So, you want to go to Europe! Your first instinct may be to call a travel agent, but unless you have a preferred agent that you have used before, don’t pick up that phone just yet. Often you can find bigger savings and a more personalized trip by doing the legwork yourself. Take these simple steps into account, and you’re well on your way to sipping coffee in Paris or drifting the canals of Venice in a gondola.
Step One: The Basics
Decide who will be going on the trip. Will it be a family vacation, a girls week out, or a romantic getaway? At this stage, you should also plan when you will travel and how long you will stay. It’s a good idea to plan at least six months in advance. Consider going in the off-season (usually winter), as prices will be lower. However, wet weather may be a concern at this time of year. Once you know who is going, and when, it is time to pick your destination or destinations. Do some research, and determine how long you’ll stay in each destination, if you have more than one.
Step Two: Transportation
The first thing you should do, once you have a plan in mind, is to make cerrtain you have a passport. Currently, with the new version of the passport, the process takes almost 8 weeks, so do this early. Also, start looking for your plane tickets to Europe. You can try cheap airfare sites such as Travelocity, Orbit, or Expedia, but most airlines will match or beat these offers, so don’t be afraid to get your prices directly from the airlines. There is also less chance that you will become a victim of an internet scam if you stick to trusted sites and stay away from too-good-to-be-true offers. It will be cheaper if you fly round-trip from the same airport, so consider this if you are planning to travel once you get to Europe.
If you are planning on travel once you arrive, you have several options. Most cities provide metro, bus, and taxi transportation inside the city limits. There are also many airports, and you can reach most destinations by train. Trains are an expensive way to travel, but they allow for viewing the countryside. It can be a great money-saving option to take overnight trains on longer journeys, sleeping on the train and saving the cost of a hotel. You can frequently purchase in advance, but this is probably not necessary. Flying can be much less expensive, especially if you use airlines such as RyanAir or EasyJet. Keep in mind that the airlines sometimes fly into airports far outside of town. However, flying is still often a viable and cost effective option.
Step Three: Housing
Once you arrive in Europe, you’ll want a place to sleep. You can start your search online or in guidebooks, but the internet will provide you with more options. Just type in the city you wish to visit, and you’ll be provided with a plethora of choices, and some websites even provide their own search option, where you can specify a location, type of hotel, and price range. If you are looking for more economical lodgings, include “hostel,” “bed and breakfast,” or “pension” in your search. Make sure you read reviews (both by professionals and other visitors) of the place you intend to say, as the internet can be deceiving.
There are several other things to consider when you decide on housing. Not all European hotels have air conditioning, so be sure yours does, if you require it. Remember that in most places in Europe, the “first” floor is what we would consider the second. Also, the bathroom will undoubtedly be a cause for concern. Although European hotels are gradually placing private bathrooms in each room, many still have shared facilities in the hall. Showers are also significantly smaller, and there is a device called a “bidet” that you should probably read up on before you go. Make sure the price of the room includes taxes, and check for curfews or lock out periods, especially in lower-cost hotels.
If you’re the adventurous type, you can try couch surfing, a sort of online network of people willing to invite travellers into their homes for free. This is a choice to be considered with caution, but many websites provide security measures. Another choice, and often a cheaper one than booking in advance, is to simply show up and look around for a place to stay. However, you run the risk of the places in your price bracket being full. Also, you may waste a significant part of your day searching for a bed.
Step Four: Plan on Sightseeing
Check out travel books and ask friends who have traveled in Europe. Find out what each member of your party wants to see, and start making a rough schedule so that you see all the sights and attractions on your list. Make some notes about where you want to go and how to get there, because you will probably not want to carry your entire guidebook on the trip. Have good maps of all the cities you will be visiting. Leave some time for relaxation, or there’s no way you’ll enjoy your trip. Be flexible!
Step Five: Tying up the Loose Ends
Make sure your luggage is in good shape, and buy luggage tags if you don’t have any. Refresh your memory about what can and cannot be taken on flights. It might be in your best interest to purchase some sort of waist pouch for your money. Also, decide what kind of currency you will use, whether plastic, travellers checks, or cash. Its a good idea to have a small amount of cash in the denomination of each country you plan to visit, before you leave. This helps with paying cab fares and buying snacks if you cannot get to an ATM. Your bank should be willing to help. Also, pick up phrasebooks for any foreign languages you may be confronted with, as it will be much appreciated if you at least attempt to speak the language.
Above all, relax, and enjoy yourself! Don’t hesitate to use the resources available to you, and explore your options. Planning your vacation can be almost as fun as taking it, and it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Just follow these steps, print all of your travel and housing confirmations, and remember to breathe!
