Taylor Swift's Eras Tour taking Europe by storm this summer. Are you ready for it?
Legions of Swifties armed with friendship bracelets are heading abroad this summer – myself included. And for good reason: With drastically cheaper concert ticket prices and a steady stream of cheap flights to Europe, many U.S. travelers discovered that catching Taylor in concert in cities like Madrid, Paris, Edinburgh, or Milan this summer would be a much better deal than paying ransom to Ticketmaster to catch her here at home last year.
But you won't be alone. In addition to all you superfans practicing your “bonjour” and “gracias,” this summer will be the busiest stretch of travel we've seen in years – if ever.
So grab your passport and my hand, my fellow Swifties. From double checking your upcoming flights to save even more money to getting in and out of the airport and on the way to the show, follow these tips for a smooth trip.
Read next: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Trip Abroad
Double-Check Your Flights (& Rebook if the Price Dropped)
Even when Taylor Swift isn't in town, summer is the busiest times to travel to Europe. Most years, that means you'd be likely to see some eye-popping airfare for the peak summer months of Taylor's tour – think prices in the four digits for a roundtrip in economy. Ouch.
But something different is happening this summer. We're seeing unprecedented airfare deals to Europe for June, July, and August … including to many of the popular destinations where Taylor Swift is playing. With more seats flying abroad this year than ever, airlines are still trying to fill those planes as we get into summer, leading to incredible discounted fares.
So even if you felt you paid too much for your flights to catch the Eras Tour overseas this summer, go check them again. Flight prices may have dropped since you booked … and you could still save hundreds by rebooking your flight!
Just last week, we sent our Thrifty Traveler Premium members an alert about this sale on nonstop flights to Ireland this summer, including sub-$500 fares to Dublin (DUB) during the Eras Tour dates.
At the very least, pull up Google Flights and see what airfare looks like now for your travel dates. The same week we found that Dublin deal, we also dug up these cheap fares to Munich (MUC) this summer for under $600 roundtrip.
Whether you're seeing Taylor Swift in Munich at the end of July or catching another one of her shows in August in nearby Vienna, Austria, or Warsaw, Poland, flight prices may have dropped since you originally booked!
Just because you have tickets to the Eras Tour in one city doesn't mean that's where you have to fly into. It could be worth canceling your original flights and booking one of these cheaper fares instead. Once you're on the continent, travel between countries is easy via trains or a short, cheap intra-Europe flight.
Read more on our #1 trick for saving on flights to Europe!
If you've got some points and miles from a travel credit card, why not treat yourself? Your best bet to save on travel might actually be rebooking your flight to business class.
Airlines that are typically stingy with allowing travelers to book those lie-flat seats with miles have changed their tune this summer. We recently unearthed tons of last-minute summer availability flying to Ireland and England in Aer Lingus business class, for example.
In fact, this is exactly how I'm getting to Europe this summer to see the Eras Tour: Flying lie-flat from Minneapolis (MSP) to Dublin (DUB), then connecting onward to Munich from there.
As late as last week, travelers could still book flights in JetBlue Mint business class from the East Coast to destinations throughout Europe like Amsterdam (AMS), London (LHR, LGW), Dublin (DUB), and Edinburgh (EDI) – all places Swift is playing this summer. And there's an easy path to book these suites via Qatar Airways Avios no matter which credit card points you have by first transferring them to British Airways.
Arriving to Europe well-rested from a long flight in a lie-flat seat is the perfect way to kick off your trip, if you ask me.
Read next: Want to Fly to Europe This Summer? Think Business Class, Not Economy
Check Your Passport
Stop what you're doing and go check your passport. If it's expired, or expiring soon, you need to get moving ASAP.
Most countries in Europe require passports to be valid at least three months after their planned date of return to the U.S. That means if you're heading to see the Eras Tour in Munich at the end of July like I am, your passport can't expire before late October or November.
Luckily, getting a passport back is much quicker than it was last summer, when it could take three months or more to get a passport. These days, passport wait times have returned to normal.
Right now, the U.S. State Department estimates it will take 6 to 8 weeks for routine processing or just two to three weeks for expedited service (which costs an additional $60) – although many travelers have reported getting their passports back even quicker. Those timelines don't include shipping, which can add several more weeks unless you pay another fee for rushed delivery.
If you're traveling in the next 14 days, you'll need an emergency or urgent appointment to ensure you get your new passport in time.
Read our full guide to getting a last-minute passport!
