How to elevate your Taylor Swift Eras Tour international vacation
As if having the best-selling tour of all time, announcing The Tortured Poets Department, and finding time to be the main event of Super Bowl XVIII wasn't enough, the world's biggest pop star is gearing up for an even bigger summer season: in 2024, the Taylor Swift Eras Tour locations are all international. This gives European Swifties a chance to see their idol close to home, but fans from all over the world are also using this as a chance to participate in “gig tripping”—one of this hottest travel trends around right now. In other words, Swifties (and music lovers in general) are totally up for traveling to experience their favorite artitsts in person while also checking off items on their travel bucket lists along the way. So if this describes you and you've already solved how to get Taylor Swift tickets, the next step is to plan what to do in Europe once you get there. Whether you're scouting where to go on a girls' trip or putting together a multi-country Eurotrip itinerary, we're highlighting some of the biggest Taylor Swift Eras Tour international dates and locations nearby so you can elevate your Taytrip to the vacation of a lifetime.
Planning a Europe trip: Transportation
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First things first: you need to get from North America to Europe. Both US and European airlines fly into a handful of hubs around the continent, so you'll probably see the most options for London, Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, and Frankfurt. Taylor Swift is only visiting three of these cities on the Eras Tour, though, so you might be tempted to sort out a connecting flight to your concert venue. This is quick in principle, but it’s not always ideal if you've faced flight delays along the way or are just feeling cooped up after a long transatlantic flight. We recommend considering land-based ways to get from city to city, which typically offer much more flexibility with the bonus of opportunities to see and experience more of what each country has to offer. Actually choosing the best way to travel Europe once you're on the ground, though, requires some careful consideration.
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Europe is rightfully famous for its public transport, especially its train systems. Most countries that Tay Tay will be performing in have extensive subway and/or tram systems in their major cities, with long-distance trains connecting cities and countries. These do, however, come with some big drawbacks that your group's trip planner should be aware of.
First of all, these run on set schedules, meaning that if your plane arrives late, you may be scrambling to find an alternative way to get from the airport to your hotel or to the next city on your itinerary, very possibly in the middle of the night. At best, you may be in for a long wait for the next option to come along.
Even if you arrive during operational hours, 2024 has already seen a number of strikes by transit workers, with no resolutions currently in sight. Great Britain, Germany, and France have ongoing issues in this respect, and trade unions are even planning actions around some of the biggest events of the summer tourist season like the Olympics and music events. While many strikes are announced in advance, others come at a lightning pace, so it’s wise not to bank on these services too heavily.
But let's assume all goes to plan, the trains are running, and you arrive on time. Travelers still face the unique issue of baggage. Lugging everything through turnstiles while trying to manage tickets, hefting rolly bags up and down stairs, and ensuring you have somewhere to put your stuff on often very crowded trains or buses is simply not convenient or fun—vacations are supposed to be relaxing getaways, after all. This is especially true if you're traveling in a group of chronic overpackers who bought (or brought) a little too much Taylor Swift merch.
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Luckily, relying on less-than-ideal public transit is not your only option. Daytrip's private door-to-door car rides let you book a driver and your choice of vehicle on your schedule, regardless of where you're starting out or where you need to go. Whether you need to get from the airport to your hotel or from one city to the next, a professional English-speaking driver will meet your group where- and whenever is most convenient for you, personally load your luggage, and whisk you off to the destination of your choice in a comfortable, modern vehicle. And unlike any other private car service, you'll have the option to add sightseeing stops along the way—meaning genuine opportunities to relax and explore Europe while still getting where you need to go.
You can create any route and itinerary that suits your schedule and interests, but let's take a look at a few sample Daytrip routes that will get you to or from major Taylor Swift tour locations while getting more out of the whole experience.
Celebrate the Travis Kelce / Taylor Swift love around Paris
With four Eras international tour dates, Miss Swift is kicking off her international tour in a big way in Paris. Whether or not you know how to say "What's up, sweetie?" en français, the City of Love is hands down one of the best places to travel in Europe (and possibly the world). But there's plenty more to see in the surrounding area that's equally romantic or just plain fun.
