Ready to plan your first trip to Europe? These six travel tips for beginners will help make it smooth and memorable.

 

Planning that first trip to Europe is exhilarating. It might start as a simple thought like, “What if we went to France for our anniversary?” and soon enough, you’ll find yourself dreaming of exploring the Greek Isles or cozying up in a pub in Ireland.

In my experience, these six travel tips for beginners have proven invaluable time and time again. They’re easy to remember, simple to implement, and most importantly—they work. Use them as you start your journey into travel and keep them handy for all your future adventures.

And remember, you can always contact me for any advice! I love talking travel and helping others to plan their first trip.

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Travel Tip for Beginners 1: Plan your trip for yourself and your companions, not for someone else.

This is a very important addition to this list of travel tips for beginners. No matter the length of your trip, don’t overstretch yourself when it comes to activities. If there are big things you want to do like visiting the Louvre in Paris, paying your respects at the Anne Frank house or heading to the British Museum, keep the planning lighter outside of that.

This isn’t to say you CAN’T do more that day, but don’t stack your big sights in such a way that you wind up rushing or even worse missing out on a time slot or reservation. It’s when we’re rushing and fretting that mistakes happen and nerves get frayed, so take it easy on yourself and your companions!

A good way to think of this is to plan that big thing (or 2 at the absolute most) and then include time to explore around that experience. For instance when visiting the aforementioned Anne Frank Museum we left very moved by the sobering experience. Knowing this, I planned in plenty of time for my wife and I to grab a bite to eat and just relax to level ourselves out. This was followed by a walk through Amsterdam’s Jordaan district, where we happened upon what would become our favorite bar in the city.

Because we didn’t try to cram more in we were feeling great and were able to roll comfortably into an excellent evening . So in your own travels go for the things you want to see, but be sure to leave adequate time around your plans. You’ll find yourself feeling much more energized and open to the things you find along the way.

Travel tips for beginners 2: Don’t overdo it with activities, focus on one big thing a day

This is a very important addition to this list of travel tips for beginners. No matter the length of your trip, don’t overstretch yourself when it comes to activities. If there are big things you want to do like visiting the Louvre in Paris, paying your respects at the Anne Frank house or heading to the British Museum, keep the planning lighter outside of that.

This isn’t to say you CAN’T do more that day, but don’t stack your big sights in such a way that you wind up rushing or even worse missing out on a time slot or reservation. It’s when we’re rushing and fretting that mistakes happen and nerves get frayed, so take it easy on yourself and your companions!

A good way to think of this is to plan that big thing (or 2 at the absolute most) and then include time to explore around that experience. For instance when visiting the aforementioned Anne Frank Museum we left very moved by the sobering experience. Knowing this, I planned in plenty of time for my wife and I to grab a bite to eat and just relax to level ourselves out. This was followed by a walk through Amsterdam’s Jordaan district, where we happened upon what would become our favorite bar in the city.

Because we didn’t try to cram more in we were feeling great and were able to roll comfortably into an excellent evening . So in your own travels go for the things you want to see, but be sure to leave adequate time around your plans. You’ll find yourself feeling much more energized and open to the things you find along the way.

Travel tips for beginners 3: Be wary of brutal itineraries, and be mindful of travel scheduling

Planning a trip is a lot like putting together an outfit, put it all on and then reduce. And when you’re in the dreaming portion of a trip it’s easy to get caught in the excitement of putting a big list of stops together!

If you’re planning a trip with multiple stops, give yourself better odds of enjoying them all by reducing the itinerary just a bit. Instead of rushing between many cities frantically, take time to enjoy the vibe and pace of life in the ones that make the cut just a bit more.

A wise planner shared her travel tips for beginners with me years ago when I proposed a trip from London to Paris to Greece. While this is doable…it would have been a slog within 10 days. My amateur enthusiasm got in the way, and I was soon talked down to a trip that included Paris and a couple of side trips in France instead. Much more doable, and it was a fantastic trip!

