Book Flights Early
Paying 200 euros for a ticket that could have cost 80 euro can be easily avoided! Even cheap airlines, like Ryanair and easyJet, tend to increase prices dramatically. To avoid overpaying, book as early as you can!
Find Your Group
A good group of companions is one of the most important things when traveling, and can make or break a trip. Be honest with yourself about who you want to travel with, and switch it up sometimes if necessary! Traveling in smaller groups is much less stressful, but a few trips with more people can make for some pretty hilarious stories after the fact.
Plan Ahead
No matter who you’re traveling with, it is always necessary to have a plan! You won’t need a detailed schedule for every trip, but a list of places you want to see is a must. Knowing about the nightlife and the weather forecast also helps to plan a smooth trip!
Prioritize
No matter how hard you try to get everywhere on your bucket list, chances are there just won’t be enough time. Whether your limitation is time or money, prioritizing your travel destinations is an absolute must. Once you have all of your must-see places out of the way, you can plan other trips.
Choose AirBNB
Hostels are a great resource for young travelers in Europe, but Airbnb can be even better! This rental website is a great way to get inside information about a city, and have a comfortable home or apartment to stay in. The best part about Airbnb is that splitting the cost of a rental is usually cheaper than the cost of a hostel!
Pack Light
Lugging an overweight suitcase across town after landing in a new city is probably the worst part about traveling. Drop some pounds by packing light! Check the weather before you start packing and keep your planned activities in mind. If you keep all your outfits in the same color scheme, you’ll be able to mix and match easily and won’t have to pack as much variety.
Explore
Tourist sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Sixteenth Chapel are must-sees in Europe, but exploring the city you’re in from a local’s perspective can be so much more rewarding! Leave time in your day to just wander around the city and get to know it better. The father away you wander from the city center, the more likely you are to find authentic, inexpensive restaurants and explore the local lifestyle.
Pick a Souvenir
However inexpensive, it is nice to have some sort of keepsake from each place you have visited. Anything from postcards or stamps, to magnets or jewelry can make a great collection! Picking one small item to buy yourself in every city you visit will not only eliminate the internal conflict of what to buy, but it will also allow you to have a memorable, cohesive collection for when you return home.
Bring Enough Cash
If you trust yourself enough, stop at the ATM before your trip and bring all the cash you’ll need while traveling. Searching for a working ATM on your trip only creates frustration, and bringing cash can help control spending. Many places across Europe do not accept credit cards, so bringing cash is much more convenient.
Explore Your Host Country
As enticing as the entire continent of Europe is, your host country has so much to offer! Traveling within a country by bus or train is normally inexpensive and makes for a great weekend or day trip. European countries often vary a lot based on region; traveling just a couple hours away can give you the exciting sensation of being in a completely different country!