Europe Travel Basics — Visas, Transport, Accommodation & Budget Guide
The essential Europe travel guide for UK working holidaymakers. Schengen visas, budget airlines, accommodation, budget planning, travel insurance, and must-have apps — all in one place.
KRW amounts shown next to GBP prices use the ECB reference rate £1 = ₩2,003 as of 2 Apr 2026. They are reference figures only and may differ from your actual bank, card, or remittance rate.
One of the biggest perks of a UK working holiday is that Europe is right on your doorstep. London to Paris in 2 hours 15 minutes, Amsterdam in 4 hours. Dozens of countries are within weekend-trip distance.
Visas: The Power of a Korean Passport
Schengen Area
Korean passport holders can travel to 26 Schengen Area countries visa-free. But there are conditions.
- 90/180-day rule — You can stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period
- Covers most European countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Austria, Greece, and the Nordics
- The 180 days are calculated on a rolling basis — it's not a fixed half-year; it looks back 180 days from any given date
⚠️ Watch your 90-day count
The UK is not part of the Schengen Area, so time spent in the UK doesn't count toward your 90 days. However, days spent in any Schengen country are all added together. Six 2-week trips = 84 days — you're almost at the limit.
Countries Outside Schengen
| Country | Visa needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Visa-free (90 days) | Not Schengen, separate immigration |
| Iceland | Visa-free | Schengen member but not EU |
| Croatia | Visa-free | Schengen member since 2023 |
| Turkey | Visa-free (90 days) | Not Schengen |
| UK to Europe | Passport only | Border checks apply |
Getting from the UK to Europe
Eurostar
High-speed train departing from London St Pancras International, travelling through the Channel Tunnel.
| Route | Journey time | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| London to Paris | 2h 15m | £40~80 (approx. ₩80,132~₩160,264) (advance booking) |
| London to Brussels | 2h | £35~70 (approx. ₩70,116~₩140,231) |
| London to Amsterdam | 3h 52m | £40~80 (approx. ₩80,132~₩160,264) |
- Book early — 3-4 months ahead and you can get tickets in the £40 (approx. ₩80,132)s. Last-minute fares can hit £200+ (approx. ₩400,660+)
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays are cheapest — Weekends and Fridays are pricey, so aim for midweek departures
- No airport security hassle, city centre to city centre
- Generous luggage allowance (2 bags free)
- Booking directly through the Eurostar app gives the best prices
Budget Airlines
The cheapest way to get from the UK to Europe. But watch out for hidden costs.
| Airline | Key traits | Main airports |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | Rock-bottom prices, strictest baggage rules | Stansted, Luton |
| easyJet | Slightly better service than Ryanair | Gatwick, Luton |
| Wizz Air | Strong on Eastern European routes | Gatwick, Luton |
🚨 Budget airline traps — know before you go
- Base fares include nothing — checked bags, seat selection, and food are all extra
- Ryanair cabin baggage — the free bag is 40x20x25cm (one small backpack). A 10kg carry-on suitcase costs an extra £6~30 (approx. ₩12,020~₩60,099)
- Check the airport location — Paris Beauvais is a 1h 20m bus ride from Paris; Milan Bergamo is 1 hour from Milan. Getting to the airport can cost more than the flight
- Download your boarding pass in advance — Ryanair charges a fee if you show up without checking in online
- Bring your passport — UK to Europe is international travel, so a passport is required (a BRP card alone won't do)
Ferry
- Dover to Calais — P&O Ferries, DFDS. About 90 minutes. Foot passengers welcome (£30~60 (approx. ₩60,099~₩120,198))
- Slower but a unique experience — crossing the English Channel while watching the sea from the deck
- If you're planning a road trip, the ferry is your only option
Bus
- FlixBus — London to Paris overnight bus, £15~30 (approx. ₩30,050~₩60,099). Takes 7-9 hours
- The cheapest option but physically draining. Worth considering if you're a student or have plenty of time
Accommodation Options
| Type | Price per night | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostel (Hostelworld) | £15~40 (approx. ₩30,050~₩80,132) | Cheap, meet other travellers | No privacy, noisy |
| Booking.com hotel | £50~150 (approx. ₩100,165~₩300,495) | Comfortable, private | Expensive |
| Airbnb | £30~80 (approx. ₩60,099~₩160,264) | Kitchen access, local feel | Cleaning fees, minimum stays |
| Couchsurfing | Free | Meet locals, save money | Hit or miss, safety concerns |
💡 Hostel tips
- Only book hostels rated 8.0+ on Hostelworld — dramatically reduces bad experiences
- Pick somewhere with personal lockers — essential for valuables
- 4-6 bed dorms are the sweet spot for value (8+ beds can get noisy)
- Check if breakfast is included — saves £5~10 (approx. ₩10,017~₩20,033) per morning
- Many hostels offer female-only dorm options
Budget Planning
Daily Budget Guide (per person, backpacker style)
| Region | Accommodation | Food | Transport | Sightseeing | Daily total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Europe (Paris, Amsterdam) | £25~40 (approx. ₩50,083~₩80,132) | £20~30 (approx. ₩40,066~₩60,099) | £5~10 (approx. ₩10,017~₩20,033) | £10~15 (approx. ₩20,033~₩30,050) | £60~95 (approx. ₩120,198~₩190,314) |
| Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy) | £15~30 (approx. ₩30,050~₩60,099) | £15~25 (approx. ₩30,050~₩50,083) | £5~8 (approx. ₩10,017~₩16,026) | £5~15 (approx. ₩10,017~₩30,050) | £40~78 (approx. ₩80,132~₩156,257) |
| Eastern Europe (Prague, Budapest) | £10~20 (approx. ₩20,033~₩40,066) | £10~15 (approx. ₩20,033~₩30,050) | £3~5 (approx. ₩6,010~₩10,017) | £5~10 (approx. ₩10,017~₩20,033) | £28~50 (approx. ₩56,092~₩100,165) |
| Northern Europe (Copenhagen, Stockholm) | £30~50 (approx. ₩60,099~₩100,165) | £25~40 (approx. ₩50,083~₩80,132) | £5~10 (approx. ₩10,017~₩20,033) | £10~20 (approx. ₩20,033~₩40,066) | £70~120 (approx. ₩140,231~₩240,396) |
Total Budget by Trip Length (including flights)
| Duration | Western Europe | Southern Europe | Eastern Europe | Northern Europe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend (2 nights / 3 days) | £200~350 (approx. ₩400,660~₩701,155) | £150~300 (approx. ₩300,495~₩600,990) | £120~220 (approx. ₩240,396~₩440,726) | £250~420 (approx. ₩500,825~₩841,386) |
| 1 week | £500~800 (approx. ₩1,001,650~₩1,602,640) | £350~650 (approx. ₩701,155~₩1,302,145) | £250~450 (approx. ₩500,825~₩901,485) | £600~1,000 (approx. ₩1,201,980~₩2,003,300) |
| 2 weeks | £900~1,500 (approx. ₩1,802,970~₩3,004,950) | £650~1,200 (approx. ₩1,302,145~₩2,403,960) | £450~800 (approx. ₩901,485~₩1,602,640) | £1,100~1,800 (approx. ₩2,203,630~₩3,605,940) |
Travel Insurance
UK-Based Insurance
If you're living in the UK, a UK-based travel insurance policy is your best bet.
- World Nomads — Popular with backpackers. Buy online, extend while travelling
- Staysure / Admiral Travel — Travel insurance for UK residents. Great for short European trips
- Bank/card perks — Premium plans from Monzo and Revolut sometimes include travel insurance. Check the coverage details carefully
ℹ️ GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card)
UK residents (who pay the Immigration Health Surcharge) can get a free GHIC. It lets you access public healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as locals. It won't cover everything though, so pair it with separate travel insurance. Apply on the NHS website.
Useful Apps & Services
Transport & Booking
| App | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skyscanner | Flight comparison | Set up price alerts |
| Omio | Trains/buses/flights in one search | Best for comparing European routes |
| Trainline | European rail tickets | Includes Eurostar |
| FlixBus | Budget bus travel | Covers all of Europe |
| Google Maps | Walking/public transport | Download offline maps before you go |
Accommodation
| App | Key feature |
|---|---|
| Hostelworld | Hostel specialist, real-time reviews |
| Booking.com | Wide range from hotels to hostels |
| Airbnb | Long-stay discounts, kitchens available |
Money & Payments
| App | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Wise | International transfers + multi-currency card. A must-have for working holidaymakers |
| Revolut | No foreign transaction fees (up to a limit). ATM withdrawals too |
| Monzo | UK bank account + no fees on overseas spending |
Other
- Google Translate — Point your camera at menus and signs for instant translation
- Maps.me — Offline maps, lifesaver when you have no signal
- Rick Steves Audio Europe — Free audio guides
Packing: How to Travel with Cabin Baggage Only
Why go carry-on only?
- Checked bag fees add £20~40 (approx. ₩40,066~₩80,132) per flight — that's £40~80 (approx. ₩80,132~₩160,264) return
- Zero risk of lost or delayed luggage
- Travel light and fast — way easier navigating train stations, hostels, and narrow streets
Ryanair's Free Cabin Bag Limit: 40x20x25cm
That's smaller than you think — basically one small backpack. But you can absolutely do 1-2 weeks with it.
💡 Packing hacks
- Compression bags — Cut clothing volume by 50%
- Do laundry at hostels — Most have washing machines (£3~5 (approx. ₩6,010~₩10,017)). Pack less and wash as you go
- Buy locally — Primark and H&M in Europe are cheap. Pick up what you need on the ground
- Best bags for Ryanair's 40x20x25 limit — Cabin Zero Classic 28L, Decathlon 20L backpack, or Ryanair/Wizz Air-specific bags (search Amazon UK)
Trip Planning Tips
Make the Most of Bank Holidays
The UK has 8 Bank Holidays per year. If one falls on a Thursday or Monday, you only need 1-2 days of annual leave to create a 4-5 day break.
Off-Season vs Peak Season
| Period | What to expect | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Jan~Mar | Off-season, cheap, cold | Southern Europe (Lisbon, Barcelona) |
| Apr~May | Weather warming up, reasonable prices | Anywhere |
| Jun~Aug | Peak season, expensive, best weather | Northern Europe (midnight sun), Iceland |
| Sep~Oct | Just after peak, best value | Italy, Greece |
| Nov~Dec | Christmas market season | Germany, Austria, Prague |
Recommended First Europe Trips
- Weekend in Paris — Friday evening Eurostar, Saturday-Sunday in Paris, home Sunday night. The easiest and most classic option
- 3-4 days in Benelux — Brussels + Bruges + Amsterdam. All reachable by Eurostar
- 1 week in Southern Europe — Barcelona, or Lisbon + Porto. Ryanair flights from £30~60 (approx. ₩60,099~₩120,198)
Bottom line: You'll genuinely regret it if you don't explore Europe during your UK working holiday. With Bank Holidays and a bit of annual leave, you can easily fit in 3-4 European trips. Plan ahead, book early, and you'll be amazed at how affordable it can be.