Europe Travel Guide

When should I go? Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

In spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) you'll find milder weather, fewer crowds, and generally lower prices. Summer (June–August) is high season—which means great weather for long summer days/evenings and outdoor activities, but also crowds and high prices at popular cities. Winter (November–March) is great for Christmas markets, skiing, chasing the northern lights (in Scandinavia, Iceland), and visiting popular cities when they are quieter. Pick your season based on what you want most: beaches, cooler weather for walking/hiking, city breaks, summer festivals/fairs, winter activities.

Train or plane?

Train travel is fantastic for shorter distances with good connections (such as Paris–Lyon, Amsterdam–Brussels), or if your route will take you through beautiful scenery (Switzerland, Norway). Train stations are often in city centres, making it more convenient than flights where you may need to navigate airports on the outskirts. Flights are better for longer distances (London–Italy/Rome, Paris–Istanbul), or if you're short on time and want to maximize your vacation days. Lots of European destinations are connected by budget airlines—but remember to account for getting to airports (they can be outside of city centres) and check baggage fees. It's common to mix train and plane travel if you're visiting multiple countries.

Should I visit one country or multiple? How many days?

I find many first-time European visitors fall into the trap of wanting to see too much. If you have limited time, consider visiting just one country (e.g. spend 10 days in Italy instead of museums in London, Paris, and Rome). It will allow you to dig deeper and also help avoid travel exhaustion. That said, touring multiple countries is a great option if you're visiting countries that neighbour each other (Netherlands + Belgium; Switzerland + Italy) or if you have 2–3 weeks since you'll have more time to rest in between destinations. One more thing: if you're from outside of Europe, keep in mind Schengen visa rules. Most non-EU visitors can spend 90 days within any 180 period in Schengen countries. Keep that in mind if you're planning something longer.

I'm traveling with kids. Is Europe good for families?

Absolutely! Many European cities are extremely family-friendly. They often have great public transport systems, parks, and kid-friendly activities. Most museums offer free or discounted entry for children. Train travel is comfortable and well-suited for families. The key is pacing yourselves. Instead of bouncing between 5 cities in 10 days, try visiting 2–3 cities really well. If you have kids under 5, you may even consider doing a winter trip to Lapland, Christmas markets, or skiing.

Is it better to visit Europe in winter or summer?

Summer will give you long days, summer festivals, beach weather in the Mediterranean, and skiing/cycling/hiking in the Alps. Summers are also the busiest/expensive season. Winter is great if you want to experience Christmas markets, skiing, the northern lights (northern Europe, Iceland), and less crowded cities (e.g. Paris, Rome). Some mountain destinations/ski areas, and northern Europe are only good for visiting in winter. Southern Europe enjoys mild weather year-round.

I don't know much about Schengen…can I get into trouble?

The Schengen Area encompasses most of Europe's countries. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are also included. The benefit is that you can travel freely between these countries using one visa. The downside is that your allowed timeframe is 90 days within any 180 period. You will need to plan carefully if you want to do a long Europe trip spanning multiple Schengen countries. If you overstay your limit, you can be banned from returning to Schengen countries for several years. UK and Ireland are not part of Schengen. They have their own visa requirements.

How much should I budget for European travel? Should I worry about VAT refunds?

Price-wise, Europe can vary dramatically from one country to the next. Eastern Europe is generally cheaper, as are many south-eastern/eastern Mediterranean destinations. Scandinavia and Switzerland are the most expensive. Major cities like Paris and London are also pricey. Read up on VAT refunds if you plan on doing a lot of shopping. Visitors from outside of Europe can get their tax refunded on purchases over a certain price. You'll need to keep your receipts and allow some time at the airport for the refund process.