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A Tourist's Guide to Love (2023)

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A Tourist’s Guide to Love cast and characters guide: Who stars in the Netflix rom-com?

By crystal george | apr 19, 2023.

A new romantic comedy to check out on Netflix is  A Tourist’s Guide to Love . It’s a feel-good film telling the love story between a travel executive and a Vietnamese expat tour guide. If the movie’s plot has piqued your interest, just wait until you find out who’s in the cast!

The story follows Amanda Riley, an American travel executive, who after experiencing an unexpected breakup, decides to accept a work assignment taking her to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Amanda’s job is to work undercover to learn about the tourist industry in the country. But she was not expecting to fall head over heels for free-spirited tour guide Sinh.

Below, you’ll meet every talented actor in the cast!

A Tourist’s Guide to Love cast and characters guide

Rachael Leigh Cook as Amanda Riley

Rachael plays Amanda Riley, a travel executive who works for Tourista World Travel. Amanda thought her boyfriend of five years would be proposing to her only to find out he was breaking up with her “temporarily” and moving to Ohio. Heartbroken by the breakup, Amanda takes on a job assignment in Vietnam to take her mind off it not knowing she would be meeting her soulmate in the form of a tour guide there.

Rachael has been working as an actress since the late ’90s. She’s starred in the movies  The Baby-Sitters Club ,  She’s All That  and  Josie and the Pussycats . You might also recognize her from her roles in the films  Nancy Drew ,  A Midsummer Night’s Dream ,  Love, Guaranteed and  He’s All That .

Scott Ly as Sinh

Scott portrays the role of Sinh, a local tour guide in Vietnam who shows Amanda that adventure is often found off the beaten path. As Sinh shows Amanda around the country, they get to know one another and ultimately fall deeply in love.

A Tourist’s Guide to Love   is Scott’s first major film. He’s previously worked in television on shows such as  Criminal Minds , The Young and the Restless , Animal Kingdom and FBI: Most Wanted . Next, Scott will recur in HBO’s  The Sympathizer .

Missi Pyle as Mona

Missi plays Mona, Amanda’s boss at Tourista World Travel and close friend. Mona is very supportive of Amanda and only wants the best for her. That’s why when Amanda’s boyfriend breaks up with her, Mona suggests that Amanda go to Vietnam for work to take her mind off the breakup.

Missi has been working in the entertainment industry for quite some time. She’s known for her previous roles in the films  Galaxy Quest ,  Big Fish ,  Bringing Down the House , Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ,  Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay , Gone Girl  and  Ma . Besides acting, Missi has also worked as a singer. She and fellow actress Shawnee Smith created a country rock band called “Smith & Pyle.”

Ben Feldman as John

Ben plays John, Amanda’s boyfriend of five years who unexpectedly breaks up with her and moves to Ohio. Based on the trailer, it looks like John pops up in Vietnam hoping to win Amanda back. But who will Amanda ultimately choose: John or Sinh?

Ben is known for his roles in the films  The Perfect Man ,  Friday the 13th ,  Cloverfield  and  As Above ,  So Below . However, he’s best known for his role as Ron LaFlamme in the comedy series  Silicon Valley and his role as Jonah in Superstore .

Quinn Trúc Trần as Anh

Trần plays Anh, Sinh’s younger cousin and tour guide co-host.  A Tourist’s Guide to Love  is Trần’s second film. She previously starred in the Vietnamese rom-com  My Mr. Wife .

Nsưt Lê Thiện as Ba Noi

Lê Thiện plays Ba Noi, Sinh and Anh’s grandmother. She has had roles in Vietnamese movies and shows such as  Goodbye Mother , Until You , The Emperor’s Gift , Blood Moon Party and  Kumanthong .

Here’s a list of the rest of the cast members and the characters they play:

• Morgan Dudley as Robin
• Andrew Barth Feldman as Alex
• Jacqueline Correa as Sam Gonville
• Nondumiso Tembe as Dom Fisher
• Glynn Sweet as Brian Conway
• Alexa Povah as Maya Conway

A Tourist’s Guide to Love  lands on Netflix on April 21.

Next. 23 best Netflix movies to watch tonight (April 2023). dark

A Tourist's Guide to Love cast: who's who in the romantic movie

A Tourist’s Guide to Love cast is led by Rachael Leigh Cook. But who else is in the romantic movie?

A Tourist’s Guide to Love is a romantic movie that follows a woman named Amanda, who heads to Vietnam where she's on a mission to decide whether her travel agency should purchase a smaller outpost there.

But, while there, she finds herself becoming interested in Sinh (Scott Ly), a tour guide 

The Netflix movie is partly based on screenwriter Eirene Tran Donohue’s real-life experiences: She told Tudum : "This idea was based off of the time in my life when, right after college, my safe stable boyfriend unexpectedly broke up with me right as I was about to leave for a five-week trip to Vietnam.

"While I was in Vietnam I realized that that relationship, which was a good one, wasn't actually the best fit for me."

Rachael Leigh Cook as Amanda

Amanda Riley is an American visiting Vietnam who finds herself in an international love triangle while she's there trying to make business decisions, leading to an unexpected romance overseas.

She's played by Rachael Leigh Cook who has starred in The Baby-Sitters Club ,  Love, Guaranteed , 11:14 , and  He’s All That .

Scott Ly as Sinh

Sinh is Amanda’s tour guide in Vietnam, who she develops a connection with during her time there, something that takes them both by surprise!

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This marks Scott Ly’s first major film role, after years of appearing on television. Fans might recognize him from Criminal Minds , The Young and the Restless , Animal Kingdom , and FBI: Most Wanted.

Ben Feldman as John

John was Amanda’s boyfriend of five years until he moves to Ohio and the couple break up. He's the third part of this complicated love triangle.

Fans might recognize him from TV comedies like  Superstore  and  Silicon Valley. He also starred in the found footage movie Cloverfield and horror hit Friday the 13th .

Missi Pyle as Mona

Mona is Amanda’s business partner and longtime friend, so she's a trusted figure when it comes to her professional and love life.

Missi Pyle is known for her work in Galaxy Quest, Bringing Down the House, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory .

Quinn Trúc Trần as Anh

Anh is Sinh’s cousin and tour guide co-host so she has a key role in the movie.

Actress Quinn Trúc Trần is a Vietnamese-Australian actor and  A Tourist’s Guide to Love  is her second project. Fans may recognize her from My Mr. Wife.

Nsưt Lê Thiện as Ba Noi

Ba Noi is Sinh and Anh’s grandmother and provides a lot of the movie's comic relief, according to Tudum!

Actress Nsưt Lê Thiện has also starred in Goodbye Mother , Until You , The Emperor’s Gift , and Blood Moon Party.

Who else is in A Tourist's Guide to Love?

• Jacqueline Correa
• Andrew Barth Feldman
• Morgan Dudley
• Glynn Sweet
• Alexa Povah

A Tourist's Guide to Love is out now on Netflix.

Lucy joined the WhatToWatch.com team in 2021, where she writes series guides for must-watch programmes, reviews and the latest TV news. Now she works for our sister site TechRadar in the same role. Originally from Northumberland, she graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Film Studies and moved to London to begin a career writing about entertainment.

She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic and has a huge passion for cinema. She especially loves horror, thriller and anything crime-related. Her favourite TV programmes include Inside No 9, American Horror Story , Stranger Things and Black Mirror but she is also partial to a quiz show or a bit of Say Yes to the Dress ! 

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Rachael Leigh Cook Falls For Vietnam — and a Local — in "A Tourist's Guide to Love" Trailer

One woman's real-life story of fate and exploration is getting the rom-com treatment. "A Tourist's Guide to Love," from writer Eirene Tran Donohue and director Steven K. Tsuchida, will begin streaming on April 21 on Netflix — and POPSUGAR has an exclusive first look at the trailer. Starring Rachael Leigh Cook, "A Tourist's Guide to Love" follows a travel executive on an undercover assignment in Vietnam shortly after an unexpected breakup. While there, the lines between work and pleasure blend as she finds herself falling for her tour guide, played by Scott Ly.

"Whenever I tell people about how I met my husband while traveling in Vietnam, they always say that it sounds like a movie, and so it's pretty surreal to actually turn it into one," writer Donohue tells POPSUGAR. "And while the story has changed a lot from my real life, the emotional truth is the same. That feeling when you meet someone who makes you realize that you can do or be anything. I'm so grateful to have found a partner who inspires and supports me and who, after 22 years together, keeps my life a romantic comedy instead of a drama."

