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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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10 things you need to know before your first trip to Europe
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Quick summary
First-time travelers to Europe should focus on a few destinations rather than trying to see everything in one trip.
Comparing flight costs and considering entry cities can help maximize savings, but be aware of extra charges from low-cost carriers and certain airlines' taxes and fees.
Train travel is often more convenient and scenic than flying within Europe, with options like multi-country passes and additional discounts for passholders.
Advance planning—such as booking museum tickets and checking attraction hours—can help avoid long lines and closures.
What to consider
Low-cost airlines may advertise cheap fares but often add charges for bags, seat selection and even water.
Some popular attractions may close on unexpected days, so checking schedules and booking tickets ahead is recommended.
VAT refunds are available for qualifying purchases, but forms must be requested at the point of sale and processed at the airport.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed advice on using public transit, avoiding hidden restaurant charges and tips for handling currency and payment abroad.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Update: The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card is no longer open to new applications. View the current offers here.
Some of us first go to Europe as study-abroad students, but many of us never make it across the Atlantic until later in life. I was one of those latecomers, arriving in Europe for the first time in my late 20s.
I’ve been dozens of times since then, but no matter how often you explore Europe, or whether you do it alone, as a couple, with friends or with your family, the first time is always the most exciting and memorable. Europe can be overwhelming, but figuring out how to make the most of your trip is not impossible. These tips will help ensure your first trip to Europe goes smoothly — and that you’ll go back again.
London's Big Ben and Westminster Bridge. (Photo by sborisov/Getty Images)
Pick which city to fly into by comparing costs
Europe is small compared to the U.S. and it's easy to land in one country and go visit others by train or cheap, short flights. Pick a region of continental Europe -- western, central, eastern -- or the U.K., and then choose your destination city because flights there are the cheapest. Be careful, however, of low-cost carriers which charge for extras like bags, seat choice and water.
Airlines flying to certain cities like Dublin or Kraków, which is one of TPG's 20 hottest travel destinations of 2020), are known for having low fares, or offering tickets for very few miles or points. But be careful -- some airlines, like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, may not charge a lot of miles to get to London but often charge astronomical taxes and fuel surcharges, so be sure to check all airlines for the best deal. And watch for award-redemption deals. Business-class flights on American Airlines to Europe were pricing out at 84,000 AAdvantage miles round-trip just this week. Tips and tricks abound for how to take advantage of these deals.
Kraków, Poland. (Photo by Maria Sward/Getty Images)
You can’t do everything
One of the most common mistakes that first-time visitors to Europe make is trying to cram in too much. Unless you’ve got several months (or years), you won’t be able to see every recommended museum, historic building, neighborhood, city or country. Instead of trying to check off multiple places in one week, focus on one or two cities that you can experience more thoroughly and allow time to get off the beaten tourist track occasionally.
In some of the larger cities, you won’t even be able to see all the museums and attractions in one go. After all, a thorough visit to the Louvre in Paris can take a half-day or longer. Better to fully enjoy it than try to hit everything else there is to see in the City of Light in one trip. In Europe, there are just too many “must-sees.” I recommend at least three nights in larger cities and one to two in smaller cities and towns. Also, building in one day of relaxation per week will make your trip more enjoyable.
If you don't have time to go inside the Louvre, at least walk by and take in the gorgeous views. (Photo by Roman Slavik/Getty Images)
Take the train
Although some of the low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet offer tempting ultra-cheap airfares within Europe, taking the train is often the better option. No need to deal with extra security time, zero legroom or tons of hidden fees that add up fast. Plus, it’s hard to deny the romance and epic scenery of train travel in Europe.
If you’re staying within one country, take the local trains for high-quality service and some of the best trains in the world. If you’re visiting multiple countries, the Eurail Pass has you covered. The Eurail Pass provides access to 31 countries and roughly 40,000 destinations. Use its recently launched Rail Planner mobile app (which also works offline) to check train schedules, book reservations and plan trips on the fly or in advance. Travelers can see their whole route as a day-by-day itinerary and routes can also be tracked on the map.
An added bonus is that Eurail passholders get dozens of additional discounts and benefits in each country at places like hotels, restaurants, attractions and museums, and for local transportation.
Although Europe is small and many cities are surprisingly close to each other (London to Paris is 2.5 hours by train; Rome to Florence and Brussels to Amsterdam are each about three hours), many people forget to build in this travel time into their packed itineraries. Even on short flights (less than an hour), you need time for security and dealing with baggage.
Amsterdam. (Photo by Ansgar Scheffold)
Walk and use public transit
Most European cities are extremely pedestrian-friendly and walking is often the best way to experience them. You can meander down alleys and narrow cobblestone streets, stopping at charming cafes and small ateliers you might never have discovered otherwise. Although it may seem easy to take a taxi, sometimes it can be hard to decipher local taxi laws and tourists can be targeted by illegal cab drivers. If it’s too far to walk, look into local public transit like subways, trains and buses which are often easier to figure out than you may think — and super cheap. Plus, there’s no better way to feel like a local.
Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Make sure you have a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. If vendors ask whether to charge you in the local currency or U.S. dollars, always choose local currency and let your bank do the conversion to dollars. Most vendors in major cities accept credit cards but it’s always a good idea to carry some local currency.
Here’s a quick list of some of TPG’s favorite cards without foreign transaction fees:
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates & fees)
Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
American Express® Green Card (see rates & fees)
United Explorer Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (see rates & fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Amex Green Card, and Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Check museum hours and buy tickets in advance
Some of Europe’s most popular attractions are closed on certain days of the week — and not the days you assume (like Mondays). Check museum hours carefully and plan accordingly. It’s a good idea to buy tickets for popular museums and attractions online in advance, especially in cities like Paris, because times may be sold out or there may be long lines to get in without an advance ticket. City Passes may be worth it if you’ve got several pricey attractions on your list.
Costco sells discounted passes for many city attractions. For example, a four-day London Pass with hop-on, hop-off bus access costs $125.99 per adult. The official London Pass website doesn't sell a four-day ticket but a three-day pass costs $142.99 per adult, so Costco's offering is definitely a deal.
Don’t eat the bread — Unless you want to pay for it
It’s common in many cities for waiters to set down a bread basket at the start of a meal but you may be charged if you eat it. The same is true for water — bottled water, which does cost money, is typical at most restaurants and you may get a strange look if you ask for tap water.
Claim your VAT refund
An easy way to save money if you do any shopping is to claim your Value Added Tax (VAT) refund at the airport before you leave. Ask cashiers for the forms when you make a large purchase and follow the signs for VAT refund at the airport.
Make time to get your VAT refund at the airport. (Image courtesy of Shutterstock)
Be open-minded
Be open to experiencing local foods, customs and language. Europe can sometimes feel like the United States, but it’s not. Things are different there, which is part of its charm.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
