In Europe, the upcoming summer will be a busy travel time. In Europe, the summer of 2022 was a little strange. Given the frequent airline delays, the heat wave, the mountains of lost luggage at Heathrow Airport, and the congested cities, you might be wondering if this is the best time to travel to Europe. Are there any tips for traveling in Europe that can reduce hassles?
Yes, it is the solution. Absolutely! And we have some suggestions to help you avoid disappointment, save money, and perhaps make some different decisions this time.
The US dollar is currently trading at parity with the Euro for the first time, making this the perfect opportunity for Americans to travel to Europe.
- To prevent being left stuck without money, get the proper travel insurance.
I’m sure you’ve heard this one before. If you don’t already believe in the adage “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford travel,” or you believe that getting travel insurance is a waste of money, then this is the case.
I’ve never gone on a trip since I started taking them frequently without travel insurance. Never.
Furthermore, it has ALL become profitable over time. Despite delayed flights, a camera that was stolen, lost luggage, quarantine, Covid, and other issues, I was still able to get my money back. Every single time.
However, there’s a legitimate reason I consistently get paid. The terms of your travel insurance policy must be understood by you.
Even without taking into account probable medical issues, your travel insurance is important given how frequently flights are canceled and bags are lost these days. So without a question, this is the best piece of advise for visiting Europe, especially now.
I suggest utilizing SafetyWing. This insurance company must offer one of the more affordable insurance plans accessible today. They are, nevertheless, more suited to nomads and extended journeys.
- Make use of eSIM to maintain connectivity without incurring enormous data-related phone costs!
The invention of the eSIM must be one of the biggest game-changers for anyone thinking about visiting Europe!
Should you get an eSIM for travel to Europe now that you know what it is?
Absolutely, I say yes! It will allow you to keep your original SIM card in your iPhone so that anyone attempting to text you will be able to do so, saving you both time and money.
This year marked the first time I used an eSIM because I frequently pay for travel-related expenses online (flights, trains, tours, etc).
In the past, I would have purchased a local SIM card for my phone, but now my bank texts me a security code whenever I make an online purchase. I alternated so frequently between my original SIM card and the new local SIM card (from Australia).
I eventually came upon an Airalo eSIM, and I really like it.
All you have to do to get online is download an app, purchase and activate an eSIM for a country or region.
The eSIM delivers your internet data, but your original SIM card is still in your phone and still lets you receive SMS.
Here’s why purchasing an eSIM for Europe is your best choice:
In Italy, think about getting a local SIM card. If you fly through London or to Switzerland, which is nearby, your data will be invalid because neither country is a part of the European Union.
You will also only get texts in Italian from the Italian Mobile operator, which will make things more difficult for you.
Once more, this is a game-changer and the best piece of advise I can provide to friends and family members planning a vacation to Europe.
As a result, there are many reasons to purchase an eSIM for Europe:
It is quite easy to complete and can be done before your vacation. how much data is left in the application
Only bring a carry-on bag if you can.
You can pack into a carry-on unless you’re going Europe in the thick of winter, which I know might be challenging for some travelers to even consider.
It doesn’t matter if you intend to stay one week or three weeks—you can simply wash laundry midway through—because there are now many laundromats in the big cities.
THE BEST ADVICE IS TO PACK LIGHT WHEN VISITING EUROPE IN 2022:)
There are several amazing carry-on bags available nowadays that can fit a lot while being very easy to roll and pack. My Osprey 40L Carry-On backpack is the best and is ideal for my adventurous travels.
I also lived out of my Samsonite carry-on bag for years while working as a tour guide throughout Europe. My most recent update is the Stack’d Carry-On Spinner suitcase, and I couldn’t be happier with it!
Check out our detailed packing list for Europe if you need help with your preparations.
The most important thing to do is to organize your favorite and most-worn outfits at home. Two evening/dinner ensembles, two versatile everyday outfits, and if in doubt, leave it at home!
You may always purchase apparel in Europe if you forget to bring something vital.
Your checked luggage may go missing this year more than usual due to the busy and understaffed conditions in European airports. So that you won’t have to worry, just bring a carry-on.
It might also be helpful when visiting hotels or other cities given that Europeans commonly travel with carry-on baggage and everything is built to accommodate less luggage (trains, luggage compartments, and elevators).
Instead of renting a car and going independent, think about taking a tour.
I’m aware that for many of us, renting a car and exploring Europe by road sounds like the perfect way to do it. 2022 might not be the best year to carry this out.
Automobile rental companies sold a lot of cars to survive the outbreak. They are only now getting back into full speed and adding more vehicles in order to really meet the high demand for car rentals. However, there is a big need for cars right now.
What happened? Renting a car can suddenly be three times as expensive. Not to mention, fuel costs this year are the highest they have ever been. It’s one of the reasons we chose to go to Scotland with Rabbies.
So why not think about taking a tour this year?
Because there are so many travel annoyances and issues these days due to transportation delays and even hotels “losing bookings this year,” taking a tour can be a stress-free way to explore Europe. I should be aware.
For many years, I served as a tour guide and tour director for a number of different tour operators.
When you go on vacation, difficulties are dealt with by someone else, and tours also provide you a lot more. On the tour, you get to socialize and make new acquaintances, but the organization, data gathering, and preparation are handled by someone else.
More time will be available for you to enjoy your well-earned holiday.
If you want to see a lot of Europe and appreciate the idea of traveling in a nice coach, look into Expat Explore’s trips.
These people have been organizing trips throughout Europe for many years. They have fantastic road crews, top-notch customer service, itineraries that include a ton of must-see destinations, and they are really reasonable! They are exciting, fun journeys, and if you need a break, you can add a few additional days at the end for some rest.
To avoid missing out, reserve your entrance tickets and/or tours online before you travel.
You may remember hearing stories about people waiting hours in line to visit the Louvre in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome. In actuality, you are no longer necessary to do that, and in certain places, buying an attraction ticket at the gate is even prohibited.
You have to order it online.
Prior to traveling to Europe, you should make reservations for tours and entry passes to the Vatican City, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the Accademia or Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the Louvre in Paris.
The best place to look for admittance tickets for any European attractions and locations is Get Your Guide.
A single booking site will make it easier to keep track of all vouchers and reservations, and any international credit card may be used to make a reservation and pay for it. Look up tours and tickets for the European destination you are visiting by visiting their website here.
They also have a fantastic cancellation policy if your plans change.
Travel in October and November, which is the shoulder season.
As I write this blog during Europe’s heat wave and clogged streets, the following recommendation is the finest.
The shoulder months of October and November are ideal for traveling to Europe later this year.
September is an excellent month to travel to Europe because less people are traveling because the summer vacations are over.
The days in northern Europe are remain typically warm, while the south of Europe is making the most of its final month of warm and sunny days. However, some locations are still crowded.
I suggest visiting Europe from November to October. Although it will occasionally rain and you’ll need a light jacket as the days grow shorter, there are several compelling reasons to visit Europe right away, particularly in 2022:
Hopefully, the airport and hotel staffing shortages won’t be as terrible as they are right now.
As new employees will have been trained and have some season experience, there are less likely to be any problems with your travel.
It is cheaper! Due to the fact that hotels and airlines triple their prices during the peak seasons, you will save a ton of money by doing this. We use Booking.com to look for the lowest hotel rates.
Heat stroke is not a possibility. Given the extreme heat this summer, I’m convinced that most visitors would choose to spend 6–8 hours exploring Rome in a cool 20–°C environment than one in a 40–°C environment.
While traveling throughout Europe, there’s a decent chance you’ll have time to see all the popular attractions because they won’t be completely sold out days in advance.