HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO EUROPE (STEP BY STEP) FOR FIRST TIMERS | Flights, Accommodation & More!
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2024
- HOW TO PLAN A TRIP TO EUROPE STEP BY STEP:
➡️ Grab my free Europe trip planning workbook: happytowander.com/EuropePlann...
➡️ Read the blog post where I go into further detail: happytowander.com/how-to-plan...
➡️ Follow me on Instagram for real-time Stories and shenanigans: / happytowander
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0:00 INTRODUCTION
0:35 UNDERSTAND THE SCHENGEN ZONE
1:52 DECIDE HOW LONG TO SPEND IN EUROPE
2:58 WHERE TO GO IN EUROPE
4:19 VISAS & DOCUMENTS
5:26 BOOK FLIGHTS
8:35 BOOK ACCOMMODATION
12:41 HOW TO GET AROUND
14:31 WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET THERE
16:54 DECIDE WHAT TO PACK
CHRISTINA'S TRAVEL GEAR
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EUROPE TRAVEL TIPS & MUST-KNOWS:
➡️ My best Europe travel tips: happytowander.com/europe-trav...
➡️ How to travel Europe by train: happytowander.com/how-to-trav...
➡️ Grab my free Europe trip planning workbook: happytowander.com/EuropePlann...
➡️ Grab my free accommodation checklist: happytowander.com/accommodati...
➡️ My (brutally honest) Flixbus review: happytowander.com/honest-flix...
➡️ My honest RyanAir review: happytowander.com/honest-ryan...
➡️ My honest WizzAir review: happytowander.com/wizz-air-re...
➡️ Europe summer packing list: happytowander.com/packing-sum...
➡️ Europe winter packing list: happytowander.com/travelling-...
➡️ How to avoid pickpockets in Europe: happytowander.com/how-to-avoi...
➡️ 7 scenic train routes you can't miss: happytowander.com/most-scenic...
➡️ Europe car rental hidden costs: happytowander.com/travel-euro...
➡️ 17 unconventional travel hacks: happytowander.com/travel-life...
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Wondering how to plan a trip to Europe, step by step? This video will talk you through all the steps of coordinating your own Europe trip, from understanding the Schengen Area and choosing where to go in Europe to booking flights to Europe, accommodations, where to find cool activities and fun things to do in Europe, and what to pack for Europe.
*Hey everyone, so excited to be back with my first video of 2023!* Let me know in the comments if any of you are planning a Europe trip this year! In any case, I hope this video is helpful for all your trip (whether for this year or sometime in the future).. and for more info, you can check out the written version of this guide here: happytowander.com/how-to-plan-a-europe-trip-step-by-step/
Hi Christina. Thank you for this helpful video. I'm planning a trip in December with my husband and another couple. You mentioned that you use Omio to compare prices. Have you booked any tickets on Omio ? I'm a little sceptical booking on third party sites although their fares are sometimes much cheaper. I'm in bit of a dilemma. What do you think?
مرحبا في مصري ❤❤❤❤❤
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤مرحبا
Planning my first trip to Europe from Australia in 2024, and came across your channel while researching. Wow.... what a great starting point you have provided me. Thanks so much and will definitely be checking out more of your videos !
Me too!!! Happy researching and future trip!
I love your videos. Very comprehensive and helpful.
@cappaman73 we are planning Europe trip from Australia as well. Hope you enjoyed your trip.
مرحبا في مصري
مرحبا مليون مبروك يا غالي الله
What an incredible video, the most helpful so far! Thank you!
Your channel is the BEST!!
So many good tips👍🏼
Thank you so much for putting such important info together!! It really helps a lot as now i am planning my solo trip!
Outstanding presentation, perspectives and resources! New subscriber! Keep smiling!!
I’ve just discovered your channel while I was doing research for independent travel and I must say you’re so awesome!!! 🎉 I’ve literally spent hours getting caught up on your channel reading the Europe planning checklists to the 40+ one week itineraries! Thank you so much for the informative and interactive guides! They help so much!
What a great channel! You are so informative and very good at organizing the information. Many blessings! Thank you for all the information
lots of good information, and no background 'music' yay. 🙂 I just looked at your website. Congrats that is beautifully organised and the images are stellar.
Thank you so much! This video was very helpful ❤
This is wonderful. I've been to EU a couple of times but I still learn a lot of cool stuff from you. You're so organized and covered a lot in 18min, concise and no fuzz. You speak fast but clear enough for someone like me - whose English is not my first lang.
