Europe is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It seems to be at the very top of everyone’s bucket list. From one end to another, Europe has a diverse mix of cultures and opportunities waiting to be explored. With divine architecture and heritage across the continent, there is plenty to add to your travelling to Europe checklist.
Whether you’re hoping to explore the hills of Switzerland or the beautiful castles in Europe, there truly is so much to see. If you’ve purchased your tickets and you’re ready to explore, there is still one thing you need to do. You need to understand the essentials for travelling to Europe.
A little planning, research, and understanding can get you a long way and make your trip much more enjoyable. Let’s look at some of the tips for travelling to Europe!
1. Travel by train
Europe is known for its ease of travel due to the many trains running throughout this beautiful continent. Travelling by train in Europe is much nicer than in other countries due to their luxury. They’re comfortable, spacious, and far easier than travelling by car or plane, depending on your destination.
2. Stay in small cities
While large cities are incredibly exciting, it is often the smaller cities that have the most to offer. Rome, Paris, and even Amsterdam can become completely overrun by tourists, while the smaller cities are often only explored by the locals.
When choosing a smaller town with its own city centre, you will find that the heritage and culture are far more exquisite and thorough. These places are also far quieter than the big cities.
3. Check your visa requirements
There is nothing worse than having the best holiday of your life cut short by issues with your visa. That is just one guaranteed way to ruin your trip. Most nations in Europe don’t need a visa for short visits. However, it is so important that you know which ones do.
Prior to your visit, it is always a good idea to do a quick search online to find tourist visa requirements and whether or not you need one. This is one of the travel essentials for Europe.
4. Take advantage of the offseason
Everyone wants to travel to Europe at some point in their life; you’re not the only one. Everyone usually flocks to Europe at the same time. This then leads to overcrowded beaches and long waits at tourist attractions.
That is why taking advantage of the offseason is one of the best tips for travelling to Europe. Most of the great attractions are open year-round, but during the season, everything is less crowded which means it is far easier to enjoy your trip.
5. Carry cash
Credit and debit cards are one of the main ways to pay now. However, in Europe, it isn’t uncommon for places to only accept cash. That is why it is helpful to keep cash on you as you travel around. Local markets, taxis, tips, restaurant’s, and tourist attractions will sometimes require cash.
Not only will cash make your transactions smoother, but it will also help you save money on foreign transaction fees. Carrying cash is one of the travel essentials for Europe.
6. Take advantage of the beautiful castles
Europe is well-known for all its beautiful castles. Visiting these castle’s is like experiencing history in a way you’ve never experienced before. With most of them, you can actually take a step in and envision what it was like all those years ago.
Hohenzollern Castle in Germany is of particular interest due to how high it ranks as one of Europe’s best castles. Many people visiting the castle say how impressive it is atop the breathtaking foothills of the Swabian Alps. Checking out Europe’s castles is one of the travel essentials for Europe.
7. Chat with the locals
There is no better way to experience a city or town than to speak to the locals. Try conversing with shopkeepers, vendors, bar patrons, and even people in the hotel to learn more about this beautiful continent. You may end up making some lifelong friends.
Having a friendly conversation is one of the best tips for travelling to Europe.
8. Truly explore
Sure, the Eiffel Tower is cool, but how many people do you think actually explore Europe? Sometimes, you need to go off the beaten path to truly understand Europe. Tourist attractions are wonderful, but for your trip to be truly fruitful, try to wander around and explore what is not usually explored.
To get the best out of Europe, set a day or two where you have no plans. During these days, wander around and take in the world around you.
9. Pack a comfortable pair of shoes
Walking around Europe is not for the faint of heart. It is even worse for people with uncomfortable shoes. One of the best ways to explore cities is by foot, but you won’t be getting far if you have only packed bad shoes.
Try to buy a good pair of shoes to explore in. Your feet will thank you toward the finish of your excursion.
10. Enjoy yourself
This may be an obvious one of the tips for travelling to Europe. However, sometimes people get so caught up in an itinerary or plans that they forget to truly enjoy their trip. Make sure that you don’t become too stuck in your ways.
If a plan fails, let it go and find something else to fulfil your time.
Europe is such a perfect place to visit. There is something for everyone in every place that makes the heart sing. To truly get the most out of your trip, leverage the travel essentials for Europe.
Happy travels!
