2 month trip to europe

Finding Alexx

| Bucket list adventures around the globe

Europe , Bucket list travel , Homepage popular · January 12, 2023

The ultimate 2 month Europe itinerary

This 2 month Europe itinerary is the perfect route to spend two months in Europe by train. For each destination I’ve included train details on how to get there, train costs, seat reservation fees for rail pass holders, things to do, places to eat and where to stay.

Planning a two month Europe itinerary? I’ve taken my actual Europe rail itinerary from my recent Europe adventure, made it much cleaner and easier, and typed it up into a super detailed, easy-to-read 2 month Europe itinerary that you can easily replicate for your own trip.

From iconic European cities like Paris, London and Rome to the stunning Italian coast, fairytale cities like Bruges, some of the most scenic train journeys in the world and some world-class culinary gems thrown in for good measure, this 2 month Europe train itinerary will show you a diverse selection of the continent’s highlights.

You could copy and paste this entire itinerary and save yourself weeks of planning, or just use it as a starting point to see where some of the easiest train routes go and then tailor it to fit your timeframe, budget and travel preferences.

So without further ado, let’s dive into this epic Europe train itinerary and get started on planning your European adventure!

How to use this 2 month Europe itinerary

This two month Europe itinerary is based on my own exact two month Eurail trip, but it’s been fixed up to make much more sense and save time and money.

You can see my exact Eurail itinerary here , but I had to fit my plans around a conference in London, various hotel collaborations on set dates, Christmas markets and some train strikes, so I wouldn’t recommend copying my actual route. Instead you can use this two month itinerary to get ideas for places to visit and how to get between them.

If you’re lucky enough to have even longer in Europe, I also have a super comprehensive three month Europe itinerary that is pretty much all you need to plan your Europe route! It has a core itinerary with the major highlights and then a bunch of add on itineraries that you can easily slot in depending on your preferred travel pace, budget and interests,

Do I need a Eurail pass for this trip?

You should consider purchasing a Eurail Pass (or Interrail Pass if you’re an EU citizen) for this Europe train itinerary, because it could save you a tonne of money (and stress!).

If you know your exact travel dates you can check the train prices for each route (you can do this on a website like RailEurope.com or with the specific train company directly) to calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it . If you’ve got your route fully confirmed 2-3 months before your trip then it might be better to buy all your tickets outright.

If you’re not sure of dates yet/want to keep things flexible then for this particularly itinerary a Eurail Pass is definitely recommended.

What’s the best Eurail Pass for this two month Europe itinerary?

I travelled Europe for two months with a ’15 travel days in 2 months’ Eurail Global Pass . If you go with this pass you’ll need to look at your route and try to figure out what 15 travel days will be most expensive, and use your Eurail travel days for these. There’s no point in using one of 15 travel days for a short €15 train journey between Tirano and Milan.

If you want to visit even more places, travel for another month, or just want the maximum flexibility then you could consider a consecutive Eurail Global Pass for two months or three months. These passes are much more expensive than the limited travel day passes, but they give you total freedom to wake up and catch a train wherever you want without worrying about calculating if a travel day is worth it.

Note: The Interrail Global Pass and Eurail Global Pass are basically the same, except for some specific requirements for leaving/entering your home country. When I say ‘Eurail Global Pass’ this can be interchanged with ‘Interrail Global Pass’ if you’re an EU citizen.

What are seat reservations?

When you travel with a Eurail or Interrail Pass, the pass covers your train ticket but for some trains you still need to pay for seat reservations. Many trains in Europe don’t require reservations, but for high speed trains, particularly busy routes, long-haul international trains and overnight trains you probably will need to pay for a reservation.

Seat reservation costs can vary drastically, ranging from €5 to €12 for the vast majority of reservation-required trains, but can be from €25 to €48 for high speed international trains like the Eurostar.

Seat reservations for most trains can be made on the Eurail website, they charge an fee of €2 per reservation which I have built into the price (e.g. when I say €12 reservation this is actually a €10 reservation with a €2 fee). If you can’t book them on the Eurail website (the Eurostar is an example), the Eurail website will send you through to the correct link or will tell you that you need to call the train company or visit a ticket office in person.

You can sometimes book reservations directly through local rail companies like DB (Germany) or OBB (Austria) and avoid the Eurail fee, but for ease of research I’ve taken the prices from the Eurail reservation search tool and therefore included that €2 fee in all the prices in this post.

What does this two month Europe itinerary include?

This Europe train itinerary includes many of Europe’s iconic must-do cities, as well as some lesser-visited regions and towns, plus some options for easy day trips or stopovers.

There are many, many more places to see in Europe of course, but for this itinerary I’ve focused on creating a simple train route that’s easy to follow without too many complicated train journeys or drawn out travel days.

There are also a bunch of simple alternative routes at the bottom of the blog, including places you could skip and places you could add on depending on your interests and priorities.

Please note that my ‘how long to stay’ recommendation is an absolute minimum length of stay to see the top sights, but every city has much, much more to explore if you have the time.

Where should I start this Europe train itinerary?

You could start this trip anywhere, it’s pretty much a loop so it’d be possible to start in London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome or any other major airline hub city.

What if I have more time?

You’re in luck! I’ve just published an extremely comprehensive three month Europe itinerary that gives you a core itinerary, and then has a bunch of optional add ons and detours to tailor it for your preferences.

Two month Europe itinerary summary

Europe train itinerary map.

I’ve tried to colour code the destinations in rainbow colours so you can get an idea of the order you’d be travelling in.

Europe train itinerary summary

Again, the days listed here are recommended minimum length of stay. This itinerary is currently 49-61 days long based on the recommended minimum stays so you’ve got a bit of leeway to add on a day in a few extra spots, or to add a new stop altogether.

• London (4 days)
• Paris (4 days)
• Barcelona (3 days)
• Lyon (2 days)
• Zermatt (2-3 days)
• St Moritz (1-2 days)
• Tirano (1 day)
• Milan (2-3 days)
• Cinque Terre (1-2 days)
• Florence via Pisa (2-3 days)
• Rome (4 days)
• Bologna (1 day)
• Venice (3-4 days)
• The Dolomites (3-4 days)
• Salzburg/Innsbruck (2 days)
• Vienna (2-3 days)
• Bratislava (1 day)
• Budapest (2-3 days)
• Prague (2-3 days)
• Berlin (3 days)
• Amsterdam (3-4 days)
• Bruges (1-2 days)

The ultimate 2 month Europe itinerary by train

How to get to London

If you’re starting your two month Europe trip in London, you can fly into one of a number of airports.

Heathrow is the main long-haul airport for most full service major airlines, and to get from Heathrow to Central London it’s an easy Tube trip on the Piccadilly Line or the Elizabeth Line.

Gatwick is the second-busiest airport and is a common arrival point for budget airlines and also some short-haul Europe flights of full service airlines, and is connected to London city by train that runs consistently throughout the day.

There’s also London City Airport (used mostly for short-haul Europe flights from full service airlines), London Stansted (budget airlines like RyanAir and Easyjet) and London (also budget airlines).

How long to stay: As long as you can. Stay for four days at a minimum, but you could stay for weeks and still only see a fraction of what the city has to offer.

About London

London is one of those iconic cities that you probably already know loads about from TV shows and movies, but once you’re there in person you’ll see that there’s much more to the city than Big Ben, Platform 9 3/4 and William’s house from Notting Hill.

I lived in London for two years on a working holiday visa a few years ago and I count it as my second home, so believe me when I say that London is truly whatever you want it to be.

If you want to do the classic tourist route you can visit palaces, museums and skyscrapers by day, and finish the evening with a West End show.

If you prefer seeing a city by exploring their cuisine, London’s full of foodie experiences to keep you satisfied, from world-class markets (Borough is my fave) to Michelin-starred restaurants to budget-friendly cheap eats if you don’t mind getting off the beaten track.

And if you’re up for something a bit different, there are loads of unique things to do in London to surprise and delight you and your travel buddies. Spend a night hopping between funky cocktail bars and speakeasys, roam around some of the city’s expansive parks, get amongst some of the city’s incredible events or see the skyline from a jetboat tour along the Thames.

Things to do in London

• See the obvious attractions, like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Natural History Museum, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral. All attractions are easily reached by public transport but if you’d prefer a simple door-to-door bus then consider the hop-on hop-off bus , or look at the Go City London Pass which gives you discounted entry to major attractions as well as the hop-on hop-off bus.
• Eat your way around Borough Market, don’t miss divine apple crumble from Humble Crumble
• Shop for vintage goodies at Portobello Market, Old Spitalfields Market or Brick Lane Market
• See a show on the West End (I love & Juliet , Hamilton, the Book of Mormon, Wicked, and the Lion King )
• See a darker side of London with this highly-rated Jack the Ripper walking tour
• Taste the best food around London with a food tour! Try this cheese walking tour , this Secret London Food Tour or this East End food tour
• Take a day trip from London. You could spend a day at Warner Bros. Studios (a.k.a. Harry Potter world!), see a bunch of Downton Abbey filming locations , or tick off Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor in a single tour
• See the best view of the city from up the Shard, without having to pay for a ticket. You can simply book a table at Aqua or Hutong’s if you want a meal, or try popping up for just a drink or two in the middle of the day. Don’t miss the bathrooms, now that’s a true loo with a view!
• Another great view is up the Skygarden, it’s free entry but you need to book in advance. You can book tickets her e.
• Treat yourself to a fancy afternoon tea. Head to the Savoy for a quintessential London high tea experience, go to Sketch for the most Instagrammable high tea in town, or tick off a city tour and afternoon tea in one with Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea bus tour .

Where to stay in London

Budget | London’s not known for being an affordable city but there are some hostels that can keep your accommodation prices down. Check out Urbany Hostel , Wombat’s Hostel , Selina Camden or Hostel One are all good options, or Kip Hotel is great if all you want a private room but don’t need much space.

Mid-range | To get the best bang for your buck in London you’ll need to stay slightly out of the city, but public transport is super well connected so with these options you’ll find it easy to get to the major tourist sights. The Fox & Goose Hotel in Ealing, Spread Eagle in Wandsworth, Rose & Crown Hotel in Wimbledon and Half Moon in Southwark are all brilliantly-rated mid-range options, or the Z Hotels in Holborn , Trafalgar and The Strand are all well-rated too.

Luxury | There are loads of luxury hotels in London for a fancy stay, but some of the best-rated ones are Hotel 41 , Pan Pacific London , Claridge’s , Ham Yard and the Ritz .

Self-contained | My go-to for a self-contained stay in London is Room2 Chiswick Hometel , a gorgeous boutique aparthotel that offers funky studios with kitchenettes as well as access to a gym, laundry facilities and a café/cocktail bar with plenty of work-friendly spaces. They’re also the world’s first fully net zero hotel which is super cool!

A quick note about airport hotels

If you’ve left planning your Europe trip a bit late and aren’t able to find a seat on the Eurostar to Paris, you might need to fly instead. In London you’ll find that many of the cheaper flights depart before 9am, meaning you might need to leave your hotel at a horrendous hour to reach whichever airport you’re flying out of. To save the early morning stress I often opt for an airport hotel, choosing a cheap early morning fare with an airport hotel booking often ends up cheaper than flying out on an expensive midday flight anyway!

I love BLOC Gatwick if you’re flying from LGW, they have good value cosy rooms with comfy beds literally right next to the departure gate. And if you’re flying from Heathrow, my top pick is the newly-refurbished Hilton Heathrow Terminal 4 , which has super spacious rooms, a brilliant buffet breakfast and a short six-minute walk down a covered walkway to get to Terminal 4.

How to get from London to Paris: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare de Lyon, super quick and easy.

Train prices: If you book a few months in advance or during a sale you can find tickets from €45 one way, but there are only a select number of tickets available at that price before it rises. Last minute tickets or tickets for peak times can be as expensive as €150-€175.

Seat reservations with rail passes: A Eurail Pass is great for the Eurostar because you only pay for the seat reservation which is €32 for a Standard seat (with a 2nd class Eurail Pass) or €40 for a Standard Premier seat (with a 1st class Eurail Pass).

How long to stay: 4 days

Paris is one of Europe’s most hotly-debated tourist destinations, it seems as though you either absolutely love it or totally hate it! I’m in the ‘love’ camp, and I’ll always tack a quick Paris visit onto any European adventure.

I think the issue with Paris is that people have these dreamy, romantic expectations of the city after seeing it in movies and TV shows, and then the reality of hectic crowds, abrupt locals, smelly metro corridors and scammy tourist traps ruin these expectations leaving a bit of a sour taste in the their mouths. But, just like any main city, the best Paris has to offer is beyond the iconic tourist sights.

Paris boasts one of the world’s best café cultures, where pastries are freshly-baked, coffee is piping hot and people-watching is a daily event. And if sitting at a sidewalk table isn’t your thing, there are plenty of inner city parks to take your fresh croissant or baguette and cheese to for a DIY picnic.

Throw in a bunch of renowned museums and galleries, Instagrammable photo spots all over the city, easy day trips to palaces, castles and gardens, an alluring cabaret scene and stunning architecture everywhere you look, and you might just join me in the Paris fan club!

Things to do in Paris

• Practice your French! It’s true that the locals aren’t super friendly when you speak English to them and expect them to respond, but can you blame them? A little ‘bonjour’, ‘s’il vous plaît’, ‘parlez vous anglais?’ and ‘merci’ will go a long way. (That’s ‘hello’, ‘please’, ‘do you speak English?’ and ‘thank you’, by the way!)
• See a cabaret show, Paris is home to loads of incredible cabaret performances, ranging from risqué and raunchy through to quirky and even family-friendly. I recently saw Paradis Latin which blew me away, the dialogue and songs were part-French, part-English, the costumes were stunning and the atmosphere was so vibrant and fun.
• Grab a baguette and some cheese and have a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, in the Jardin des Tuileries or at Places des Vosges
• Visit the Galeries Lafayette department store to see the famous stained-glass dome
• Learn about some of the most famous artworks in the world at the city’s museums. There’s the Louvre , Musée Picasso , Musée d’Orsay , Musée Rodin and many, many more.
• Indulge in some sugary treats, like macarons from Pierre Hermé, the famous hot chocolate (more like chocolate soup!) from Angelina’s or a pain au chocolat from Du Pain et des Idées
• Try your hand at making your own French dessert with a macaron cooking class, there’s a good value 1.5 hour option at Galeries Lafayette , or a more intensive 2.5 hour option at a cooking school
• See a side to the city many don’t even know exists with a tour through the Catacombs , an underground network of tunnels that hold the remains of six million people after being moved from overflowing cemeteries in the 18th century
• Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the steps of the Sacré-Cœur
• Wander through the narrow cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter, and stick around in the evening if you’re keen to experience the neighbourhood’s buzzing nightlife
• Explore the charming Marais district, my favourite part of Paris. Incredible design stores, trendy clothing shops and the city’s best Middle Eastern eatery, l’as du fallafel
• Take a day trip out of the city to the opulent Palace of Versailles , the castles of the Loire Valley , the gardens of Giverny or the rollercoasters of Disneyland Paris

Where to stay in Paris

Budget | On my most recent trip I stayed at JO&JOE Paris Nation , which has a fridge and microwave as well as pod-style dorm rooms and private rooms, from my research it’s the best hostel in Paris that offers cooking facilities. I’ve also stayed at People Nation which has brilliant pod-style rooms right next to a metro station, but unfortunately doesn’t have a kitchen or even a fridge (not ideal for travellers on a budget as eating out in Paris isn’t exactly cheap). Generator Paris is another well-rated hostel but also doesn’t allow any outside food to be brought in, and budget-friendly Enjoy Hostel does have a kitchen but is lacking in other areas like comfort and space.

Mid-range | Hotel Paradis is my go-to for a mid-range boutique stay, they have simple but beautiful interiors, comfy beds and some top floor rooms can see the top half of the Eiffel Tower for cheeeeap. I also love Laz’ Hotel Spa for something a bit fancier without being crazy expensive, and some other decent options are Hôtel de Roubaix , B Montmartre and Babel Belleville .

Luxury | Treat yourself to a luxury stay in Paris at Manolita Paris , Maison Villeroy , La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa , Bulgari Hotel Paris or Cheval Blanc Paris .

Self-contained | If you want somewhere with kitchen facilities then I adored my time at Edgar Suites Montmartre , they are an aparthotel just around the corner from the stairs to the Sacre Coeur. Spacious, stylish and ideally located! Other top-rated self-contained options are Goralska Résidences Hôtel , Les Jardins Du Luxembourg Hotel , CADET Residence or PEPPER & PAPER Apartments .

Bonus: Where to stay at Paris Disneyland

Budget | Eklo Hotels is an awesome option for Disneyland visitors on a budget, with rooms ranging from single to double to family to group dorm rooms. There’s also a fridge and microwave for guests to use, as well as a restaurant and bar serving up diner-style food and drinks.

Luxury | Hotel L’Elysée Val D’Europe is my top pick for a luxurious, comfortable stay near Disney. They’ve got huge rooms complete with giant beds, desks and bath tubs, and the hotel provides a free shuttle to and from Disney throughout the day.

How to get to Barcelona from Paris: There’s a direct train that runs twice a day (three times in summer) and takes 6h 31m.

Seat reservations for rail pass holders: The seat reservation for this high speed train is expensive, I paid €48 for a 1st class seat and the 2nd class reservation was €36.

Train prices: But the train ticket would’ve cost me €228 without a Eurail Pass when I booked a week before the trip (€188 for 2nd class) so the pass saved me loads of money. Looking at prices now for 2.5 months ahead of time the prices are between €119 and €144 for 2nd class, so this is an expensive route to buy outright.

How long to stay: 3 days

Barcelona is a fabulously vibrant city that offers beaches, nightlife, gastronomy, culture and history all within easy access to each other, which is ideal if you’re only here for a short visit.

By day you could catch some sun rays from a deckchair in the sand, marvel at Gaudi’s masterpieces or try some local delicacies from Mercado de La Boqueria. By night you could sip sangria while taste testing tapas (or trying some of the city’s best paella), enjoy some late night shopping down Las Ramblas or hit the cocktail bars or nightclubs.

Things to do in Barcelona

• Visit the still-incomplete jewel in Barcelona’s tourism crown, La Sagrada Familia, which is one of the city’s Gaudí masterpieces, currently in its 141st year since construction began in 1882. The basilica is certainly a showstopper even from afar, unlike any other church in the world, but you’ve got to go inside and see the stained-glass windows and unique ceiling design. Avoid long queues by booking your ticket and visit time in advance , or skip the line entirely with this guided tour and entry ticket combo .
• Another iconic Gaudí stamp on the city is Park Güell , an enchanting park sitting above Barcelona with incredible views, fairytale-esque gardens and a house where Gaudí himself lived with his family, which is now a museum dedicated to him
• And a third Gaudí tourist hot spot is Casa Batlló, a.k.a. the ‘House of Bones’ thanks to its skeletal look. You can enjoy the unique façade from the street for free, or you can buy an entry ticket to learn more about Gaudí and his creative process.
• Shop til you drop down La Rambla, a tree-lined pedestrian boulevard boasting flagship stores, quirky street performers and vibey cafes and restaurants
• While you’re wandering down La Rambla, don’t miss the entrance to the famous La Boqueria market, where you’ll find a wide range of food from fresh juices to sweet pastries to cured meats and ocean-to-market seafood
• Catch some sun, hit the surf and feel the sand between your toes along the city’s 4.5km coastline
• Experience Spanish culture through cuisine by having a daily tapas session. I loved Ciutat Comtal and some other top-rated eateries are Tapeo, Sensi Bistro and Cerveseria Catalana
• Walk through the beautiful Ciutadella Park

Where to stay in Barcelona

Budget | Yeah Barcelona , Hostel One Ramblas , Born Barcelona and Fabrizzios Terrace Hostel are all top-rated budget-friendly options

Mid-range | For something mid-range check out Forget Me Not , Musik Boutique Hotel , Occidental Barcelona 1929 and Hotel Jazz (which has a rooftop pool!)

Luxury | ME Barcelona , Hotel El Palace , Hotel Boutique Mirlo , Monument Hotel and The One Barcelona GL are some of the best-rated luxury hotels in Barcelona

Self-contained | If you want self-catering facilities, some good options are Deco Apartments , El Alma de las Ramblas , Eco Boutique Hotel and Suites Avenue

How to get to Lyon from Barcelona: A 5h 17m train journey with one change in Montpellier with mandatory reservations on both trains, €36/€50 for the first train (2nd class/1st class) and €12 for the second train (both classes the same price).

Train prices: This route typically costs between €70-€120 for a ticket so check the price for your travel dates to see if a Eurail Pass would be worth it. There’s also a direct coach from Barcelona to Lyon with FlixBus for €28.99 but this takes nine hours.

How long to stay: 2 days

A lesser-known city compared to many on this two month Europe itinerary, Lyon takes the culinary crown as France’s best foodie city. With 19 Michelin-starred restaurants, gastronomic events throughout the year, flagship restaurants from world-famous chefs and easy access to some of France’s best produce and meat, it’s an absolute must-visit for any food-minded traveller.

Things to do in Lyon

• My absolute top recommendation for Lyon (and for any foodie city) is to do a food tour, it’s hands down the best way to learn about the city’s culinary history and taste a bunch of local specialties while you’re at it. Some highly-rated ones are this 4 hour Vieux Lyon food tour , this Secret Food Tour and this Vegan Croix-Rousse food tour if you’re plant-based.
• Snag a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Restaurant Paul Bocuse is perhaps the most famous, named after Lyon-based gastronomic legend Paul Bocuse and boasting two Michelin stars. You can see all the Michelin-starred Lyon restaurants here , book in advance if you’re visiting on a weekend or during summer.
• Wander through the cobbled alleyways and ‘traboules’ (secret passageways) of Vieux Lyon, the city’s old quarters
• See the city efficiently (time-wise and energy-wise!) with a Pedicab tour , a Segway tour or an electric bike tour
• Take a walk through the indoor and outdoor gardens at Parc de la Tête d’Or
• Catch the funicular (or walk if you don’t mind breaking a sweat) up to Fourvière Hill to see the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Théatre Gallo-Romain and incredible views of the city

Where to stay in Lyon

Budget | Centre Jean Bosco , Félix Dort , MEININGER Lyon and Hotel Elysée offer brilliant value for money

Mid-range | Hôtel de l’Abbaye , Hotel De Verdun 1882 , Hôtel Edmond W and Le Phénix Hôtel

Luxury | InterContinental Lyon , Villa Maïa , Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa or Hotel & Spa Le Pavillon if you’d like somewhere luxurious slightly out of the city

Self-contained | Le Cocon on Dine , Urban Cocoon Gite and MOHOM all offer kitchen facilities

Don’t stay at | I stayed at ResidHotel in a tiny studio apartment, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It was far too expensive for the size and quality of the place, and it was disgustingly dirty, with food remains stuck on ‘clean’ dishes, dust everywhere, sticky stuff on the kitchen bench and desk. Avoid!

How to get to Zermatt from Lyon: A few different options, but the easiest/cheapest is a three train journey that takes between 5h 36m and 6h 36m depending on the connections, with no seat reservations needed (which means it’s totally free if you use a Eurail pass). Most journeys will have a regional train from Lyon to Geneva (1h 57m), a switch in Geneva, then a train to either Visp (2h 13m) or to Brig (2h 1m), then a switch to your final train to Zermatt (1h 10m from Visp, 1h 22m from Brig).

Train prices: Prices seem to sit at around €80-100 for outright tickets even when booking a couple of months in advance

How long to stay: 2-3 days

Have you ever wondered what mountain you see on the Toberlone packet? It’s the Matterhorn, an iconic peak in the Swiss canton of Valais, and the charming ski town of Zermatt provides a front row ticket to it.

Zermatt is best-known as a winter hub for active adventurers who want to hit the slopes of world-class ski resorts, but it’s still well worth a visit in the warmer months too, with hikes, alpine train rides, paragliding, scenic flights and more on offer.

Things to do in Zermatt

• Ski or snowboard if you’re visiting during winter, then get amongst the epic apres-ski scene afterwards
• Take the Gornergrat Bahn mountain railway to the top of Gornergrat for the best view of the Matterhorn
• Do a walk when you’re up at Gornergrat. I got off at the top station and walked the 2km to Riffelsee Lake, a lake with an incredible reflection of the Matterhorn, before heading slightly up hill (short but very steep 5 min walk) to Rotenboden station to catch the train down.
• You could also continue 2.3km to the next station, Riffelberg, or skip the first walk, get off at Rotenboden and just do the second. During winter these trails are snowy so the first walk (Gornergrat to Rotenboden) is accessible to snow-shoers only, but the second walk (Rotenboden to Riffelberg) is accessible to both snow-shoers and normal winter hikers.
• Float amongst the peaks with a paragliding flight
• Take the world’s highest cable car, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise to Europe’s highest mountain station at 3,883m above sea level, where you’ll be able to spot 38 mountain peaks in Switzerland, France and Italy
• Try some fondue, a quintessential Swiss alpine culinary experience. My hotel (the stunning Hotel ZERMAMA ) had in-room fondue sets where guests could order the ingredients from the restaurant and then DIY their own fondue dinner in the comfort of their room or from their balcony, So dreamy!

Where to stay in Zermatt

Budget | Zermatt Youth Hostel is the cheapest place in town and has great reviews, or ALPINA Budget Rooms , Hotel Alphubel and Le Petit Charme-Inn are also rated over 8/10 on booking.com

Mid-range | Chesa Valese , SchlossHotel Zermatt , Unique Hotel Post and Schallers Tannenhof offer great value for the mid-range budget

Luxury | I am obsessed with where I stayed and cannot recommend it highly enough, it’s called Hotel ZERMAMA and it’s one of the best places I’ve ever stayed for sure. It’s a 4* luxury design and lifestyle hotel with stunning interiors, lots of thoughtful extras (yoga mat, resistance bands, big faux-fur winter coat for cold nights on the balcony) and little details that take your stay to the next level. I stayed in a suite which was absolutely divine but they also offer single rooms for solo travellers which I love (no need to pay for extra space you don’t need), as well as a range of other rooms to suit different budgets.

Self-contained | Studio MIA , Alpenblick Superior and Piccolo Fiamma all have options with a kitchen/kitchenette

How to get to St Moritz from Zermatt: By catching one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe (and the world!), the Glacier Express, which is an 8 hour direct train with panoramic windows and some of the best views I’ve ever seen in my life. You can save 152CHF (2nd class) or 268CHF (1st class) on your Glacier Express journey using a Eurail, Interrail or Swiss Travel Pass, you can find out how in my Glacier Express travel guide .

Seat reservations: 39CHF during low season (mid-Dec to mid-May), 49CHF during high season (mid-May to mid-Oct)

You can also replicate the same journey by using regional trains which don’t require seat reservations, so they’re free with a rail pass or still relatively cheap compared to the Glacier Express if you’re buying outright. You’ll need to take five trains in total but all the changes are simple and at small stations: Zermatt to Visp, Visp to Andermatt, Andermatt to Disentis/Muster, Disentis/Muster to Reichenau-Tamins, and Reichenau-Tamins to St Moritz.

How long to stay: 1-2 days

St Moritz is the birthplace of winter tourism in Europe, with luxury hotels, fancy ski resorts and gourmet restaurants playing host to the rich and famous since 1864. It also serves as the stopover between the Glacier Express train and another Switzerland panoramic train, the Bernina Express.

Things to do in St Moritz

• Walk around Lake St Moritz, an easy 4.4km walk past lakefront hotels and restaurants, through some short forest sections and with stunning views the whole way round
• Catch the funicular up to Corviglia (2486m) for hiking in summer and skiing in winter, or go slightly higher with the cable car up to Piz Nair at 3,057m
• There are plenty of other hikes on offer in and around the area, from easy family-friendly trails to more challenging alpine treks and even seasonal wildflower tracks
• Channel Cool Runnings and get your heart racing with a bobsled run down the Olympia Bob Run , the oldest run in the world. It’s not cheap, at 269CHF per person, but you’ll never forget the thrill of speeding down a natural ice track at up to 135km/h, feeling forces of 4G and coming to a halt after 75 seconds of adrenaline.

Where to stay in St Moritz

Unique | I spent two nights at one of the most unique accommodation spots in the world, a historic observatory with mountain views, a turning mechanism and a cog-wheel window for stargazing. The observatory is located at Randolin’s Berghotel and also gives you access to the hotel’s beautiful spa and wellness area. One for the bucket list for sure, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Budget | St Moritz Youth Hostel or Hostel by Randolin’s are the cheapest accommodation options with decent reviews

Mid-range | Aside from the epic observatory, Randolin’s Berghotel also has mid-budget hotel rooms that offer a comfortable stay, great facilities and incredible views for an affordable price. You could also look at Hotel Piz , Chesa Languard or Boutique Hotel Cervus .

Luxury | Suvretta House is an iconic St Moritz luxury hotel, Kulm Hotel has incredible reviews, and Carlton Hotel is one of the Leading Hotels of the World

Optional stop: Tirano

How to get to Tirano from St Moritz: By catching the Bernina Express, another panoramic train with huge windows and insane views. A Eurail pass makes this one much more affordable too!

Seat reservations: From 20CHF to 26CHF depending on time of year

Train prices: 32CHF 2nd class or 56CHF 1st class, not including the seat reservation fee

How long to stay: Overnight

Tirano is a sleepy alpine village located in Northern Italy just across the Swiss border, and it’s the end point of the Bernina Express train.

I’ve noted it an an optional stop in this two month Europe itinerary because there isn’t a huge amount to do there as a tourist, however it’s a charming Italian town that’s much more calm and low key than the next few stops on this trip, so if you want a bit of a break then it’s a great spot to spend a night or two.

If you have extra time and you enjoy skiing in winter or cycling in summer then you might want to stay longer, it’s a great area for outdoor adventures!

Things to do in Tirano

• See the Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano, a 16th century Renaissance-inspired church dedicated to Mary after she appeared to a local man asking for a shrine in 1504 (as local legend goes)
• Enjoy some Valtellinese cuisine, I loved Parravicini Restaurant but some other top-rated ones are Posteria Del Rosso and Merizzi
• For a classic pizza dinner, head to L’Hostaria Ristorante
• Try some local wines at the wineries on the hills surrounding Tirano
• Ski in winter or explore by e-bike in summer

Where to stay in Tirano

Budget | Hotel La Rotonda , Albergo Gusmeroli and B&B Antica Residenza Centro Storico are all cheap and well-rated

Mid-range | I stayed at Ostello del Castello , a great value guesthouse just a short walk from town and one of my favourite places I stayed in Europe. Basic but spacious and comfortable rooms, superb hospitality, and a rooftop terrace ideal for catching some rays while overlooking the town on a sunny day.

Self-contained | Casa Dolce Casa , Old Town Apartments and Holiday House Viola all have kitchen facilities

How to get to Milan from Tirano: An easy 2h 28m direct train

Train price: Tickets are just €12 so not worth using a travel day on a rail pass (but if you have an unlimited travel pass this train is included and doesn’t require seat reservations)

Milan isn’t as popular on the Italy tourist route as Florence, Rome and Venice, but if you can fit a couple of days in Milan into your Europe itinerary you will find plenty to see, do and eat. It also serves as an easy hub for rail travel, with connections to cities in Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria and more.

Things to do in Milan

• See the Duomo di Milano , one of the largest cathedrals in the world and the most iconic landmark of the city. Book a skip-the-line ticket to save time, you can choose a cathedral and rooftop ticket (optional audio guide add on) or you can get a cheaper ticket to the rooftop terraces only (no church) .
• Right next to the Duomo you’ll find Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a glass-covered arcade packed with luxury clothing stores. Go for sunrise to see it quiet, it fills up by around 9am and will be busy the entire day.
• Take a guided tour of the Teatro alla Scala and learn all about the theatre’s history and past performers
• Visit Santa Maria delle Grazie, a church that hosts da Vinci’s Last Supper. Tickets book up well in advance through the official website, so if you miss out then you’ll need to book a skip-the-line ticket with a guided tour .
• Architecture nerds won’t want to miss the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
• And football fans might want to visit the museum at San Siro Stadium, or better yet, do a guided tour
• Enjoy an evening of aperitivo in the vibrant Navigli district
• This one sounds strange but hear me out, you have to visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery near the Duomo! It’s the fanciest Starbucks I’ve ever seen, complete with an authentic Italian menu, cocktails like espresso martinis and Aperol Spritz’, and for digital nomads it’s one of the only cafes in the city that offers unlimited free WiFi

For more things to do in Milan, check out my two day Milan itinerary

Where to stay in Milan

Budget | I stayed at Ostello Bello Grande , part of an Italian hostel chain with top-rated hostels in a bunch of major cities. The hostel is a one minute walk from Milano Centrale which is ideal for rail travellers, it has a beautiful rooftop with great views across the city, and there are loads of events to make friends.

Mid-range |   Rosso Segnale Milano ,  Milano Dreams  and  B&B La Terrazza di Barbara  are my top mid-range picks, all rated above 9.5/10 on  booking.com

Luxury |  INTOMilan Aparthotel  is a brilliant option for affordable luxury,  ODSweet Duomo Milano  is a brand new ultra-Instagrammable hotel, or  Hotel Indigo Milan  is a classic

For a view of the Duomo  | For the classic balcony/window shot of the beautiful cathedral, check out  Duomo Cathedral View  (aptly named!) or  Unique Duomo Luxury Property

Cinque Terre

How to get to Cinque Terre from Milan: Direct train from Milan to La Spezia (3h 10m-3h 30m), then short trains to the villages.

Train price: The train to La Spezia is pretty cheap (€10-€25 depending on how far in advance you book), then you can take trains between the five villages with a €7.50 train card between March 24 and November 6. If you visit outside of these dates then that’s the off season and trains between the villages are free.

Seat reservations: Depends on the route, some don’t require reservations, some require €5 reservations and some require €12 reservations

The Cinque Terre was one of the first truly ‘Instagram-famous’ destinations when social media really started taking off, and the colourful seaside villages have been appearing on our feeds all through European summers ever since.

If you only have a day for the Cinque Terre then you’ll be able to see all the villages by using the train, but if you’d like to explore each village more in-depth, try some of the hikes between the villages or add on a boat trip along the coast then two or three days would be better.

Keep in mind that the Cinque Terre gets extremely busy from May through to September/October (July/August are slightly less busy because of the summer heat), and chances are you’ll be jostling for photo spots, waiting for restaurants and dealing with loads of people on the hiking trails. This isn’t to put you off visiting, it’s just to ensure you know what to expect so you aren’t disappointed!

Things to do in the Cinque Terre

• Visit each of the five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso
• Take a dip at Monterosso al Mare, the only sandy beach in the Cinque Terre, and home to those famous orange and green striped umbrellas
• Explore the coast by foot with one of the many hikes between the villages. The Blue Trail is the most popular track, it used to connect all five villages but was damaged by a landslide in 2012 and the route is now limited to the Monterosso – Vernazza – Corniglia sections which are 7.6km long in total. The famous Via dell’Amore (the Path of Love) from Riomaggiore to Manarola is closed until at least May 2024.
• See the coast from the water, particularly amazing in the afternoon as the sun starts to set and the colourful houses seem even more vibrant than usual. You could do this 1.5 hour kayak tour, a 3 hour kayak + snorkel tour or a full day boat tour.
• Eat lunch at Nessun Dorma, the Cinque Terre’s most well-known restaurant with stunning views overlooking Manarola. The line is always long but you can skip it by downloading the Nessun Dorma app and saving your spot while making your way there.
• Try Pesto Genovese, one of Liguria’s best-known culinary specialties

Where to stay in the Cinque Terre

Staying in the villages themselves can be quite pricey (understandably) but gives you better access to the area outside of peak day tripper hours, but for more affordable accommodation I’d recommend staying in La Spezia and then travelling to the villages during the day.

Budget | Ostello Tramonti , La Cesarina or Casa Macaia in La Spezia, or La Rosa dei Venti in Monterosso if you want to be amongst the villages

Mid-range | La Casa dei Treni Affittacamere in La Spezia, A cà da Alba Rooms in Monterosso or AMARE IL MARE Affittacamere in Corniglia

Luxury | Grand Hotel Portovenere or La Spezia by the FIrst

Day trips to Cinque Terre

If you don’t have time to spend a night in the Cinque Terre, you can join organised tours from both Milan and Florence .

Florence via Pisa

How to get to Florence from Cinque Terre: There are regional trains running constantly throughout the day to get from La Spezia to Florence, most of which have a short change in Pisa and the total travel time ranges from 1h 32m to 2h 36m.

Train prices: Tickets are cheap, typically between €14.40 and €18.80 so it wouldn’t be worth using a travel day on your rail pass.

It’s super easy to stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower on your way from the Cinque Terre to Florence, there’s luggage storage available at the station (most European stations have this option, usually €5-10 per large locker for a half day) so you can pay to store your suitcases and then walk 20 minutes from the station to the tower.

With Renaissance architecture to marvel at around every corner, fresco-filled churches to visit, and a seemingly endless list of sculptures, paintings and other masterpieces to admire, Florence has enough to satisfy even the most cultured travellers.

If the idea of gallery after gallery bores you then don’t stress, the city also boasts some of the country’s best restaurants, a fantastic shopping scene and easy access to the Tuscan countryside.

Things to do in Florence

• See the most iconic of all of Florence’s beautiful buildings, the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore. Lines are always long but you can buy skip-the-line tickets with a guided tour , or this Duomo complex ticket includes access to climb the dome itself
• Say hello to perhaps the most famous statue in all of Europe, Michelangelo’s David, at the Accademia Gallery
• Visit the Uffizi Gallery , home to one of the most impressive collections of Renaissance artwork, including masterpieces from da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Raphael, to name a few
• Try a sandwich from the original All’Antico Vinaio, the most-reviewed sandwich shop in the world with a 4.6/5 rating from more than 31,000 reviews. It’s worth the wait in line, I promise!
• See the city through Leonardo da Vinci’s eyes with a da Vinci-themed walking tour
• Window shop at the jewelry stores along the Ponte Vecchio
• Buy a genuine leather belt or bag from the artisan leather workshops in and around Piazza Santa Croce
• Visit the Basilica of the Santa Maria Novella and see art from Giotto, Masaccio, Filippo Brunelleschi and more
• Try your hand at making your own Italian dishes with a cooking class, I did this top-rated cooking class and central market tour on my last visit to Florence and now I’m obsessed with making pasta from scratch
• Watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo or Basilica di San Miniato

Where to stay in Florence

Budget | I stayed at YellowSquare Florence , a fantastic social hostel with brilliant facilities including a full kitchen, a rooftop bar with swimming pool, co-working areas and even a recording studio! I had a private room which had a desk (ideal as I was slammed with work) but the dorm rooms look super nice too.

Mid-range | For a mid-range budget consider Morandi alla Crocetta , 3110 ArtHotel , Room Mate Luca , Solo Experience Hotel and Residence Leopoldo

Luxury | For a fancy stay check out Villa Cora , Relais Santa Croce , Four Seasons Firenze or The Place Firenze

Self-contained | Some top-rated options with kitchens/kitchenettes are Urban Retreat , Oro Nero Florence , Geppi’s Apartment and Donati Luxury Tower Suites

How to get to Rome from Florence: High-speed direct trains take around 1h 30m

Train prices: These trains range from €14.90 to €50 depending on how far in advance you book

Seat reservations: High speed trains require seat reservations (€12). There are slower regional trains that don’t require reservations, these take around 3h 30m.

Ahhh Roma, the Eternal City that’s packed to the brim with rich culture, fascinating history, mouthwatering cuisine and a thriving nightlife and entertainment scene. Rome is one of those places where you’ll discover something new and interesting around every corner, so set aside a decent chunk of time to explore if you can.

Things to do in Rome

• Say ciao to the Pope with a visit to the Vatican, its museums, and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Once again, the lines will be long so a skip-the-line ticket is the best idea if you want to make the most of your time.
• See the Colosseum. Controversial opinion perhaps but I don’t think going inside the Colosseum is a must-do, I personally have only seen it from the outside on my three visits to Rome and I’m not enough of a history buff to be willing to brave the crowds. If you do want to go inside, get a skip-the-line ticket or book a guided tour to get the full experience.
• Marvel at the view from Altare della Patria. This is my all-time favourite ‘hidden gem’ of Rome and something that flies under the radar, it’s a rooftop terrace with the most incredible views across the city and its landmarks. You can catch the elevator to the terrace for only €7 (no need to book online through a travel agent or experience provider, these tickets are basically exactly the same but cost three or four times the price!), or if you’re on a tight budget you can access the terrace for free via stairs inside the monument.
• Eat and drink in the trendy Trastevere neighbourhood, which is full of cheap and cheerful trattorias, a bustling nightlife scene and funky shops. My go-to Trastevere meal is always Donkey Punch, a quirky rock’n’roll-themed sandwich bar with craft beers on offer too.
• Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck
• Live out your Lizzie McGuire Movie dreams with a Vespa tour
• Find the Aventine Keyhole and see the perfectly-framed view of St Peter’s dome

Where to stay in Rome

Budget | YellowSquare Rome , the RomeHello and Ostello Bello Roma Colosseo are all top-rated budget options

Mid-range | The Point Suites , Relais Roma Vaticano, Hotel Balilla , Hotel Margherita and At Forty-One

Luxury | Maalot Roma , Umlita 36 , Fendi Private Suites , Baglioni Hotel Regina , Hotel Vilòn and the St Regis

Self-contained | Residenza Roma Imperiale , Trastavere 2.0 , My Bed Vatican Museum and Colosseo Accommodation Room Guest House

Optional: Bologna

How to get to Bologna from Rome: Bologna is an easy stop between Rome and Venice, it’s just over two hours from Rome (€12 seat reservation) and then it’s between 1h 20m and 2h 10m to get from Bologna to Venice (€12 seat reservation for the high speed train, no reservation needed for the slower regional trains). You can store your bags in secure lockers at Bologna train station while you’re exploring the city.

How long to stay: A day trip is sufficient

I’ve put Bologna as ‘optional’ because many first-time Europe travellers may not have even heard of it, but if you enjoy Italian food it is absolutely a must-do. Bologna is the gastronomic capital of Italy, which is saying something in a country that is renowned for its cuisine!

Bologna has many, many eateries serving up local specialties, from cured meats and cheeses to traditional pasta to creamy gelato. I’d looove to stay for a week and just try a new dish every meal, but if you are pressed for time then a day trip with a food tour is how I’d recommend seeing Bologna during this two month Europe itinerary.

Things to do in Bologna

• A food tour is by far the best way to experience Bologna, especially if you’re limited to a day trip. I went on a food tour with Mattia from Delicious Bologna , his tours have a perfect 5/5 rating on Google from more than 220 reviews. The tour was one of the best food tours I’ve ever been on, it had the perfect mix of food, history and culture, each dish was divine, and I came away knowing so much more about Italian cuisine and produce which then helped me try new foods during the rest of my time in Italy. I genuinely can’t rave about this tour enough, it was a highlight of my two months in Europe.
• Stand under the leaning towers of Bologna, one of them even leans more than Pisa!
• If you’re visiting in summer, Bologna holds a cool summer festival that has free outdoor movies playing at Piazza Maggiore
• See the bizarre two-tone façade of the San Petronio church, which isn’t an unusual design but actually stands unfinished since 1479

How to get to Venice from Bologna: A short, cheap train ride, 1h 20m for high speed trains or around 2h for regional trains

How long to stay: 3-4 days

Venice is another love-hate destination, and it is perhaps the European city that has been most affected by overtourism in the past few decades. The floating city has no way to grow, so the ever-increasing number of tourists end up pushing locals out of their homes to make way more hotels and B&Bs, cruise passengers and day trippers try to cram the entire island into a six hour itinerary, and we all end up with massive lines, unhappy Venetians and frustrated travellers.

And while it may seem counterintuitive, one of the ways to combat overtourism is to stay longer in a destination. This means you aren’t under as much time pressure to see and do everything in a day, you can avoid peak times at the major tourist sights, and you can get a much more authentic experience enjoying slow walks and long meals compared to a hectic day trip.

I recommend at least three or four days in Venice to give yourself time to truly enjoy the city, keeping in mind that from 10am to 4pm you might want to avoid the major landmarks as they’ll be packed with fellow tourists.

Things to do in Venice

• Take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. Gondola rides have a standardised price of €80 during the day or €100 after 7pm for a 30 minute tour, and boats can fit up to six people. If you’re travelling solo and don’t want to splurge on a private gondola tour then you can book a shared gondola ride online for around €30 , or you could ask around at your hotel/hostel to see if there are any other solo travellers who might want to share the cost.
• Walk over the iconic Rialto Bridge
• See the magnificent paintings that adorn the walls and ceiling of Doge’s Palace , as well as the 12th/13th century gold mosaics inside St Mark’s Basilica
• Have a go at creating your own glass souvenir with a private lesson from a master artisan , this experience is only €60 which is incredibly cheap for such an authentic local experience
• Catch a vaporetto (water bus) to Burano, famous for its colourful houses, and Murano, famous for its glass workshops and galleries
• Experience the city’s gastronomy with this food tour which includes 15 food tastings!
• Visit Acqua Altadi Venezia, the floating bookshop for a cool photo spot

Where to stay in Venice

Budget | Unfortunately my go-to Venice hostel (Wombats Cenice Mestre) shut down due to Covid, but Generator Venice (7.9/10) and Ostello S. Fosca (8.4/10) are the top-rated hostels on booking.com, otherwise there’s cheap private rooms at Hotel dalla Mora , Locanda Silva and Hotel La Residenza

Mid-range | Check out Scalon del Doge , CàPatron , La Veneziana Boutique and Relais Venezia

Luxury | Hotel Metropole Venezia , Ca’di Dio , Palazzo Nani Venice and the absolutely incredible Gritti Palace for something super special

Self-contained | Cà Sant’Angelo , Hotel Rialto and Ai Patrizi di Venezia have options with kitchen facilities

The Dolomites

How to get to the Dolomites from Venice: An easy train journey with one change in Verona, the trip takes anywhere from 2h 45m to 3h 45m depending on the transfer time.

Seat reservations: Some journeys are with regional trains that don’t require reservations for rail pass holders, some have just the initial Venice to Verona train as requiring €12 reservations, some require reservations on both trains so €24 total.

The Dolomites are a mountain range in Northern Italy, and they’re home to some of the most picturesque landscapes you’ll find in the whole of Europe.

In the warmer months the Dolomites are a hub for hikers, bikers and climbers, with plenty of trails for adventurers of all ages and fitness levels. In winter the Dolomites Superski region boasts 15 ski resorts, more than 1200km of slopes and plenty of bars and restaurants to continue the fun after a day on the mountains.

In the Dolomites it’s easiest to explore by car as the public transport isn’t super well connected, and wait times can cut into your short stay. Car rental can be quite cheap, there were deals for €25 per day when I was there in October, but in peak season it would be best to book ahead if you can.

Keep in mind that non-European drivers need an international drivers license in Italy, your own country license won’t cut it. Rental companies might let you hire a car without one but if you’re involved in any accidents (not unlikely in Italy!) you won’t be covered by insurance without an international license, and if you’re pulled over for any reason then chances are you’ll get stung with a hefty fine.

Things to do in the Dolomites

• Go to Lago di Braies for sunrise, pure magic (though chances are you’ll be there with many photographers)
• Head to Lago di Carezza for picture-perfect reflections of the mountains, I’m sure this place is busy during peak season but I visited at sunset at the end of October and had the whole place to myself
• Spend a day at Alpe di Siusi, the largest alpine plateau in Europe. You can take the Mont Seuc cable car from Ortisei, then walk two hours to the other side and take the Seiser Alm cable car back to the the Valley Station, where you can catch a short bus back to Ortisei.
• Experience the unique South Tyrolean cuisine, which incorporates Italian, German and Austrian ingredients and cooking techniques
• Try some of the best pasta in the world at Pastalab in Bolzano, their menu changes daily with seasonal specialties and honestly my mouth is watering while typing this. Don’t miss it.
• Explore the hiking trails of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, some notable options are the Cadini di Misurina viewpoint and the Rifugio Auronzo loop
• Another must-do hike is the Seceda ridgeline, if you can hack a super early wake up then arriving here for sunrise will be well worth it
• If you’re up for a physical and mental challenge, consider a via ferrata, a climbing track that has iron rungs attached to the rock as well as a steel cable that climbers connect to with carabiners. My first via ferrata was the Wildwire waterfall climb in Wanaka, New Zealand and I absolutely loved it, so a Dolomites via ferrata is very high on my list for my next visit.

Where to stay in the Dolomites

There are so many different villages in the Dolomites and it would take hours to give you recommendations for different budgets for each village so I won’t do that.

Bolzano is the capital city of South Tyrol and is the gateway to the Dolomites, you can stay here and do day trips by bus or car, or you could arrive here by train and then catch local transport to one of the villages in the Dolomites, like Ortisei in Val Gardena, Colfosco or Corvara in Alta Badia, or Villabassa or Braies in Upper Puster Valley.

Where I stayed | I stayed at the LOOM Hotel in Bolzano which was super unique, it’s actually a living showroom for an interior design company who wanted to showcase what they could offer hotels around the world, and their rooms double as accommodation for travellers. Such an incredible idea for sustainable tourism and the rooms are truly something else!

Salzburg or Innsbruck

How to get from the Dolomites to Salzburg: Either a direct train or a journey with one or two stops, reservations dependent on the journey you choose

How long to stay: 2 days (accounting for a day trip at the one you aren’t staying in)

Though Salzburg’s main drawcard are its connections to music (as in ‘The Sound of’, as well as Mozart), it’s also well worth a visit to get into a more relaxed pace of tourism after the chaos of Italy. Explore the historic old town, get the best view from Festung Hohensalzburg, see the sheer opulence of grand palaces and search for the city’s most delicious schnitzel and strudel.

Innsbruck has a more modern vibe, not in the architecture but in the energy of the city, the gastronomy, and particularly in the apres-ski scene.

For your two month Europe itinerary you could choose one to stay the night in and one to stop at for a day trip on your way between the Dolomites and the next stop of Vienna.

Things to do in Salzburg

• Book a Sound of Music tour to see the city from Maria’s eyes
• Catch the funicular up to Fortress Hohensalzburg for the best view of the city, then walk down the path to get back to the Old Town
• If you’re interested in medieval history, you can buy a ticket to the exhibits at the Fortress and learn more about the building’s past
• Walk through the magnificent halls and gardens of Schloss Mirabell, a 1606 palace, or see the fairytale-esque summer palace, Schloss Hellbrunn where you can find the iconic Sound of Music gazebo
• Enjoy the symphonies of Mozart with a variety of Mozart-related activities, from visiting Mozart’s birthplace (now a museum), to watching a Mozart concert at Mirabell Palace , to a Life of Mozart walking tour around the city
• Take a day trip to the Eagle’s Nest , Hitler’s vacation home in the Bavarian Alps, one of the few Third Reich buildings that remains in its original state today, complete with a marble fireplace gifted to Hitler by Mussolini. If dark tourism isn’t your thing, it’s worth going just for the sweeping views of the valley below.
• Watch the daily organ performance at the spectacular Salzburg Cathedral

Things to do in Innsbruck

• Stroll through the winding streets of the Altstadt (Old Town), where you can see vibrant facades, ornate doorways and classic Tyrolese architecture
• Climb up the City Tower if you’re visiting on a clear day, you can see right over the Old Town colourful buildings and out to the mountains that surround the city
• Spot the grandiose Golden Roof, a Gothic viewing box built in 1496 with gilded copper tiles giving it a metallic shine
• Catch the Hungerburgbahn funicular up to Nordkette, the closest mountain to Innsbruck that offers scenic viewpoints and restaurants
• Find the city’s best schnitzel, I rate Altstadt-Schmankerl as a top contender!