Thank you Christina! Keep up the great work! :)
This video is an absolute gem! My husband and I are planning to backpack Europe next year and all your videos have been so helpful. Thank you so much!
Man I am so glad I found your channel. I am planning a trip to Italy with my husband and girls and watching your videos and visiting your blog made the idea of planning less daunting! Thanks for sharing your travel wisdom with us! ❤
So happy I found your channel. Great tips for Europe.🙏🏽😊
5:50 Europeans usually use debit cards to pay so credit cards will not be accepted everywhere but if they are it will mostly be Visa and Mastercard, not Amex.
Thank you I’m following your videos !! So very helpful!!❤️
Starting to plan my first trip to Europe for next summer thanks for your advice
Your content is amazing..🌹..very informative.
Great information! Thank you!
Wow Christina, I have to say I love how you present your videos. You’re on point and very informative 👏👍
Thanks a bunch 🙏
So kind of you to say. Thank you!!! 🫶
This video was so thorough and organized!! Also I love your quirks throughout the video haha. Thanks again!! Leaving August 22 this year for six weeks and am SO excited!
Aw I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the video!! I hope you have an amazing time on your trip!
Thank you very much for the helpful tips! Your video is very easy to understand and clear about what the travellers need to know. I am excited for my jouney following your tips!
Ahh thanks so much for the lovely comment!! Safe travels 🥰
wow awesome video!!!! so helpful thank you!
Wow this video hit all the points that I was looking for. Thanks so much, you are truly good at this! 🎉🙏
It really is a great video!Btw there is a great discount on UK train tickets now.Enjoy your days😝
Your videos are so helpful!
I’m so glad you’ve found them helpful. Thanks so much for watching! :)
Thank you for this super detailed video
GREAT overview video - just what I was looking for to get a few more “current” tips before our planning begins!
Agreed! This video is really helpful!Btw there is a great discount on UK train tickets now.Enjoy your days🥰
This is one of the best UA-cam video I’ve watched about ‘what you need to know when traveling overseas’. Super helpful and very informative. The only issue I have is that you are speaking so fast. I had to do a couple of rewinds to fully grasp the information. I’m sure not many viewers have this issue. But for some of us older folks do. I hope you will take this into consideration.
great video thank u!!! I learned so much!!!!!
GREAT overview video. Thank you!
While I have no idea how to plan for my Europe trip, you appears! Thank you!
Thank you for this! Very helpful! 😃
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Thank you for sharing! I even found some discount when buying the train ticket. It’s always good to look out for deals that can make travel more affordable.
This is a really useful video.Thanks for Sharing👍
You’re very welcome!! Thanks for watching!
Your videos are always informative!
Agreed!Btw there is a great discount on UK train tickets now.Enjoy your days🥰
This is super helpful information! We filmed a series in Europe last year where we compared our experiences in cities based on whether we planned them, or just let it happen naturally. We've definitely learned over years of travelling that planning for basics is so helpful, but leaving plenty of room to let the location come to you is also key to enjoying it! :)
Damn, I've travelled to Europe so many times now, and honestly didn't know so much of this info, thank you for this video! Super pumped for my next Europe trip!
Any additional suggestions? I'm trying to go for two weeks in January!
I’m not even half way done with the video and this has already been so helpful! Thank you!!
So happy to hear that! Thanks for watching 🥰
❤ your videos, visiting Germany this summer! love from another fellow Canadian 🇨🇦
Your travel advice is so valuable and practical! Just a quick question, have you had a chance to check out the new V4 of the Bento Bag from Nomad Lane? It's gaining quite a reputation among travelers, and it might be a perfect fit for your travel tips.
Very useful video. Thank you. I live in the UK. But plan to go to Auchwitz in 2024. This video came to me whilst researching booking things myself over a travel agent.
Thank you so very much for all your information!!!
Thanks Christina. Lots of great tips here 😊
Thanks for watching, Sara!! Hope you enjoyed it 🥰
Related to 13:58 , when weighing train vs. plane travel, consider the time spent getting to and waiting at the airport. For flights the standard advice is to arrive 2 hours before takeoff, but for trains 30 minutes is plenty and 15 is doable. For shorter trips between well-connected places, say Frankfurt-Berlin or London-Lyon, you may not save much time at all.
Also bear in mind that small regional airlines like EasyJet and AirLingus usually operate smaller planes. That often means smaller luggage allowances, and if your carryon bag becomes a checked bag, that’s another fee.
It’s true.
