It's sometimes hard to know where to start preparing your first trip to Europe. After all, there's nothing that quite captures the imagination of American tourists more than an epic Eurotrip.
The continent has plenty to offer a visitor from overseas including, great food, amazing culture, ancient architecture and a mix of interesting nationalities. Naturally, making sure not to miss any highlights takes a good amount of planning.
To make your preparation a little easier, here's a quick guide on all you need to know to prepare for your first trip to the European continent. As you'll see, getting ready to travel to Europe doesn't require as much stress as you might imagine.
Get your Travel Documentation in Order
It goes without saying that you will need a valid passport to travel to Europe. This should have at least 6 months' validity remaining as of the date that you arrive in a European country.
At present, Americans visiting Europe are automatically granted permission to enter the EU Schengen zone without prior authorization, needing only to present a passport on arrival. That will change however in 2021 when the ETIAS requirements for Americans come into effect.
Despite the extra step in the process, getting registered with ETIAS is intended to be quick and easy, taking approximately 10 minutes to apply. Once approved, visitors to Europe from the USA will be able to visit all 26 Schengen members with just one electronic travel document which lasts up to 3 years.
Prepare your Budget and Book Your Flights
The costs of traveling to and around Europe can vary, depending on the countries you are visiting. It is best to plan for a budget of around $420 - $700 per week. However, traveling on a shoe-string with services like Couchsurfing or cheap airlines like Ryanair or Easyjet can bring costs down significantly. Remember to budget appropriately taking into account the costs of:
Hotels and accommodation
Restaurants and eating out
Travel costs by air, train or bus
Visits to local attractions
Buying souvenirs and presents
Visa and Mastercard bank cards are accepted almost everywhere across the continent for payment and ATM withdrawals, meaning you don't have to carry excessive amounts of any local currencies. However, it is worth contacting your bank before the trip to inform them of your intention to use your card in Europe. After all, the last thing you need while traveling abroad is a temporary block on your card.
If however, you need to pay for items in cash, these purchases should be made in the currency of the country you're visiting. Very few vendors in Europe will accept US dollars for cash payments.
Pack the Essentials
As with any trip abroad, you should remember to keep on hand a few essential items that will help you enjoy a comfortable and relaxing trip. Travelers to Europe from the US are recommended to pack:
A travel outlet adaptor (type C or type G for the UK and Ireland 220-240 volts)
Travel guides for the countries you're visiting
Local language phrasebook
A few travel toiletries
On the whole, however, American visitors won't struggle to find essential items such as pharmaceuticals and toiletries whilst traveling in European cities. These and other familiar products can be found in stores and supermarkets all over the European continent.
The clothes you pack for your European adventure will vary depending on the season you travel in. If you're traveling in summer it's wise to bring shorts, t-shirts and looser clothing, although it's also a good idea to bring some longer tops and pants for cooler evening weather. If traveling in winter, on the other hand, it's better to bring warmer clothes for the cold weather.
Plan Your Route Carefully
With so many countries in close proximity to each other, a European trip itinerary almost seems to write itself. There's no shortage of ways to see Europe. With buses, cheap airlines and an extensive train network at your disposal there are plenty of methods of transport to get you from A to B.
Travelling by Air in Europe
There are many cheap flight options for getting around the continent, with carriers offering flights from as little as €1 (plus taxes). Flights can take about 1-5 hours depending on how far you're traveling and to get the best deals consider doing the following:
Booking your flights at least 3 months in advance
Flying earlier in the morning or later at night
Traveling light with only a cabin bag
Travelling via the European Rail Network
If you want to see Europe in a more sustainable way, that lets you really appreciate the landscape and natural wonder of the continent then traveling by train is the way to go. International train travel around the Schengen area is pretty seamless and if you book the right trains, fast.
If however, you want to combine travel with accommodation, there are also many sleeper trains that travelers can take advantage of on their journey. As a rule of thumb with European trains, it's best to check the timetables before planning your route and if necessary, booking ahead.
Travelling around Europe by Road
Getting city-to-city by bus in Europe is a cheap and easy way to get around. There are numerous bus companies in each country offering both national and international travel options for intrepid foreign travellers to enjoy.
If your plan, however, is to drive around Europe then you should remember to bring your US driver's license. This and a valid US passport is usually all you need to be allowed on the roads in most European countries, although some nations require an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Prepare to Be Amazed
The last tip of all is, of course, relax and have fun on your trip to Europe and prepare to be amazed! There's a little something for everyone to enjoy in this spectacular historical continent and if you've planned your trip well, you should be able to fully relish in the experience.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
