Europe rewards travellers who plan a little and improvise a lot. This guide brings together everything you need to organise a trip: when to go, how to move between countries, what it costs, the entry rules that changed in 2025–2026, and two ready-made itineraries you can adapt. It replaces several shorter guides we published on the same topic, so everything is now in one place and kept up to date.

When is the best time to visit Europe?

For most of the continent, the shoulder seasons are the sweet spot. Spring (April–June) brings long days and gardens in bloom; autumn (September–October) keeps the sea warm in the south and the cities calmer after the summer rush.

• Summer (July–August): peak prices and queues, and increasingly frequent heatwaves in Southern Europe. In August many family-run shops and restaurants in Italy and France close for holidays.
• Winter (November–March): the cheapest time for city breaks, the season for skiing in the Alps, and from late November the Christmas markets of Vienna, Prague and Germany.
• Festivals worth planning around: the Carnival of Venice (February), Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August), Oktoberfest in Munich (late September to early October). Book months ahead if your dates overlap.

Not sure where to go in a given month? See our seasonal picks in the best European cities to visit in 2026.

How to get around Europe: train, plane, bus or car

Trains

For journeys under five or six hours, the train usually wins: stations are in city centres, there is no security queue and the landscape is part of the trip. High-speed lines link Paris, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Milan, Rome, Madrid and Barcelona, while night trains such as ÖBB’s Nightjet connect cities like Vienna, Munich, Rome and Amsterdam.

• Rail passes: Interrail is for residents of Europe, Eurail for everyone else. They pay off when you take many long journeys; for two or three trips, advance point-to-point tickets are often cheaper.
• Seat reservations: most high-speed and night trains require one even with a pass, sometimes at an extra cost.
• Book early: fares on Eurostar, SNCF, Trenitalia, Italo and Renfe rise as departure approaches, much like airline tickets.

Low-cost flights

Budget airlines make long hops cheap, for example Lisbon to Kraków or Dublin to Athens. Check the real total before booking: cabin bag fees, seat selection and the cost of reaching secondary airports far from the city can double the headline fare.

Long-distance buses

Coach networks such as FlixBus cover hundreds of routes at low prices. They are slower than trains, but a good option for short connections between Central and Eastern European cities or when you book at the last minute.

Renting a car and road trips

A car makes sense for the countryside, not for cities. The best regions for a European road trip include Tuscany and Umbria, Provence, the Scottish Highlands, the Algarve and Alentejo in Portugal, and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia. Before you drive, check the local rules:

• Italy: historic centres are restricted traffic zones (ZTL), and entering one without a permit means a fine by post.
• France: many cities have low-emission zones that require a Crit’Air sticker.
• Switzerland and Austria: motorways require a vignette, bought before you use them.
• Cross-border rentals: dropping the car in another country can add a large one-way fee.

Two Europe itineraries for 10 days

Classic first trip by train: Paris to Rome

1. Days 1–3, Paris: the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay, the Marais, an evening along the Seine.
2. Days 4–5, Swiss Alps: high-speed train towards Basel, then on to Interlaken or Lucerne for lakes and mountain railways.
3. Days 6–7, Florence: cross the Alps to Milan and continue to Florence; the Uffizi, the Oltrarno and a day trip into the Tuscan hills.
4. Days 8–10, Rome: the Colosseum and Forum, Trastevere, the Vatican Museums (book tickets in advance).

Central Europe on a budget: Berlin to Budapest

1. Days 1–3, Berlin: museums, street art and the history of the Wall.
2. Days 4–5, Prague: a scenic train ride along the Elbe valley; the Old Town and Prague Castle early in the morning, before the crowds.
3. Days 6–7, Vienna: coffee houses, the Belvedere and, in season, a standing ticket at the State Opera.
4. Days 8–10, Budapest: thermal baths, the Danube at sunset and some of the best value for money in this guide.

Prefer to avoid the obvious stops? Swap one city for a quieter alternative from our list of underrated European cities.

How much does a trip to Europe cost?

Costs vary more by region than by travel style. Scandinavia, Switzerland, London, Paris and Amsterdam are the most expensive; Central and Eastern Europe, Portugal outside Lisbon and much of Southern Italy and Greece off-season offer far better value. A few rules save money everywhere:

• Travel in the shoulder or low season and stay longer in fewer places.
• Choose accommodation one or two metro stops from the historic centre.
• Eat your main meal at lunchtime: set menus (menu del día, menu du jour, menù del giorno) are much cheaper than dinner.
• Use city travel cards and free walking tours, and check which museums are free on certain days.
• Remember tourist taxes: many cities charge a nightly fee, usually paid at the hotel.

Where to stay: hotels, hostels and apartments

Hotels give privacy and central locations; hostels are the cheapest option and often have private rooms too; apartments suit families and groups who want a kitchen. In cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam and Lisbon, short-term rentals are increasingly restricted, so check that a listing has a valid licence. Wherever you stay, read recent reviews and look at the location on a map before you look at the photos.

Do I need a visa for Europe? Entry rules in 2026

• Schengen Area: visitors from visa-exempt countries can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined. Others need a Schengen visa.
• Entry/Exit System (EES): non-EU travellers now register fingerprints and a photo at their first Schengen border crossing; allow extra time at the border.
• ETIAS: an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, expected to start in the last quarter of 2026. Check the official EU website before you travel and avoid unofficial sites that charge extra.
• United Kingdom: not part of Schengen. Most visitors, including EU citizens, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arriving.
• Passport validity: for Schengen, your passport should be valid for at least three months after your planned departure and issued within the last ten years.

Money, phones and practical tips

• Cards and cash: contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for markets and small towns. When a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in the local currency: the exchange rate is almost always worse.
• Mobile data: with an EU SIM, “roam like at home” rules mean no extra roaming charges across the EU and EEA. The UK and Switzerland are not covered, so check your plan or buy an eSIM.
• Tipping: service is often included. In most countries rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is generous; in the UK, 10–12.5% is common when no service charge is added.
• Etiquette: greet shopkeepers when you enter (a simple bonjour or buongiorno goes a long way) and cover shoulders and knees in churches.
• Insurance: choose a policy that covers medical costs, cancellations and any activities you plan, such as skiing. EU citizens should also carry their European Health Insurance Card.

What to pack for Europe

Pack light: you will carry your bag up station stairs and over cobblestones more often than you expect. Bring comfortable walking shoes, layers and a light rain jacket in every season, a universal adapter (the UK and Switzerland use different plugs from the rest of the continent), a power bank and a reusable water bottle.

Travelling responsibly

Overtourism is a real problem in places like Venice, Barcelona and the Cinque Terre. Visit popular sights early or late in the day, stay a little longer, spend your money in locally owned businesses, and consider a lesser-known town next to the famous one. Choosing the train over a short flight is also one of the simplest ways to cut the footprint of a trip.