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How to plan a trip to Europe: A step-by-step guide
From visas and budgets to itineraries and mobile data, learn how to plan a trip to Europe step by step and stay connected the whole way.
Knowing how to plan a trip to Europe comes down to a handful of steps: check your passport and visa or entry requirements, set your travel dates and budget, book flights and accommodation early, map out an itinerary, and sort your money and mobile data before you fly.
The catch most first-timers miss is that not every European country sits inside the European Union or the Schengen Area, which changes how long you can stay and what you need at the border. The rest is timing, budget, and a few bookings worth locking in early, and a smart way to stay connected throughout the trip with a travel eSIM.
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Decide where you want to go
There’s no single way to plan a Europe trip, but deciding where you want to go first makes the rest fall into place. When choosing European destinations, consider what you want to experience during your trip.
Since you can easily move from one country to another, you can visit different iconic landmarks in no time. But is that everything you want to do?
- Historical landmarks: Every European country has its own rich history, but countries like Italy and Greece are particularly famous for their iconic landmarks, like the Parthenon and the Colosseum.
- Beaches: Spain, Portugal, and Greece are ideal destinations for a summer trip, especially if you consider cities and islands like Mykonos, Tenerife, and the Algarve.
- Outdoor activities: From the Alps to the icy landscapes in Iceland, outdoor activities are ideal for several European destinations if you’re interested in hiking and connecting with nature.
- Museums: Europe has some of the most beautiful museums in the world. The Uffizi Galleries, Vatican Museums, Louvre Museum, Rijksmuseum, and many others are great places to visit.
These are just the tip of the iceberg, as there’s much more to do and visit in Europe, so take your time to consider where to go based on what you want to experience.
Consider seasons: Europe can be extremely hot or cold, affecting the activities you can do during your trip. Consider seasons when traveling during your planning process, as it will also help you choose what to pack for Europe and always check the weather forecast.
Check for visa requirements before your trip
Currently, US citizens visiting Europe can access and stay in most EU countries up to 90 days without a visa.
The main requirements are a valid passport for up to six months after the travel date, a flight ticket, and enough money to cover your expenses. Plus, a hotel/Airbnb reservation might be requested upon entry.
But there are some things to consider:
- Are you traveling to a non-European Union country or outside the Schengen Area? If so, entry requirements might vary from country to country.
- Check if the country or countries you visit are within the Schengen Area, as you can stay for up to 90 days.
- The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now live at the border (details below), and a separate online authorization, ETIAS, is expected in late 2026. You can’t apply for ETIAS yet, so there’s nothing to file ahead of your trip for now.
New at the border: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
Since 10 April 2026, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully live across the 29 Schengen countries. Instead of stamping your passport, border officers record your entry and exit digitally, along with a facial image and four fingerprints, on your first arrival. Later trips use a faster verification scan, and your data stays on file for three years. There’s nothing to apply for in advance, since registration happens at the border. Children under 12 give a photo but not fingerprints, and Ireland and Cyprus still use manual passport checks. To move through faster, you can pre-load your passport details and photo in the official “Travel to Europe” app up to 72 hours before you fly, though it’s in only some countries so far.
But since the Schengen Area is a bit complicated to understand, here are some additional details.
Understanding Schengen stay limits for non-EU tourists
- You can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- If you hit the 90-day stay, you must leave and can return after 180 days.
- Your 90 stay days are calculated using a 180-day window. The Schengen Calculator and similar apps can help you calculate this limit.
- You can visit a non-Schengen European country, like Serbia or the UK, and stay there legally before you return to any Schengen country.
It’s important to note that fines, deportations, and potential bans can apply if you break the immigration rules.
Also, if you’re moving to a non-Schengen country, remember to double-check the entry requirements.
Plan your travel dates and how long you plan to stay
When planning a trip to Europe, check what the weather will be like on your travel dates as the continent goes through the four seasons.
Chances are you don’t want to walk around Rome in the summer heat, or perhaps it’s the other way around, and you don’t want to freeze while walking close to La Gran Via in Madrid.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the seasons in Europe:
- Winter: November to March
- Spring: April to May
- Summer: June to September
- Autumn: September to November
While some cities have fewer visitors from October to April, major cities like Paris, Rome, or Athens are always packed no matter the season.
Also, research the local popular events, like the Venice Festival or Christmas markets, when planning your trip. Experiencing them is unforgettable, but it also means dealing with crowds, so they are important depending on whether you want to be there for them or plan around them.
Lastly, plan to stay at least two weeks to experience an authentic European vacation. But if possible, one month for your first trip will be spent visiting most major cities.
Look for dates and festivities/events to experience them: Europe has many things to experience, like the Tulip Season, which takes place from late March to mid-May, Oktoberfest in October, or Sanfermines in July, so check the calendar to find the best local activities to enjoy.
Buy your plane tickets
Buying your flight tickets in advance is an ideal way to save money when planning a trip to Europe.
Consider that flights will have different pricing depending on where you’re leaving and your chosen dates. Here are some examples of an off-season trip:
- Prices to fly from the Denver Airport to London range from $608 to $765 for a round-trip.