Where to stay in Salzburg

Budget | I stayed at MEININGER Salzburg , a hotel/hostel hybrid with dorm rooms, private rooms, guest kitchen, laundry facilities, hotel bar and bikes for rent. Slightly out of the city but right next to a bus stop, a great budget option. Other cheap options are YoHo Youth Hostel , Stadtalm Naturfreundehaus and The Keep Eco Rooms .

Mid-range | Gästehaus im Priesterseminar Salzburg , Hotel Max 70 , B&B Villa Verde and Boutiquehotel am Dom

Luxury | Hotel Bristol , Goldgasse , Hotel Goldener Hirsch and Hotel Sacher Salzburg

Self-contained | Villa Leopoldskron , Villa Maxglen , Mozart’s Garden Villa and Villa Salzburg

Where to stay in Innsbruck

Budget | Montagu Hostel , MEININGER Innsbruck Zentrum and Pension Stoi

Mid-range | Hotel Neue Post , Hotel Mondschein , Nala Individuellhotel and Faktorei

Luxury | Hotel Maximilian , the PENZ Hotel , aDLERS Hotel Innsbruck and Altstadthotel Weißes Kreuz

Self-contained | Kaiser Max Design Apartments , Apartment Mischa , Quartier 99 and Prada Elf Apartment

How to get to Vienna from Salzburg or Innsbruck: Direct train from Salzburg (2h 25m-2h 55m depending on the train) or direct train from Innsbruck (4h 20m-4h 50m) with an optional stop in Salzburg for a day trip.

Seat reservations: Seat reservations generally aren’t required in Austria but Austrian inter-city tickets are typically quite cheap so check the ticket price before using a Eurail travel day to make sure it’s worth it.

Vienna is brimming with culture, from extravagant coffee houses (with equally extravagant desserts), to countless museums and galleries, to architecture that is mostly Baroque but also spans the Gothic, Renaissance and Rococo styles.

Vienna is what you make of it, my favourite kind of city. Foodies can fill their time with food tours, sweet treats and traditional fare, travellers with an interest in history are spoilt for choice with heritage buildings and world-class museums dotted all over the city, and photographers will love the opportunities provided by Vienna’s unique architecture and fascinating interiors.

Things to do in Vienna

• See the city with a free walking tour, by far the best way to get your bearings
• Relax with a coffee and a sweet treat at one of the famous coffee houses, Café Central and Café Landtmann are two of the most famous ones, but there are many, many more to discover
• Take a 2.5 hour food tour through the bustling Naschmarkt to learn about Vienna’s culinary specialties, or try a longer four hour food tour through the city which includes a coffee house, the market, a bakery and a chocolate shop. Yum!
• Learn about one of the first famous solo female travellers, Empress Sisi. She was the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary but hated the rules and regulations that came with her royal titles, so she fled her responsibilities and travelled solo whenever she got the chance.
• Ride the rollercoasters at Prater themepark
• Visit the breathtaking State Hall at Austria’s National Library
• Try a käsekrainer from a würstelstand, one of the best cheap eats in the city
• Have a schnitzel dinner, you’ll find it on pretty much every restaurant menu but the best-rated ones in the city are Figlmüller, Gasthaus Kopp, Schnitzelwirt or Restaurant Pürstner
• Head up St Stephen’s Cathedral for sunset from the rooftop

I’ve got a detailed Vienna travel guide if you want more info on things to do in Vienna

Where to stay in Vienna

Budget | Vienna is home to one of the best hostels in Europe, JO&JOE Vienna . This place truly has everything you could wish for in a hostel; guest kitchens, onsite restaurant, laundry facilities, a rooftop with epic views, funky dorms with privacy blinds, spacious private rooms, loads of fun events, a big screen for movies and sports games, work-friendly spaces and more. Phew!

Mid-range | Boutiquehotel Das Tyrol , Rioca Vienna Posto 2 , Superbude Prater and ARTIST Boutique Hotel

Luxury | Rosewood Vienna , The Leo Grand , Hotel Sans Souci and Hotel Sacher

Self-contained | Karl und Anton Boutique Apartments , Oliver Apartments and URBM Rise

Day trip to Bratislava

How to get to Bratislava from Vienna: RegioJet and FlixBus have buses from as low as €4 which take between 40m and 1h 20m depending on the time of day, or if you’re totally set on train travel you can get a direct train from €10 which takes an hour

Slovakia’s capital city is an easy day trip option from Vienna, with a vibrant old town that you can explore with 5-6 hours on the ground. If you’ve got a day to spare during your time in Vienna then a Bratislava trip lets you see a new country and experience a city with fascinating history.

Things to do in Bratislava

• Take a short but steep walk up to Bratislava Castle for the best view in town
• See the Blue Church (actual name St Elizabeth’s Church), an Art Noveau church that looks like it’s straight out of The Smurfs. Its opening hours are random and changeable, currently it’s open from 6.30-7.30am Monday to Saturday, 7.30am-12pm Sunday (for services I presume), and 5.30-7pm seven days a week. It’s worth going inside if your timing is right, the interior is a mix of baby blue and yellow with intricate details if you look closely.
• Enjoy prices being a little cheaper than the other parts of Europe you’ve seen so far!
• Get a cheap lunch at Funki Punki Pancakes, my go-to eatery in Bratislava. They’ve got a brilliant menu of crepes (both sweet and savoury) with prices sitting between €2.20 and €3.50 each.
• Wander through the Old Town past bright buildings, medieval streets, quirky statues and trendy boutiques

How to get to Budapest from Vienna: There are a few trains that run direct from Bratislava to Budapest but most of them go via Vienna anyway, so I’d recommend heading back to Vienna to pick up your luggage and going to Budapest from there.

Vienna to Budapest is an easy direct train that takes around 2h 41m, no rail pass reservations needed for most routes but tickets can be as cheap as €9 if you book in advance, check the price to buy outright before using a travel day on your rail pass.

Budapest is a fascinating city with a magnetic energy that attracts party-goers, history buffs, budget travellers and culture vultures alike, with things to fill the itineraries of every type of tourist.

You can see the major sights with two to three full days but if you have extra time and want to stay longer, you certainly won’t get bored.

One thing to note is that while Budapest has always been known as one of the best value destinations in Europe, Hungary is currently dealing with a cost of living crisis with inflation sitting at 22.5% in November according to WorldData , and the inflation rate for food in particular was 47.1% compared to the previous year. It was noticeably more expensive during my visit in December 2022 compared to my previous trip in 2019, so don’t be shocked if things don’t turn out to be as cheap as you initially expected.

Things to do in Budapest

• Watch the sunrise from Fisherman’s Bastion, where you’ll find the most incredible view of the city and the Danube
• While you’re up there, explore Buda Castle and the museums and galleries inside it
• See the city from the river with a Danube cruise
• Head to the Great Market Hall to buy some local meats, cheeses and produce
• Have a drink (or five) at Budapest’s iconic ruin bars
• Grab some street food from Karavan, a permanent food stall market near the ruin bars
• Relax and rejuvenate at the thermal baths , Széchenyi Baths and Gellért Baths are the most popular ones
• Learn about the city’s tumultuous past with a walking tour through the Jewish Quarter
• Visit my favourite bakery in the city, Aran, and try their famous cinnamon bun

Where to stay in Budapest

Budget | I recently stayed at Flow Spaces which offers light and bright private rooms and dorm rooms, kitchen facilities and a dedicated workspace, the perfect option for digital nomads. I had a private room and loved it, I’d happily stay here for an extended period of time. I’ve also stayed at the quirky Das Nest Hostel which was ideal for a trip with friends, and other top-rated options are Hive Party Hostel  and  Hostel One .

Mid-range |   Dob Twenty Rooms ,  LILIOM Apartment  and  OktoHome Suite  are all great value apartment options, or for a mid-range hotel look at  Global Suites Budapest  or  B&B Hotel Budapest City .

Luxury |  For something sophisticated, consider staying at  Alice Hotel ,  Hotel Memories Old Town  or  Hotel Moments Budapest .

Ultra luxury |  If you’re celebrating something special in Budapest or just feel like treating yourself, you can’t go past the opulent  Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest  or  Matild Palace .

How to get to Prague from Budapest: Direct or one stop trains (stop in Vienna or Brno usually) that take between 7-8 hours.

Seat reservations: Some routes don’t require seat reservations, some require them at a cost of €6 so quite cheap.

Train prices: Outright tickets can cost as little as €18 for early or late trains when booking in advance, but could be as expensive as €110 for last minute bookings or popular times, so check prices before you decide to use a Eurail travel day.

Prague is another one of Europe’s top value cities with rich history, vibrant culture and striking architecture to offer.

While Prague didn’t totally evade bombings during WWII, it was significantly less affected than many other European cities so its historical monuments are mostly undamaged and sit in close proximity to one another, making it easy to explore on foot.

It’s also got an absolutely pumping nightlife scene, thanks to great beer, multi-storey nightclubs, and cheap flights from London making it a top choice for British lad stag dos.

Things to do in Prague

• Visit the Old Town Square, one of the most impressive in all of Europe. It dates back to the 12th century and is home to the Astronomical Clock, the Old Town Hall and the Church of Mother of God before Týn
• Stand below the Astronomical Clock on the hour between 9am and 9pm to see the procession of the 12 Apostles appear in the windows
• Climb the Old Town Hall tower to the observation deck to see Old Town Square from above
• Learn about the city’s political history with this top-rated communism and bunker tour
• Visit Prague Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in the world, occupying more than 70,000sqm. You could stroll through the Royal Garden, see the treasures inside St Vitus Cathedral, walk past colourful buildings down the charming Golden Lane and enjoy great views of the city before heading back to Old Town via Charles Bridge.
• Walking over Charles Bridge is a quintessential Prague experience in itself, the cobblestoned pedestrian bridge provides a great view of the castle on the hill as well as being able to see Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architecture on the other side of the river
• Do a day tour to the Sedlec Ossuary , a.k.a. the Bone Church
• For something a little unique, walk down the river to reach the Dancing House, designed by Czech architect Vlado Milunić and the legendary Frank Gehry
• Try local brews with a historic pub tour
• Get amongst the buzzing nightlife with the legendary pub crawl

Where to stay in Prague

Budget | I stayed at Brix Hostel which was a social hotel, great for meeting people but not so great for digital nomads who need a quiet place to work. Other top-rated cheap accommodation options are Hostel Little Quarter , Sophie’s Hostel , Giotto Apartments , Hostel One Miru and Prague Dream Hostel .

Mid-range | Revelton Studios Prague , Hotel Residence Agnes , Hotel CUBE Prague , Allure Hotel Prague and Unitas Hotel

Luxury | The Julius , Four Seasons , The Grand Mark , Alchymist Grand Hotel and Hotel Republika

Self-contained | Mooo by the Castle , Hotel Diana and Malostranska Residence have options with kitchens/kitchenettes

How to get to Berlin from Prague: Direct trains run multiple times a day and take around 4h 15m

Seat reservations: No reservations required but you might want to book one (€8) during busy periods to ensure you get a seat

Train prices: They range drastically depending on the route, from €18.90 booking in advance to €90.60 for last minute tickets

Berlin is an essential destination for any Europe itinerary, it’s one of the best cities to learn about the atrocities that Europe suffered during WWII, the rise of communism in Eastern Europe and the subsequent reunification of Germany after many years of Berlin being split in two.

You’ve got the obvious landmarks, from museums to memorials to historical buildings that have been rebuilt and restored since bombs rained down on the city in WWII, but Berlin is also a unique melting pot of cultures, with a captivating arts and entertainment scene, superb culinary experiences and nightlife that rivals anywhere else in Europe.

Things to do in Berlin

• Any visit to Berlin would be incomplete without a city tour of some kind, to understand Berlin’s history throughout the 20th century. Some top-rated ones are this small group Third Reich & Cold War walking tour , this 75 minute Trabi safari , and this Hidden Backyards walking tour .
• Iconic landmarks to see include Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag Building, Checkpoint Charlie, the Holocaust Memorial, Berlin Cathedral and the Berlin Wall Memorial
• Stroll along the East Side Gallery, the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall which is now an open-air gallery with politically-charged street art
• Take a hop-on hop-off bus around the city to tick off the big sights quickly and easily
• Head up to TV Tower for the best view of the city
• Visit the museums, there are plenty to choose from!
• Delve into Berlin’s gastronomic delights with a top-rated secret food tour
• Experience the legendary clubbing scene with a night out on the town

Where to stay in Berlin

Budget | Pfefferbett Hostel , BIG MAMA Berlin , Kiez Hostel , New Hostel and ArtHotel Connection (a hetero-friendly LGBT+ hotel)

Mid-range | Wil7 Boutique Hotel , Casa Camper , Hotel Indigo , Wilmina Hotel and Hotel Q!

Luxury | Hotel Zoo Berlin , Hotel Adlon Kempinski , Hotel Luc and Regent Berlin

Self-contained | The Weinert Suites , Gorki Apartments and Wilde Aparthotels

How to get to Amsterdam from Berlin: Direct trains available a few times a day taking around 6h 15m-6h 30m, or one stop options with a short transfer in Hannover taking a similar amount of time.

Seat reservations: Seat reservations aren’t required for rail pass holders but busy routes recommend reservations (€8) to guarantee a seat

Train prices: From €37.90 if you book in advance to €161 for some routes last minute

Amsterdam is easily one of Europe’s most picturesque cities, with narrow houses reflecting in the canals, markets overflowing with vibrant flowers, and stylish locals peddling around town making for brilliant street photography opportunities.

Like Venice, Amsterdam also suffers massively from overtourism and you’ll find that the city’s landmarks can get extremely busy, particularly during summer and on weekends. With three or four full days you’ll have time to see many of the major sights without needing to be rushed off your feet, but I’d recommend purchasing skip-the-line tickets where possible just to avoid queues that eat into your adventure time.

Things to do in Amsterdam

• Rent a bike and explore like a local, just be aware of all the rules so you don’t become a hazard
• Shop til you drop for vintage clothes, quirky souvenirs and stylish homewares. Amsterdam’s home and design stores in particular are beyond impressive and it hurts my soul to walk past them without being able to buy things. One day in the far future when I buy a house I’ll be coming straight to Amsterdam to stock up on knick-knacks to decorate my home.
• Hit the museums, some noteworthy ones are the Rijksmuseum for a deep dive into Dutch history and art, the Van Gogh Museum for Van Gogh masterpieces as well as works from his contemporaries, and the Moco Museum for more modern (read: Instagrammable) art
• If you’re a beer drinker, head to the Heineken Experience, an interactive self-guided tour through the beer behemoth’s former factory
• Visit Anne Frank’s house, now a biographical museum about Anne and her family
• Take a boat ride down the canal, there are plenty of cruise options ranging from budget-friendly tours to booze cruises to fancy dinner cruises
• Explore the Red Light District and get amongst Amsterdam’s infamous nightlife
• Experience Amsterdam’s growing brunch scene, I recommend Little Collins, Box Sociaal and the Lobby

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Budget | On my most recent trip I stayed at MEININGER Amstel which was ideal, a hotel/hostel hybrid with comfy rooms, a full kitchen and a great location next to Amstel train station, ideal for rail travellers. Another great budget option is Hostelle , a ladies-only hostel which is perfect for first-time solo female travellers.

Mid-range | Outside Inn , Met Hotel , Villa Yburg ,and XO Hotels Couture

Luxury | Waldorf Astoria , Hotel TwentySeven , the Dylan , Conservatorium and De L’Europe

Self-contained | Treehouse Inn , Cityden BoLo , Social Hub and Hotel2Stay

How to get from Amsterdam to Bruges: A two-train journey with a change in Brussels (could stop for a day trip if you want)

Seat reservations: Seat reservations are usually required on the first train at a cost of €22, but there are some no-reservation options a few times a day that take closer to four hours

Train prices: From around €65 to €120 depending on when you book

The final stop in this epic 2 month Europe itinerary is Bruges, a fairytale town that’s photogenic from all angles.

It’s small and compact, easily explored by bike, by foot or by canal cruise, so it’s the ideal way to wrap up a very busy couple of months.

Things to do in Bruges

• Wake up early to enjoy the sleepy town as its quietest. Even cafes typically don’t open until 9am! Use this time to wander around and visit the best photo spots without the crowds.
• Walk more than 350 steps to the top of the Belfry to see the view
• Take a canal cruise
• Visit the Choco-Story Chocolate museum, do a chocolate walking tour or try your hand at making your own Belgian chocolate
• Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a 12th century Romanesque church which houses a vial containing cloth stained by the actual blood of Christ (allegedly)
• Head to Sanseveria Bagelsalon, my favourite eatery in Bruges! They serve up amazing fully loaded bagels with fillings like peanut butter/banana/Speculoos, melted brie/bacon/walnuts/apple (my go-to) and raclette cheese/fried onions/gherkins
• Grab an outdoor table at one of the restaurants in the Market Square (Markt) to enjoy some moules frites with a view of the beautiful buildings that line the square

Where to stay in Bruges

Budget | There aren’t many well-rated hostels in Bruges but some good options are Snuffel Youth Hostel , Hostel Lybeer and St Christopher’s Bauhaus

Mid-range | B&B Valant , La Clé Brugge , Guesthouse Mirabel and Maison Amodio

Luxury | Dukes’ Palace , Relais & Châteaux Hotel Heritage and Dukes’ Arches

Self-contained | Maison Fred Luxury Suites , Old Bruges B&B , Aragon Apartments and Apartments Ridderspoor

Back to London

To get from Bruges to London you can catch the train to Brussels (1h) and then change to the Eurostar (around 2h).

I’d recommend spending a few hours in Brussels to see the main sights on the way, there’s plenty of luggage storage at Brussels station so you can explore without your suitcases.

Wander around the Grand Place, see the Royal Palace of Brussels, or visit one/some of the museums if you have time. And if you’re hungry, I’d highly, highly recommend heading to Tonton Garby near the Grand Place, an incredible sandwich shop with 4.8/5 on Google from more than 1600 reviews. There’s no menu, they’ll ask you questions about what flavours you like and they’ll make a bespoke sandwich perfectly suited to your tastes. Worth the wait!

If you’re flying into London rather than taking the train and you land late, consider spending a night at the airport to have a good night’s sleep and then start your London trip feeling fresh the next day. If you’re flying into Gatwick I highly recommend Bloc Hotel , they have brilliantly cosy rooms available just a minute’s walk from the arrivals section, or for Heathrow I love love love the Hilton Heathrow T4 , it has a covered walkway to Terminal 4 plus shuttles to other terminals, incredible eco-friendly design and a fantastic sustainability-focused restaurant.

Alternative cities/routes you could add or switch out

Add christmas markets if you’re travelling in november/december.

Europe’s Christmas markets start popping up from around mid-November, so if you’re braving the chilly weather and wanting to see some festive events then you’ll want to plan your itinerary around these. I’ll be putting together a Christmas market rail itinerary shortly, but in the meantime some additional places worth adding to your list are:

• Strasbourg and Colmar in France
• Dusseldorf and Cologne in western Germany
• Frankfurt in central(ish?) Germany
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Nuremberg in southern(ish?) Germany

Skip some of Italy

This itinerary has a lot of Italy because a) it’s probably my favourite country in Europe and b) it’s really well connected by train so easy to tick off a bunch of places without spending too long on transport.

If you’re not super keen to spend two weeks in Italy then you could limit the Italian portion of this trip to just Rome and Venice for example, and have more time for other destinations.

Skip Barcelona

Barcelona is a bit out of the way on this itinerary, with a long trip from Paris (6h 30m) and fairly trip to Lyon (5h 20m), both of which have expensive seat reservations if you’re travelling with a rail pass.

You could save yourself some travel time by skipping Barcelona and just going from Paris to Lyon direct, which is only two hours on a high speed train and reservations are only €12, so you’d save a significant chunk of money too,

Skip Switzerland to keep it cheap

Switzerland is definitely the most expensive country on this itinerary, so if you’re on a really tight budget then you could consider skipping it to have extra time in places like Prague, Budapest or add on Warsaw or Krakow in Poland instead.

If you’re travelling with a rail pass then I’d highly recommend doing at least the Bernina Express in Switzerland because you get a huge discount on the usual price. You could even just spend some time in Tirano and do the Bernina Express return trip, so you can see the scenery without needing to splurge on Switzerland accommodation.

Add on more of Germany plus Copenhagen

If you were reducing your time in other countries, there might be space for you to add on some other German cities like Munich and Hamburg, and Copenhagen is an easy 4h 45m direct journey from Hamburg. From Copenhagen you could easily do a quick trip across the Swedish border to Malmö, just 24 minutes by public transport.

Add on some of Poland

A cheaper add on option (if you didn’t mind long travel days) would be Poland, you could visit both Krakow and Warsaw with direct train or bus routes running from Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin.

Poland is super cheap so if you’re wanting the best bang for your buck this could be a great place to visit. And if you’ve got more time, you could replicate my two week Poland itinerary and slot that into your Europe trip between Prague and Berlin.

Add on more of Spain and Portugal

The reason I haven’t included much of Spain and Portugal is because if you’re using a rail pass, seat reservations must be made at the ticket offices in the country once you’re there, or with Deutsche Bahn (Germany’s railway company) at an office or over the phone. This type of admin is quite tricky for first time rail pass travellers so if you’re really keen to see this part of Europe, I’d recommend doing a lot of research on the Eurail community forum to make sure you know what you’re doing.

In Spain you could go from Barcelona to Valencia, Alicante, Granada, Seville and then Madrid, before scooting over to Portugal and heading down the coast from Porto to Lisbon to Faro.

Add on some islands

Did you know that Eurail passes also give you discounts on some ferries from Italy to Greece and through the Greek Islands? If you’re keen to enjoy paradise islands then you could travel by train to Bari in Italy, then catch the ferry to Corfu, Igoumenitsa or Patras and continue your Greece island hopping from there.

2 month Europe train itinerary FAQs

Should i train or fly in europe.

While Europe does have loads of low cost airlines with crazy cheap flights, flying comes with additional costs like transfers to the airport, wasted time in security lines and of course the impact on the environment, not to mention huge prices for add ons like a check in suitcase or seat selection.

Trains are much more straightforward, often leave from the central city or nearby, you get to enjoy the scenery, and it’s easier to stretch your legs if you’ve got a long journey.

If you need to get from one side of Europe to the other then consider flying, or if you need to get between small cities without great train connections then a flight might be easier, but for simple journeys between two major European city hubs then a train is by far the easier option.

Is a Eurail pass worth it?

It really depends. A Eurail Pass is worth it if the cost of the pass + seat reservations is less than the cost of the train tickets if you bought them outright.

I answer this question in much more detail in my Eurail budget breakdown but here’s a quick summary.

If you already have a good idea of your itinerary (or if you want to follow this one) then I’d recommend typing up all the journeys you want to take and searching them on Rail Europe to see what the price would be if you booked them outright. Then check on the Eurail website for the same journeys to find out the seat reservation cost, add this to the price of the pass you’d need, and you’ll figure out which one is better value.

If you’re spending time in Switzerland and want to take the Glacier Express , Bernina Express or any other scenic trains then the Eurail Pass is definitely worth it, you’ll save loads on these trains alone.

If you don’t know your itinerary yet (and you’re travelling soon), or if you want to keep flexible and be able to decide on your route only a few days in advance then a Eurail Pass is almost certainly worth it, it lets you avoid expensive last minute tickets.

Is Europe safe for solo female travellers?

Specific safety tips will depend on the country but yes, overall Europe is absolutely safe for solo female travellers and I’ve never felt unsafe on all my solo travels in Europe.

Things to be aware of as a solo female traveller (or as any traveller!) are:

• Wear crossbody bags with your wallet in a zipped pocket
• Use a luggage cable to lock your suitcases to the luggage racks on trains
• Always have comprehensive travel insurance with both medical and luggage cover, I use Cover-More New Zealand travel insurance
• If you’re having a night out, always keep an eye on your drink and avoid getting too drunk as it can make you an easy target
• Stay in female-only dorms and night-train cabins
• Get a European SIM card that gives you data so you’re always able to access the internet, maps and transport/taxi apps

And that wraps up this huuuuge 2 month Europe itinerary! I hope this has helped you map out your own two month Europe itinerary, or at least has given you some useful destinations tips for your Europe train itinerary no matter how long you’ll be travelling.

If you have any questions or need any help with your Europe train itinerary then please let me know in the comments or flick me a message on Instagram.

MORE EUROPE TRAIN ITINERARIES:

• The perfect three month Europe itinerary without flying
• A Europe Christmas market itinerary by train
• How to spend 1, 2 or 3 weeks in Northern Italy & Switzerland
• How to spend 3 weeks in Scandinavia
• The perfect 10 day itinerary for Switzerland
• How to spend 2 weeks in Poland

MORE EUROPE TRAIN TRAVEL GUIDES:

• How to use a Eurail Pass
• Is a Eurail Pass worth it?

MORE EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION:

• The most beautiful train rides in Europe
• 27 Europe holiday ideas to inspire you
• The ultimate Italy bucket list
• 33 beautiful places to visit in Switzerland

MY GO-TO TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES Flights ✈️ I use Skyscanner to find the best flights for my trip and then I’ll always book direct with the airline to protect myself from having to deal with dodgy third parties if anything goes wrong. Trains 🚂 If I’m travelling through Europe, I try to travel by train wherever possible! For an extended trip (2+ weeks) I’ll calculate if a Eurail Pass is worth it , or I’ll book point-to-point tickets through RailEurope or the local train operator. Accommodation 🛎️ I book almost all of my accommodation through booking.com , they have a user-friendly website + app and many of their options are free cancellation, easily cancelled with a simple click of a button. Activities 🗽 I use GetYourGuide , Klook and Viator to look for activities in the places I visit, or I just Google ‘things to do in [city]’! Travel cards 💳 I’m a Wise gal through and through, they’ve been my chosen travel card for more than five years now. You can easily top up your card from your bank account or through Apple Pay, convert your money to local currency, and spend money with minimal fees and the best exchange rates around. Travel insurance 🩺 I use Cover-More NZ travel insurance for my own trips, I have a comprehensive policy and I’ve only had good experiences with them. Cover-More also has an Australian company , but if you’re from elsewhere then two popular insurance options for global travellers are SafetyWing (cheaper policy, lower coverage) and World Nomads (more expensive but significantly better coverage). Luggage 💼 I travel with Samsonite Cosmolite suitcases , one 75cm check in bag and a 55cm carry on bag, and I absolutely adore them and will never travel with anything else! They are SUPER lightweight (2.8kg and 1.9kg respectively) so I have much more space for my actual stuff. Camera gear 📸 These days many of my photos and all of my videos are with my iPhone 15 Pro Max , my main camera is a Lumix G9 but I have a secondary camera (my old one) that’s a Lumix GX85 , I use a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and a GoPro Hero 10 . I do all my writing and editing on my HP Spectre x360 , it’s super lightweight and perfect for travel.

You’ll Also Love

May 10, 2023 at 5:25 pm

Some of the accommodation is expensive how much money do u need for this frip

May 11, 2023 at 11:28 am

I’ve included budget accommodation in each of the cities for that reason, so you can pick and choose what accommodation and activities will fit into your budget.

If you’re happy staying in dorm rooms and cooking most of your own meals then in Western Europe you could probably budget €70-80 per day, Eastern Europe will be cheaper at €40-50 per day. If you want to stay in hotel rooms and enjoy a meal out once or twice a day then it really depends on which country/city as Switzerland is more expensive than Spain, and Paris is more expensive than Lyon for example, but as an average amount I’d say €100-130 per day for Western Europe or €70-80 for Eastern Europe. That’s if you’re sharing a hotel room with a partner or a friend, it would be a bit more if you’re travelling solo. Hope that helps!

August 5, 2023 at 6:55 pm

I found this very helpful and detailed—both important. I did have a question on how one might condense this into a two to three week trip. I think my job will not allow me to take more than three weeks maximum off for vacation. But, I’m very enticed to see as much as we can in such a short time frame. I almost considered just modifying your schedule and cutting locations that are not “essential”. Thanks for your thoughts/consideration.

August 9, 2023 at 9:08 pm

With three weeks you could do a smaller route, and it would be particularly helpful if you can fly into one place and out another so you aren’t wasting days getting back to your original destination. You could fly into London and then do Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Budapest and Vienna for example! It really depends on what you’re interested in and what destinations are your essential stops.

September 13, 2023 at 1:08 pm

How much stuff did you pack? Backpack? Suitcase?

September 14, 2023 at 2:33 am

I travel for 9-10 months of the year and have loads of camera gear so I use a suitcase 🙂

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Destinations

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Plan Your Trip

Europe starts here.

It isn’t easy to put a 2 month Europe itinerary together—I say this as someone with almost 20 years of experience traveling on the continent!

The main reason? When you consider how massive Europe is—it’s as big as the continental US, but much denser and more culturally diverse—two months just isn’t very long. Certainly, it’s not enough to see “everywhere” in Europe, or even get close to doing so.

Over the next several paragraphs, I’ll inform and inspire your travels, whether you use your two months in Europe to get a high-level overview of European cities and countries, or dig deep into one or two regions. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, however, so let’s get started.

Practical Matters

When to visit europe.

While I love visiting Europe during the hottest part of the summer, the reality is that this is also the most crowded and expensive time to explore the continent. Likewise, although there’s no denying the charm of the Alps during the winter, things get busier and costlier the closer you get to the ski slopes. For a European vacation with great weather and relatively few fellow tourists, visit during the “shoulder” months of April, May, September and/or October.

Where to stay in Europe

You should plan on staying in a variety of accommodations during your Europe 2 month itinerary. While certain miles-and-points travelers may decide to sleep entirely at big-name hotels and resorts, the preferable strategy is to tailor your stay to your destination. Boutique city hotels (Seville’s H10 Corregidor Hotel is a great example of this) make sense in cities like Lisbon, Berlin and Stockholm, while resorts and villas with terraces and pools are more worth the expense on Italy’s Amalfi Coast or in the Greek Islands.

How to get around in Europe

The good news? Europe has one of the most efficient railway systems in the world. While not as modern as China’s or as uniform (or fast) as Japan’s, trains in Europe will get you to where you need to go at a relatively low cost and with minimal stress. In most cases, I don’t feel that a Eurail Pass is worthwhile, for what it’s worth.

What I do always recommend, on the other hand, is looking at the Schengen Area map and then comparing the price of flights and trains. If a prospective flight is cheaper—and especially if it’s on a “real” airline—this is probably your best bet.

Money, costs and communication

While most of Europe uses the euro, this is not the case in every country, particularly ones on the eastern half of the continent. Additionally, most transactions in Europe have rapidly become cashless, further decreasing the complication of traveling across borders. With this being said, costs are relatively high: The minimum you can expect to spend to enjoy Europe is 100 USD per person, per day—if you want to travel in comfort, you’ll need to spend more than this.

Regardless of your 2 month Europe trip cost, communicating on the continent is relatively easy. This is true in both a literal and figurative sense. Most Europeans can speak quite a bit of English; WiFi is ubiquitous enough that even if you don’t purchase a SIM card, you’ll be able to connect in most places you wind up.

The good news? eSIM technology has now made its way to Europe. The better news? If you buy your Western Europe eSIM or Eastern Europe eSIM online today , you can be connected the moment you land!

Where to Go With 2 Months in Europe

Those of you who’ve read my site for any length of time won’t be surprised that I prioritize Italy when I visit Europe. Plan to spend 2-3 weeks of your three months here. I usually like to zig-zag across the country, starting in Milan , before heading over to Venice and then traveling southward via Tuscany and Rome to Naples and the Puglia region—and, if you have time, Sicily and Sardinia .

Spain and Portugal

I like hot places, which is why the next stop on my 2 month Europe itinerary (though not necessarily chronologically) is the Iberian Peninsula. If you’re as warm-oriented as me, you’ll spend 2-3 weeks exploring Spain and Portugal , digging in not only to major cities like Madrid , Barcelona , Lisbon and Porto, but also destinations like the Algarve coast, the Basque Country and superlative secondary cities like Seville and Coimbra.

France and the Benelux countries

One of my favorite things about France is that it’s actually many destinations. While Nice and the French Riviera feel more like Italy or Spain, Paris can fit in (at least climactically) with cities in Belgium and the Netherlands like Amsterdam , Brussels , Antwerp and Utrecht. Regions like Brittany and Normandy almost seem like they belong in the British Isles; in Colmar and especially Strasbourg; you could practically be in Germany.

Switzerland, Austria and Germany

Speaking of Germany, while I can’t say how much of your 2 months in Europe cost will come from the (primarily) German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland , I will say that you will get what you pay for in these notoriously expensive places. Whether you explore Alp-adjacent cities like Salzburg, Munich and Zermatt , stick to Germany’s North Sea coast near Hamburg or frolic on the shores of Lake Geneva in western Switzerland, you’re sure to say “Ja!” to adventures in this cozy quarter of Europe.

Scandinavia

The Nordic countries of Finland, Sweden , Denmark, Norway and Iceland are the coldest and most expensive in Europe, but are also home to some of the continent’s most breathtaking scenery. Whether you road trip around Iceland in the middle of winter under the Northern Lights, hang out around the Arctic Circle in Norway or Sweden amid the “Midnight Sun” phenomenon or simply explore superlative capital cities like Stockholm and Copenhagen, you’ll definitely leave impressed.

The Baltic States

I only made the mistake of referring to the Baltic States as “Eastern Europe” one time. “It’s Northern Europe,” the kind Latvian I said it to correcting me, a distinction that played itself out as I explored both her native Latvia , as well as the neighboring countries of Lithuania and Estonia . Indeed, the Baltics are something of a bridge between Scandinavia and the former Eastern bloc, with storybook cities surrounded by Soviet-style apartments, and a culture define as much by the Baltic Sea to the north as the dark empire that once loomed to the east.

Greece and the Balkans

Another great place for sun on your 2 month Europe trip itinerary is Southeastern Europe: Greece and the Balkan countries (and Turkey , if you consider it part of Europe—I do). While I love Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini, it’s no secret that beaches like Turkey’s Oludeniz and along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast are less crowded. Likewise, you’ll see just as much history in Istanbul , Belgrade or Sarajevo as you will in Athens.

The British Isles

Brits probably won’t appreciate being lumped in with the Irish (and vice-versa), but hey: I don’t want to make my readers sit through 5,000 words. Indeed, my favorite parts of Ireland and the UK are the Celtic ones, whether I’m road tripping along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way , or taking side trips from Edinburgh and Glasgow , Scotland to places like the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness. England is amazing, of course, although I’m the first to admit I haven’t spent nearly enough time there during my “adult” travel life.

The Caucasus

As is the case with Turkey, The Caucasus even being part of Europe is up for debate. Still, assuming you have at least 6 weeks in Europe (and ideally longer), countries such as Georgia , Armenia and Azerbaijan are absolutely worth visiting. Personally, Georgia is my favorite of these, from cozy Tbilisi to the mountain town of Kazbegi and its stunning scenery. However, Armenia’s monasteries and the Caspian vibe of Baku , Azerbaijan are nothing to shake a stick at.

For the majority of travelers, Eastern Europe (with the exception of cities like Prague and Budapest) is separate from “Europe” (which is to say Western Europe) as a travel destination. This is especially the case for Russia , which even before Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine required a cumbersome visa to enter. Accordingly, I’d probably recommend considering this part of Europe separately from your core two months in Europe.

Is 2 Months in Europe Enough?

Over the past few years, travelers have emailed me about planning trips that range from a 6 week Europe itinerary all the way up to 3 months in Europe. And they’ve told me that this page (and previous iterations of it) have helped them put together itineraries for trips of virtually all lengths. While I’ve obviously optimized my advice for travelers who have about two months, a lot of the information you find here is evergreen.

On the other hand, if you want to comprehensively explore the continent, a 2 months in Europe itinerary is really the minimum amount of time you’ll need to devote. Europe is the size of the continental US, but is much more densely populated and features a much richer cultural tapestry as well. In fact, if you really want to see “all” of Europe, you’ll need closer to half a year here; two months simply affords you a compelling (but not complete) cross-section.

Other FAQ About Spending 2 Months in Europe

How much does it cost to travel europe for 2 months.

The minimum amount of money you can expect to spend during your 2 month Europe itinerary (not including) flights is 6,000 USD. This assumes that your food, accommodation and transport within the continent will cost no less than 100 USD per person, per day.

Do you need a visa to stay in Europe for 2 months?

If you have a US, UK, Australia or New Zealand passport, you don’t need a visa to stay in Europe if you plan to stay less than 90 days. However, there are a couple of important caveats. First, if you’ve already stayed more than 30 out of the previous 180 days, you won’t be able to stay the whole 60 days, as visa-free travel in Europe is only permitted for up to 90 out of every 180-day period. Secondly, starting in 2024, you will need to avail Europe’s nascent ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter the Schengen area.

What is the best month to see Europe?

Europe is a fantastic destination any time of year, though you should keep some things in mind. First, while the summer months of July and August are hot, sunny and lots of fun, they’re also the busiest and most expensive. This is especially the case in August, when virtually the entire country of France is on vacation. Secondly, while winter can be less crowded outside of ski destinations, it’s extremely cold, especially if you’re from a warmer country and aren’t used to it. If you want to balance nice weather with light crowds, “shoulder” months like April, May, September and October are a perfect time to visit Europe.

The Bottom Line

How’s your 2 month Europe itinerary looking? Although planning a Europe trip is a process, I hope you’ve made significant progress toward a plan you can execute. Some of you will spend your time touring European capitals, or popular regions such as Italy’s Tuscany , Portugal’s Algarve or the Swiss Alps. Others will take a more unique approach, be that hunkering down in or or two countries, or making a true marathon across the continent, from one end clear over to another. Want personalized help putting your trip together? I do hope you’ll consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!

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2-Month Budget Europe Itinerary: Backpack Around 10 Countries Under S$5K with the Eurail Pass

Get ready for the greatest two months of your life! From strolling through the posh streets in London and climbing the Swiss alps to gazing at the breathtaking ruins in Athens, this Europe itinerary travels to 10 countries, and all for under S$5k!

*Get 15% off your Eurail Pass when you pre-book it before 1 Aug 2022

Europe robbed my heart in ways no other place could. I was only there for a month under my 2016 university exchange programme, but I can never forget what I experienced. The smell of freshly-baked croissants in France, the breathtaking ruins in Greece, years of history in Prague’s narrow cobblestone streets — and that’s only scratching the surface.

I backpacked across 12 countries in 32 days, but I was burnt out by the end of the journey. My main regret was that I answered “where to go in Europe?” with “as many places as possible!” As a result, I  didn’t get to know each country — it was just touch-and-go sightseeing for one day, then moving on to the next. Had I known better, I would have slowed down and taken my time in each place.

Now, it’s true that Europe is expensive. But, it’s also true that you don’t need to break the bank to travel there. After all, we’ve covered various parts of Europe on separate trips, all on a budget.

That said, we won’t deny that flights can be costly for a continent so far away. If we could, we’d make it worth our while and cover all these countries in one grand backpacking trip — like our very own “Europe graduation trip” of sorts. And if we did do the trip, our ideal Europe itinerary would explore 10 countries, and it’s possible to do so with a budget under S$5k!

Pre-trip Essentials

Rail Travel:  For this itinerary, you’ll need the flexible 15-day Eurail Global Pass . Purchase your pass at least a week in advance, so that it’ll be delivered straight to your doorstep! If you’re unsure how to use it, check out our  Eurail Pass guide  for a fuss-free Europe journey.

Connectivity:  Get a 60-day  SIM card that can be used all over Europe. This card provides 12GB of data, and has free incoming calls too.

Flights:  Start from London, and end at Athens. Flights are not included in this itinerary’s budget. However, you can always score cheap flights to Europe with Skyscanner , and by keeping a lookout for airline promotions and flash sales.

Budget Breakdown

Accommodation:  S$1,477.76 Transport:  S$1,541.19 (including Eurail Global Flexipass ) Food:  S$1,388.83 Activities & Miscellaneous:  S$507.20

Total:  S$4,984.98

Read also:  18 Budget Tips to Travel Europe For a Month Under S$2,500

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1) London, England (7 Days)

Kickstart your adventure in London! The city’s atmosphere is electrifying — you can easily spend a week exploring London’s numerous attractions. Think museums, markets, icons like the Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, and the quintessential  Harry Potter Studios Tour .

Getting from London Heathrow Airport to the city:  Take a  coach transfer  to Central London.

Keen to explore the rest of the UK? Check out our UK rail itinerary , which also covers Scotland and Wales.

Accommodation: SoHostel , ~S$34/bed in an 18-bed dorm room (includes free breakfast).

Getting around London: Walk, cycle , or take unlimited public transport with the London TravelCard .

Key Experiences: – Walk along River Thames and check out attractions like Big Ben, the London Eye, and the London Bridge – Go museum-hopping  (some are free!) – Eat at local markets like Camden, Brick Lane and Borough Market. – Go on the Harry Potter Studios Tour  (Heads-up Potterheads, check out our Harry Potter itinerary too!)

Food: ~£20/day, including cooking and eating out. Don’t miss must-eats like fish and chips, salt beef beigels, and Flat Iron ‘s famous steaks!

Read also:   UK By Rail: 10D Scotland, Wales And London Itinerary Under S$1,400

Getting from London to Paris, France: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International Station to Paris Gare du Nord. Reservations are required.

2) Paris, France (3 Days)

Paris is the holy grail destination for anyone enthralled by French culture. It’s easy to fall in love with the beautiful architecture of the historic Notre-Dame, the modern Eiffel Tower, and the extravagant Palace of Versailles . For foodies, the palatable French cuisine will hook you right in.

Getting around Paris: Walk, or take unlimited public transport with the  Paris TravelCard .

Accommodation:   Le Village Montmartre , ~$49/bed in an 12-bed dorm room.

Key Experiences: – Visit French icons like the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower – Hunt for famous artworks like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo at the  Louvre Museum  ( free on Friday nights for anyone under 26) – Take a day trip to the Palace of Versailles  (and try not to feel like a pauper there)

Food: ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Enjoy French classics like duck confit, freshly-baked breads and pastries, and macarons.  Bon Appetit !

But France isn’t just about Paris — our France rail itinerary  heads to other charming cities like Marseilles and Nice which are worth exploring too!

Getting from Paris to Interlaken, Switzerland:  Take a TGV Lyria train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Basel SBB. Reservations are required for this train. Then, take a regional train from Basel SBB to Interlaken Ost.

3) Switzerland (6 Days)

In one word, we’d say Switzerland is “unreal”. The breathtaking mountainous scenery, crisp, fresh air, and mouthwatering cheese-pulls from bubbling pots of fondue — few countries come close to such perfection. This itinerary explores the natural beauties of Interlaken, Lucerne, and Zurich in six days.

Getting around Switzerland: Take public transport or walk. The scenery is wondrous wherever you go.

To see more of Switzerland’s majestic sights like the  Matterhorn  (a.k.a. “Toblerone chocolate” mountain), check out our Switzerland rail itinerary .

Accommodation: Hostel Interlaken , ~S$58.50/bed in a six-bed dorm room (includes free breakfast, and a free bus pass).

Key Experiences: – Ride the Gelmerbahn , Switzerland’s steepest open air Funicular. At the top, hike to the  Handeck Bridge , and around Gelmer Lake – Hike up 1,322m to Interlaken’s local mountain,  Harder Kulm – Trek to Iseltwald and awe at  Seeburg château , a fairytale-esque castle on Lake Brienz

Food: ~CHF22/day, mostly groceries for cooking. Eating out in Switzerland is very expensive. But if you can splurge on one thing, go for a cheese fondue!

Travelling from Interlaken to Lucerne:  Take a domestic train from Interlaken Ost to Bahnhof Luzern. Reservations are dependent on the train you take.

Accommodation:   Bellpark Hostel , ~S$48/bed in a six-bed dorm room (includes free breakfast).

Key Experiences: – Walk around  Lucerne Old Town , and visit historic attractions like the Kapellbrücke, Musegg Wall, and Löwendenkmal – Make your own Swiss Army Knife  at the Victorinox Museum – Hike to the peak of  Mount Pilatus , and go on a ride on the  Fräkigaudi Toboggan  (Switzerland’s longest Toboggan run)

Food: ~S$30/day, mostly groceries for cooking.

Travelling from Lucerne to Zurich:  Take a domestic train from Bahnhof Luzern to Zürich Hauptbahnhof. Tour around the city’s sights, before continuing to Munich in Germany.

Key Experiences: – Explore Zurich Old Town  and Lake Zurich – Try the famous Aelpli Milk, an alcoholic cocktail that looks deceptively like milk

Read also:  10-Day Switzerland Itinerary — 6 Cities Under S$2.3k with the Swiss Travel Pass

Travelling from Zurich to Munich, Germany: Take an Intercity train from Zürich Hauptbahnhof to München Hauptbahnhof. Reservations are required for this train.

Note:  Trains from Zurich to Munich may not run every day, so check in advance whether they are available on the day you intend to travel.

4) Germany (7 Days)

Germany is home to years of important history we’ve studied in school, and a lively culture of enjoying food, drinks, and merry cheer (Oktoberfest, anyone?). That’s what makes this country so fascinating! Spending a week in Berlin and Munich, you’ll explore sombre historical sites and buildings , but also vivacious beer halls where everyone’s got a pint in hand.

Getting around Germany: Take public transport , or walk.

Accommodation:   Jaeger’s Munich Hostel , ~S$43/bed in a 10-bed dorm room.

Key Experiences: – Catch street performers at the Marienplatz – Head to the  Englischer Garten , and watch surfers in action at the Eisbach River – Kick back with drinks at  Hofbräuhaus , a three-tier beer hall – Go on a day trip to Fussen, and explore  Neuschwanstein Castle  — the inspiration behind Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Get your fill of German favourites like bratwursts and pork knuckles ( schweinshaxe ). Beer goes without saying. Cheers! 😉🍻

Travelling from Munich to Berlin:  Take an ICE high-speed train from München Hauptbahnhof to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Reservations are required for this train.

Accommodation:   St Christopher’s Inn Berlin Mitte , ~S$33/bed in a 30-bed dorm room (includes free breakfast).

Key Experiences: – Take part in a walking tour  around Berlin’s historical sites like the Reichstag Building, Brandenburg Gate, and Holocaust Memorial – Go on a  Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Tour – Admire the artworks at the  East Side Gallery along the Berlin Wall – Shop at  Mauerpark’s flea markets on Sundays

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Look out for cheap eats like döner kebabs, burgers, and other affordable munchies at  market halls .

Read also:   5-Day Berlin Budget Guide under S$1.5k incl accommodation and flight from Singapore

Travelling from Berlin to Prague, Czech Republic:  Take the EuroCity train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Praha Hlavní Nádraží Station. Reservations are optional.

5) Prague, Czech Republic (3 Days)

The capital city of the Czech Republic is just beautiful. Renaissance buildings and Gothic churches tower above as you wander through the maze-like, cobblestone streets of  Prague Old Town . It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that gives off whimsical fairytale-vibe, but the best part is that the city is super wallet-friendly!

Getting around Prague:  By walking, as all the attractions are near each other.

Accommodation:   Hostel Rosemary , ~S$19/bed in a 12-bed dorm room.

Key Experiences: – Catch the hourly “puppet” show, performed by the  Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Hall – Stroll down the Charles Bridge, and go people-watching – Visit the Prague Castle, the world’s largest castle complex – Have a beer at the Strahov Monastery Brewery

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Don’t miss Czech specialties like roasted duck, fried cheese ( smazeny syr ), and chimney cakes ( trdelnik ).

Travelling from Prague to Vienna, Austria:  Take a regional train from Praha Hlavní Nádraží Station to Wien Hauptbahnhof.

Read also:   14-Day Europe Itinerary: 6 Countries under S$1.8k with the Eurail Pass

6) Vienna, Austria (3 Days)

Vienna is hailed as the “City of Music” for good reason. It was the home of the legendary Beethoven and Mozart, but you don’t have to be a virtuoso yourself to enjoy Austria’s capital. The young-at-heart will also be thrilled by the much-raved-about  Wurstelprater amusement park !

Getting around Vienna: Walk, or take public transport .

Accommodation: Best Location Hostel , ~$26/bed in a four-bed dorm room.

Key Experiences: – Grab brunch and groceries at the  Karmelitermarkt – Visit Mozart’s statue in the  Burggarten – See how Austrian royalty used to live like at the  Schönbrunn Palace – Scream your lungs out at the  Wurstelpratel Amusement

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Must-try eats include schnitzel and apple strudel, both Austrian originals.

Travelling from Vienna to Budapest, Hungary:  Take a regional train from Wien Hauptbahnhof to Budapest Keleti Station.

7) Hungary (4 Days)

Budapest was my personal favourite. The Hungarian language is unique and mysterious, much like Budapest! Buda and Pest are polar opposites — Buda is where calmer daytime activities take place, while the nightlife rules in Pest. Either way, there are plenty of things to do to keep you entertained, like dipping in the Szechenyi thermal baths  and enjoying live music events at Szimpla Kert , a famous ruin bar.

Getting around Hungary:  Take public transport , or walk.

Accommodation:   Airbnb , ~S$10/night for a private apartment with a kitchen and laundry facilities.

Key Experiences: – Stroll along the Danube Bank and see famous landmarks like the  Shoes on the Danube Bank , the Hungarian Parliament, and the Buda Castle – Head up to Fisherman’s Bastion, an incredibly Insta-worthy photo spot – Soak in the  Szechenyi thermal baths – Relax at Margitsziget  (Margaret Island), a park in between Buda and Pest – Unwind with drinks at  Szimpla Kert , and catch live music events

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Must-try Hungarian dishes include langos  and goulash.

Travelling from Budapest to Ljubljana, Slovenia: Take a high-speed train from Budapest Deli Station to Ljubljana Station. Reservations are required.

Note:  Trains from Budapest to Ljubljana may not run every day, so check in advance whether these trains are available on the day you intend to travel.

8) Slovenia (4 Days)

A hidden gem in Europe, Slovenia is a truly charming country. Ljubljana is packed with many bridges  that line the river, as well as impressive greenery. The resort town of Bled is also a must-visit. Many travellers enjoy hiking up to Ojstrica Lookout Point to get a perfect shot of the picturesque Lake Bled below.

Getting around Slovenia: Walk, or cycle .

Accommodation: Hostel Most , ~S$26/bed in a mixed dorm room.

Key Experiences: – Cycle around the town, and check out the quirky  Dragon Bridge – Chill out at  Tivoli Park – Immerse yourself in the alternative culture at the  Metelkova Art Centre , and catch live music performances at night – Shop for fresh produce and cheap eats at the  Central Market – Go on a day trip to Bled

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. For authentic Slovenian cuisine, have a meal at Druga Violina , an inexpensive  gostilna -style   restaurant.

Travelling from Ljubljana to Bled:  Take a regional train from Ljubljana Station to Lesce Bled.

