Should I buy a Eurail pass?

Only if you're taking 4+ long train journeys. Point-to-point tickets are often cheaper, especially if booked in advance. Eurail passes don't include seat reservations, which cost extra on popular routes.

How much cash should I carry?

€100-200 per city is plenty. Most places accept cards, but some small cafes, markets, and public toilets are cash-only. Notify your bank before traveling to avoid blocked cards.

Can I do laundry while traveling?

Yes. Most hostels have laundry facilities (€3-6 per load). Hotels often offer laundry service (expensive). Laundromats exist in most cities. Pack 4-5 days of clothes and wash weekly.

What if I want to add more cities?

Don't. Seriously. Better to see fewer places well than rush through many. Save extra cities for your next Europe trip. You'll want to come back anyway.

How to plan a multi-city Europe itinerary

Start with 2-4 cities maximum for your first Europe trip, connecting them by train or budget flights. Book accommodations in advance, especially for summer travel. Plan 3-4 days minimum per major city to avoid burnout.

Pick your anchor cities first. Choose 2-4 cities maximum. Start with one major hub (London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam) then add 1-3 others within reasonable travel distance. More than 4 cities means you'll spend more time traveling than exploring.
Map your route geographically. Plan a logical path to minimize backtracking. Northern route: London-Amsterdam-Berlin-Prague. Southern: Barcelona-Nice-Rome-Florence. Don't zigzag across the continent unless you have weeks.
Allocate time per city. Give major capitals 4-5 days, smaller cities 2-3 days. Add 1 travel day between each city. For a 14-day trip: 2 cities with 5 days each plus 4 travel days, or 3 cities with 3-4 days each.
Book transportation between cities. Trains for distances under 4 hours (use trainline.com or national rail sites). Budget flights for longer distances (Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air). Book trains 1-3 months ahead for better prices. Flights can be booked 2-6 months out.
Choose accommodation by neighborhood. Stay in city centers or well-connected neighborhoods near metro lines. Book 2-3 months ahead for summer travel, 1 month for shoulder season. Hostels: €20-40/night. Mid-range hotels: €60-120/night.
Plan arrival and departure logistics. Fly into your first city, out of your last (open-jaw ticket). Or return to your starting point if flights are significantly cheaper. Factor airport-to-city transport time and costs into your schedule.

Should I buy a Eurail pass?: Only if you're taking 4+ long train journeys. Point-to-point tickets are often cheaper, especially if booked in advance. Eurail passes don't include seat reservations, which cost extra on popular routes.
How much cash should I carry?: €100-200 per city is plenty. Most places accept cards, but some small cafes, markets, and public toilets are cash-only. Notify your bank before traveling to avoid blocked cards.
Can I do laundry while traveling?: Yes. Most hostels have laundry facilities (€3-6 per load). Hotels often offer laundry service (expensive). Laundromats exist in most cities. Pack 4-5 days of clothes and wash weekly.
What if I want to add more cities?: Don't. Seriously. Better to see fewer places well than rush through many. Save extra cities for your next Europe trip. You'll want to come back anyway.