The 13 things you need to check before travelling to Europe

May 4, 2026 — 5:00am

The call of duty soon takes me to Europe, where many Australians seem to be headed despite the issues getting there via the Middle East (Qantas announced last week it was ramping up its capacity on European routes, citing increased demand thanks to the Middle East conflict).

I’ll land at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport and pick up a hire car – but it wasn’t until my editor suggested a story on checklists that it dawned on me, I didn’t have an International Driving Permit (IDP). And without an IDP, the agency could refuse the hire because it’s a legal requirement in Italy.

This is why checklists make sense. Checklists are perfect for mundane, repetitive tasks that can bring you undone. Pilots use checklists, which is one of the reasons our skies are so safe. If you’re planning on a trip to Europe, here’s a checklist to smooth your travels.

Passport valid?

Passports for travels in the Schengen Area, which applies to most of continental Europe, must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date. In effect, that could be interpreted as a requirement for six months’ validity on entry since Australians may enter the area for 90 days in any six-month period. The British government says that “you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.” (If you have dual British-Australian citizenship, you’ll need to enter the UK on a British passport under recently changed rules too.)

Tap to pay

Contactless payments are accepted just about everywhere in Europe, hence the need for euros or other local currencies is not great. One exception is taxi drivers. Most will want payment in cash. Don’t rely on the airport money changers, they’ll burn you. Australia Post has decent rates, and you can collect your foreign cash from participating post offices. If you’re using a new payment card, make a transaction at home before you gallop off.

Power play

European wall plugs primarily use Type C, E and F, which have two round pins. They’re all slightly different, and they’re not all cross-compatible. Check what you need on the Power Plugs & Sockets of the World website. Amazon has the goods.

Europe’s new EES

If you’re entering Europe for the first time since late 2025, you’re probably going to come face-to-face with the continent’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). This involves taking your fingerprints and a headshot, which will be held in a database and linked to your passport, facilitating your travels in Europe’s Schengen Area as well as tracking your movements. It’s a simple process, but some airports have reported long queues as travellers wait for their initial EES processing.

eSIMs

Provided you have a compatible phone, eSIMs are the simple, cost-effective way to keep your apps running when you’re overseas. I use either Airalo, Nomad or Jetpac, and they all work well with fuss-free installation and activation. Download their app, select the package you want, and you’re connected as soon as you hit the ground and activate the service. Most eSIMs give you data only and generally don’t allow you to make phone calls, but WhatsApp solves that problem provided the number that you’re calling also has WhatsApp.

Behind the wheel

Quite a few European countries require foreign drivers to have an International Driving Permit (IDP). The Australian Automobile Association has a handy website that tells you which countries require one. If you don’t have an IDP in a country that requires it, your car hire operator is within their rights to cancel your booking, and there might be a substantial penalty charge. You need a physical licence to hire a car in Europe; without it, you’re going nowhere.

To EV, or not to EV?

Some Traveller readers are reporting they were offered electric vehicles at the car-hire desk when they booked a petrol or diesel vehicle, and having to queue for chargers all holiday. If it happens, stand your ground and insist on getting what you booked. Check the road signs in the country where you’re driving. Some European towns and cities have zones where only residents may drive, and the fines are fierce. Familiarise yourself with the signage before you start driving.

Essential travel apps

Google Maps, apps for the airlines you’ll be flying, hotels where you’ll be staying and car-hire operators, currency converters, weather maps, Google Translate and the Michelin Guide will make your travels smoother. More details on my recommended apps here.

The case for photographing your luggage

Before you pack, lay out everything you’re taking on your bed and snap some images. Should your checked luggage fail to reappear, memory proves an unreliable inventory, but you have proof of what was inside should an insurance claim become necessary. Take another image at the airport to establish your luggage did exist, and it looked like this.

Take the train

Europe’s ongoing fuel shortage is having an impact on flight schedules. So far, cancellations are a small percentage overall, so you’re more likely to face a delayed flight rather than a cancellation, but there are warnings of possible broader cancellations later in 2026 if shortages worsen. If you have an unbreakable event, a train or hire car might be more reliable. If you are delayed, under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers arriving at their destination three or more hours behind schedule may claim €250-€600 ($409-$980), unless caused by “extraordinary circumstances” such as bad weather.

The jet lag recovery program

The jet lag you’ll experience after a flight to Europe is horrendous, but you’ll adjust more quickly if you have a plan. Sync your wake/sleep hours and meals to wherever you happen to be, and fight the urge to nap. A walk in bright morning sunshine helps to reset your circadian rhythm, and plenty of exercise during the day gives a good sleep.

Parlez en francais

Want to give directions to a taxi driver in Lisbon, in Portuguese, or tell your waiter in Lyon a joke – in French? Recent model Apple iPhones and Google Pixel phones have built-in translation features that allow you to have real-time conversations in some other languages. Say what you want in English and back comes a spoken translation in another language, and their response is translated into English. So far, the technology supports only major languages, but expect the list to grow.

The in-flight essentials

Any flight over eight hours’ duration requires a personal comfort kit if you’re sitting in economy. Neck pillow, ear plugs and eye mask are your best friends for overnight flights, noise-cancelling headphones are brilliant, make sure you have a two-prong adaptor for the in-flight entertainment system. Eye drops and nasal spray offer instant relief, and air in an aircraft cabin is dryer than in the Atacama Desert. If the in-flight entertainment program is likely to disappoint, download whatever you might need to liven up your journey – podcasts, films, perhaps even a few Coffee Break language sessions.