Key Experiences: – Hike up  Ojstrica Lookout Point  to get the best views of Lake Bled – Ride a Toboggan sled at Straža Bled  (starts in April 2019)

Food: Don’t leave without trying the original Bled Cream Cake  at Sava Hotel Bled !

Getting from Ljubljana to Venice, Italy:  Take a bus from Ljubljana to Trieste Centrale Station in Italy. Afterwards, take a high-speed train to Venezia Mestre Station.

9) Italy (7 Days)

Mamma Mia!  With iconic foods like pizza and pasta, jaw-dropping architecture like the Colosseum, and layers of interesting history, how can you skip Italy? This itinerary spends a week in Venice and Rome, exploring the maze of bridges and famous attractions like the Vatican City .

Accommodation:   Camping Rialto Venezia , ~S$30/bed in a mini-chalet.

Getting around Venice: Purchase a travel card for unlimited water bus rides.

Key Experiences: – Get lost in Venice, cross its many  bridges , and visit famous sites like  St. Mark’s Square – Take a ferry to Murano  (the glass islands) to see how glass is made – Stroll around the colourful island of  Burano , and learn about lace-making

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Have your meals outside of Venice, as you can get higher quality dishes for cheaper.

Travelling from Venice to Rome:  Take a high-speed train from Venezia Mestre Station to Roma Termini.

Accommodation:   Funny Palace Hostel , ~S$31/bed in a 5-bed dorm room (includes free breakfast).

Getting around Rome: Walk, or take public transport .

Key Experiences: – Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain  (like Lizzie McGuire!) – Roam around Rome, and check out attractions like the Spanish Steps and  Altare della Patria – Learn more about the Roman gladiators at the  Colosseum – Enter the  Vatican City , where the Pope lives, and explore  St. Peter’s Basilica

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Don’t forget to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine like pasta, pizzas and gelato!

Travelling from Rome to Athens, Greece:  The fastest way to get from Italy to Greece is to take a direct flight from ~€40 . To get to Fiumincino Airport, take a one-way bus transfer  from Rome Termini Station.

Alternatively, your Eurail pass allows you to take a ferry ride from Italy to Greece. The journey takes about 16.5 hours.

10) Greece (11 Days)

End your adventure in Greece, a curious country full of wonderment and intrigue. In this itinerary, you can explore Athens, Meteora and Santorini in 11 days. But believe us, with stunning scenery like  ancient ruins , mountain monasteries , and turquoise waters, you’ll feel like you never want to leave.

To find out more about what each city offers, check out our Greece itinerary !

Accommodation:   Pella Inn , ~S$25/bed in a 8-bed dorm room.

Getting around Athens:  Walk, or take public transport .

Key Experiences: – Go on a free local tour with This is My Athens  to discover more about the city – Satisfy your inner history buff and wander around Athens’ ancient ruins like the Acropolis , Ancient Agora , and  Temple of Zeus – Hike up Lykavittos Hill to get panoramic views of Athens

Food:  ~€15/day, including cooking and eating out. Don’t miss must-eats like Greek salad ( Horiatiki Salata ), moussaka, gyros, and Greek yogurt with honey and nuts.

Travelling from Athens to Meteora:  Take a train from Athens Larissa Station to Kalambaka Station.

Note:  Double check that there are no transport strikes during the time you plan to travel. Strikes happen frequently, but they are announced one to three days in advance. Check this  site  for updates.

Accommodation: Meteora Central Hostel , ~S$27/bed in a six-bed dorm room.

Getting around Meteora:  The best way to explore the city is by renting your own scooter . E-bikes are available for those without licenses.

Key Experiences: – Go on a rock scrambling tour  to the Great Saint, the tallest rock in Meteora – Go on a  sunset tour  (both organised by Visit Meteora )

Food:  ~€15/day. You can get cheap eats in the city like gyros.

Travelling from Meteora to Santorini:  Take a train from Kalambaka Station back to Athens Larissa Station. From there, take the Metro to Piraeus port. Afterwards, take an overnight ferry to Santorini.

Alternatively, you can stay one more night in Athens. Then, take an afternoon ferry to Santorini the next day.

*Note:  Overnight ferries from Piraeus to Santorini only operates on Tuesdays and Fridays. Do double check beforehand on the days you’re sailing to Santorini.

Accommodation:   Youth Hostel Anna , ~S$28/bed in a 10-bed dorm room.

Getting around Santorini: The best way to explore the island is by renting a car, ATV or scooter .

Key Experiences: – Hike from Fira to Oia – Propose Have a mini-photoshoot at the Three Bells of Fira , a popular spot for wedding shoots 💍 – Get your tan on at  Akrotiri Red Beach , and the Perissa Black Sand Beach – Cliff jump at  Ammoudi bay – Catch the legendary Santorini sunset at the Byzantine Castle ruins , or at  Skaros Rock

Food:  ~€15/day.

Travelling from Santorini to Athens: You can take an daytime ferry or overnight ferry back to Athens. Overnight ferries operate on Thursdays and Mondays.

Read also:  Greece Budget Itinerary — S$1.5k incl. flights & accom — Athens, Santorini, Meteora

Getting from Athens to the International Airport:  Take a  bus  from the city centre for your flight back home.

Getting Around Europe by Train

With an extensive railway network that connects all countries, taking the train is the best way to travel around Europe for budget backpackers. Compared to an MRT ride in Singapore, going across Europe by train is a far more scenic affair. You’ll find yourself passing by vastly different landscapes, like rolling hills and small towns.

What we love about the Eurail Global Pass  is that it adds flexibility to all travel plans. Rather than purchase tickets for a set day and time, this pass gives users the convenience of choosing where and when to travel. It’s especially useful if you don’t have a confirmed itinerary, or when unexpected mishaps crop up!

With the 15 Days in 2 Months Eurail Global Pass , you only need to pay for reservation fees for trains that require it. Compared to buying non-flexible tickets months in advance, you’d also be saving about ~S$278  in this itinerary. This amount can easily score you a few more days in your favourite country. The only thing you need to do is make your reservations two weeks in advance, or once you arrive in Europe.

To save even more, you can take regional trains that don’t require reservations. Although the journey may be longer, take it as a time for you to catch up on some “me-time”. Otherwise, when else are you going to touch those books/Netflix shows you’ve been wanting to finish?

Your Eurail Pass will also be delivered straight to your doorstep when you book from  Klook , provided you book at least one week before. The entire booking process is quick and hassle-free, and you can embark on your grand backpacking trip with a peace of mind.

Klook also offers a slew of products that will make your trip even more worthwhile, from interesting experiences like the Making of Harry Potter  in London, to a  tour to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp in Berlin.

Like the Eurail Pass, getting around each city is also made easy with Klook. You can plan all your coach transfers in countries like Rome , and secure your travel cards in London and Paris that offer unlimited public transport before you hop on your flight.

In all, travelling in Europe on a budget doesn’t have to be a bank-breaking adventure. With enough planning, backpacking Europe under S$5k can become a reality. While you may need to rough it out a bit, the entire experience will be one that’ll last. You can also proudly say you’ve seen and experienced some of the best places in Europe — now it’s just time to earn the money back. 😜

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Have you backpacked around Europe? Which is your favourite country? Tell us in the comments below!

This post was brought to you by Klook .

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  A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Aug 14, 2018 at 3:08am PDT

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I have been using your website as a constant point of reference since the past two years and you guys give the best budget breakdown. Great job and thank you! I have stopped by to ask for an advise: I’m planning to travel to Greek-Spain-Germany during august. Any thoughts or would you guys suggest the best way around? I’m based in Singapore and will be flying out and in from here. Greece and Spain are my mandate.

Thanks in advance:)

Hi Pris, glad to be of help! 🙂

All 3 countries are pretty far apart! I would probably base them around flights costs. There are budget flights in and out of Berlin/Athens and budget flights between Germany and Spain.

You can consider flying in to Athens, explore Greece… take a ferry to Italy… explore Italy northwards till Germany… Do what ever you need there then take the train or fly to Spain depending on whether you want to check out France. Whether you fly back from Spain or Germany I would probably base it around the price of the tickets since time doesn’t seem to be too big a concern for you!

– Hendric

Hello, this is really an amazing two months people can enjoy and venture in Europe. Europe was always my dream to travel, still not fulfill that dream yet but I am sure it will be fulfilled soon. Thanks very much for all the information you provide and all the best with your next adventures.

What currency did you budget in? CAD, USD, Euros??? I am Canadian and trying to budget. should I budget in US dollars or Euros?

Hi Kayla, the currency reflected in our articles is Singapore dollars.

This budget-friendly Europe itinerary proves that exploring 10 countries in just two months is not only possible but also an incredible adventure that will leave you with unforgettable memories and the satisfaction of having accomplished an epic backpacking trip.

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A Europe Itinerary for 2 months in Europe: Your perfect itinerary for Europe

January 10, 2020 by Karen Turner 35 Comments

On my first trip to Europe, I made a lot of mistakes as I was trying to see many capital cities as possible in the shortest possible time. Halfway through my Europe trip, I was exhausted and I felt like I had barely seen any nature or small cities.

I’ve been very fortunate to have taken multiple European backpacking trips and I’ve been living in Europe for nearly three years now.  I hope that I can help a bit with helping you create your perfect European itinerary that mixes capital cities with cultural centers and stunning nature to show you the best of Europe in two months! You’ll find a downloadable excel to help you plan your own European trip at the end!

• 0.0.1 What to know about this European itinerary
• 0.1 Start your Europe trip with three days in Berlin
• 0.2 Three days in Prague
• 0.3 Two days in Vienna
• 0.4 One day in Bratislava
• 0.5 Optional: Three days in Budapest
• 0.6 Optional stop: Two days in Villach, Austria to enjoy the Austrian Alps
• 0.7 More into smaller cities? Consider stopping off in Salzburg and Hallstatt instead of Villach
• 0.8 Two days in Venice
• 0.9 One day in Bologna
• 0.10 Three days in Florence
• 0.11 Day trip from Florence: One day in Tuscany
• 0.12 Four days in Rome
• 0.13 Two days in Torino (Turin), including red wine tastings or hiking
• 0.14 Two days in Provence (via Avignon)
• 0.15 Two days in Barcelona
• 0.16 Three days in Madrid
• 0.17 Two days in Seville
• 0.18 One day in Lagos
• 0.19 Three days in Lisbon
• 0.20 Two days in Porto
• 0.21 Four days in Paris
• 0.22 Day trip from Paris to Versailles
• 0.23 Two days in Brussels
• 0.24 One day in Bruges
• 0.25 Two days in Antwerp
• 0.26 Three days in Amsterdam
• 0.27 One day in Utrecht
• 0.28 One day in Cologne
• 0.29 Two days in Rhine Valley
• 0.30 End of your Europe Trip: One day in Berlin
• 0.31 Download your European Itinerary Excel
• 1 What did you think of this Europe itinerary?

What to know about this European itinerary

I’ve crafted this Europe itinerary to make the best use of a Eurail pass.  I don’t work for Eurail, so I’ve crafted this itinerary to help you minimize costs on trains. The Eurail pass is not necessarily the best deal if you’re traveling for two months and spending more time within a country.  It’s usually cheaper to buy tickets using from that country’s train system.

I crafted this itinerary to take advantage of the 10-15 days within two months Eurail pass.  You’ll need to pay a bit out of pocket for some of the other train trips, but trust me on this, if you book the shorter trips yourself, you’ll end up saving a lot of money compared to the two month eurorail pass! I’ve noted where to utilize your Eurail pass for maximal cost benefit.

• Optional: Budapest
• Optional: Villach/Triglav
• Optional: Turin + Mountains
• Optional: Utrecht
• Rhine Valley

I’ve created a free downloadable European itinerary planning spreadsheet to help you plan your European itinerary, keep track of expenses, and see what you still need to book.  You’ll find the link to this at the bottom!

Start your Europe trip with three days in Berlin

Why? Berlin is one of the cheapest cities to fly into in Europe.  I ended up finding an amazing flight deal to Berlin multiple times! It’s cheaper to use Berlin as a base. 

I recommend three days in Berlin .  Besides being Germany’s capital, Berlin is rich in culture and has fantastic museums.

• Visit the Holocaust Memorial, which is free to visit.
• Take a free tour of German Parliament (Reichstag).
• Visit Museum Island to visit the Pergamon Museum and to see the Ishtar Gate, which was moved from Iraq.
• Wander around the trendy Kreuzberg to admire its markets and street art.
• Try your luck at Berlin’s infamous clubs (Berghain).
• Admire the stunning Brandenburger Tor.

You’ll find a number of affordable hostels and hotels in Berlin.  I stayed at Wombat’s City Hostel in Berlin,  a modern hostel that feels more like a hotel with a rooftop bar. Perfect for breaking the ice on a nice summer’s night!

Check hostel and hotel prices in Berlin now!

From Berlin, take the train to Prague.  It’s worth using your Eurail pass for this journey. The journey will take about 4 and a half hours and you’ll find trains nearly every hour! This is a popular European train journey, so reserve ahead.

Three days in Prague

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe without question.  For those on a budget, Prague is one of the best destinations in Europe as beer is cheaper than water, the almost every street is out of a postcard, and it’s possible to stay at a nice hotel for a fraction of the cost elsewhere.

• Tour Prague Castle, one of Europe’s most stunning castles.
• Take a photo at the John Lennon wall.
• Sip on beer with any of your meals.  (It’s cheaper than water!)
• Admire the Astrological clock.
• Admire the Charles Bridge. (Best seen at sunrise without people!)

No matter the budget, you’ll find great hotel and hostel options in Prague.  On my previous trip, I stayed at a chic design hotel for a fraction of the cost of a hotel elsewhere. A friend of mine stayed at Hostel One Miru and loved it!

Check hostel and hotel prices in Prague now!

The train journey from Prague to Vienna will take approximately four hours.  I recommend using your Eurail pass for this trip and reserving your seat ahead. 

Two days in Vienna

For culture and history, Vienna is the perfect stop on your European itinerary!  You’ll find some of the most stunning museums in Europe, including the Habsburg residence and the Belvedere Palac e.  Click for my tips for seeing Austria on a budget !

Even walking around Vienna’s historic center, which is immaculate and as pretty as a picture, is one of the most relaxing things to do for free.  As a bibliophile, I was immediately drawn to the Austrian National Library, which is the library that I always dreamed of having.

• Admire the stunning Austrian National Library, which will make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale.
• Climb the St. Stephen’s Cathedral views.
• Tour the museums of the former Habsburg residence.
• Visit the Belvedere Palace to view Klimt’s masterpiece The Kiss.

I was recently in Vienna and stayed at Wombat City Hostel .  My room was clean, modern, and quiet. I also enjoyed the lively bar downstairs, which made it easy to meet fellow travelers while traveling solo.  For those looking for a cozy boutique hotel, consider booking  Hotel Altstadt Vienna for free cake and friendly owners in a uniquely luxurious environment.

Check hostel and hotel prices in Vienna now!

It’s only one hour on the train or bus to Bratislava, so you can visit Bratislava on a day trip from Vienna or bring your bag in order to save a little money on your accommodation.  Don’t use your Eurail pass here. It’s cheaper not to!

One day in Bratislava

If you’re looking for a taste of Eastern Europe and a way to get your budget ready for Paris, head to Bratislava! Bratislava is Slovakia’s capital.  It’s picturesque, affordable, and full of charm. It’s only about an hour from Vienna to Bratislava (save your Eurail pass!), making it an easy trip although budget savvy travelers should take advantage of the affordable hostels in Bratislava that are half the price of hostels in Vienna.

• Admire the beautiful art nouveau Blue Church.
• Take in epic views from Bratislava Castle.
• Admire the beautiful historic city center.

Click for a complete guide to Bratislava written by a local, Karin!

From Bratislava, it’s around 3 hours by bus (Flixbus) or train to Budapest.  If you’re looking to cut costs, consider taking a Flixbus between Bratislava and Budapest, otherwise, use your Eurail pass.

If you’re considering skipping ahead to leave Budapest and the Austrian Alps to give yourself five days elsewhere, you can take a long overnight train ride to Venice, Italy and/or take a budget flight from Vienna to Venice (if you prefer).

Optional: Three days in Budapest

Many European itineraries leave Budapest off because it’s a bit out of the way and I understand that if you end up editing this city stop out of your itinerary to head straight to Italy after Vienna, however, I hope that I can inspire you to visit Hungary’s spectacular capital.

Why leave Budapest on your itinerary? Unlike other European capitals, Budapest feels laid-back and lacks the crazy crowds that you’ll find in Berlin, Paris, and Prague. 

This laid back feeling combined with Budapest’s electric atmosphere (with lots of innovation), affordable prices, and dazzling architecture make it easily a city that you’ll want to visit (and probably live in).  I ended up coming here on my second European trip and I wish that I had included it in my original European itinerary!

You can find some beautiful accommodation in historic hotels around Budapest.   My friends and I ended up splitting a cozy apartment in a beautiful historic building .  Those looking for the ultimate luxury experience will be blown away by views at the Aria Hotel .

Check accommodation prices in Budapest now! 

You can take a night train or a Flixbus from Budapest to Villach, which will take about eight hours.  Alternatively, if you want to skip ahead to Venice (the next stop on the itinerary!), you might be able to find a good budget flight to Venice from Budapest and/or take a night train towards Venice. Use your Eurail pass if you decide to take the train.

Optional stop: Two days in Villach, Austria to enjoy the Austrian Alps

You’re probably wondering where is Villach and why!? Bear with me, but I’ve tried to break up this itinerary to minimize your overnight train journeys and to show you some of the most beautiful places in Europe.  After a week (ish) of partying in major cities, the mountain air will feel incredible.

Villach Austria is located right on the Austrian-Slovenian border and it’s only thirty minutes from Triglav National Park in Slovenia.  This stunning national park has incredible hiking and beautiful views of the mountains. I’d recommend 1-2 days here in case the weather isn’t in your favor.  If you’re not into hiking, pass go and skip ahead to use these two days elsewhere although you’ll end up spending more time on a train.

Check hotels and hostels in Villach now!

From Villach, it’s a four-hour train right to Venice although it’s also possible to take a Flixbus if you’re looking to save your Eurail pass for later.

More into smaller cities? Consider stopping off in Salzburg and Hallstatt  instead of Villach

Who can resist the charm of Salzburg ?  Sound of Music lovers will enjoy it although it’s definitely possible to combine seeing Hallstatt with Salzburg if you have two days. 

Salzburg has a very cozy city center that is perfect for wandering on foot. On my last trip to Salzburg, we stepped into an Austrian beer garden, admired views (shown above!) from the hills, and browsed the various dirndl shops. I definitely recommend stopping in one of the historic coffee houses for an Austrian coffee! Click to read my tips for Salzburg!

Two days in Venice

Who can resist Venice? Venice is where I had my first date with my husband ( really !) and it holds a special place in my heart.  That said, it is very touristy and expensive.  I recommend limiting your time in Venice to 1-2 days. 

It might surprise some of you, but I get agoraphobia (crowd phobia) and Venice was very hard on me as many of the locations were so crowded that I felt that I was a sardine in a can.  Venice is  still worth visiting, but too many tourists crowding this sinking city is an issue as it’s priced out many residents.

Venice is still a delight to walk around although it’s so easy to get lost in the main city.  Those looking for the ultimate luxury experience can stay in former palaces to explore old-world luxury. 

Alternatively, budget travelers will find hostels in the historic center and affordable hotels on the outskirts of Venice in Mestre (only a bus ride away!)

Check prices for accommodation in Venice now!

From Venice to Bologna, you can take the high-speed train, which takes 1.5-2 hours. (There’s also slower trains.)  It’s your choice if you want to use your Eurail pass, but I found the Italian trains affordable to book in advance without my Eurail pass.

One day in Bologna

Bologna is the foodie capital of Italy.  Although most travelers skip ahead to Rome or Florence, you’re missing out on amazing, well-priced eats in this central Italian city that even Italians rave about.  Bologna has the oldest university in Italy and despite the significant history in Bologna, it’s a young city at its heart due to the many students. 

I loved climbing the medieval towers to take in the city, exploring the Roman ruins underneath the public library (I know!?), and eating the incredible food that Bologna has to offer.

You’ll find many well-priced hotels within the historic center, including hotels in historic buildings .   For those on a budget, you’ll find many hostels as well as cheap hotel rooms walking distance from the city.

Check prices at hotels and hostels in Bologna now!

The train journey from Bologna from Florence will take just thirty minutes, so save your Eurail pass for a long train ride where it’s worth it. 

Three days in Florence

Florence is truly one of Italy’s gems. As an art and history lover, I spent three idyllic days roaming the picturesque streets of Florence, admiring the Duomo every single time that I passed it, entering every church that I passed as many held museum-quality frescos, and wandering around Florence’s art museums. 

Most notably, I said hello to David at the Accademia Gallery, admired Italy’s most stunning frescos at the Uffizi (with getting up early), and ate all the gelato.  It’s hard not to be charmed by Florence.

While visiting the many museums in Florence, you’ll want to budget accordingly.  I was able to save money by staying at a cozy hostel near the city center and walking everywhere.  Those seeking a bit more luxury, you’ll find former palazzos-turned-hotels that won’t break the bank .

Check hotel and hostels prices in Florence now!

Day trip from Florence: One day in Tuscany

Anyone who loves Italy needs to get a taste of the Tuscan countryside.  It’s very easy to take a day tour from Florence to Tuscany.  I ended up taking a day trip out to the Tuscan countryside to sample Chianti wine, visit Tuscany’s most beautiful towns, and explore Siena. 

I ended up making some fantastic friends on the tour and that day remains one of my favorite moments of my European backpacking trip. 

The train from Florence to Rome takes about 1.5 hours although it’s also possible to take a cheaper bus, which will take about double the time (3 hours).

Four days in Rome

Can you visit Italy without visiting Rome? History and food lovers will be entranced by the history of Rome.  I initially considered staying longer in Rome, but it wasn’t my favorite Italian city beyond the attractions due to the crowds in summer.  Still, I tossed a coin in the Trevi Fountain and imagined myself in  La Dolce Vita (with a gelato in hand) .  

If you visit Rome, you must visit the Vatican to admire the Sistine Chapel and I recommend pre-booking your Vatican tickets as the lines can be sizable.  (Note: Women must dress appropriately to get inside the Vatican. 

I recommend wearing a long skirt and bringing a scarf to cover your shoulders with.)  The lines at the Colosseum can also be very long in peak season, so pre-book your Colosseum tickets if possible.  The Roman Forum is truly impressive and I spent a while geeking out about history.

Rome is quite large, so I encourage you to pay attention to the location when booking your hotel in Rome.  I stayed at Yellow Hostel after transferring from another one.   That said, I’d recommend avoiding the Termini area if possible although most hostels are in this area. Instead, stay in  Trastevere , one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods instead.

Check hotel and hostel prices in Rome now! 

The train from Rome to Torino (Turin) is a bit longer (4 hours) and I’d recommend using your Eurail pass if you end up taking the high-speed train.   I ended up missing my train and ended up finding out how much it cost last minute without the Eurail pass….

Two days in Torino (Turin), including red wine tastings or hiking

After the crowds in Florence and Rome, I wanted you to experience a stunning Italian city before you left Italy–and a day of quiet in nature. 

Turin is the birthplace of Nutella and a beautiful city right on the way to France.  I recommend stopping in Turin to taste some of the best chocolates in Italy and enjoy some wine from the world-famous Piedmont wine region at its source before leaving Italy.

• Click on how to take a day trip out to the Piedmont wine region.
• Click for tips on what to do in Turin.

Turin is at the foothills of the Alps, so if you’re itching for some more hiking, I recommend taking a day to enjoy the mountains, which are visible in the distance from Turin.  As Turin is lesser-known, you’ll find affordable hotels in beautiful historic buildings as well as affordable hostels .

From Turin, take an overnight train or bus towards France!  I personally struggled to sleep on the bunk that I reserved (for a bit extra) due to the train’s rocking motion, so I’m not sure it’s worth it to splurge on a bunk if you struggle to sleep on trains.   

I recommend taking a bus as it may be direct as the train may not be direct (with a transfer in Lyon) depending on your destination in France.  The journey should between about four to six hours.  (It will be less time if you choose to go to Nice, which has a direct train connection with Turin.)

Two days in Provence (via Avignon)

Have you dreamed of fairytale hilltop villages and fields of lavender!? If you’ll be visiting Provence in spring and summer, you’re in luck.  Even if you visit in winter, as my parents did, you’ll find stunning stone villages dating back to medieval times. 

Getting around Provence without a car is doable although I’d recommend staying in Avignon , a beautiful city with a rich history.   Click for advice for more information on the best things to do in Provence. 

Avignon was historically where the Roman Catholic Church had its base and you can view the incredibly massive Papal Palace during one of your days in Provence.   As Avignon is not a big backpacking destination, I recommend booking your accommodation in Avignon as early as possible as it’s a popular summer destination.

• Take a day trip to see the beautiful villages of Provence.
• Frolic in the lavender fields of Provence.
• Learn about the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

From Provence (Avignon), you can catch the TGV high-speed train to Barcelona.  The journey will take about five hours and I recommend reserving your seat ahead as this train is popular (and expensive).  Your Eurail pass is worth using here. 

Two days in Barcelona

Who can resist the interesting architecture, tapas, and fantastic nightlife of Barcelona? I ended up switching this European itinerary to give you two days in Barcelona and three days in Madrid as I was so exhausted by this point in my trip that I wasn’t in a mood to party.  (I’ve tried to build in down-time into this itinerary for this exact reason!) However, people looking to experience the nightlife of Barcelona will want to switch the days to give themselves more time in Barcelona.

I ended up really loving Gaudi’s fascinating architecture, so much so that I headed up to Park Guell and visited Casa Milà.  Of course, you must visit the Sagrada Familia although the line is so long that I recommend prebooking tickets in order to skip the line. Otherwise, I enjoyed walking around the charming Gothic quarter to take in the medieval part of Barcelona.

As someone with friends from Barcelona, I strongly encourage you to  not use Airbnb in Barcelona.  Its impact has been very tough on residents who have been priced out of their own city as landlords evict people in order to put up tourists. 

I stayed at Hostel One Ramblas , which I loved due to the fun atmosphere and friendly staff.  You’ll find cozy boutique hotels on a budget as well as reasonable 4* hotels with some of the best views in Barcelona .

Check prices for hostels and hotels in Barcelona now!

To get from Barcelona to Madrid, you can take the high-speed train, which only takes 2.5 hours!  I ended up using my Eurail pass for this journey as it was pricey otherwise.

Three days in Madrid

Madrid is one of my favorite European capitals and I can’t believe that I had almost crossed it off my list as everyone told me that it was boring.  Between lounging in the Parque del Buen Retiro, admiring Bosch’s masterpieces at El Prado, and eating tapas, you’ll find something for everyone.  Although Barcelona often is praised for its nightlife, Madrid has its own nightlife within the rock and roll bars in Malasaña.

Click for tips on visiting Madrid on a budget!

You’ll find a number of affordable accommodations in Madrid.   The Hat  is a great option for those on a budget.  They also have one of the best views in Madrid.  You’ll also find  affordable rooms at a 4*-5* hotel  if you book ahead.

Check hostel and hotel prices in Madrid now! 

To get from Madrid to Seville, you can take the high-speed train, which will take about 2.5 hours.  Once again, I used my Eurail pass, but this is a choice.

Two days in Seville

Seville is so nice to visit AFTER Barcelona and Madrid.  I finally felt like I could relax once I was in Seville. The slow pace and stunning architecture made it a nice place to decompress.

The Alcázar is a palace dating back to Moorish times that will transport you instantly to another world.  Even if you’re entranced by the tessellations within the patterned tiles/wood, you can imagine yourself on the Game of Thrones set. 

Similarly, you can visit Plaza de España, one of the filming locations for Star Wars. Architecture lovers will love the modern Parasol while dance lovers will be fascinated by flamenco, which can still be seen at a number of local bars.

For a fraction of the price elsewhere, you can stay in hostels with insane perks like free dinners (like at the hostel that I stayed at). Alternatively, you can stay in boutique hotels in beautiful historic buildings .

Check hostel and hotel prices in Seville now! 

Take the bus to Lagos from Sevill e .  This is easy to book once you’re in Seville.  There’s no train connection between Lagos and Seville. 

One day in Lagos

Although Lagos was a bit too much of a party destination for me, most people that I know loved Lagos.  The main thing to do in Lagos is to lay on the beaches, which you’ll find hidden among the rugged rock formations. 

At night, everyone goes out to dance the whole night away at cool outdoor clubs.  One day and one crazy night in Lagos were enough for me.

In summer, Lagos’ accommodation fills up, so be sure to book your accommodation early.  Check the reputation of your hostel beforehand as I ended up staying at a party hostel by mistake, which was something that I didn’t enjoy.   Check prices for hostels and hotels in Lagos now!

To get from Lagos to Lisbon, I took the bus as the train ride was actually longer and more expensive than the train.  The journey will take about 3-4 hours. 

Three days in Lisbon

For years, people have been saying that Lisbon is a hidden gem of Europe and I have to agree. People are increasingly discovering Portugal’s capital, which is full of charm. 

Beyond getting lost in Lisbon’s beautiful streets, lined in colorful tiles, you’ll find castles dating back to Moorish times, lively nightlife, and fantastic museums telling the history of Portugal. Click for tips for visiting Lisbon!

Lisbon is notably affordable though tourism is starting to drive prices up.  On my recent stopover with TAP Portugal, I ended up staying at Nest House , a boutique hostel located in the cozy Alameda neighborhood, which is a bit far away from the loudness of Barrio Alto. 

As with Barcelona, I recommend staying at hotels rather than an Airbnb as Airbnb is starting to cause housing prices to skyrocket. You’ll find some beautiful boutique hotels in Lisbon !

Check prices for hostels and hotels in Lisbon now!

It couldn’t be easier to get from Lisbon to Porto. The train takes only 2.5 hours although you can also take the bus if you choose to save money on this journey.

Two days in Porto

Lisbon’s big sister has all the charm and half the crowds.  Porto is full of historic buildings, some dating back to medieval times, beautiful bookstores, and fantastic wine. 

Most people don’t realize that J.K. Rowling lived in Porto and it’s said that the Livraria Lello bookstore inspired her vision of Hogwarts.   Lovers of food and alcohol will enjoy tasting port wine in the cellars along the river.  Of course, a trip to Portugal is not complete with pastries although you’re sure to burn them off on the steep hills.

While in Porto, I stayed at Yes! Porto Hostel , a boutique hostel with amazingly friendly staff and a lovely rooftop overlooking the city. You’ll find numerous boutique hotels with innovative features.  I recommend looking into  Torel Avantgarde , a stunning design hotel with an edge.

Check prices for hostels and hotels in Porto now! 

Porto has one of the best budget airports in Europe.  Although you could, in theory, take a train from Porto to Paris, it will probably be cheaper to fly with one of the budget airlines from Porto to Paris.  I paid about twenty euros for my budget flight.  (I see a flight for 23 euros for this week with Transavia!) 

I recommend flying into Orly rather than Charles de Gaulle as CDG is quite far away from Paris and Orly is far closer.   The flight will take two hours and it’s quite easy to take the train to the Porto airport from the city.

Four days in Paris

Who can resist Paris? The French capital is a classic stop on every European itinerary and I’d recommend ensuring that you have four days in Paris as any less will force you to make hard decisions about what to do in Paris. 

Beyond seeing the Eiffel Tower, touring the Louvre, strolling around Montmartre , taking in Paris’ covered passages , exploring Le Marais, eating all the crepes/macarons, and strolling along the Seine, you’ll find that four days is a great amount for a trip.

Hotels in Paris can get quite expensive, even for a basic room.  I recommend booking in advance as possible, especially if traveling during spring or summer.   Check hotels and hostels in Paris now! 

Click for my perfect itinerary for four days in Paris

Day trip from Paris to Versailles

Versailles requires a whole day to itself. The former royal palace is over 721,182 square feet and you truly will understand why generations of tourists and French citizens alike say that you must visit Versailles.

I have to agree and I wish that I had included it in my first European trip. (I skipped it as I thought it was overrated.) After exploring its gardens and Marie Antoinette’s estate, I think that Versailles must be included on your European itinerary.

Click for tips on taking a day trip from Versailles from Paris!

To get from Paris to Brussels, you’ll have a couple of options.  I’ve taken the Thalys, which only takes 1.5 hours although you can also take a slower and cheaper train that will take three hours.  I recommend using your Eurail pass if you take the Thalys. Similarly, you can also take one of the budget bus journeys for as little as ten euros! 

Two days in Brussels

Belgium’s capital is great for a taste of Belgium’s blend of cultures.  People in Brussels tend to speak both French and Flemish, so you’ll see a mix of both styles of architecture in Brussels.  You can click for my weekend guide to Brussels.

Beyond architecture, Brussels is one of the best destinations to visit in Europe as the Belgians have truly perfected the art of chocolate making. I went on a chocolate tour in Brussels and it was truly an great experience. The beer (the next day) is great.

Brussels can get quite expensive during peak summer.  While doing my visa for France, my husband and I ended up visiting Brussels several times.  We especially enjoyed Van Gogh Hostel for its atmosphere and central location. The previous time, we stayed in the charming Ixelles neighborhood in a charming boutique hotel .

Check hotels and hostels in Brussels. 

To get from Brussels to Bruges, you just need to take the train. which costs less than fifteen euros! The journey is only one hour, so it’s quite easy to visit Bruges on your own.

One day in Bruges

Bruges (Brugge in Flemish) is straight out of a postcard.  This charming Belgian city is perfect for a day trip from Brussels although I’d recommend staying the night to be able to stroll along the romantic canals of Bruges.  Beyond charming architecture, Bruges is home to De Halve Maan brewery, which is a great stop for learning about Belgian beer. (I’ll be adding a lot about Bruges soon!)

Check hotels and hostels in Bruges. 

To get from Bruges to Antwerp, you can take a bus or train, which will take about 1.5 hours.  Save your Eurail pass as the Belgian trains are quite cheap. 

Two days in Antwerp

I fell in love with Antwerpen (Antwerp) from my first trip to this charming Belgian city.  Although many people skip Antwerp, its charm is fully there and you won’t find the insane crowds as you see within Bruges. 

The Grote Markt cannot be missed although visiting the Plantin-Moretus Museum is a must for literature lovers.  On my last trip, I enjoyed Antwerp’s cozy and quirky beer cafes.

Click to read more about what to do in Antwerp i n my one day guide.

To get from Antwerp to Amsterdam, you can take the train, which will take about an hour with the Thalys. It’s also possible to take the bus (Flixbus), which I’ve taken several times.  The bus is cheaper, but it takes three hours.

Three days in Amsterdam

I’ve lived in Amsterdam for over two years and I can’t recommend less than three days in Amsterdam during your Europe trip.  Amsterdam is a beautiful city, but it takes some time to enjoy its charms. 

Beyond taking a canal cruise and exploring Amsterdam by bike (if you dare!), take some time to discover Amsterdam’s secret spots , including historic courtyards .  Skip the tourist trap museums and spend your time outside of the Center to experience Amsterdam at its best (and cutest).  (You can read an Instagram guide to Amsterdam here.)

Click for your perfect itinerary for Amsterdam.

In spring and summer, Amsterdam accommodation becomes expensive, so be sure to book your Amsterdam accommodation ASAP. If you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Amsterdam, click for my neighborhood guide to where to stay in Amsterdam to help you decide where is best for you!

From Amsterdam to Utrecht, it will only take you forty minutes on the Dutch trains.  I recommend saving your Eurail pass if you’re unsure whether to use it. 

One day in Utrecht

Utrecht is one of my favorite cities in the Netherlands.  It’s also on the way down to Germany, so consider spending a day and a night in Utrecht to see what the Netherlands outside of Amsterdam.  Utrecht is a stunning city with lower prices, two-story canals, and an inner-city dating back to medieval times.  You’ll fall in love with Utrecht instantly, I promise.

Click for your itinerary for one day in Utrecht

Utrecht is considerably cheaper than Amsterdam, so use this as your chance to save money on your accommodation.  Utrecht has a number of stylish hostels although I absolutely loved staying at Hotel Dom , a boutique hotel with incredible views.

Check prices for hotels and hostels in Utrecht now!

To get from Utrecht to Cologne, you can take the train or the bus. The journey should take about three hours with lots of picturesque Dutch countryside views. 

One day in Cologne

Cologne is a charming German city with a Gothic cathedral that you’ll want to see.  I especially recommend visiting Cologne in time for Carnival  and to browse the Cologne Christmas market.    Beyond these events, Cologne has some adorable neighborhoods and a beautiful riverwalk. (More about the riverwalk very soon…)

Check prices for hotels and hostels in Cologne now!

Two days in Rhine Valley

One last hurrah before you leave Europe!  Head to Rhine Valley for some of the most beautiful castles in Germany and wine.  Although you might associate Rhine Valley with river cruisers, you’ll find hostels within castles  in Rhine Valley. 

Take this last chance to enjoy European culture, architecture, wine as its best.  For those interested in sports, Rhine Valley has some fantastic hiking and biking.

Click for what to do in Rhine Valley.

End of your Europe Trip: One day in Berlin

Didn’t get into Berghain? You got one last night in Europe to live it up. 😉

Download your European Itinerary Excel

I’ve created a free downloadable European itinerary planning spreadsheet to help you plan your European itinerary, keep track of expenses, and see what you still need to book. 

I found the hardest part about planning my first European trip was figuring out what I had already booked–and what I hadn’t beyond the flight. I hope this excel helps you. 

What did you think of this Europe itinerary?

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

May 5, 2018 at 9:26 am

Wow! This is quite the post! I like how you picked big and small cities. Also, I’ve been so some of these places and would agree with you the amount of time to see each place. This is quite the task to put such a comprehensive itinerary – thank you for sharing!

May 5, 2018 at 9:43 am

Wow this itinerary covers amazing places! Definitely includes some places I still need to check off my list haha

May 5, 2018 at 11:03 am

what an epic post! Completely agree about Prague – I could have spent so many days photographing it! So many great suggestions, cannot wait to get exploring more of Europe – particularly Amsterdam, so lucky you lived there for two years, it’s been on my bucket list for so long!

June 11, 2018 at 10:46 am

Your 2 month itinerary is amazing and has helped me with my planning immensely!! We also wanted to include Poland Turkey Greece England and Switzerland as we have almost 3 months in Europe from NZ. We would really appreciate it if you could please help us include these countries in the itinerary you have done as I am struggling to economically route these extra countries into the existing itinerary- thanks Jan NZ

June 11, 2018 at 10:55 am

I’d see if you can add Turkey + Greece + Poland to a leg near the end where you work down from Poland through Eastern Europe then the Balkans down to Greece/Turkey. I think that might be a cool month.

I cut Switzerland out as it’s quite expensive to travel in. The UK is cool, but also expensive. It would be easy to add the UK to your travels in Paris or Amsterdam although you might find cheap flights there from other cities with Easyjet.

Hope that helps and you have a great trip!

June 11, 2018 at 11:43 am

Thanks for that Karen,so maybe start in Poland then go to Berlin from there carrying on through the route itinerary you have for the 2 months but deviating from Italy to Greece and from there to Turkey before going back to Italy to Continue the rest of the itinerary to France Spain etc??

July 4, 2018 at 9:27 am

Hi, I am looking at traveling in December/January by rail with our two kids aged 14 and 11. Will you still recommend your above route? I was looking at spending Christmas in Moscow , wanting to see a few xmas markets along the way.

July 4, 2018 at 10:25 am

If you think that your kids can handle the faster pace, maybe. Moscow isn’t close. Look up Cologne on my website for the christmas markets.

July 8, 2018 at 2:06 am

Thanks for the awesome blog post. I was wondering how you’re living in Europe currently. I have been fortunate enough to visit Europe a few times now and am currently trying to figure out how to move there. So far, I’m thinking grad school in Germany.

July 8, 2018 at 9:14 am

There’s an article about how to work abroad on my blog that discusses it. Grad school is a great way to move abroad. 🙂

August 5, 2018 at 4:58 am

Love your post! I was just curious if you could give an idea of about how much this would cost going the same route you took. I was also curious what month you think would be best to start? Thanks!

August 5, 2018 at 5:02 am

Hi Donna, I’d recommend around $6-8k USD, but more can’t hurt. It really depends how you travel as I minimized museums and I think that I could do it way cheaper today given that I’d take more buses/budget planes instead of doing Eurorail. It was still an amazing trip. Summer is the most expensive time to visit Europe, so if you can visit in September or March, it might be nice as you’ll get cheaper prices. (April is expensive for the Netherlands, but worthwhile for seeing the tulips.)

Best, Karen

September 25, 2018 at 6:57 am

thank you for your amazing blog. I am planning our trip in Dec, Jan this year. Slow planners. We are heading to England. We start as a family of 4 and meet up with a son in germany at the end of Dec. The essentials of our trip starting around 3rd Dec is to start in London for a few nights, visit friends in Sussex for a few days. My son would love to see a Manchester City football game while in the UK and my actress daughter of course wants to see some theatre. I am thinking we will get to Germany around the 13th December and tour around Germany ending up at a friends house near Nuremburg for approx two weeks where we can do day trips. In that time we would like to see prague. I have booked 3 days from the 30th in Vienna where we will spend new Years. We also want to see Saltzburg, Hallstatt, and I would like to see Switzerland or a day or two (I know its expensive so just a short visit) as we make our way to Vienna where i have booked accommodation and concert on new years day, Milan maybe and then to Paris. As we would like the kids to ski/snow board we have had suggested Zell am See, Filzsmoos, Innsbruck, and others have said skiing in france or even slovakia. We love small village attmosphere. We will have until approx January 26th before returning to Australia. My head is spinning and I don’t want to be exhausted as you mentioned in your post after our first visit.

We are wondering whether with that many people – 5 if it is worth hiring a mini van as a friend suggested. My concern are the icy roads and my husband not really being able to enjoy himself with me navigating. Any suggestions of highlights along the way would be awesome. My children are daughter 28, son 18 and son 16 and love history, adventure and soccer and theatre. Thank you for your spread sheet I will certainly be using it.

September 25, 2018 at 9:58 am

I think that a minivan will be considerably cheaper than the trains. I’m not sure what to say given that you’re not comfortable driving. Flixbus and other options might be worth looking into. Your itinerary is quite heavy on major cities, so buses might be worthwhile.

Milan isn’t really on the way, but after Vienna, it might be worthwhile to head south towards Slovenia and Italy until you make your way back to France. I’d recommend taking it slower during this time as you’ll find lots of great skiing in Northern Italy and in the mountains of Slovenia. 🙂

If you are looking for some beautiful towns in Austria, check my recent blog posts.

You can see the main attractions of Hallstatt and Salzburg in about two days. I have a guide about both on my website. You might like St. Gilgen, which I also wrote about, which has a well-known Christmas market, and a lovely small town atmosphere.

I’d recommend going east to Slovakia. Lots of cute towns as well as great skiing at a fraction of what it costs in Austria. You might be really surprised by Eastern Europe in a good way. I’ve heard the skiing in France is great too. The Dolomites in Italy are also very famous for skiing and full of beautiful towns.

Best of luck with the itinerary. I recommend ensuring that you account for travel days as well as try to give yourself a rest here/there. 🙂

April 1, 2019 at 6:13 am

Thanks for sharing your itinerary and travel tips Karen. I am planning a trip to Europe beginning in Sept.2019 and had no idea where to start. I love the Excel spreadsheet. I want to travel to Greece and Turkey so may cut out some of the cities. Travelling from Canada so just looking into flights now and finding travel buddies. If it’s just me then so be it 🙂 I did NZ solo 4 years ago without much planning and it worked out fine. I think Europe is much busier though.

April 1, 2019 at 8:58 am

Hi Sherry, I”m so glad to hear that! Be sure to see a bit of the Balkans. I’ve written about Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia here. I love the Balkans and definitely see if you can maybe give yourself a few weeks (to help your budget) within the Balkans. As you’re going in September, it will be a bit less crazy than in peak season, however you still will want to book hostels in popular cities (like Amsterdam). Enjoy the trip and the planning. 😉

May 2, 2019 at 9:08 am

Hello! May I know how much you spent into total for your 2 months trip? 🙂

May 2, 2019 at 11:49 am

About 100 euros a day if I recall. That was with staying at hostels.

May 7, 2019 at 6:12 am

What do you mean by this? – “….if you book the shorter trips yourself, you’ll end up saving a lot of money compared to the two month eurorail pass! ” Is buying point-to-point tickets cheaper than getting a 2 months eurail pass?

May 7, 2019 at 6:47 am

Btw, your itinerary helped me tremendously as I plan my itinerary for my 3 months Europe trip from June to August! I am torn between getting a 15days in 2months Eurail pass or taking buses all the way but I am worried that the bus timing might not be ideal and I would end up wasting too much time on the bus. It’s a risk I don’t know if I should take lol.

I will be visiting these places for my trip – Venice, Rome, Florence, Nice, Avignon, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon(flying to paris), Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Bremen, Berlin, Prague, Vienna + Bratislava, Budapest, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Salzburg, Munich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Venice

I will greatly appreciate any advises from you! Thanks!

May 7, 2019 at 1:01 pm

Hi Alexis, Thanks for your lovely comment! I think you’ll be surprised how affordable Flixbus and Ouibus are in Europe. You can *always* buy train tickets for the longer legs (where you’d be going overnight with the Thalys or another train!) as well as buy train tickets within one country. Many countries have quite affordable trains as long as you buy your tickets in advance through the official website. I did this recently within Austria and I was pleasantly surprised how reasonable the trains were. Hope that helps. I’d recommend just writing down the price for maybe 5-10 of these longer trips by train without the Eurorail pass to compare the costs and I think you’ll find that you will save big with taking buses shorter distances. I personally dislike overnight buses myself. 🙂 Hope that helps. -Karen

May 8, 2019 at 4:09 pm

Thank you for your prompt reply! I agree, some buses are reaaaally dirt cheap as compared to the trains! Can I also check with you – does the eurail pass covers all or certain train lines? Do I have to make reservations for all the trains? Are the reservation price expensive?

July 17, 2019 at 4:53 pm

I am so pleased that i found your blog! I am going off travelling with my husband in 1 month and we are starting in europe for 2 months. Its been hard to try and string something together and like you say, i was worried that visiting all of these cities would burn us out! Thank you for sharing 🙂

July 21, 2019 at 5:10 pm

So glad to hear that April! I hope you have a great trip. Don’t go too crazy with the planning as it really can burn you out!

August 26, 2019 at 9:34 pm

Just a quick tip to update the post because I just checked airberlin and it seems like it’s out of business. Great post otherwise

September 23, 2019 at 5:41 pm

Thank you so much for sharing, this is really useful for me to plan my grad trip! Can’t wait to visit all these places. saving up for it right now!

December 2, 2019 at 6:53 pm

Would like advise about how/where to cut your two month itinerary down from two months to one month. We are looking at flying in and out of Paris (cheapest flight $447) Family of 5 kids 18, 15, 13. June 26 to July 30 2020 Any thoughts?

December 9, 2019 at 3:23 pm

Hi Liberty, that is a good price from the US. Once you’re in Paris, you can book train tickets in advance for a good price (Amsterdam or London!), take budget airlines (KLM also has a city hopper flight option), or also try out Flixbus for getting between European cities that are not far apart. I’d pick one region or a few cities to focus on with taking a few day or weekend trips to see each country outside of the major cities. I’m not sure what part of Europe interests you the most, but this will be peak season. Starting to plan now is good–and be sure to book hotels early.

December 4, 2019 at 11:41 am

Hi i was just wondering what you would estimate the approximate price would be altogether

December 9, 2019 at 3:27 pm

It depends on you and how you travel. I spent about $6k including everything staying on the budget-side of things, but this was also a couple of years ago.

March 16, 2020 at 11:45 am

Thanks a lot for your travel blog. I just got back from europe and had to cut my trip short due to corona virus. I started in London and had to change Rome. Since my next place was Amsterdam, I chose to go to The Hague your hometown. The places you recommended were awesome. Delft, Cafe Vers and Binnenhof were my favorites. You are lucky to live in such a great place. After The Hague I did get to go to Amsterdam and on to Brussels. But Bruseels was basically shut down, do I left yesterday as I dont want to get locked down in a foreign country. Thanks for the blog. Netherlands was an awesome place. I will sure your other blogs when i finally do make it to paris and other areas. My 8 week dream trip was only 2 weeks, but i feel fortuante to be able to see London, The Netherlands, and a half day in Brussels.

April 13, 2020 at 6:47 pm

So glad to hear that Brett! Glad that your trip was nice despite being cut short and hope we can all travel again soon 🙂

July 24, 2020 at 5:53 am

I also loved Antwerp when I visited last year. The Plantin-Moretus was outstanding! Since I’ve been to many of the cities you listed in Western Europe (so glad to see Avignon made the list, and Lagos was unbelievable!), I plan on using your suggestions for the more central locations for my next big trip. Thanks for your post!

April 25, 2022 at 8:02 pm

Wow, such an amazing post. I love the way you broke everything down. I’m also hoping to back paddle through Europe this summer. I only have one month and not two. I know for sure Paris, Italy and Spain are my main counties that I want to visit. Can you please give me an intinary with just a min time frame.

May 5, 2022 at 2:13 pm

If you do budget flights, much more is possible, but I’d focus on major cities if that’s your focus 🙂

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The Gallivanting Spoon

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The Ultimate 2-Month Europe Backpacking Trip

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Table of Contents

2-Month Europe Backpacking Itinerary & Tips

Europe is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It is made up of 44 countries, all connected with a system of trains making it one of the easiest places to travel. Whether you are backpacking through Europe on a budget or no budget at all, you will get to see the same stunning landmarks. We spent two months backpacking through Europe in the Fall of 2021. Planning a trip like this does take some time, but that’s where this guide comes in. This guide will give you tips on backpacking, what cities to visit, what to pack, transportation, and more!

Europe Trip Highlights

• Wandering the Charming Streets of Prague, Czechia
• Scirocco Restaurant Collaboration in Naxos
• Blue Caves Boat Tour in Zakynthos, Greece
• Eating Endless Authentic Cheap Greek Gyros
• Seeing Venice, Italy for the First Time
• Staying at a 5-Star Luxury Hotel in Florence
• Hiking the Amalfi Coast
• Relaxing by the beach in the Surf Town of Ericeira, Portugal
• Touring Barcelona for just One Day

Europe Backpacking Route

Backpacking Tips:

• Time of Year: I recommend visiting Europe in the Spring or Fall to avoid the crowds and cold weather.
• Main Forms of Transportation : Europe offers great transportation services that allows you to travel on a budget. We took advantage of the metro and public transportation services in each city. Planes, buses, and trains are a great way to travel long distances.
• Be Flexible: If you are a Type A Planner like me you will most likely have your entire trip planned out, before leaving. Not everything always goes to plan! If you are visiting Europe for an extended time, I recommend having a rough layout of where you want to visit and for how long. Some places you may love and want to extend your stay!
• Always have Extra Water and Snacks : You never know when hunger might strike, so pack some extra snacks and water. Protein bars are my go to. Many cities throughout Europe have FREE drinking water spouts, bring your reusable water bottle to fill up.
• Accomodation : We stayed in a variety of accomodations. Hostels are very budget friendly and a great place to meet people. Depending on how many people you travel with, Airbnb can be a great option with a full kitchen and extra living space. If you have the extra money, don’t be afraid to splurge on one luxury stay even if it is for just one night!
• International Drivers Liscense: Get your international driver’s license before heading to Europe. Rental shops will ask for it and if you are renting a scooter you may want to look into getting your motorcycle license as well.
• Currency: I highly recommend exchanging USD for a couple hundred Euros with your bank before crossing the pond. Europe is very credit card freindly but it is always a good idea to carry the local currency.

