Traveling Europe in 2023

There is so much to do and see across Europe, it can be overwhelming to plan a trip like this on your own. Don’t panic! I am here with all the goods and you are about to get everything you need for traveling Europe in 2023.

So, keep reading; I have put together the ultimate guide for you to use for your Eurotrip. Let’s Go!

Ideally, you would spend at least two weeks wandering one of these routes. It could be spent in awe at the Eiffel Tower. 

Roaming the red light district in Amsterdam.

Strolling pieces of the Berlin Wall.

Floating the canals of Venice.

Rolling the hills of Slovenia.

Or Turkish bathing in Budapest… you get the point. 

  Whether you choose a plane, train, bus, or car, getting around the EU and experiencing the culture, languages, and food can be as simple as 1, 2, 3 

Lets Go!

What Is The Best Way To Travel Around Europe?

Plane, train, bus, or car you ask? Flights around the EU won’t kill your purse.

Air

There are usually budget airlines charging as little as $29 for a one-way flight. Make sure to read about which airlines might charge extra for bags, seats, etc.

I purchased a flight from Budapest to Naples the night before for $230. So the prices can be higher for those last-minute decisions. 

Traveling by train is very popular. Getting around via train is super simple and fast.

Rail

Euro Rail passes are pretty popular with people hopping from country to country, and I can attest to the comfort and speed of the trains.

But I feel they can be costly and somewhat restricting, when it comes to time and hopping on and off.

Bus

I will say my favorite way to travel across Europe was by bus.

I Highly recommend night buses for longer journeys and early morning arrivals. Just remember accommodation check-ins are usually in the afternoons. As long as you have a place to store your bag(which you always will), all will be well.

 FlixBus is super popular, and the only company I used on my Euro trip, with tickets as cheap as $3,$4, and $5. I was hopping on and off like a mad woman.

**You will probably add on villages and small enchanting towns between meeting other travelers with great recommendations on the double-decker buses that I will say made my 2017 Euro tour more amazing than I had dreamed it could’ve been.

 PPerferct 

Traveling Germany, Austria, and Swiss

If you choose this trip, I promise you will not be disappointed!

Fly into Berlin and make yourself at home in one of the many hostels in the city.

Get to know some people. Ask hostel staff about the best places for local AND tourist vibes, and then get out!

Berlin is a big city with small-town prices. Perfect for the budget traveler. I love that, and I can guarantee that you will, too!

Visit the Berlin Wall, walk down the street drinking a bottle of wine with zero judgment,

Austria

OH EM GEE

  I rode the Flixbus and some trains around Austria, and while it was a bit more expensive than Germany, I would highly recommend it.

It is honestly a marvel. 

Vienna is teaming up with opera houses, palaces, and museums.

  A fabulous suggestion to take in the Lipizzaners dressage show at the Spanish Riding School, this show is the epitome of discipline and luxury. These dancing horses, famous white horses, are no circus act. They are performing ballet-like acrobatics that will leave you stunned.

Switzerland

   Saving up for Switzerland is necessary. This place is costly, I have yet to go but I hear it’s tremendous in every way. Most people I have met that have been there did not stay long but had no negatives besides it being too costly.

Switzerland has been described as being unreal. I believe it.

The famous lakes Zurich, Lucerne, and Geneva. Are beautiful sites, with their towns and surrounding mountains being popular attractions

Slovenia

Along with parts of Austria, beautiful Slovenia has been a backpacker’s favorite for some time now. 

During the summer months, Slovenia is prime for hiking, swimming, and exploring small villages 

The Julijske Alps, less than three hours from Bled and Ljubljana, this mountain range is a top-notch alternative if Switzerland is not an option.

Bled is a fabulous lake town with breathtaking mountain views. This place is a must-see!

Ljubljana is filled with markets and walkways. Palaces and cathedrals with modern twists here and there have a little bit of something for most to enjoy.

sTraveling Berlin, Prague, Slovakia, Hungary, 

A backpacker’s delight. 

Affordable.

 Relatively short travel distances. Culture, food, history, and views.

Starting in Berlin find yourself around this massive city that is not intimidating. 

  An affordable Euro city with bustling nightlife and plenty of history to keep you busy during the day catching the flix bus to Prague from here is easy.

Read up on top things to do in Berlin HERE to get started.

  There are so many hostels in Berlin filled with people of all ages and backgrounds booking.com, hostel world, or just googling and reading reviews is your best bet to getting into the right place FOR YOU.

