How We Planned a Trip to Europe 10 Hours Before Takeoff & Saved Thousands: Sweden, Norway, & France

November 27, 2023

I already know what some of you are thinking— 10 hours?! Yep. You read that correctly. One night, Seth and I decided to book a trip to Europe for an early flight the very next morning! We had 10 hours to decide where to go, book flights, make arrangements for Brooklyn, pack, and get some amount of sleep. It sounds crazy (even for us) but it worked out so well.

Before I write about our time in each country, I want to share exactly how we booked this last-minute trip to Sweden, Norway, and France. These tips can be applied to planning and booking any European trip. Bonus strategies for not breaking the bank are included!

1. We first decided where we wanted to go in Europe. This step sounds easy, but I often find it to be the most difficult. I want to see everywhere, and Seth wants to enjoy the places we visit without rushing through it.

Too many choices can become paralyzing. Try to use the most important variable of your circumstances to guide your decisions, such as time, cost, or firm destination preferences.

We had 10 days to travel and 2 of those must be dedicated to flights from the States and back. Since we are confident international travelers, 3 or more countries would be perfect for us to see without being exhausted.

First-time travelers with a similar timeframe should consider planning to visit less countries than us. Don’t risk overplanning and missing out on enjoying your very first European adventure! You can always hop a train for a daytrip to nearby countries or cities once you are settled and confident in transferring between places! A spontaneous addition beats expectation induced disappointment.

We made a wish list of places we most wanted to visit—a mix of nature and culture! Then, we looked at the map to see what made the most geographical sense. We further narrowed down our list by looking at transportation options, considering the duration and cost of them all.

Sweden (Stockholm), Norway (Bergen), and France (Paris) made our loose itinerary list of main stops. We wanted flexibility and to allow for spontaneity once we arrived in Europe, after conquering inevitable jet-lag. We considered additional daytrips from each destination in advance, such as taking the train from Paris to Brussels, Belgium or Versailles, France. Spoiler alert… we opted out of Brussels and Versailles. There’s just too much to see in the city of love!

Once this step is done, I find the planning phase to really start moving along!

Although the train system in Europe is fantastic, don’t automatically assume it is your only choice if traveling on a budget. Flights can be very cheap and efficient in Europe. For example, I have seen non-stop roundtrip flights from Paris to Stockholm for $33/person with a flight time of 2.5 hours. That’s the cost of a short taxi ride in NYC!

→ I start my initial flight search with Google Flights.

→ I start my initial train route search on Trainline or Eurail.

→ In 2025, American travelers will need the ETIAS travel authorization for entry into Europe. This is not a visa, just an extra security measure for visa-exempt travelers. The cost will be 7 euros (~$7.70).

→ Shoulder season (the period between high and off-season) in Europe is from April-May and September-October. Off-season is from November-March. Both seasons offer the perks of lower prices and less crowds than high season in the summer. Off-season can bring harsh temperatures in some areas of Europe.

2. Time to book flights! The next step in our planning process was to book flights— at least the first one into Europe. We had chosen our destinations considering our top choices, flight durations and prices.

We ultimately booked roundtrip flights from Asheville, NC to Sweden, Stockholm. Amazingly, prices from our small local airport were cheaper than driving to the larger hub of Charlotte, NC. It was also cheaper to fly roundtrip vs. fly into one destination and back from another, which helped us form an itinerary gameplan. We aimed to do a loop from Stockholm, to Bergen, then to Paris, and back to Stockholm. We did not buy our flights between European countries until a day or two before flying into each one. We liked the option of changing our plans on a whim, or spending longer time in one place if desired. Our only obligation was to be back in Stockholm for our return flight home.

There are international budget airlines that some people don’t know exist because they don’t always result on third party booking websites. Our roundtrip flights to Stockholm were around $853/person, which is a great deal for an international Delta flight from a small airport! PLAY Airlines had roundtrip flights from BWI to both Stockholm and Paris for $300-$400/person; however, that required a 7 hour drive to Baltimore in the middle of the night. We always factor in gas, potential hotel stays, airport parking, vehicle wear and tear, and our valuable time in these situations. It was not the most economical choice in this situation to drive to BWI for cheaper plane tickets.

Multiple costs should be considered before deciding if roundtrip flights are cheaper than separate one-way bookings from different airports. Transportation and lodging costs can differ significantly between locations. For example, it was still much cheaper to fly roundtrip to Stockholm rather than flying back home from Paris (or any other city on our list). That included the plane tickets from Paris back to Stockholm, extra ground transportations, and lodging price comparisons.

If you are traveling with an open itinerary, it is totally doable to book a one-way flight until deciding where you will end your trip in Europe. This is also true for booking any inter-European flights. While traveling, you can watch flight price predictions for potential destinations of interest. If you have the advantage of a flexible schedule on your side, this strategy could help you decide when and where to go based on forecast of airfare costs. The beauty of European vacations is the ease of spontaneous adventuring!

Flight research is worth your time because airfare is a major cost of international trips!

