How to Plan Your First 2-Week Trip to Europe

Limit your trip to three cities or regions to avoid spending your entire vacation in transit. Use high-speed trains between major hubs and book your inter-city travel at least 60 days in advance to secure the lowest fares.

1. Pick a regional theme. Don't try to see Rome, Paris, and Berlin in 14 days. Choose a region (e.g., Italy, Central Europe, or the UK/France) so you minimize travel time and maximize local immersion.
2. Map your transit. Open Google Maps and plot your three main stops. If the train travel time exceeds 5 hours between two spots, look for a regional budget flight (e.g., EasyJet or Ryanair) instead.
3. Book accommodation by proximity to transit. For a 14-day trip, stay within a 10-minute walk of a major train station or a metro line. It saves you money on taxis and time on arrival.
4. Allocate your days. Split your 14 days into 4 days in each of your 3 main hubs, plus 2 days for travel/buffer time.

Should I buy a Eurail pass?

Only if you plan on traveling every 2-3 days. If you are staying in three hubs for 4-5 days each, individual point-to-point tickets bought in advance are almost always cheaper.

How much cash should I carry?

You rarely need more than 50-100 euros in cash. Most of Europe is heavily card and contactless-payment friendly.