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By Monika

How to Plan a Trip to Europe: My Favorite Travel Resources Revealed.

Planning your first trip to Europe can feel both exciting and overwhelming. With so many booking sites, apps, and travel tools out there, it’s easy to spend hours researching — or worse, end up with unreliable options.

After years of traveling across Europe (and making my fair share of mistakes!), I’ve narrowed down a list of trusted travel resources I personally use to book flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, insurance, and more.

These tools save me money, reduce stress, and make international (and domestic!) trip planning so much easier.

In this guide, I’ll share my go-to travel resources — plus a few must-have travel essentials — so you can spend less time planning and more time enjoying your European adventure!

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1. Booking flights

You’ve probably heard the advice to book directly from the airline website and not use a travel aggregator like Expedia or Kayak to make sure you actually get a proper booking and any follow-up information/updates about your flights.

So… that’s usually true – I do try to book directly on the airline’s website, HOWEVER – yes, there is a “BUT”  😊

Sometimes the deals and discounts those sites offer are so good that it’s just too hard to pass them up! After all, airfare is usually the most expensive part of any trip.

So after trying many sites and unfortunately also having some issues – only once but that was enough to never use THAT SITE (NOT mentioned in this article) again – the only third-party site I trust for my flight bookings is Expedia.com

I get a prompt confirmation with the Expedia itinerary number AND the airline booking code (or codes if the itinerary includes multiple airlines) and any reminders and notifications and updates that I need about my trip.

Even when the airline delayed, changed and ultimately cancelled our flight while flying back to the US from Slovenia (a lovely country, my articles about it are in the works!) and we got stuck at the connecting airport in Paris (you may think “not a bad place to get stuck in” but unfortunately we never got to leave the airport except late at night to a hotel before our rescheduled flight…) we got all the notifications both from the airline AND from Expedia.

And moreover, after we finally got home, Expedia kept sending us reminders and information that we are eligible for compensation for our trouble and inconvenience (we got home 36 hours later than originally planned!) with links to the relevant websites. That’s how I discovered Airhelp.com – but more on that later in this article.

So I feel that if the deal is good enough for you, Expedia can be trusted to purchase your flights.

Helpful hint: download the app to get “mobile only” best flight deals and enable notifications to receive timely flight updates.

2. Booking accommodations

I have two favorite sites that I use for booking my international hotels and/or apartments, and a third one that I also like, but for some reason use more for domestic travel – but it CAN be used for the rest of the world as well.

Expedia.com and Booking.com are my true go-to sites for booking places to stay for our international adventures.

I love the ease of browsing all my choices on one (or two!) websites, key cash (Expedia) and genius rewards (Booking) for additional savings and their very user-friendly interface.

Both have the apps, which I use much more than the websites, as they offer “mobile only” deals and discounts and are just so convenient!

Once you make your booking, it’s very easy to manage it – modify, change dates even cancel your reservations. You can also communicate with your hotel/apartment’s host through their messaging system.

So which do I prefer? I use them both, and my choice really depends on the type of lodging available and the price.

Vrbo is the third site that I somehow mostly use for domestic rentals but I know a lot of people happily using it for international stays.

It is now a part of Expedia Group, and you can use your Expedia credentials to log in to Vrbo. They also have a handy app to keep all your apartment info with you on the go.

3. Car rental

Can you guess what I use? Yes, you got it – Expedia!

I just have really good luck with their vehicle options and prices and always score a great deal.

You can also try Discover Cars – while I personally haven’t booked through them yet, I’ve heard lots of great things from those who did and had a great experience.

The only country I don’t use Expedia in is Iceland. I go for the locally owned companies, like Blue Car Rental or Lava Car Rental – great cars, amazing customer service and easy 24/7 pick up/drop off.

Helpful hint: renting a car in one country and returning it in another in Europe is VERY EXPENSIVE! Choose to travel by train, bus or plane between countries.

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4. Train & bus travel

There are parts of Europe where you need a car to explore (like the Algarve in Portugal or Bled in Slovenia), but lot of times, you don’t need to rent a car in Europe, especially in bigger cities.