Wondeful video with lots of great advice!! One other point to go along with the differentiation between EU countries, Schengen Zone etc, is that not all countries in Europe use the Euro. Many use their own currency. Much of Europe is relatively 'cashless', but it is likely that you will still need a little local currency for small purchases and restrooms.
Oh yes great point! Forgot to mention that in this video haha. You’re right though - cash is definitely always a good idea. Been caught out a few times when the public toilets were cash only and it’s the worst feeling!
Thank you! ❤️
I went to Rome, Italy for a week, and I was able to do most what I wanted.
Went to Venice/ 2nd largest aquarium / all the most popular attractions in rome.
Amazing tips, thank you so much! I now have less anxiety about booking it 😂
The suggestion about pre-booking trains a week or more in advance is so worth it last July I was in London. I woke up one morning and I decided I am going to go to Paris for a few days and so I went toPancras station and I bought a ticket and it was $300 Canadian each way so spontaneous travel can be pricey.
You are truly the best, I'm planning my first trip to Europe this year, I have seen your video about Paris, and wow, I'm really impressed, just helpful information, straight to the point, really the best minutes invested in a travel video in the whole UA-cam, most of them are just garbage.
I want share you with one more tip for your European travel! You can get discount on the ticket actually…
Amazing info
Fellow Canadian here. I’ve just discovered your channel and I’ve been binging your videos ever since. You do a fantastic job! I’m looking for a long travel itinerary for a couple of retired Gen X’ers. I’m thinking Montreal to Ireland. One month in Ireland and then I don’t know what our best bet is to travel Europe from there. Portugal? If you have any advice or if you’ve made a video already on long travel that I haven’t found yet, please let me know. Keep it up 😊, your videos are great!
What cities are good to visit in Europe in November before the holiday season?
This video is amazing! It's exactly what I need right now👍Btw there is a great discount on UK train tickets now.I feel very lucky❤
I also found 5%off on trainpal!
Great info
Great videos! Thanks!!
You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching 🥰
I just checked the ETIAS site, and launch is now scheduled for 2024.
Good to know!! I did include a little note in the video but recorded the clip before double checking haha.
Can I now go to Europe without an ETIAS? I'm US citizen.
@@steadylearner1Yes. You won't need one till next year.
Actually now it’s mid 2025
Great step by step video!!
Thanks so much for watching! Glad you found it helpful 🥰
I'm so happy I found this video! We are planning to go to Amsterdam on 2025 but are trying to sort out where else to go
Hi! Christina
We are planning to go Europe in Feb 2024
We plan to go North Europe for 10days
Pls advice recommendations places
People tend to forget when comparing efficiency between flying and taking trains is the amount of time to get into that flight (ie checking in, airport queues, waiting in boarding gates). If the travel time between the two is only 2 hours or less, you might end up needing almost the same time to get to your destination. Not to mention the possible scenic views you get to enjoy during a train ride.
GREAT TIPS THANK YOU
Welcome! Thanks for watching!
Thanks 🎉❤
Thank you!
Hi i love your videos! I’m a first time traveler to Europe by myself! I’m going to plan my trip, however I would also like to get to know some trustworthy tours. Do you have any recommendation?
Please include a detailed video on using the rail system
was planning my spain, portugal and germany trip and thank god i came across ur video because i had no idea about the eitas
Wow, that’s really nice trip routine! But don’t forget to use the discount on the train tickets when traveling to the Europe!
Love the tip about starring on Google maps!
It’s such a game changer!! Hope you put it to good use on future trips :)
Hello I love your videos very informative and detailed I would like to ask do you have information on good expat health insurance & travel insurance companies. My daughter & I will be traveling Europe in 2024 we are preparing for this as best we can.
