Travelers love Central Europe because it is an area full of Old World culture, wonderful architecture, rich history, and plenty of sightseeing. During a trip to Central Europe, it is easy to travel to multiple countries in a short amount of time.
Public transportation runs throughout all of the Central European countries, allowing travelers to hit visit of the major capital cities (as well as some smaller towns and villages) throughout a trip.
With as much as there is to see and do in Central Europe, you’re going to want to carefully plan your trip.
Get travel vaccinations
Before you visit Central Europe, make sure that you’re up-to-date on your travel vaccinations. This is recommended when going to any foreign country. While Central Europe is a developed country, you’ll want to make sure that you have routine vaccinations such as the measle vaccine.
Certain countries, such as Germany, may require additional vacations, such as the MMR vaccine. Before your trip, visit your local doctor and tell them where you’re going. They’ll make sure that you get the appropriate vaccinations. Getting ill in a foreign country is an unpleasant experience that you want to avoid.
Plan routes in advance
Planning your routes and thinking about how many days you want to spend in each city is recommended. The best way to do this is by doing your research and thinking about what your must-visit locations are.
Many people prefer to visit two or three capital cities during their trip to Central Europe. Popular destinations are Prague, Berlin, and Budapest. Some people also enjoy visiting a few smaller villages to experience everything Central Europe has to offer. If you plan your route correctly, you can travel to all of your must-visit locations at a reasonable price.
Think about how to get around
There are multiple ways to travel around Central Europe. Most tourists rely on the public transportation method; this is the most affordable way to travel around Central Europe, but it requires you to stick to a time schedule.
Depending on how comfortable you are driving around in foreign countries, you might also want to consider renting a car so you have the freedom to travel whenever you want. If you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself but still want to avoid public transportation, you can hire a private driver. Hiring a private driver can be expensive, however.
Stop for sightseeing while traveling
Some tourists make the mistake of traveling from capital city to capital city without taking the chance to do some sightseeing at some of the smaller villages or towns that might be along routes. Most of Central Europe’s smaller destinations can easily be explored in a couple of hours and are a good way to stretch your legs while traveling.
For example, if going from Berlin to Prague, you might want to stop at Karlovy Vary. Karlovy Vary is a spa town located in the Czech Republic. It is known for its thermal springs and spas.
Keep valuables safe
While Central Europe generally has very low crime rates, you do want to be mindful that you don’t get pickpocketed. Tourists get targeted because they keep their wallets located in their back pockets. This makes it easy for someone to come and grab your valuables before you realize it.
A good rule is to keep your wallet in a place where you can see it, and your passport in your hotel room. You should only carry as much cash as you need for an excursion; keep spare cash safely locked up in your hotel.
Ask the locals
If you are ever not where or go or what to do while you’re in Central Europe, just ask a local! The locals in most Central European countries are very friendly and love giving traveling advice.
Talking to locals for recommendations places to visit or restaurants to try may take you off the beaten path and allow you to explore a part of Central Europe that you would have never even known about. Most travel agencies will point you to popular tourist destinations, but the locals will point you to cozy little destinations that many travelers don’t get to see.
Concluding thoughts
Central Europe has a lot to see and do! It is possible that after your first trip, you’ll be longing to go back and explore some more. For your first trip, plan to visit a few capital cities, along with a few smaller villages. Plan your itinerary to make your trip go as smoothly as possible!
