European Vacation Information

Plan your first trip to Europe



This guide shall help you in preparing your first trip as early as possible. The planning tasks are grouped by time periods although some tasks can be or should be done earlier in some cases.
This planning guide is supposed to remind you of the most important things that you better should not forget in order to make your trip as smooth as possible.

Half a year before you go

  • Choose your destination
  • Start learning a bit of the language of the country you are planning to go to
  • Obtain a guidebook for Europe, by country or even better by region
  • Look into renting an accomodation or inform yourself about hotels


About 4 months before you go

  • Apply for a passport just in case you don't already have one
  • Check airfares
  • Buy suitable shoes for walking

2 months before you go

  • Reserve lodging
  • Think about your preferred method of transportation in Europe - Train or Car?
  • If you plan to travel by train, inform yourself about rail passes in the country/countries you are going to. You may save money by going overnight. This way you save hotel costs and make maximum use of your rail pass.
  • If you plan to travel by car, lease or rent your car and go to your AutoClub to obtain an internation driver's license.

About one month before you go

  • Do you own a camera? If not go and buy one and learn to use it.
  • Find out about travel or health insurances
  • Take stock of your luggage
  • If you need telephone services in Europe, rent a cell phone.
  • Inform yourself about ATMs' locations in Europe
  • Do you have a security wallet or a money belt to hide your valuables?
  • If you bring appliances you might want to check whether you need adapters or convertors.
  • Have you got road maps if you travel by car?
  • Do not forget addresses or data to keep in touch with your friends

Right before you leave

  • Make copies of your documents and give them to someone you can trust.
  • Got all your medications or prescriptions, if applicable?
  • Got your credit cards?
  • Don't forget the passport, the tickets, and the car rental agreement if you chose to travel by car
Now enjoy your stay and keep on having an open mind!