Highlighting the rich culture of Vietnam was important for Donohue, and for the film's star and producer Cook, who fans first fell in love with in 1999's "She's All That." Filming the movie was the first time the actor and producer visited Vietnam, and she praises the country's people as being "so friendly, inclusive, loving, creative, and wholly unique." She tells POPSUGAR, "I feel very lucky to have been embraced by the people in the creative community there while we were making this film."

Fans have been falling back in love with rom-coms over the past few years, and Cook appreciates the unique take on the genre "A Tourist's Guide to Love" presents. She explains, "The aim of this film was not just to tell a love story, but to capture the sheer joy that can come with people from different cultures coming together and connecting over a shared, totally unique, and beautiful experience. This is a movie that is as much about loving life as it is another person."

Keep reading to watch the first trailer and learn more about "A Tourist's Guide to Love"'s cast, plot, and release date.

"A Tourist's Guide to Love" Trailer

"A Tourist's Guide to Love" Cast

In addition to Cook and Ly, the film also stars Missi Pyle, Ben Feldman, Glynn Sweet, Alexa Povah, Jacqueline Correa, Nondumiso Tembe, Andrew Barth Feldman, Morgan Dudley, Quinn Trúc Trần, and Nsưt Lê Thiện.

"A Tourist's Guide to Love" Inspiration

In addition to being ripped from her own life, "A Tourist's Guide to Love" writer Donohue says she found inspiration in "classic old Hollywood movies." Explains Donohue to POPSUGAR, "I was a big fan of Audrey Hepburn. So 'Roman Holiday' and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' were a big influence. Then of course the classic '90s rom coms. 'Pretty Woman,' 'While You Were Sleeping' and 'Sleepless in Seattle.' More recently, I've definitely been inspired by 'Crazy Rich Asians.' For me it's really important to make sure that the romance is central and also that the main character isn't just interested in finding a man, but that they are searching for love. And that the love they find is worthy of them. I want the audience to emotionally connect with the characters and to feel like that big love is real and that it's possible for them too. Everyone deserves a big love."

"A Tourist's Guide to Love" Release Date

"A Tourist's Guide to Love" will begin streaming on Netflix on April 21.

"A Tourist's Guide to Love" Poster

"A Tourist's Guide to Love" Stills

• Rachael Leigh Cook
• Movie Trailers

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, a tourist's guide to love.

Now streaming on:

“A Tourist’s Guide to Love” is as harmless as its blandly forgettable title would suggest. It’s not quite a Movie to Fold Laundry To, because the scenery is quite lovely, so you’ll actually want to pay attention. But it is a pleasant escape if you’re seeking lazy Saturday afternoon viewing.

Rachael Leigh Cook brings her perky rom-com presence to this made-for-Netflix movie, which checks all the boxes you’d expect from such a slick and glossy example of the genre. Slapstick comedy, fish-out-of-water gags, wacky supporting characters, copious shopping montages, a love triangle, a secret to be revealed and a last-minute dash to say “I love you”—they’re all there, but this time they’re set against the backdrop of present-day Vietnam, which gives “A Tourist’s Guide to Love” an unusual feeling of novelty.

Director Steven K. Tsuchida , a TV veteran, was also behind 2021’s “ Resort to Love ,” another Netflix romantic comedy set in a picturesque vacation destination. This is pure formula, but the leads have such a sweet chemistry with each other, and the locations are so enticing, that you may as well just surrender.

Cook stars as Amanda Riley, an uptight, Los Angeles-based travel agent living a safe and predictable existence with her boring accountant boyfriend, John ( Ben Feldman ). Amanda’s boss (and apparently only friend), Mona ( Missi Pyle ), insists John is going to propose to her. Instead, he tells her he’s taking a job in Ohio and putting their relationship on hold. (Julia Shiplett makes the most of a brief supporting role as Amanda’s unimpressed manicurist.)

Stunned, Amanda agrees to Mona’s suggestion that she travel to Vietnam undercover to scope out a local tour company with the possibility of her firm buying it. This is also her chance to eat-pray-love her way out of heartache. Plus, she’ll be there for the annual Tet celebration, which just happens to be all about renewal. Would any of this actually happen in real life? No. Would a spoiled hotel heiress actually hit her head on a tree at a ski resort, suffer amnesia and fall for the hunky, widowed dad who owns a charming bed and breakfast? Probably not. We don’t watch these kinds of movies for realism.

And so Type-A Amanda becomes part of a tour group led by the handsome and soulful Sinh ( Scott Ly ) and his effervescent cousin, Anh (Quinn Truc Tran). Screenwriter Eirene Tran Donohue tries somewhat to flesh out the motley assemblage of fellow travelers, but she saddles them with awkward small talk, and no one is terribly interesting. The inordinately prepared Amanda insists on adhering to the itinerary because she wants to get the most out of her covert mission, but the easygoing Sinh takes a more spontaneous approach which—spoiler!—Amanda eventually learns to enjoy. Sinh also happens to have just the right profound thing to say for every occasion, which speaks to the flux in which Amanda finds herself. (Example: “A tourist wants to escape life. A traveler wants to experience it.”) Again, these are familiar types, but Cook’s likability softens her character’s pushy, impatient traits, and the charismatic Ly’s understated delivery makes Sinh’s platitudes less cheesy than they might sound.

Working with cinematographer Jon Keng and featuring plenty of shimmering aerial shots, Tsuchida makes every stop along the way seem vibrant and appealing, from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the beaches of Da Nang to the verdant hills of Sinh’s home village. “Doing nothing feels very weird,” Amanda admits while lounging under an umbrella by the sea, and truer words were never spoken.

“A Tourist’s Guide to Love” is essentially a travelogue with a plot, but you might actually find yourself caring about whether these two attractive-but-extremely-different people end up falling for each other in the end.

On Netflix now.

Christy Lemire

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who has written for RogerEbert.com since 2013. Before that, she was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series "Ebert Presents At the Movies" opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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Film Credits

A Tourist's Guide to Love (2023)

Rachael Leigh Cook as Amanda Riley

Scott Ly as Sinh Thach

Missi Pyle as Mona

Ben Feldman as John

Glynn Sweet as Brian Conway

Alexa Povah as Maya Conway

Jacqueline Correa as Sam Gonville

Nondumiso Tembe as Dom Fisher

Thanh Trúc as Anh

• Steven K. Tsuchida
• Eirene Donohue

Cinematographer

• Lauren Connelly
• Jina Hyojin An
• Shirley Song

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A Tourist's Guide to Love

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Watch A Tourist's Guide to Love with a subscription on Netflix.

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Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Steven K. Tsuchida

Rachael Leigh Cook

Amanda Riley

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‘A Tourist’s Guide to Love’ Rom-Com Movie: Coming to Netflix in April 2023 and What We Know So Far

'A Tourists Guide to Love' starring Rachel Leigh Cook is coming to Netflix in April 2023.

Previously seen on He’s All That , Rachel Leigh Cook returns to Netflix to star in a brand new romantic comedy, A Tourist’s Guide to Love . Coming to Netflix in April 2023, we’re keeping track of everything you need to know about A Tourist’s Guide to Love , including the plot, cast, and Netflix release date.

The idea for the movie comes from Cook herself, which will be the second Netflix Original that she has produced following Love Guaranteed (added to Netflix on September 3rd, 2020).

The script for A Tourist’s Guide to Love will be written by screenwriter Eirene Donohue, whose credits include Girls’ Night Out, A Sugar & Spice Holiday, A Christmas Spark, and Christmas Cheer .

Cook will produce in addition to starring. Jim Head of Head First Productions will also produce, with Joel S. Rice and Lydia Storie of Muse Entertainment executive producing.

Directing the movie is Steven Tsuchida . The director has worked on a number of Netflix projects in the past including directing episodes of Cobra Kai and The Healing Powers of Dude . On the movie front, he directed last year’s Resort to Love which dropped in July 2021.

Here’s everything else we know about Netflix’s A Tourist’s Guide to Love :

What’s the Netflix release date for A Tourist’s Guide to Love ?

With Netflix announcing a large number of release dates for their 2023 film slate, we can finally confirm the release date of A Tourist’s Guide to Love .

The romantic comedy will be coming to Netflix on Friday, April 27th, 2023 .

What’s the plot of A Tourist’s Guide to Love ?