Amsterdam to Paris
Especially if you're flying into or out of Amsterdam Schipol Airport (one of the busiest in Europe), Amsterdam is a classic stop on any European vacation and a great place to spend a few days. It’s hard to beat strolling the canals, seeing some Van Goghs in person, or living the Dutch life by bike—and hey, even Swifties like to toke up too.
Once you're ready to head to Paris to see pop music royalty in person, you can stop at De Haar Castle outside of Utrecht to get up close and personal with a different type of nobility. Though the castle has seen many residents since the 14th century, Baroness Hélène de Rothschild, without a doubt one of the original girlbosses, made the most lasting impact. When not writing poetry, competing in car racing (one of the first women to do so), or building long-lasting lesbian relationships in a less accepting era, she found time to decorate her home with extravagant antiques and curate a fantastic garden.
On your way through Belgium, Kortrijk's car-free city center and handful of UNESCO-protected monuments is worth another stop. It's the perfect place to stretch your legs and grab some frites while snapping some next-level pics.
Bruges to Paris
Whether you heard about it thanks to hunky Colin Farrell's movie or from its many appearances in literature, the storybook atmosphere of Bruges has to be seen to be believed. Between Paris and Bruges, you can see a double dose of chateaux—including once updated by Napoleon himself—or pick up a sweet local treat—the heart-shaped coeurs d'Arras—in northern France.
Bayeux to Paris
Bayeux has to be on the agenda for any history girlies heading to France. Best known as home of the Bayeux Tapestry, a 230-foot (70-meter) cloth that is one of the most famous artifacts from the medieval period, this small city in Normandy also played a pivotal role during D-Day in World War II. Between Bayeux and Paris, there's plenty more history to take in, from a stop in Rouen to pay respects to Joan of Arc to tasting local hard apple ciders and brandies made with 2000-year-old techniques. And with a Daytrip driver at the wheel, you can sip as many glasses as you like—you're on vacation, after all!
Hit the beach and enjoy wine like Taylor in Lisbon
Later in May, Taylor and company will head south to Spain and Portugal. Thanks to its seaside location and its major role in Emma Stone's Best Actress-winning Poor Things, you would be doing yourself a major favor by checking out Lisbon instead of or along with Madrid. While the movie version of Lisbon was highly stylized, the real deal is not too different: full of colorful buildings, ornate tilework, music, and some of the best food on the continent (pastel de nata is only scratching the surface), Lisbon is the perfect place to chill and to make your Instagram really pop. But that's just the start—deeper cuts not far from Portugal's capital offer ways to make your feed positively jealousy-inducing by showing off your traveling bona fides.
Lisbon to Porto
For some of the best wine in Europe (which you can easily pair with your favorite albums), you can’t pass up Porto, Portugal's second city, just north of Lisbon. While driving through the lush countryside, you'll come across a number of villages, all with their own personality and striking visuals. Obidos is particularly worth a stop; as a personal possession of many queens of Portugal, it was built up luxuriously over more than eight centuries. That reputation hasn't changed today: there are numerous five-star resorts, including the castle that overlooks the beautifully maintained and brightly whitewashed town. If you prefer a surf break or just a lively beach scene in general, Nazare offers both along with dramatic cliffs and fresher-than-fresh seafood.
Lisbon to Lagos
If you need some time to come down after the thrill of the Eras Tour—or if you're building up your energy in preparation—there's no better place than Lagos at the southernmost tip of Portugal. But rather than take away from your sunbathing time in Lagos itself, you might instead get your fill of sightseeing on the trip there. The massive red brick walls of Silves Castle, for instance, are unlike any other fortress, while Bacalhôa Winery is a repository for both wine-making expertise and art on display.
Lisbon to Seville
Adding Seville to your Eras Tour itinerary will ensure that you see two of the most visually enticing cities in the region back-to-back. "The Pearl of Andalusia" in the south of Spain is a quick hop across the Portuguese/Spanish border but a dramatic shift in tone—its highly ornate Islamic-inspired stone buildings and later cathedrals are an interesting counterpoint to Lisbon's bursts of color. Along the way, you can dig even deeper into the region's long and complex history by visiting Roman ruins at Evora, Merida, or Italica. Want another badass woman connection? Italica’s amphitheater was used as Daenerys Targaryen’s Dragonpit in Game of Thrones!