→ Here are some budget (or potentially cheaper) international airlines that fly to Europe from larger U.S. cities: French Bee, Norse Atlantic, LEVEL, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, PLAY Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, British Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

→ In additional to Google Flights, another straightforward search engine is Skyscanner when hunting for a deal on flights! Both of their results include a wide variety of budget airlines too. Don’t forget to check luggage fees when price matching between airlines as they differ greatly these days.

→ I use Hopper and Kayak for flight price predictions.

3. We familiarized ourselves with each city’s transit network beforehand. This step can save time, money, and a potential quarrel with your spouse in a public subway. 😉 When traveling by train, most countries in Europe have their own train system and booking tickets can be confusing. Locations can vary greatly when it comes to bus, taxi, and metro operations as well. For instance, I like to know how buses require ticket purchasing before arriving. Remember that there could be a language barrier with the driver.

With that said, I am going to share the only real hiccup we endured. We had to take a 4 a.m. bus ride to the airport in Paris. Metros were not running until 5:30 that morning. Unfortunately, we didn’t take much time to plan ahead for this one. I assumed Seth had it covered and he probably assumed I did too. This was the first bus of the trip that didn’t have a credit card machine for ticket purchasing. There were no kiosks near the bus stop, and we were no longer on Wi-Fi to quickly download the required app. We were beside the road with our luggage, in the dark, and kind of sketched out. The bus driver took pity on us and let us ride anyway! All other options at that moment would have made us arrive late to the airport. Lesson learned!

Figure out if the next city or town you will be visiting has a predominate app required for public transportation. Download these when on hotel or airport Wi-Fi before arriving. Sweden and Norway both had kiosks at every bus stop and metro we used in the cities, and a credit card machine on the buses in smaller towns. France was a totally different animal with navigating transportation. We dominated the complex subway system in Paris and still got humbled by that one simple bus ticket oversight. 😂

Save each city’s transit map to your phone. Familiarize yourself before arriving. You don’t want to be stuck with luggage on the sidewalk or in the subway trying to figure out where to go. Have a plan for how to get from A to B in advance if possible. This will help you avoid the convenient temptation of pricey taxi services. This is so necessary for budget-friendly travel!

→ Eurail Passes (for non-European residents and citizens) are a cost-effective strategy. Consider this all-in-one train pass when you plan on spending several days riding the train. Global passes give access to 33 countries. One Country passes give access across cities within 1 country.

→ Trainline, Eurail, and Omio are ticket resellers for European trains (and buses). These apps make ticket purchasing for multiple locations a little easier than researching each country’s train network.

→ Uber is available in Europe, Lyft is not at this time. There are scenarios where rideshares are cheaper and quicker than public transport. Price check!

→ FREENOW and Taxi.eu are European taxi booking apps to have in a pinch.

→ RATP is the app for all public transport in Paris by bus, metro, tram, and train. Figure out if the city you are staying in has an app you will need to get around!

→ We use Google Maps for walking directions. It is smart to download for offline use before arriving to each destination.

4. We decided to book lodging on the go for this trip. Leaving room for spontaneity is very easy to do when traveling in Europe. Our first hotel was the only one we secured before leaving the States. We did not want to be searching for a room while jet-lagged. Our hotel had a free airport shuttle and a free shuttle service to the nearby metro station. This made navigating between the hotel, airport, and city a breeze. We had less time in this location, so the variables of cost and convenience led the way of booking.

According to some travel experts and economists, hotel prices can be cheaper the last 2 weeks before check-in day compared to months in advance. Although this theory is dependent on the destination, most cities with a large inventory of hotels will start dropping rates and offering last-minute prices.

If you want a backup plan for international travel accommodations, book some suitable hotels in advance that meet your budget and offer free cancellation. Then, shop for better prices starting 2 weeks before your check-in date as rates are dropping, up until the free cancellation deadline of your placeholder booking. This is a great strategy for a popular destination where availability and price fluctuations are uncertain.

We did not book future accommodations until a day or two before arriving to each one. We did look at prices and availability when deciding our itinerary. Keep in mind the season in which you are traveling— is it high season, a holiday, or coinciding with a popular event? We traveled to Paris during Fashion Week, meaning less hotel availability and higher prices. This pushed our lodging search outside of the city center for a last-minute booking. If we hadn’t previously experienced staying in the city center of Paris, this factor could have been a reason to mark it off the list.

You might want to book further in advance or stay outside of the city center to save money if you are traveling during high season to a popular area. For example, we found a steal of a hotel right outside of Bergen’s city center. It was technically within walking distance, but transportation to all nearby attractions was effortless and affordable.

There are many types of lodging options available across Europe such as hotels, vacation rentals, B&B’s, pensions, guesthouses, various types of hostels, and so on. Check the location on a map, read reviews, and ensure the amenities are suitable for your stay. Solo travelers are often attracted to staying in hostels as an affordable option and easy way to meet others.

Pay close attention to the details of every booking option. It isn’t uncommon for a shared room or bathroom accommodation in Europe. If you are comfortable with this idea, I recommend reading every review possible. There were some insane deals near the Eiffel Tower for those willing to share an apartment with the owner (some even offer tour guide services). This lodging situation wasn’t for me, but many of the reviews were fabulous!