Netflix’s A Tourist’s Guide to Love is reported to be based on an original idea of Cook’s. Here is a synopsis of the plot:

After an unexpected break up, a travel executive (Cook) accepts an assignment to go undercover and learn about the tourist industry in Vietnam. Along the way she finds adventure and romance with her Vietnamese expat tour guide when they decide to hijack the tour bus in order to explore life and love off the beaten path.

Scott Ly and Rachel Leigh Cook – Picture. Netflix

Scott Ly – Picture. Netflix

Rachel Leigh Cook – Picture. Netflix

Who is cast in A Tourist’s Guide to Love ?

Netflix’s A Tourist’s Guide to Love  will be led by Rachael Leigh Cook , whose credits include She’s All That, He’s All That, Love Guaranteed as well as many voice acting roles in video games.

Cast grid for A Tourist’s Guide to Love

In early May 2022, Netflix rounded out the cast to A Tourist’s Guide to Love .

• Missi Pyle (known for Galaxy Quest and The Artist )
• Ben Feldman (known for As Above, So Below and Friday the 13th )
• Nondumiso Tembe (known for True Blood and Six )
• Andrew Barth Feldman (known for High School Musical: The Musical – The Series )
• Scott Ly (best known for Criminals Minds: Beyond Borders)
• Morgan Dudley (known for The Prom )

What’s the production status of A Tourist’s Guide to Love ?

As of November 2021, Netflix’s A Tourist’s Guide to Love is planned to enter production in March 2022 according to issue 1271 of Production Weekly . Filming was reportedly set to take place in South East Asia, particularly Vietnam.

In March, Netflix confirmed the movie would be filmed in April 2022 with it being the first major production headed to Vietnam since the global pandemic.

According to updated production listings, the movie wrapped up filming on June 16th, 2022.

Are you looking forward to watching  A Tourist’s Guide to Love on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!

Tigran is our resident previews writer. He works on collecting everything known about upcoming Netflix Original projects and also is editor-in-chief of Redanian Intelligence. Resides in France.

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A Tourist's Guide to Love - Full Cast & Crew

• 49   Metascore
• 1 hr 34 mins
• Comedy, Action & Adventure
• Watchlist Where to Watch

An American travel executive travels to Vietnam for work, only to have her eyes opened by a free-spirited tour guide.

Screenwriter

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A Tourist's Guide To Love: I Watched Rachael Leigh Cook's New Rom-Com And Have So Many Thoughts

Travel and romance? What could be better?

For many movie fans, any time is the right time for a rom-com. And, as lots of people who make good use of their Netflix subscription will certainly know by now, the streamer has been and continues to be home to a number of the best romantic comedies , including films made exclusively for the service. Now, a new entry among the 2023 new movie releases has, once again, brought romance to Netflix with Rachael Leigh Cook’s new film, A Tourist’s Guide to Love .

Also starring Scott Ly, the movie centers on travel executive Amanda, whose company sends her to check out a Vietnamese tour company before they buy it, by posing as a regular tourist. Obviously, inspiring experiences and romantic shenanigans with her handsome guide, Sinh, soon ensue, changing her life forever. This is the second rom-com Cook has starred in for the streamer (after 2020’s Love, Guaranteed and not counting her part in the He’s All That cast ), and I had a lot of thoughts while watching the travel-focused film. So, let’s get to what the romance brought up for me!

I Want To Go Anywhere So Badly Now

Seriously. That first shot of the movie (which you can see in the photo above) really hit me in my “It’s finally spring, I need to get out of the house” travel feels. I mean, look at the golden hour light that’s hitting those palm trees!

Awww. It's Nice Seeing Ben Feldman Again!

Shout out to all my Superstore fans! His character here is slightly infuriating, but it’s still good to see the former Jonah Simms again.

No Relationship "Hiatus" Is A Good Idea

Speaking of Feldman’s John being slightly infuriating… How does any full-grown adult think that asking for a relationship “hiatus” is a good idea? Because it’s not, alright? In fact, it’s one of the dumbest ideas possible, unless you’re also prepared to sit down with your partner and figure out the exact set of rules you both have to adhere to during said break, and decide how long it’s going to be until you figure out whether to get back together or not. None of which he was ready to do. DUMB. I’m glad Amanda immediately broke up with him!

Sinh Quickly Said Some Stuff That Really Got To Me

Oof. I have always thought of traveling as an escape, but when Sinh was explaining what he sees as the difference between a “traveler” and a “tourist” to Amanda, and said, “You never know how long life’s gonna be. Why waste it on escape?” Yeah. That got to me, and I imagine it may have gotten to other viewers, as well.

NO CROSSWALKS?!?!

I am NOT here for this, OK? But, only in a general real-world sense, because it did give Sinh and Amanda a good reason to hold hands early in the movie, as he helped the terrified traveler cross a very busy road. Convenient. Veeeeeery convenient.

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I Love That Amanda Wore Flats Throughout Her Whole Trip

Full stop. Only take out heels on a trip (especially when you’re in a place where you’ll be sightseeing and don’t know the location well) if you can count on only having to walk from a car to a building and then sitting down. Even in that case, I’d have backup flats ready in my bag. You never know when you’ll need to run!

No Thank You To This Dark Alleyway Walk, OK?

So many cozy, sweet rom-coms have scenes in them where the heroine should never, ever do the thing suggested by the hero. In this case, Sinh tells Amanda he has something to show her, and proceeds to lead her down a dark alleyway. 

Now, because this is the aforementioned adorable romantic story, we know this isn’t going to turn into a horror movie scenario, but can we stop using moments like this to “prove” how into the hero the leading lady is? My guess is that it’s so the audience can see that she basically trusted him right away, but in real life following this guy in that moment would be just as dumb as asking for a dating hiatus, and stuff like this takes me out of the rom-com action every time.

Why Is Their Trip To My Son Sanctuary Making Me Cry?

Maybe it’s the music? Or, maybe it’s because I’ve never seen anything that old in real life.

The Scenery Definitely Elevated This Rom-Com

Much like Amanda said, “I want more of this.” Pretty much every moment showed us gorgeous scenery or intriguing customs and celebrations, and that’s why we love a good travel movie, right?

Not One Person Looked Hot The Entire Time

OK, I’m sure the filmmakers didn’t want the cast to look gross throughout the whole movie, but to have people talk about how steamy it supposedly was and how it could be “exhausting” to sightsee in such weather made no sense, when not a single person looked hot during the movie. 

In fact, the only time anyone was wet was when they were at the beach. Could we not spritz water on some foreheads? Add an extra-dewy cheek to a couple of the travelers? Have someone need to sit and fan themselves while touring around this basically tropical nation? Show don’t tell, movie!

I Want To Travel In Amanda's Wardrobe

It’s quite fitting to bring this up right after talking about how, apparently, all of these characters feel the heat of Vietnam without ever breaking a sweat. That is very much not the case with me on any summer trip, which is why I tend not to wear anything that could be deemed “nice” while traveling. 

Sure, I wear my good t-shirts, but I know that by the end of a day of walking around a sweltering city I’m going to be sweating off sunscreen at an alarming rate and gritty as all get out, so I have never dared wear anything as cute as Amanda does during this movie. She’s all cute tops and pants, and adorable dresses that probably need to be dry-cleaned, and I loved every outfit.

Of Course Sinh Bought Amanda The Scarf!

I do so love it when a seemingly random moment turns into a romantic gesture! Who else watched that scarf haggling scene in the market that took place near the beginning of Amanda’s trip and just knew that Sinh was going to buy that scarf she wasn’t able to get? I didn’t imagine that it would end up being the final thing that would reveal his feelings for her and bring them back together after he found out she wasn’t just a regular traveler, but it felt good to be right about how important that scarf would end up being to their love story.

A Tourist’s Guide to Love is currently delighting rom-com lovers on Netflix .

Covering The Witcher, Outlander, Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias and a slew of other streaming shows, Adrienne Jones is a Senior Content Producer at CinemaBlend, and started in the fall of 2015. In addition to writing and editing stories on a variety of different topics, she also spends her work days trying to find new ways to write about the many romantic entanglements that fictional characters find themselves in on TV shows. She graduated from Mizzou with a degree in Photojournalism. 

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On Location: Rachael Leigh Cook Shares Her Vietnam Itinerary From ‘A Tourist’s Guide to Love’

By Rachel Chang

Lifting the curtain on some of the season's most exciting new releases.

