Thursday, February 2, 2023

How to Travel Across Europe Like a Pro

One of the perks of choosing Europe as your destination to study abroad is the accessibility to travel to other European countries and cities. During my 2022 semester abroad in Barcelona, I  was able to visit 9 countries and 14 cities in a matter of three months. I’m going to be sharing with you some travel must-knows and secrets into traveling like a Pro.  



  1. When booking for flights and places to stay, make sure to set your browser to private so the prices are reflected accurately. 

  2. Be sure to check out the cost of both flights and trains. Most times, flights are actually cheaper than trains are and take less time. Be sure to take a train somewhere in Europe at least once for the experience. 

  3. Some expensive locations to be aware of to book early are Amsterdam, Scotland, London, and Switzerland. The airfare and cost of finding a place to stay rise quickly and drastically, so plan ahead to find cheaper dates to travel here. 

  4. When you arrive at your program abroad, everyone is going to be frantically inviting you on trips and booking them day after day. It is going to feel overwhelming and hectic, so make sure to relax and take a step back. Think about where you want to go, with the people you want to travel with and book on your own terms. Don’t feel pressure to follow the crowd. 

  5. When I was studying abroad, hostels cost the same price as a hotel or an airbnb. I only ended up staying in a hostel once. Make sure to check out your options to see your best deal. 


My Top 3 Recommendations for Weekend Trips: 

 Soller, Mallorca


Modes of transportation: Boat or flight. 

Flight cost (on average): 70-100 Euros Roundtrip

Cost of traveling here is always decently low-priced. Check out the prices to find the cheapest date that works for you.

Must-Do’s: Most people visit Palma when they travel to Mallorca but I’ve found the hidden gem of the island to be Soller. Fly into Palma and take a historic train ride to the town of Soller. Once there you can take the Soller train to Port de Soller. Here you can go on a boat ride, see the orange trees, lounge by the beach and take in the views. I recommend staying in the town of Soller to experience the cobblestone streets, local bands, the Parroquia de Sant Bartomeu de Soller, and delicious restaurants.   


Interlaken, Switzerland

Modes of transportation: Flight 

Flight Cost (on average): 125-175 Euros Roundtrip

Book at least three weeks to one month in advance, as prices can rise.

Must-Do’s: 

  1. Go on some sort of adventure while you’re here: Skydiving, skiing, paragliding, kayaking, etc. I took a boat on Lake Brienz that took us to Giessbach where we visited a fairytale looking castle- hotel and a waterfall. It is reasonably priced, makes multiple stops along the way, and is absolutely breathtaking. 

  2. Take a funicular up to Harder Klum and enjoy fondue on the highest point in Interlaken. 

  3. Eat Swiss chocolate! Check out ‘Funky Chocolate’ and order the strawberries covered in chocolate, it will change your life I swear.    


Seville, Spain  

Modes of transportation: Flight or Train (Both are similar in price)  

Flight cost (on average): 80-125 Euros Roundtrip

Depends on where you are in Europe. Cost is low if you are already based in Spain but because it’s in the South of Spain, prices can go up. 

Must-Do’s: 

  1. Visit the Royal Alcazar of Seville to see gorgeous gardens and filming spots from Game of Thrones. While there, find the Baths of Dona Maria de Padilla for a breathtaking experience like no other. 

  2. Pay a small admission fee to visit the Cathedral de Seville and climb stairs to the top for a 360-view of the entire city. 

  3. Watch local Flamenco dancers perform at La Plaza de Espana and grab lunch in a nearby neighborhood.  

Besides the obvious must-see cities, like Paris, London and Rome, other special European gems high on my list are Amsterdam, Porto Portugal, Dublin and Galway Ireland, Brussels, Belgium, Venice, Italy, and The Scottish Highlands in Scotland. 



Written By: Emma Williams, Barcelona Spain, AIFS Abroad

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