The same advice applies to your transit as well: keep it simple and doable. If you can help it, don’t take an arrival flight that has more than 1 stop along the way. Be mindful of your departure and arrival times. If you’re leaving from the United States, try and arrive in Europe in the late morning to mitigate the time change, and make it easier to check in to your lodging. 

If you have a multi-leg trip keep your options open when deciding how to get from place to place. Although trains are widespread in Europe and convenient, there will be times where taking a short intercity flight or renting a car will be better options. Do your research and take the time to figure out what will maximize your time spent in your destinations.

 

Travel Tips for Beginners 4: Use a travel credit card with great benefits, and explore work perks.

This travel tip is popular, but it’s worth repeating! Maximizing travel benefits through a credit card can be a game-changer. While there are many travel cards, those that include lounge access offer extra comfort during layovers. I prefer the Capital One Venture X card for its lounge network, points-earning potential, and substantial perks that offset the annual fee.

There are a lot of blogs out there that know how to supercharge the points and credit card rewards process. While that’s all well and good, in practice I’ve found it much simpler to just keep that one card and use the Capital One portal to book hotels to earn more points. It’s best to not overthink points at this, well point. Get your feet wet with points-earning for travel and you’ll soon be ready to think of the more advanced methods to bank those valuable points.

The lounge access will be a game changer I assure you. Grabbing a spot away from the crowds with complimentary food and drink can turn delays and layovers into much more enjoyable experiences. And don’t get me started on the joy of grabbing a hot shower if you’re lucky. You won’t want to travel without lounge access!

Don’t forget to check with your workplace for additional perks. Some companies offer paths to airline status or perks that many people overlook. Start by asking colleagues or your HR department for any available benefits—you might be surprised at what’s available.

Travel Tips for Beginners 5: Choose local restaurants, but don’t hesitate to go for a chain if needed.

We all love finding a hidden gem, and local dining is usually the best option. But don’t be too picky in a pinch. Many great travel days have been derailed by the hunt for the “perfect” spot to eat. Better to choose something familiar and avoid getting hangry.

On a recent trip to Japan, my wife and I spent too long hunting for a restaurant, which led to frustration and a less-than-ideal meal. Had we eaten sooner or grabbed a snack at one of Japan’s many convenience stores, we could have avoided that.

Even if you end up at the golden arches of the unofficial American Embassy, it’s better to be full and happy than hungry and irritable. Take the opportunity to eat BEFORE you’re starving, and you’ll be better equipped to hunt down a hidden gem later on.

Travel Tips for Beginners 6: Give yourself and your companions grace—mistakes are okay!

Travel is at its best when you can look around and feel like you’re uncovering a bit more of the world. And at its worst? You might miss a train or get caught in the rain. But these moments often become the best stories or funniest memories.

But those are the moments that often turn into the best stories, or that you’ll look back on and laugh. Maybe you’ll meet a friendly local who helps you navigate, or find yourself discovering an unexpected gem while you wait out the rain. 

Embrace those mishaps as part of the adventure—they’re the bits that remind you you’re not just on a trip, you’re in a completely different place with its own rhythm, and you’re part of it, if only for a little while. 

When those bad moments do come for you and your traveling partners, above all else be kind and give each other some slack. Feel your feelings, process and then get back to the matter at hand: enjoying your trip. I can say from plenty of experience if you look to get back on the right track quickly, you’ll be laughing and wondering why the hell you were upset in the first place.

After all, these experiences shape your journey just as much as the picture-perfect moments do.

Congratulations on taking the leap to pursue your travel dreams!

I hope these six travel tips for beginners make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Every time I travel, I learn and relearn these tips, and each time, I count it as a win.

These are tips that have served me well, and I hope they’ll do the same for you. The best part is they’re simple to apply not only to European adventures but to any trip.

So, did you find these travel tips for beginners helpful? If you could go back and give yourself advice on your first trip, what would you say? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to get in touch if you need help planning your first trip.

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