Pack in a Carry-On Bag
If you're on chronically online Swiftie like me, you know that a big part of the Eras Tour experience is the outfit you'll wear to the concert. Social media is full of videos of bedazzled and costumed fans.
Wouldn't you hate for the airline to lose your luggage – and your concert-going attire – too?
You can avoid that scenario – and the hassle of lugging a giant suitcase up the steep flights of stairs and cobblestone streets of Europe – by packing light in just a carry-on bag.
Not convinced you can fit it all in one suitcase? Follow our tips for how to pack a carry-on bag for any trip.
No matter where you're traveling or for how long, we always encourage readers to leave their big checked luggage in the closet at home. But that's even more important during peak travel seasons like summer, when opting not to check a bag means you won't have to wait in line to drop it off or wait for it at baggage claim – or more importantly, you won't have to worry about the airline losing your luggage.
Plus, while some airlines may offer a free checked bag on long-haul flights, others charge you $60 to $75 or more each way, depending on where you're going and what kind of ticket you booked!
Stay Connected While Abroad
Whether you're looking something up, using Google Maps, or need to pull up your mobile ticket for the Taylor Swift concert, you're going to need some data to get by while you're abroad.
You can simply use your phone abroad as you would at home … but while it may be undoubtedly the easiest way to stay connected, it may also be the most costly. Major U.S. wireless providers each have their own offerings for international roaming, typically it's an add-on of $10 per day (or more) to your normal cell phone bill.
Google Fi is still a solid option, but it may no longer be the best way to avoid those sky-high roaming charges. Members of the Thrifty Traveler team have been using an Airalo eSim when they travel lately and found it to be a convenient and affordable alternative for international data. Airalo provides eSIMs for more than 200 countries around the world, allowing travelers access to mobile data without paying an arm and a leg.
With an eSIM from Airalo, you simply download and install a digital data pack for the country or region you're traveling to before your trip and you'll be connected the moment you land. There's no need to swap out physical SIM cards or pause and un-pause your service like with Google Fi.
The one hitch is that in order to use Airalo, your phone needs to be unlocked – meaning your device isn't tied to a specific mobile carrier. If yours fits the bill, there's no better way to stay connected while traveling abroad.
Bring the Right ATM & Credit Card
Depending on where you're going, you may not need any Euros, pounds, or other local currency much at all. But you'll want to have the option.
You need to do it the right way, though. Avoid exchanging money at the bank or at the currency exchange counter at the airport at all costs – you won't get the best rate. Instead, use a travel debit card and withdraw the cash you need as you go while you're traveling. Just make sure the card you're bringing doesn't charge (or will refund) any ATM fees.
While a debit card is great for ATMs, be sure to also pack a travel credit card in your wallet for all other purchases. It will protect you against fraud, you'll keep earning points and miles on your purchases while you travel, and most travel rewards credit cards these days waive foreign transaction fees.
It's best if you've got at least one Visa card in your wallet, too. While American Express is more widely accepted than it used to be, you may still find yourself unable to use it at many stores and restaurants abroad.
Read more: Heading Abroad? Here's What You'll Need in Your Travel Wallet
Expect Crowds, Arrive at the Airport Early
We're only a few days into June, but this summer is already on track to be one of the busiest for travel ever.
The Transportation Security Administration reported that six of the 10 busiest travel days at U.S. airports ever occurred within the last few weeks alone. That will only increase as we get further into summer.
Read more: Our Ultimate Pre-Travel Checklist: Must-Dos & FAQs For Your International Trip
So you'll want to keep tabs on the status of the airports you're flying in and out of – whether by monitoring the news, social media, or just asking around – to get a sense of how early you'll need to leave for the airport for your departing flight.
For an international flight, most airlines recommend you get to the airport at least three hours before your scheduled departure time. That's plenty of time, whether or not you're checking a bag … but it doesn't hurt to be even earlier.
Our travel reporter and flight deal analyst Gunnar likes to get to the airport at least three hours before boarding, instead of departure, just to be safe. It's better to have more time at your gate – or to relax in an airport lounge – than risk missing your flight … and maybe the Eras Tour, gulp.
Don't forget to budget a little extra time upon arrival, too. Deplaning, clearing immigration, collecting your bags, and getting from the airport into the city always takes much longer than you think.
Bottom Line
The European leg of Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour is well underway, and plenty of U.S.-based travelers are heading abroad to see a show.
If you're taking a Euro trip to see the Eras Tour, follow these tips to ensure you have the best day.