Stress-free group tours to Europe

Nope! But make sure your passport is valid for six months after your trip return date.

As if there's a bad time to visit Europe? Short answer: whatever works for your schedule! Europe is an amazing year-round destination. Long answer: Summer is the busiest, when many countries enjoy warm weather ideal for outdoor activities and exploring every nook and cranny on-foot. It can get hot, with average temps hitting 80-90 °F (like in Rome or the Greek islands), while a place like London sees average temps around 70 °F. Taking a trip to Europe in the spring or fall means more comfortable temps during the daytime with cooler nights—and less crowds than in the summer. You could also time your trip with an event, like hitting Germany during Oktoberfest or Ireland during St. Paddy’s Day. During the winter, many iconic European cities come alive with Christmas markets and other holiday festivals, New Year’s celebrations, and generally turn into stunning winter wonderlands. While you’ll need to bundle up more, a winter Europe trip can be incredibly unique. Some countries like Greece and Spain have mild winters—with average temps around 50-60 °F—for travelers who are...ahem, allergic to snow.

This really depends on what type of trip you want. How many countries? How long? Popular season vs. off season? What kind of accommodations do you want to stay in? There are many variables, but at EF Ultimate Break, we pride ourselves on offering a variety of European vacations—from month-long odysseys with stops in 14 different cities, to two-week and three-week adventures with multi-country immersion. Our longer Europe trips range from $5,500-$6,000 depending on the season, while our shorter more country-specific itineraries can range from $2,000-$4,500. Our trips come with everything included, meaning flights, hotels, and daily activities are all included in the cost. And we have payment plan options so you don’t need to front it all at once. Pay bi-weekly or monthly, pay at your own pace, or travel now and pay over time with Affirm on a 6, 12, or 18-month cadence. Of course, you can pay in full at time of booking, too.

Note: we also recommend budgeting an addition 80-100 Euros per day on our trips for meals, souvenirs, and gifts for mom.

*Trip prices are meant to be an estimated range and are not guaranteed. Prices can change due to many factors.

Uh, do French croissants melt in your mouth? You bet Europe is good for college students. Skip the same old same old (looking at you, Cancún and Delray Beach) and spend your spring break or winter break summiting the Swiss Alps, soaking up the architecture in Barcelona, cruising the Adriatic Coast in Croatia, catching epic Santorini sunsets, or exploring geysers and volcanos in Iceland. Or maybe you want to study abroad, minus the whole study part—summer break is ideal for our 30+-day Europe itineraries. Best part is: with EF Ultimate Break, you’re traveling with only likeminded 18–35-year-olds. That’s what makes our group tours so memorable. Travelers constantly rave about making new lifelong friends on our trips across all age ranges.

Generally speaking, Europe is a safe continent to visit by yourself. Though, like anywhere, some countries and cities are considered to be safer than others. While adventuring solo is a great way to get out of your comfort zone, at EF Ultimate Break, we’re partial to group travel—even for the “solo” traveler. In addition to having the security of your group, you’ll have an expert Tour Director with you the whole time who can advise on any specific safety measures you might want to take (for example, don’t put your wallet in your back pocket or to avoid certain neighborhoods alone). Not to mention booking with EF means you benefit from our unparalleled network of support staff on the ground in over 50 countries, 365 days a year. Learn more here about how we travel safely. And for those that do want to explore solo, our itineraries bake in plenty of free time for you to do as you please.

Depends on what you mean by easy. Indeed, flying between countries in Europe is known to be very affordable. Many major European cities also have efficient subway systems (often referred to as “Metro”), and Uber and Lyft are available. But come on, this is your European vacation—you’re not allowed to worry about that stuff. On an EF Ultimate Break trip, we handle all that for you—even things like ferries between islands (hi, Greece) and private coach buses from your hotel to different parts of your destination. Book your trip, sit back, and spend your time getting excited, not memorizing the Tube maps in London.

Note: During our trips, your Tour Director may utilize the Metro to bring the group to a different neighborhood, get to dinner, etc. And we certainly encourage travelers to “live like a local” in each city during their free days—no better way to do so than utilizing public transportation.

What interests you? Europe has so much to offer, whether you’re visiting for the scenery, architecture, art, history, entertainment, or in many cases—all the above. EF Ultimate Break’s Europe itineraries focus on hitting all the must-see spots within a city and then allowing free time to venture off the beaten path. For a robust overview of Europe’s incredible attractions and highlights that you’ll see on our trips, check out our Europe Travel Guide.

Finally, a question to get us drooling. Eating is a true highlight of traveling, and you’ll sample a variety of local dishes on a trip to Europe, but here's some food you’ll want to try, plus tips when dining out in Europe.