→ I start my initial hotel search with Orbitz or Booking.com to get an idea of local prices during my specific time of stay. If I find one or two I really like, I always Google search the specific hotel for a quick price comparison.

→ Airbnb, VRBO, FlipKey, and OwnerDirect are a few websites for European vacation rentals. Check the final booking price to ensure taxes and fees are accounted for when comparing prices.

→ Walking into hotels to price shop is possible in well-developed cities. Do not judge a hotel by its exterior appearance when doing this either.

→ Haggling is possible for some European hotels, especially during off-season. Emailing to negotiate rates before your arrival is another option!

5. We packed quickly and efficiently. Do not be afraid to underpack when traveling to Europe. Remember, you can buy almost anything you need during your travels if necessary. Be intentional when packing. Cobblestone streets, crowded public transportation, and narrow staircases await you!

We prefer to only bring carry-on sized backpacks or shoulder totes. I also bring a large purse as my personal item for the airplane. I use it to store an easily accessible jacket, a neck pillow, a smaller crossbody purse to use when I go out, and souvenirs. Seth likes to pack a collapsible bag because he knows I will be bumming luggage space on the way home if we go shopping.

Efficiently light packing makes your trip go smoother. It also means potential savings on luggage fees with the airlines. Bulky suitcases can make using affordable public transportation nearly impossible, forcing you to splurge on taxis. We have been on long train rides that only have overhead storage racks for skinny luggage.

Doing laundry in Europe is an alternative to packing a lot of clothes for long trips. I like to mix and match a few different comfortable items, re-wearing my jeans and leggings. I have also worn bulky winter boots and coats on the plane, putting them under my seat during the ride.

→ European airlines might refer to carry-on bags as “hand baggage”. See the airline’s website for dimension and weight requirements.

→ The EU is currently pushing for airlines to eliminate carry-on baggage fees. This could be extra incentive to avoid checking bags with future trips across Europe!

6. We utilized our time wisely in Europe. Although we did not create a daily itinerary, we still tried to plan smart. For all of the attractions we knew we wanted to see, we got an idea of what was located within the same area. We tried to focus on one main event for each day, then work our way to other walkable sights nearby. Considering the logistics of each day, even for the most flexible agenda, can help you see and do more than just aimlessly bouncing around all over the map.

If you are planning a last-minute trip, it is vital to use your time wisely when you have downtime and Wi-Fi access. Hotel rooms, airports, cafés, and long transit rides are ideal for research, planning, and booking. This is key to making the trip a success. Be sure to know the details of your international cell phone plan before traveling as well.

We also made each other accountable for beating jet-lag in moments of weakness. It is so difficult for me to avoid that comfy hotel bed if we get to check-in to our room as soon as we arrive. Unless you arrive at night, do your best to get out and explore. If you get off track on day one, precious days of your vacation can be lost quickly with a disrupted sleep schedule. Take advantage of every free second to explore the rich culture oozing from every corner of Europe!

→ Most hotels will hold your luggage for you even if your room isn’t ready. I recommend dropping it off immediately so you don’t have to carry it around.

→ Don’t forget to pack a plug adapter or buy one upon arrival. Charge your phone every chance you get. I invested in a universal travel adapter long ago and bring it everywhere!

7. We attempted to eat like locals in every country. It is our quest to find the most authentic, delicious foods wherever we go! You don’t have to eat fine dining to be blown away by the culinary scene in Europe. Even the airport food tastes like gourmet dining to us!

Free hotel breakfast is not the same as we expect to have in America. The food is incredible, fresh, and healthy. Do not count out your accommodation’s free breakfast when visiting Europe!

In large cities such as Paris, it is common for restaurants to have a menu stationed outside. We liked the vibe of casually choosing a (very stereotypical appearing) café with outdoor seating, knowing it would be delicious!

We love visiting foreign grocery stores and small locally owned shops for breakfast items, drinks, and snacks. The local grocery stores and markets are awesome in every country we have visited so far! It is a cultural experience we really enjoy, and more budget-friendly than dining out for every meal. Who wouldn’t enjoy life-changing pastries and amazing coffee for breakfast?

→ Saving money for a more authentic experience? Yes, please! Use Google Maps to find nearby grocery stores or ask the front desk of your hotel where the locals shop for food!

→ TripAdvisor and TheFork are two good websites to use when hunting for restaurants in Europe.

Part of my mission in sharing our travels is to build confidence for others to see the world, both well-traveled and not. Not every trip has to be planned to the nth degree to be a success or affordable. It is a possibility that last-minute trips will actually save money!

You can be spontaneous if your nomad mindset is open and accepting. Save money by being flexible and taking time to price shop, even if you do this as you go on a trip. Our trials and errors will hopefully serve you all well as you plan your next adventure!

Keep a lookout for my next blogs about our time in each destination of Sweden, Norway, and France, and how to book a Norwegian Fjord Cruise on your own! Subscribing to my website will send an email alert to you when each one is complete, so you won’t miss it!

-Amanda Kendler 💗