Traveling becomes a lot easier once you know a few simple tricks, especially when you’re moving between countries, cities, and transportation systems.
Getting Around
Public transportation is your best friend. Most major cities in Europe have extremely reliable metro, tram, and bus systems, and buying a pass will save you time and money. Look for:
- Day passes if you’re exploring a lot in one day
- Weekly or monthly passes if you’re staying longer
- Reloadable transport cards (like London’s Oyster card or Barcelona’s T10)
These passes usually cover all forms of transit, making it super easy to move around without worrying about single tickets.
Finding Cheap Flights
One of the biggest hacks to traveling abroad is knowing where to look for affordable plane tickets. Some of the best tools include:
- Skyscanner—great for comparing airlines and flexible date searches
- Google Flights—easy for tracking price drops and exploring nearby airports
- Hopper—predicts whether prices will go up or down
- Momondo—another good comparison site with hidden deals
Flying on weekdays, choosing early morning flights, and being flexible with dates can all drastically lower the cost.
Other Helpful Tips
- Always carry a reusable water bottle (most cities have refill fountains).
- Download offline maps on Google Maps before exploring a new city.
- Use WhatsApp for messaging—it’s what most people outside the U.S. use.
- Walk when you can. European cities are super walkable, and sometimes you discover the best spots by accident.
- Keep some local currency, even if most places take cards.
- Check luggage rules carefully, especially on low-cost airlines—they charge for everything.