Train and bus travel is a great way to get around Europe and much easier than trying to find a parking spot in some countries, plus a lot of cities have strict parking zone restrictions or a purely pedestrian (like Venice, Italy!)

During our recent trip to Portugal, we rented a car in Lisbon just to make our way up to Porto while stopping at some sites and small towns on the way.

We returned it that same day at the Porto airport and after a few days in Porto we took the speedy, very comfortable Alfa Pendulum train back to Porto.

We also used the trains in Italy to travel from Rome to Florence and then to Venice, as well as for day trips. It was very convenient and truly hassle-free.

If the train connections aren’t great, you can easily switch to bus travel, which is also very easy. We did that on our way from Venice (Italy) to Ljubljana (Slovenia).

What would have been an over 5-hour train ride with a transfer became a direct 4-hour bus ride.

You can also try inexpensive flights within Europe, especially if you choose budget airlines like EasyJet or Ryanair.

So what do I use to research all these options? I use Omio! You can search the website or use their convenient free app.

Just input your departure and arrival cities and it will generate all your transportatin options, complete with schedules, travel times, possible connections and prices.

Give it a try here:

For just train travel, you can also use RailEurope.

Helpful hint: the further in advance you book, the less you’ll pay for your tickets. Last-minute bookings can be expensive, and popular routes do sell out.

If you’d like more of my tips and travel hacks delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for my “Travel Tips Newsletter”. No spam, I promise – just travel information and inspiration!

5. Airport transfers

So if I don’t rent a car, how do I get from the airport, train/bus station to my hotel?

If it’s not within walking distance, or if my hotel doesn’t provide this service, I use Welcome Pickups. I’ve used them a few times in Italy and Portugal, and each time they were reliable, on time, with very nice cars and great drivers.

It’s also very easy to communicate with the drivers via the messaging feature, so you’re covered in case of any delays.

It may not be the least expensive option, but the hassle-free service and time savings are totally worth it!

Use their app to keep your bookings handy when on the go!

6. Luggage storage

So you arrived and want to explore your destination, but what do you do with your luggage?

My first place to contact is always my hotel – most of the time they will allow luggage storage before check-in time.

If that’s not an option, you can use Radical Storage – just input your location and choose the nearest and most convenient storage spot. It’s a flat fee for the day with an option for insurance.

Helpful hint: check opening hours for each storage location listed, as they vary!

7. Booking tours and activities

If you’re like me – an independent traveler who likes to explore on your own, you may be tempted to skip over this section – but WAIT!

There are times when you have to book a tour for your safety (like a glacier hike in Iceland) or a Douro Valley vineyard tour in Portugal (you really shouldn’t participate in the wine tasting and then drive the winding roads of the valley!)

And sometimes it’s just for convenience – we did that with our Cinque Terre tour from Florence. It seemed like the easiest way to get there and explore the area, so we opted for the tour.

My go-to sites for tours are Get Your Guide and Viator. They have similar offerings, although sometimes one will have a tour that the other doesn’t.

Both have convenient apps, easy to browse, with many tours having an option to “book now, pay later”.

You’ll get reminders close to your activity date and you can easily access your tickets in the app. You can also message the tour provider in case you have any questions.

I can highly recommend both websites!

8. Staying connected

The easiest way to use your cell phone abroad is to install an eSIM – a virtual SIM card, providing messaging, data and an option to make calls if chosen.

You’ll be connected with friends & family, able to share your awesome pictures from your all the adventures, but also able to use navigation services like Google Maps to find your way and have the ability to connect with emergency services should you ever need them.

The two best known brands are Airalo and Saily – super convenient and much less expensive than many “day passes” cell phone providers offer, plus very easy to use.

If you’d like an eSIM provider with 24 hr. LIVE human support, go for Sim Local. Use promo code PLANPACK for a 5% discount!

9. Staying safe & protected online

It’s a great idea to always protect your privacy when you’re online, but it’s even more important when you travel and most likely frequently connect to open public networks.