Europe Packing Guide

• Carry On Backpack
• Tripped Travel Gear Day Pack
• Walking Shoes
• Travel Sized Curling Iron/Straightener
• Compressable Packing Cubes
• Noise Cancelling Airpods
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Think! High Protein Bars
• USB Portable Charger
• Outlet Adapter
• Power Converter

Subscribe for my Full Packing List Free Download

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Paris, France

24-hours, 1 night.

Paris, France is one of my favorite European cities to visit. This charming city takes my breath away each and every time. Paris does a great job of making you feel like you are immersed in their culture with the numerous landmarks, stunning buildings, and delicious French cuisine. Paris was the beginning of our two-month Europe backpacking trip, and I couldn’t have been more excited.

Why only 24-hours?

We were not planning on visiting Paris at all during our two-month Europe trip because we had both spent some time in the city prior. We found cheap flights from New York to Paris that we could not pass up. Our plan was to head straight to Prague when we crossed the pound but there were not many flights to Prague until the next day. We thought we would make the best of our one night in Paris.

How Long to Spend in Paris : 5 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : French Dinner at Brasserie Dubillot , Warm Flakey Croissants, French Macarons, and Duck Confit

Prague, Czech Republic

3 days, 2 nights.

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and home to colorful baroque-styled buildings, the Vltava River, and the stunning Charles Bridge. Prague is very traditional with its rich and hearty cuisine. At most restaurants, you will find goulash, Svíčková (braised beef) with dumplings, Grilované klobásy (grilled sausages), and the sweet treat Trdelnik. This was our first time visiting Prague and I quickly fell in love with this romantic city, I cannot wait to return!

How Long to Spend in Prague : 4 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Trdelnik, Tapas at Fortel , Staropramen Beer, and Svíčková (braised beef with dumplings)

Vienna, Austria

4 days, 3 nights.

Vienna is the capital of Austria and home to some of the most gorgeous buildings. You may also hear the city be called “Wien” this is the local’s way of saying Vienna. Being just south of Germany, the prominent language spoken here is German. Many people will speak English, making it easy to navigate and explore the city. There are numerous things to see in this historic and expensive city. If you are traveling on a budget but still want to get the full Vienna experience then this is the guide for you!

How Long to Spend in Vienna : 2 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Goulash, Manner Wafers, Sachertorte, Viennese Coffee, Apple Strudel, Wiener Schnitzel

Budapest, Hungary

4 days , 3 nights.

Budapest is separated into two cities by the large winding Danube River. On the east side of the river is Pest which is known for a lively experience for tourists with bustling cafes and modern shops. Buda lies directly opposite of Pest and is home to the Buda Castle and Castle Hills. You may notice things are a little bit quieter and more relaxed here. I highly recommend visiting both sides, as they are just one mile apart with the famous Chain Bridge connecting the two.

How Long to Spend in Budapest : 4 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Goulash, Drinks at the Ruins Bars, and Töltött káposzta (Stuffed Cabbage)

Zakynthos, Greece

6 days , 5 nights.

Zakynthos is a large northern Greek island known for its stunning Navagio beach and bright blue waters. This is a hidden gem that you may have not heard of but I highly encourage a visit! Zante (what the Greeks call it for short) is an exotic island with a natural landscape of olive trees, beaches, large cliffs, and rolling hills. We stayed in Zakynthos, Greece for one week and absolutely loved our time. If you love adventure as much as us I highly encourage a visit to this stunning Greek island.

How Long to Spend in Zakynthos : 4 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Greek Salads, Portokalopita (Orange Cake), Lamb, and Olives

Athens, Greece

3 days , 2 nights.

Acropolis means the city at the top, Athens is home to one of the best Acropolis sites that still stands today. Millions of people visit Athens Acropolis each year, making it one of the top attractions in this large city. The Parthenon is the main building atop the Acropolis with over 60 marble columns built at a small angle. The symmetry and attention to detail is an incredible work of art that dates back to 447 BC. The Athens Acropolis is one place you should visit once in your lifetime!

How Long to Spend in Athens : 1 Full Day

Must-Try Foods : Gyros, Mousakka, Greek Dips with Homemade Bread, and Dolma

Naxos, Greece

4 days , 4 nights.

Naxos, Greece is one Greek island you need to add to your bucket list. This stunning island is home to white-sand beaches, the Temple of Apollo, and charming white stone narrow streets. The port city and capital of Naxos is Chora, Chora is a small touristy town where the ferry meets the island dropping off visitors from around the world. Keeping with the traditional Greek cuisine Naxos has some amazing restaurants, including one of my favorites in all of Europe!

How Long to Spend in Naxos : 3 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Gyros, Saganaki, Orzo (Greek Pasta), and Naxos Cheese

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is one of the most visited and well-known Greek Islands. Its pristine white-painted buildings, blue domes, and cliff views have been posted all over the internet making this one of the top Greek islands to visit. I first thought Santorini was going to be a bit overrated and overly touristy but it ended up being one of my favorite Greek islands!

*Crete is also a stunning island I highly suggest visiting. It is great for solo travel and adventure.

How Long to Spend in Santorini : 4 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Gyros, Saganaki, Greek Wine, and Spanakopita (spinach pie)

Venice, Italy

Venice is by far my most favorite city in Italy, with its winding canals, charming streets, and gothic palaces. This unique destination is also called “The Floating City” because it is made up of over 100 small islands. San Marco is the most popular island in Venice with historic landmarks, restaurants, and shops. This charming city will surely feel like a dream with delicious Venetian food and romantic gondola rides through the Grand Canal.

How Long to Spend in Venice : 3 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Cicchetti, Aperol Spritz, Pasta E Fagioli, A full Italian Dining Experience, and Baccalà (local fish)

Florence, Italy

Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and home to many museums and art galleries. Fiorenza is the birthplace of the Renaissance, the piano, and the famous frozen Italian dessert, the gelato. The famous red tin roofs and large Duomo have been photographed for years and have become a large tourist attraction with over 16 million visitors each year. This is one charming city that you will fall in love with!

How Long to Spend in Florence : 2 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Gelato, Famous Italian Sandwiches from All’antico Vinaio, Florentine Steak Dinner, and a 5-Star Dinner at Mimesi Restaurant

Rome, Italy

We spent four days in Rome exploring all of the major landmarks. The Rome Collesuem was a highlight with the wealth of history and large presence it has. Besides eating the best Pasta Carbonaro of my life we also delved into some delicious Neopolitan and Roman food. Visit the charming Ristorante da Barbara for some classic Neopolitan and Roman dishes.

How Long to Spend in Rome : 4 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Pizza, Pasta Carbonara, Cannolis, and Tiramisu

Positano, Italy

Positano is an Italian village located on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. This colorful city has become one large tourist destination with fancy restaurants and charming hotels overlooking the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city is built on a steep cliffside with winding narrow streets and lots of stairs. Positano is not the cheapest place to visit in Italy but with my top 10 budget-friendly things to do, you can enjoy all that Positano has to offer without breaking the bank.

How Long to Spend in Positano : 3 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Pizza, Gelato, Anything Lemon, and Italian Charcuterie

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon (Lisboa) is Portugal’s capital and one of my favorite cities to visit in Europe. This large city is home to some of the best food with multiple Michelin Star restaurants, authentic pastel de natas, and the famous Time Out Market. Its rolling hills and yellow trams remind me of San Francisco, USA. The colorful tiled buildings and orange-painted city views will take your breath away! Lisbon is a wonderful place to visit with many things to do, famous landmarks, and great food.

How Long to Spend in Lisbon : 5 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Pastel de Natas, Anything at Time Out Market, Salted Cod, Port Wine, and Ginja

Ericeira, Portugal

10 days , 9 nights.

Ericeira is a small surf town on the west coast of Portugal. This stunning place was added to the World Surf Reserve in 2011 making this a surfer’s paradise. Whether you surf or not you will find plenty to do here. The charming downtown offers fun shops and delicious restaurants. My favorite part was the warm ocean views and watching the waves crash in. Ericeira was a great place to regroup and relax after a lot of travel and sightseeing.

Tip: Book a long stay in a relaxing and low-cost area to take a moment and relax after traveling every 3-4 days!

How Long to Spend in Ericeira : 2-14 Days

Must-Try Foods : Seafood, Smoothie Bowls, and Pastel de Natas

Barcelona, Spain

1 day , 2 night s.

Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in Europe. The ease of living, stunning architecture, sandy beaches, and amazing food won me over after our quick visit. Antoni Gaudí paints this bustling city with architectural works of art. The grandest of them all is the La Sagrada Familia, it will take your breath away. I cannot wait to be back in Barcelona to explore more of this wonderful city!

How Long to Spend in Barcelona : 4 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Croquetas, Seafood Paella, Patatas Bravas, and Jamon Iberico

Valencia, Spain

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city. It is one of the country’s most beautiful places with charming warm colors, unique buildings, and large food markets. It is home to the first Paella, an authentic rice dish. The most famous attraction is the City of Arts and Sciences. Valencia is not a very popular city to visit but it will welcome you with delicious comfort food and fun activities.

How Long to Spend in Valencia : 3 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Paella, Healthy Lunch at Salad Planet, and Fideuà Paella’s (seafood-and-noodles)

Madrid, Spain

3 days , 3 nights.

Madrid is the capital of Spain and is filled with a variety of things to do. It is home to the Royal Palace of Madrid which is the largest functioning palace in Europe. Madrid reminds me of a European New York City with a multitude of food types, large parks, and famous boulevards. The welcoming people, delicious foods, and easy transportation make this one of the top places to visit in Spain.

How Long to Spend in Madrid 3 Full Days

Must-Try Foods : Spanish Hot Chocolate with Churros, Sushi at Sakale, and Huevos Estrellados (fried eggs and potatoes)

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Two Months in Europe Itinerary  

Welcome to our two months in Europe Itinerary! Europe is absolutely awash with beautiful cities and full of activities so it’s no wonder the region is one of the most popular destinations for backpackers. No matter what you enjoy doing, Europe has an array of climates to satisfy your desires; from skiing in the Alps or relaxing on a beach overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the possibilities are endless!

Our Two Months in Europe Itinerary provides you with the best route around Europe so you can see as much of Europe in the shortest possible time. We’ll also recommend how long to stay; what to do; where to stay; and the average cost per day for each destination. 

If you are travelling around Europe, here are some other guides you might find useful!

• The 23 Best Hostels in Europe
• The Top Party Destinations in Europe
• Tips for Travelling Europe on a Budget

Do I need a visa for my Two Month Europe Itinerary? 

Now, this entirely depends on your nationality. For example, if you’re a UK National, despite Brexit, you can still travel to the EU/Schengen Area for up to 90 days WITHOUT needing to apply for a visa. In addition, Canadian or American nationals can also travel visa-free for up to 90 days. 

To clarify whether you need to apply for a visa before entering the EU/Schengen Area, we’d advise checking your respective country’s foreign department and the European Commission’s Migration and Home Affairs policy on Visas.

What to pack for Two Months in Europe? 

Some people may recommend taking a wheeled suitcase for two months in Europe and we completely understand why. However, if you are trying to keep this trip as budget-friendly as possible (like we did) you may well find yourself walking through old towns and up a lot of hills. Europe is notorious for its cute cobbled alleys, which while beautiful are not ideal for wheeled suitcases.

We would recommend taking a 40L backpack such as this Osprey one . If you find yourself having to take a flight here and there, you’ll appreciate not having to spend extra on checked-in baggage – which can double your flight price in Europe. If you are not planning on taking many flights, this larger Osprey backpack is the one we use for all our travels and it has a perfectly sized zip-off backpack for day trips.

European weather can be very unpredictable and throughout this two-month trip, it is likely you will experience varying degrees of temperatures and climates, and this can be minimised depending on the time you visit. We started with bright sunshine and ended with lots of snow; because of this, layers are your best friend. A comfy pair of shoes is an absolute must as you will be walking a lot; we brought two pairs each and felt this was the right amount considering baggage space. Europeans tend to also dress very smart-casual which is a huge generalisation but if you do not want to stand out as a tourist, neutral colours and smart-casual are the way to go. It’s also very helpful to be comfortable in whatever you wear.

A tote bag has been a great addition to our packing list and we now won’t go anywhere without one; it’s super handy as a day bag and will barely take up any room in your backpack. We’d also highly recommend an under-the-clothes money belt as, unfortunately, pickpocketing is rife in big European cities.

Accessories

As luck would have it, we’ve already set out everything you need to purchase before travelling around Europe. Make sure to check out our Ultimate Amazon Shopping List ; Top Gadgets you NEED for Travelling ; and 21 Must-Have Apps for Travelling !! 

In addition, as your two months in Europe will be pretty hectic, we wouldn’t recommend bringing a laptop. Whilst technology will go a long way to helping you relax after a long day of exploring, most of this can be enjoyed through your phone.

However, if you’re planning a worldwide tour or wishing to work abroad afterwards then you should definitely consider taking your laptop. You can change your mind and have your laptop shipped out to you but this is obviously expensive. 

How to get around Europe

Flying is a very viable option for exploring Europe. Flights between European countries do tend to be more affordable than in other locations in the world but it’s still quite more expensive than other options. If you are planning on flying around Europe, be sure to only take hand luggage as putting your luggage in the hold can often double the price of your ticket!

We’d recommend using Skyscanner or Expedia to get all the best deals.

We mostly got around using buses during our two months in Europe. Buses are usually the cheapest option but they do tend to take longer than trains. Therefore, if you aren’t tight on time, we’d definitely recommend looking into using buses on your travels.

We’ve found that Flixbus was a very reliable and popular company for getting around Europe. However, make sure to check out Omio who will provide you with all the best options!

Trains are probably the most common way for backpackers to get around Europe as many people travel via Interrail or Eurorail route.

One of the reasons why is that they’re affordable, quicker and tend to take you directly to the centre of the city you wish to visit. They’re also very affordable

Check out these interrail tips for first-timers to decide if this is the best option for you!

Renting a car

While renting a car is a less popular option for getting around Europe, if you have a larger budget, it can be a great way to explore the region. Pretty much the whole of Europe is driveable and there are some stunning road trips through the countryside.

As you can imagine, renting a car has numerous benefits; you’ll get to experience each country at your own pace and not rely on the (sometimes) inferior local transport to get around.

How much would Two Months in Europe cost? 

We’ll be completely honest here, Europe was our first destination and we hadn’t had a holiday for over two years so it is safe to say that we weren’t frugal with our money at the beginning; as shown by the amount of sangria and olives we consumed. As a result, we spent nearly £10k between us in two and a half months.

However, if you’re eating cheaply and staying in hostels, you could easily spend two months in Europe for less than £4k (per person). That being said, make sure you still enjoy yourself and don’t be weighed down by the cost of everything; money can be earnt back but opportunities can’t.

Where to start? 

As we’re from the UK, London was naturally our starting point as it has great air and land links with the rest of Europe. No matter where you’re from in Europe, it will be far easier starting from your nearest biggest city like Munich or Milan. Alternatively, if you’re coming from the United States or Canada, we’d recommend flying to a major city in Western Europe; any city that has good connections and is well-priced. This could include London, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid or Barcelona. From these locations, you can follow this recommended route or do it backwards. 

Do bear in mind that your route will also depend on your plans after your two months in Europe I.e. which airport is the best/cheapest to fly out from to go home or my next destination. 

However, for our two months in Europe itinerary, we’d recommend starting off in London due to Heathrow’s great connections worldwide. 

Starting Point: London, England

Our two months in Europe itinerary starts in London. London is one of the best tourist destinations in the world with vast amounts to do and see in each part of the city. Frustratingly, however, London is quite expensive for backpackers so whilst you could easily spend a week here, it will blow a massive hole in your budget that isn’t really worth it. Moreover, people spend years living in London and they’ll still not have seen everything London has to offer; it’s just that big of a place. As a result, we’d recommend spending three or four nights here and focusing on the bits you REALLY want to see. 

If you’re a foodie, then London is the absolute place to be. We love the fact there are so many independent cafes and restaurants offering quality food from a variety of different cuisines. Moreover, getting around London is incredibly easy; the London Underground or Tube is arguably the best in the world when taking into account cost and coverage.

Even though we like to think we know our stuff about London, we found these London Travel Plans guide super informative and really handy. It gives you tonnes of tips on how to get around and where to visit so its definitely a must-read if you’re planning to visit.

How long to stay: 3-4 nights 

Getting around: Tube or walking 

Currency: GBP, £

Where to stay: Generator London

Must Do’s: Camden Market, London Eye, Big Ben, London Walking Tour

Average cost per day: £60-£80 

Stop 2: Madrid, Spain

How to get there? 

Travelling from London to Madrid is incredibly easy; flights operate from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports multiple times a day and normally fly into Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez airport. Flights start at around €50 and many deals include checked-in baggage which makes them very affordable! 

Madrid is a city that many backpackers miss out on but it was one of our favourite stops throughout the whole of Europe. In comparison to Barcelona, we found Madrid a lot less touristy and enjoyed the fact that you could get to all the attractions on foot. 

We also particularly enjoyed and embraced the Spanish culture of eating tapas as the sun sets every evening. Whilst eating later in the day (no earlier than 9pm) took some getting used to, we fell in love with sangria and olives in Madrid; you absolutely must try! 

How to get there: Fly from London €50

How long to stay: 3-4 nights

Getting around: Walking or Metro 

Currency: Euro, €

Where to stay: The Hat Hostel

Must do’s: Museum des Illusions , Parque de El Retiro, Plaza Mayor, Mercados (Food Markets)

Average cost per day:  €50-€70

Why don’t you check out our Madrid Travel Guide for more information about visiting Madrid?

Stop 3: Barcelona, Spain

As you can imagine, Spain’s two biggest and most populous cities are very well connected. You can choose to travel by plane, bus or train; however, we’d recommend taking the latter as it’s affordable and can provide better comfort than the other two options. 

Whilst we met tons of backpackers in Barcelona , it is a VERY popular holiday destination as it is home to a lot of Europe’s most iconic landmarks , so if you want to put yourself in a position to meet other people then definitely make sure to stay in a busy hostel.

The metro is by far the best way to get around given the frequency of stations and how big Barcelona is; trust me, it can take some time on foot. This city has so much to offer we would recommend staying for at least 4 days in Barcelona .

How to get there: Train from Madrid €30 

How long to stay: 5 nights

Getting around: Metro 

Where to stay: Yeah! Hostel €20

Must do’s: Sagrada Familia , Park Guell , Free walking tour, Beach day 

Average cost per day:  €50-€85

Thinking about visiting? Make sure to check out our Barcelona Travel Guide for more information! 

Stop 4: Nice, France

Travelling to Nice from Barcelona is only really accessible by bus or flying, given that there are no direct train links. As the journey takes 9.5 hours, you can either choose to write off one day or take a night bus.

The City 

We’ll be honest, we actually visited Marseille but didn’t find it backpacker-friendly at all. Having made the mistake for you, we’d definitely recommend visiting Nice instead and this recommendation is based on our own research. Nice is a beautiful city located on the French Riviera which is definitely worth stopping off at.

There are far more activities to do in Nice and we’ve heard the food is also particularly amazing , whilst the metro makes every part of the city accessible. Just be aware, as with any southern French city, the prices of anything will be quite expensive. 

How to get there: Night Bus from Barcelona €25

How long to stay: 2 nights 

Where to stay: Villa Saint Exupery Beach €18

Must do’s:  Promenade des Anglais, Cours Saleya Market, Beaches

Average cost per day:  €70-€80

Stop 5: Genoa, Italy

How to get there?

Given the locations of both Nice and Genoa, on the Ligurian Sea, it is incredibly easy (and surprisingly affordable) to travel between the two. We’d recommend travelling by bus as it is only €8 per person. 

We found Genoa to be a great introduction to Italy and was a lovely place to visit. Whilst Genoa is dominated by its port, the city has ample things to do. We particularly enjoyed the views over the city from Spianata di Castelletto, you can easily enjoy two days exploring Genoa . In addition, it is a great location to visit the beautiful fishing village of Portofino where you can act like a celebrity enjoying the beautiful al fresco dining. 

How to get there: Bus from Nice €8 

How long to stay: 3 nights 

Getting around: Walking

Where to stay: Ostello Bello Genoa  €21

Must do’s: Spianata di Castelletto, Museo di Palazzo Reale , Day trip to Portofino 

Average cost per day:  €60-€65

Stop 6: Florence, Italy

Italy, and the major cities, in particular, are incredibly well connected so travelling by train or bus is very easy. This includes Florence so we opted to take the bus due to it being marginally cheaper than a train at €7pp; however, either method is feasible. 

Florence was easily one of our favourite destinations in the whole of Europe so if you’re going to Italy, you MUST visit! The city itself has an amazing atmosphere with beautiful streets and cafes on every corner to sit and people-watch. Its location means it’s a great spot to take some day trips from Florence , which is why we think that 3-4 days is the perfect amount of time to spend at this stop.

We unfortunately only spent 1 full day here so didn’t fully appreciate everything Florence had to offer; we wished we stayed for two or even three more days. It is also a very walkable city so there is no need to spend any money on other modes of transport; unless you want to try your hand at an e-scooter. 

How to get there: Bus from Genoa €6

Where to stay: PLUS Florence €25

Must do’s:  Piazzale Michelangelo Viewpoint , Magnum Factory, Mercato Centrale, Michelangelo’s David

Average cost per day:  €60-€80

Stop 7: Rome, Italy

Again, as Rome is the country’s capital it made getting to and from incredibly easy. Due to the price and convenience, we decided to take a direct train from Florence which was £24 each. 

Whilst Rome was admittedly not our favourite destination, mainly due to its poor inner-city transport links, it is obviously a must-visit. However, it is still a city you need to tick off your list as the Colosseum is something you have to see! We spent 3 days here but you could easily see most of the main highlights of Rome in 1 day !

We particularly enjoyed staying at Yellow Square Hostel as it was a great chance to meet like-minded people in the Yellow Square bar opposite. They have happy hour each night and those staying at the hostel get an even further discount.

How to get there: Train from Florence for €16

Getting around: Walking and metro 

Where to stay: Yellow Square Rome  €35

Must do’s: Colosseum , Trevi Fountain, Vatican City  

Average cost per day:  €75-€90

Stop 8: Venice, Italy

For logistical and budgetary reasons, we stayed on the mainland at Anda Hostel and we were very glad we did so; it is cheap and easy to take the train onto the island every day. In addition, it is right next to the train and bus station which means you can choose either method of getting here from Rome. 

Venice is absolutely as nice as advertised and the canals are stunningly beautiful. Whilst Venice has so much to see and do , it is most enjoyable just getting lost in the maze of walkways; some you won’t even think lead to anywhere. Doing this will allow you to find out the true Venice and some great handmade local food.

We’d also highly recommend taking a day to visit the neighbouring islands of Murano and Burano which are also part of the Venetian region; the latter’s brightly coloured houses are beautiful. 

How to get there: Train From Rome €44

How long to stay: 3 nights

Getting around: Walking and taxi boats 

Where to stay: Anda Venice €32

Must do’s: Murano & Burano day trip, St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace , St Mark’s Square, Gondola Ride

Average cost per day:  €80-€100

Stop 9: Zagreb, Croatia

Venice’s bus and train station are right next to each other so it’s all about what method of transport you’d prefer. We ended up taking the bus from Venice, which cost £21 pp, as we didn’t mind the slightly longer journey for the cheaper price. 

Zagreb was another one of our favourite cities and the whole place really surprised us. We absolutely loved the atmosphere, where it was slightly cold (puffer jacket weather) but every still sat outside drinking. In addition, everything was super walkable and the food was amazing. It also has a great range of activities to do; if you like views or walks then the viewpoint and Art Park are beautiful whilst Ivana Tkalcica is a street full of bars and great eateries. Hopefully, you’ll agree that Zagreb is definitely worth a visit ! Ideally, you would want to spend a few days here but you can easily spend just one day in Zagreb .

How to get there: Bus from Venice €20

Currency: Croatian kuna, HRK

Where to stay: Chillout Hostel  €23

Must do’s: Museum of Broken Relationships , Viewpoint, Art Park

Average cost per day:  €55-€60

Stop 10: Vienna, Austria 

Again, as all of Europe’s main cities are really well connected, you can either choose the bus or train depending on where you’re staying. Vienna’s International Busterminal (VIB) is a huge train station with well-connected metro links all over the city. We ended up getting a bus to Vienna from Zagreb because it was the cheapest but the train is just as easy. 

Admittedly, Vienna wasn’t our favourite city as the weather wasn’t our friend and it was quite expensive. As a result, we wouldn’t recommend staying that long here. Having said that, we particularly enjoyed the Royal Palace and the Hop-on, Hop-off bus which allowed us to see most of the city. The food was also particularly amazing so if you do visit, there is an extensive list you must try!!  

If like us you make a stop in Vienna over the festive period, be sure to check out some of the city’s beautiful Christmas markets !

How to get there: Bus from Zagreb €17

How long to stay: 2-3 nights

Getting around: Walking and Metro

Where to stay: Wombats Hostel €26

Must do’s: Palace, Walking tour , Prater Wien, Big Bus tour

Stop 11: Budapest, Hungary

You can either choose the bus or train from Vienna as it’s simple, easy and direct. We ended up commuting by bus but had real trouble finding a taxi once we got to the Nepliget Train Station as there was no taxi rank nearby and we didn’t have the Bolt app downloaded. As such, we’d recommend getting a train to Budapest as it’ll be easy to get into the city centre. 

What a place. By far our favourite place in the whole of Europe. It has everything one could want from a holiday destination, apart from a beach. You can visit the beautiful Buda Castle that overlooks the city and the relaxing Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

However, by far the most enjoyable aspect of Budapest was that it is one of the best party destinations in Europe which is epitomised by the Szimpla Kert or Ruin Bars, as they’re commonly referred to. Here you can relax, drink and chat into the early hours whilst being surrounded by a unique setting; it has a great atmosphere and is our favourite place to visit in Budapest. 

To top it off, the city is easily walkable and a fairly cheap city to visit and explore. Ultimately, Budapest has it all and if you’re going to visit in place on the list, it has to be here. 

How to get there: Train from Vienna €15

How long to stay: 5 nights 

Getting around: Walking and Tram

Currency: Hungarian Forint, HUF

Where to stay: Hostel One €19 or The Hive €12

Must do’s: Buda Castle , Fisherman’s Bastion, Ruins Bars, Széchenyi Thermal Baths , Boat Party

Average cost per day:  €25-€40

Stop 12: Krakow, Poland

We ended up taking the bus as it was again cheaper and we couldn’t find a direct train to Krakow from Budapest at the time. Coming from Budapest also gives you the top room to fly; whilst more expensive it’s ideal for those who wish to keep their travelling time down. 

Krakow is arguably the best city in the whole of Europe for backpackers. This is because it has great nightlife, it’s very cheap to socialise and there is a great deal of sightseeing to do (Old Town in particular). The only more expensive part we found was the accommodation; however, we found Greg & Tom’s Beer hostel which is just a five-minute walk to Old Town and was perfect. Your stay includes free breakfast and dinner and it was surprisingly really good although you must get out and try local food because it’s amazing also! 

How to get there: Fly from Budapest or Bus €28

How long to stay: 4 nights 

Currency: złoty, zł

Where to stay: Greg and Toms Hostel €18

Must do’s:  Old Town Square, Jewish District, Bar crawl, Auschwitz and Birkenau , Free walking tour

Stop 13: Prague, Czech Republic

We ended up getting the train to Prague as it then allowed us to get the metro to our accommodation. The transport system in Prague was really really good; you had the choice of the metro but we loved walking and taking the trams. 

Another one of our favourite cities as it had such a good atmosphere and the whole city was beautiful! To make it even better, we visited in autumn so the air was crisp but not too cold. As a result, we thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the Old Town Square with a beer, gluhwein or hot chocolate to watch the world go by. The city is also home to some incredible restaurants and bars, so you won’t struggle to fill your evenings here!

How to get there: Train from Krakow €9

How long to stay: 4 nights

Currency: Czech koruna or crown, CZK

Where to stay: Hostel One Old Town €19

Must-do’s: Lennon Wall, Prague Castle , Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, Pub crawl, Walking tour

Average cost per day:  €30-€50

Stop 14: Berlin, Germany

Germany has arguably the best train network in the whole of Europe. There are three huge train stations the size of Waterloo, all within a couple of miles of each other. As the city is so vast, you’ll be able to hop onto the metro or any tram from a variety of locations as walking can be time-consuming. 

Being the capital of Germany and with its history, Berlin is a must-visit for anyone backpacking Europe. We loved visiting everything Berlin has to offer and particularly enjoyed (as much as you can) the Topography of Terror and sampling some Currywurst. As Berlin is a recent modern city (i.e. rebuilt after the war), everything is quite spread out which means a massive reliance on its impressive transport system. As such, it costs time and money to get to different parts of the city BUT Berlin is still well worth a visit, especially for its infamous nightlife! 

How to get there: Train from Prague €20

Where to stay: St Christopher’s Alexanderplatz €17

Must do’s: Berlin Wall , Topography of Terror , Brandenburg Gate,  Walking tour

Average cost per day:  €45-€60

Stop 15: Hamburg, Germany

We chose to take the bus from Berlin (£10pp) as the pickup and drop off location was right outside our accommodation and it was cheaper. But again, the train is equally as viable and arguably comfier. 

Whilst there isn’t as much to do compared to Berlin, we found it to be a great contrast and loved the atmosphere. The food in Germany is absolutely incredible and we definitely managed to eat our body weight in currywurst during our visit! We were unlucky during our stay as it pretty much rained the whole time we were there. Having said that we still had a great time, so if you’ve got a spare few days then definitely don’t skip out on Hamburg as it is very underrated!  

How to get there: Bus from Berlin €7

Getting around: Walking 

Where to stay: Generator Hamburg €28

Must do’s: Speicherstadt, Harbour cruise , Miniatur Wunderland, Treasure hunt

Stop 16: Copenhagen, Denmark

Surprisingly, getting a bus from Hamburg to Copenhagen is much cheaper and quicker than getting a train. In addition, your route will likely take you across the Femer Baelt which is a beautiful ferry crossing. 

Whilst not necessarily your typical backpacking location, a trip to Copenhagen is definitely unique; in a good way! Admittedly whilst it is one of the most expensive cities on our European travels, it was also a lot of fun. If you don’t fancy becoming a true Dane and decide to cycle everywhere, the metro is also very good and worth getting a zone pass for your stay. There are so many things to do in Copenhagen , but some of our highlights were Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen Zoo!

We only spent three days in Copenhagen, but if you do want to stay a bit longer there are some amazing day trips that are worth checking out!

How to get there: Bus from Hamburg €20

Getting around: Walking, metro and bicycle 

Currency:  Euro, €

Where to stay: CityHub €89 or Copenhagen Downtown Hostel   €25

Must do’s: Proud Mary Pub, Copenhagen Zoo , Freetown, Bike tour , Tivoli Garden

Average cost per day:  €70-€120

Stop 17: Malmo, Sweden

Due to its close proximity, getting to Malmö from Copenhagen via train is incredibly easy and cheap. We met loads of people who live in Malmö but work in Copenhagen in order to save money on accommodation; Scandinavia really is that expensive! 

If you’re in Copenhagen, you’d be silly not to take a quick trip to Malmö for a day or two. As with a lot of Scandinavia, it rains a lot and it was no exception during our visit. Nonetheless, Malmö is utterly beautiful and a great city to walk around; we particularly enjoyed the cold, crisp air (when it wasn’t raining). 

How to get there: Train from Copenhagen €13

Currency: Swedish krona, SEK

Where to stay:  Hotel n Hostel Malmo City €35

Must do’s:  Technology and Maritime Museum , Turning Torso, Kungsparken, Cycle tour , Pildamnsparken.

Average cost per day:  €55-€70

Stop 18: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Surprisingly, getting to Amsterdam from Malmö is quite simple. You’ll firstly need to get to Copenhagen via train (which is very easy) before walking to the nearby bus station for a night bus to the Netherlands. This was our first night bus on our trip and we were incredibly surprised to find the bus was full to the brim so be prepared for very little sleep! 

Amsterdam ended up going into lockdown just before we were about to visit so we, unfortunately, didn’t get the chance to explore the beautiful city – we will one day! Nonetheless, it is obviously a hotbed for Europeans to visit for all the obvious reasons so why not try it for yourself? 

How to get there: Night bus from Copenhagen €37

How long to stay: 3 days in Amsterdam is the perfect amount of time to explore the city!

Where to stay: Flying Pig Downtown €30

Must do’s:  IJ-Hallen flea market, Anne Frank House , Heineken Experience , Van Gogh Museum

Average cost per day:  €65-€80

Stop 19: Brussels, Belgium 

With Brussels being the epicentre of European politics, it is incredibly easy to get to. Visiting from Amsterdam is no exception with both the bus (€10pp) and train (€20pp) going direct to Brussels.

Despite being warned by many people that there wasn’t much to do in Brussels , we surprisingly found the city really enjoyable. The Grand Place is a beautiful square, especially at night, and we were lucky enough to visit in December so we were able to explore all the festive Christmas markets the city offered.

If you fancy visiting more of Belgium, Brussels is a great location for day trips to Ghent , Antwerp and Bruges!

We also visited Pairi Daiza Zoo and this is easily the best zoo we’ve visited ever; the animals had so much space to roam which was great to see. 

How to get there: Bus from Amsterdam €10

Getting around: Walking and trains

Where to stay:  MEININGER Bruxelles City Center €32

Must-do’s: Pairi Daiza Zoo , Grand Palace, Atomium, Walking tour ,

Average cost per day:  €50-€90

We definitely recommend checking out Carolin’s Day Trip to Brussels Itinerary as it has everything you need to know about visiting Brussels.

Stop 21: Lille, France

Whilst taking the bus is an option, we found Brussels’ great transport links meant we could get a direct train to Lille; simple, easy and just €9pp.

Lille is definitely one of northern France’s hidden gems and whilst we only really stayed here to kill a few days before Paris, we were very glad we did. The city is really walkable and the canal de la Moyenne-Deul is beautiful to walk around. We also loved the fact that the main square was always bustling and there was so much to see. Being the foodies we are, we loved the sweet and savoury crepes at Crêperie Beaurepaire; truly amazing! 

How to get there: Bus from Brussels €4 or train €9.

Where to stay:  CALM Appartments and Hostel €24

Must do’s:  Grand Place, Old Lille, Parc Zoologique, Sightseeing tour .

Final Destination: Paris, France 

In a similar fashion to the rest of Europe, transport links to Paris are very good. As such, you can choose to take the train or bus from Lille and arrive within a good time. 

Due to a series of unfortunate events, we had to skip out on sightseeing during our trip to Paris, but luckily we have been before. Paris is one of the most famous cities in Europe, home to some of the continent’s most iconic landmarks and best museums .

Brimming with history, art, food and fashion, Paris is on everyone’s bucket list and you can easily spend 3 to 4 days in Paris . However, it is not the most backpacker-friendly location budget-wise so be sure to pick your activities wisely and try to do a free walking tour to see a lot of the sights.

How to get there: Bus from Lille €12

Where to stay: Jo&Joe Paris  €40

Must do’s:  Eiffel Tower , Louvre Museum, Montparnasse Tower, Walking tour

Average cost per day:  €65-€95

Where next? 

Paris is a great final destination because of its great links with the rest of the world. You have the ability to fly out of Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport which has great connections with Africa, North America and Asia. Alternatively, you can get the Eurostar train back to London, as Heathrow’s international links are arguably a little better, or to finish your journey; what’s next is completely up to you!!! 

Ultimately, your trip around Europe totally depends on where you want to visit and when. However, in order to keep costs to a minimum, it would be wise to travel as shorter distances as possible between cities. In addition, you could easily adapt this itinerary to include places like Munich, Split or Dubrovnik , or even cut out Scandinavia if your budget doesn’t stretch that far.

If you are heading to Europe during the festive season, do check out our places in Europe to spend New Year’s Eve post!

There you have it; our Two Months Backpacking Europe, outlining all the best places to visit; how much it costs and where to stay. No matter wherever you visit, you’re going to absolutely love Europe as there are so many places to visit and so many things to see and do. You’re also bound to meet tonnes of people that you’ll continue to be friends with; that, for us, is the best part about travelling.

Travelled to Europe before? Let us know any of your top tips in the comments!

Check out some of our other Europe content!

• The Ultimate Madrid Bucket List – 26 Things to do in Madrid 
• 25 Unmissable Experiences To Add To Your Italy Bucket List! 
• 28 Unmissable Experiences to add to your Spain Bucket List
• Is Zagreb Worth Visiting? 
• Unusual Museums in Europe: A Journey Through the Bizarre and the Curious

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The Top European Landmarks You Need to Visit

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What a great itinerary! I would love to spend 2 months wandering around in Europe!

Thank you so much Marianne, so glad you liked our post!

Loved this article. I agree 100% on staying in London 4 days. London is such a big city that it would be impossible to see everything during one vacation! I have been living in London since 2013 and I still haven’t seen everything!

So pleased you loved this article Valentina. We love London as well and totally understand not seeing everything!

Spending two months traveling around Europe is such a dream! I’ve been to most of these cities, but not all of them yet. This is great inspo for planning a trip around Europe and exploring a bunch of amazing places.

It really was an amazing experience; we’d recommend it to anyone! Thank you for your kind words Kate.

Sooooo, this is basically my DREAM. I would love to spend 2 months (or even more, why limit myself you know?!) traveling around Europe. Totally agree with the luggage recommendation – I feel I would get quite tired of wheeling around a larger suitcase quite quickly. Better to stick to a backpack.

Totally agree Alaina!! Trust me, it really is tiring, especially on cobbled streets; backpacks are the way forward!

My husband and I spent almost a month in Europe, and we had such a great time! My only regret was not staying longer! Haha. This is such a great itinerary. Croatia and Germany are two spots on your itinerary that really caught my eye because I’m dying to visit there! Thanks for sharing.

So glad you enjoyed your trip Brittany! You really should visit; we’re gutted we missed out on Split and other sunny places in Croatia.

How I wish I could go to Europe right now for 2 months! You have hit a lot of places I have been, and you are absolutely right – they MUST be on this list. You also had some I haven’t been to. Thanks for getting them on my radar for a future trip! Excellent details!

So glad you agree Erin! Our pleasure; don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions!

Sounds like you had a blast and so many amazing places! So much information as well for planning a trip!

It was such an amazing time thanks Emma, so glad we visited. Thank you.

What a fabulous breakdown of your Europe itinerary. There was so much helpful information! I’m envious of your two month adventure. It looks and sounds like amazing experiences.

It really was an amazing experience Michele; so glad the information was helpful!

Two months in Europe? Yes, please! Love this itinerary. I’veen to 10 of these lovely cities…and actually spending three weeks in England in September. So will also check out your London posts.

You’ll absolutely love London; if you want any further tips then don’t hesitate to get in contact!

We love this itinerary! It’s packed with things to do but not overloaded so you feel burnt out by the middle of the trip.

So pleased you liked our guide, thank you for your kind words.

I’d love to spend two months in Europe! This looks like a great pick of cities. Thanks for the tips about which ones might be more expensive and that you would probably spend less time in if you’re wanting to be more budget friendly.

It was so worth it Anushka and totally agree! Our pleasure, so glad we’ve be able to help.

We are happy that as Canadians we don’t need a visa for a 2 month visit. But we still need to watch the 90 day Schengen rules. On our current long trip to Europe we did indeed have to pack for a wide range of weather. And still probably packed too much! You sure have some great stops on your itinerary. I hope you have a great trip.

We were in exactly the same boat Linda.. too much stuff and too many climates! Thank you, we hope you do too!

Wow! You guys are loving the dream!! I loved all of these places 😁

Ahah we’re very lucky! So glad you enjoyed them Belle!

This is a great itinerary! I hope I get to travel it one day!

Thank you Yvonne; you definitely should!

Wow, I’m totally envious. I would love to spend two months in Europe! It’s on the horizon though, Normally I avoid large cities but I can see how transport between the bigger cities in Europe would be a cinch!

Europe definitely lived up to expectations! Totally agree Angie.

This is a great itinerary very inspiring! Although I know very well London, France and Italy I’ve never been in Sweeden and I’d love to visit Hamburg. They look so charming! Thank you for sharing this!

So pleased you enjoyed our guide Anita! Thank you for your kind words; you should definitely visit Sweden if you get the chance!

I probably wouldn’t want to backpack through Europe, but spending two months in all of these destinations would be pretty awesome.

It was honestly amazing; so glad we did it and it’s definitely worth it!

Love this itinerary! It’s awesome you saw so much in just 2 months. I’m saving for a future trip!

You’re very kind Nikki, thank you. Looking back it was definitely crammed a lot of places in a couple of months but we loved it!

This is exactly my dream Europe trip with so many beautiful destinations to visit and useful tips to make it a seamless journey. Definitely saving this post now!

Thank you so much Fiona Mai. We’re so pleased you enjoyed our post!

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How much more to add do you think on all the prices you have given on every place (buses, trains, fly, accomodation etc). I have plan to go to Europe for 2 monts in October 2023. With the weather in October and November, is it good idea that we start from the nothern part first? As we are coming from Australia. Thanks!

Hi Nia, thanks so much for getting in touch. We’ve dropped you an email, would love to help you out!

Two months in Europe is in my bucket list for 2024. I really like your itinerary. However, I have been to several of these cities. I have a list of cities I would like to visit, I’m just not sure how to organise them. I would appreciate any suggestions?

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2 Months of Solo Travel in Europe: Itinerary + Reflections

I’ve wanted to try longer-term or “slow” travel for while, especially since I’ve had a fully-remote job since Fall 2019.

But then, 2020 happened, and we all had to stay at home. 2021 rolled around, and we were all still cautious. 2022 came by, and I was looking forward to a summer of travel—but then life threw a ton of bricks my way and I was extremely unwell for most of the year due to a B12 deficiency ( please take your vitamins if you’re plant-based!). It took me months of vitamins and therapy to feel more like myself, and I’m so grateful to be feeling up to traveling again.

This is the story of the European trip that was supposed to happen in 2022, but actually finally happened from August-October 2023. I’ll share where I went, who I met, and what I learned. It will be more personal, but there will also be some practical tips and cost breakdowns.

This post contains affiliate links to some of the travel services I use and love, meaning that I may earn a small commission on any purchases through those links .

Table of Contents

How to Navigate this Post

If you just want to see what I’ve been up to, then this entire post will hopefully be interesting (it’s longggg though). If you want to skip around, Chamonix had the most drama, Paris had the best photos, Brussels had some of my favorite memories, and Berlin was all about the marathon (use the table of contents above).

If you’re just here for the logistics/itinerary of a 2-month trip in Europe, know that my destinations were limited to France (half my time was spent there), Belgium, Germany, and Denmark (plus day trips to The Netherlands and Sweden). This post won’t be that helpful if you’re trying to plan a grand European tour, but it will hopefully be helpful if you’re interested in these countries in particular.

For more touristy/travel tips, check out the blurbs at the end of each stop with my favorite things to do in these destinations, plus the more logistical/reflective sections. 

Where I Went + How I Got There

I decided to stay in Europe for 2 months because I was invited to a wedding in France at the beginning of August, and also had the Berlin Marathon on my schedule at the end of September.

Instead of taking two round-trip international flights, I wanted to stick around in Europe and make my way slowly from France to Germany. It would be perfect for saving emissions and getting blog content.

I stayed in 10 different cities and 3 countries over the span of 2 months. They included:

I also made day trips to:

• Saint-Émilion, France
• La Réole, France
• Talloires, France
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Ghent, Belgium
• Malmö, Sweden

I flew from Ohio (where I’m based these days when I’m not traveling) to NYC, where I then stayed with friends a few days on the way there and back. I flew nonstop into Paris from NYC, and then flew nonstop back from Copenhagen.

It was my goal to take trains the rest of the trip, for both environmental and comfort reasons. I was able to do this, other than a flight from Bordeaux to Geneva, as that was the best way to get to Chamonix without a car.

Pro tip: If you plan to do extensive train travel in France, and you’re under 28 years old, I highly recommend getting a carte jeune , or young person’s card. It costs 50 euros and will save you at least 30% on high-speed trains, plus there are capped prices depending on the length of the trip. It paid itself back in one longer trip for me, and the same happened with my friend.

Logistics: Working, Costs, Etc.

In case you’re curious about the practical aspects of the trip, here’s some info:

Was this work or vacation?

This wasn’t a vacation—I was working pretty much the entire time. I work remotely for an edtech startup and they’re very flexible with location; I just had to work Eastern Time, which was an adjustment, but not as bad as it sounds (2-10pm, sometimes 3-11pm Europe time). I also treated this a trip for gathering info/experiences to be able to blog about later.

I didn’t mind having the morning to myself to explore, and then working the rest of the day. I did get pretty tired around 9pm each day briefly, but then I got it together for the rest of the night.

The worst part of working Eastern Time in Europe was the social aspect. I wasn’t able to hang out in the evenings, and that made me feel like I missed some experiences or social connections. Next time, I’ll definitely arrange a day a week where I work European hours.

Was this trip expensive?

This was relatively expensive because of housing, especially since I was moving around basically every week. I stayed in Airbnbs (mainly shared with the host), and I spent just under $4,740 on housing for 59 days, which worked out to $80.30 per day.

I would’ve loved to spend a lot less, especially since rent in Europe is cheaper in comparably-sized US cities, but the cost of short-term housing is just much higher. You could definitely save money by staying in places for longer, and you’ll save the most if you sublet or have an actual rental contract.

The most expensive places were Copenhagen, Berlin, and Cologne (almost $100/night or more). I spent a little extra in Berlin on a hotel since I wanted to be close to the marathon start/finish, but looking back, I should’ve saved and relied more on the very good public transport.

All that said, I didn’t have rent to pay in the US since I’ve been traveling so much that all my stuff is at my parents’ place. So, this works out to about the cost of a 1-bed each month in a city like Boston.

Food and groceries seemed pretty much similarly-priced, so no complaints there. You can go out to eat and get a good meal for around 20€. I cooked as much as possible to save money.

Also, I still had euros leftover in my Wise borderless account from when I lived in Dijon, so I used that along with my US credit cards with no foreign transaction fees.

Any other questions?

Leave them in the comments and I’d add my response to the post if I think it would help others!

Trip Recap/2-Month Europe Itinerary

Let’s dive into a little storytime off all the places I went, plus my favorite spots in each city.

Dax, France

I arrived in Paris and only stayed one night before heading south to Dax for a wedding nearby in the French countryside. This wedding was super special because I actually introduced the couple (totally by chance).

When I studied abroad in Bordeaux in 2016, I befriended my French and math tutors (Aurélie and Stéphane). On a visit back to Bordeaux the following spring, I stayed with Aurélie. I caught up with Stéphane at a teahouse, and then he joined us when I met Aurélie for dinner.

The story isn’t exactly linear, but Aurélie and Stéphane got together about a year later, and they had a beautiful baby last fall. I joked that I’d never been “responsible” for a whole family (of course, causality isn’t actually that simple). The story really makes you realize how random and wonderful life can be.

Their wedding was at their countryside home, and I loved all the romantic and sustainable details. The chairs and tableware were thrifted, we threw dried flower petals instead of confetti or rice, there were tons of veggie food options, and wedding favors were handmade candles in thrifted teacups as well as flower seeds.

I’d worried a bit about whether I’d find people to talk to at the wedding, since I wouldn’t know anyone other than the couple, but everyone was super friendly and I ended up hanging out with another couple from abroad for most of the evening. It was also of course really lovely to see Aurélie and Stéphane again after several years, and meet their new baby!

A couple random tidbits of French wedding culture:

• French weddings often go all day and all night! The civil ceremony was at 2pm and then there was a more personal ceremony, plus games, snacks, dinner, and dancing. I left a little past midnight, but the party was still going strong, and I’ve heard of weddings going until the wee hours of the morning.
• There’s usually a brunch for close friends and family the morning after. I guess this is also kind of common in the US (the “farewell brunch”), but I think it’s even more common in France. 

Bordeaux, France

This was my third time back to Bordeaux after I’d studied abroad. Since it was only 1.5 hours from Dax, and I still have friends in the area, I figured I’d stop by.

It was both lovely and strange to see people after anywhere from 4-6 years. It feels like forever has passed, but you pick up and catch up as if things haven’t changed much.

I got to see Alicia, a friend I’d made while playing for an amateur orchestra in Bordeaux, as well as Alex, who’d been in one of my classes. Both of them had even come to visit me when I was studying at Oxford!

I also took a day trip to Libourne to see another friend I’d had a class with during study abroad (who’d invited me over for Christmas that year, and later came to visit me in Ohio during her year abroad!). Caroline and I biked through the vineyards to Saint-Émilion, a medieval village I’d wanted to visit but hadn’t had a chance to see during my semester abroad. The winding cobblestone streets and coral rooftops were definitely worth seeing in-person.

The week went by quickly, and I didn’t want to leave. It felt good to be in Bordeaux as an adult with disposable income and no classes to take. It was a stark contrast from my study abroad experience; the French university system is notoriously disorganized, and I was so worried about doing well in my classes that I didn’t end up having as much fun as I could’ve. Seven years later, I feel like I’ve kind of turned the story around; I’m still coming back to the city, still in touch with my friends, and making better memories.

If you want to know more about Bordeaux as a city, I have blog posts with my favorite spots in Bordeaux and the best vegan/veggie restaurants in Bordeaux .

Chamonix, France

As soon as I arrived at my Airbnb in Chamonix, I wanted to leave. The hallway was cluttered with furniture and the kitchen appliances were dysfunctional. The host was also nowhere to be found, and he’d asked another guest to check me in.

The biggest problem was the fridge. It froze my vegetables, ruining my lettuce and turning my lemon, carrot, and tomato as hard as rocks.

On my second day there, someone booked last-minute, and the room he reserved was a huge mess, with dirty clothes and linens were strewn everywhere. I had to check him in since the host wasn’t there. Then, a couple days later, a girl arrived and said she’d reserved by text, as she’d stayed at the place two years ago. There were no more rooms left, and she had to sleep on the couch a night before finding somewhere else for the rest of the week.

When the host did come around, he stayed for a few days, and each night, he unplugged the fridge. If I woke up in the middle of the night, I sneakily plugged it back in. Even so, I ended up getting food poisoning my second weekend in Chamonix, and was totally incapacitated for a day.

The host seemed like he meant well overall (he shared food and cooked once for us), but I ended up leaving a 2-star review because of how dysfunctional the place was (I felt so guilty about it, but it was so justified; I had no idea how the place had had 4.7 stars, and I suspected that recent guests just didn’t review it at all rather than leave a bad one).

