Regional guides
Europe Travel Guide for Kiwis
Updated 27 September 2026
Whether it's a summer in the Mediterranean, a whirlwind multi-city tour or the start of an OE, Europe is the big trip for a lot of Kiwis - and this Europe travel guide is built for exactly that. Distances are short and trains are fast, so it's easy to cover several countries - which is exactly when sorting your phone once, rather than at every border, pays off.
Here's what to do in the most popular countries, the entry rules that changed recently, and how to stay connected across them all.
Quick recommendation
Two weeks in Italy with maps, train tickets, messaging and photos? Start with the 10 GB plan (30 days, $15.99) on the Italy eSIM plans page, and size up if you'll be streaming or hotspotting a laptop.
Where to go in Europe
Italy
Italy rewards slow travel - Rome's ancient sites, Florence's art, the canals of Venice, and the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre by the sea.
Things to do
- See the Colosseum, the Forum and the Vatican in Rome.
- Visit the Uffizi and climb the Duomo in Florence, then day-trip to Tuscany's hill towns.
- Hike between the villages of the Cinque Terre or base yourself on the Amalfi Coast.
Good to know
- Book big-ticket sights like the Colosseum, the Last Supper and the Uffizi well ahead in summer.
France
France goes from Paris to the lavender of Provence, the beaches of the Riviera and the châteaux of the Loire.
Things to do
- See the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre in Paris.
- Tour the Loire Valley châteaux or the vineyards of Bordeaux.
- Spend a few days on the Côte d'Azur - Nice, Antibes and a hop over to Monaco.
Spain
Spain is late dinners, long lunches and huge variety - Barcelona's Gaudí buildings, Madrid's galleries and Andalusia's Moorish palaces.
Things to do
- See the Sagrada Família and Park Güell in Barcelona.
- Visit the Alhambra in Granada - book well in advance.
- Explore Seville's old town and the Prado in Madrid.
Greece
Greece is ancient history and island-hopping - the Acropolis in Athens, then ferries out to the Cyclades and beyond.
Things to do
- Climb to the Acropolis and wander the Plaka in Athens.
- Island-hop Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos and Paros by ferry.
- See the monasteries perched on the rocks at Meteora.
Good to know
- Ferries lose signal out at sea - download tickets and maps before you board.
Portugal
Portugal packs a lot into a small country - Lisbon's trams, Porto's port cellars, and the cliffs and beaches of the Algarve.
Things to do
- Ride tram 28 through Lisbon's old neighbourhoods and day-trip to Sintra.
- Tour the port cellars across the river from Porto.
- Kayak into the sea caves at Benagil on the Algarve.
Croatia
Croatia's Dalmatian coast is made for summer - walled Dubrovnik, Split's Roman palace, and islands a short ferry away.
Things to do
- Walk the city walls of Dubrovnik.
- Explore Diocletian's Palace in Split, then ferry out to Hvar or Vis.
- Walk the boardwalks of Plitvice Lakes.
Switzerland
Switzerland is Alps, lakes and some of the world's most scenic trains.
Things to do
- Ride the Glacier Express or Bernina Express.
- Head up to the Jungfraujoch from Interlaken.
- See the Matterhorn from Zermatt.
Good to know
- Switzerland isn't in the EU, but it is in the Schengen area - your days there count towards the 90-day limit.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is compact and easy - Amsterdam's canals, windmills and tulip fields a short train ride apart.
Things to do
- Cycle Amsterdam's canals and visit the Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House.
- See the tulips at Keukenhof in spring.
- Visit the windmills at Kinderdijk.
United Kingdom
The UK is where a lot of Kiwi OEs start - London, then Edinburgh, the Lake District and beyond.
Things to do
- Take in London's museums, markets and West End shows.
- Visit Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, then head into the Highlands.
- Walk in the Lake District or along the Cornish coast.
Good to know
- The UK isn't in the EU or Schengen - it has its own rules, including an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). See our OE guide if you're staying longer.