That’s why I use NordVPN – a service that hides and encrypts your information so you can safely connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Good to know: one subscription covers up to 10 devices so it’s both great service and great value!

10. Travel insurance

I never travel without travel insurance!

In the past, I didn’t use it that much, but in recent years, we experienced flight delays and cancellations, and had to purchase new airline tickets to return home on time. All that was covered and compensated by our travel insurance – Travel Guard.

Get a quote here – it’s worth it!

If you’d like to explore more options and compare trip insurance costs, just fill out the form below:

11. Compensation for delayed/cancelled flights

So what do you do if your flight gets delayed or cancelled?

Well, after you get home or to your travel destination, you can contact the airline, and they should guide you through the process.

You should also contact your travel insurance provider.

However, if you feel like you’re not going anywhere, or you’re just not up for the hassle of dealing with the airline, I have a perfect solution for you!

Contact AirHelp! You fill out a simple form, and they will do the hard work for you!

I’ve used them for that cancelled flight from Paris I mentioned earlier, and while it took a little time, we did get compensated, without having to do much more than providing them with our flight information.

12.  Must-have travel essentials

I’m going to share with you just a few things that make travelling to Europe an enjoyable and stress-free experience. 

You’ll be prepared for airline luggage sizers, voltage changes and even pickpockets, who sadly, are getting better and better at their trade…

• airline-approved carry-on luggage

We’ve traveled with many airlines and so far, this soft-sided carry-on fit in all the airport sizers. So while I can’t guarantee anything, I can definitely recommend this bag. We have 4 of them, in different colors 😊

• portable luggage scale

This little scale comes in super handy when it’s time to weigh your carry-on and checked luggage before your return flight, so you can make sure it’s still within the airline’s guidelines (with all the souvenirs you bought on your trip!).

You’ll avoid any issues and potential repacking at the airport.

• plug adapters

Europe runs on different voltage than the US. It’s 220 V vs our 110 V.

Most electronics, like phones, laptops, tablets etc. are compatible with both but you will need a plug adapter for the wall outlet.

You can bring a basic adapter or one with USB/C charging ports.

• anti-pickpockets’ gear

Unfortunately pickpockets are a thing, but with some smart gear and proper attention, you can enjoy Europe and keep your belongings safe!

We use Zero Grid neck wallets for passports, cash and credit cards and a Skysper cross-body bag.

if we need to carry more stuff with us. Both have RFID blocking features as well.

• packable backpacks

These lightweight travel backpacks are ideal for day trips and short hikes like the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Portugal or Cinque Terre in Italy. They are roomy, water-resistant and pack small.

• ear planes

These little earplugs called ”Ear planes”  are my best friends when it comes to flying!

I don’t do well on landings and they help normalize the cabin pressure and make the process much more comfortable.

Give them a try, they work!

• AirTags

Always check with the airline but if it’s allowed, attach AirTags to your luggage. They are small tracking devices that allow you to locate your luggage in case it’s considered lost.

Helpful hint: you can also place them in your rental car to make finding it easier (i.e. in a busy parking lot!)

• international credit card

It’s not really in a travel gear category but worth mentioning. Apply for one of many travel credit cards with no international transaction fees – those small charges can add up, especially during longer trips!

And last but not least – stay on top of the Schengen Visa requirements and the ETIAS implementation start date.

At this time ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) implementation was postponed until 2026. Check for updates on their official website.

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Planning a trip to Europe doesn’t have to be stressful.

By using the right travel planning resources – the same ones I’ve relied on through countless trips – you’ll save money, avoid hassles, and enjoy a smoother travel experience from start to finish.

Whether it’s finding a great flight deal, booking a cozy apartment, arranging airport transfers, or staying safe on public Wi-Fi, these tools are designed to make your journey easier and more enjoyable.

Are you ready to plan your trip?

👉 Don’t forget! Sign up for my newsletter to get all my travel tips delivered straight to your inbox and get a Europe 101 checklist with tons of essential tips for first-time visitors!

Happy travel planning! And here’s to your first (or next!) unforgettable European adventure!

Check out DESTINATIONS and ITINERARIES for inspiration!

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