding Bathrooms

As for bathrooms, those connected to your hotel room will also be smaller than the typical U.S. bathroom. Sinks frequently stand alone, rather than with a counter that extends around the basin.

Showers may just have a partial glass shield, rather than a shower curtain or glass door that closes completely. Point the showerhead nozzle towards the wall, to avoid wetting the floor and anything near!

The toilet will also be different. Rather than a handle to flush, most have large buttons on the wall that you push. The smaller button releases a small amount of water for flushing, and the bigger button releases a large amount of water…according to how much is needed at the time.

It saves water, and thankfully we’re starting to see similar flushing options in the U.S. However, another water-saving feature is just gross. Some toilets just have a tiny pool of water at the bottom rather than a high water level.

These bowls get dirty frequently, and users are supposed to clean it with a toilet brush stored in the stall. But in public, these toilets are always nasty! Yuck!

You also may see a bidet in some hotels. Use it or not, it’s up to you!

Pro Tip: Always keep a pack of tissues with you in case a public bathroom stall is out of toilet paper.

Using Transportation

Transportation is a complex issue, so let’s break it down into long-distance trains, city transport, taxis and rental cars.

Trains: An intricate network of railways connect much of Europe, and high-speed trains make traveling long distances a snap. However, gone are the days when a rail pass was your top choice. Many visitors just need to buy point to point tickets for their trips, rather than an expensive pass.

High-speed or overnight trains usually require seat reservations, so try to figure out those trips well in advance. Research the national railway website in the country you’re visiting to get very clear details on departure times, purchasing tickets, and if a seat reservation is needed.

If you’re willing to book early, you can score deals on tickets. However, your tickets may not be refundable if your plans change. Don’t buy until your itinerary is firm.

City Transportation: Major cities have efficient subways, known frequently as the Metro, or the Tube in the U.K. Public transportation systems also include buses, trams and even boats (looking at you, Venice).

Save money by purchasing a pass including a few days or a set number of rides rather than individual tickets. Those Americans not used to riding subways may feel intimidated initially, but you will soon get the hang of it.

Safety, cleanliness and ease of use is a priority for local transport throughout Europe.

Taxis: Paying for taxis or using ridesharing companies such as Uber can quickly add up. Try to use them strategically, such as in extreme weather, or when it makes a significant difference to your journey, like avoiding multiple transit connections.

The first time we flew to Paris, we used public transportation to get from the airport to our hotel, and it was quite overwhelming. On our next trip, we simply hopped in a taxi, and it was worth every penny!

Rental Cars: Driving in Europe can be freeing and exhilarating, or an overpriced ordeal. It just depends on the situation. Itineraries including large cities don’t justify renting a car; use trains and subways instead.

But in some situations, such as my husband’s dream to drive on the Autobahn, a few days’ rental was essential. Ask yourself some questions: Are you visiting a sight not well-served by public transportation? Do you have young children, and you’re hauling strollers and other childcare gear? Is the drive itself one of the things you’re looking forward to experiencing?

If so, thoroughly research your options and reserve with a credit card that gives you CDC insurance. We’ve had good luck with Auto Europe, although most major rental companies have international locations.

Pro Tip: Crowded public transportation can increase your risk of being pickpocketed. Don’t be fearful but be prepared. Wear a money belt with most of your cash and extra cards hidden away. And keep one hand on your (tightly closed) bag. You will be fine!

Packing Tips

Packing light makes travel so much easier! I highly recommend you limit yourself to a carry-on suitcase and a day bag. Bring three pairs of shoes max (two is best), and a wardrobe of clothes that can be combined in different ways. And only enough clothes for a week.

If your trip is longer than seven days, plan to wash clothes, either in your hotel sink or at a local laundromat. You will be thankful to escape the headache of lost luggage or heavy baggage, which is a pain to drag up stairways and on uneven sidewalks.

If you’re new to this carry-on packing challenge, be sure to read The Surefire Method to Pack Your Toiletries Bag for a Long Trip in Just Your Carry-on.

Electricity Issues

Understanding electricity in Europe comes down to two things, although only one is a significant concern: plugs are shaped differently, and the power supplied is much higher.

Mainland Europe uses a round two-pronged plug, and the U.K. and Ireland use a plug with three rectangular prongs. (Although you may see exceptions in parts of Italy and Switzerland.) Bring several inexpensive adapters that allow your U.S. plugs to fit the appropriate foreign outlets.

As for power differences, European outlets supply 220 volts versus 110 volts back home. A converter protects devices from being fried. However, sophisticated items such as phones, laptops, cameras and some hairstyling devices are now built to use both currents. This is really only an issue with much older electronics.

Check your power cord or device carefully; tiny writing tells you what voltages are acceptable. For a few weeks’ touring, I would rather purchase a dual voltage replacement (or leave it at home) than worry about a travel converter.

Pro Tip: If you accidentally lose your adapter during your trip, ask your hotel’s front desk for help. They usually have adaptors that previous guests left behind that you can borrow.

Staying Connected

We’re so accustomed to being connected to others and the web, it’s natural that you would want it while you’re traveling. There are a few options for this. The cheapest is to rely on plentiful, free Wi-Fi in big cities.

Not only can you get online, but apps such as Apple’s Facetime or WhatsApp allow you to call and text solely on Wi-Fi.

If you want to connect without relying on Wi-Fi, buy a cheap unlocked phone (which can be used on any network) and purchase a SIM card upon arrival. Or you can bring an old phone you already have at home, as long as it’s unlocked. The phone doesn’t have to be fancy; it’s mainly for making calls when you’re on the road.

Or, you can add temporary phone or internet coverage with your U.S. carrier. Our family prefers to travel with our everyday phones to take photos and use Wi-Fi, and we bring an unlocked phone to be able to make calls. Using phones abroad is a little complicated; learn more information here.

Pro Tip: I like to use the CityMaps2Go app (purchase required), which allows you to download maps and use them without service. The free, offline GPS will keep you headed in the right direction.

There is so much to consider when you begin to plan your first trip to Europe. But follow these tips and enjoy creating a journey that fits your family and travel style. You’ll find yourself getting excited just considering your options. Planning is actually where the fun begins!