Fashionistas love Milan and northern Italy
After a jaunt through the British Isles, Eras international tour dates return to the continent in July, and Milan, Italy, seems tailor-made for Taylor Swift: both the city and the performer are fashion icons as well as musical ones. Home of Valentino, Versace, Prada, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana—to say nothing of more boutique labels—Milan's fashion district has no shortage of options for fans who want to look their best the night of the concert. For music-heads looking to include more than just pop songs in their Eras-inspired vacation, some of the finest opera houses in the world are also clustered in Milan. But of course every corner of Italy has so much to discover that you'd be missing out if you didn't explore beyond Milan; here's what you can do in northern Italy alone.
Milan to Bellagio
The peace, quiet luxury, and clean mountain air of Bellagio puts its Las Vegas namesake to shame. Situated on Lake Como in the Italian Alps, this resort town has built up its reputation as a retreat from city life since the Roman Era. You can get a feel for how the region evolved over those centuries, be it architecturally through a visit to Lecco's outstanding (literally) belltower or industrially through the six floors of the Alfa Romeo Museum.
Florence to Milan
If you're a regular gig traveler who saw Beyonce's Renaissance tour last year, a visit to Florence can include a different type of Renaissance in this summer's Eras Tour trip. While Florence itself is home to Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and countless other masterpieces, you can take your art game to a whole new level as you travel down the Boot. The Pavia Monastery was started at a pivotal point in history and took 100 years to complete, making its exterior ornaments, stained glass, and frescoes a unique record of the earliest Renaissance years. The hilltop Torrechiara Castle, while perhaps less architecturally expressive, offers incredible views of the Tuscan countryside and a great chance to stop for some pasta or vino.
Venice to Milan
Venice may take the top spot as the most iconic place in Italy, which is saying something—not least of which is that it should be on your agenda when you're just a few hours away. And if you're bopping along to "Love Story" during the trip between Venice and Milan, Verona—the setting of Romeo and Juliet—is squarely on the way. By taking Daytrip, your driver will give you as much time as you like to visit Juliet's balcony, try to figure out where the Montagues might have lived, or make the perfect TikTok to pair with one of Taylor's earliest hits.
The perfect hub for music lovers is Munich
Though 2024 Eras Tour dates continue through the end of the summer, Taylor Swift's visit to Munich near the end of July may offer one of the last, best opportunities to travel widely before both the heat and the European tourist season ratchet up. Munich doesn't just have a rich history and gorgeous cityscape: its placement not far from the Alps, the Czech Republic, and Austria make it the perfect hub for getting a taste of all Central Europe has to offer.
Munich to Prague
While nightlife isn't in short supply in Munich or any of the other major cities on this list, Prague was just named one of the best party cities in Europe. Extremely safe, relatively cheap, and boasting options ranging from wine bars to multi-floor clubs, it's the perfect place for a girls’ weekend that keeps the energy up before or after you see Taylor. Before you let your hair down, though, the Ruckl Family Glassworks makes an ideal stop for luxe souvenirs, and Karlstejn Castle shows off the truly impressive Czech crown jewels.
Munich to Salzburg
Perhaps even more than Milan, Salzburg is the ideal destination for music lovers: Mozart, the von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame, and the Salzburg Festival of music and theatre are all inseparably tied to the city. The route between Germany and Austria, however, offers more visual delights as you pass straight through the Alps. The village of Schonau am Konigssee has been named "the most beautiful place in Germany" thanks to the dramatic peaks that surround it, while Herrenchiemsee is a Bavarian—but no less opulent—take on the Palace of Versailles.
Munich to Vienna
While all of pop culture currently seems to revolve around Taylor Swift, all of Europe seemed to revolve around Vienna for many centuries, leaving a lasting impression. Dignified yet forward-thinking, Vienna's multifaceted culture wraps Habsburg emperors, Sigmund Freud, and avant-garde artists into one. On the way you can include a shorter visit to Salzburg or check out Hallstatt to very literally go deep into the Alps.
Of course, if your gig tripping plans for 2024 don’t include any of these locations or you’re just not a Swiftie, there’s no need to worry! Daytrip operates in over 110 countries across the globe, including all 13 that The Eras Tour international leg will visit. So wherever and whenever your travels require reliable, professional, door-to-door transportation, Daytrip has your back!