Our customers may choose from the following hotel categories:

3-star properties

Ideal for passengers seeking a clean and basic place to sleep in between sightseeing adventures, our 3-star hotel properties offer adequate levels of comfort as well as basic amenities. All rooms include a private bathroom.

3-½ star properties

This category of property is a 3-star (clean and basic room with a private bath room) with a few added bonuses. Many (though certainly not all) will contain additional hotel facilities such as a bar or restaurant.

4-star properties

Ideal for passengers who want to relax and spend a bit more time inside their hotel, our 4-star properties have very good value as they offer more amenities and services than 3-star hotels. Many contain elevators, porterage service, gyms, air-conditioning and in-house dining. All rooms include a private bathroom.

5-star properties

These properties are of the highest standard. The luxurious accommodations, superior service and location are unsurpassed. Many offer gourmet dining, fine bedding, concierge service and other amenities. All rooms include a private bathroom.

While we always aim to confirm our customers' specific requests, please note that rooms are assigned by the hotel's reception staff at the time of check-in. Should you have a particular request such as non-smoking, high-floor, street view, etc., we are more than happy to request this with the hotel at the time of reservation, but we cannot guarantee it.

All of the accommodations we offer include private bathroom facilities that include sink, toilet, bathtub and/or shower. Room types and sizes vary by destination. Please keep in mind that within the continent of Europe, these hotel standards vary slightly from country to country. Additionally, hotel rooms in Europe are generally much smaller than in American or Canadian hotels, and for environmental reasons European hotels generally use less air-conditioning than American hotels.

If you request a single room, it will contain one smaller, individual bed, and the room itself will most likely be smaller in size than a twin or double room. Triple rooms are usually a standard twin (or double) room with an added roll-away bed or sofa bed. For your reference, please read these general guidelines for bed types:

Double: One double bed which sleeps two guests

Twin: Two individual twin beds; each bed sleeps one guest

Single: One individual twin bed which sleeps one guest

Triple: This depends on the hotel. Possibilities include three individual twin beds, in which each bed sleeps one guest or alternatively one double bed, which sleeps two guests + one roll-away bed (or sofa bed) which sleeps one guest.

Please note that queen and king beds are uncommon in Europe. While some 4-star and 5-star properties may have some of these larger beds, there is no guarantee as the availability is very limited. That being said, we are more than happy to make a specific request with the hotel should that be your preference.

Concerning room upgrades, many hotels often have superior rooms, executive rooms and suites available upon request. For the convenience of our customers who would like to upgrade their hotels rooms, our online booking system already has many upgraded-room rates loaded into its system. In some cases however, we will need to request the upgrade directly with the hotel and get back to you.

Please note that in general our hotel properties are unable to check in guests until 3:00pm. Should arrivals occur before this time, most hotels are more than happy to allow storage of baggage with the reception staff so that guests can begin sightseeing and other activities. Concerning the hotel's check-out time, while it is best to check reception for the exact time, most hotels require check out by 11:00am.

When a hotel goes "on request" it means that we no longer have guaranteed allotment to instantly confirm the reservation. Please note that this does not mean we will be unable to confirm; it simply means that we need 48 hours to contact the hotel and confirm the reservation or to provide you with an acceptable alternative.

Should a hotel be unable to confirm your reservation, we would work with you to find a suitable alternative, and if one could not be found, you would be permitted to cancel the reservation without penalty.

The properties vary and include townhomes, farmhouses, country homes and historic houses. Each property is unique and charming in its own distinct way.

Our B&B properties range from Approved to 5-star ratings and are all covered under the B&B voucher.

Most bed-and-breakfast properties are located in the countryside or in small towns. While it is possible to find certain townhome properties in larger cities, in general they are located outside of the main tourist area. As this charming type of property is quite popular, it is recommended that you make your reservation request several months in advance.

While a good many bed-and-breakfast properties accept vouchers, the vouchers are not accepted everywhere. For this reason, it is best to check in advance. Please note that B&B properties that do accept vouchers will always be denoted online by a green "V" symbol.