- Prices to fly from the Boston Logan Airport to Madrid range from $630 to $821 for a round-trip.
- Prices to fly from the Miami Airport to Madrid range from $552 to $727 for a round-trip.
On the other hand, if you plan to make a summer trip to Europe, a round-trip ticket can easily cost between $985 and $1.280.
Lastly, chances are you’re considering a multi-city trip to Europe. For example, when traveling around Europe, consider buying your tickets in advance with airlines like Ryanair or WizzAir to save money, but remember these have some luggage restrictions and sometimes don’t fly directly to the main airports.
Another option is to use airlines like Iberia, Lufthansa, or Air France for higher prices and better service.
Choose where to stay: Hotel, hostel, or Airbnb
When planning your European trip, you must consider where you’ll stay. You might want to stay in a hotel or Airbnb based on your itinerary.
Hotels are a great option if you’re staying in the same city for long periods of time. The same goes for specific Airbnb locations, because resting and feeling comfortable is also part of the experience.
But if you’re visiting a new city and only staying for a night, there are other options to consider, especially if you’re on a budget. You can stay in a hostel with a small group of people, stay in a cheaper hotel room or Airbnb, and then leave the other day.
Either way, you must book your hotel or Airbnb room in advance. The best options are quickly booked, and chances are you don’t want to stay two hours from the city for a good trip.
Tip: You can try apps like Housesitting or Couchsurfing, where you can get free accommodations for short-term stays, and you can later host other travelers back in the US as well.
Create a travel itinerary for each city and country you visit
Planning to visit the main attractions isn’t enough when traveling to Europe. You can go to Paris and go further than the Eiffel Tower, like taking a tour of the Catacombs, or if you’re going to Madrid, consider visiting the city’s outskirts as well.
But, besides creating a travel itinerary based on where you want to go, don’t forget to add essential information like:
- What are the closet’s historical landmarks, museums, sightseeing locations, restaurants, and other interesting places you can visit?
- What’s the best way to move around the country/city? Are there enough train routes, good public transportation, and mobility apps like Uber?
- If you’re visiting isolated places like mountains, look for local tour agencies. A guide will ensure a proper experience.
- During your planning process, don’t forget to add how much you can spend on each country/city you’re visiting.
- Always add the flight or train travel dates to avoid surprises in your Europe itinerary plan.
Respect local culture in each country: Each country has its own social rules, like traffic rules, religion, and politics, which you must respect during your entire trip. Also, it’s better to avoid discussing religion and politics in specific countries, like the Balkan countries.
Find the best way to exchange your money
Since you’re traveling from the US to Europe, you’ll need to exchange your USD for EUR to have some pocket money handy for things like a walking tour, public toilets, laundromats, or throwing a coin on the Trevi Fountain.
You can find different currency exchange companies within major airports, making things easier during your trip, but these usually offer a low exchange rate. Instead, wait until you head over downtown and find better exchange rates!
Lastly, while Euros are accepted on most European destinations, if you’re visiting the United Kingdom, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Bulgaria, or Hungary, you’ll need to exchange your USDs for their local currency.
If you have doubts about using the Euro, you can visit the European Union Site to find the full list of countries accepting this currency.
Figure out your internet connection for Europe
You’ll want data the moment you land, whether for museum tickets, Google Maps, or translating a menu. Roaming is expensive, and SIM cards in Europe or pocket WiFi can be limited or pricey, so an eSIM for Europe is the more practical way to use your phone in Europe. It starts at $3.90 per day with unlimited data for up to 90 days, dropping to as low as $1.55 a day on a longer plan.
Every Holafly eSIM also comes with Always On: if your data runs low mid-trip, it steps in with 1 GB of free monthly backup that works in more than 70 countries. And if you travel often or work remotely, Holafly Plans covers 160+ destinations on a monthly subscription, you can cancel anytime.
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FAQs: How to plan a trip to Europe
Plan a trip to Europe on a budget by booking flights and stays months ahead, traveling in shoulder season from October to April, and using low-cost airlines like Ryanair or WizzAir between cities. Choose hostels or shared Airbnbs, and skip airport currency exchanges for better downtown rates.
Begin planning a trip to Europe by confirming your passport and visa requirements, then setting your travel dates and length of stay. From there, book flights and accommodation early, choose your destinations, build a day-by-day itinerary, and sort out money and mobile data before you fly.
Plan at least two weeks for a first trip to Europe, which gives you time for two or three cities without rushing. One month lets you cover most major destinations at a comfortable pace. For a single city or region, one week can be enough.
Start planning a trip to Europe about six months ahead. That window gives you the best flight and hotel prices, time to renew your passport if needed, and room to build an itinerary. For summer or holiday travel, aim for eight to nine months, since the best-value flights and stays go early.
A two-week trip to Europe from the US usually runs $2,500-4,000 per person once you add up flights, accommodation, food, local transport, and activities. Off-season dates, budget airlines, and hostels bring that down, while summer travel and central hotels push it up. Setting a daily budget per city keeps spending predictable.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