While I had the worst Airbnb experience I’ve ever had, I really enjoyed Chamonix overall. I was lucky to be able to commiserate in the Airbnb with another guest, Aoife, an Irish ultrarunner who’s super accomplished and even holds the Irish women’s record for most miles run in 24 hours.

We spent a lot of time sitting in that cramped kitchen, complaining about our host, and talking about running and random life stuff. Without Aoife, I would’ve definitely left the Airbnb (I contemplated it, but because I was in Chamonix before/during the UTMB, one of the most prestigious trail races in the world, there was nowhere else to go).

Here are some other highlights:

• Chamonix is a trail runner/hiker’s heaven , with rails galore starting directly from the city. I went on hikes and trail runs basically every other day (and my quads paid the price). I’m planning to do a separate post on the hikes I did, and will link it here when it’s done. I even got to do a hike with my friend Claire, who I met while I was living in Dijon in 2018-2019.

• I got to be part of a running photoshoot! (For a small UK brand). I saw a post by the photographer in a Chamonix trail runners’ Facebook group, and I ended up joining 3 other runners for the shoot. It was a LOT of running back and forth all day in the summer heat. But it was a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to seeing the photos when the collection releases in the spring.

• I got to see the UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) , the reason I stayed in the city for so long. This prestigious trail race is made up of multiple races of different distances, with the UTMB itself being 170km (106 mi). I didn’t stay long enough for the UTMB itself, but I did get to cheer some runners on during the TDS, which is almost 100 miles. The COROS team was also in the city for the event, and I got to meet with the partnerships manager.

• I met Molly Seidel (Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon) one day while running on the track! She was in Chamonix for a photoshoot and to spectate the UTMB. I’ve always appreciated her openness about mental health, especially since she was going through her own struggles around the same time I was last year. We chatted for a little and it was so cool to randomly run into her (pun not intended).

So, while Chamonix was a rough time, I’m glad it survived it and had some fun in the process. I hope to be back one day to run the UTMB OCC 50k (but I’ll stay in a different Airbnb 😝). 

Annecy, France

Annecy is known as “the Venice of the French Alps,” and it’s just as romantic as it sounds. The water is an unreal shade of mint (kind of like the “Gatorade water” you may have heard about in Nice, France), the old town is full of pastel buildings and canals, and the large lake named after the city is surrounded by mountains.

I’d been to Annecy twice before for day trips, but had never stayed there. It just happened to be a good point in-between Chamonix and Paris, so I booked it.

I was glad to be back down at elevation for my 20-mile training run for the Berlin Marathon, and to have a chance to get some lake swimming in.

Since I’d just gotten food poisoning the weekend before, I attempted the 20-miler twice before just trudging through it on my second attempt. I just seemed to have no endurance both times and lost steam very early on. After 9 miles on my second attempt, I had to start run/walking. While it was very rough, I got it done, and had a couple more days to enjoy the city.

Some of the highlights were:

• Running/hiking to Talloires, a beautiful little lakeside village with a covered bridge leading to a dock covered in flowers. I would also recommend renting a bike and doing the ~40k all around Lake Annecy. I did this on my first visit, and it’s a beautiful way to spend a day.

• Swimming and reading at the Plage d’Albigny . There are several beaches around the city, and this one is the only one (as far as I know) with sand and in walking distance of the old town. The swimming area is small, but there’s a beautiful view of the mountains, and there’s a good amount of shade. I also passed by Plage les Choseaux – Clos Berthet on my long run, and while it doesn’t have sand (it’s grassy), the views looked absolutely breathtaking.

• Walking through the Annecy Market (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday mornings). The town is filled with vendors, from food to artisanal items. Just be wary of pushy salespeople–I got flagged down by a tapenade vendor who had me try at least 5 different tapenades, and I didn’t feel like I had a chance to stop him in-between each one. After all that, I felt pressured to buy some tapenade, and somehow ended up with 13€ worth of it, even though I’d only asked for a little haha. Luckily, my Airbnb host liked tapenade and said he’d finish the rest, but I was still bitter about this experience.

Paris, France

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been to the city at this point, as I stopped by during several connections when I lived in Dijon, and I’ve visited with multiple people. But no matter how many times I go to Paris, I never get tired of it.

Paris was a natural stopping point after Annecy since it was time to go North and start making my way over to Berlin. My childhood friend Jingwen was on her way to see another friend in Nice, and what better place to fly into and visit than the capital?

I spent 3 days exploring the city with Jingwen, doing all the touristy and basic bitch things, and having a wonderful time. Here’s our entire itinerary:

Day 1 (half day):

• Arrive in the afternoon (we stayed near the Parc de Buttes-Chaumont, which is closer to the outskirts of the city and was very calm and charming).
• Visit the outside of the Arc de Triomphe and walk down the Champs-Elysées
• Go grocery shopping for a picnic
• Take the picnic to the banks of the Seine by Pont d’Iena , where we ate and watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night

• Lunch at Hotel Grand Amour (gorgeous interior with okay veggie dishes, but they lacked protein).
• Walk along Canal Saint-Martin , a place where many locals go to hang out and picnic.
• Browse Les Sales Voleurs thrift shop (they have a flat rate depending on the day of the week, and it was only 1,50€ on Wednesdays). It’s pretty small and we didn’t find anything unfortunately.
• Walk through the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise , a cemetery with graves of many famous people like Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, and Marcel Proust.
• Have a pit stop at the Used Book Cafe/Merci . Merci is a heaven of trendy/hipster/high-quality home goods. You’ll find stuff like candles in the shapes of vegetables, maximalist clothing, and unique beauty products.
• Eat the best vegan falafel pitas in the world at L’As du Fallafel (I literally teared up being able to eat these again after 4 years), and stroll around the quaint shops of Le Marais.
• Walk by Notre Dame and the Louvre around sunset.

• Lunch at La Maison Rose (you must reserve in advance). The veggie options are decent but again lacking protein. I always love walking around the artsy Montmartre neighborhood and taking in the view of the city beneath the Sacré-Cœur Basilica .
• Visit the Bibliothèque nationale de France and walk around the covered passages in the area (Galerie Vivienne is right across).
• Have tea and pastries at the Grand Mosque of Paris . You can also pay a small fee to visit the beautiful mosque, which I’ve done a few times. Just make sure you wear more modest clothing (cover your shoulders and knees), or use one of their scarves.
• Grab crêpes on Rue Mouffetard (Au P’tit Grec has HUGE crêpes, but make sure to bring cash; also keep in mind that they only have vegetarian and not vegan options)
• Eat pastries from Too Good to Go at sunset at the Square du Vert-Galant in the middle of the Seine

When I told my manager at work how I spent my time in Paris, he said it sounded like scenes you’d see in a movie when the main character is seeing flashbacks of their life. I can totally see that because Paris is really such a special, beautiful city to experience with friends and create “core memories.”

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels was a really special time for me not because of the city, but because of the people I was able to meet while staying there.

I got to take a day trip to Amsterdam and meet Nina, a blogging friend I’ve had for a few years now (definitely check out her blog Lemons and Luggage for vegan and sustainable travel guides!).

Nina and I spent the day together walking around the city and eating vegan food. My favorite spots were Margo’s for pastries and TerraZen Centre for Caribbean and Japanese fusion. MILK Cafe was also super aesthetic for a mid-afternoon drink break, and it was fun to check out some sustainable fashion shops on The 9 Streets (De 9 Straatjes). I wrapped up the day by going to the Anne Frank House , which was sobering to see the cramped quarters, but really helpful to learn more history and context of the Jewish experience during WWII.

I also have fond memories of Brussels because of my Airbnb host, Andries. Sometimes you just really click with people and don’t really know why. I definitely think part of it was some shared interests. His space was full of plants, vintage items like record players and his grandma’s radio, and charming used furniture (pretty much what I’d love my future home to be like, though I’m not sure I’d be able to keep the plants alive). He was learning the cello, which gave me nostalgia for my violin and orchestra days.

We had a lot of interesting chats about culture, music, food, and life. We even cooked together; he made endives, mashed potatoes, and brussels sprouts (Belgian specialties), and I made my signature fusion dish, broccoli and tofu with Indian spices. Staying with Andries felt like staying with a friend, and I was really sad to leave.

In terms of the city itself, I didn’t actually see as much as I wanted, so there’s all the more reason to go back. Here’s what I did do that I enjoyed though:

• Grand Place —the iconic, historic square in Brussels. The architecture is truly impressive and takes you back to another era.

• Melting Pot Kilo —a thrift store where you pay for items by weight. The price by weight was on the more expensive side, but you could still get a trench coat for ~20€ and a long skirt for ~5€.

• Marché aux Puces —flea market with all kinds of jewelry, art, and home goods. The prices seemed to be pretty high, however.

• 58 Rooftop —free rooftop viewpoint of the city. There’s also a bar/cafe. Lines can be super long on the weekends, so go early or go on a weekday.

• Day trip to Ghent —a beautiful medieval city in the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. I didn’t do much, other than going on a run and going to the grocery store haha, but it was a beautiful city. Next time, I also want to go to Bruges, Lille, and Mechelen from Brussels.

Cologne, Germany

I didn’t actually want to go to Cologne that much, but I needed somewhere to stop between Brussels and Berlin. Hamburg was my top choice, but it was too out of the way.

My time in Cologne was my least favorite. I went from really getting along with my Airbnb host in Brussels to a more impersonal Airbnb in Cologne where the other two guys there kept to themselves.

The city itself also wasn’t my favorite. A lot of Cologne was destroyed in WWII, so it lacks the same old-town charm as some other European cities.

That said, the city was also my first introduction to German supermarkets (loved REWE), which are a vegan’s heaven. There were so many meat substitutes (I really liked the cold cuts) and they weren’t that expensive.

Here’s what else I did that I enjoyed:

• Cologne Cathedral —I only visited the outside, but you can climb the spires (I was just tapering at that point for the marathon). The cathedral is the largest and most impressive I’ve seen. The scale is simply incomparable to other cathedrals.

• Flora and Botanical Garden —this botanical garden was really beautiful and free!

• Lindt Chocolate Museum and Fragrance Museum Farina-House —two classic museums in the city, one dedicated entirely to chocolate and the other to the original eau de cologne.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin meant marathon time. My only weekend in the city was basically completely dedicated to the race, from packet pickup to actually running and then recovering.

I started the weekend by meeting up with a Strava friend, Jeannette, who was in the city to cheer for her niece running the race. Jeannette had found my Strava through a blog post, and we started following each other after she’d commented on one of my runs about the post. It was super sweet to meet her after seeing each other’s runs this year, and she even cheered for me during the marathon and got a couple photos of me.

I was pretty nervous for the race itself since it was my first marathon in almost 1.5 years. My last marathon was when all my health issues started happening, so I had a lot of trauma associated with racing. I luckily made it to race day without too much nerves, and I was also extremely grateful to make it there uninjured (I’d had a bone stress injury at the beginning of the year).

The race was the biggest I’ve run—47,000 people—and it was pretty fun (it’s hard to say it was a lot of fun because there’s always so much suffering in races haha). I knew going into it that I wasn’t in PR shape, but I wasn’t exactly sure what I could run since my long runs had gone weirdly. I ended up running a 4:09:34, which I was overall satisfied with. I slowed down a decent amount in the second half, but it was nothing too out of the ordinary for me, and I was glad to be able to run the whole time after the disastrous 20-miler. You can read more about the race in my Berlin Marathon recap .

The city itself was one of my favorites because of its vegan restaurants and diverse neighborhoods. It reminded me a little bit of Paris and its arrondissements, and it was also like Paris in that you could keep visiting and never get tired of it.

I also made a friend, Octa, through the Berlin Marathon Facebook group, and we limped through the city a couple days after the race and sampled veggie food. I was happy to see the city with someone who’d lived in Germany for a while, and who was vegetarian, so we could enjoy the same restaurants.

My favorite vegan restaurants/cafes were Miss Vegan, Quy Nyguen, FREA Bakery, and Brammibal’s Donuts. Dervish, a Uzbek vegan place, was also a cool stop (thanks to Nina for the many vegan recs in Berlin!). I would’ve loved to also try Försters, a vegan German place, but I didn’t end up having time. Quick tip: make sure to have cash in Berlin as many restaurants don’t take card.

My favorite sights were:

• East Side Gallery —section of the Berlin Wall that is covered in murals by over 100 artists from countries around the world.

• Charlottenburg Palace —Baroque palace built in the 17th century and greatly expanded over the years. The rooms are so lavish and intricate.

• Hackesche Höfe —a lovely network of cafes and shops in different courtyards. For something more alternative, check out the Haus Schwarzenberg, a street art alleyway next door. I also enjoyed the open-air market at the nearby Hackescher Markt, which had tons of artisans and food stalls (it happens every Thursday and Saturday).

• Museum Island —a collection of 5 museums in the heart of the city. Even if you don’t go to any museums, it’s fun to walk to the island and admire the architecture.

Copenhagen, Denmark

I didn’t intend to go to Copenhagen when I initially planned the trip, but I ended up adding a weekend here since it had better flight options and was “only” 6 hours away from Berlin. I’d also always wanted to see the colorful houses at Nyhavn (that was literally the only reason I wanted to go to Copenhagen).

I actually didn’t like Copenhagen as much as I expected. Everything was expensive, the vegan food options were sparse, and the city just felt colder (literally and figuratively—I went from warm and sunny weather in Berlin to cold and cloudy in Copenhagen; I also didn’t meet up with anyone during the trip, and my Airbnb host kept to herself, so I just felt lonelier).

I also lost my self-cleaning LARQ water bottle at the airport, which my brother had gotten me as a gift, so that was a big downer. I left it in-between two seats and totally forgot it. The lost and found can only be visited in-person, so if anyone happens to be in CPH in early November and wants to check for me, I’d be so grateful!

Here’s what I did that I did enjoy though:

• CopenHill —a huge waste-to-energy plant that has ski slopes off the building, a climbing wall, and a bar.

• Boat tour from Nyhavn —the iconic colorful houses were beautiful, but quite crowded as you can imagine. I took a boat tour through the canals to learn more about the city and see iconic sights like the Little Mermaid statue (it’s very small). The boat tour was over just fine, but it’s how I learned about Copenhill, so I’d say it was worth it.
• Freetown Christiania —an anarchist commune where you can do anything as long as it doesn’t infringe upon the freedom of someone else. There’s lots of graffiti, veggie food, chill vibes, and weed. I ate at Morgenstedet, a veggie restaurant there, and it was good (just make sure you have cash).

• Magstræde —a quaint street with colorful buildings

• Day trip to Malmö, Sweden —Malmö is only a 20-minute train ride away, so I visited at the recommendation of Nina. The local park (Slottsträdgården) was quaint, and their cafe looked super cozy. I ate at Vegegården, a vegan Chinese buffet that was very satisfying, as well as Farm2Table, a cozy cafe (thanks again to Nina for her vegan Malmö recs !).

What I Learned

This was my first time doing longer-term traveling, and here are the tidbits I learned along the way:

I should’ve stayed longer in each city. I stayed in most places for a full week, but when you’re working most of the time, 7 days isn’t enough. This was especially true if I had a specific event that took up most of the weekend (like the Berlin Marathon or a day trip to another city). Next time, I would try to stay in each place at least 10 days or even 2 weeks. If I can only stay a shorter time, I’ll try to find housing closer to the city center so it’s more convenient to explore.

I kinda wish I had been more flexible in my plans. There were a few places I wished I could’ve stayed longer (Bordeaux, Brussels, Berlin). But, because I had nonrefundable transport at that point (most train tickets are only adjustable without a fee up to a week before), I didn’t change my itinerary. I know you save a lot of money by booking trains and Airbnbs in advance, but I’m almost tempted to kind of play it by ear in some places next time.

I’m happiest when I prioritize connection, but I also need to understand that they may not last. My favorite stops on my trip have one thing in common: spending time with old or new friends. I’ve always been a big solo traveler, but there’s something special about sharing these experiences with others. Travel friendships can be hard though, as you connect in this specific time and place, and then you disperse across the world. I’m still trying to learn to appreciate the moments and memories, rather than focusing on how ephemeral they were.

I like feeling foreign? There’s a sense of awe that comes with being in another country, even when you’re going about mundane tasks. Being a foreigner also lends itself nicely to connecting with other open-minded people. They’re curious about your culture and you’re curious about theirs. I definitely miss this headspace when I’m in the US.

What’s Next?

Well, my carte jeune (young person’s railcard for France) is still valid until I turn 28 in June, so…

In all seriousness though, this trip was the most alive I’ve felt in a while, especially after a really rough 2022. My therapist says it’s like I was able to take all these pieces of me (travel, running, languages) and hug them.

I also didn’t get to do everything I wanted this time around, so I might have to go back and do those things.

While I have appreciated this year of travel, I also have a sense of longing for a home base and my own space. After I came back from Europe, I was mopey for a while (until I went on my next trip haha), as I felt like there were very few constants in my life, particularly friends I can see physically. I wonder sometimes what it would be like to live consistently in one place and have more of a routine. The closest I got to this after college was living in Boston from 2019-2021, but the pandemic kept me from making a lot of plans during that time.

I don’t have a particular place I feel like I need to be right now though, so we’ll see what happens.

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Awww, it’s so lovely to ready a recap of your time here in Europe. I’m glad you got to enjoy it, and I’m excited to hear you might be coming back. It was so nice to hang out with you in Amsterdam, and I hope we get to reconnect soon.

I’m so glad we could meet up in Amsterdam! Thanks again for all the wonderful recs, and hoping to see you again soon too <3

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Affordable Luxury Travel

The Ultimate 2 Month Europe Interrail Itinerary & Route

This post about the ultimate 2 month Europe Interrail itinerary contains affiliate links and mentions of collaborative work with Interrail .

Are you planning to spend 2 months in Europe? Not sure where to start when it comes to creating the perfect interrail itinerary in Europe? This post is for you!

I’ve been lucky enough to experience numerous interrailing trips throughout Europe now, with our most recent trip taking us on a 2 month Europe interrailing adventure through countries such as Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and more!

My ultimate 2-month Europe interrail itinerary includes everything you need to know about planning the perfect trip to Europe! From spending time in popular cities such as Amsterdam , Berlin , Milan and Rome , to adventures in lesser frequented cities such as Cologne, Zürich and Ghent , I’ve compiled everything I know about interrailing in Europe into one huge itinerary and guide!

If you’re planning to spend two months in Europe, check out my ultimate Europe interrail itinerary, route and guide below!

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What is the Interrail Pass?

The Interrail Pass is an all-encompassing train ticket that allows you to travel on almost all available trains across Europe. With the Interrail Pass, you can choose from over 30,000 destinations in 33 European countries, with a choice of numerous different passes to suit your budget, trip length and itinerary.

How much does the Interrail Pass cost?

There are 10 different Interrail/Eurail Passes to choose from, including:

• 4 days within 1 month – £171 | £227
• 5 days within 1 month – £196 | £260
• 7 days within 1 month – £232 | £310
• 10 days within 2 months – £278 | £370
• 15 days within 2 months – £342 | £456
• 15 days (consecutive) – £307 | £409
• 22 days (consecutive) – £359 | £479
• 1 month (consecutive) – £465 | £620
• 2 months (consecutive) – £506 | £676
• 3 months (consecutive) – £626 | £833

Please note that the above prices are based on second-class Interrail Global Pass tickets. A youth ticket is for people aged 12-27, and an adult ticket is for people aged 28-60. The first price is for youths and the second price is for adult tickets.

Read more: The Ultimate 1 Month Europe Interrail Itinerary & Route

Read more: Interrail Budget For 6 Weeks – How Much Does Interrailing Cost?

Do I need a Eurail or an Interrail Pass?

A Eurail Pass is for non-European citizens and residents (such as the USA, Asia and Australia), whereas the Interrail Pass is for citizens and residents of Europe (including the UK – even after Brexit).

Both passes are exactly the same (and the same price) but you need a different pass depending on where you’re from in the world.

How to use an Interrail Pass

The best (and easiest) way to use your Interrail/Eurail Pass is by downloading the Rail Planner app. You can then add your Pass to the app using the details that would have been emailed to you when you purchased it. Check out the step-by-step guide below on how to use the Interrail Pass.

• Simply add your last name and Pass number to the app using the details on your confirmation email.
• Connect a new trip to the “My Pass” section of the Rail Planner App. You can name the trip anything you like; we named our most recent 2-month Europe interrail itinerary “Winterrailing” as we were travelling across Europe in the winter months!
• Before your trip starts, you’ll need to fill in relevant information such as your name and passport details.
• You can then choose a start date for your trip. If your trip is due to commence in the future, you can skip this part until you’re ready to travel, or you can add your intended start date when you decide on it.
• Once your trip begins, you can use the “planner” section of the Rail Planner app and add your journeys. You can do this one at a time if you’re not sure of the exact route you’ll be taking or you can choose the trains you want to take in advance and press “save journey”.

Read more: Interrail Planning Tips For Beginners – How To Plan An Interrail Trip

What are seat reservations?

While most of the trains in Europe are included in the Interrail Pass, there are some trains (such as overnight trains and high-speed trains) that require a seat reservation as they are often very busy, so a seat reservation guarantees that you can travel on a particular train. Seat reservations aren’t included in the Interrail Pass, so you will have to purchase these separately.

The cost of seat reservations depends on numerous factors, including the type of train, the type of seat (1st or 2nd class), the railway company and the country you’re travelling in/to. Some companies also charge a booking fee of €2 per seat reservation.

Countries such as Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland usually have the most train journeys without seat reservations, whereas countries such as France, Italy, Spain and Sweden usually require seat reservations on many of the journeys.

Read more: Is The Interrail Pass Worth It? An Honest Interrail Review

2 months in Europe itinerary map – interrail route

The map above shows the driving times for a 2-month Europe itinerary, so it’s not entirely accurate!

This route could also be adapted for a 1-month or a 3-month interrailing itinerary if you decide to purchase a shorter or longer length Interrail Pass.

You could also do the itinerary in reverse if you wanted to fly into Oslo and conclude the itinerary in Amsterdam (or London , by getting the Eurostar back to the UK from Amsterdam).

Read more: How Much Does Backpacking Europe Cost?

2 month Europe interrail itinerary summary

• Amsterdam (3 days)
• Bruges (2 days)

Ghent (3 days – with a day trip to Antwerp)

Brussels (2 days), cologne (3 days – with a day trip to düsseldorf).

• Zürich (3 days – with a day trip to Bern )
• Milan (3 days – with a day trip to Lake Como )
• Rome (4 days)

Venice (3 days – with a day trip to Burano/Murano)

• Munich (3 days)

Vienna (4 days – with a day trip to Bratislava)

• Prague (3 days)

Berlin (3 days)

Copenhagen (3 days).

• Stockholm (3 days)
• Oslo (3 days)

Many people also like to incorporate cities such as Barcelona , Paris , Madrid , Valencia , Kraków , Warsaw and more into their interrail routes, but for the purpose of this 2-month itinerary, I’ve stuck to the cities that we visited on our most recent interrail journeys.

The Ultimate 2 Month Europe Interrail Itinerary

Below, you’ll find my ultimate 2 month Europe interrail itinerary which includes the perfect route, which countries/cities to visit, how long you should spend in each place, the best day trips from each city, how to get to each place, how long it takes to travel by train to each city in Europe, the best things to do in each place and much more!

Please note that the savings below are based on my personal experience of using the Interrail Pass, prices are subject to change throughout the year.

Read more: Interrail Packing List Essentials – What To Pack For An Interrail Trip

Amsterdam (Days 1 – 4)

This 2 month Europe interrail itinerary begins in the beautiful city of Amsterdam . Known for its eclectic nightlife, intriguing culture, plentiful museums and an abundance of canals and bridges, Amsterdam is the perfect place to begin your 2 months in Europe.

Three or four days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Amsterdam. You could probably see most of the sights and attractions in just two days, but as Amsterdam is such an incredibly popular destination, many of the best sights and landmarks get super busy, so give yourself enough time to explore the wonderful city by spending a good few days there.

If you have time, you can even take a couple of day trips out of the city as well!

How to get to Amsterdam : You can fly into Amsterdam from most major airports in Europe (and beyond!). Alternatively, you can take the Eurostar from London (if you’re travelling from the UK) which is included in the price of your Interrail Pass, but you will need to purchase a seat reservation to board the train (prices start at €34). The Eurostar from London to Amsterdam takes less than four hours.

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): If you decide to get the train (Eurostar) to Amsterdam from London, prices start from around £51, but they can often cost upwards of £200 if you buy them last minute.

Best things to do in Amsterdam on a 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

• Visit the Rijksmuseum
• Stroll through one of Amsterdam’s most famous neighbourhoods, the Red Light District
• Check out the Heineken Experience
• Rent a bike and cycle around Amsterdam’s many canals and bridges
• Pay a visit to the Van Gogh Museum
• Visit the Anne Frank House & Museum to learn about the tragedies of the famed diarist
• Take a day trip to Keukenhof to see the beautiful gardens

Where to stay in Amsterdam

When we first stayed at City Hotel Amsterdam , it was one of the cheapest places to stay in the city, even though it’s less than a mile from the main attractions in the centre. While it’s a little pricier now, I would still recommend staying here during your 2 month Europe interrail itinerary as it has super comfortable rooms, great staff and it’s located so close to all the best sights in Amsterdam!

Read more: 3 Days In Amsterdam Itinerary – How To Spend 3 Days In Amsterdam

Bruges (Days 4 – 6) – 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

Bruges is a place that I’d had on my travel bucket list for many years, so I was super excited when we decide to visit on our most recent interrail trip.

It’s a relatively small city that can easily be explored in just one day, but there are so many beautiful sights and awesome places to eat, that I’d recommend spending two days there to ensure that you can see everything.

How to get from Amsterdam to Bruges : The train from Amsterdam Centraal to Bruges takes approximately four hours, with at least one or two changes (usually in Antwerp, Brussels or Ghent). Seat reservations are required for most journeys (prices start at €24).

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train can cost as much as €64.80 (2nd class) and €102.40 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €30 (2nd class) and €46 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass to travel from Amsterdam to Bruges.

Best things to do in Bruges on a 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

• Visit the Frietmuseum
• Admire the stunning architecture in Market Square (Grote Markt)
• Indulge in an abundance of chocolate at the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum
• Visit the fascinating Basilica of the Holy Blood
• Take a romantic canal cruise to see the city from the water
• Eat at the House of Waffles

Where to stay in Bruges

Snuffel Youth Hostel is a great budget choice in the heart of Bruges that offers both dormitories and private rooms. Alternatively, I’d recommend Dukes’ Palace Brugge if you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, while still being located in the heart of the city.

Read more: How To See Bruges In One Day – The Perfect Day Trip Itinerary

Ghent is another Belgian destination I really wanted to visit and while I think I preferred Bruges to Ghent, I’m still so glad that we visited it because it’s so gorgeous.

There’s plenty of stunning architecture, wonderful market squares and so many great places to indulge in waffles, stews, fries, chocolate and more!

Two days give you enough time to see everything in Ghent, leaving you with the third day to take a day trip to Antwerp.

Antwerp is another great destination in Belgium that can easily be visited from Ghent and it’s less than an hour on the train. There isn’t quite as much to do in Antwerp as in the other Belgian cities featured in this itinerary, but I still think it’s worth the day trip.

Known for being the hub of the world’s diamond trade, its spectacular central train station and the beautiful Grote Markt square, Antwerp shouldn’t be missed while travelling through Europe.

How to get from Bruges to Ghent : The direct train from Bruges to Gent-Sint-Pieters (Ghent) takes approximately 25 minutes. No seat reservations are required.

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs €9.50 (2nd class) and €13.40 (1st class) no matter whether you book two hours before or two months before. Therefore, it’s probably not worth using your Interrail Pass to travel from Bruges to Ghent as the train tickets are so cheap.

Best things to do in Ghent on a 2 month Europe interrailing trip

• Pay a visit to Gravensteen Castle
• Climb to the top of the Belfry for stunning views of the city
• Take a guided tour of the city on a medieval boat trip
• Stroll around Korenmarkt and Vrijdagmarkt and enjoy the architecture
• Check out Saint Bavo’s Cathedral (Sint-Baafs Cathedral)

Where to stay in Ghent

If you’re looking for budget accommodation in Ghent, look no further than KaBa Hostel . Offering private rooms, as well as dormitory options, KaBa Hostel is less than half a mile from the city centre of Ghent. If you prefer something a bit more sophisticated, I’d recommend checking out B&B Achilles .

Read more: One Day In Ghent Itinerary – Is Ghent Worth Visiting?

Brussels was one of my favourite cities that we visited on our 2-week Europe interrailing trip in August 2022 and it’s definitely somewhere that I recommend visiting. While it might not be quite as charming as the likes of Bruges or Ghent, Brussels is home to some truly beautiful feats of architecture, plenty of chocolate-making workshops and intriguing museums.

You can see most of what Brussels has to offer in just two full days and as it’s located so close to Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp, it’s super easy to get to and from while you’re travelling across Belgium and beyond.

How to get from Ghent to Brussels : The direct train from Gent-Sint-Pieters (Ghent) to Bruxelles-Midi (Brussels) takes approximately 30 minutes. No seat reservations are required.

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs €12.20 (2nd class) and €18.60 (1st class) no matter whether you book two hours before or two months before. Therefore, it’s probably not worth using your Interrail Pass to travel from Ghent to Brussels as the train tickets are so cheap.

Best things to do in Brussels on a 2 month Europe interrailing trip

• Take a Belgian Chocolate Workshop
• Admire the magnificent Town Hall
• Visit the Atomium
• Wander through Parc du Cinquantenaire
• Spend a few hours at the Autoworld Museum
• Go window shopping at Galeries Royales Saint Hubert

Where to stay in Brussels

While it might not be the most glamourous place to stay on a 2 month Europe interrailing trip, our stay at Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre was so good. We had a huge, comfy bed, a very sizeable room and a bathroom complete with a giant bathtub (a very warm welcome after travelling across Europe by train!).

Read more: The Best 2 Days In Brussels Itinerary

The next stop on this epic two-month Europe interrail itinerary takes you to Germany, specifically to the 2000-year-old city of Cologne.

Cologne is a great place to base yourself for a few days as its convenient location in West Germany means that it’s not too far from other popular cities such as Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Essen and Dortmund.

Home to the breathtaking Cologne Cathedral, the incredibly cool and quirky Hohenzollern Bridge (known for the thousands of “love locks” that decorate the bridge), as well as plenty of museums and gardens, Cologne is a great city to add to your Europe interrailing itinerary.

I’d also recommend taking a day trip to Düsseldorf from Cologne as it’s less than half an hour on the train and while there’s plenty to see and do in Cologne, you probably don’t need three full days.

There isn’t a tonne of things to do in Düsseldorf so you can easily see everything within a couple of hours on a day trip from Cologne.

How to get from Brussels to Cologne : The direct train from Bruxelles-Midi (Brussels) to Cologne takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Please note that some trains require seat reservations of €29, but there are many direct routes available that don’t require reservations.

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs €72 (2nd class) and €82 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance and as little as €31.90 (2nd class) and €47.90 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it might be worth using your Interrail Pass to travel from Brussels to Cologne.

Best things to do in Cologne on a 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

• Check out the beautiful Cologne Cathedral
• Go on a Brewery Tour and taste the local beer, Kölsch
• Spend a few hours at the Museum Ludwig
• Take a cruise down the Rhine River
• Go to the top of the Cologne Triangle Observation Deck

Where to stay in Cologne

Stadthotel am Römerturm is an excellent choice of accommodation in Cologne as it offers huge beds, and a daily breakfast buffet and it’s situated less than a 10-minute walk from the main train station (perfect for this 2-month Europe interrailing itinerary!).

Zürich (3 days – with a day trip to Bern)

After spending a few days in Cologne, take the train to the fourth European country on this itinerary; Switzerland.

Switzerland is a place that I wanted to visit for so long and after visiting numerous cities and ski resorts in the beautiful, mountainous country, I can safely say that it’s one of my favourite countries in the world.

Zürich is a great place to add to your 2 month Europe trip as it’s such a gorgeous city with plenty of things to see and do. I’d highly recommend visiting the Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum from Zürich as it’s literally a chocolate lover’s dream and the views of the Old Town from Lindenhof Hill cannot be missed!

It’s also possible to take a day trip to Switzerland’s capital city, Bern , from Zürich as it can take as little as an hour on the train (included in your Interrail/Eurail Pass!).

Bern is a very small capital city and can be explored in just one day from Zürich. Be sure to check out the Parliament Building (Bundeshaus) and Bundesplatz, the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) and the infamous bear pit next to the Aare River/Bridge to see one of the city’s oldest traditions!

Read more: 10 Best Things To Do In Bern In One Day – Perfect Bern Day Trip

How to get from Cologne to Zürich : The train from Cologne to Zürich Main Station takes between five and six hours, depending on the time of day. Most journeys have 1-3 changes, usually in Basel, Mannheim and Stuttgart. No seat reservations are required.

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €168.50 (2nd class) and €260.70 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €39.90 (2nd class) and €55.90 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Cologne to Zürich.

Best things to do in Zürich on a 2 month Europe interrailing itinerary

• Head to the top of Lindenhof Hill for impressive views of the city
• Indulge in as much chocolate as possible at the Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum
• Wander through the Altstadt (Old Town)
• Go on a cruise on Lake Zürich
• See the beautiful Grossmunster Church , Fraumunster Church and St Peter’s Church

Where to stay in Zürich

When we first arrived at Gasthaus 210 in Zürich, I was very apprehensive as the accommodation is located directly above a 24-hour convenience store. However, our room was actually very lovely and the shower in the bathroom was perhaps one of the best we experienced during our entire 2 months in Europe!

Milan (3 days – with a day trip to Lake Como)

While many people favour the likes of Rome and Venice over Milan , I’m a firm believer that the Italian city deserves a place on this 2-month Europe itinerary as it’s super easy to visit on an interrail trip.

Milan is home to the world-famous Duomo, Da Vinci’s Last Supper, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and its close proximity to the wonderful Lake Como region makes it a great addition to any European interrail itinerary.

Of course, as with many of Europe’s best and biggest cities, Milan can be extremely crowded and overwhelming, but I think it’s worth battling the crowds to see the city’s top sights as it’s such a fun and energetic place!

I’ve allocated three days in Milan so you can spend two days in the main city centre and one day on a trip to Lake Como . Many people would argue that you need to spend much longer in Lake Como, but you can easily see the Golden Triangle – Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna – in just one day!

How to get from Zürich to Milan : The train from Zürich Main Station to Milano Centrale takes between three and five hours, depending on the time of day. There are some direct routes that only take 3 hours and 15 minutes. Seat reservations are required for most journeys (prices start at €13).

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €96.31 (2nd class) and €157.56 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €40 (2nd class) and €71 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Zürich to Milan.

Best things to do in Milan on a 2 month Europe interrailing itinerary

• Admire the spectacular Duomo di Milano and check out the views from the rooftop terraces
• Go window shopping at Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
• Head inside The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and see Da Vinci’s infamous Last Supper
• Stroll through Parco Sempione and check out Castello Sforzesco
• Take a day trip to Lake Como to see the Golden Triangle
• Enjoy the designer stores in the Quadrilatero d’Oro (Fashion District)
• Embark on a guided tour of the San Siro Stadium

Where to stay in Milan

We stayed in this lovely Airbnb in Milan for three nights as part of our interrail trip through Europe and I would definitely recommend checking out Airbnb for places to stay in Milan, especially if you prefer somewhere with a kitchen. Alternatively, Booking.com has thousands of hotels, hostels and apartments all over the city.

Read more: 2 Days In Milan – The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary

Rome (4 days) – 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

Rome is a city that’s on most people’s European bucket lists and rightly so, it’s an absolutely dreamy place! Home to the world-renowned Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and of course, Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, you could easily spend weeks in Rome and still not scratch the surface of what it has to offer!

During this two-month itinerary in Europe, I’d recommend spending four days in Rome. This should give you enough time to see many of the top sights and attractions without having to rush around the city too much. We once spent just six hours in Rome and while we saw so much during that time, we were absolutely exhausted by the end of the day!

How to get from Milan to Rome : The direct train from Milano Centrale to Rome usually takes three hours and 40 minutes. Seat reservations are required for most journeys (prices start at €12).

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €96 (2nd class) and €124.90 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €29.90 (2nd class) and €39.90 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Milan to Rome.

Best things to do in Rome on a 2 month Europe interrailing itinerary

• Admire the marvellous Pantheon
• Visit the infamous Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
• Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain
• Take a tour of the world-famous Colosseum
• See St. Peter’s Basilica

Where to stay in Rome

There are over 6,000 listings in Rome on Booking.com so you shouldn’t struggle to find somewhere to stay! As with every city, the closer you are to the main sights and attractions, the more expensive hotels and hostels will be.

Read more: 6 Hours In Rome – The Best Things To Do In Rome In One Day

Three days in Venice gives you plenty of time to explore the many bridges and canals, see the breathtaking St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace, ride a Gondola along the waterways and also take a day trip to nearby Burano and Murano.

Venice is yet another Italian city that gets incredibly crowded, especially during the busy summer months, and while some people would argue that it’s a bit too overwhelming, I personally think it’s worth adding to your two-month Eurail itinerary as it’s such a unique place.

How to get from Rome to Venice : The direct train from Rome to Venice takes between four and four and a half hours (there is sometimes a change in Bologna). Seat reservations are required for most journeys (prices start at €12).

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €101 (2nd class) and €126 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €27.90 (2nd class) and €72.90 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Rome to Venice.

Best things to do in Venice on a 2 month Europe interrailing trip

• Explore Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica
• Take a Gondola Ride along the famous canals
• Go on a day trip to Burano and Murano
• See the Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs
• Head on a street food tour to sample local Italian cuisine

Where to stay in Venice

We stayed at Hotel Castello during our time in Venice which is an adorable hotel just minutes from the Piazza San Marco. The rooms and hotel itself aren’t overly fancy, but they do the job of hosting you on your interrailing trip and I’d definitely recommend booking a stay there.

Read more: 3 Days In Venice Itinerary – How To Spend 3 Days In Venice, Italy

Munich (3 days – with a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle )

Bavaria’s capital city of Munich is my favourite city in Germany and I would happily return there time and again. It’s a great place to visit all year round, so regardless of whether you’re planning to explore Europe by train in the summer or winter months, Munich always has something to offer.

The English Garden and Hofbräukeller Biergarten cannot be missed in the summer, whereas the Neues Rathaus and the Altes Rathaus in Marienplatz can be enjoyed all year round.

If you have time during your three days in Munich, I’d recommend taking a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle as it looks like something straight out of a fairytale!

How to get from Venice to Munich : The train from Venice to Munich takes approximately seven to eight hours, usually with a change in Verona. Seat reservations are recommended, but not always required, for some journeys (prices start at €12).

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €148.90 (2nd class) and €179.10 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €44.90 (2nd class) and €71.90 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Venice to Munich.

Best things to do in Munich on a 2 month Europe interrailing itinerary

• See the Neues Rathaus and the Altes Rathaus in Marienplatz
• Climb to the top of the Rathausturm (New Town Hall Tower) for views of the Old Town
• Spend an afternoon in The English Garden
• Take a day trip to Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Castle
• Admire the glorious Frauenkirche (The Church of Our Lady Munich)
• Eat and drink in Hofbräukeller Biergarten
• Enjoy Bavarian beer at Hofbräuhaus München

Where to stay in Munich

We spent three nights at the 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian during our first interrailing trip in 2022 and it was one of the coolest and quirkiest places I’ve ever stayed! The rooms are so uniquely decorated, the breakfast and dinner menus are utterly fantastic and it’s situated just next to Munich Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) so it’s very conveniently located.

Read more: 25hours Hotel Munich – Best Place To Stay In Munich, Germany

Read more: 3 Days In Munich Itinerary – The Ultimate Weekend Guide

Austria’s capital city, Vienna , is a must-visit on your 2 month Europe trip itinerary as it’s another city that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

The Hofburg Palace cannot be missed, especially at sunset, and the magnificent Belvedere Palace is well worth a visit, especially during the summer months when you can explore the stunning gardens as well.

The food in Vienna is also some of my favourite in Europe and while it’s not quite as cheap as the likes of Prague, Budapest and Cologne, for example, Vienna definitely needs to be on your Europe itinerary.

How to get from Munich to Vienna : The train from Munich to Vienna Centrale takes between four and four and a half hours; there is sometimes a change in Salzburg. No seat reservations are required.

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €100.70 (2nd class) and €185 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €19.90 (2nd class) and €33.90 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Munich to Venice.

Best things to do in Vienna during 2 months in Europe

• Admire the breathtaking Hofburg Palace
• Marvel at the Belvedere Palace
• Check out the Vienna Rathaus (City Hall)
• Visit the Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
• See the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History)
• Ride the Giant Ferris Wheel at Prater (amusement park)

Where to stay in Vienna

If you’re looking for somewhere super fun, quirky and incredibly conveniently located, look no further than the 25hours Hotel beim MuseumsQuartier in Vienna.

This was our second stay at a 25hours Hotel (after staying at Munich’s offering) and I really couldn’t fault it at all. The rooms are so fun and individually decorated, they have a great breakfast selection, the staff are so wonderful and it’s situated right in the heart of the Museum Quarter, so you couldn’t really ask for a better location!

Read more: 2 Days In Vienna Itinerary For First-Time Visitors

Prague (3 days) – 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

Prague has been one of my favourite cities in Europe ever since Matt and I first visited in 2018 and it’s now a place that I recommend to everyone if they’re planning a Europe trip .

It might not be quite as cheap as it once was thanks to its dramatic increase in popularity in recent years, but it’s still one of the best and cheapest cities in Europe that cannot be missed.

The Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock are must-sees while you’re in the Old Town and if you venture over the river to Prague Castle, you’ll be greeted with one of the largest castle complexes in the world.

How to get from Vienna to Prague : The direct train from Vienna Centrale to Prague Hlavni Nadrazi takes four and a half hours. No seat reservations are required.

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €78.30 (2nd class) and €125.20 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €14.30 (2nd class) and €24 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Vienna to Prague.

Best things to do in Prague on a 2 month Europe interrailing trip

• See the Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock
• Walk across the Charles Bridge
• Cruise along the Vltava River at night
• Pay your respects at the John Lennon Wall
• Take a guided tour of Prague Castle

Where to stay in Prague

We stayed at the Empirent Karlin Apartments in Prague which is probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever stayed. It’s not the cheapest accommodation in the city, but it is probably one of the most beautiful and these fully furnished apartments offer a great base for 3 days in Prague during your Europe interrailing adventure.

Read more: Empirent Karlín Residence Apartments Prague Review

Read more: 3 Days In Prague Itinerary – The Best Things To See & Do In Prague

The capital city of Germany often divides many people as some seem to love it, while others would happily never return, but after spending two days in Berlin , I can safely say that I’m in the former camp; I absolutely loved it!

The abundance of beautiful architecture throughout the city really surprised me and I was also pleasantly shocked to discover that food and drink can be remarkably cheap in some places!

Two or three days gives you enough time to see the highlights of the city, including the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin TV Tower, the Topography of Terror Museum and much more!

How to get from Prague to Berlin : The direct train from Prague Hlavni Nadrazi to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) takes four hours and 15 minutes. No seat reservations are required.

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €273.70 (2nd class) and €365.10 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €29.90 (2nd class) and €43.90 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s definitely worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Prague to Berlin.

Best things to do in Berlin on a 2 month Europe interrailing trip

• See Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall
• Go to the top of the Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) for views of the city
• Visit the  Topography of Terror Museum
• Check out the  Reichstag Building  and the  Brandenburg Gate
• Explore Museum Island
• Take a  cruise along the river
• Wander through Tiergarten

Where to stay in Berlin

We stayed at Safestay Berlin Kurfurstendamm which was the perfect place to base ourselves for three days. Our room was pretty sizeable, complete with a double bed, desk and chair and a lovely bathroom. The hotel is also conveniently located just a couple of minutes walk from a metro station, so we could easily explore the city.

Read more: 2 Days In Berlin – The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

While the journey from Berlin to Copenhagen is incredibly long, it is 100% worth doing, especially if you have the Interrail Pass as you only need to pay an additional €6 in seat reservations for some journeys, compared to the €200+ cost of buying a ticket without the pass!

Copenhagen itself is also such a beautiful city that’s famous for sights such as the Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn and Rosenborg Castle. It’s one of the more unique city breaks in Europe, but definitely one that’s worth experiencing!

How to get from Berlin to Copenhagen : The train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Copenhagen takes between eight and 13 hours depending on the time of day you travel. I’d recommend getting the earliest possible train so that you’re only travelling for eight hours. There are usually changes in Hamburg , Padborg and Fredericia. You could always spend the night in Hamburg to break up the journey as well (which is what we did). Seat reservations are recommended for most journeys, but not always required (reservations start at €6).

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €139.90 (2nd class) and €287.60 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €41.90 (2nd class) and €262.30 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Berlin to Copenhagen.

Best things to do in Copenhagen on a 2 month Europe interrailing itinerary

• See the Little Mermaid Statue
• Embark on a canal cruise from Nyhavn
• Go to the top of the oldest observatory in Europe – Rundetaarn (Round Tower)
• Enjoy all the rides at Tivoli Gardens
• Check out Freetown Christiania

Where to stay in Copenhagen

We stayed at SleepCph in Copenhagen which is such an awesome hostel/co-living/digital nomad space just outside of the city centre!

They have dorm rooms as well as private double and twin rooms available, plus multiple lounge/work areas, a giant communal kitchen, a laundry room with plenty of washing machines/driers and awesome shower/bathroom facilities.

It’s a little out of the centre, but that only made it much cheaper than some of the more central accommodation options and it was also super easy to get to and from the city centre via public transport.

Stockholm (3 days) – 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

Unfortunately, I was incredibly unwell when we spent three days in Stockholm as part of our 2 month Europe interrail itinerary, so I didn’t get to enjoy quite as many things as I would have liked.

We did, however, manage to check out the Parliament House (Riksdagshuset), the Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace), and the Vasa Museum and of course, we also indulged in a hearty portion of traditional Swedish meatballs!

How to get from Copenhagen to Stockholm : The train from Copenhagen to Stockholm Central takes approximately five and a half hours, with direct routes available. Seat reservations are required for most journeys (prices start at €9).

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €89 (2nd class) and €139 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €48 (2nd class) and €73 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Copenhagen to Stockholm.

Best things to do in Stockholm on a 2 month Europe interrailing trip

• Explore the Parliament House (Riksdagshuset)
• Pay a visit to the Vasa Museum
• See the Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace)
• Head on a local food tour to eat traditional Swedish cuisine
• Check out the Abba Museum

Where to stay in Stockholm

During our three nights in Stockholm as part of our Europe interrail itinerary, we stayed at the super cheap Stockholm Hostel .

We expected accommodation in Stockholm to be really expensive and while there certainly are many expensive hotels in the city, we loved our stay at Stockholm Hostel as it was so cheap, very comfy and very centrally located.

Oslo (3 days) – 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

The final stop on this two month Europe interrailing itinerary (should you follow this exact route!) is the Norwegian capital of Oslo .

I first visited Oslo during the winter months in 2019 and ever since, it’s been a place that I highly recommend everyone to visit. With its stunning Parliament Building, gorgeous Royal Palace and ample opportunities to take a sightseeing cruise through the many fjords, Oslo is the perfect place to conclude your 2 months in Europe!

How to get from Stockholm to Oslo : The train from Stockholm Central to Oslo S takes between six and 13 hours depending on the time of day you travel. I’d recommend getting the earliest possible train so that you’re only travelling for 6-7 hours. Direct trains are available, but there are some routes with changes in Gothenburg. Seat reservations are required for most journeys (prices start at €9).

How much does the train cost without the Interrail Global Pass (15 days within 2 months): This train costs as much as €224 (2nd class) and €249 (1st class) if booked 2 days in advance or as little as €58 (2nd class) and €86 (1st class) if booked 2 months in advance. Therefore, it’s probably worth using your Interrail Pass for the journey from Stockholm to Oslo.

Best things to do in Oslo on a 2 month Europe interrailing itinerary

• Check out the Stortinget Parliament Building
• Wander around Akershus Fortress
• Enjoy an Oslo Fjord sightseeing cruise
• See the Royal Palace & Park
• Explore the wonderful Aker Brygge area

Where to stay in Oslo

Unfortunately, the apartment that we stayed in during our 3 days in Oslo is no longer available to book, but there are plenty of excellent hotels, apartments and hostels available on Booking.com .

Read more: 3 Days In Oslo Itinerary – The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Oslo

I hope you found this ultimate 2 month Europe interrail itinerary, route and guide useful and I hope it helps you to plan an epic interrailing trip through Europe !

Related posts:

• The Best 2-Week Europe Interrailing Route
• 26+ Best European City Breaks To Take All Year Round
• 3 Days In Prague Itinerary – The Best Things To See & Do In Prague
• Interrail Budget For 6 Weeks – How Much Does Interrailing Cost?
• The Ultimate 1 Month Europe Interrail Itinerary & Route

Pin for later – 2 month Europe interrail itinerary

Are there any more cities or countries you’d add to this 2 month Europe trip itinerary? Have you ever considered using an Interrail Pass? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16 .

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Europe Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

From beautiful Paris to smoke-filled coffeeshops in Amsterdam, Oktoberfest to La Tomatina, Europe is a massive, diverse continent with an unlimited assortment of things to see and do. You won’t have any problem filling your time, whether you’re backpacking Europe for a few months on a budget or just spending a few weeks there on a well-earned vacation.

The continent boasts wonderful beaches, historical architecture, amazing wine, and tons of world-class festivals. Every country is incredibly different from the next too, providing limitless variety in what you do during your trip.

I first backpacked Europe in 2006 and was hooked immediately. I’ve been visiting every year since, have run tours around the continent, and even wrote a book on traveling in Europe . It’s a destination I love and never get tired of exploring.

This guide will give you an overview of Europe and the tips and tricks you need to start planning your trip. I’ve also written extensive travel guides to each country on the continent (linked below in this post) so you can get more in-depth information for your specific itinerary too!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Europe

Click Here for Country Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in europe.

1. Tour the Greek Islands

These islands are the mecca of summer beach fun and each is unique in its own great way. There’s Ios (beach party central with archeological ruins and awesome boat tours); Kos (ancient ruins and nature); Crete (Bronze Age ruins of Knossos, hiking, beaches, and wine), Santorini (iconic blue water, white buildings, and local wineries); Mykonos , (the upscale party island with beautiful beaches, villages, and sunsets), Naxos (best island in the Cyclades). Plus, Milos, Corfu, Lemnos, Zakynthos, and so many more! With hundreds of islands in the country, you can always find what you are looking for!

2. Ride the rails

Europe is famous for its international rail system. Rail passes like the Eurail Pass have been around forever and still make it very easy to get from country to country on a relatively small budget (and with lots of flexibility). Europe has some of the fastest trains in the world that travel up to an incredible 217 mph (350 kph). The whole continent is connected by trains and there’s a growing push for even more connections and long-distance, high-speed trains in order to reduce flying and help combat climate change. There’s nothing more quintessential than riding the trains in Europe and I encourage you to take as many trains as possible. It’s one of the best ways to see the continent.