Your video just popped up, liked and subscribed right away. We just returned couple of days ago from our three week Europe trip (Covered Vienna, Salzburg including Hallstatt and finally Munich) though we initially thought of two months multi country Europe trip (of course rather unplanned without any itinerary). But contrary to our expectations it became too time consuming and challenging planning next destination, train tickets and hotel bookings, then had no choice but had to end our trip rather abruptly disappointed and dejected. But after watching your video realized we can not really travel so many places in one shot, may be one or two countries at the most. From Munich we tried every where nearby though the train accommodation available within Germany, but out of Germany for example we tried for Marseille France, there were a minimum of 4 train transfers from Munich and first two trains were ok as seat reservation not mandatory (especially in German trains) but once we get into TGV trains, no seat reservation available, we purchased the Global multi country Euro Rail pass, but had to cancel and loose $200 (15 % cancellation fee luckily did not activate the pass). One thing realized from your video even travel experts like you always plan the itinerary well ahead, I did research and never did make too many bookings in advance purposefully as I thought it will lock you down to number of days in each destination, I wanted to be flexible on our stay. Now realized you can not plan dynamically and can not have a flex itinerary especially in Europe that too in the peak summer. Thought of sharing our experience honestly. Any comments from you and other travel experts are welcome. Having joined your channel fresh, I might be posting more questions and comments. Cheers 👍
Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience and for your subscribing. Sorry to hear your experience wasn’t the best this time around, but you live and you learn :) I’m definitely a big planner, so I’m a huge advocate for booking things well in advance to avoid disappointment. Hope you have a smoother trip the next time around!
@@HappytoWander Hope so. Thank you 👍
Welcome back
For me maybe it's old school I take a lonely planet book and check in Google what I would like to see.
By the way your video on Munich crismars market help me for my last trip
Hi there how about phone-use? Do you get a sim card there in each country you travel to, or do you recommend getting an e-sim app, and if so, which one? thanks
Hi
What is the best and fastest way to get from FCO airport to Milan hotel ?
5:55 Amex won't be accept everywhere so I would to recommend to bring a Visa or Mastercard...
I found that when you're traveling inside of the "Schengen zone" to countries in Eastern Europe (such as Poland) "do not assume" that they're open if travelling by car. German border patrol agents will randomly search vehicles and will check passports!! Really enjoy your videos and thanks for all the information!!!
Good to know! I’ve actually never been to Poland (despite living in Germany for so long). Definitely still on my list :)
@@HappytoWander Go to Boleslawiec!! Great Polish Pottery shopping there!!
So? Nothing to worry about unless you're snuggling something illegal.
I agree with your on Airbnb prices are too much and became more expensive than the hotels
Hi I am from Windsor Ontario Canada. You never mentioned a host or guides please give suggestions for this thanks
HI Christina. Your video is great. Very informative and easy to understand. My friend is going to Europe in May, and he got Eurail global flex pass(7 day), and we are looking for detailed information on this to get him ready for train travel). Can I ask you question? Can he just activate the pass in app before using it, and with no planning or reserving a ticket or trip, just go to station and chose a raid and just jump in to train and travel like this?
Hi, I just want to remind you if you want to have a train trip, don’t forget to use the discount!!
Very useful
So happy you thought so! Thanks for watching :)
Hi Christina, This was perfect timing. My husband and I are going to Europe for a month this summer. My dilemma right now is booking our flight. I get more reward points if I book through my credit card’s travel portal, but…I can’t choose different class fares for the inbound and outbound flights, business class isn’t an option through the portal and I can’t pick our seats. I was told if I booked through the portal, I could use my confirmation number to contact the airline directly to pick our seats and check on upgrading to business for the flight over and choosing more economical seats for the flight back. I’m not sure the extra points are worth it. I really want to see a seat map and pick our seats. Any advise would be much appreciated. I’m going to check out some of your other videos. 😊😊 Happy Travels!
Hey Rhonda! This sounds like a complicated and unique case so I can’t say I have much experience dealing with it but at the end of the day, time is money too so if you feel like you would save a lot of time just booking elsewhere then I would just do that! Points are supposed to make our lives easier, not harder haha. Best of luck with whatever you decide!
Thank you so much for responding. What is your opinion for seat/class fares? My husband and I flew to London last year for a month long stay in Europe (our son lives in England for his job) and I just chose the cheapest flights. Our flight over on British Airways was great. I did have to pay to choose our seats, but I chose a very back row with only 2 seats-it was awesome not to be squeezed between a 3rd person. The flight back was the most miserable I have ever been on in my entire life. It was an emergency change flight, due to a death in the family-it was on AA and we had to take the seats we could get in order to get home ASAP, but the seats were the most compact I think we have ever had on any airline, including budget airlines like Ryan or Easy Jet. Having had that experience it’s made us much more “snobbish” about seating. My husband is 58 and I’m 56. We are both in excellent health and average weights, but at this point in our lives we do want some comforts. Any advice on choosing seats? We’d also like to fly into one location and out of another, but that doesn’t seem the most economical. I’m sorry to keep asking questions, but also so appreciative of all the information you and other people on UA-cam provide. It’s a wealth of knowledge-you guys are my “go tos” when I need to learn. Thank you again! ✈️🗼🧳❤❤
My son and I want to go to Europe in June or July of 2025. We would love to go for at least 1-2 weeks. Do you have any recommendations for that time frame?