As the sun set in Hoi An one evening last spring,  Rachael Leigh Cook gazed out on the Vietnamese scene on the Thu Bon River. Her mom sat beside her beaming ear-to-ear as someone played Peter Gabriel in the distance. “I remember thinking, ‘I don’t want anything else in the world—I just want to be exactly here, where I am,'” the 43-year-old actress says. “That was a transcendent travel moment for me.” It’s exactly that kind of travel magic that’s celebrated in her latest film,  A Tourist’s Guide to Love , a Netflix original, premiering April 21, about travel executive Amanda Riley who is sent undercover to experience a small-group tour company that her American corporation is considering buying. Arriving in Vietnam with a check-list of sights to see, she soon discovers that the most meaningful moments are found veering off the itinerary. 

In A Tourist's Guide to Love , Rachael Leigh Cook's Amanda is a lovelorn travel executive who goes undercover to learn more about Vietnam's tourism industry.

Filmed all around the Asian nation—from its major hubs Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to the beach town of Da Nang and the northeastern province of Ha Giang —Cook was stunned by how unique every corner of the country is. “It seemed too good to be true,” she says. “Then I got there and realized it’s just that beautiful, and people will get to discover that if they watch our movie.” 

This movie is such a celebration of travel—how has traveling been a part of your life? I spent my whole childhood in Minnesota . My dad worked in the school system, so we could travel a little bit in the summer, but we never went especially far. My parents are extremely prudent financially and we would stay at youth hostels. I remember we went to the Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival and saw the fish market . As someone who didn't travel much as a kid, the opportunities to travel that have come from my work have shown me some of the most eye-opening and unexpected moments of my life. And this movie is the pinnacle of that.

The movie starts in Ho Chi Minh City and ends in Hanoi—how do the cities compare? Ho Chi Minh City is bustling. It is hard-working, fast-paced, and kind of crazy. There are incredible rooftops there. There's glamour. Anything that you could want to find, you can find in Ho Chi Minh City. Hanoi is completely different. The energy there is very different. Everyone walks at a slower pace. There's just less sound in the air. The aesthetic is different—and it’s absolutely beautiful. 

Scott Ly plays Sinh, an expat tour guide with whom Amanda falls in love.

The first spark of romance comes during a scene in Hoi An—how would you describe it? When people see images of Vietnam that have those streets full of lanterns and borderline Disney magic about them, that's Hoi An. It's stunningly beautiful—I think that that might have been my favorite stop. It’s conveniently very near Da Nang, which is named the most livable city in Vietnam. It's just a gorgeous beach town. I'm not gonna pretend it wasn't hot. Of course it is. It's Vietnam. But a must-see for sure. 

The group then ventures off the plan and heads to My Son Sanctuary . What was it like to film there? You can feel the stillness and the history there. Its beauty is transcendent and very special. It feels pretty weird to have lighting equipment on an ancient temple—that juxtaposition is not lost on me. I felt just very grateful that they let us film there. I hope that people want to go check it out after seeing our movie.

The movie purposely skips the Golden Hand Bridge , but did you go there? I totally went to the Golden Hand Bridge. We even say in the movie that it’s awesome, but it's just not steeped in as much history. My mom came out for about 10 days with my kids—they couldn't miss more school, but they came during their spring break—and they absolutely loved it. They've created a theme park after a gondola ride. It takes like 22 minutes to get to the top of this mountain. And then up there is something that I would equate to the scale of maybe like a quarter the size of Disneyland and there are theme park rides up there. There is a giant—I don't want to call it a food hall because it's beautiful—but all these restaurants, it is really worth seeing. The engineering blows my mind. What a gift that we got to experience that together.

By Jessica Chapel

By Emily Pennington

By Charlie Hobbs

By Kaitlin Menza

The film is set in both bustling Ho Chi Minh City and sleepy Hanoi, giving a glimpse at life in various Vietnamese cities.

Filming the homestay scene in Ha Giang must have been quite a contrast? Ha Giang is mountainous and very beautiful and it's near the border to China. It was probably our most rustic place. It's very much a hard-working community that's seen a lot over the years. It's one of those places I never would have been motivated to come to, but I'm so glad that I did. It’s very user-friendly and the people they're incredibly welcoming. They're excited that you're there. They want to know how you got there. I really just hope they liked the movie—I hope we do them justice.

What were your favorite food experiences in Vietnam?   The food that I ate way too much of that I have not been able to find as good since I've returned back here is bánh xèo. That's my favorite thing. It's like a very thin egg pancake with fresh vegetables quickly cooked in it, and it gets wrapped up like a pancake. So it's sort of like a burrito without the burrito. And oh my gosh, the sauces with it. It's delicious. I did try the durian. I was impressed by the taste. It's in the family of sweetness of a mango, almost. I found the consistency [was] what I couldn't really get behind. And obviously this smell—it is as advertised.

Cook notes the difference between a tourist—someone who wants to escape their life—and a traveler, who does so in order to experience theirs.

Amanda is a very over-prepared traveler. How would you categorize yourself? My packing style is not impressive. If I have a week to pack, it'll take a week. If I have three hours to pack, it'll take three hours. If I have 30 minutes, it'll take 30 minutes. The results are all the same. It's never better or worse. My travel style is generally unprepared and heavy on recommendations. I love knowing where people say to go, especially if it's friends or friends of friends, I find that the most fun and reliable way to sort of like wade through a city. I also like to stay where it makes things central, so I can walk as much as possible. I'm a little bit daunted by taking underground systems where I can get lost because I have no sense of direction.

What’s been your favorite interaction with a stranger while traveling? I made friends with this woman when I was working [on 2014’s  Red Sky ] in Russia. She spoke no English and I speak no Russian, but we could just tell that we liked each other and that we had a similar vibe and humor, and we still found ways to laugh together. I remember her very fondly—she's such a special soul.

Cook's own travel style is different from the overprepared Amanda—the actress relies largely on recommendations. 

What’s a place you’d always go back to? A place I've been twice and I hope I go many times is Moorea , near Bora Bora [and] Tahiti . I think it was Marlon Brando who lived out in Bora Bora because he knew that his heart rate would drop by like 20 percent the second he touched down there, and I could feel it in myself too. It's just so relaxing and centering.

What do you think it is about travel that makes us let go? In the movie, we say a tourist is someone who wants to escape their lives, and a traveler is someone who wants to experience theirs. But I think that those sentiments go hand-in-hand. Sometimes you gotta jump out of the boat that you're in to be able to experience a new thing, and that's okay. Getting out of your comfort zone is what creates and inspires lasting memories. You don't know how long life is going to be, and you should spend your life on experience.

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Passport to Love

Europe Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

From beautiful Paris to smoke-filled coffeeshops in Amsterdam, Oktoberfest to La Tomatina, Europe is a massive, diverse continent with an unlimited assortment of things to see and do. You won’t have any problem filling your time, whether you’re backpacking Europe for a few months on a budget or just spending a few weeks there on a well-earned vacation.

The continent boasts wonderful beaches, historical architecture, amazing wine, and tons of world-class festivals. Every country is incredibly different from the next too, providing limitless variety in what you do during your trip.

I first backpacked Europe in 2006 and was hooked immediately. I’ve been visiting every year since, have run tours around the continent, and even wrote a book on traveling in Europe . It’s a destination I love and never get tired of exploring.

This guide will give you an overview of Europe and the tips and tricks you need to start planning your trip. I’ve also written extensive travel guides to each country on the continent (linked below in this post) so you can get more in-depth information for your specific itinerary too!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Europe

Click Here for Country Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in europe.

1. Tour the Greek Islands

These islands are the mecca of summer beach fun and each is unique in its own great way. There’s Ios (beach party central with archeological ruins and awesome boat tours); Kos (ancient ruins and nature); Crete (Bronze Age ruins of Knossos, hiking, beaches, and wine), Santorini (iconic blue water, white buildings, and local wineries); Mykonos , (the upscale party island with beautiful beaches, villages, and sunsets), Naxos (best island in the Cyclades). Plus, Milos, Corfu, Lemnos, Zakynthos, and so many more! With hundreds of islands in the country, you can always find what you are looking for!

