Your first trip to Europe: a calm, practical checklist

A first trip to Europe is exciting and, if you're not careful, exhausting. The best trips we plan aren't the ones that see the most. They're the ones with enough breathing space to enjoy what you came for.

Check your passport and entry rules first

Many Schengen countries expect your passport to be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave, and issued within the last ten years. Check the date before anything else. US, Canadian and many other visitors who don't need a visa will need an ETIAS travel authorisation once the scheme starts, so look at the official EU ETIAS website before you go.

Pick fewer places than you think

On a ten-day trip, two or three bases is plenty. Each move costs half a day once you add packing, checking out, getting to the station and finding the next hotel. Use day trips to see more without changing hotels.

Fly into one city, home from another

An open-jaw ticket, for example into Paris and home from Rome, saves you backtracking. It often costs about the same as a simple return. Ask us to price both.

Trains are your friend

• High-speed trains link many major cities in a few hours, city centre to city centre.
• Book long-distance trains a few weeks ahead for the best prices; regional trains usually don't need booking.
• Keep the ticket handy: some trains check them at the platform gates.

Money and phones

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for small cafés and markets. Tell your bank you're travelling, and choose to pay in local currency when a card machine asks. An eSIM or your carrier's travel plan saves a big bill.

A note from our planners

Write down the three things you most want to do. If the itinerary doesn't make room for them, it's the itinerary that should change.