Must-try European eats

• Madrid: Churros con chocolate, huevos rotos, and vermút
• Barcelona: Paella, patatas bravas, and pa amb tomaquet
• Paris: Baguette (no-brainer), steak frites, crepes, and a café au lait
• London: Afternoon tea, sticky toffee pudding, bangers & mash
• Amsterdam: Herring, stroopwafel, bitterballen, and poffertjes
• Berlin: Bread, bread, and more bread. And maybe some schnitzel or currywurst
• Prague: Beer! A crowd favorite is Pilsner Urquell, or Staropramen
• Munich: Weisswurst, pretzels, and spread some schmalz on your bread
• Lucerne: Racelette cheese, any Swiss chocolate, and some zopf (Swiss bread)
• Venice: Baccala mantecato (fish-based antipasto), and a glass of prosecco
• Florence: Chianti Classico for wine, gelato, and to feel fancy a Florentine Steak
• Rome: Cacio e pepe, artichokes, and all the pizza
• Athens/Naxos: Horiatiki Salata (Greek Salad), saganaki (fried cheese), and Ouzo

Tips when dining out in Europe

• Practice the local language when ordering—it goes a long way with the locals
• Water is an added cost at restaurants, and you have to choose between still or sparkling
• Avoid making special requests at restaurants, as it’s not as common in Europe
• In many countries, they won’t bring you the check until you ask for it
• Don’t be afraid to flag your waiter or waitress over for help

Note: Vegetarian options will likely be available in most countries and cities. If you’re on an EF Ultimate Break trip, definitely still let your Tour Director know of any dietary restrictions ahead of time and they will plan accordingly to accommodate your needs.

Cash and most well-known credit/debit cards are widely accepted in Europe, and ATMs are everywhere. Budget 80- 100 Euros per day for meals, shopping, and free time activities. Tipping is not customary in Europe, but many locals leave 1-2 Euro for exceptional service. On an EF Ultimate Break trip, we also recommend tipping your Tour Director 5-8 Euro per day (they'll accept dollars too, so about $7-$10 USD), which you can give to them at the end as one sum.

Major currencies used:

• Spain: Euro (€)
• France: Euro (€)
• England: Pound Sterling (£)
• Netherlands: Euro (€)
• Germany: Euro (€)
• Czech Republic: Czech koruna (Kc)
• Switzerland: Swiss Franc (CHf)
• Italy: Euro (€)
• Greece: Euro (€)

Note: Let your bank and credit card companies know your specific travel plans (including every country you’ll visit and for how long) ahead of time to avoid potential complications or suspicion of fraud while abroad.

We recommend you get an international data plan from your cell phone provider. How else are you gonna post on Instagram and keep your friends back home jealous? Data is also incredibly useful for navigating through a city during free time. The most common options are the Travel Pass with Verizon or purchasing a personal hot spot with your carrier. Give your phone company a call and they’ll tell you what international data options you have.

Many restaurants, cafes, and bars in Europe have Wi-Fi, but just be prepared it isn’t always as strong as Wi-Fi in the U.S.

Yes. While many countries in Europe share a similar outlet style (Type C), the UK and Ireland have their own unique style separate from the rest of Europe (Type G). You’ll want to buy a universal international plug adapter that has both the EU and UK included (Type C and Type G). Just find one on Amazon!

As you prepare to spend time in numerous new cities, countries, and cultures, here are some deets to help you live like a true European.

• Siestas (Spanish for “naps”): While the tradition is not so literal anymore, many Europeans take a long midday break and close shops from 12-2pm to spend time with friends and family.
• Europeans are night owls. Nighttime is when cities come to life—embrace it! Heck, you may even get used to eating dinner at 9pm.
• Dress the part. Europeans dress to impress. We recommend comfortable clothes and walking shoes, but now’s the time to try your new sunhat, fancy shades, and the latest trends.
• Embrace the culture. Unlike the U.S., water isn’t free, customer service is more hands-off, and everything (hotels, meals, appliances) is smaller. Instead of comparing, dive all in!
• Speak the language. Attempting the local language when greeting people, ordering food, or navigating a new city shows respect and goes a long way with locals. (Though most major European countries are very English-friendly).

Final tip: Unfortunately, pickpocketing is an issue in major European cities. Always keep an eye on your things and keep valuable possessions in your front pockets as opposed to your back pockets or in a backpack.

Incredibly. You’ll be able to use English everywhere, but don’t be afraid to try and “fit in” a bit by speaking the language. The locals will appreciate it.

On our longer, backpacker-style trips like Ultimate Europe, Highlights of Europe, and Grand Tour of Europe, you’ll stay in authentic, trendy hostels. (For all other standard EF Ultimate Break trips, within Europe or elsewhere, you’ll stay in a mix of hotels and hostels. Learn more here about where we stay.) You’ll room with up to six fellow EF Ultimate Break travelers of the same gender per room and you will have one private bathroom that you’ll share with your roommates. Of course, if you book an EF Ultimate Break trip with a friend (or friends) and want to room together just the two (or three or four) of you—just give us a call at 800-766-2645. If you fancy some extra perks, many of our trips are available as Ultimate Plus. Ultimate Plus trips are the same itinerary, but you’ll stay exclusively at upgraded hotels with only one roommate throughout the entire trip—and get extra meals included at authentic, hand-picked restaurants.

Note: Air conditioning may be limited at your accommodation. AC is popular in the U.S., but not in Europe!