There are a few ways to beat the lines and get a few iconic places to yourself. If you’re Europe bound, then here’s my advice for managing crowds this summer.
Top Tips For Managing Europe’s Summer Crowds
Wake up early.
This is my number one tip — tried and true. So often you’ll see the top visited places packed in the middle of the day. If you show up earlier, there is often no one there. Some of my favorite moments are those early mornings in Paris, having the streets to myself. I would recommend getting an early start to the day whenever you can.
Buy train tickets in advance.
For those main routes in Europe, tickets can often sell out the week of. What I’ll do is pre-purchase my train tickets before arrival. It guarantees a seat so there’s no need to worry about getting a reservation. Often times the prices are significantly lower as well, providing a ton of savings. *Rail Europe is my preferred vendor.
Prebook tickets for sights.
I did this once in Barcelona and thought I could grab tickets to La Sagrada a few nights before, but they were already sold out. I would prebook all tickets for museums and sights at least 1-2 weeks in advance before arrival to ensure entry.
Dine off hours.
This was my favorite in Spain to beat the dinner rush. No local is eating dinner at 6:30 or 7 pm, so often we would show up to a restaurant and have it to ourselves. If you’re on another dining time zone then this can play to your advantage for getting a seat especially in destinations that dine later in the evening.
Buy the fast track or skip-the-line tickets.
Trust me, it’s worth it. So many of the sights will offer these options at an additional cost, providing a smoother experience. I would consider this for the major sights.
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1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
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I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
2 Comments
Jessica,
These are the best tips for pone travelling to Europe on summer. The crowds are usually busy, will definitely wake up earlier!
Great tips! Crowds can absolutely ruin a trip, especially in the summer if it’s humid too.