2. Ride the rails

Europe is famous for its international rail system. Rail passes like the Eurail Pass have been around forever and still make it very easy to get from country to country on a relatively small budget (and with lots of flexibility). Europe has some of the fastest trains in the world that travel up to an incredible 217 mph (350 kph). The whole continent is connected by trains and there’s a growing push for even more connections and long-distance, high-speed trains in order to reduce flying and help combat climate change. There’s nothing more quintessential than riding the trains in Europe and I encourage you to take as many trains as possible. It’s one of the best ways to see the continent.

3. Get lost in Paris

The “City of Lights” is everything people say it is. I fell in love with it the first time I stepped foot in Paris . The city is just magical. You have a ton of museums, cafes, jazz clubs, famous art, and beautiful architecture. I love just strolling around the streets of the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) or Montmartre neighborhood as it makes for a breathtaking day. Another one of my favorite things to do here is just sit in the Jardin des Champs-Élysées park and picnic like the Parisians. For something a bit different, check out the famous Catacombs and Paris Sewer Museum. With so much to offer in the way of culture, history, and gastronomy, it would take years to see everything here but you can still get a good feel of the city in a few days.

4. Go city hopping

There are so many amazing cities in Europe that we’d need a top 100 to list them all. Here are some of my personal favorites and must-see cities: London is rich in history, culture, and the famous Big Ben clock; Edinburgh is a vibrant medieval city with cozy pubs and a famous castle with a huge New Year’s Eve Party; Amsterdam has cozy coffee shops and canopied tree-covered canals; Berlin has a wild party scene, street art, and the Berlin Wall; Barcelona has tapas, beach, and unique Gaudi architecture; coastal Lisbon has colorful tiles, old tramcars, cobblestone streets and plenty of fresh seafood; Prague has a beautiful intact Old Town, incredible architecture and eclectic bars; Tallinn Estonia has beautiful medieval buildings with colorful roofs. Florence  is a mecca for Italian Renaissance architecture, art history, and gelato; Stockholm mixes medieval architecture and modern art and design. Crisscross the continent, take in the culture, and enjoy all the historic cities!

5. Hit the Alps

Whether you go skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, the Alps hold some of the most breathtaking views in all the world. You don’t even need to be an expert hiker because there are mountain trails for all levels and crystal-clear Alpine lakes. Check out the spectacular Eibsee trail loop in Bavaria at the foot of Die Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain, for the clearest, multi-colored, sparkling lake you’ve ever seen. Or the Männlichen Kleine Scheidegg Panorama trail in Switzerland’s stunning green and snow-capped Alps. Or visit Italy’s Dolomites in South Tyrol for the scenic Seceda trail. The Alps have trails for every fitness level and in every season.

Other Things to See and Do in Europe

1. tour amsterdam.

I love Amsterdam so much that I lived here for a short period of time in 2006. Here cobblestone and brick streets weave around lovely canals as people ride their bikes to and fro. My favorite things to enjoy here are Amsterdam’s vibrant art and music scene and there are also a ton of interesting museums here like the Anne Frank House, FOAM, the history museum, and the hemp museum. Be sure you get out of the center into Jordaan and Oost with their wonderful outdoor cafes and fewer tourists. Also, a visit to Amsterdam wouldn’t be complete without a canal cruise to visit the many islands and there are many to choose from that include snacks and drinks, sunset cruises, live guided tours, and more.

2. Hang out in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that goes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It truly could give NYC a run for the “city that never sleeps” title. Be prepared for late-night dinners and parties until dawn. Besides a great food and nightlife scene, there is a wonderful beach, tons of Gaudi architecture (including the fairytale-like Parc Güell, as well as the iconic Sagrada Familia , which has been under construction for over 100 years!), incredible food tours, one of the best history museums in the country, and lots of outdoor spaces. What I love about Barcelona is that when you’re ready to chill, you can wander around Parc de la Ciutadella and marvel at the majestic fountains, plant life, and buildings created from an ornate military fortress.

3. Visit Berlin

Hip and trendy Berlin is an energetic destination. It is one of Europe’s most affordable capital cities, with a vibrant music and art scene and a growing foodie movement. Be sure to spend some time learning about the city’s darker history via the many excellent museums, memorials, and landmarks. The East Side Gallery, a section of the Berlin Wall that’s now painted with murals, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe are two especially powerful reminders of Germany’s past. For all periods of German history, don’t miss the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum) – it’s one of the best history museums in the world. Once you’ve had your fill of history, relax in Berlin’s many green spaces, from Tempelhof Field, the site of a former airfield and popular local hangout spot, to Tiergarten, a tree-covered former hunting ground for 17th-century aristocrats.

4. Drink beer at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a must for anyone going to Germany at the end of September. While not a budget option since beers now cost 15 € a maß, I love the energy and friendly camaraderie this event inspires. For two weeks, millions of people from all over the world gather for lots of beer, excitement, music, and wild fun. Watching thousands of people sing together, raising quart-sized beer mugs for endless toasts, and enjoying the general party atmosphere makes you feel good about the world. (Or maybe that’s just the beer?) Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance and be prepared to pay top prices for them. If you don’t have an outfit, don’t worry, there are plenty of shops even at the main train station where you can buy a Bavarian dirndl dress and men’s lederhosen.

5. Experience London

Get a taste of English culture in diverse London . The museums here are some of the best in the world (most are free) and include the Tate, the British Museum, the City Museum, the National Gallery, the Historical Museum. There’s no shortage of iconic sights here as well, with Big Ben, the House of Parliament, the London Eye, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and of course, Buckingham Palace. I love London’s diversity because of the countless international eateries with great food and wonderful pub culture, perfect for after a long day seeing the sights. Head to Brick Lane on the weekends for some amazing food and craft markets. I prefer Paris to London, but there is something sophisticated and fun about London. Just watch those pints — London is not a cheap destination!

6. Get outdoors in Scandinavia

My favorite region in Europe is Scandinavia. The quality of life here is high, the people are beautiful and friendly, and the cities are clean and historic. Cycling the cities, taking canal tours, hiking the vast forested areas, archipelago hopping, enjoying fika (a Swedish coffee break), and warming up in saunas are just a few of the popular activities that await you here. True, this area of Europe is not cheap, but there are plenty of ways to reduce your expenses. Don’t let the high prices scare you away. Highlights for me include Copenhagen , Stockholm , Gotland, Norway’s fjords, and Lapland in Finland .

7. Get enchanted in Prague

Prague has an amazing history and is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities I’ve ever seen. Highlights include the 9th-century Prague Castle, the magnificent Charles Bridge (built in the 14th century and one of the oldest standing bridges in the world), the 10th-century old square with its iconic astronomical clock, and the winding Jewish Quarter. Even if you only have a few days there don’t miss the free walking tour which is one of my favorites in Europe and the best way to learn about the Old Town and the tragic history of the city that went from thriving Bohemian capital of art, music, and literature to part of the Iron Curtain after WWII. Some of my favorite gems here include the fantastic black light theater shows in 4D and the one-of-a-kind medieval dinner show in an old tavern complete with musicians and jugglers not to mention hearty food and drinks. During the weekends it heaves with people enjoying the bars, cheap beer, and delicious food so try to visit during the week (and in the spring or fall) to beat the crowds.

8. Relax on the French Riviera

Here, you can pretend to live the high life for a little bit. Have fun in the sun, relax on the beach, swim in azure blue water, hobnob with the rich and famous, and sail on (or gaze at) gigantic yachts. As for cities, Nice is nice with its palm-tree-lined promenade, old town, and many art museums. If you want to go see how the rich and famous live, spend an afternoon checking out Cannes to soak up some glamorous vibes on La Croisette where they hold the famous Cannes Film Festival. The kingdom of Monaco with its tiny streets, beautiful buildings, and world-famous casino is just a skip away too.

9. Enjoy the great outdoors in Interlaken

Located in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, Interlaken is a gorgeous place to unwind with fantastic hiking, delicious hot chocolate, and plenty of outdoor sports. The area is full of natural attractions to explore, including the St. Beatus Caves (complete with a legendary dragon), the cascading 500-meter-high (1,640 feet) Giessbach Waterfalls, the Jungfraujoch mountain railway (which leads to the highest train station on the continent), and a plethora of lakes (hence the town’s name). It’s a good alternative to all the cities and museums. Interlaken is also a popular party destination for backpackers and other young travelers. By far, my favorite scenic and visually stunning trail was the Oberberghorn panoramic hike, where you can wander the green mountain ridge ogling the amazing views and the turquoise-blue Brienzersee.