  However, I will emphasize that (in pre-pandemic times) there was a pretty awesome-looking hostel boat that seemed to be booked at over $50/night, so if you are on an extreme budget I’m not sure this would work but it is pretty unique, right? HERE 

Prague

    Walking tours. That is what I did in Prague and I would do it all again. I bussed in pretty late and made my way around the drunkies staggering up and down the street. Lol. checked into my small but clean and organized hostel so I could sign up for a few walking tours.

   I suggest a general history walking tour, Prague has an interesting history and you should soak in some of the intricacies to maybe help understand the culture.

  When I say culture, I am honestly referring to the fabulous dark humor and the drinking. I saw more drinking beer here than I witnessed in all of my trips to Ireland, Scotland, and London combined.

And I loved it.

Ijs.

 luckily, I made a few friends on one of my walking tours and ended up taking a day trip with one of them to a small city by the name of Kunta Hora, where we visited the church made of 40,000 skeletons at Sedlec Ossuary. 

We walked the entire day and it was a lovely slow day filled with snacks and photographs.

Slovakia

Outside of Bratislava, there are lakes, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and collapsed volcanoes to explore in Slovakia.

Budapest

Hungary has plenty to offer, but I had my experience in Budapest.

  Between the CRAZY party scene and the amazing history, there is bound to be a little something here for everyone.

  Two weeks of traveling between these fun and unique cities/countries can easily be done by bus or train. Trains are nice but sometimes catching them at the last minute can be hard and they can be a bit more pricey.

  I love taking Flixbus around these places. It’s fast and easy. They have Wi-Fi, and I like catching them late at night to arrive early in the morning.

France, Belgium, Netherlands

  Taking in the north of France, maybe touring a champaign country into Belgium and the Netherlands by train or bus is a beautiful back[acker trail.

  There are plenty of cities to see in Belgium and so many quaint vibey towns and fun things to do and see in the Netherlands leading to Amsterdam.

 Spending two weeks on this route gives time to learn about Joan Of Arc’s journey, Versailles. 

Get your hands on chocolate, waffles, and beer in Belgium.

Hop over to Holland and see the flower fields, and windmills, and before hitting Amsterdam get your hands on some clogs to take home.

Italy, Greece 

    Everyone is trying to get their feet on Italy and Greece’s soil. I don’t blame them. These hot countries, fabulous beaches, and even better food are where it is all happening.

Italy

  Italy has so many desirable locations to visit, you can absolutely explore it over the course of months or condense it down to a few weeks or days.

  For a trip less than 15 days I would suggest Rome for the history, Verona for the romance,  and Venice for the experience(and pics).

  For my detailed guide on traveling to Italy click HERE.

Greece

    Greek Island hopping is major in the social media world. It is everything you think it is.  

 Mykonos and Santorini seem to be the most popular. They are also crazy expensive and incredibly crowded with tourists.

  Click HERE to read up on some alternative and incredibly beautiful Greek Island and a little guide on the fairies you will need to take to get to them.

  Flying into Athens seems to be lost on the average IG influencer. You Should not overlook this interesting city.

I spent 4 days here and I could have explored for another 3 happily.

Book tours around the various ancient archeological(you know, Greek gods temples)and day trips to the less popular but equally beautiful mountainous region where you find yourself in towns like Delphi via GetGourGuide

Paris, Lisbon, Rome

Depending on your initial city of departure, arriving in Paris or Lisbon (or even London) can be a straight cheap shot. 

Making these cities your arrival destination makes any trip to the UK or EU super easy.

I feel Like Paris and Lisbon can be seen via bus but that would definitely add more travel time to your two weeks and I would give Paris 5 days in itself. 

There are $30 flights from Paris to Lisboa, and a sleeper train is over $100(the journey is more than 10 hours). 

You absolutely take a train or bus in two different parts and explore a town or two such as Bordeaux, La Rochelle, or San Sebastian. 

In order for you to be able to enjoy each city in full, I would recommend flying; spending 5 days in Paris, 4 in Lisbon, and 5 more in Rome is a perfect two-week vacation specifically as an introduction to Europe.

That’s All!

That is your guide for traveling Europe in 2023. Will you be planning any solo or group trips to the EU in 2023 or in the next few years?

Do you know if there is Here anything that I missed above that should be included?

Remember to learn and eat, grow, and have fun!