3. Get lost in Paris

The “City of Lights” is everything people say it is. I fell in love with it the first time I stepped foot in Paris . The city is just magical. You have a ton of museums, cafes, jazz clubs, famous art, and beautiful architecture. I love just strolling around the streets of the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) or Montmartre neighborhood as it makes for a breathtaking day. Another one of my favorite things to do here is just sit in the Jardin des Champs-Élysées park and picnic like the Parisians. For something a bit different, check out the famous Catacombs and Paris Sewer Museum. With so much to offer in the way of culture, history, and gastronomy, it would take years to see everything here but you can still get a good feel of the city in a few days.

4. Go city hopping

There are so many amazing cities in Europe that we’d need a top 100 to list them all. Here are some of my personal favorites and must-see cities: London is rich in history, culture, and the famous Big Ben clock; Edinburgh is a vibrant medieval city with cozy pubs and a famous castle with a huge New Year’s Eve Party; Amsterdam has cozy coffee shops and canopied tree-covered canals; Berlin has a wild party scene, street art, and the Berlin Wall; Barcelona has tapas, beach, and unique Gaudi architecture; coastal Lisbon has colorful tiles, old tramcars, cobblestone streets and plenty of fresh seafood; Prague has a beautiful intact Old Town, incredible architecture and eclectic bars; Tallinn Estonia has beautiful medieval buildings with colorful roofs. Florence  is a mecca for Italian Renaissance architecture, art history, and gelato; Stockholm mixes medieval architecture and modern art and design. Crisscross the continent, take in the culture, and enjoy all the historic cities!

5. Hit the Alps

Whether you go skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, the Alps hold some of the most breathtaking views in all the world. You don’t even need to be an expert hiker because there are mountain trails for all levels and crystal-clear Alpine lakes. Check out the spectacular Eibsee trail loop in Bavaria at the foot of Die Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, for the clearest, multi-colored, sparkling lake you’ve ever seen. Or the Männlichen Kleine Scheidegg Panorama trail in Switzerland’s stunning green and snow-capped Alps. Or visit Italy’s Dolomites in South Tyrol for the scenic Seceda trail. The Alps have trails for every fitness level and in every season.

Other Things to See and Do in Europe

1. tour amsterdam.

I love Amsterdam so much that I lived here for a short period of time in 2006. Here cobblestone and brick streets weave around lovely canals as people ride their bikes to and fro. My favorite things to enjoy here are Amsterdam’s vibrant art and music scene and there are also a ton of interesting museums here like the Anne Frank House, FOAM, the history museum, and the hemp museum. Be sure you get out of the center into Jordaan and Oost with their wonderful outdoor cafes and fewer tourists. Also, a visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a canal cruise to visit the many islands and there are many to choose from that include snacks and drinks, sunset cruises, live guided tours, and more.

2. Hang out in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It truly could give NYC a run for the “city that never sleeps” title. Be prepared for late-night dinners and parties until dawn. Besides a great food and nightlife scene, there is a wonderful beach, tons of Gaudi architecture (including the fairytale-like Parc Güell, as well as the iconic Sagrada Familia , which has been under construction for over 100 years!), incredible food tours, one of the best history museums in the country, and lots of outdoor spaces. What I love about Barcelona is that when you’re ready to chill, you can wander around Parc de la Ciutadella and marvel at the majestic fountains, plant life, and buildings created from an ornate military fortress.

3. Visit Berlin

Hip and trendy Berlin is an energetic destination. It is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities, with a vibrant music and art scene and a growing foodie movement. Be sure to spend some time learning about the city’s darker history via the many excellent museums, memorials, and landmarks. The East Side Gallery, a section of the Berlin Wall that’s now painted with murals, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe are two especially powerful reminders of Germany’s past. For all periods of German history, don’t miss the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) – it’s one of the best history museums in the world. Once you’ve had your fill of history, relax in Berlin’s many green spaces, from Tempelhof Field, the site of a former airfield and popular local hangout spot, to Tiergarten, a tree-covered former hunting ground for 17th-century aristocrats.

4. Drink beer at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a must for anyone going to Germany at the end of September. While not a budget option since beers now cost 15 € a maß, I love the energy and friendly camaraderie this event inspires. For two weeks, millions of people from all over the world gather for lots of beer, excitement, music, and wild fun. Watching thousands of people sing together, raising quart-sized beer mugs for endless toasts, and enjoying the general party atmosphere makes you feel good about the world. (Or maybe that’s just the beer?) Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance and be prepared to pay top prices for them. If you don’t have an outfit, don’t worry, there are plenty of shops even at the main train station where you can buy a Bavarian dirndl dress and men’s lederhosen.

5. Experience London

Get a taste of English culture in diverse London . The museums here are some of the best in the world (most are free) and include the Tate, the British Museum, the City Museum, the National Gallery, the Historical Museum. There’s no shortage of iconic sights here as well, with Big Ben, the House of Parliament, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and of course, Buckingham Palace. I love London’s diversity because of the countless international eateries with great food and wonderful pub culture, perfect for after a long day seeing the sights. Head to Brick Lane on the weekends for some amazing food and craft markets. I prefer Paris to London, but there is something sophisticated and fun about London. Just watch those pints — London is not a cheap destination!

6. Get outdoors in Scandinavia

My favorite region in Europe is Scandinavia. The quality of life here is high, the people are beautiful and friendly, and the cities are clean and historic. Cycling the cities, taking canal tours, hiking the vast forested areas, archipelago hopping, enjoying fika (a Swedish coffee break), and warming up in saunas are just a few of the popular activities that await you here. True, this area of Europe is not cheap, but there are plenty of ways to reduce your expenses. Don’t let the high prices scare you away. Highlights for me include Copenhagen , Stockholm , Gotland, Norway’s fjords, and Lapland in Finland .

7. Get enchanted in Prague

Prague has an amazing history and is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities I’ve ever seen. Highlights include the 9th-century Prague Castle, the magnificent Charles Bridge (built in the 14th century and one of the oldest standing bridges in the world), the 10th-century old square with its iconic astronomical clock, and the winding Jewish Quarter. Even if you only have a few days there don’t miss the free walking tour which is one of my favorites in Europe and the best way to learn about the Old Town and the tragic history of the city that went from thriving Bohemian capital of art, music, and literature to part of the Iron Curtain after WWII. Some of my favorite gems here include the fantastic black light theater shows in 4D and the one-of-a-kind medieval dinner show in an old tavern complete with musicians and jugglers not to mention hearty food and drinks. During the weekends it heaves with people enjoying the bars, cheap beer, and delicious food so try to visit during the week (and in the spring or fall) to beat the crowds.

8. Relax on the French Riviera

Here, you can pretend to live the high life for a little bit. Have fun in the sun, relax on the beach, swim in azure blue water, hobnob with the rich and famous, and sail on (or gaze at) gigantic yachts. As for cities, Nice is nice with its palm-tree-lined promenade, old town, and many art museums. If you want to go see how the rich and famous live, spend an afternoon checking out Cannes to soak up some glamorous vibes on La Croisette where they hold the famous Cannes Film Festival. The kingdom of Monaco with its tiny streets, beautiful buildings, and world-famous casino is just a skip away too.

9. Enjoy the great outdoors in Interlaken

Located in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, Interlaken is a gorgeous place to unwind with fantastic hiking, delicious hot chocolate, and plenty of outdoor sports. The area is full of natural attractions to explore, including the St. Beatus Caves (complete with a legendary dragon), the cascading 500-meter-high (1,640 feet) Giessbach Waterfalls, the Jungfraujoch mountain railway (which leads to the highest train station on the continent), and a plethora of lakes (hence the town’s name). It’s a good alternative to all the cities and museums. Interlaken is also a popular party destination for backpackers and other young travelers. By far, my favorite scenic and visually stunning trail was the Oberberghorn panoramic hike, where you can wander the green mountain ridge ogling the amazing views and the turquoise-blue Brienzersee.

10. Experience history in Rome

In this thriving historical city, you can’t walk two feet without stumbling over a ruin, making Rome a history buff’s dream. Its tiny streets are perfect for wandering as you explore the Colosseum, see the Forum and Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon, spend time in Vatican City, admire the Spanish Steps, and toss coins into the famous Trevi Fountain. The skip-the-line tickets can definitely be worth it so you don’t waste time waiting outside attractions. Rome also has amazing food (it’s Italy, after all) and nightlife. Visit the Trastevere area for a taste of “local” Rome and chill bars. It’s my favorite area in the city because you feel like you’re in a small village in the middle of a big city.

11. Hike around the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is my favorite part of Italy. These five beautiful cliffside towns are perched near warm waters and beautiful olive and grape groves. There are wondrous and strenuous hikes in these hills; for a real challenge, take trail #8. Or just walk the coastline for something less difficult. Many activities here revolve around the coastline: kayaking, swimming, having a beach picnic or visiting the Technical Naval Museum. If you happen to be here in December or January, don’t miss the Nativity Manarola, the world’s biggest lighted nativity scene.

12. Tour Krakow

Krakow looks like it stepped out of a medieval postcard. It’s a hip, trendy, and youthful city that’s the center of education in Poland, meaning there are a lot of university students here. Most travelers come to party here (the vodka is cheap) but try to enjoy the city’s history and food besides just the bars. Walk the Royal Road through the Old Town to the 13th-century Wawel Castle, tour Schindler’s Factory (where Schindler saved over 1,200 Jews during World War II), and visit the sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. You can also take a fascinating day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 13th-century mine with cavernous chambers, statues, chapels, chandeliers, and cathedrals all carved out of salt.

13. Visit the ruin bars in Budapest

The coolest nightlife in all of Europe is found in Budapest . Built in abandoned buildings, ruin bars feature funky art installations, repurposed furniture, and quirky decor. They are amazing, fun, and great places to meet locals, as people of all ages flock here. Open since 2001, Szimpla Kert is the original ruin bar and one of my favorites, along with Instant-Fogas Complex, which takes up an entire building and is actually many different bars in one. Don’t skip the ruin bars — they’re one of the most unique things about the city!

14. Explore Cornwall

The best part of England is outside London, yet unfortunately, not a lot of travelers leave London. Head west to the area of Cornwall for cheaper prices, welcoming locals, natural beauty, great hiking, rolling hills, plenty of medieval castles, and picturesque small towns. If you like biking, the Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow is worth the trip and you even pass by a local vineyard. It’s an easy way to spend a day (and it’s pretty flat so it’s not too hard to do.) Plus, I had the best fish and chips in Cornwall! Overall, it’s what you think of as “traditional England.”

15. Walk the Camino

El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from France all the way across northern Spain. It is a 500 mile (800 km) trail that winds through incredible terrain, ending in Santiago de Compostela at the cathedral where St. James is supposedly buried. As a pilgrim, you get a “pilgrim’s passport” which allows you to stay in affordable pilgrim-only hostels, making this a surprisingly budget-friendly adventure. While it usually takes over a month to complete, you can just walk a section if you don’t have the time. To receive a “Compostela” (certificate of completion), you just need to walk the last 62 miles (100 km), which generally takes 4-5 days.

16. Throw tomatoes during La Tomatina

By far my favorite festival, the largest food fight in the world happens during the last Wednesday of August in Bunol, Spain. What started in 1945 as a local brawl has turned into a massive event drawing tens of thousands of people from all over the world. For about an hour, everyone throws tomatoes at each other, leaving streets ankle-deep in tomato juice. Afterward, everyone walks down to the river, cleans off, and then heads to the town square for sangria and music.

17. Find Dracula in Romania

Not a lot of people visit Romania but this underrated country in Eastern Europe has undiscovered yet picturesque medieval towns like Brasov (home to “Dracula’s castle”), Sighisoara, and Sibiu; gorgeous beaches on the Black Sea; and incredible hiking in the Fagaras Mountains — all at dirt-cheap prices. Other major sights include frescoed Byzantine monasteries, the steepled wooden churches of Transylvania, the hip university town Cluj-Napoca, the post-communist capital of Bucharest, and the Danube Delta, a huge nature reserve.

18. Drink whisky in Islay

Whisky has a long history on Islay , an island off Scotland’s west coast. It’s been made there since the 16th-century — first in backyards and then, starting in the 19th-century, in large distilleries. Over the years, whisky from the island came to be considered a specialty and was used to flavor a lot of other blends on the mainland. There are currently nine working distilleries on the island, all located along the island’s shores, with Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin being the most famous. Most distilleries here make single-malt Scotch, meaning that only one type of grain (barley) is used. My visit here was amazing and, even if you don’t like whisky, there are tons of good hikes and walks throughout this magnificent island.

19. Explore Iceland

Iceland is a magical country with majestic waterfalls, hidden hot springs around every corner, and sweeping vistas unlike anywhere else in the world. After my first visit, the country quickly became one of my favorite countries. With whale watching in the summer, the northern lights in the winter, and geothermal baths for soaking in year-round, there really is no bad time to visit! While Iceland’s main draw is the epic natural landscapes, it’s worth spending a couple of days in Reykjavik with its café culture, artsy feel, and brightly colored wooden row houses.

20. Sail the Croatian coast

With calm winds, short distances, a coastline littered with over 1,000 islands, and countless historical sites, Croatia is one of the world’s best sailing destinations. If you can, go during the shoulder season when you can find some great deals. Plan to stay at least a couple of days on one of the islands, with the most popular being Brac, Hvar, Krk, Cres, and Lošinj. However, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser-known islands such as Silba, Vis, and Lastovo. If you want to splash out and spend a week partying on a yacht, check out The Yacht Week, which hosts week-long parties, complete with DJs, from May-September. You can book a full boat to share with friends or just a cabin if you’re traveling solo. Prices start at 5,250 HRK per person and go up to 9,300 HRK.

21. Explore the Balkans

While the Balkans have become more popular with backpackers in recent years, it’s still largely overlooked by most budget travelers, despite being an extremely budget-friendly region. The Balkan peninsula is home to great (and again, overlooked) wine, beautiful medieval towns like Kotor and Mostar, stunning mountainous landscapes, beautiful pebble beaches, coffee culture, fresh, hearty yet inexpensive food, and museums covering the area’s history, including the most recent turbulent events of the early 1990s. I especially loved my time in Albania . Don’t miss the beautiful beaches in Ksamil, nicknamed the “Maldives of Europe’ as well as the mountain village of Gjirokastër, which was occupied by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Balkans have so much to offer for every budget and every country has its unique cultural flavor.

22. Take a wine tour in the Loire Valley

Located in central France, the picturesque Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and stretches 280 kilometers (174 miles) along the Loire River. One of the major wine-producing regions of France, the area is home to some of the best wines in the world, with over 1,000 vineyards open to the public. Even those who don’t drink wine will enjoy the beautiful small towns, great food, and the region’s over 300 impressive chateaux. I loved the medieval Chenonceau Castle and Chateau Villandry and the small villages like Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. Spring and Autumn are my favorite times to visit because you can go biking and do outdoor activities when it’s not too hot and there are fewer people. It’s an area not to be missed.

23. See Fado in Portugal

Fado is an important musical tradition in Portugal , originating in Lisbon and stretching back some 200 years. The word “fado” likely stems from the Latin word for fate, and it’s very haunting, poetic, and emotional music. Most of the songs follow themes of loss and mourning, and the music was popular with the working class (especially sailors). Performances normally take place in restaurants during dinner. In Lisbon, head to Clube de Fado, Tasca do Chico, Parreirinha de Alfama, or Senhor Vinho.

24. Tour green Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s least-visited destinations, which is mind-blowing to me because it’s an amazing place to visit. Slovenia offers all the beauty of Western Europe but at a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the crowds. Perfect for outdoor adventure lovers, Slovenia offers rugged mountains, untouched landscapes, fantastic ski resorts, plentiful wine, sprawling cave systems, incredible food, and postcard-perfect lakes, such as the famous Lake Bled with its castle on an island. I loved Piran, Slovenia’s often overlooked coastal Venetian-style harbor town that was actually founded 3000 years ago. Stroll around its beautiful windy cobble-stoned streets, beautiful plazas, and take advantage of the many affordable restaurants right on the water. Make sure to also spend a few days in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, known as one of the continent’s greenest and most livable cities. Take a river cruise to see the city and enjoy the friendliness of the locals.

  For more information on specific countries in Europe, check out the guides below:

• Albania Travel Guide
• Austria Travel Guide
• Belgium Travel Guide
• Belarus Travel Guide
• Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Guide
• Bulgaria Travel Guide
• Czechia Travel Guide
• Croatia Travel Guide
• Denmark Travel Guide
• England Travel Guide
• Estonia Travel Guide
• Finland Travel Guide
• France Travel Guide
• Germany Travel Guide
• Greece Travel Guide
• Hungary Travel Guide
• Iceland Travel Guide
• Ireland Travel Guide
• Italy Travel Guide
• Latvia Travel Guide
• Lithuania Travel Guide
• Malta Travel Guide
• Moldova Travel Guide
• Montenegro Travel Guide
• Netherlands Travel Guide
• Norway Travel Guide
• Portugal Travel Guide
• Poland Travel Guide
• Romania Travel Guide
• Scotland Travel Guide
• Slovakia Travel Guide
• Slovenia Travel Guide
• Spain Travel Guide
• Sweden Travel Guide
• Switzerland Travel Guide
• Ukraine Travel Guide

Europe Travel Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation prices vary greatly by region. In Western Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 25-45 EUR per night, depending on the room’s size and the popularity of the hostel. I stayed in a 6-bed dorm in Berlin for 20 EUR, while the same one would have cost me around 45 EUR in Paris. A room in Paris costs on the higher end and a room in cheaper Athens costs on the lower end.

In Eastern Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 10-15 EUR per night depending on the size of the dorm room and the popularity of the hostel. The further east you go, the cheaper it gets. Expect to pay around 30-60 EUR per night for a private room that sleeps two.

In Scandinavia, hostel dorm beds cost around 25-45 EUR, while private rooms are 65-80 EUR. Budget hotels start around 85 EUR.

Most accommodations offer free linens, free Wi-Fi, and a lot offer free breakfast, but it’s important to check specific websites for exact amenities.

Campsites cost between 10-15 EUR per night for a basic plot for two without electricity.

Food – Food traditions in Europe run deep, stretching back centuries to become integral parts of each country’s culture. From baguettes in France to tapas in Spain, from hearty Eastern European stews and goulash to the fresh vegetables and olive oils of the Mediterranean, European cuisine varies as much as the countries themselves. Food prices differ greatly across the continent, so check individual country guides for specifics.

But no matter where you are, even in the more expensive countries, finding places to eat within your budget is easier than you might think. Throughout Western Europe, you can find small shops, street food stalls, or food trucks where you can get sandwiches, gyros, kebabs, slices of pizza, or sausages for between 3-7 EUR. These shops are most often found in train stations, bus stations, and main pedestrian areas, and offer cheap food alternatives that can have you eating on 12-17 EUR per day. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 7-10 EUR for a combo meal.

Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese eateries abound in Germany, while Indian food is incredible and everywhere in the United Kingdom. Meals at these restaurants usually cost between 8-12 EUR.

Restaurant meals in casual, traditional eateries generally cost around 13-25 EUR for a main dish and drink. Food is much cheaper in the east than in the west, and in the west, northern regions like Scandinavia and the UK are more expensive than southern countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

In Eastern Europe, even if you are eating out for all your meals, you can still get by on a food budget of as little as 15 EUR per day.

For drinks, a pint of beer is 2-5 EUR, a glass of wine is 2-7 EUR, a cappuccino is 2-5 EUR, and cocktails range from 6-14 EUR.

If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two-course or three-course set menu). Restaurants offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between 10-20 EUR, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu. You can also get affordable lunches at outdoor markets. So many European cities have huge fresh food markets throughout town.

You can cook your own food for around 45-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, bread, and some meat. You can save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, Aldi, and Penny Market.

If you want to save big money on meals, head to one of the markets, pick up some cheese, wine, bread, meats, or anything else, and go to the park for a picnic. (Or grab a sandwich for later!) You’ll find the locals doing the same thing, and it’s one of the cheaper ways to get a true taste of local food.

Backpacking Europe Suggested Budgets

Prices for travel in Europe vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south, or west you travel. If you stick to the budget accommodations, food, and tours listed here and use all my tips on saving money, you need about 65-110 EUR per day in Western Europe, 40-50 EUR in Eastern Europe, and about 85-130 EUR in Scandinavia.

Those numbers reflect a traveler who stays in hostels, cooks some meals and eats out cheaply, enjoys a few drinks, and sticks to free and cheap activities like hiking, walking tours, and enjoying nature. This is your typical backpacker budget. You aren’t going to have a fancy time, but you aren’t going to want for anything either.

However, by getting tourist cards and rail passes, avoiding flights, occasionally Couchsurfing or camping, cooking all your meals, and not drinking, you can travel a lot cheaper. On this budget, you could do Western Europe on 35-45 EUR per day, Eastern Europe on 20-25 EUR, and Scandinavia on 50-65 EUR. That would require you to take a train or a bus or hitchhike everywhere, skip most museums, and limit how often you go out.

Generally, the suggested daily budget for Europe is 80-120 EUR. You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Europe Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Individual country guides have more specific information on how to save money in them but here are some general tips on cutting your costs while you explore Europe:

• Picnic – This continent has a lot of little shops where you can buy pre-made sandwiches or ingredients to make your own. Many supermarkets have delis as well where you can get food to go. Buy some food, eat outside, and watch the city and its people go by. It’s a much more enjoyable and cheaper way to eat.
• Eat local and cheap – Not into picnicking? Eat at local sandwich shops, pizza parlors, Maoz, Wok to Walks, and outdoor street vendors. Avoiding restaurants and eating at a lot of the local “grab n’ go” places gives you a taste of the local cuisine at a much cheaper price. If you’re really on a budget, use your creative cooking skills to prepare meals at the hostel as well.
• Stay with a local – Hostels can add up really quickly. If you don’t have any friends with whom you can stay, consider using Couchsurfing , which connects you with locals who let you stay with them for free. Plus, they tend to also have meetups to meet other locals and travelers. It’s a great way to save on accommodation and meet a local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Camp in a garden – A very good camping service specific to Europe is Campspace , which allows you to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard for free or for a small fee (around 10-20 EUR). All of the garden owners have profiles that tell you what services and facilities they offer. Also, many countries allow wild camping (like Sweden), which can save you a fortune if you have a tent.
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the continent for cheap. I personally feel it’s best for day travel as sitting up for an overnight bus isn’t really ideal for sleeping. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 5 EUR, you really can’t complain!
• Get a Rail Pass – Eurail Passes have saved me hundreds of dollars. If you are traveling far distances and through many countries, they are a great deal.
• Take the free city tours – One of the great things about Europe is that you can find free walking tours in all the major cities. They can be a great way to see the city attractions, take in some history, and learn your bearings without spending any money. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Plan accordingly – Plan your trip around Europe so you avoid doubling back. Transportation is a big expense so proper planning can save you a lot of money (and time). Go in a straight line or a loop. Booking your accommodation ahead helps you save as well since cheap, good places unsurprisingly get reserved first. One thing I’ve learned is that waiting until the last minute means you get stuck with expensive places or cheap places no one wants.
• Fly cheap – If you know where you are going and a train won’t do, try to book flights early. You can often get round trip fares for as little as 5 EUR from many of the European discount airlines like Ryanair or Wizz. Many capital cities have smaller airports farther from the city with ‘inconvenient’ times but cheaper fares. Keep in mind you might need to factor in an early morning Uber or taxi if the busses aren’t running and you have an early flight!
• Drink less – Those 5 EUR beers add up. Hit happy hours or pick and choose when you party. Hostel bars are a good place to get cheap drinks or buy your alcohol at the supermarket. Plus, in Europe, it’s legal to drink outside in parks, plazas, by the lakes or rivers. You’ll find you can save a lot of money by not going to bars and clubs. Partying your way across the continent will destroy your bank balance in no time.
• Get a city tourist card – Many local tourism offices sell a tourism card for all their attractions, tours, and restaurants. This card gives you free entry and substantial discounts on all the attractions and tours in a city, free local public transportation (a huge plus), and discounts at a few restaurants and shopping malls. They save a ton of money. If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, get one of these cards.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities (or countries) by paying a small fee. It’s like Airbnb but for rides. I used this service in Switzerland and, not only did I save a lot of money, but I got to meet interesting people and learn about local culture and life. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe, though sometimes rides cancel at the last minute (which is why you need to be flexible). Check their ratings first and try to use rides where the person has done many trips.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water is safe to drink in most of Europe, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Get a HostelPass – HostelPass is a discount membership for hostels in Europe. Members get 10-20% off select hostels around Europe, as well as perks like free breakfast or free drinks. There are discounts on tours and activities too. It’s a great way to save money if you’re bouncing around Europe as they have hostels in 18 countries around the continent.

Where to Stay in Europe

Europe has a ton of budget accommodation options. The individual country and city guides have tons of recommendations but here’s a short list of some of my favorite budget hostels and hotels around Europe:

• The Flying Pig (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
• Hotel 54 (Barcelona, Spain)
• Generator Hostel (Copenhagen, Denmark)
• Harcourt Hotel (Dublin, Ireland)
• Castle Rock (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Ios Palm Pansion (Ios, Greece)
• Greg and Tom’s Party Hostel (Krakow, Poland)
• Largo da Sé Guest House (Lisbon, Portugal)
• Sophie’s Hostel (Prague, Czech Republic)
• The Yellow (Rome, Italy)
• City Backpackers (Stockholm, Sweden)

How to Get Around Europe

Public transportation – Transportation around most European cities is by tram, subway, or bus. Prices are typically around 2 EUR for a one-way ticket in Western Europe and closer to 1 EUR in Eastern Europe. Most large cities also have day passes available that offer unlimited public transportation. These passes are usually 5-12 EUR per day.

In large cities with international airports, there is usually a bus or train available that ferries travelers from the downtown core to the airport. Expect to pay around 5-15 EUR to get to/from the airport.

Bus – Buses are not quite as comfortable as Europe’s trains, although certain lines do have great amenities (like roomy seats and Wi-Fi). While buses are not the most efficient way to travel around the continent, they’re certainly dependable, reliable, and cheap. You can find last-minute rides for as little as 5 EUR. A route from Berlin to Munich is about 25 EUR, while Paris to Bordeaux can be as low as 10 EUR. Longer routes, like Amsterdam to Copenhagen, start at around 47 EUR.

Each country has its own national bus service, but some lines also take you long distances internationally. Megabus and Flixbus (which now owns Eurolines) are the most popular companies.

Train – Train travel is a great way to see Europe. Intercity train prices vary wildly from country to country, depending on whether you take the slow train or a high-speed train and how far in advance you book. For example, a high-speed train from Berlin to Munich costs around 38-60 EUR, Bordeaux to Paris is about 50-85 EUR, and Madrid to Barcelona ranges from 45-85 EUR. Non-high-speed trains and other intercity lines are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 40-50% of the price of high-speed trains. Eastern Europe inter-country trains usually cost between 45-100 EUR when the ticket is booked last minute. Short train rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 27 EUR.

To find routes and prices for trains around Europe, use Trainline .

You may also want to consider getting a Eurail Pass , which allows travelers to explore Europe by providing a set number of stops in a specific time period. These passes are continent-wide, country-specific, or regional. It can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Ridesharing/Car sharing – If your schedule is flexible, use a ridesharing service and catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe. BlaBlaCar is the most popular.

If you’d rather rent a car yourself and find passengers to share a ride with, use Discover Cars to find the best car rental prices.

Flying – Budget airlines are so prolific that competition helps keep fares low. You can often find tickets where the fare is just 5 EUR round-trip! Companies like EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz, and Vueling offer mind-blowingly cheap flights throughout Europe. Book at least a month early to scoop up great deals.

Make sure that the airport they fly into isn’t too far out of your way (transportation from the secondary airport sometimes negates the savings from using the budget airline itself).

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights. It costs about 25-39 EUR for one checked bag. If you wait to pay for your luggage at the gate, you end up paying almost double. Travel carry-on only to avoid this added cost.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Europe is very safe, but it’s not for everyone. Hitching is quite common around the continent and I’ve met a number of travelers who have done it (I, myself, traveled this way in Bulgaria and Iceland). Some countries are very supportive (Romania, Iceland, Germany) while others may be a bit more time-consuming (Italy, Spain). HitchWiki is the best website for hitchhiking info.

Here are my suggested articles for how to get around Europe:

• 7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe
• Are Eurail Passes a Giant Scam or Do They Save You Money?
• The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Flights

When to Go to Europe

There’s no wrong time to visit Europe. Peak season is summer, when Europe gets crowded and August is the time most European families are at the beach so everything becomes more crowded and expensive. But the overall atmosphere and weather are great during this time, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season (just book your accommodation in advance — especially in August). Keep in mind it’s much hotter in summer so if you like AC, be sure to check that your hostel or hotel has it before you book. You can expect the most crowds in Western Europe. For this reason, I feel summer is a great time to visit the Balkans and the Baltics because many people head to the beaches in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

Shoulder season is spring and fall (April-May and September-October). It’s still warm during this time but there aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper. This is my favorite time to visit hotspot places like Spain, Croatia and Greece, where it’s still hot enough to swim in the sea but you have way more room on the beach. It’s also a good time to go hiking in the Alps in Germany, northern Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland because it’s cooler during the day so you’re much less sweaty on the mountain without shade. The weather is good, the crowds are smaller, and the prices lower.

Winter is from November to February but in much of Central Europe, it’s wet and cold until March or April. It gets cold, even as far south as it gets (like Greece). On the other hand, the Christmas season has Christmas markets and festivals galore! Even if it’s cold, this is a cultural tradition you can’t miss and why I love Europe in December. There is hot mulled wine, sweets, and plenty of hot snacks, which vary by country. One of my favorites is Prague because the Old Town Square is lit up with a gigantic tree with aromas of crispy cinnamon pastries and mulled wine. Berlin takes their Christmas markets very seriously, so there are around 80 different markets with special themes.

Winter is fantastic in Europe for skiing and snowboarding but it doesn’t have to break the bank if you plan carefully. While Switzerland and France are probably the most famous, they are also expensive, but there are plenty of budget winter options.

How to Stay Safe in Europe

Europe is very safe for backpacking and solo traveling, even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent crimes against tourists are very rare. In fact, some of the safest countries in the world are in Europe. (I wrote a whole article about how Europe is safe to visit right now .)

That said, there are scams and petty crimes you should watch out for, especially around popular tourist landmarks. The most important thing to be aware of is pickpockets in crowds and on public transportation. Zip your bags and don’t put your mobile phone in a jacket pocket where someone could quickly take it. This should be obvious but don’t flash your money to let everyone know you have a huge wad of cash.

When choosing a hostel, look for ones with lockers. It’s always a good idea to carry around a padlock or combination lock. Most hostels are safe and travelers respect each other and I’ve rarely seen things happen to people’s valuables. Nevertheless, I always think that prevention is better.

As anywhere, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). When at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink. Avoid walking home alone at night if you’re intoxicated.

For female travelers in particular, it’s always a good idea to have a bit of extra money on you just in case you need to take an Uber or taxi back by yourself so you don’t take unnecessary risks to save money. If you’re using apps to date people while traveling, please use common sense and meet in public places. Since I’m not a female traveler, please check out the numerous female bloggers who have first hand knowledge of this.

If you’re worried about scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Be aware that the UK drives on the left and that most rental cars in Europe will have manual transmissions unless you request otherwise.

When hiking, always bring water, sunscreen, and bandaids or foot plasters. There is nothing worse than being halfway up the mountain with a blister and nothing you can do about it!

Likewise, when at the coast, don’t forget not only to wear sunscreen! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people get burnt to a crisp the first day. Be sure to check the weather before you depart and dress accordingly.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary to loved ones so they know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Europe Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go. Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

Europe Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Europe travel and continue planning your trip:

The 7 Best Hotels in London

10 Scotland Road Trip Tips You Need to Know Before You Go

The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

The Ultimate Packing List for Europe: Summer Edition

Beautiful beaches, fashionable cities, epic national parks, blooming flowers: there’s a lot to love about summer in Europe, but when it comes to planning a packing list for Europe, summer weather can make things a little difficult!

The good news? No bulky coats required.

The bad news? Scorching weather, multiple countries with different standards of dress, and an itinerary that likely combines outdoor highlights (beaches, boat rides, chasing waterfalls) with city lights (cooling off in museums, eating gelato on the streets every afternoon) can mean that a summer packing list for Europe can be a bit tricky to put together.

After years spent traveling through Europe in all seasons, we’ve become quite accustomed to packing our belongings up over and over again.

We’ve pulled together years’ worth of travel knowledge to create this packing list for Europe: summer travel is bound to be even more relaxing with these tips!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Table of Contents

The Absolute Essentials for Visiting Europe in Summer

Travel gear you should definitely pack for summer in europe, packing list for europe: summer wardrobe for women, packing list for europe: summer wardrobe for men, other travel gear for your packing list for europe in summer.

Passport — If you’re traveling internationally, your passport is an absolute must: there’s no point in packing for Europe in summer without it!

Travel Insurance — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and an epic summer trip to Europe is definitely a case of better safe than sorry. We use and recommend Safety Wing for trips to Europe.

Visa (If Needed)  — Though 26 countries in Europe are part of the Schengen Zone that allows many nationalities (including US citizens, Canadians, and Australians) to enter and travel freely between their countries for 90 days for tourism, that still leaves around half of Europe’s countries that are  not  part of this agreement.

Regardless of where you are from, always double-check entrance requirements before showing up at the airport to fly to any European country (or any country at all that isn’t your own, for that matter).

Money — We recommend bringing two credit cards (one to use, and one to keep as a backup), and two debit cards. Ideally, bring cards with no foreign transaction fees. We’ve never felt it necessary to obtain currency before arriving (we just withdraw from an ATM when we get there), but you can purchase most currencies in your home country if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Keep in mind that not all countries in Europe are on the Euro, so be sure to double-check what currency you’ll need based on your itinerary!

International Driving Permit — If you are visiting Europe from outside the EU and plan to rent a car, you may need an International Driving Permit to do so! Italy in particular is well-known for enforcing this requirement. Be sure to check the rental requirements in any country that you plan to drive in before you arrive!

Camera — We recently upgraded to our Sony a7R III and absolutely adore it, but whatever camera you’re comfortable with works–just make sure you have something with you to preserve your memories! 

Comfortable Day Bag  — We currently use  Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack  and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable. Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized–we used a  Northface Jester backpack  for years and loved it as well.

Sunglasses — You’ll be glad you put these on your summer packing list for Europe–though of course, if you forget them (or lose them during your trip like I’ve definitely done more than once), it’s extremely easy to pick up a pair while traveling just about anywhere else in Europe.

Student ID — If you’re a student, you’ll be entitled to lots of discounts on museums and attractions throughout Europe. Be sure to add it to your packing list for Europe.

Cell Phone — We spent more than a year traveling without working cell phones, just relying on wifi… and while that’s completely fine, we would never go back.

Consider purchasing an international plan for your cell phone (most carriers offer them), or, if you have an unlocked phone, you can just by a local SIM card once you land in Europe.

While you’ll likely want to structure your wardrobe for your packing list for Europe in summer slightly differently based on where exactly you’re going (for example, you’ll want to dress up a bit more on a city tour through Italy than on a sailing trip through Greece), if you’re looking for an all-purpose summer wardrobe that will sustain you through multiple European destinations, these suggestions are for you!

As full-time travelers for nearly 4 years, we are extremely well accustomed to living out of a backpack as we traipse around Europe, and these suggestions reflect my personal favorite things to wear in Europe during the summer.

I love wearing dresses in Europe in the summer! They’re easy to pack, easy to wear, look great just about anywhere you go, and manage to look pulled together while only requiring one piece of clothing. 

Dresses like this and this are generally what you’ll find me in when traveling through Europe in the summer. Be sure to bring at least one or two maxi dresses ( I love this one , for example), which fulfill the double purpose of being extremely photogenic and also allowing you to visit religious sites like churches and mosques without issue.

Rompers like this can also be a fun option if you want an all-in-one outfit that isn’t quite a dress, and so can two-piece outfits (I personally love the lemon pattern on this one , it makes me think of the Amalfi Coast!).

Bright, colorful tops are perfect for beach destinations in Europe–I love choices like this and this , and if crop tops are your style, options like this are a popular choice around the beach.

Ever heard that Europeans don’t wear shorts? In Milan or Paris, fair enough. But in Dubrovnik or Mykonos? Go for it! Beach destinations are the perfect place to break out jean shorts like these from my current favorite denim company.

In the city, skirts like this are a great idea, and light midi skirts also look beautiful. 

Bathing Suits

Depending on how many beach destinations you’re planning to visit, I’d pack 2-3 bathing suits for visiting Europe in the summer. I love choices like this and this . If you’re planning on trying out any active water activities like snorkeling or scuba diving, consider packing at least one one-piece suit , too.

The absolute most important rule when determining what shoes to put on your packing list for Europe this summer is making sure that they’re comfortable to walk in! I’ve been wearing these shoes in Europe during the summer lately and love them. Boat shoes are also a great option, and Converse are popular with backpackers and travelers along the tourist trail.

Summer in Europe can be scorching–but the air conditioning blasting inside museums, hotels, trains, and buses, will make you quickly forget it! I recommend putting one light jacket on your summer packing list for Europe for those moments! I normally pack something like this and am very comfortable.

Accessories

Sunglasses and a sunhat are musts for traveling in Europe during the summer! You can either purchase ahead of time or plan on picking them up as souvenirs–both are sold on just about every corner in Europe during the summer travel season!

T-shirts are a staple of the men’s traveling wardrobe in Europe, but opt for brightly colored new ones if you can! Shirts like this that have a bit more detail work as well. If they’re your style, light, casual button-up shirts are also an option.

During the scorching summer, you’ll find men wearing shorts similar to these just about everywhere in Europe–especially the tourists. Forgo them in favor of chinos  when visiting religious sites that have a strict dress code and in more formal cities like Paris if you can stand it, but on the coast, your shorts certainly won’t stand out.

Jeremy tends to opt for light, casual shoes like these during summer in Europe–whatever you pack, just make sure that they’re well broken in and easy to walk in for hours before adding them onto your summer packing list for Europe!

Bathing Suit

If you’re planning on hitting the beach in Europe this summer, make sure to bring one or two bathing suits along with you. Suits like this work perfectly.

Summer in Europe can be scorching–but the air conditioning blasting inside museums, hotels, trains, and buses, will make you quickly forget it! I recommend putting one light jacket on your summer packing list for Europe for those moments! Jeremy tends to pack this jacket for Europe in the summer (and most other seasons as well) and loves it.

Sunglasses and a hat are musts for traveling in Europe during the summer! You can either purchase ahead of time or plan on picking them up as souvenirs–both are sold on just about every corner in Europe during the summer travel season!

I use them on all boats and the occasional bus, and if things get really bad, take some Non-Drowsy Dramamine as well.

Trust me–you don’t want to miss out on the joys of boating around the Mediterranean due to seasickness!

Basic Medication  — Some people prefer to buy medication for basic headaches, fevers, and stomach aches as needed, but who wants to deal with language barriers when they’re sick? We’ve never regretted packing our own basic meds.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

2 thoughts on “The Ultimate Packing List for Europe: Summer Edition”

I enjoyed reading your recommendations for traveling to Europe. I’m planning a family trip to Europe for about 7-10 days and I’d like to ask, since you have extensive travel experience across Europe, which would be the best countries/cities to visit as a first time tourists. I would appreciate your help and input. Happy and safe travels.

That’s a very hard question–a bit like “how long is a piece of string?”. Where to go in Europe depends so much on your interests, timeline, budget, where you’re traveling from, etc.

We go over several popular first-time-in-Europe itinerary ideas in this post that might give you an idea what to expect: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/2-week-europe-itinerary-trip/

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A community itinerary from Heather

As you get ready to travel again you may be wondering where a Eurail Global Pass can take you... The answer is, wherever you choose! Every trip follows a unique itinerary , so some of the best sources of inspiration are the maps and photos sent in by Eurail travelers like you.

This itinerary was sent to us by Heather , who traveled from Finland to  17 countries last summer! Her photos from 10 of those countries showcase some of Europe's biggest attractions.  We've also added some travel tips to send you on your way.

Heather's itinerary

''At this uncertain time I thought I’d share the highlights from my amazing 2-month-long trip around Europe last summer with Eurail... we did 17 different countries on the 2 month Global Pass and it was the best experience of my life ❤️.'' - Heather

A historic trading town that forms the rail gateway to Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia. Its most known attraction also happens to be a gate -  the red-brick  Holstentor  city gate (pictured above).

Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin

A 2h 40m journey, including a stop in Hamburg, will bring you to Germany's capital, Berlin. You'll want to stay in the city as long as you can, to discover its history, landmarks and nightlife.

Travel time:

Reservation needed:

Berlin, Germany

Berlin Südkreuz

Reservation optional

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Hlavni Nadrazi

2. Czech Republic

Prague's incredible skyline can be a lot to take in. Thankfully it has enough high places to see it all from different angles. Try Letna Hill  to see the Vltava River and its many bridges;  Petrín Tower  to view the old center and castle complex; or the Klementinum  for a view like this, amongst the orange rooftops.

Linz, Austria

Salzburg, austria.

Salzburg Hbf

There's no direct route from Prague to Salzburg, so why not stop off in some of central Europe's smaller cities... Discover characterful Český Krumlov in Bohemia, or Austria's thrid-largest city Linz, all before you enjoy Mozart's birthplace .

2 hours 30 minutes from Salzburg (via Attnang-Puchheim) is a view that is definitely worth the journey! Hallstatt is the most magical town of the Upper Austria lake district.

Hallstatt, Austria

Vienna, austria, bratislava, slovakia.

Bratislava-Petrzalka

4. Slovakia

Bratislava Castle, Bratislava

You may want to break your journey in Austria's capital, Vienna, as you head east to the capital of Slovakia. Picturesque Bratislava has a lively historic center and a grand castle (pictured above) overlooking both the city and the Danube river.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest

A journey of 3h 47m via Vienna will drop you into Budapest without needing to make reservations. Once there you can enjoy the Széchenyi thermal baths or a cruise on the Danube.

6. Slovenia

Bled Castle, Lake Bled

An overnight journey, taking the daily EuroNight from Vienna at 1:40am, will bring you to Slovenia's most-famous spot in time for a lakeside sunrise. Lake Bled, with its iconic island and castle, is a perfect backdrop for outdoor summer activities, including swimming, hiking and SUP-ing.

A once daily night train, leaving Bled at 12:36am, will take you to Italy via Austria.

Bled, Slovenia

Reservation required

Villach, Austria

Villach Hbf

Venice, Italy

Venezia S. Lucia

The famous city of canals is built across more than 100 small islands.

Colosseum, Rome

A 3h 48m direct train from Venice (with reservation) will bring you to the geographic, political and cultural center of Italy.

Just under 3 hours from Rome is the famous Leaning Tower. It's just a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is a stretch of five historic seaside villages along the Ligurian coastline:  Riomaggiore, Manarola, Monterosso, Vernazza and Corniglia . A Eurail Pass is perfect for exploring them... Arrive at La Spezia central station (about an hour from Pisa), then take the Cinque Terre train . It connects each of the 5 villages and is covered by the Eurail Pass!

La Spezia, Italy

La Spezia Centrale

Genova, Italy

Genova Brignole

Ventimiglia, Italy

Ventimiglia

Monaco Monte Carlo

The Japanese Garden, Monte Carlo

The tiny but wealthy principality of Monaco may not be included in our list of 33 Eurail Pass countries, but a Pass is still valid for travel there! Stop off for sun, sea and luxury.

Sagrada Família, Barcelona

To avoid a long journey, it's best to stop off in one of the seaside towns of the southern coastline of France. Then take a direct train from Nîmes (France) to Barcelona in 3h 40m (reservation required). In the capital of Catalonia, you can enjoy Gaudí's fantastical architecture and relax at La Rambla or the beach.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona-Sants

Madrid, Spain

Madrid-Puerta De Atocha

Transfer between stations in Madrid, then take the Renfe Trenhotel night train to Lisbon. It leaves at 21:50 daily and arrives in Lisbon at 7:20. You must reserve a seat or sleeper cabin in advance.

Madrid Chamartin

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon Oriente

10. Portugal

Our snapshot of Heather's 2 month itinerary concludes at the Atlantic coast in Ericeira, considered the surfing capital of Europe. It lies outside of Portugal's rail network, but can be reached in an hour by bus from Lisbon.

Join our community to keep up-to-date with even more itineraries, tips and Q&As from travelers just like you.

For more itinerary inspiration you can find routes of all sizes, ranging from 2-months across Europe to in-depth single country tours, on our suggested itineraries page.

To follow Heather's itinerary, or to add even more countries, then there is only one Pass for you - the Eurail Global Pass, with access to the rail networks of 33 countries in Europe.

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Let’s assume you have two months, plenty of energy, and a desire to see as much of Europe as is reasonable. Fly into London — a manageable, English-speaking starting point — and travel around Europe with a 2-month Eurailpass. Budgeting for a $900 round-trip ticket to London, around $1,300 for a two-month first-class Eurailpass, and $100 a day for room, board, and sightseeing, the entire trip will cost about $8,200. You can do it for less by staying at hostels, making the most of picnics, and traveling by bus or second-class trains.

If I were planning my first European trip and wanted to see as much as I comfortably could in two months (and I had the experience I now have to help me plan), this is the trip I’d take.

London and Sidetrips (5 days)

London is Europe’s great entertainer; it’s wonderfully historic. Get your bearings on a "hop-on, hop-off" orientation bus tour from the park in front of Victoria Station. Give the London Eye Ferris Wheel a spin and tour the spiffed-up British Museum. Every day will be busy and each night filled with a pub and a play.

Spend your remaining time in the English countryside: Bath, the Cotswolds, York, and the university city of Cambridge. But the Continent beckons. Paris is only three hours away by Eurostar train (15 trains per day).

Paris (3 days)

Ascend the Eiffel Tower to survey a Paris studded with architectural gems and historical one-of-a-kinds. Take a walk around Paris’ biggies. From the Latin Quarter, head to Notre Dame, the deportation monument to Nazi victims, and Sainte-Chapelle. Take the Pont-Neuf bridge over to the Samaritaine department store for a self-serve lunch and a great rooftop view. Stroll through the Tuileries Gardens and up the Champs-Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Be sure to experience the Louvre, Orsay Museum (Impressionism), the Rodin Museum, Napoleon’s Tomb, a jazz club, and Latin Quarter nightlife. Spend an evening on Montmartre soaking in the spiritual waters of the Sacré-Coeur and browsing among the tacky shops and artists of the Place du Tertre.

Take a sidetrip to Europe’s greatest palace, Louis XIV’s Versailles, or hartres with its great Gothic cathedral. Start your Eurail-pass when you leave Paris (it doesn’t work in Great Britain). Take the overnight train to Madrid (14 hours), or take a detour: Loire Valley (2 days). On the way to Spain, explore the dreamy châteaux of France’s Loire Valley. Make Amboise your headquarters. Consider an all-day bus tour of the châteaux.

Spain and Portugal (12 days)

Madrid (2 days)

On arrival, reserve your train out. Reservations on long trains are required in Spain (and Norway), even with a Eurailpass. Take a taxi or the subway to Puerto del Sol to find a central hotel. Bullfights (in summer), shopping, and museums will fill your sunny days. Madrid’s three essential sights are the Prado Museum (Goya, El Greco, Velázquez, Bosch), Reina Sofia (Guernica), and the Royal Palace (one of Europe’s most lavish interiors).

From Madrid, side-trip to Toledo (60 minutes by train, bus, or shared taxi). Save a day for this perfectly preserved historic capital, home of El Greco and his masterpieces. Back in Madrid, take the night train to Lisbon (about 10 hours).

Lisbon (2 days)

Portugal’s friendly capital, can keep a visitor busy for many days. Its highlight is the Alfama. This salty old sailors’ quarter is a photographer’s delight. You’ll feel rich here in Europe’s bargain basement. Side-trip to Sintra for its eclectic Pena Palace and mysterious ruined Moorish castle. Circle south for a 2-day stop on Portugal’s south coast, the Algarve (train to Lagos, about 6 hours). Settle down in Salema, the best beach village on the south coast of Portugal. Cross into Andalucía for flamenco, hill towns, and Sevilla.

Sevilla and Andalucía (3 days)

After strolling the paseo of Sevilla, the city of flamenco, head for the hills and explore Andalucía’s Route of the Whitewashed Hill Towns. Arcos de la Frontera is a good home base. Ride the speedy AVE train back to Madrid. Fly or catch the night train to Barcelona (2 days). Spend a couple of days touring the Picasso Museum, relaxing, shopping, and exploring the Gothic Quarter. Then catch a night train to Arles, France (about 11 hours).

Provence (2 days)

Your best home base for Provence is Arles. Ramble among Roman ruins in Arles (amphitheater) and Nîmes (Pont du Gard bridge). Tour the Papal Palace in Avignon.

Most of the Riviera is crowded, expensive, and stressful. But if you’re set on a Riviera beach, Nice is where the jet set lies on rocks. Tour Nice’s great Chagall Museum and kick back on the coast.

Next, dive into Italy.

Italy (12 days)

Cinque Terre (2 days)

You will find pure Italy in the Cinque Terre — five sleepy, traffic-free little coastal villages between Genoa and Pisa.

Florence (1 day)

Europe’s Renaissance art capital, is packed in the summer but worth the headaches.

Hill Towns of Tuscany and Umbria (2 days) are where dreams of Italy are fulfilled. Visit Siena and Civita di Bagnoregio (near Orvieto).

Rome (3 days)

Devote your first day to Classical Rome: Tour the Colosseum, Forum, Capitol Hill (and its museum), and Pantheon. Linger away the evening at Piazza Navona. Tartufo ice cream is mandatory. For your second day, visit Vatican City and St. Peter’s (climb the dome), and tour the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. Spend your third morning at Ostia Antica, ancient Rome’s seaport (like Pompeii, but just a subway ride away from Rome). In downtown Rome, visit Piazza Barberini for its Bernini fountain and Cappuccin crypt (thousands of bones in the first church up Via Veneto). Have dinner on atmospheric Campo dei Fiori. Explore the Trastevere neighborhood, where yesterday’s Rome lives out a nostalgic retirement.

Then take a train to Venice (about 7 hours, night trains sometimes available).

Venice (2 days)

Grab a front seat on boat #82 for an introductory tour down the Grand Canal. The Accademia Gallery showcases the best Venetian art. Tour the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s, and catch the view from the Campanile bell tower. Then wander, leave the tourists, and get as lost as possible. Remember, you're on an island and you can't fall off. Catch the night train to Vienna (about 8 hours).

Vienna (2 days)

Savor the Old World elegance of Hapsburg Vienna, Paris’ eastern rival. This grand capital of the mighty Hapsburg Empire is rich in art history, Old World charm, and elegance. Side-trip east for a look at Prague.

Prague (2 days)

Wander the lively streets of Prague, a magnificently preserved city just five hours from Vienna by train.

Salzburg (1 day)

Mozart’s gone, but you’ll find his chocolate balls everywhere. Baroque Salzburg, with its music festival and Sound of Music delights, is touristy in a way most love.

Tirol and Bavaria (2 days)

Tour "Mad" King Ludwig’s fairy-tale castle at Neuschwanstein and Bavaria’s heavenly Wies Church. Visit the Tirolean town of Reutte and its forgotten — unforgettable — hill-crowning, ruined castles.