10. Experience history in Rome

In this thriving historical city, you can’t walk two feet without stumbling over a ruin, making Rome a history buff’s dream. Its tiny streets are perfect for wandering as you explore the Colosseum, see the Forum and Palatine Hill, visit the Pantheon, spend time in Vatican City, admire the Spanish Steps, and toss coins into the famous Trevi Fountain. The skip-the-line tickets can definitely be worth it so you don’t waste time waiting outside attractions. Rome also has amazing food (it’s Italy, after all) and nightlife. Visit the Trastevere area for a taste of “local” Rome and chill bars. It’s my favorite area in the city because you feel like you’re in a small village in the middle of a big city.

11. Hike around the Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is my favorite part of Italy. These five beautiful cliffside towns are perched near warm waters and beautiful olive and grape groves. There are wondrous and strenuous hikes in these hills; for a real challenge, take trail #8. Or just walk the coastline for something less difficult. Many activities here revolve around the coastline: kayaking, swimming, having a beach picnic or visiting the Technical Naval Museum. If you happen to be here in December or January, don’t miss the Nativity Manarola, the world’s biggest lighted nativity scene.

12. Tour Krakow

Krakow looks like it stepped out of a medieval postcard. It’s a hip, trendy, and youthful city that’s the center of education in Poland, meaning there are a lot of university students here. Most travelers come to party here (the vodka is cheap) but try to enjoy the city’s history and food besides just the bars. Walk the Royal Road through the Old Town to the 13th-century Wawel Castle, tour Schindler’s Factory (where Schindler saved over 1,200 Jews during World War II), and visit the sobering Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. You can also take a fascinating day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine, a 13th-century mine with cavernous chambers, statues, chapels, chandeliers, and cathedrals all carved out of salt.

13. Visit the ruin bars in Budapest

The coolest nightlife in all of Europe is found in Budapest . Built in abandoned buildings, ruin bars feature funky art installations, repurposed furniture, and quirky decor. They are amazing, fun, and great places to meet locals, as people of all ages flock here. Open since 2001, Szimpla Kert is the original ruin bar and one of my favorites, along with Instant-Fogas Complex, which takes up an entire building and is actually many different bars in one. Don’t skip the ruin bars — they’re one of the most unique things about the city!

14. Explore Cornwall

The best part of England is outside London, yet unfortunately, not a lot of travelers leave London. Head west to the area of Cornwall for cheaper prices, welcoming locals, natural beauty, great hiking, rolling hills, plenty of medieval castles, and picturesque small towns. If you like biking, the Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow is worth the trip and you even pass by a local vineyard. It’s an easy way to spend a day (and it’s pretty flat so it’s not too hard to do.) Plus, I had the best fish and chips in Cornwall! Overall, it’s what you think of as “traditional England.”

15. Walk the Camino

El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) is an ancient pilgrimage route that stretches from France all the way across northern Spain. It is a 500 mile (800 km) trail that winds through incredible terrain, ending in Santiago de Compostela at the cathedral where St. James is supposedly buried. As a pilgrim, you get a “pilgrim’s passport” which allows you to stay in affordable pilgrim-only hostels, making this a surprisingly budget-friendly adventure. While it usually takes over a month to complete, you can just walk a section if you don’t have the time. To receive a “Compostela” (certificate of completion), you just need to walk the last 62 miles (100 km), which generally takes 4-5 days.

16. Throw tomatoes during La Tomatina

By far my favorite festival, the largest food fight in the world happens during the last Wednesday of August in Bunol, Spain. What started in 1945 as a local brawl has turned into a massive event drawing tens of thousands of people from all over the world. For about an hour, everyone throws tomatoes at each other, leaving streets ankle-deep in tomato juice. Afterward, everyone walks down to the river, cleans off, and then heads to the town square for sangria and music.

17. Find Dracula in Romania

Not a lot of people visit Romania but this underrated country in Eastern Europe has undiscovered yet picturesque medieval towns like Brasov (home to “Dracula’s castle”), Sighisoara, and Sibiu; gorgeous beaches on the Black Sea; and incredible hiking in the Fagaras Mountains — all at dirt-cheap prices. Other major sights include frescoed Byzantine monasteries, the steepled wooden churches of Transylvania, the hip university town Cluj-Napoca, the post-communist capital of Bucharest, and the Danube Delta, a huge nature reserve.

18. Drink whisky in Islay

Whisky has a long history on Islay , an island off Scotland’s west coast. It’s been made there since the 16th-century — first in backyards and then, starting in the 19th-century, in large distilleries. Over the years, whisky from the island came to be considered a specialty and was used to flavor a lot of other blends on the mainland. There are currently nine working distilleries on the island, all located along the island’s shores, with Laphroaig, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin being the most famous. Most distilleries here make single-malt Scotch, meaning that only one type of grain (barley) is used. My visit here was amazing and, even if you don’t like whisky, there are tons of good hikes and walks throughout this magnificent island.

19. Explore Iceland

Iceland is a magical country with majestic waterfalls, hidden hot springs around every corner, and sweeping vistas unlike anywhere else in the world. After my first visit, the country quickly became one of my favorite countries. With whale watching in the summer, the northern lights in the winter, and geothermal baths for soaking in year-round, there really is no bad time to visit! While Iceland’s main draw is the epic natural landscapes, it’s worth spending a couple of days in Reykjavik with its café culture, artsy feel, and brightly colored wooden row houses.

20. Sail the Croatian coast

With calm winds, short distances, a coastline littered with over 1,000 islands, and countless historical sites, Croatia is one of the world’s best sailing destinations. If you can, go during the shoulder season when you can find some great deals. Plan to stay at least a couple of days on one of the islands, with the most popular being Brac, Hvar, Krk, Cres, and Lošinj. However, don’t be afraid to get off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser-known islands such as Silba, Vis, and Lastovo. If you want to splash out and spend a week partying on a yacht, check out The Yacht Week, which hosts week-long parties, complete with DJs, from May-September. You can book a full boat to share with friends or just a cabin if you’re traveling solo. Prices start at 5,250 HRK per person and go up to 9,300 HRK.

21. Explore the Balkans

While the Balkans have become more popular with backpackers in recent years, it’s still largely overlooked by most budget travelers, despite being an extremely budget-friendly region. The Balkan peninsula is home to great (and again, overlooked) wine, beautiful medieval towns like Kotor and Mostar, stunning mountainous landscapes, beautiful pebble beaches, coffee culture, fresh, hearty yet inexpensive food, and museums covering the area’s history, including the most recent turbulent events of the early 1990s. I especially loved my time in Albania . Don’t miss the beautiful beaches in Ksamil, nicknamed the “Maldives of Europe’ as well as the mountain village of Gjirokastër, which was occupied by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Balkans have so much to offer for every budget and every country has its unique cultural flavor.

22. Take a wine tour in the Loire Valley

Located in central France, the picturesque Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and stretches 280 kilometers (174 miles) along the Loire River. One of the major wine-producing regions of France, the area is home to some of the best wines in the world, with over 1,000 vineyards open to the public. Even those who don’t drink wine will enjoy the beautiful small towns, great food, and the region’s over 300 impressive chateaux. I loved the medieval Chenonceau Castle and Chateau Villandry and the small villages like Saint-Florent-le-Vieil. Spring and Autumn are my favorite times to visit because you can go biking and do outdoor activities when it’s not too hot and there are fewer people. It’s an area not to be missed.

23. See Fado in Portugal

Fado is an important musical tradition in Portugal , originating in Lisbon and stretching back some 200 years. The word “fado” likely stems from the Latin word for fate, and it’s very haunting, poetic, and emotional music. Most of the songs follow themes of loss and mourning, and the music was popular with the working class (especially sailors). Performances normally take place in restaurants during dinner. In Lisbon, head to Clube de Fado, Tasca do Chico, Parreirinha de Alfama, or Senhor Vinho.

24. Tour green Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s least-visited destinations, which is mind-blowing to me because it’s an amazing place to visit. Slovenia offers all the beauty of Western Europe but at a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the crowds. Perfect for outdoor adventure lovers, Slovenia offers rugged mountains, untouched landscapes, fantastic ski resorts, plentiful wine, sprawling cave systems, incredible food, and postcard-perfect lakes, such as the famous Lake Bled with its castle on an island. I loved Piran, Slovenia’s often overlooked coastal Venetian-style harbor town that was actually founded 3000 years ago. Stroll around its beautiful windy cobble-stoned streets, beautiful plazas, and take advantage of the many affordable restaurants right on the water. Make sure to also spend a few days in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, known as one of the continent’s greenest and most livable cities. Take a river cruise to see the city and enjoy the friendliness of the locals.