Getting around
- Trains - Fast trains link most big cities - book ahead for the best fares, and keep tickets on your phone.
- Budget flights - Cheap for long hops, but check baggage fees and how far the airport is from town.
- Ferries - Essential for Greek and Croatian islands - expect to lose signal mid-crossing.
Booking trains and timed tickets on your phone
A lot of a Europe trip runs through apps that need live data, not just maps - Trenitalia or Italo for Italian trains, SNCF Connect for French ones and Renfe for Spanish ones, each showing a QR boarding pass rather than a paper ticket. Big sights increasingly work the same way: the Uffizi, the Vatican Museums, the Sagrada Família and the Louvre all sell timed-entry tickets that live on your phone, and turning up without a connection to pull one up (or rebook a missed slot) is a common way to lose an afternoon queueing.
One more thing that catches Kiwis out: the EU's "roam like home" rules only apply to SIMs issued inside the EU, so an NZ number gets none of that benefit. Whether one Europe eSIM or separate country plans works out cheaper for your route is covered in Europe eSIM: one plan or separate country plans.
One eSIM or one per country?
If you're visiting more than one of these places, a regional bundle means one eSIM for the whole trip - no new QR code at each border. If you're mostly in one country, its own plan is usually cheaper. Current options:
- Europe · 34 countries - covers all 9 of the places in this guide, from $5.99
- Europe · 33 countries - covers all 9 of the places in this guide, from $6.99
- Europe & Morocco · 41 countries - covers all 9 of the places in this guide, from $22.99
Single-country plans
Things to know before you go to Europe
- The 90/180 rule - New Zealanders can spend up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen area combined, not per country.
- New border checks - The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) now records your fingerprints and photo at the Schengen border instead of stamping your passport. A separate online travel authorisation, ETIAS, is due to follow - check whether it's live before you fly.
- Entry requirements - Rules change, especially with EES and ETIAS rolling out, so check SafeTravel before you book.
- Plugs - Continental Europe mostly uses two-pin plugs, and the UK uses its own three-pin plug - one universal adapter covers both.
Europe FAQs
Do I need cash in Europe?
Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere in Western Europe, but carry a little cash for small cafes, markets, tips and public toilets - especially in southern and eastern Europe.
How do I get around Europe between countries?
Fast trains link most major cities and are often quicker than flying once you count airport time. Budget airlines suit longer hops, and ferries connect the Greek and Croatian islands.
What's the best time to visit Europe from New Zealand?
Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) give you warm weather with fewer crowds and lower prices than the July-August peak. Summer suits beaches and islands; winter suits cities, Christmas markets and the Alps.
Can I use my eSIM in the UK and Europe on one trip?
Yes, with a bundle that includes the UK alongside Europe - check the bundles listed above. A single-country plan only covers that one country.
Will one eSIM work across Europe?
Yes - a Europe bundle covers many countries on one eSIM, so you don't need a new plan at each border. Compare the bundles above with single-country plans if you're mostly in one place.
Does the UK count towards my 90 Schengen days?
No - the UK isn't in the Schengen area, so days there don't count. Switzerland, Norway and Iceland aren't in the EU but are in Schengen, so days there do count.
How much data do I need for Europe?
Around 1-3GB a week for maps and messaging, more if you're streaming or hotspotting a laptop. See our guide to how much data you need.
Sources
Information checked 27 September 2026. Entry rules, fees and local details change - confirm anything important with the official source before you travel.
- EES: the new European border Entry/Exit System goes live on 10 April 2026 - France Diplomatie (diplomatie.gouv.fr)
- Main differences between the EES and ETIAS - European Commission (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu)
- Extended stay in Europe: rules for New Zealand citizens - France in New Zealand (nz.diplomatie.gouv.fr)
- Entry formalities for New Zealand passport holders - Swiss FDFA (eda.admin.ch)
- Glacier Express - Switzerland Travel Centre (switzerlandtravelcentre.com)
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