Europe generally caters well to tourists and offers a huge variety of cultures, landscapes, sights and attractions. Whether you are visiting one country or many, with a little thought and planning you can see everything you want to see and do everything you want to do in Europe with ease and comfort.
When traveling in Europe, one of the biggest expenses will be food. If you are going to stay in one location for more than a few days you can save money by booking accommodation that includes a kitchen. The price of the lodgings may be a little higher but you will save a considerable amount of money by buying basic ingredients from a local market and preparing them in the kitchen rather than eating out for every meal. It also enables you to pack a lunch to take on your excursions, which is preferable to expensive food offered at major tourist traps.
Most of the bigger cities in Europe have tour companies offering "hop-on-hop-off" bus tickets to the main sights. These can be a good bargain when you consider that they transport you to and from the places you want to visit and allow you to customize your trip around the sights that you want to see the most. Big cities in Europe often offer special tickets that give admission to multiple attractions for one price that can save you money, too.
The weather throughout Europe is seasonal and changeable. In addition to researching the likely weather conditions of your destination, try to pack clothes that can be layered so you are able to adapt to changes in temperature without having to overpack. You should bring an umbrella and light waterproof jacket at any time of year.
To use U.S. electrical equipment in Europe you will need to purchase plug adapters and a voltage converter. Unless they are essential, it is easier to leave electronics at home.
Travel in Europe inevitably involves a lot of walking, often on cobbled streets and narrow steps. This means you will definitely need to bring at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes.
For traveling around Europe between destinations you have several options: short flights, trains or car rental. Flying is the quickest way to get from one country to another and is sometimes cheaper than other options, too. It does limit you to major cities, however, and often airports are located outside the major metropolitan area, meaning you will have to find additional transport to and from the airport.
The rail network in Europe is extensive and easily navigated but can be expensive. For travel around the continent, look into a Eurail pass to save some money, and be sure to book tickets well in advance to avoid premium prices. Eurail passes are available to non-European Union residents for unlimited train travel in one country, within a specific European zone, or for the whole of Europe and are cheaper than multiple individual tickets. They are the equivalent of the InterRail pass available to EU residents.
If you are going to rent a car and drive in Europe, know that gas is considerably more expensive than in the United States and that you will probably need to be able to drive a stick shift. You will need up-to-date, detailed maps of every place you want to drive in order to successfully navigate the roads. Do a little research into local traffic laws to avoid any unwitting violations, and remember to bring your driver's license.