Just discovered you and so happy that I have. Will you or have you talked about the pros and cons of your travel card? Specifically the amex platinum. I'm anticipating applying for it for extensive international travel in about six months, but I haven't found any women talking about the benefits of using travel cards, specifically the amex plantinum. I want to have access to the lounges and gain reward points since i will be using it alot. Thank you. 🙏🏽
Amex is the least accepted credit card in Europe, use Visa or Mastercard instead.
@@flitsertheoThank you, I'm glad that I asked.
So helpful! Im planning my first trip to Europe and I will definitely check out your other videos! Liked and Subscribed ❤
Great content! I plan to travel to London and Paris 2025. 4day trip from the US.
Those 2 cities in 4 days ? That is crazy. You need at least 4 days to visit each city. And you will lose a day travelling between those cities.
Hii.. Ur video was amazing..very clear and confident now to plan a europe trip.. Thank u sooo much.. Also help me if there are any solo travellers who form a group and travel.. I would surely like to join
I have been dreaming of going to Europe have been to Italy, Greece,Israel and Jordan all with a group I'm a introvert so it was a little awkward for me but I was to afraid to go alone. I have so many countries I want to explore like Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Paris, London and many more will have to go alone I actually prefer to just very nervous about language barriers,getting lost and just afraid trying to work up the nerve to just go great tips always helpful.
You can do it! Travelling alone is definitely scary at first but the freedom is unmatched and you learn so much :)
Oh you're too scared to travel you don't see anything. That's your choice.
@@HappytoWander yes Im doing it to Croatia
I have recently heard that in 2024 Europe is going to add that visas be a reuqirement for the U.S. (probably other countries too). Has anyone else heard this or can confirm? I have a trip to spain next July and would like to get a head start if its true😊
For entering the Schengen zone (so Spain too) you will need to fill in an online ETIAS form at least 72h before departure. This is NOT a visa but a visa waiver similar to the American ESTA.
ETIAS will cost about $7 and is valid for 3 years (or less if your passport expires before that date).
It is valid for citizens of all countries that do not require a visa to enter European countries.
❤❤❤
Do you need to complete ETIAS if you have a Canadian passport?
Yes.
Listen!!. Exploring new countries is such a rewarding experience! For first-time travelers, I'd recommend considering destinations that offer a mix of cultural richness and natural beauty. Personally, I've been fortunate to travel to over 10 countries thanks to careful budgeting and smart investments.I wasnt financial free until my 40’s and I’m still in my 40’s, bought my second house already, earn on a monthly through passive income and got 2 out of 5 goals, just hope it encourages someone that it doesn’t matter if you don’t have any of them right now, you can start TODAY regardless your age INVEST and change your future.
I'm almost 18 and I might go to Stockholm in November. And that's a very big might. I've been saving up my money from my jobs and there are people I know (long story) in Skellefteå that I'd like to meet.
You won't need ETIAS, it's been delayed to 2024.
One thing about google flights… I once found ahold deal for Virgin Atlantic but it said I had to call them. I called and they said no it’s not a valid price.
ETIAS is now pushed to July 2025
Can you make 8 days travel plan amsterdam
Wait I’m so confused with a US passport, I can only stay in the Schengen zone for 90 days or do I have 90 days to stay in each Schengen country? 😰
The 90 day limit applies to the whole Schengen zone, not for each country. Hope that helps!
Another tip you should know before the Europe trip is that you can buy all European train tickets with a 5% discount!
Did you find it on Trainpal?
The ETIAS takes effect starting in November 2023, if you are traveling to Europe before that, you do not need it.
It's been delayed, again. Not before 2024.
@@flitsertheo If I'm going to multiple countries staying a month or two in Europe what visa will I need with my passport come 2024.😊
@@Lisa-kz7vw Depends on your country /passport but if you belong to one of the 60 countries that don't need a visa to enter the Schengen zone you'll only need that ETIAS visa waiver. If it isn't delayed again.
@@flitsertheohow to get ? I am travelling to germany in june and i have canadian passport?
ETIAS starting from 2025
If youare even considering europe you should go. Life changing experiences await you. Europeans are living life every day. You wont understand this until you go.
Couldn’t agree more!
ETIAS, for US citizens won't start until '24
Hello do you know what months gonna start for ETIAS Nxt yr?
like