Switzerland (3 days)

For the best of the Swiss Alps, establish a home base in rugged Berner Oberland, south of Interlaken. The traffic-free and quiet village of Gimmelwald in Lauterbrunnen Valley is everything an Alp-lover could possibly want. Switzerland’s best big city is Bern and best small town is Murten. Europe’s most scenic train ride is across southern Switzerland from Chur to Martigny.

Germany (7 days)

Munich (2 days)

The capital of Bavaria, has a great palace, museums, the world’s best street singers, and beer halls with huge mugs of brew, bigger pretzels, and even bigger beer maids! The Hofbräuhaus is the most famous (near Marienplatz in the old town center).

The Romantic Road bus tour (1 day) is a handy way to get from Munich to Frankfurt. Roll through the heart of medieval Germany, stopping for visits at Dinkelsbühl and the always-popular queen of quaint German towns, Rothenburg. Consider an overnight stop or head straight to the Rhine.

Rhine/Mosel River Valleys and Köln (2 days)

Take a Rhine cruise from Bingen to Koblenz to enjoy a parade of old castles. The best hour of the cruise is from Bacharach to St. Goar. In St. Goar, hike up to the Rheinfels castle. Cruise along the sleepy Mosel Valley and tour Cochem’s castle, Trier’s Roman ruins, and the impressive medieval castle, Burg Eltz. From Köln, catch the night train (about 8 hours) to Germany’s capital — ever-vibrant Berlin, capital of a united Germany, with its great art, world-class museums, and stunning Reichstag dome, is worth two busy days. Then catch the night train to Copenhagen (about 8 hours).

Scandinavia (8 days)

Finish your continental experience with a blitz tour of the Scandinavian capitals: Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo (see sidebar). Then catch the night train from Copenhagen south to Amsterdam (about 14 hours).

Amsterdam (2 days)

The Dutch Golden Age sparkles in Amsterdam’s museums. If you prefer a small-town home base, day-trip into Amsterdam from nearby Haarlem. You’ll discover great side-trips in all directions.

After touring crazy Amsterdam and biking through the tulips, you can get to England via a cheap flight (1 hour), the train (7–11 hours via the Chunnel), or boat (about 11 hours). Or, easier still, consider avoiding the return to London by flying out of Amsterdam (arrange this open-jaw flight before you leave home).

This 61-day Whirlwind Tour is just a sampler. There’s plenty more to see, but I can’t imagine a better first two months in Europe. I itch just thinking about this itinerary.

Rick Steves writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and radio. His 50-plus books on European travel are available at bookstores and at www.ricksteves.com .

The Ultimate Packing List for Europe in Summer

Figuring out what to pack for Europe is a something I have had to do a lot.  I’ve spent many summers in Europe so I have plenty of experience packing for Europe over the years.  For those of you traveling to Europe this summer and not sure what to wear or what to pack, I have put together the  ultimate packing list for Europe in summer .

Packing List for Europe in the Summer

Europe Packing List Summer – Travel Essentials for Europe

• European Travel Adaptor  – European travel adaptor  for your electronics

• External Battery  –   External battery  to recharge your phone, camera or other electronics (this is one of my  travel essential items  for any trip)

• Comfortable walking shoes  – You will be doing a lot of walking in Europe so comfortable walking shoes are a must for sightseeing. You might want to bring either casual sandals or comfortable flats .

• Camera/photography gear  – Europe is very photogenic so don’t forget to bring your camera!  If you are traveling alone or as a couple, you might want to bring a selfie stick/portable tripod  to take photos of yourself. Don’t forget to bring an extra memory card .

•  Scarf  –  A  lightweight scarf  will keep you warm on chilly summer nights or places with too much air-conditioning.  A scarf is also useful when visiting churches or cathedrals which require women to cover their shoulders.

• Lightweight pants and/or long dress/skirt for women – If you are going to be visiting churches, I recommend women bring at least one pair of light pants or a dress that covers the knees.

• Sunglasses  – Most countries in Europe (especially Southern Europe) are very sunny in the summer so sunglasses are a must!

• Reusable water bottle  –  A reuseable water bottle is a good way to save money on bottled water and also eco-friendly. I use  this insulated water bottle  because it keeps my water cool for hours.

• Hat – If you are going to spend a lot of time outdoors especially in the middle of the day, don’t forget to bring a hat for sun protection.  I recommend Coolibar hats  because they have excellent sun protection.

What to Wear in Europe – Clothes and Shoes

Europeans dress a bit nicer than most North Americans so I don’t recommend walking around in sweatpants or sneakers and shorts.  I recommend dressing fashionable especially in larger cities so you can try to blend in with the locals.

The temperature in Southern Europe during the summer can get very hot so you will need lightweight clothes.  The temperature in Northern Europe is more moderate or even cool and rainy so you will need long sleeve shirts, pants, an umbrella and a jacket or rain jacket.  I recommend checking weatherbase.com to look up the average temperature and rainfall to get an idea what the weather will be like when you are visiting.

• Dresses and skirts   – Bring at least 2-3 dresses/skirts.  A basic black dress is a must and can be worn from day to night.  Maxi dresses are also cute and comfortable for summer.

• Lightweight pants   –  Men should bring at least 2 pairs of lightweight pants for sightseeing and to wear at restaurants or bars.  Women might want to pack a pair of lightweight or linen pants as well. Avoid wearing jeans in the summer in Southern Europe as they will make you feel too hot!

• Shirts/tops  –  I recommend men bring at least 4 short sleeve shirts.  Women can get away with fewer tops if they pack more dresses.

• Sweater   – Pack at least 1 long sleeve sweater for chilly summer nights and air-conditioned places.

• Jacket   – Bring a light jacket.  Some parts of Europe (especially Northern Europe) might be cool in the summer even in the daytime.

• Comfortable walking shoes  – A must for sightseeing. Depending on your outfit you might want either casual sandals or comfortable flats or fashionable sneakers.

• Dressier sandals/cute flats/loafers   – Bring a dressier pair of sandals or cute flats that can be worn for dinner or drinks.

• Platform shoes for women  – Some places of Europe have cobblestone streets so I recommend women avoid high thin heels.  If you need some height, I recommend platform shoes.

• Shorts  – Personally I would avoid shorts in Europe unless visiting beach towns or resort areas.  If visiting mostly cities, I recommend wearing lightweight pants or skirts instead of shorts.

• Flip-flops  –  I recommend wearing cute and comfortable sandals when walking around a European city or town but you might want to bring a pair of flip flops to  wear at the beach or at hostels and hotels.   Havaianas flip flops are my favorite because they have great traction and don’t slip when walking on wet surfaces.

• Underwear, socks and bras  –  Depending on how long you are visiting Europe and how often you will do laundry, bring at least 5 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of socks and 2 bras.  If you are checking luggage, pack at least 1 of each in your  carry on bag  in case your checked luggage is lost or delayed. ExOfficio underwear is great for travel because it is breathable, quick-drying fabric and odor-resistant.

Europe Packing List – Other Things to Pack for Europe

• Passport • Cash, credit cards, ATM cards (make sure your credit card does not charge a foreign transaction fee) • Drivers license and international drivers license if planning on driving • COVID vaccine card and/or negative COVID test (if required) • Glasses, contacts, contact lens solution • Medication and prescriptions • Face Masks – Masks may be required at your destination so pack a few face masks •  Antibacterial wipes  or  hand sanitizer • Electronics (smartphone, computer, tablet,  kindle , cords, cameras, memory cards) • Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss • Toiletries (makeup, lotion, deodorant, tissues, comb/brush, feminine products, q-tips, razor, shampoo/conditioner/soap) • Noise cancelling headphones  or  earplugs and  eye mask • Compression socks  to prevent DVT on long flights  and drives •  Body wipes  to wipe off sweat • First aid kit (band aids, pain reliever, allergy medicine, anti-nausea medicine, antacid tablets, charcoal tablets ) • Lip balm with UV protection – Don’t forget to protect your lips! Most people apply sunscreen but they overlook sun protection for their lips • Sunscreen  – Don’t forget to bring sunscreen to protect you from the sun. Sunscreen is easy to find in Europe so it is not the end of the world if you forget to pack it. • Insect repellent • Travel umbrella and/or rain jacket – Some parts of Europe can be rainy even in the summer • Bandana – A bandana is so versatile, you can use it to wipe off sweat or use as a scarf or mask • Beach bag – For carrying your beach essentials if planning some time at the beach or pool. • Bathing suits/sarong/kaftan  – If planning to hit the beach or pool. • Universal waterproof phone case  – Keep smartphones dry with this  waterproof case  when hanging out at the beach. • A  quick drying travel towel for the beach or if you are staying at a hostel that does not provide towels • Packing cubes • Day bag, tote or purse for sightseeing • TSA approved locks • Notebook and pen

These are my travel essentials for a summer in Europe. Is there anything else I should add to my Europe packing list ?

Need some travel inspiration for your trip to Europe? Check these articles about the best European travel destinations:

• Best Road Trips in Europe You Need to Visit
• Most Beautiful Cities in Europe You Need to Visit
• Underrated Cities in Europe
• Beautiful Towns in Europe Straight Out of a Fairytale
• Europe Bucket List: 100+ Epic Things to Do in Europe

Related Posts

savvyglobetrotter

Looks like a good thorough list. Very accurate in my experience. I’m a huge fan of noise-canceling headphones as well! 🙂 And a scarf is always great, like you said.

I am one of those last minute before leaving to travel packers. and also miss stuff, I needed a check list and printed this post out, thank you Ma’am.

Really useful list, I need to save it, I always forgot something while I’m packing. Thanks!

I just did a packing list post myself on my blog. Loved reading yours, many of things are same/similar to my list 🙂 I have been thinking of using packing cubes, what do you think about it? Good idea? or Nah…

This is a really extensive packing list, you have really covered yourself here.

Love all these tips for packing for a trip to Europe during the summer. As someone who lives in Europe (until Brexit comes in at least LOL), I’d definitely recommend all of these. Just a note, reusable water bottles can be used in most places in the UK as our tap water is safe. Though if you’re hitting countries like Greece or Cyprus around the Med then I’d advise non-Europeans to be careful with tap water, as it may not agree with you and isn’t always the safest. Happy travels! X

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The ULTIMATE Packing List for Europe – Essentials for 2024

Planning a trip to Europe? Our guide covers the essentials you will need in your packing list for Europe.

This continent is one of our favourites regions of the world to explore.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

We may earn affiliate commissions from websites we link to, at no cost to you. Click here for details.

Furthermore, if you’re searching for a Europe packing list that will be light enough to carry so you can easily move around from country to country, then you’re in luck. 

Items on the list below are more focused on a packing list for Europe summer. It’s the ideal Europe backpacking packing list too, as it’s light to carry, yet comprehensive.

However, you may need a few extra layers if you’re travelling during winter. We’ve got a few suggestions to complete the ULTIMATE packing list for Europe for any season.

Travelling around Europe is thrilling! Expect your trip to be full of diversity, adventure, warm hospitality, many beaches, world-class cities, and amazing food! You need to read our food map of Europe before you get there.

With so many countries packed into one amazing continent, do you know how many countries are there in Europe? 44, 45 or 49?

The best part about travelling here is if you forget something on your packing list for Europe, you can easily pick it up on the way. 

Our best tip for your packing list in Europe is – Keep it Light!

Our best tip for preparing your packing list for Europe is that less is more! Trust us, a packing list for backpacking Europe or travelling with a suitcase is much easier when your  backpack or luggage  is light. 

When travelling around Europe, believe us, you will use many forms of public transport. We firmly believe that travelling in Europe by train is the best, yet the bus network is fantastic to travel between countries too.

We know that each and every traveller is different. If you’re planning to fit as much in as possible and breeze through many countries, it’s critical that your packing list for Europe is similar to this one.

We’ve prepared our packing list for Europe summer so many times as we used to work as tour guides here for many years. Trust us, everything included in our packing list for Europe below gets used frequently. 

At the same time, if you’re planning to go a little slower and stay a little longer in each country, our packing list for Europe has you covered. 

Table of Contents

Ok, let’s get to it! Your Packing List for Europe for 202 4

Choosing the right travel bag.

Ok, some people are backpack travellers and others are suitcase travellers. The type of luggage to carry items on your packing list for Europe is up to you. To help you out though, we cover the pros and cons of each travel bag in our post  Suitcase Vs Backpack – Which one should you choose?

In saying that, choosing a backpack over a suitcase for your packing list for Europe will give you more flexibility. The reason for this is that you will encounter many cobblestoned streets, countless stairs, super small elevators at hotels, or none at all (so heads up for carrying your own suitcase up four flights of stairs).

It is a little easier to navigate all of this if you have a backpack rather than wheeled luggage. Nowadays, you can buy some awesome travel bags that offer both options, like the Osprey Wheels 36 Bag . You can wear this bag as a backpack and then convert it to a rolling bag too. 

We’ve used many travel bags over the past twenty years. The one we use now is the Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack and we love it! This is the ideal backpack for your packing list for Europe. 

Do you need a small day pack?

Travelling with a small day pack is a personal choice. We travel with one as we prefer to keep our valuables with us at all times. This is especially important when taking overnight train/bus rides.

We carry this small Osprey day pack

We often lock our large 40L backpack to something stationary when we sleep on overnight trains and our small daypack containing our valuables will remain on our person, inside our silk sleeping sheet while we sleep – it feels much more secure to do this to deter any opportunistic thieves.

When we’re on the move, our small Osprey day pack sits on the front of our body with our Osprey 40L backpack on our backs, this makes it easy to quickly access passports or money.

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing

Click here and get 5% off Heymondo from us!

Choosing your Travel Clothes

As I mentioned at the beginning, this packing list for Europe is focused on being a packing list for Europe summer. The European summer runs from late June to late September and the majority of European countries receive high temperatures during this time. Temperatures range between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius.

The best clothing to choose for your packing list in Europe is light, breathable cotton, clothing you can mix and match, and items that dry quickly.

And, we must admit that our compression packing cubes have been a lifesaver in keeping things organised.

Packing List for Europe: Clothing for WOMEN

• 1 pair of  black skinny jeans
• 1 pair  Columbia zip-off long trekking pants  OR  Lululemon travel pants
• 1 North Face  lightweight jacket/fleece
• 1 Light Rain jacket
• 1 pair of black  loose cotton pants
• 1 light  long-sleeved cotton shirt
• 4  basic t-shirts
• 3 loose  singlets/tanks
• 1  denim shorts  
• 1  cotton shorts  (H&M brand or similar)
• 1  light short  (wear as pyjamas or to the beach)
• 2  nice tops  to wear out
• 1 little  black dress
• 2 pairs of  ankle socks
• 7 pieces  underwear
• 1  bikini   (we love Roxy brand swimsuits)
• 1  Ripcurl cap
• 2 bras  and  1 sports bra
• 1  headscarf   (to visit places of worship)
• Birkenstock Sandals
• Havaianas – Slim Black flip flops
• Merrell Women’s Black Hiking Shoes  or Nike Women’s Black Running Shoes

Packing List for Europe: Clothing for MEN

• 2 pairs of Quiksilver Boardshorts
• 1 pair of Travel/Hiking Shorts
• 1 pair of Long Trousers
• 2 pairs Smart Chino Shorts
• 3 Tank Tops
• 1 Long Sleeve Cotton Shirt
• 1 Smart Shirt
• 1 Casual short-sleeved shirt
• 1 Warm Fleece
• 1 Light NorthFace Waterproof jacket
• Salomon Hiking Shoes  or Mens Nike Black Running Shoes
• Underwear & socks

Toiletries for Women

We’re lucky to be able to share some toiletries on the road – so it gives one of us a little more room in our backpack. If Marty carries the toiletries, I’ll carry our  espresso machine  and fresh coffee to share the load.

We try to keep toiletries to a minimum as they can be heavy. We also travel with carry-on baggage, therefore, all of our toiletries must be 100ml or less. If you plan on staying in hotels (and even some cool hostels) around Europe, small toiletries will usually be provided.

• Hanging Toiletry Bag
• Compression Packing Cubes
• Small containers  (100ml) for refills
• Shampoo/Conditioner  100ml each
• Bar of  soap
• 1  shaver/razor  (we never have a problem at airports with this in our carry-on)
• 1  hairbrush
• Roll-on deodorant
• Toothpaste & toothbrush
• exfoliating shower glove  (we found these in Morocco..love them)
• 100ml sized  sunscreen  – We like Nivea or Neutrogena brands
• Nivea face moisturiser SPF30
• Blistex  and lip balm
• A few pieces of makeup (which we rarely use, but sometimes it feels nice to dress up) 1 tube of  foundation , bronzing powder, and brush,  1 mascara

Toiletries for Men  (as suggested by our male travel buddy)

• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Moisturiser
• Shaver/small shaving cream
• Mosquito repellent (with DEET!)

 Accessories/Extras for our packing list for Europe

• A  pouch that holds my passport, different currency, bank cards, passport photos, copy of my passport, driver’s license, and a copy of our Heymondo travel insurance  policy
• Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker
• Silk sleeping sheet  – For those overnight trains or airport naps.
• Sarong  (our shower towel, beach towel)
• Frank Green Portable Coffee/Tea Cup
• LifeStraw  filter water bottle (this lives in our small day pack)
• Oakley Sunglasses  & Protective Case
• Travel clothesline
• Travel Sling Bag

Technology/Electronics

If you’re a photographer, digital nomad, or simply can’t live without your MacBook and other electronics, we understand.

We need these things as we work online as we travel the world. Here’s what we take as part of our Europe Packing list, in terms of electronics.

• 13″ Macbook Pro   with charger
• iPhone 13 Smartphone with a USB charger.
• Apple  AirPods  for iPhone
• Old-school  iPhone headphones 
• Sony RX100 Mark III Camera   with leather case
• Sandisk  2TB external hard drive
• Worldwide adapter plug.
• GoPro Camera  – a waterproof stick/few extra clips for it
• Belkin  Powerbank 
• Small portable  USB drive
• Small pouch  that holds all cords for cameras etc
• Gorilla tripod  for our Sony camera

Safety in Europe

Travelling around Europe is regarded to be relatively safe, but it’s best to read our  12 Tips for Safe Travel. The same goes for  travelling anywhere in the world, accidents do happen.

Some cities in Europe (Rome and Barcelona in particular) have a higher rate of pick-pockets and petty thieves, so you need to be a little more cautious of your belongings.

And it goes without saying that common sense is essential to take in your Europe packing list and beyond.

We 100% recommend Travel Insurance 

We highly recommend you sort out some good travel insurance to cover you when things go wrong.

It will be one of the most essential things on your packing list for Europe. We use Heymondo to cover us on our world travels. We recommend adding one of their comprehensive travel insurance policies to your packing list for Europe. Get 5% discount on your travel insurance policy from us!  

Transport and Getting Around Europe

Getting from A to B in Europe is easy. Read our best tips about travelling around Europe by Train , it’s a great way to travel this continent.

The ONLY website we use to make reservations for train tickets is Trainline . They offer the cheapest fares, you get instant confirmation and their booking platform is so easy to use.

The best part about travelling Europe is that you can also find some incredibly cheap flights with low-cost carriers.

We book all our flights around Europe on CheapOair . The prices are unbeatable and you can choose to pay in the currency of your choice. 

The bus network in Europe is wonderful too! The best website for checking buses, and other forms of transport is Omio.  

How to Book Accommodation in Europe

We always use the same websites to book accommodation in Europe.  Booking.com  is our number one choice for booking accommodation in every European country.

Apps to download for Europe

Download these apps on your phone to make your travels in Europe much easier.

• CheapOair (to search flights)
• Booking.com  (to book accommodation on the go)
• XE.com (to check the latest exchange rates)
• Maps. me (the best offline maps to help you navigate around)
• Google Translate (while English is widely spoken in Europe, this app is so useful when you get lost in translation)
• Omio (book buses, ferries and trains on the road)
• Trainline (book train and coach tickets all around the world and save up to 60% discount on average per ticket).

RELATED POST – 20 Best Travel Apps (Plus They’re Free)

Staying in Europe long-term?

If you’re considering staying longer in Europe (and you’ve got the right visas to do so), check out the Trusted Housesitters  website for saving loads of money on accommodation. Become a house-sitter in Europe (and worldwide) if you’re considering staying in one place for a little longer.

Being a house-sitter means free accommodation for you in return for looking after different homes around the globe.

This was one of the best things we ever did! Join now with our personal invitation and receive a massive 25% off your membership!

Travelling Beyond Europe?

Travelling beyond Europe or need some suggestions for warmer items to add to your packing list in Europe?

Our  Ultimate Packing List for every traveller includes the items we carried as we travelled to every country in the world.

We moved between all types of weather, from very cool temperatures to sweltering hot ones. And, we still manage to travel with carry-on baggage only, often less than 10kg.

We’ve also put together our Complete Packing List for Africa and the Essential Packing List for Travelling in Southeast Asia .

Don’t miss our EUROPE CITY GUIDES

• ROME 3 Days Itinerary
• VENICE 1-Day Itinerary
• FLORENCE 2 Days Itinerary
• AMSTERDAM 3 Day Itinerary
• PARIS 4 Days Itinerary
• BUDAPEST 2 Days Itinerary
• PRAGUE 2 Days Itinerary
• LONDON 1 Day Itinerary
• ATHENS 1 Day Itinerary
• BERLIN 2 Days Itinerary
• VIENNA 2 Days Itinerary
• LISBON 2 Days Itinerary

Group Tours in Europe

And, if you don’t have the time to travel slowly in Europe but want to discover more, then a group tour could be the answer.

We recommend viewing the best range of European group tours on Tourradar .

My other recommendation is GAdventures for awesome small-group adventures in Europe.

Travel Tips for Europe

We have many travel guides and tips for Europe— an incredible continent!

Are you travelling on a budget? These ten cheapest European countries will help you plan an itinerary that lets you see as much as possible while there.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across Europe, and our food map of Europe will inspire your culinary journey.

For food lovers, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for foodies, a couple of them are located in Europe.

Here are 8 things to know about travelling to Eastern Europe  and it’s good to know these  7 misconceptions about Eastern Europe  too.

These top 6 travel hacks to save money  are great to read when planning your travels.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Europe. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual European countries , or consider a regional eSIM for Europe (which covers 39 countries).

If your travels in Europe are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries , offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM . The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. View the best deals on group tours in Europe .

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.

Travel Planning Resources

✈️ Flights : We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

🏨 Accommodation :  Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.

🏥 Travel Insurance : We recommend Heymondo ( Get 15% off Heymondo )  & SafetyWing

🚌 Transportation : Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.  

🚘 Car Rental : We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks , and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)

🎒 Luggage :  Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack  or  Samsonite Luggage Range.

🛄 What to Pack:  Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good  power bank .  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers .

🐶 Become a House Sitter:  Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.

💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE  &  Revolut  are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.

📶  Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use promo code NOMAD15 for 15% off ALL eSIMs (new Airalo users only) OR use NOMAD10 for 10% off ALL eSIMs (for existing Airalo users)

✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

Tasty Food Adventures

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See all Food Adventure blogs

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What Is The Best Beach In Europe? Here Are 15 Beaches We Love

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Trusted Hints & Tips

9 Best Tips for the Big Lap Of Australia 

12 Essential Tips for Safe Travel

How to Start a Travel Blog: A Step-by-Step Guide

Our Best Travel Tips from 20+ Years of Travel

See all our expert Hints & Tips

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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

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Europe packing list | the ultimate packing list for visiting europe.

The ultimate Europe packing list. Advice for choosing clothes, toiletries, shoes, electronics, luggage, and more for Europe.

Packing for your trip to Europe can be stressful so I’ve put together my  Europe packing list . This mega packing list will cover everything from clothes and luggage to electronics and toiletries. I’ve even tried to include specific packing tips for summer travel and winter travel.

Interested in packing tips for backpacking Europe? We’ve created a Backpacking Europe Packing List For Women and Backpacking Europe Packing List For Men . 

Europe Packing List

This Europe packing list is very extensive so here is a quick rundown of what you’ll see in this guide. Keep reading to see everything.

Rolling Luggage

• Travel Backpacks

Packing Cubes

Packing folders.

• Toiletry Bags

Travel Underwear

• Travel Socks
• Shoes For Travel
• Shirts & Tops For Travel
• Jeans, Pants, & Bottoms
• Outerwear For Travel
• Winter Clothing

Travel Towel

• Travel Flashlights
• Eyemask & Earplugs
• Water Bottle
• Sleep Sheets
• Travel Laundry

Travel Utensils

• Electric Plug Adapters

Travel Power Strip

• Phone Chargers

Digital Camera

• Travel Hairdryer & Straightener
• Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash
• Toothpaste & Toothbrush
• Travel Toilet Paper
• Wet Wipes/Baby Wipes
• Body Powder
• Pepto Tablets

Europe-Friendly Luggage

The type of luggage you choose will have a major impact on your travel style.

You essentially have two choices — a  wheeled suitcase  or a travel backpack . Either option is perfectly fine but both have their positives and negatives (which we’ll cover in this section).

Before I talk about luggage, I want to reiterate the idea of packing light because traveling light makes moving around easier and more enjoyable.

Rolling luggage is the most popular style of luggage for traveling in Europe. It offers a lot of benefits but it’s not always right for everyone.

Rolling Luggage Benefits

• Weight Isn’t a Huge Concern:  You don’t have to worry about weight as much since you’re pulling your bag. This can lead to overpacking — which will make carrying your bag up and down staircases and into luggage compartments more difficult.
• No Back Pain:  Not everyone can strap on a heavy backpack so rolling luggage is much more ideal in these cases.
• Rugged:  A quality suitcase can take a bit more punishment than a backpack because they’re designed to be thrown around a bit.
• Ideal For Door-to-Door Travel:  If you plan on taking taxis from your hotel to the airport/train station then traveling with a suitcase makes sense.

Disadvantages of Wheeled Luggage

• Cobblestones: Wheeled luggage is great on flat surfaces but becomes unwieldy on stairs and cobblestone streets.
• Stairs: While hotels might have elevators, most rental apartments and hostels might have quite a few stairs.
• Public Transportation:  Not all public transportation in Europe has escalators or elevators. A large suitcase will be unwieldy when you have to lug it up a bunch of stairs. Additionally, public transportation tends to be crowded, so pulling a big suitcase through a mob of people can be difficult.
• Not Hands-Free:  You’ll lose the ability to use both hands when you’re wheeling your suitcase around — which will impact the ease of travel.

Features of Quality Rolling Luggage

• Hard-Shell or Soft-Sided:   Soft-sided bags tend to hold up better than hard-shell bags and they also fit into overhead bins much easier because they’re more flexible. They can be thrown around without much chance of major damage. Hard-shell bags are normally much lighter than soft bags, but there is a larger chance the bag could crack. However, a hard-shell bag will keep the things inside your bag safer since it has more structure — so a hardshell might be best if you’re traveling with a lot of fragile things.
• Two Sturdy Wheels: Those four-wheeled rolling luggage are great on flat smooth surfaces but get eaten up by Europe’s streets. Look for bags with two sturdy wheels.
• Size: If you’re planning to carry on your luggage then you’ll want to ensure it fits those requirements — especially if you’re traveling on Europe’s size-stingy budget airlines. Not carrying-on? Try limiting yourself to a reasonably sized backpack that you can handle without assistance.
• Color:  A non-black bag will help you recognize your bag more quickly at the baggage claim. If you do have a black bag, we suggest using a distinctive luggage tag  or luggage strap  to help prevent other people from accidentally taking your bag (it happens more often than you think).

Travel Backpacks For Europe

I’m a big fan of travel backpacks and it’s my preferred luggage choice. However, they’re certainly not for everyone so I’ll cover what to consider before buying a travel backpack.

Check out my guide to the  Best Travel Backpacks and the Best Carry-On Backpacks . 

Benefits of Travel Backpacks

• Mobility:  Easily navigate crowded streets and public transportation since all your stuff is on your back.
• Hands-Free Travel:  Traveling with two free hands makes your life much easier and more enjoyable.
• Navigate Stairs & Streets:  You won’t have to worry about stairs or cobblestone streets with a backpack.
• Less Stress:  We find that our stress levels go down when we use a backpack since we don’t have to worry about knowing where our stuff is.

Disadvantages of Travel Backpacks

• Uncomfortable If Overloaded:  A travel backpack will be uncomfortable if you overpack.
• Checked Luggage:  If you have to check your backpack when flying, you must be cautious because the conveyor belts can sometimes rip off the straps of the backpack You’ll have to take extra precautions when checking your bag (or get a backpack that has stowable straps).
• Must Fit Well:  It is important to get a backpack that fits your body well. If not, it can quickly become uncomfortable.
• More Difficult to Pack:  Most modern travel backpacks open up like a standard suitcase so they’re easy to pack but some ‘hiking’ style bags only open from the top.
• Back Pain: Even a well-packed can start to cause back pain so it might not be great for people with mobility issues.

Features Of A Great Travel Backpack

I’ve written multiple guides about finding the perfect travel backpack. Here’s my  Guide To Choosing The Perfect Travel Backpack and a list of my favorite backpacks traveling Europe .

Recommended Travel Backpacks and Rolling Luggage

Travel Backpacks We Like:

• Osprey Farpoint  and the  Osprey Fairview
• Osprey Porter
• Tortuga Outbreaker ,  Setout , and  Setout Divide .

Rolling Luggage We Like:

• Osprey Transporter , Osprey Ozone , and Osprey Sojourn
• TLS Mother Lode Wheeled Duffle
• Eagle Creek Expanse Drop Bottom Wheeled Duffel 32

Where To Buy Travel Backpacks and Wheeled Luggage

There are a lot of places to purchase luggage and travel backpacks. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Amazon — Amazon has everything.
• Zappos — Zappos doesn’t always have every brand/model of luggage but they have free shipping and super easy free returns in case your bag doesn’t fit you correctly.
• REI — REI has a decent selection of luggage and their selection of travel backpacks is very solid.

Get Organized For Traveling Europe

Life gets a little more complicated when you’re living out of a bag but worry not… I’m here to help.

Behold the magical packing cubes.

They may not look like much but these simple travel accessories make packing so much easier.

The idea behind packing cubes is simple — you divide your clothing up between different cubes (socks in one cube, underwear in another cube, etc.). This keeps all your clothes compressed and organized.

This way you can quickly grab what you need. And these make repacking all your stuff easy as well since you know where everything goes.

As an added bonus, packing cubes can also help reduce wrinkles by preventing your clothing from shifting around in your bag. And the compression lets you fit more stuff into your luggage.

There are a ton of companies that make packing cubes but here are a few of our favorites:

• Eagle Creek Pack-It Cubes  (best overall)
• eBags Packing Cubes  (close second place)
• Eagle Creek Spectre Tech Packing Cubes  (ultra-lightweight favorite)
• AmazonBasics Packing Cubes  (best budget option)

Learn More: Read a more in-depth review of the best packing cubes . 

We don’t personally use packing folders but they’re a popular travel accessory. Basically, packing folders are designed for larger items like dresses, button-up shirts, and pants.

We recommend Eagle Creek Packing Folders — which cost anywhere from $16-$25 depending on size (via Amazon ).

Hanging Toiletry Bag

A toiletry bag is essential for keeping all your toiletries contained.

Do yourself a favor and buy a toiletry bag with a hook so it can be hung up since most European bathrooms have little/no counter space. There are a bunch of different bags available on Amazon but here are a few popular travel toiletry bags:

• The Ogio Doppler Kit (via Amazon ).
• The Lewis N Clark Hanging Toiletry Case (via Amazon ).
• Eagle Creek Toiletry Kits (via Amazon ).
• TANTO Toiletry Bag (via Amazon )

Other Helpful Organization Aides

• Humangear GoToob Travel Bottles are probably the best travel bottles for shampoo and other liquids/gels. They are a little expensive ($17-$25 for a set) but they don’t leak. There are multiple sizes so check Amazon to see what works best for your needs.
• The Grid-It Organizer is a handy way to keep all those electronics and wires in order. They cost about $15-$20 and come in different sizes (via Amazon ).
• A compression stuff sack is nice for keeping dirty clothes away from your clean clothes, and it serves as a good bag for doing laundry. Multiple companies make them and they run about $10-$40 depending on the size (via Amazon ).
• Ziploc bags come in handy for storing multiple things and keeping liquids from spilling over all your stuff (I like to keep my passport in a plastic bag for safekeeping). Ziploc makes multiple sizes of bags, so I like to pack multiple bags just in case I ever need one. There is even a three-gallon bag that works well for storing an extra pair of shoes so you don’t get your clothes dirty.

Travel Clothing Packing List

The majority of the weight in your luggage will come from clothing so it’s important to limit your clothes if you want to travel light. Of course, this is easier said than done.

In this section, we’ll help you choose which types of clothes to pack, some general tips for packing light, and packing tips for all seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring).

Efficient Clothing Packing Tips

• While it might be a bit boring, it is usually easiest to pack mostly dark colors since they’re the easiest to coordinate. Additionally, dark colors do a better job of hiding stains than light colors.
• Avoid Single Wear Clothing:  Don’t bring anything that you’ll only wear once because it’s not worth lugging around for your entire trip. Choose pieces that can be worn for a variety of occasions.
• High Maintenance is No Good:  You’re going to be wearing your clothes a lot so you want things that can take a bit of punishment and is machine-washable
•   Accessorize:  You’ll probably get tired of wearing the same thing all the time so throwing in a few accessories (hats, scarves, sunglasses, etc.) is a good way to change up your outfit.
• Buy Clothes as You Travel:  We know a lot of travelers who only bring the bare minimum of clothing and then buy new stuff as needed.

I’m a big fan of travel underwear — mainly because you can easily wash them in the sink and they’ll dry in a few hours. They’re also designed to be more comfortable when you’re traveling all day. When you’re searching for travel underwear, look for the following things:

• Furthermore, cotton can take well over 24 hours to air dry — which makes it a pretty poor choice.
• Cotton does the exact opposite — it retains sweat and it leads to that “swampy” feeling we’ve all experienced.
• Odor Control:  The best travel underwear helps manage odors. Cheaper synthetic underwear will start to smell pretty quickly but the higher-quality synthetic fabrics will do a better job. We’ve found that fine Merino wool does the best job of stopping odors.

The number of pairs you bring is a personal preference. We don’t like washing underwear every night so we bring five or six pairs — but you could conceivably get away with two pairs (if you don’t mind washing often

Recommended Women’s Travel Underwear

The most popular travel underwear is made by ExOfficio — they get a ton of great reviews on Amazon . They are ideal for travel because they’re breathable, odor-repellant, and dry in just a few hours. They do tend to be more expensive than normal underwear but most experienced travelers swear by them.

ExOfficio has a fairly wide range of underwear styles available and they’re priced anywhere from $8-$20/pair (depending on style and color):

• ExOfficio Thong
• ExOfficio Lacy Low Rise Bikini

Patagonia also makes some really nice underwear that is great for travel. They get good reviews for being soft and comfortable. The Patagonia underwear won’t dry quite as quickly as ExOfficios but they still dry quickly. Patagonia stuff is always high quality but it also comes at a price — these normally cost about $20/pair.

• Active Hipster Briefs
• Barely Hipster Briefs
• Active Boy Shorts

Bring two or three comfortable bras . You may also want to bring a quality sports bra for those long travel days.

Recommended Men’s Travel Underwear

ExOfficio Give-N-Go underwear is the most popular underwear for travelers ( read our personal review here ) and their boxer briefs have over 5000 reviews on Amazon .

I wear mine even when I’m not traveling because they are pretty damn comfortable. ExOfficios breathe well, inhibit odor, and air dry super quickly. ExOfficio offers a few different styles and they cost between $15-$25/pair ( via Amazon ). They’ve also just released their new Give-N-Go Sport boxer briefs that look really nice. They cost $30 ( via Amazon ).

Under Armour also makes HeatGear underwear that performs similarly to the ExOfficios. They cost around $20/pair ( via Amazon ).

If you prefer wearing natural fibers, we suggest Merino wool. The  Smartwool underwear is nice and will keep you cool and dry. They usually run about $48 so they are on the expensive side. We also have a pair of boxer briefs from Wool & Prince that we really like.

Socks For Travel

It might not be exciting but a quality pair of socks will make a world of difference when you’re traveling. I’m a huge fan of socks made from fine Merino wool.

Lightweight merino wool socks are great in the summer because they’ll actually keep your feet cool and dry. Heavier-weight socks are good for traveling in the winter because they’ll keep your feet warm and dry.

Quality socks are expensive but they’ll last for a long time if you take care of them. Synthetic/wool blends also work well.

Ideal Travel Socks:

• Wick Moisture:  Your feet will sweat but a good pair of socks will draw moisture away from your feet. Keeping your feet dry will help eliminate odor and will also help stop blisters.
• Dry Fast: A lot of good wool and synthetic socks can be washed in the sink and will dry overnight (about 6-8 hours).
• Eliminate Odor:  High-quality wool is naturally odor-resistant. Some synthetic socks have special anti-bacterial features that help eliminate odor but they’re not quite as effective as wool. Synthetic-wool blends also work well.
• Aren’t Cotton:  Cotton is a terrible choice when it comes to socks. Cotton traps moisture and dries very slowly — this will lead to blisters and smelly feet. Additionally, cotton socks take a long time to air dry (24+ hours) so they’re difficult to wash in the sink.

A good pair of socks can be worn 2-3 times before they start to stink (although you’ll want to rotate the days you wear each pair so they can “air out”). For a more in-depth article about the wonderful world of socks, check out our article about the best travel socks . 

Recommended Travel Sock Brands

• Darn Tough Socks: Darn Tough Socks are known for being super durable — in fact, they’re guaranteed for life. Plus they’re made in Vermont.

Shoes For Traveling Europe

Wear. Comfortable. Shoes.

The most important packing tip is to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes when traveling Europe.

Trust me — you’re going to be on your feet way more than usual and your feet are going to take a beating. That’s why you should put comfort over fashion — luckily there are plenty of fashionable and comfortable shoes on the market.

So let’s look at a few tips for ensuring your feet stay happy:

• Here’s a list of what I think are the best travel shoes if you want my top picks.
• Have bad feet? Consider adding a pair of insoles to your shoes.  Superfeet insoles  get a lot of great reviews but there are a lot of other brands available.
• Consider Your Environment: Match your footwear to your environment. For example, you may want to consider a waterproof shoe if you’re traveling to rainy/snowy locations. Conversely, you probably don’t need heavy-duty mountain-hiking boots if you’re spending all your time in cities.
• Break In Your Shoes Early: Even comfortable shoes can take a little while to get broken in. That’s why I recommend wearing your shoes for a few weeks before your trip so you know they won’t give you blisters or foot pain.
• For Winter Travel : I recommend a lightweight pair of waterproof boots for poor weather (snow, rain, cold, etc.) and sneakers for the nicer days. Luckily, boots can often be dressed up a bit they still look nice enough at restaurants, etc. Check out our guides for the  Best Waterproof Boots for Men and Best Waterproof Boots for Women  for some fashionable and functional options.
• For Hostel Travelers:  Don’t forget a cheap pair of sandals for the showers…

Learn More: Take a look at our guides to the Best Travel Shoes For Women  and the Best Travel Shoes For Men —both articles go into much more detail about what you should look for in a pair of travel shoes as well as a selection of footwear perfect for travel.

Shirts and Tops For Travel

Now let’s dive into shirts and tops. To help keep things simple, I’ve split this section up into a women’s section and a men’s section.

Treat these sections as general guidelines on what kind of shirts/tops to pack — don’t forget the general rules of durable fabrics, dark colors to hide stains and wrinkles, and choosing items that can be easily paired with other items.

By the way, if you’re an ultralight traveler, you’ll probably want to pack less than what is listed below.

Tops For Women Packing List

• Shirts   (3 or 4):  A mixture of short and long sleeve tops is ideal. Remember to dress for the weather, but also realize that it can get cool at night during the summer. Bring a mixture of casual and dressy tops so you can mix and match.
• Light Sweater/Cardigan:  Even during the summer, temperatures don’t always get really hot (although they can). In Paris, the average high temperature in June is around 72 degrees and it can drop into the low 60s at night. That’s why it is a good idea to bring a light sweater or a cardigan.
• Dresses (1 or 2):  Look for a versatile lightweight dress that can be worn casually or dressed up.
• T-shirts and Tank Tops:  Sometimes you just want to wear a simple t-shirt so be sure to bring a few. Just pick whatever you’re comfortable wearing. The ExOfficio  Lacy Shelf Bra Cami  is a nice undershirt or sleep shirt — it is super lightweight, breathable, and air-dries overnight if you want to wash hand wash it.

Women’s Travel Clothing Brands

• Athleta : Athleta has really stepped up their travel clothing and they have a lot of solid options.
• Lululemon : Lululemon has a number of good travel clothing options.
• Anatomie : Anatomie has a bunch of higher-end clothing that looks really nice

Tops for Men Packing List

• Bluffworks  Meridian shirt  is a super-tough wrinkle-free travel shirt that can be worn casually or dressed up. It retails for $125.  Available via Bluffworks
• Wool & Prince sells a number of nice 100% merino wool shirts. Their long-sleeve button-ups retail for $128 and their short-sleeve sell for $98.
• Bluffworks recently released its performance t-shirt which sells for $45.
• Wool & Prince sells super nice 100% merino wool t-shirts ($68) and polos ($98).
• Uniqlo makes a number of budget t-shirt options that we always dig. Their inventory changes often but they always have something.
• Sweaters (1 or 2):  A lightweight sweater is nice if you want to dress up a little or if the temperature drops when the sun goes down. Layering a sweater over a button-up shirt looks nice (so make sure all your button-ups match your sweater). Of course, if you’re traveling in the summer, you probably don’t need to pack a sweater but having one or two in the winter is nice.

Jeans, Pants, and Bottoms Packing Guide

I usually only pack two pairs of pants — mainly because they take up a lot of space in your luggage. Also, pants are one of those things that you don’t really need to wash all that often so there’s no real need to pack multiple pairs.

Pants & Bottoms for Women

• For Cold Weather: Throw on a pair of lightweight micro-wool long underwear (i.e. a base layer) under your jeans — SmartWool  and  Icebreaker  are two great brands.
• Capri Pants:  Capri pants are a nice option in warm weather that still looks nice but are also functional.
• Skirts:  Skirts are dressier than shorts and they take up essentially no space in your luggage. Feel free to bring a mixture of shorter and longer skirts.
• Shorts:  Shorts are starting to become more popular in Europe so, contrary to popular belief, you won’t feel out of place wearing them — especially in the south of Europe. That said, we recommend bringing a fashionable and well-fitting pair as opposed to ‘athletic’ shorts.
• Athleta : Athleta has multiple options for pants that work well for travel.
• Lululemon : Lululemon has a few jogger pants and other options that would work well for travel.
• Anatomie : Anatomie has a bunch of higher-end travel items.
• Uniqlo : Uniqlo always has a few pairs of travel pants that are friendly on your bank account.

Pants & Bottoms for Men

• Jeans:  A pair of dark jeans are essential for traveling in Europe. They look great during the day and they can be dressed up for nighttime. Additionally, jeans can go weeks without needing to be washed.
• Bluffworks makes a series of lightweight, durable, and quick-drying travel pants that also look like regular pants. Pairs range from $98-$140. They also make some solid Travel Jeans for $125.
• AT Slim Rivet Pant from Western Rise  and stretchy, stain-proof, and incredibly durable. They retail for $129.
• The Brion Pant from Prana is one of the more fashionable “outdoor” pants and they sell for $79.
• Shorts:  In the past, you wouldn’t find many adult men wearing shorts in Europe but this is changing very quickly. Stick to well-fitting fashionable shorts but stay away from things like athletic shorts or the classic “touristy” khaki shorts.
• Cold Weather:  When the temperature drops, it can be nice to have a lightweight base layer to go under your pants. SmartWool  and  Icebreaker  make some of our favorite high-quality base layers.

Outerwear Guide

It’s a good idea to prepare for the elements so you’ll want to look into a few options — especially in the non-summer months.

• The Marmot Precip is a great lightweight rain jacket that is also pretty affordable.
• Check out REI.com  for a wide range of rain jackets.
• Our top choice is the Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece ( Men’s and Women’s ) but there are plenty of great options at  REI or Amazon .
• We use  Patagonia Nano Puff but for more budget-friendly options check out Uniqlo .

Clothing Accessories

Here are a few handy accessories to round out your outfit.

• Scarf:  Scarves are a handy item that adds style and comfort on cooler days. You can always buy a few as you travel because they make great souvenirs.
• Sunglasses:  Sunglasses are a must-have because they’re both practical and fashionable. After living in Europe, we noticed that Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses were a top choice of the truly fashionable but you might want a cheap pair if you’re on the move all the time.

Europe Winter Weather Packing Guides

Winter travel in Europe poses a few extra packing challenges to consider so we’ve written a few handy guides to help guide you on your way.

• Europe Winter Travel Packing List
• How To Dress For Winter in Europe
• Best Waterproof Boots for Men
• Best Waterproof Boots for Women

Travel Accessories Packing List

We’ve put together a list of our favorite travel accessories to help make traveling in Europe easier and more enjoyable.

SIM CARD FOR CHEAP MOBILE DATA

The cheapest way to get mobile data for your phone is by using a European SIM card — this is much cheaper than using your home carrier’s International Mobile Data plan.

You can read about my  guide to using smartphones and data plans in Europe  but I recommend buying your SIM card from  SimOptions.com or Holafly .

Travel Daypack

A small backpack is essential for carrying around your day-to-day stuff (camera, souvenirs, rain jacket, guidebooks, etc.) as you’re sightseeing. We recommend a small daypack that can be easily packed away in your luggage and that won’t strain your back as you wear it all day. Here’s a list of the best daypacks . — we’ve also included a few anti-theft backpacks which are handy if you’re visiting areas known for pickpockets .

Packing a quick-drying travel towel will come in handy if you’re staying somewhere like a hostel that doesn’t provide towels. That’s because traditional cotton towels, in addition to being very bulky, take hours to dry — which will lead to a musty smell if you pack it before it is dry. Travel towels work well because they are compact but can still absorb plenty of liquid as they dry overnight.

Note: Travel towels are often much smaller than normal towels. We suggest buying the large or XL size—especially if you have long hair (or buy two).

There are a ton of travel towels on the market but these get great reviews:

• PackTowl Personal Microfiber Towel
• Biospired Footprint Lightweight Microsuede Towel

Keychain Flashlight

Most people use their phone as a flashlight light but a small keychain flashlight is still a nice accessory — especially in dark dorms and city streets.

We love the  Streamlight 73001 Nano Light Miniature Keychain LED Flashlight  because it’s super small (it fits on a keychain) but it provides a ton of light. Streamlight also has a ton of other great-quality pen lights if want other compact light options

Padlock &  Retractable Cable Lock

If you’re staying in a hostel, you’ll need a lock so you can secure your stuff in the lockers. We recommend the  Master Lock Set-Your-Own-Combination Padlock because it allows you to create your own combo so it’s easier to remember.

Retractable cable locks  are nice for securing your bag to your bunk or a luggage rack. They will deter a thief from running by and snatching your bag.

Earplugs & Eye Mask

An eye mask is nice for trains/planes/buses or if you stay in hostels (some jerk will turn the lights on at 3 am). Additionally, you’ll be glad you brought earplugs if you stay in hostels because you’ll eventually share a room with someone who snores. These Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs are really nice for sleeping.

Throw in a small notebook like the Moleskine Notebook ,  Field Notes , or  Rhodia notebooks to make notes of things as you travel. We write down directions, phone numbers, addresses, restaurants, spending, etc. At the end of your trip, your notebook will end up being a nice little souvenir.

Water Bottle or Flexible Water Bottle

Stay hydrated with a water bottle. A basic water bottle is perfectly fine but this flexible water bottle by Platypus Soft Bottle  is a great choice because it can be rolled up when empty.

Travel Sleep Sheet

Are your hostel sheets clean… who knows? If you don’t want to take the chance, think about packing a sleep sheet/sleep sack. A cotton Sleep Sheet is cheap but bulky. Silk Sleep Sacks cost but they’re a lot lighter, less bulky, and the silky feeling is nice.

• Sink Stopper: A cheap Travel Sink Stopper is necessary for sink laundry.
• Travel Laundry Soap: Woolite Travel Laundry Soap or Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets are perfect to travel laundry.
• Flexible Travel Clothesline: The best way to dry your clothes is with rubber braided clothesline . Plus, braided clotheslines don’t need clothespins.
• Stain Remover: Toss in a Tide To Go Stain Remover Pens or individually wrapped Shout Wipes for any stains.

Patch up stuff with duct tape. A whole roll because it is too bulky so just wrap some around a pencil. Or buy some travel duct tape .

Digital Luggage Scale

Make sure your bag isn’t too heavy with a digital luggage scale .

Photocopies Of Important Documents

Make copies (physical and electronic) of your passport and other important documents. We email them to ourselves or save them to Google Docs.

Ziploc Bags (Multiple Sizes)

Plastic bags are a great way to store your dirty or wet socks/underwear so they don’t get mixed with your clean clothes. We’ll also put our liquids in a sealable bag in case of a leak. The large 3 gallon bags  are nice for storing shoes so you don’t get your clothes dirty.

One of the best ways to avoid becoming a pickpocketing victim is to wear a money belt ( learn more about avoiding pickpockets here ). Personally, we don’t really like money belts because they’re kind of annoying to wear but a lot of people always wear one — it comes down to personal preference.

Collapsible Umbrella

A travel umbrella  is optional if you’re traveling in the summer. However, the fall, winter, and spring tend to be rainy, so you might want to bring one along.

We eat a lot of meals from the grocery store so we always bring a set of  Plastic Travel Utensils . If you really want to go all out, you should check out this sweet  titanium spork .

Toothbrush Cover

Keep your toothbrush germ-free with the  Steripod Clip-on Toothbrush Sanitizer  cover. It protects the brush and sanitizes it using voodoo science. Yeah, science! Or you can just get a normal  toothbrush cover  if that’s how you roll.

Lint Roller

A  lint roller  is an easy way to help keep your clothes looking presentable. 

Guide Books and Phrase Books

Despite loving internet resources, we are still huge fans of using printed guidebooks to research wherever visit. Learn more about our favorite travel guidebooks & websites .

A small  phrasebook can also come in handy if you’re not familiar with the local language (but most people in big cities will speak a little English).

Electronics Packing List

We travel with more electronics than ever so here’s a list of things you might want to bring along.

IMPORTANT: North America and Europe use different voltages (120v vs 220v) for their electronics. So what does that mean for you? For high-end electronics like phones, cameras, laptops, iPads, etc… it doesn’t matter. All you need is a plug adaptor because these electronics are all designed to work at multiple voltages. However, electronics with heating elements and motors like hairdryers, curlers, straightening irons, hair clippers, etc. aren’t designed for multiple voltages so they’ll fry if you use them in Europe. Read our guide to traveling with electronics  for more in-depth advice about using electronic devices while traveling.

Outlet Plug Adapters

You’ll need a couple of outlet plug adapters for all your electronics. Most of Europe uses the same plug but the UK uses a different configuration. There are dozens of adaptors out there but this affordable plug adaptor set from Ceptics will work fine. They also sell UK, Ireland, and Switzerland-specific versions if you’re traveling there.

