Adventure is calling, will you answer?
If you are thinking about planning a Europe trip, you will be happy to know you will be getting more than memories. Scientists are discovering that traveling abroad can relieve stress, boost happiness, prevent depression, and increase your creativity.
However, to get the most out of your vacation, you have to start with a well thought out travel plan.
Knowing how to budget your travel time and money will make the difference between an okay time, and the trip of a lifetime. Luckily, we have created a short but complete guide on how to make travel abroad the right way.
Read on to learn the best tips for traveling to Europe.
Planning a Europe Trip
As you get ready to start planning a Europe trip, you will want to make sure you have all of your documents in order. If you don't already have a passport, it can take a few weeks to get one.
It takes time to apply for your passport, as well as waiting to receive it. If you are worried you won't be will to get your passport in time, you can look into expedited services to speed things up a little bit.
However, keep in mind that if you choose to use expedited services, it will cost more for your passport.
Check Expiration Dates
If you already have a passport, go ahead and check the expiration on the passport you currently have. The last thing you want to do is to find out your password isn't valid, while you are at the airport trying to board your flight.
Certain countries will have rules about how long your passport has to be valid. For example, even if your passport is valid now, and will be valid for your Europe trip, it may need to stay valid for months after your trip. Make sure you're clear what the passport requirements are, and how long your password has to be valid for before you go to the airport.
Rental Car Companies
Another reason you will want to have your documents in order is because of the rental car companies. Every rental car company will require you to have a valid driver's license from your home country.
Go ahead and double-check the expiration date of your license, and find out if the rental company you are using requires international driving permits. If you also plan on visiting Russia or Turkey on your trip, you will need to get a valid visa in addition to everything else.
Make a Realistic Budget
The moment you decide that you'll be planning a trip to Europe, start creating a budget. The sooner you can begin making your budget the better your overall trip experience will be.
It's amazing how many cheap destinations you can find, especially if you're willing to travel in the off-season. Take your time as you search for accommodations that fit within your budget. If you find that your budget can't cover everything you want to do, you might need to shorten the length of your Europe trip.
We suggest creating a budget as the first step so you can avoid unnecessary disappointment. There's nothing worse than creating the perfect itinerary, only to find out you don't have enough funds to make it a reality. You can also use travel budget apps to help keep you on top of all of your expenses once you start making bookings.
Traveling Solo Tips
Are you planning on going to Europe all by yourself? While some people find the idea of traveling alone to be scary, others find it invigorating. If you decide to travel overseas without a partner, you'll still be able to have a wonderful time socializing with the people you meet.
If you choose to stay in hostels, you'll automatically have a temporary traveling family to spend time with. Another way to find cozy accommodations, it is to stay at bread and breakfast. You can choose one where the owners and other guests will eat breakfast together.
Another great way to meet people is by joining one of the many different tours. Europe is famous for having walking tours, like food tours, or walking city tours.
As you learn about the town, you'll be well to meet other fellow travelers. Finally, as you travel to different tourist sites, you'll meet friendly faces almost everywhere you turn.
If you're a particularly shy person, your camera can be a great icebreaker. Go up to a group of travelers, and offer to take their picture with their camera.
Don't Try to See It All
Imagine how stressful it would be if you tried to see New York, Washington DC, Florida, and California in 1 trip. You'd have to rush from place to place, never getting a chance to soak it all in. The same line of thinking holds true for traveling abroad, especially when it's a Europe trip.
It's common for individuals going to Europe, to cram too many destinations into their itinerary. Yes, Europe is a huge location filled with must-see spots. However, it doesn't matter how many amazing places there are to visit if you don't narrow down your destinations.
Trying to see a new city every day, can make your entire Europe trip feel stressful, rushed, and tiring. Instead, pick out a couple of cities you can actually spend time in. Now, instead of stressing yourself out, trying to see everything, you can fully soak in each city and what it has offered.
Immerse yourself in every location you go to, allowing 3 to 5 days at each spot. Trust us, when it comes to going to Europe less is more.
Be in the Moment
Now you have some great traveling tips for planning a Europe trip. All of your hard work preparing for your trip will pay off when your departure day finally arrives.
Instead of worrying about all of the details, you can confidently enjoy your traveler's journey, soaking up every new experience. And don't spend the whole time on your phones texting, checking social media, or trying to find the best selfie! That would be such a waste of an exceptional Euro trip.
For more tips on how to have the best time traveling, check out the other travel articles on our Frugal Finance site. Visit the Travel or Lifestyle sections of our website right now to learn how to travel on a frugal budget!