  For more information on specific countries in Europe, check out the guides below:

• Albania Travel Guide
• Austria Travel Guide
• Belgium Travel Guide
• Belarus Travel Guide
• Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Guide
• Bulgaria Travel Guide
• Czechia Travel Guide
• Croatia Travel Guide
• Denmark Travel Guide
• England Travel Guide
• Estonia Travel Guide
• Finland Travel Guide
• France Travel Guide
• Germany Travel Guide
• Greece Travel Guide
• Hungary Travel Guide
• Iceland Travel Guide
• Ireland Travel Guide
• Italy Travel Guide
• Latvia Travel Guide
• Lithuania Travel Guide
• Malta Travel Guide
• Moldova Travel Guide
• Montenegro Travel Guide
• Netherlands Travel Guide
• Norway Travel Guide
• Portugal Travel Guide
• Poland Travel Guide
• Romania Travel Guide
• Scotland Travel Guide
• Slovakia Travel Guide
• Slovenia Travel Guide
• Spain Travel Guide
• Sweden Travel Guide
• Switzerland Travel Guide
• Ukraine Travel Guide

Europe Travel Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation prices vary greatly by region. In Western Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 25-45 EUR per night, depending on the room’s size and the popularity of the hostel. I stayed in a 6-bed dorm in Berlin for 20 EUR, while the same one would have cost me around 45 EUR in Paris. A room in Paris costs on the higher end and a room in cheaper Athens costs on the lower end.

In Eastern Europe, hostel dorm rooms cost between 10-15 EUR per night depending on the size of the dorm room and the popularity of the hostel. The further east you go, the cheaper it gets. Expect to pay around 30-60 EUR per night for a private room that sleeps two.

In Scandinavia, hostel dorm beds cost around 25-45 EUR, while private rooms are 65-80 EUR. Budget hotels start around 85 EUR.

Most accommodations offer free linens, free Wi-Fi, and a lot offer free breakfast, but it’s important to check specific websites for exact amenities.

Campsites cost between 10-15 EUR per night for a basic plot for two without electricity.

Food – Food traditions in Europe run deep, stretching back centuries to become integral parts of each country’s culture. From baguettes in France to tapas in Spain, from hearty Eastern European stews and goulash to the fresh vegetables and olive oils of the Mediterranean, European cuisine varies as much as the countries themselves. Food prices differ greatly across the continent, so check individual country guides for specifics.

But no matter where you are, even in the more expensive countries, finding places to eat within your budget is easier than you might think. Throughout Western Europe, you can find small shops, street food stalls, or food trucks where you can get sandwiches, gyros, kebabs, slices of pizza, or sausages for between 3-7 EUR. These shops are most often found in train stations, bus stations, and main pedestrian areas, and offer cheap food alternatives that can have you eating on 12-17 EUR per day. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 7-10 EUR for a combo meal.

Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese eateries abound in Germany, while Indian food is incredible and everywhere in the United Kingdom. Meals at these restaurants usually cost between 8-12 EUR.

Restaurant meals in casual, traditional eateries generally cost around 13-25 EUR for a main dish and drink. Food is much cheaper in the east than in the west, and in the west, northern regions like Scandinavia and the UK are more expensive than southern countries like Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

In Eastern Europe, even if you are eating out for all your meals, you can still get by on a food budget of as little as 15 EUR per day.

For drinks, a pint of beer is 2-5 EUR, a glass of wine is 2-7 EUR, a cappuccino is 2-5 EUR, and cocktails range from 6-14 EUR.

If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two-course or three-course set menu). Restaurants offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between 10-20 EUR, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu. You can also get affordable lunches at outdoor markets. So many European cities have huge fresh food markets throughout town.

You can cook your own food for around 45-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, seasonal produce, bread, and some meat. You can save money by shopping at discount supermarkets like Profi, Lidl, Aldi, and Penny Market.

If you want to save big money on meals, head to one of the markets, pick up some cheese, wine, bread, meats, or anything else, and go to the park for a picnic. (Or grab a sandwich for later!) You’ll find the locals doing the same thing, and it’s one of the cheaper ways to get a true taste of local food.

Backpacking Europe Suggested Budgets

Prices for travel in Europe vary greatly depending on how far north, east, south, or west you travel. If you stick to the budget accommodations, food, and tours listed here and use all my tips on saving money, you need about 65-110 EUR per day in Western Europe, 40-50 EUR in Eastern Europe, and about 85-130 EUR in Scandinavia.

Those numbers reflect a traveler who stays in hostels, cooks some meals and eats out cheaply, enjoys a few drinks, and sticks to free and cheap activities like hiking, walking tours, and enjoying nature. This is your typical backpacker budget. You aren’t going to have a fancy time, but you aren’t going to want for anything either.

However, by getting tourist cards and rail passes, avoiding flights, occasionally Couchsurfing or camping, cooking all your meals, and not drinking, you can travel a lot cheaper. On this budget, you could do Western Europe on 35-45 EUR per day, Eastern Europe on 20-25 EUR, and Scandinavia on 50-65 EUR. That would require you to take a train or a bus or hitchhike everywhere, skip most museums, and limit how often you go out.

Generally, the suggested daily budget for Europe is 80-120 EUR. You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Europe Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Individual country guides have more specific information on how to save money in them but here are some general tips on cutting your costs while you explore Europe:

• Picnic – This continent has a lot of little shops where you can buy pre-made sandwiches or ingredients to make your own. Many supermarkets have delis as well where you can get food to go. Buy some food, eat outside, and watch the city and its people go by. It’s a much more enjoyable and cheaper way to eat.
• Eat local and cheap – Not into picnicking? Eat at local sandwich shops, pizza parlors, Maoz, Wok to Walks, and outdoor street vendors. Avoiding restaurants and eating at a lot of the local “grab n’ go” places gives you a taste of the local cuisine at a much cheaper price. If you’re really on a budget, use your creative cooking skills to prepare meals at the hostel as well.
• Stay with a local – Hostels can add up really quickly. If you don’t have any friends with whom you can stay, consider using Couchsurfing , which connects you with locals who let you stay with them for free. Plus, they tend to also have meetups to meet other locals and travelers. It’s a great way to save on accommodation and meet a local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Camp in a garden – A very good camping service specific to Europe is Campspace , which allows you to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard for free or for a small fee (around 10-20 EUR). All of the garden owners have profiles that tell you what services and facilities they offer. Also, many countries allow wild camping (like Sweden), which can save you a fortune if you have a tent.
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the continent for cheap. I personally feel it’s best for day travel as sitting up for an overnight bus isn’t really ideal for sleeping. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 5 EUR, you really can’t complain!
• Get a Rail Pass – Eurail Passes have saved me hundreds of dollars. If you are traveling far distances and through many countries, they are a great deal.
• Take the free city tours – One of the great things about Europe is that you can find free walking tours in all the major cities. They can be a great way to see the city attractions, take in some history, and learn your bearings without spending any money. Just make sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Plan accordingly – Plan your trip around Europe so you avoid doubling back. Transportation is a big expense so proper planning can save you a lot of money (and time). Go in a straight line or a loop. Booking your accommodation ahead helps you save as well since cheap, good places unsurprisingly get reserved first. One thing I’ve learned is that waiting until the last minute means you get stuck with expensive places or cheap places no one wants.
• Fly cheap – If you know where you are going and a train won’t do, try to book flights early. You can often get round trip fares for as little as 5 EUR from many of the European discount airlines like Ryanair or Wizz. Many capital cities have smaller airports farther from the city with ‘inconvenient’ times but cheaper fares. Keep in mind you might need to factor in an early morning Uber or taxi if the busses aren’t running and you have an early flight!
• Drink less – Those 5 EUR beers add up. Hit happy hours or pick and choose when you party. Hostel bars are a good place to get cheap drinks or buy your alcohol at the supermarket. Plus, in Europe, it’s legal to drink outside in parks, plazas, by the lakes or rivers. You’ll find you can save a lot of money by not going to bars and clubs. Partying your way across the continent will destroy your bank balance in no time.
• Get a city tourist card – Many local tourism offices sell a tourism card for all their attractions, tours, and restaurants. This card gives you free entry and substantial discounts on all the attractions and tours in a city, free local public transportation (a huge plus), and discounts at a few restaurants and shopping malls. They save a ton of money. If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, get one of these cards.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities (or countries) by paying a small fee. It’s like Airbnb but for rides. I used this service in Switzerland and, not only did I save a lot of money, but I got to meet interesting people and learn about local culture and life. Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe, though sometimes rides cancel at the last minute (which is why you need to be flexible). Check their ratings first and try to use rides where the person has done many trips.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water is safe to drink in most of Europe, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Get a HostelPass – HostelPass is a discount membership for hostels in Europe. Members get 10-20% off select hostels around Europe, as well as perks like free breakfast or free drinks. There are discounts on tours and activities too. It’s a great way to save money if you’re bouncing around Europe as they have hostels in 18 countries around the continent.

