Things to keep in mind
For the most part, the 44 countries of Europe are well connected with public transport, making travel in Europe straightforward and affordable.
However, your means of transportation, the time of year you intend to travel, and your budget play a significant role in planning your European itinerary.
Let’s break them down
Means of Transportation
There are several different ways to travel between the main capital cities of Europe, including via planes, trains, buses, and taxis.
The most flexible means of traveling between cities is by train. Aircraft may be faster, but they can be challenging, as they often involve traveling out of town at awkward hours.
Train stations tend to be located in the city center, are affordable, and offer regular services.
Budget
You should organize your budget depending on where in Europe to visit.
If you’re visiting Europe for the first time, you’re likely going to the main cities – Paris, Rome, Brussels, etc.-you should budget a lot, as these cities are pricey.
First-time visitors to Paris, for example, spend around €200 per day. It is possible to spend less by opting for hostels over hotels.
All in, you can travel Europe successfully within a month for €1,500 – €2,000.
Months of the year and what to expect
- January - February: The coldest months to travel Europe. Expect plenty of snow in most capital cities, as well as rain and sleet.
- March: Expect mild temperatures, ideal for exploring cities and some countryside.
- April - May: Mild temperatures, suitable for exploring landmarks.
- June: Experience summer in Europe without things feeling too crowded.
- July - August: Experience a European summer in full swing.
- September: Good if you want to explore Europe with mild temperatures and smaller crowds.
- October - November: the official start of the off-season.
- December: Visit Europe in the latter half of December. You can expect cities to be as bustling as they are at the peak of summer.
What places to visit
This is far from a comprehensive list, but we’ve included some European destinations you can’t afford to miss, as well as some details about what you can do, what you can eat, and how expensive they are in our 1 to 5 scale (1 being ‘cheapest’ and 5 ‘most expensive’).
Vamos!
Paris
Paris is a must for first-time visitors to Europe. You can easily immerse yourself in Parisian culture within 3-4 days. Paris is 5/5 expensive.
What to do: Visit all of Paris’ famous museums, including the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. Scale the Eiffel Tower. Hang out in the trendy Le Marais.
What to Eat: Baguette, pain au chocolat, macarons
Nice
Get a real sense of France by visiting its famous Riviera. Spend only two days here as it’s also 5/5 expensive.
What to do: Enjoy some beach days, explore the surrounding quaint seaside towns.
What to eat: Lots of seafood!
Barcelona
A tourist epicenter, Barcelona deserves 2-3 days of your time. Barcelona is 3/5 expensive.
What to do: Admire the city’s diverse architecture and explore the famed gothic quarter
What to eat: Bombas and paella
Venice
The historic city of Venice is worth spending 2-3 days in and is 4 /5 in terms of expenses.
What to do: Ride around its stunning canals, admire its art
What to eat: Cheap pizza and expensive risotto
Zagreb
Get a taste of Eastern Europe by visiting Zagreb for 1-2 days. Zagreb is 1 /5 in terms of expenses.
What to do: Explore its off-beat streets, immerse yourself in the city’s cafe culture
What to eat: Traditional Balkan cuisine – expect a lot of meat
Budapest
Party in Budapest for 2-3 days cheaply, with expenses being only 2 /5.
What to do: Party at the city’s ruin bars, and recuperate in the luxurious spas
What to eat: Goulash
Prague
1-2 days is good enough to explore Prague, on a budget of 2 /5 expenses.
What to do: Admire baroque architecture, castles, and cathedrals.
What to eat: Sauerkraut soup
Berlin
Explore the vibrant city of Berlin in 3-4 days, on a budget of around 4 /5.
What to do: Admire the graffiti along the Berlin Wall and explore the city’s rich parks and party until the early hours
What to eat: Lots of currywurst
Amsterdam
1-2 days is all you need for Amsterdam, with expenses being around 3 /5.
What to do: Visit the Van Gogh Museum and go on a canal tour
What to eat: Herring
Brussels
Brussels is big, but you only need 1-2 days to see its main attractions. It is expensive, however, being around 5/5 expensive most of the time.
What to do: Sample world-famous Belgian beers straight from the source and visit the city’s extensive chocolate factories
What to eat: French fries – a Belgian invention
