For many Aussies, nothing says freedom quite like booking the ultimate Eurotrip — especially in the European summer, when long days, buzzing festivals, and sun-soaked coastlines are at their peak. From island hopping in Greece to sipping espresso in Italy and exploring historic streets in France, there’s a reason  Euro summers hold so much appeal for Aussies trying to escape the Southern Hemisphere’s winter. And being in your 30s likely means you have a little more disposable income than your cash-strapped 20s so you can make it even more fun. A seamless trip takes more than a one-way ticket and a suitcase. From visas and rail passes to budgeting and the destinations to put on your hit list, Traveloka has rounded up the essential things to know before you lock it in and take off.

Spain: From Gran Canaria to Barcelona to Mallorca, Spain is full of beautiful beaches.

How much to budget for food while travelling around Europe is really a “how long is a piece of string” type question. If experiencing the local cuisine is not a huge drawcard for your travels, you could likely get away with budgeting around $20-$30 a day if you’re living off supermarket fare, street eats and cooking your own meals in Airbnb or hostel kitchens. However, if you’re planning to eat out a lot and sample some of the local dishes, especially at top-rated fancy restaurants in touristy areas, you’re probably going to want to put away a lot more. The destination you’re visiting also will dictate your food budget. The Greek Islands’ Mykonos and Santorini or Italy’s Amalfi Coast in peak season is going to cost you a lot more than if you’re eating out in typically lower priced European cities such as Prague or Budapest. 

Accommodation costs for travelling around Europe in your 30s can vary depending on the type of place you book to stay and which country you’re travelling to. Generally speaking, you should expect to put aside anywhere from $10-50 a night for a bed in a hostel, $100-200 a night for a budget private hotel room or Airbnb or $250 upwards per night for midrange or fancier accommodation. These prices can, of course, be lower in more affordable countries and higher in more expensive, touristy countries.

While there are often free attractions in a lot of European countries (keep an eye out for free entry days at museums or “free” walking tours where you pay as much or as little as you like in tips), sightseeing can easily add up if you’re not careful. Entry fees for landmarks such as Paris’ Eiffel Tower and Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia for example or guided tours of tourist locations can be pricey, so pick the ones you’re dying to do. Don’t get caught up in the tourist traps and spend money for the sake of it when maybe taking a selfie from the outside will suffice.

The great thing about Europe is there are so many destinations within the continent to fly to, meaning your flight options from Australia are almost endless. However, the downside is that Europe is on the other side of the world, which also means it’s a long fight with an increased cost. Many Asia-based airlines such as Air China and Malaysia Airlines tend to have the cheapest flights. For even more savings, plan ahead and book early. Don’t forget to keep an eye on Traveloka’s promotions page for the best deals on flights.

There are several affordable ways to get around Europe:

Australians can travel for short trips, without a visa, to the Schengen area in Europe for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. There are 29 countries within the Schengen area including Denmark, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Croatia, Germany and more.There is a new digital European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) that registers all non-European travellers visiting the Schengen area and this will be fully implemented by 10 April 2026. The United Kingdom also now requires Australians to complete an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter.

Avoid wracking up a huge phone bill by purchasing an eSIM or SIM card to use while you’re travelling around Europe. A few recommended eSIM or SIM cards for Europe that you can buy via Traveloka include the below:

At the moment, one Australian dollar buys approximately £0.52 or €0.60 but this can fluctuate depending on the Aussie dollar’s strength. The easiest way to travel without racking up currency exchange fees is to get a travel card before you depart and preload it with your currency of your choice. Many banks also now offer credit cards with zero international transaction or currency exchange fees so it’s worth looking to see if your bank offers this. You can also exchange cash at the bank or currency exchange outlets but check the exchange rate and fees to see if this is a good offer.