Where to Stay in Europe

Europe has a ton of budget accommodation options. The individual country and city guides have tons of recommendations but here’s a short list of some of my favorite budget hostels and hotels around Europe:

• The Flying Pig (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
• Hotel 54 (Barcelona, Spain)
• Generator Hostel (Copenhagen, Denmark)
• Harcourt Hotel (Dublin, Ireland)
• Castle Rock (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Ios Palm Pansion (Ios, Greece)
• Greg and Tom’s Party Hostel (Krakow, Poland)
• Largo da Sé Guest House (Lisbon, Portugal)
• Sophie’s Hostel (Prague, Czech Republic)
• The Yellow (Rome, Italy)
• City Backpackers (Stockholm, Sweden)

How to Get Around Europe

Public transportation – Transportation around most European cities is by tram, subway, or bus. Prices are typically around 2 EUR for a one-way ticket in Western Europe and closer to 1 EUR in Eastern Europe. Most large cities also have day passes available that offer unlimited public transportation. These passes are usually 5-12 EUR per day.

In large cities with international airports, there is usually a bus or train available that ferries travelers from the downtown core to the airport. Expect to pay around 5-15 EUR to get to/from the airport.

Bus – Buses are not quite as comfortable as Europe’s trains, although certain lines do have great amenities (like roomy seats and Wi-Fi). While buses are not the most efficient way to travel around the continent, they’re certainly dependable, reliable, and cheap. You can find last-minute rides for as little as 5 EUR. A route from Berlin to Munich is about 25 EUR, while Paris to Bordeaux can be as low as 10 EUR. Longer routes, like Amsterdam to Copenhagen, start at around 47 EUR.

Each country has its own national bus service, but some lines also take you long distances internationally. Megabus and Flixbus (which now owns Eurolines) are the most popular companies.

Train – Train travel is a great way to see Europe. Intercity train prices vary wildly from country to country, depending on whether you take the slow train or a high-speed train and how far in advance you book. For example, a high-speed train from Berlin to Munich costs around 38-60 EUR, Bordeaux to Paris is about 50-85 EUR, and Madrid to Barcelona ranges from 45-85 EUR. Non-high-speed trains and other intercity lines are a lot cheaper, generally costing about 40-50% of the price of high-speed trains. Eastern Europe inter-country trains usually cost between 45-100 EUR when the ticket is booked last minute. Short train rides of 2-3 hours within countries cost about 27 EUR.

To find routes and prices for trains around Europe, use Trainline .

You may also want to consider getting a Eurail Pass , which allows travelers to explore Europe by providing a set number of stops in a specific time period. These passes are continent-wide, country-specific, or regional. It can potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Ridesharing/Car sharing – If your schedule is flexible, use a ridesharing service and catch rides with locals between cities (or countries). Drivers are verified and it’s perfectly safe. BlaBlaCar is the most popular.

If you’d rather rent a car yourself and find passengers to share a ride with, use Discover Cars to find the best car rental prices.

Flying – Budget airlines are so prolific that competition helps keep fares low. You can often find tickets where the fare is just 5 EUR round-trip! Companies like EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz, and Vueling offer mind-blowingly cheap flights throughout Europe. Book at least a month early to scoop up great deals.

Make sure that the airport they fly into isn’t too far out of your way (transportation from the secondary airport sometimes negates the savings from using the budget airline itself).

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights. It costs about 25-39 EUR for one checked bag. If you wait to pay for your luggage at the gate, you end up paying almost double. Travel carry-on only to avoid this added cost.

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Europe is very safe, but it’s not for everyone. Hitching is quite common around the continent and I’ve met a number of travelers who have done it (I, myself, traveled this way in Bulgaria and Iceland). Some countries are very supportive (Romania, Iceland, Germany) while others may be a bit more time-consuming (Italy, Spain). HitchWiki is the best website for hitchhiking info.

Here are my suggested articles for how to get around Europe:

• 7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe
• Are Eurail Passes a Giant Scam or Do They Save You Money?
• The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Flights

When to Go to Europe

There’s no wrong time to visit Europe. Peak season is summer, when Europe gets crowded and August is the time most European families are at the beach so everything becomes more crowded and expensive. But the overall atmosphere and weather are great during this time, so it’s still worth visiting during peak season (just book your accommodation in advance — especially in August). Keep in mind it’s much hotter in summer so if you like AC, be sure to check that your hostel or hotel has it before you book. You can expect the most crowds in Western Europe. For this reason, I feel summer is a great time to visit the Balkans and the Baltics because many people head to the beaches in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece.

Shoulder season is spring and fall (April-May and September-October). It’s still warm during this time but there aren’t as many crowds and prices are cheaper. This is my favorite time to visit hotspot places like Spain, Croatia and Greece, where it’s still hot enough to swim in the sea but you have way more room on the beach. It’s also a good time to go hiking in the Alps in Germany, northern Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland because it’s cooler during the day so you’re much less sweaty on the mountain without shade. The weather is good, the crowds are smaller, and the prices lower.

Winter is from November to February but in much of Central Europe, it’s wet and cold until March or April. It gets cold, even as far south as it gets (like Greece). On the other hand, the Christmas season has Christmas markets and festivals galore! Even if it’s cold, this is a cultural tradition you can’t miss and why I love Europe in December. There is hot mulled wine, sweets, and plenty of hot snacks, which vary by country. One of my favorites is Prague because the Old Town Square is lit up with a gigantic tree with aromas of crispy cinnamon pastries and mulled wine. Berlin takes their Christmas markets very seriously, so there are around 80 different markets with special themes.

Winter is fantastic in Europe for skiing and snowboarding but it doesn’t have to break the bank if you plan carefully. While Switzerland and France are probably the most famous, they are also expensive, but there are plenty of budget winter options.

How to Stay Safe in Europe

Europe is very safe for backpacking and solo traveling, even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent crimes against tourists are very rare. In fact, some of the safest countries in the world are in Europe. (I wrote a whole article about how Europe is safe to visit right now .)

That said, there are scams and petty crimes you should watch out for, especially around popular tourist landmarks. The most important thing to be aware of is pickpockets in crowds and on public transportation. Zip your bags and don’t put your mobile phone in a jacket pocket where someone could quickly take it. This should be obvious but don’t flash your money to let everyone know you have a huge wad of cash.

When choosing a hostel, look for ones with lockers. It’s always a good idea to carry around a padlock or combination lock. Most hostels are safe and travelers respect each other and I’ve rarely seen things happen to people’s valuables. Nevertheless, I always think that prevention is better.

As anywhere, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). When at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink. Avoid walking home alone at night if you’re intoxicated.

For female travelers in particular, it’s always a good idea to have a bit of extra money on you just in case you need to take an Uber or taxi back by yourself so you don’t take unnecessary risks to save money. If you’re using apps to date people while traveling, please use common sense and meet in public places. Since I’m not a female traveler, please check out the numerous female bloggers who have first hand knowledge of this.

If you’re worried about scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Be aware that the UK drives on the left and that most rental cars in Europe will have manual transmissions unless you request otherwise.

When hiking, always bring water, sunscreen, and bandaids or foot plasters. There is nothing worse than being halfway up the mountain with a blister and nothing you can do about it!

Likewise, when at the coast, don’t forget not only to wear sunscreen! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people get burnt to a crisp the first day. Be sure to check the weather before you depart and dress accordingly.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary to loved ones so they know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Europe Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go. Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

Europe Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Europe travel and continue planning your trip:

The 7 Best Hotels in London

10 Scotland Road Trip Tips You Need to Know Before You Go

The Perfect 7-Day Croatia Itinerary

The 6 Best Hotels in Copenhagen

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

The 7 Best Hotels in Madrid

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