Many hostels and hotels may only have one or two power outlets per room. That’s why we often pack a travel power strip to power our various gadgets. The Belkin Travel Power Strip with USB ports is a well-rated option but there are plenty of other travel power strips on Amaz on .

Portable Phone Charger

If you’re anything like us then you’re going to use your phone a ton when you’re traveling so you’re going to drain your battery before noon. That’s why a portable phone charger is a must-have travel item. We use the  Anker PowerCore 10000 because it’s the size of a deck of cards and is affordable.

Dual Voltage Travel Hairdryer

Standard North American hairdryers and straighteners won’t work in Europe — even if you use a voltage adapter. That’s because Europe uses a higher voltage than North America. That’s why you need a dual-voltage hair dryer. The Revlon 1875W Compact Travel Hair Dryer is a top choice for travelers because it is powerful, lightweight, and foldable.

Don’t forget about dual voltage straightening irons  and dual voltage curling irons .

We use our iPhones for a majority of our travel photography but you’ll want a quality digital camera if you want nicer photos. We’ve already written an in-depth article about choosing the best digital camera for trave l. Don’t forget the extras:

• Extra Memory Cards: Pack a few extra memory cards because you don’t want to run out of storage space — it’s better to have too much than not enough. And  memory cards are cheap .
• A portable external hard drive  is great for backing up all your photos. Another great option is to upload all your photos to cloud storage.
• Google Drive is free cloud storage and it gives you 15GB of space. We pay for their premium version to get even more space — especially since we have it synced with Google Photos. The main problem with cloud storage is not having reliable internet access when you travel.
• Extra Battery: I always carry an extra battery. Generic versions are cheap on Amazon (you’ll have to search for the specific battery that your camera uses).

Tablet or Laptop

We love traveling with our iPads — they’re the perfect travel computer. So, unless you really need the full functionality of a laptop, we suggest sticking with an iPad.

Smart Phone

Everyone has a smartphone these days. Here’s our guide to the best travel apps if you’re curious to know our favorite apps.

Be sure to read our guide to using Data Plans Abroad

It’s nice to listen to tunes as you travel. Additionally, there are a lot of downloadable audio guides for cities and museums — which are great ways to learn more about the places you’re visiting. We absolutely love our Apple Airpods (not having wires is so amazing). But we still throw in a cheap pair of headphones for flights. We’ve written more about our favorite travel headphones .

Travel Toiletries for Europe

We suggest minimizing your toiletries since liquids are heavy and you can purchase anything you need once in Europe. That said, here is a list of things you might want:

• Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash:  Pour liquids into these small GoToob travel-sized bottles because they won’t leak.
• Toothpaste & Toothbrush: We travel with a normal toothbrush but add a toothbrush cover . We did find that dental floss was much more expensive in Europe so bring some from home.
• Non-Aerosol Dry Shampoo:  Dry shampoo is amazing for getting your hair ready when you don’t have time to jump in the shower.
• Shaving Stuff (Razors & Cream): Razors are more expensive in Europe.
• Deodorant:  For whatever reason, we find that deodorant in Europe didn’t seem to work as well — maybe it was all in my head.
• Chapstick w/Sunscreen : Protect your lips.
• Contact Lenses/Solution/Glasses:  Contact solution can be a pain to purchase since it’s often only sold in pharmacies.
• Lipstick (or something similar): Parisian women seem to never leave the house without sexy lipstick. You can also use lipstick as blush.
• BB Cream:  BB Cream  is a great ‘all-in-one’ product. It’s a moisturizer that contains sunscreen and provides light coverage as a basic foundation — it also evens skin tone.
• Mascara: Mascara should be changed every three months, so this is a great excuse to buy a new bottle.
• Cream Blush: You really don’t want to have makeup brushes in your bag, so a cream blush is a great option.
• Condoms:  You don’t want some souvenirs so we suggest buying some now. Amazon seems to have the best price/selection of condoms .
• Travel Fabric Freshener:  Keep away the funk with travel-sized Febreze To Go.
• Travel Toilet Paper: Travel toilet paper is never a bad thing to have in an emergency.
• Wet Wipes/Baby Wipes:   Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Wipes can be a lifesaver and so they’re super easy to pack.
• Hand Sanitizer: Who knows what kind of things you’ll be touching.
• Body Powder: A lot of walking can equal chafing — especially in hot weather. Anti Monkey Butt is great for those hot days.
• Foot Cream:  Take care of your feet because you’ll be walking a lot.  O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet Cream  will keep your feet from becoming rough and cracked.
• Pepto Tablets:  Traveling can take a toll on your stomach.  Pepto-Bismol tablets are super easy to throw in your bag.
• Band-Aids:  They’re nice to have on hand. A lot of people will develop blisters on their feet so we recommend Band-Aids for feet .
• Pain Medicine: Over-the-counter pain medicine is normally only sold in pharmacies so it can somethings be hard to find after-hours.
• Prescription Drugs: Ensure you have enough medicine to cover your trip since getting refills can be difficult.

Travel Insurance

We recommend picking up some travel insurance — which will help cover your stuff, flights, hotel, train tickets, rail passes, medical emergencies, and more. World Nomads is our top choice but you can check out our guide to buying travel insurance .

Where to Buy Travel Gear

• Amazon : Our top choice for buying gear is Amazon because they seem to have the best selection and prices.
• Zappos : Zappos has a solid selection of travel gear. Their prices are sometimes a bit higher than other stores, but their free super-fast shipping and dead-simple returns are often worth the extra cost.
• REI : One is the largest outdoor retailer so they have a nice selection of backpacks and clothing.
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How Much We Spent Traveling in Europe for Two Months

Ali Real Travel Budgets Amalfi Coast , Belgium , Bologna , France , Italy , Luxembourg , Netherlands , Rome , San Marino , Vatican

When Andy and I set off on our Beyond Vacation kick-off trip , I decided to keep track of every penny we spent. There were two reasons for this. We’ve never really tracked our travel spending, and I wanted to know how much it costs for us to travel for more than a week or two. And I wanted to be able to share with you how much it costs to travel to the places we visited in Europe. I will have posts later that break down our spending by location. So how much does it cost to travel Europe? Here’s an overview of how much we spent traveling in Europe for two months.

How much does a trip to Europe cost

The following amounts are for two people. All numbers are listed first in euros, second in US dollars.

2,959.40€ / $3,924.47 – accommodation 1,335.60€ / $1,771.31 – trains 295.60€ / $391.81 – other transportation 2,056.78€ / $2,726.21 – food and alcohol 205.80€ / $272.80 – activities 130.04€ / $172.40 – miscellaneous 6,983.22€ / $9,259 – total

As you can see, Western Europe is not cheap. We traveled through Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Italy, plus side trips to the tiny countries of San Marino and the Vatican. Andy and I are not bare-bones budget travelers, but we aren’t luxury travelers either, so this should give you a decent middle of the road view on costs. You can spend less backpacking in Europe by traveling a little differently and choosing less expensive destinations.

Accommodation costs in Europe – 2,959.40€

We spent 52 nights away from our home. Most of this was in apartment rentals, but there were a few nights in hostels and hotels, plus one night spent on an overnight train. 2,959.40€ divided by 52 nights comes out to an average of 56.91€ per night.

We didn’t pay for 15 nights of lodging. The night on the train was technically free accommodation since the ticket price is entirely included in the train category. We also got complimentary accommodations in the following places: 2 nights in Rotterdam for the post-conference press trip; 2 nights in a hostel in Nice and 3 nights in a hostel in Naples , both sponsored by Hostelworld; 7 nights in Bologna as part of BlogVille, sponsored by Emilia-Romagna Tourism. If we had paid for those ourselves, I estimate we would’ve spent another 1,100€ for 14 nights.

So 2,959.40€ divided by the 37 nights we did pay for averages out to 79.98€ per night, roughly 40€ per person per night. I think this is pretty good considering how expensive hotels can be in Europe. Renting apartments as often as possible definitely helped keep our costs down, not only in this category but also in the food category.

Click here to grab a credit towards your first stay with Airbnb!

Train costs in Europe – 1,335.60€

This was a plane-free trip, so our major form of transportation was by train. The train system in Europe is generally really good, and I’m starting to like train travel more and more.

We looked at getting InterRail passes (like Eurail passes, but InterRail is for European residents) but after some research decided it wasn’t worth it in our situation. Since we had all of our dates set ahead of time, it was cheaper to book the train tickets ahead of time in most places. Train passes would’ve worked if we were booking at the last minute. There were a few trains we bought tickets for at the last minute (in the Netherlands and Belgium, and short distances in Italy) because the prices were almost the same and we wanted to leave ourselves some flexibility.

Other transportation costs in Europe – 295.60€

This is almost entirely public transportation, such as buses, metros, and trams. We used public transportation a lot since we were mostly in big cities and the distances were too far to walk. Almost each city we were in offers some kind of day or multi-day pass for their transportation system, but not all of them were as economical. There is one ride in a taxi and a round trip boat ticket in here as well.

Rotterdam Tourism covered the cost of our local transportation for the 2 day press trip including this crazy tuk tuk and a water taxi. Emilia-Romagna Tourism covered the cost of the van that took our whole group on a weekend excursion, but we paid for our transportation for things like getting to Gelato University and to Modena for the vinegar tasting .

>>See how much my Paris trip cost .

Food and alcohol costs in Europe – 2,056.78€

We did our fair share of eating (and drinking) out, but we purposely rented apartments so we could eat breakfast in and make our own meals occasionally. We almost never bought breakfast out, we went grocery shopping when we stayed in apartments, and didn’t eat at fancy restaurants. We certainly could’ve eaten in even more often, but we also wanted to make sure we were trying the local food.

We had a few lunches covered at the travel blogging conference, all meals on the post-conference trip were covered, and a few meals were covered during BlogVille. Overall we paid for almost everything we ate or drank, and I’m estimating about 3 days worth of meals we didn’t have to pay for.

2,056.78€ divided by 50 days averages out to 41.14€ per day, so just over 20€ per person per day. Not bad considering how often we ate out, drank out, and indulged in gelato. (Check out Andy’s post about the best sandwich ever .)

Europe activities costs – 205.80€

This number includes visits to Vianden Castle and Castle Gravensteen , the Anne Frank Museum , the tulip farm , the Cantillon brewery , Mini Europe , renting beach umbrellas, and a few other things like that. It is a bit low though because we had quite a few activities covered by the tourism boards we were working with. The things we did in Bologna while we were participating in BlogVille were covered, like our San Marino guide, my pasta cooking class and Gelato University . We also had complimentary tours of Pompeii , the Vatican , the Colosseum and Roman Forum, and a food tour from Walks of Italy. These are all activities we would have paid for on our own if we weren’t able to get them sponsored, and I estimate the cost to be around 700€.

Miscellaneous costs on our Europe trip – 130.04€

The majority of this category won’t apply to most people, but there will always be some other expenses along the way when you travel in Europe, especially if you buy souvenirs. I only had one pair of jeans with me, and they were an older pair, so just a week into the trip they had holes in them and had to be replaced for 39.90€ in Amsterdam. I also bought some earrings the same day.

Because we were traveling in Europe for 2 months, I had to buy contact solution about halfway through the trip. We put our luggage in a locker at the train station in Paris during our train layover so we could find dinner. I bought some postcards, as well as 3 souvenir thimbles for my mom. We also had to spend a whopping 20 cents each to use a bathroom, which I only bothered to include here because I thought it was funny.

We each used our cell phones a little bit while we were traveling, and the extra charges we incurred for using our phones outside of Germany came out to a total of 16.04€. We also had to pay to do laundry 3 times when we didn’t have free access to a washer, and that cost came to 20.60€ total.

Planning a trip to Europe? Click here to check out my itineraries!

Europe trip budget per day

Andy and I spent about 131.76€ or $174.70 per day in Europe. Since we had a lot of activities and accommodation comped, these number should be higher. If I factor in the estimated costs of the things we didn’t pay for, the budget per day comes out to about 169.49€ or $224.73 for two people.

So that’s how much we spent traveling in Europe for two months! Everyone’s Europe trip budget will be different, but this will give you a good starting point for how much money you need to travel Europe. If you prefer more luxurious hotels or budget hostel dorms, you’ll need to make adjustments when planning your trip budget and saving for your own trip. In the coming weeks I will break these down by city and country so you can get a better idea of what it would cost to spend a week or two in some of these areas for vacation.

You might also enjoy:

• How Much We Spent Traveling in the Netherlands
• How Much We Spent Traveling in Belgium
• How Much We Spent Traveling in Rome
• Unconventional Guidebook series with insider tips from locals, by Gigi Griffis
• Or check out more real travel budgets

38 Comments

This is very, very helpful, Ali! We haven’t been to Europe in ages, and couldn’t quite get a handle on what a mid-range trip might cost. We’re hoping to get to France for 3 weeks, sometime in the next year or two. Love the apartment rental ideal. Hope you two had an overall splendid time even though sometimes travel sucks. 🙂

Thanks Laila! Renting apartments does help, and it’s nice to have a little more space than a hotel room gives you. Let me know if I can help you with your planning at all!

You’re so kind! I’m just seeing this now, 3.5 years after the fact. I hope you’re well. I enjoyed reading your Kosovo posts. 🙂

No, Europe definitely isn’t cheap. Especially trains. We look at the cost of trains and 9 times out of 10, it is cheaper for us to drive or fly. And driving allows a ton of freedom.

That’s not horrible for nearly 2 months of travel, but still quite a bit.

Since you guys have a car, it definitely makes sense to drive most times. We don’t have a car, or valid driver’s licenses, so that’s not an option for us. And for the typical tourist coming to Europe from the US or somewhere, renting a car and having to pay for the gas and potential tolls, parking, and everything else normally isn’t worth it. By far our most expensive train tickets were going home, Rome to Freiburg, because we booked last minute. And the overnight train in France was expensive because it was an overnight and requires reservations. The rest were well under 100 euros per person, we just had a LOT of trains!

Thanks Ali. This helps a lot for those of us wondering if Europe is in budget. Always good to have up-to-date info.

Thanks Gillian, glad to help! You can definitely do things cheaper if you’re more conscious of what you spend, but Europe is not the cheapest destination out there.

My daughter and I were in Europe for just over 3 weeks in 2012. Our accommodation budget was 75E per night for two. We ended up pretty close to that. We stayed one night in a hostel and one night on a train (part of the train cost is included in the lodging cost). We did not use apartments, but mostly stayed in small hotels or b&bs. We were in Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, along the Rhine, Munich, Salzburg, Venice, Bruges and Switzerland. Some places are more expensive than others (Venice 130E) but if you average them out, this budget is do-able. in 2009, we traveled with 6 people and our average was between 30 and 33E per person per night. That time we used some triples and quads which keeps the budget down also.

Sounds like a great trip Phyllis! The smaller hotels and B&Bs are great too, usually cheaper than normal hotels, and usually run by friendly local people. The triples and quads make a lot of sense too when you have a group like that. Andy and I have looked into hostel dorms if we just need a night or two, but for just two of us it’s usually the same to just get our own room. There definitely are ways of traveling inexpensively in Europe, you just have to make it a priority and put a little effort into finding the cheaper places and other ways to keep your costs down.

This is a really good article that outlines the real costs of traveling. Even better you put it into US Dollars as well so international people like me can see the effect of the Euro in real terms.

I’m curious to know which site you used to the find the apartment rentals that you were talking about. I’m interested in renting apartment as part of my future trip to New Zealand but I don’t want it to be a homestay situation where I am living with somebody else. I would much rather pay the money and get the apartment on my own and deal with a complex manager instead. Are there any websites that you can go to that do this on a global basis?

Thanks Matthew, glad to help! The apartments we rented weren’t dealing with complex managers. We Airbnb.com for most of them, and also 9Flats.com for one of them. We’ve also used HouseTrip.com in the past and like that site as well. I’ll write more about apartments soon too, so that will have more details. When you rent through those sites, you usually deal with the owner of the apartment because individuals like you and me list their apartments on there. We have rented a few that are actually run by a company, so you would meet some employee, but it’s really not that different. Those sites are worldwide, and there are plenty of others too, some have more listings in one part of the world, some in others. Airbnb.com is probably the biggest, so I’d start there.

Very helpful and a little intimidating! We travel pretty bare bones, but I don’t know if I have the guts to tally it all it up to the last cent. Can’t wait to hear more about your fabulous travels.

It was a little rough to look at that big number at the end, but I have to remind myself that was 53 days of traveling, so it was never going to be low. If you go a little more bare bones you can definitely do this for less, but you have to decide which experiences and comforts are worth paying for.

I think this is super helpful since most popular travel blogs are written for backpackers traveling on a tight budget. I like how this is somewhere in the middle and a bit more realistic for most people!

Those food pictures made me hungry. Time for lunch!

Happy travels 🙂

Thanks Lauren, I’m glad you found it helpful! I don’t think I could ever be a bare bones budget traveler. We like to have little comforts here and there, we like to drink, and we feel strongly that some experiences are just worth paying for.

Sorry for making you hungry!

It is really not cheap travelling in Europe, now I know. At least being comfortable, having good food and enjoying most of the places to visit can be rewarding. Thanks for the information.

Thanks Jane, glad to help! Europe’s not cheap, but with a little effort it can definitely be affordable and enjoyable.

Fascinating to read this. We take our UK car over to Europe for about 5 weeks for a summer holiday every couple of years. We have found the costs of motoring have increased significantly in that time but because we have access to the car anyway it is still cheaper (and more flexible) than paying for 4 train tickets.

We tend to rent a few apartments in various locations that we know we want to visit as is usually cheaper than a hotel. For journeys in-between our booked apartments or if we just take a fancy to going somewhere we just ask at hotels in the area until we find one with a vacancy. If you wait until the evening they will usually be open to bargaining on the price, we usually figure on getting at least a 15% discount but usually a lot more. Better a full room than an empty one.

It can be a bit nervewracking. I remember one summer we realised we were only 4 hours drive from Budapest so we decided to go. We turned up and there was a convention in town, it took us 3 hours but we found a room and still got the discount.

For 4 people, I can totally understand that driving would be cheaper than having to buy 4 train tickets for each leg of your trip. We don’t own a car (or have valid driver’s licenses!) so driving just isn’t an option for us. Most of our train tickets were relatively inexpensive, but we had a night train in there which requires reservations and ends up being a bit expensive, and then we didn’t book our ticket home until 2 days ahead of time, so it was rather expensive too.

That’s great that you’re able to negotiate lower rates for hotel rooms sometimes! We booked almost every night ahead of time on this trip because we had specific things to do in most places and didn’t have as much flexibility, but I definitely want to take a more flexible trip in the future and just figure things out as we go.

This is such a fantastic breakdown! I really appreciate it when long term travellers take the time to share their cost of travel so that others who may be inspired to consider pursuing their own travel dreams can get a feel for what everything costs. In your case, you have made of point of listing more realistic expenses in regard to non-backpacker travel costs – as well as pointing out and detailing options in regard to sponsored travel! Thank you!

Thanks Mary! We’re not budget travelers by any means, though we do try to keep our costs down. But you’re right, I do hope this is a more realistic look for people who travel in the middle somewhere, not all out luxurious and not penny-pinching budget. I also felt it was important to point out the estimated cost of the things we got for free so others planning their trips have a complete view. I’m glad you found this helpful!

It is a bit scary to see it all out like that. But as you say we knew it was going to be high given Europe and that many nights. We could have cooked in more and drank less, but we also could have done a lot more activities. We essentially didn’t move for a week in Minori and we could have done some boat trips which would have been expensive. It will be a bit of a balance in the future between staying close enough to the things we want to do to reduce public transport cost and the extra cost of being in that place.

Wonderful post, my love.

Yeah, that total number does still seem so high, but we have to remember how long we traveled. And we had some really great experiences and hopefully have learned for next time. Thanks Andy!

I agree, it’s interesting to see it all spread out like that. I’ve been looking at my own travel costs- in the past year or so, I’ve spent many thousands of dollars myself on hotels, rail, food, and so forth. The hotels are the biggest expense by far. My expense tracking app says that so far in 2013, I’ve used 30 hotels at a total cost of $7,015.96.

I think I’ll do a “Cost Of Travel” post myself sometime soon; this is a particularly interesting topic to me.

It’s often helpful to people to see what the cost of traveling is, so that’s why I like doing spending posts. I’d rather spend that money on travel than just about anything!

Ali, Great resource, love the transparency you bring to your accounting post – pay toilette and all *laugh*

Thanks Maria! I really want to make sure people have a realistic view of the costs of traveling in Europe. Glad I made you laugh!

Ali! This is so helpful!!! Brian and I are headed to Europe soon (I’m hiking the Camino, I think we’ll do a bit of Europe afterwards) and I’m worried about budget. So this is so good to know. Thank you!

Thanks Kim! Europe is expensive, but there are definitely ways of cutting costs. If you eat out and cook more than we did, you can cut your food spending (especially since you’re vegetarian) and there are probably a few other things you could cut back on to spend less. Even traveling slower and not going to as many places. We definitely went to fast, and that adds more train tickets and things like that. Let me know if you have any questions!

Aieeeee! After a year in Asia, these numbers are freaking me out! We’re planning to head to Europe soonish, but we are going to have such sticker shock. I balk whenever we are asked to pay more than $20US for a room, so I have no idea what we’re going to do once we hit Europe (CouchSurf, I guess!)… I think we’ll really have to embrace slow travel while we are there, since transport costs will really add up and maybe getting some longer-term rentals can help defray costs. Clearly it’s time to start looking into how we can beef up our travel fund, pronto!

You CAN do it cheaper, but yes Europe is definitely more expensive than SE Asia. Apartments help because, even if they’re the same cost as a hotel or private room in a hostel, you have a kitchen and you can cook some or all of your meals to save money that way. The trains can get expensive, but compare them with flights and the occasional bus to see which is actually the cheapest. Most of our train tickets were pretty cheap, but the overnight train was expensive because it’s an overnight train and requires a reservation, and our tickets back home were expensive because we booked last minute. I’ve never tried CouchSurfing, but it might be a good option. There are also options to just rent someone’s extra room through Airbnb and those sites, and that would be cheaper.

Let me know if you end up coming through Freiburg! If we’re around, I’d love to meet you!

Thanks for sharing with us Ali, Western Europe is certainly expensive. I like reading how much other people spend as I like to compare, but also think its useful for travel planning. I’d like to visit Eastern Europe, I hope thats cheaper!

Glad to help, Jennifer! Eastern Europe should be cheaper. The farthest east I’ve been is Czech Republic and Croatia, both of which are popular enough tourist destinations that they’re closer to Western European prices. But there are still lots of inexpensive countries to explore!

The Cost Of Travel, Part II: My Year By The Numbers | Doin' Time On The Donau September 19, 2013 @ 6:02 AM

[…] over at Ali Adventures recently posted about what it cost for her and Andy to travel through Europe for two months, and also what it cost just for their trip to the Netherlands.  This sort of number crunching is […]

I guess that explains why we struggled so badly when we were there last year!

🙁 So sorry! I wish it was cheaper here!

which places did you travel exactly can you write them please and in which months did you have the travel which transportation you preferred by air or by land most of the time

That is all detailed in the post, including the countries we traveled to and that we traveled by train. No planes on this trip.

The Complete 2-Week Europe Packing List

Last Updated on November 15, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Putting together a 2-week Europe packing list can prove incredibly difficult regardless if it’s your first trip to the continent or if you are a seasoned traveller.

Especially if you’re trying to travel light and minimalistically, prioritising things for your trip to Europe can be a bit tricky. We have travelled extensively all over Europe and have refined this ultimate packing list in order to ensure that you have everything you need, but also not too much!

So if you’re after the perfect packing list for Europe, then look no further. We’re here to make sure that you’re perfectly well-equipped for your trip without bringing one item too many in your limited space!

Table of Contents

Europe Packing Tips

Before I jump right into what you actually need to pack for Europe, we do need to discuss a few things in order to ensure that you are completely prepared to leave on your trip to Europe.

One of the most important things to be aware of is the season where you’re travelling, along with the region. Europe is vast with an array of varied climates and what you need to bring to be prepared largely depends on where and when you are visiting.

What you eventually end up taking with you really inevitably comes down to if you’re visiting Europe in winter or summer, northern or southern Europe.

Another thing to keep in mind when you’re planning out a packing list for visiting Europe is just how much you plan to bring with you.

It can be really hard to know what you’ll need or use on your trip, especially if you haven’t travelled much in Europe before. However, it is always a great idea to try to limit the amount of stuff you cart around with you.

Packing light can be a lot more pleasant in almost every aspect of travelling, from not having to worry about the weight limits on airlines or hauling your bags up stairs, through train stations and luggage racks.

Packing light also has the added benefit of making your things a lot easier to pack up and move when you move destination. It is unlikely that you will plan to stay in just one location on your trip and you don’t want to have to unpack and repack a bunch of different things every few days – not only is this simply a pain, it can also be very stressful.

The packing list below is quite minimalist, however, in times of travelling for similar-length trips to Europe, I’ve found that it is beyond sufficient.

When it comes to selecting items of clothing, especially, try to stray away from anything that you cannot mix and match and, often, opting for darker colours can be a great option.

Thinking more in the mindset of bringing a small capsule wardrobe rather than individual outfits to wear will help you be able to pack light while also mixing and matching to create a new look every day.

The other tip when it comes to packing light is to find accommodation that offers laundry facilities. Planning to do a wash while on the road will allow you not to have to bring so many things considering the fact that you can do a load of laundry mid-way through your trip.

Many hotels and hostels offer laundry services or, alternatively, you could find an Airbnb that has a washing machine you could use yourself. Laundromats are also always an option, though I can’t imagine it’s the preferable option considering the limited amount of time you have when it comes to exploring Europe.

Finally, when it comes to bringing items such as a hairdryer, curling iron or straightener, I would recommend refraining from this.

The vast majority of accommodations will have at least a hairdryer on-site and, especially if you’re travelling to Europe from North America, the voltage in the plugs is completely different and you risk completely ruining your devices should you use them, even if you are using an adaptor.

All in all, there are a number of things that one needs to take into consideration when figuring out what to pack for Europe. Follow the guidelines below and you should be perfectly well-equipped for your trip!

Ultimate Packing List for Europe

This ultimate Europe packing list is perfect for those looking to pack light and be a bit more minimalist in their adventure. While this certainly isn’t a complete bare-bones packing list for those who want to, say, travel carry-on only, it is good for those looking to not bring everything but the kitchen sink.

This is intended that you pack in a larger main piece of luggage (whether that be a travel backpack , wheeled backpack or traditional suitcase) along with a smaller piece of carry-on luggage such one from Level8 .

If you want to keep your items all organised then we also suggest using some packing cubes like the Eagle Creek Pack-It Compression Cubes

This checklist is also appropriate for all sexes and genders, just pick and choose some things as they don’t apply to you.

Figuring out what kind of clothing to bring is arguably the most important and most difficult thing about packing for Europe.

As mentioned earlier, it’s always a great idea to opt for neutral colours and items that you can mix and match to ensure that you can have some variety in your outfits without having to bring too many things and take up necessary valuable space in your luggage.

• Depending on the season or region of Europe you’re visiting, either bring a mixture of long-sleeve and short-sleeve tops, just long-sleeve or just short-sleeve tops to wear in Europe.
• I always recommend bringing one or two nicer tops or button-down shirts along with more casual t-shirts or tops. We like Bluffworks t-shirts as they’re both practical and also look good!
• Bringing one pair of jeans and one pair of another type of trouser is a great idea or one pair of lighter jeans and one pair of darker jeans. Having at least one pair of pants that can be dressed up is always a good idea
• You can browse some of our the best options in our best pants for travel in Europe guide.
• I, personally, love Bluffworks’ dresses , which have concealed pockets, a classic and flattering cut and can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the situation. Oh, it also is wrinkle-resistant and fully machine washable.
• If you’re visiting Southern Europe or simply travelling in the summer months, then having one or two pairs of shorts can be a great idea, especially when you need to keep cool or are heading to the beach.
• If your trip is during winter, having a tank top or light base layer will keep you warm without having to result in a bulky coat or jacket.
• Depending on the season or region, a cosy wool sweater or a light cardigan is a great idea when packing for 2 weeks in Europe. It can also be a good idea if you bring one that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion (are you seeing a trend here?).
• Of course, you likely don’t need to include a jacket at all if you’re travelling to, say southern Spain or Malta in July, however, depending on the season, a warm, lightweight jacket is always a good idea for your trip.
• We recommend a packable down jacket ( click here for men’s version ), however, we have written a detailed guide for the best jacket for Europe depending on your needs.
• No matter the region or season, a rain jacket is always a good idea, as you can get caught out in a storm regardless of where and when you are travelling.
• We love the North Face Resolve ( click here for men’s version) as it has consistently kept us warm and dry in the rainiest of conditions.
• How much underwear you bring really depends on at what point in your trip you want to do laundry. If you want to avoid washing at all, then go ahead and bring 14 or 15 pairs of underwear. They do take up valuable space, however.
• Like underwear, how many socks (and the kinds of socks) you bring really depends on your shoe preference and just how often you want to do laundry.
• Bringing a swimming suit is a great idea even if you’re not going to a seaside destination. You never know when you may go to a bathhouse, sauna or pool on your Europe trip no matter the season.
• If you happen to be travelling to a beachy destination like Italy or Spain , consider bringing 2 pairs so you have time to dry each suit between wearings.
• I, personally, like to bring one regular bra and one sports bra, but this really depends on your needs and preferences.
• If you’re not a pajamas person, then don’t bother. I am, so I bring them. One pair for 2 weeks is sufficient.

Shoes take up A LOT of space in your luggage so limiting the footwear you bring on your Europe trip can be the ticket for maximising the space in your bags.

We have a complete guide on the best shoes for Europe to help you pick the right footwear for you. This is just what we recommend bringing when you’re compiling a packing list for 2 weeks.

• A good pair of sturdy, stylish walking sneakers is essential. Pick comfortable walking shoes that you can walk in for hours and kilometres and not have sore feet.
• I, personally, love the Ecco Soft 7 trainers and wear them all the time. For a men’s version consider the Ecco Soft 7 Runner.
• Choose your second pair of shoes depending on your style and the season you’re travelling in.
• If you’re an active traveller, are visiting a largely outdoor destination, or simply plan to do a bit of walking and hiking, then a good pair of hiking boots such as the Merrell Siren Edge for women ( available on REI here ) or Merrell Moab 2 for men ( available on REI here ) is essential.
• Small, compact, and helpful for everywhere from the beach to a hostel shower to a public pool, a pair of flip flops should always make it into your luggage!

Accessories

Whether fashion accessories or handy electronic gadgets, some of these are absolutely essential items to bring with you on your trip to Europe!

• The most important accessory of them all!
• Perfect for add a splash of style to any outfit, sipping over your head or shoulders if you’re visiting a church, using as a makeshift blanket, and also for its traditional use, a scarf is absolutely necessary to bring with you no matter the season.
• A warm hat to keep you toasty in the winter in Europe is always welcome, as is a sun hat to protect you from the harsh rays during summer in Europe.
• An essential item on any winter packing list!
• A solid anti-theft handbag like the PacSafe Cityscape or day pack is perfect for keeping your valuables safe and secure while you’re out and about sightseeing and exploring.
• Buying water and using plastic water bottles is a thing of the past. There are an infinite number of great water bottles for travelling to choose from like a Hydro Flask and you’ll never need to buy a single-use plastic bottle again.
• If you’re more serious about your photography than simply relying on your phone, then bringing a good camera is a great idea.
• We love the Sony A6400 for its high-quality images at a decent starting budget and there being several great travel lenses to use with it. Make sure to bring extra memory cards!
• You always need to have something good to read, but don’t want to pack a bunch of heavy books to bring with you – a Paperwhite Kindle solves all of these problems and it is an absolutely essential item if you love to read.
• Buy a prepaid SIM card like the Orange 20GB SIM either as physical SIM or eSIM to ensure you can stay connected in Europe.
• Finding a universal plug adaptor with a number of different USB drives is a fantastic option and is an absolutely essential item when travelling to Europe from elsewhere in the world!
• Finally, a power bank will give you peace of mind should your phone die while you are out and about or if you forget to give something a much-needed charge when you need to use it.
• Making sure you have an adequate number of charging cords for all of your devices will ensure that you can make sure everything can get the best battery life possible.
• A travel pillow is nice to have if you have a long flight or are taking overnight trains or buses.
• World Nomads   offers flexible and simple travel insurance policies with coverage for more than 150 activities that you can buy or extend while on the road.
• SafetyWing offers travel medical insurance policies that can are an option for long term budget travellers.
• Save your money and landfill space and forgo the travel-sized toiletries for refillable bottles of your shampoo and conditioner. We love GoToobs .
• You might want to bring earplugs if you’re staying at a hostel or budget accommodation where street noise can be an issue or for your flight.
• To avoid unnecessary spills in your toiletry bag, we recommend using a bar soap rather than a shower gel, but this is really up to you
• Keep your dry skin nice and hydrated!
• Bring as little makeup as you need. Personally, I limit myself to one lipstick, one eyeliner, mascara, a small eye shadow palette, foundation and a few brushes. I also make sure I have facial cleansing wipes for makeup removal and just to wash my face at the end of the day.
• If you’re a lens wearer, you need to pack this!
• Blisters and cuts happen, best to be prepared rather than have to hunt for a pharmacy to find these things while travelling.
• While you can get ibuprofen and the other over-the-counter pretty much everywhere, it’s always nice to have it on hand should a headache threaten to put a damper in your Europe trip. Ditto with other OTC medications you take regularly.

Piecing together the Europe packing list for 2 weeks doesn’t have to be all that difficult if you take into consideration all of the things outlined above. Think minimally and pack light and you’re sure to have a fantastic time on your adventure — wherever it may be that you’re going!

Are you trying to figure out what to pack for two weeks in Europe? Was this packing list helpful for your trip? Let us know in the comments!

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

This is a great comprehensive list. It helps to prioritize what is really essential and can serve as a thorough starting point even if you want to tweak it some to meet your needs. I would add socks, belt and 1 or two costume jewelry pieces to the list.

Great list. I reviewed it against my list and they were pretty close. I have been reading your other articles and they have been most helpful. Many thanks!

This is very helpful. Thanks. I always seems to pack too much. Helen

Can most of this fit in a carry on and a personal bag?

This can be really dependent on the kind of bag, how you pack and the airline’s requirements! Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful 🙂

Thanks this was very helpful for a first time traveler 😉

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17 Best European Cities For A 2 Day Trip

• Riga, Latvia: A cheaper European city with walkable streets and plenty of history, perfect for a short two-day trip.
• Normandy, France: Iconic sights like Mont Saint-Michel and outdoor activities make this region doable in just 48 hours.
• Cinque Terre, Italy: A picturesque location with cliffside hotels, beaches, hiking, and stunning sunset viewpoints.

Being able to visit Europe for an extended period of time is a part of living the dream for most world travelers. Yet, for the average wanderlust, a weekend getaway or a 2-day jaunt might be the best they can do. Typically, if you work full-time, have limited PTO, only so many vacation dollars on hand, or simply have other obligations—a European getaway can seem like a tad bit of a stretch. But the good news is there are a wealth of places to go, sights to see, and things to do in Europe that can easily work with a shorter vacation itinerary. In fact, here are some of the best European cities abundant with beauty to check out if you're looking for a quick 2-day trip abroad.

UPDATE: 2023/09/22 12:44 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Are More European Cities For A 2-day Trip!

This post has been updated with two new European cities for a 48-hour trip and expanded information per existing destination. Whether someone wants to explore a small town in Europe, go for a hike, lay on the beach, or soak in as much history as possible, all things can be done in these stunning cities. Have fun!

Riga, Latvia

• Riga is one of the cheaper European cities to explore in short timeframes.

For those wanting a cheaper two-day trip in Europe, checking out Riga, Latvia may be worth it. Here is where one of the most affordable vacation destinations in the Continent lies, boasting walkable streets, plenty of history, and friendly people. Riga is the capital of Latvia, boasting 600,000+ residents, so there is a metro system and ways to get around. Overall, this is the perfect European city to witness if you only have a couple of days to spare.

Normandy, France

• Normandy boasts many iconic sights, which can be seen in two days' time.

As one of France's most stunning regions, Normandy can be done in a short period. Most times, tourists want to try and hit up the most iconic destinations in Normandy, like the Mont Saint-Michel, Rouen Honfleur, and Giverny while in this area. It's typically better to book a hotel near a downtown corridor in Normandy, as this means less time in a cab or private car. In addition, Normandy boasts many outdoor activities that are perfect for a two-day vacation, like hiking trails, beaches, and memorial sites. There's a lot to do: but with good scheduling: Normandy, France is doable in 48 hours.

Cinque Terre, Italy

• Cinque Terre boasts cliffside hotels, beaches, hiking, and plenty of close-knit attractions.

Cinque Terre is one of the most colorful places in Italy. It is an amazingly picturesque location to spend a beautiful and cozy weekend in. There are hundreds of viewpoints to watch the sunset, including the popular Corniglia, which is simply gorgeous once the town gets soaked in a lovely orange glow. Hiking enthusiasts appreciate The Cinque Terre Trail to Corniglia as they welcome the beautiful views from above the towns.

Prague, Czech Republic

• Prague has walkable corridors, restaurants galore, and cheap hotels.

Considered one of the most charming cities in Europe, Prague is full of sights to see and presents a hefty amount of value on the Eastern European side . Charles Bridge is likely one of the most well-known bridges in Prague. It is a busy place, but it can be more peaceful in the mornings for visitors who are not too eager to crowd. During 1 or 2 days, travelers stroll the bridge and the surrounding streets and head to see the Old Town Square, another iconic spot to explore, nestled in the heart of Prague. Lastly, people head up the Old Town Hall Tower, which is stunning, and stop to see the famous Astronomical Clock.

Oslo, Norway

• Oslo is more expensive but boasts many sights, restaurants, and hotels.

This Norwegian city is a fascinating one to visit during the weekend. People go to see the fjords of Norway, which offer outstanding views on a clear summer day. Visitors glance into Oslo’s history at the 13th-century fortress built to defend the city from invaders or the Renaissance castle that was house to kings and queens and still operates as a great spot to see. Art lovers can’t leave Oslo without seeing the world’s biggest sculpture park made by artist Gustav Vigeland.

Paris, France

• Paris has a great metro system and walkable streets/districts.

Paris is always a good idea! This beautiful city is ideal for a weekend getaway in Europe. There’s no better place to kick off someone's day. The architecture, the deliciously tempting food , the cafés, the art, and the iconic sights are enough to make people wonder why they haven't moved yet. Visitors can spend a sunny summer day in the city of lights enjoying outdoor activities such as picnics or biking to finish the day by having a romantic dinner overlooking the gorgeous Eiffel Tower. Adventurers have fun searching for secret spots in Paris that will make them dream.

Edinburgh, Scotland

• Edinburgh is walkable and hosts many festivals throughout the year.

Although it is the most costly time to visit Edinburgh, the very best time to visit is during the month-long Fringe Festival. This special month boasts lots of free stuff to do in the city, and visitors come from all over the world to witness the pretty electric energy of Edinburgh. Edinburgh offers a whole host of thrilling adventures and boasts lots of great bars and restaurants for a hot experience.

Florence, Italy

• Florence is filled with art, history, and culture: try and plan ahead.

For travelers who want to dive into Italy's art, food, and culture in 48 hours or less, the city of Florence is an excellent option. With limited local attractions, you don't have to worry about trying to see it all because you can easily cross off the must-sees like the famous Leaning Tower in Pisa in a single afternoon. Moreover, this rustic and beautiful city is brimming with quintessential Italian architecture, art, culture, wine, and incredible cuisine. So, 2-day visitors won't feel like they missed out on anything if they can only spend a short time here.

Barcelona, Spain

• Most people can walk for the entirety of a two-day trip in Barcelona.

Depending on the time of year you visit, Barcelona may be warmer than one would expect, but this Spanish city is absolutely gorgeous. Here 2-day visitors will find everything they could ever desire from a European hotspot and then some. That said, Barcelona is on the larger side, stretching from Las Ramblas all the way to the Nou Camp —so be careful and plan your activities wisely if you're short on time. Overall, the tapas are phenomenal, the music is always pumping, and the locals are ready and waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Dublin, Ireland

• Many tourists tackle Dublin in 72 hours or less.

Dublin is yet another cheap European destination that you can cover in roughly two days' time. Of course, Guinness and Jameson lovers should try not to spend all their allotted time drinking. With incredible attractions in and near this city, travelers can quickly get the lay of the land here in less than 72 hours. Dublin also has quite the nightlife, a great culture, and ample history. So, get out there, see some of the sites, grab some drinks, maybe stay the night in a castle , and enjoy.

Related: 13 Safest Cities In Europe To Travel To 2022

Hamburg, Germany

• Hamburg has great public transportation and is family-friendly.

A popular stag destination and a fascinating city to explore with the kiddos are what you'll find in Hamburg, Germany . Depending on your trip goals, your 48 hours could look a lot different than the next traveler's, but the point is you can get whatever it is done with time to spare here. With one of Europe's most incredible model railway and miniature airport attractions, buzzing nightlife, convenient access to the Baltic Sea, and so much more, the possibilities really do seem endless in Hamburg.

Gdańsk, Poland

• This city is smaller, being great for day trips and two-day vacations.

Spending a couple of days in Gdansk is practically life-altering. As soon as you arrive, you feel like you've entered some kind of paradise that you never knew existed: and even that may be an understatement. Poland might be a tad chilly at times, but overall this is a wonderful destination to cross off your quick getaway bucket list. Gdańsk is home to outstanding fishing, great food, low prices, and fantastic entertainment. That shouldn't go unnoticed, and if you're feeling festive, the Christmas market is actually quite remarkable, too.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Amsterdam has many walkable and bicycle-friendly districts, which can be seen in two days.

Amsterdam is a famed European city that needs no introduction. The airport here is definitely an experience, to say the least, but once you make your way through all of that, the real Amsterdam awaits you. Here, 2-day visitors can enjoy sightseeing, delicious cheeses, rich history, breathtaking museums, relaxing coffee shops, canal cruises, and more. With lovely cycling routes, wonderful bridges, and picturesque scenery, this city is a welcomed breath of fresh air. Plus, getting around and finding last-minute affordable accommodations in Amsterdam isn't tricky at all.

Manchester, England

• Manchester will be easier to navigate in two days than London, England.

For travelers heading to the UK with limited time on their hands, Manchester is the more reasonable option than, say, a 2-day trip to London. Though the Big Smoke is filled with things to do, places to be, and unique sights, covering it all in 48 hours can be challenging. So, instead, visitors can explore the well-known city of Manchester. This city’s music and sports scene alone are enough to get anyone on a plane, but that truly is the tip of the iceberg. For shopping needs and wants, you can't go wrong here either.

Related: 10 Essential European Experiences To Have When Visiting Europe

Porto, Portugal

• Porto is one of the better 2-day vacation ideas for Portugal travelers.

If you're considering a compact trip somewhere in Portugal , then the city of Porto is definitely one of the stand-out destinations. Though Porto can be underrated among the other biggest European cities , this actually works in your favor. Visitors can easily traverse this beloved city in a few hours or less, sample the tasty cuisine, check out a live sporting event while enjoying a beer or two, and simply take it easy. That said, Porto is actually the perfect little respite from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life.

• Helsinki is filled with food, sights, and landmarks: make sure and schedule ahead.

In general, Finland, as a nation, is known for being pretty cold and pretty mysterious – Helsinki , though, is a blossoming city that is known for being a growing financial hub in Europe (and it also has a pretty insane airport). Aside from the incredible Market Square, must-try cuisine, and the fact that this city is remarkably safe, the Suomenlinna is a beautiful local attraction to check out while visiting. The Suomenlinna, or sea fortress, offers you a chance to test the waters with some real Finnish history. But be careful; by the end of your 48 hours here, you might already be planning your next trip.

Budapest, Hungary

• Budapest is easily walkable and boasts many close-knit communities.

Last but not least, Budapest is always worth a visit, no matter your time constraints. Whether you opt to spend your time enjoying this city's renowned dive bars or decide to visit the Jewish quarter instead, it's hard not to bask in all the glory of this Hungarian wonderland. Overall, Budapest is as clean as it is beautiful and is known for being a place that allows travelers to escape their everyday lives – if only just for a day or two. A bonus here is the outdoor baths, which are always good fun. Of course, if you only have 48 hours, you might want to maximize your time around the city, soaking up the rich culture and ample history instead.

The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare in 2024

Editor's Note

• The best days to fly for the cheapest domestic and international fares are midweek.
• Aim to book domestic flights one to two months ahead of time. 
• For international flights, plan on booking three to five months ahead of the trip.

At TPG, one of our key goals is to help you find the cheapest airfare . However, your ability to find valuable airline deals depends on a few factors.

Flights during the peak of summer and, of course, the holidays are often much more expensive. Still, there are ways to hedge your bets and get better deals than others. That said, some of the common tips people tout are flat-out false.

Have you ever heard that booking a flight on a certain day of the week will yield the cheapest results? Perhaps you're thinking of a cousin who claims he found a great deal when he checked on airfare prices at 12:01 a.m. on a Wednesday. Maybe your friend swears by setting a reminder on their phone for 1 p.m. on a Thursday when shopping for flights.

There's just no truth to that legend.

While there is no shortage of rumors (and "studies"), here's what airfare experts say about how timing influences airfare prices so you can maximize airfare savings.

Is there a day that's cheaper than others to book a flight?

It's a question we get asked all the time: "What is the cheapest day to book a flight?" There's a common misperception that certain days are better for finding flight deals. However, research shows that this is a myth.

There is no magic day to book, but there are some sweet booking windows when airlines lower prices, according to Lindsay Schwimer, a consumer travel expert at the booking app Hopper .

Hopper relies on 10 years of data and 80 trillion flight prices to recommend the best time to book specific routes and dates.

"Typically, we tell travelers for domestic trips to start monitoring prices three to four months in advance of a trip," Schwimer said. "Expect to book one to two months in advance."

For international trips, the booking window is a bit larger. You should start monitoring six to seven months prior to the trip and book it three to five months in advance. That's the recommendation from both Hopper and TPG.

"When you're traveling internationally, planning ahead is key to getting the cheapest airfare," Hayley Berg, Hopper's lead economist, said in another interview. "Travelers often book international flights too far in advance or too last minute, overpaying significantly for their tickets."

Remember that the strategy changes pretty dramatically if you book with points and miles . Airlines often open award space for coveted business- and first-class seats either when the schedules open or at the last minute.

As for whether there's a particular day that's cheaper than the rest for booking, Schwimer mentioned that "there's no one day or golden rule when to book."

Berg echoed this sentiment.

"There's a common myth that 'booking on a Tuesday' will guarantee a traveler the best price," she said. "The reality is prices change so often and depend on the route, the travel dates, etc., that there isn't one day that guarantees you the best price."

What's the best day to travel?

Although airfare prices fluctuate based on when you book, midweek travel is generally cheaper than flying on weekends. That said, Sundays can also be a sweet spot.

"Flying midweek can save you nearly $100 off your ticket," Schwimer said. "So when you're thinking about when you want to travel, try shifting your dates midweek versus flying over the weekend. If you can be flexible and book either a Tuesday or Wednesday versus a Friday or Saturday, you're gonna save significantly off your trip."

Berg had similar thoughts.

"Travelers who fly midweek, usually Wednesday, can save an average of $56 per ticket on domestic airfare throughout the year," she said. "Midweek savings spike over $60 per ticket during busy spring break and summer vacation months, while flying midweek over the holidays can save you $100 or more."

Schwimer also had some good advice to price the first flight of the day. Often, you'll find those early departures can save you some big bucks. It's not easy to set the alarm for 4 a.m., but it's easier to wake up when you know you're saving money.

"We always recommend booking the first flight of the day, not only to avoid delays and cancellations but also in terms of price," she said.

Additionally, according to Bob Harrell — an airfare consultant at Harrell Associates who analyzes airline pricing — you might also find airfare prices fluctuate Monday through Friday. That's because airlines look at customer demand and monitor booking trends to decide whether to open or close certain types of fares and whether to raise or lower existing fares.

So, how can you use this information to your advantage when buying airline tickets?

Try using a price monitoring tool to get real-time updates to help you decide when to travel for the lowest fare. Tools like Google Flights and Hopper's "Watch This Trip" can help you track the price of your desired route before booking; they will indicate or directly notify you when prices are at the lowest for your trip.

When to book holiday travel

Best time to book flights for summer trips.

It's not too late to look for deals for summer travel.

Berg said that prices tend to drop on average one to two months before departure, but lately, we are seeing a lot of last-minute travel deals — even to Europe.

"Prices will change frequently," Berg said. "Don't wait too long to book, as prices can increase by almost double in the last three weeks ahead of takeoff."

If you are already looking ahead to next summer, Hopper recommends monitoring flight prices at least three to four months in advance and then booking one to two months before the intended travel date.

If you plan to head abroad next summer, the booking window is naturally further out, particularly for longer-haul transpacific flights.

"For trips to Asia and Oceania, we recommend booking five to seven months before takeoff," Berg said. "For Europe and other regions of the world, we recommend booking anywhere from three to six months before departure to get the best prices."

Best time to book flights for spring break

The best time to book your spring break trip is similar to the timeline for summer trips. You should begin monitoring prices for your desired destination three to four months in advance, depending on when your (and your family's) time off falls. Set Google Flights alerts now for upcoming trips you have in mind.

For example, if your spring break falls in March, the ideal time to book is before early February. Flexibility will also help here.

Remember that demand surges during the spring break period after the doldrums of winter. Many people wait too long to book those trips and end up paying more than they need to.

Hopper says airfare prices will fall between one and three months before departure and rise rapidly in the last three to four weeks before spring break.

Best time to book flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas

The cheapest holiday airfare deals are generally available in September and October.

"We tell people to start monitoring in August," Schwimer said, "but our typical book-by date is mid-October, so usually around the 14th of October." She added that "no later than Halloween is usually our book-by date for both Thanksgiving and Christmas."

Similarly, a Google Flights booking trends report suggested that average flight prices around Christmas were lowest 71 days before departure.

Prices will only rise as the holidays approach, so your best bet is to book sooner rather than later.

Best time to book flights for New Year's Eve

Like Christmas flights, Hopper says you should try to lock in bookings for New Year's by Halloween at the latest.

That is true for "really any of the major winter holidays," Berg said. "We recommend booking further in advance. I would book that New Year's Eve trip as well before Halloween."

What about hotels?

Hotels are a special category where you can often wait until much later to score good deals.

"We often see good deals last minute for hotels in big cities. Something to keep in mind ... especially for those holiday weekends," Schwimer told TPG. "And you know that [during] the Christmas holiday period, you can often find some really great last-minute deals in big cities if you wait.

"Obviously, that's not always ideal in terms of planning," Schwimer continued, "but we have seen some really great deals in that last-minute window in big metro cities."

Bottom line

While there is no magical time or day to book airfare for the best prices, your best bet is to fly midweek, specifically on Wednesdays, for both domestic and international travel. Flying over the weekend can come at a significant price premium, though Sundays have occasional deals.

Also, try booking domestic flights one to two months ahead of time.

For international flights, your best bet is to aim to book three to five months ahead of the trip.

If you are using airline miles , remember that it's never too soon to start checking and booking.

Related reading:

• Best airline credit cards
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations