Europe will be a popular travel destination this summer, with a record number of people expected to visit the continent over the next few months. This means that almost every European country will be overflowing with tourists, and you should expect travel to be more hectic than usual. But this doesn’t mean that you should avoid visiting Europe altogether! Instead, take a deep breath and continue reading this article for everything you need to know about traveling to Europe this summer, including what to expect, the most popular destinations in Europe, travel tips, and more.
How Many People Will Travel to Europe This Summer?
The number of people traveling to Europe this summer is expected to be significantly higher than in the past few years. According to Hopper, approximately 56% of trip searches made by US travelers have been for international destinations, with 34% of those searches being for cities in Europe.Â
One of the reasons for the increase is that people want to get back out there and take international trips, especially after being unable to during the coronavirus pandemic. Another reason that so many people will be traveling to Europe is that summer is one of the best times to visit, as the weather is warm and most tourist attractions are open.
What Are the Most Popular Tourist Destinations in Europe?Â
Although most countries in Europe are expected to have an abundance of people visiting this summer, certain countries are more popular than others when it comes to tourism. With that said, some of the most popular destinations in Europe this summer include London, Paris, Rome, Dublin, Berlin, and Prague. So if you plan on visiting any of these places, make your travel plans as soon as possible if you haven’t already.
How Expensive Will International Travel Be This Summer?
Traveling internationally this summer isn’t going to be cheap, with prices for things such as airfare and lodging continuing to rise. According to Hopper, airfare prices are up 20% from last year, and hotel costs are up more than 50% from January 2022. If you’re looking for some ways to save money while traveling, try to book your airfare, lodging, and tickets in advance, cook your meals when possible, and search for free attractions.
How to Obtain a Passport For Your Summer Trip
If you need a passport for your upcoming summer trip, you’ll need to apply for an expedited passport. Standard processing times are currently taking anywhere from 10-13 weeks, meaning it could take nearly 3 months to obtain your passport.
To ensure you get your passport in time, apply for an expedited passport with Swift. Our team will monitor your application throughout the entire process and ensure that your passport gets to you on time. If you’re ready to get the process started, you can fill out an expedited passport application on our website.
5 Tips For Visiting Europe This Summer
If you plan on visiting Europe this summer, here are some tips to help make your trip go as smoothly as possible.
- Research Your Destination Ahead of Time: One of the best things you can do is research your destination ahead of time. Doing so allows you to figure out where you want to stay, what attractions you want to visit, and what type of public transportation is available, amongst other things. Researching your destination also helps you understand what to expect while there, such as what language is primarily spoken, what currency is used, etc.
- Set a Budget: It can be really easy to spend a lot of money while away, so it’s crucial that you set a budget and try to stick to it. Do your research and find out how much things such as food and attractions typically cost at your chosen destination, and then set a budget for yourself. This will help you stay on track with your spending and not go overboard.Â
- Be Prepared For Possible Strikes: You must be prepared for any potential strikes when traveling around Europe. Strikes happen occasionally, which can affect your travel plans, especially if you don’t have a backup plan. Check the news daily, and ensure that there aren’t any strikes happening, especially at train stations or airports, and then come up with an alternate plan if you find that a strike is taking place.
- Pack Light: Traveling to Europe is a trip of a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean you need to bring your whole wardrobe along with you! In fact, we highly recommend that you pack light and only bring a piece of carry-on luggage if possible. Odds are you will be traveling a lot and using public transportation, and packing light allows you to get around more easily.
- Make Sure You Have a Valid Passport: Last but certainly not least, please check your passport and ensure that it’s valid. If you find that your passport has expired or that you need a new passport, you’re going to want to apply for an expedited passport right away. Routine passport processing times are currently taking up to 3 months, so if you don’t expedite your passport, you probably won’t get it in time for your international summer trip.
