A first-timer's guide to planning a Europe trip, how many cities, getting around, budget, best time to go and how to avoid trying to do too much.
Europe packs extraordinary variety into short distances, which is exactly why first-timers overpack their itineraries. Here's how to plan a first trip you'll actually enjoy.
Don't do too much
The classic mistake is five cities in ten days. You'll spend the trip in transit. Pick two or three and go deeper. Two well-chosen cities plus a day trip each beats a blur of train stations.
Choosing your cities
Start with anchors that suit your taste: history and food in Rome, art and cafés in Paris, design and canals in Amsterdam, or the buzz of Barcelona. Torn? Compare them, Paris or Rome, Barcelona or Rome.
Getting around
Trains link most of Europe city-centre to city-centre and are often faster than flying once you count airport time, check specific routes like Paris to Rome. Budget airlines cover longer hops.
When to go
Late spring and early autumn are the sweet spot, good weather, fewer crowds, lower prices than midsummer. See best time to travel.
Budget
Western Europe isn't cheap; our budgeting guide and each destination's cost-per-day help you plan realistically.
Put it together
Feed your chosen cities and dates into the planner and it'll build a paced, day-by-day plan with budget and travel between them.