Yes, but it doesn't ensure that your client gets to stay in his or her preferred location. Once you have purchased a voucher, it is important to go ahead and reserve a room at the preferred B&B. This is particularly important during high season (June-September) when countries like Ireland welcome many visitors.

No, if your clients prefer to travel without reservations, the voucher should be sufficient. However, we always recommend making reservations in advance if a client wishes to stay at a specific property. Additionally, a reservation is highly suggested if your client requires any type of room beyond a standard twin/double, including triple, single or multiple rooms. Most B&B properties have a limited number of non-twin/double rooms, and some may not have them at all. For a stress-free experience, we recommend at the very minimum that travelers secure reservations for the first and last night of their vacation.

You have the choice of either making the reservations online for them - or of asking them to do it themselves. As soon as you make the booking we will provide you with the appropriate resources and websites to check B&B availability and amenities. You can then contact the B&B property directly by phone or email at your convenience.

Rooms are generally available between 3:00 and 6:00pm. We recommend that you inform your client not to expect an early check-in as many bed-and-breakfast properties are run by families and consequentially only have one or two people managing them. Any guests planning to arrive after 6:00pm should notify the B&B so that their room is not given away. Check-out time is generally no later than 11:00am.

A standard room simply means that there is a shared bathroom. "En suite" means that there is a private bathroom in the room. There is no supplemental cost to confirm a room with a bathroom en suite; however, not all B&B properties have rooms with bathrooms en suite. Many bed-and-breakfast properties are quaint, historic homes that only have a few bathrooms in the entire property. For this reason it is important to determine which properties will best suit your clients' needs to prevent disappointment upon arrival.

In the event that you are struggling to locate a B&B in your clients' desired area, please call our After-Sales Department at 800-927-3876 and then select voice prompt 3. Our team will be more than happy to help you find a solution.

Many carriers do offer business, first class, and premium-economy fares, and the additional cost for these categories is approximately $2,500-$5,000 per person. Frequent flyer miles and/or airline coupons cannot be used in conjunction with our airfares for the purpose of upgrades.

While airlines generally do offer frequent flyer miles, it is not guaranteed on contract fares. You may inquire directly with the air carrier as to whether frequent flyer miles may be accrued. Please note that Europe Express is unable to assist in obtaining miles or credits from the air carrier.

Absolutely. You may submit your seat request during the booking process, and we will do our very best to confirm your request. Should we prove unable to confirm your preferred seating, please feel free to contact the airline directly.

Absolutely. You may submit your meal request during the booking process, and we will do our very best to confirm your request. Should we prove unable to confirm your preferred meal, please feel free to contact the airline directly.

We do not sell air only. However, the minimum land component varies per route so please inquire with our reservation specialists to find out the specifics for your itinerary.

Many airlines assess a fee for checked luggage, and these fees should be paid directly to the airline when checking in. Please be sure to check directly with the airline operating your flight. For example, if your flight was booked with United but operated by Lufthansa, then you should check Lufthansa's baggage-fee policy. Please consult your airline prior to departure for the latest fees.

You should also be aware that individual carriers may have different baggage restrictions for transatlantic flights than for inter-European flights. Inter-European flights tend to have more restrictions on baggage weight and luggage size than transatlantic flights and could result in excess baggage charges. In order to make the flying experience as pleasant as possible, it is important to check each carrier's baggage restrictions prior to traveling.

While it is not required to possess an international driver's license in order to rent a car, we strongly recommend obtaining one. In the event of an accident or traffic violation, having recognizable identification to present to the police will make things much easier. An IDP can be purchased from AAA or the DMV for only $15 and takes 4-6 weeks to receive.

While manual cars are more prevalent in Europe, automatic transmissions can be arranged. Follow these tips in order to get one:

No, our agreement does not allow for us to pick-up in one country and drop off in another.

While this is up to the individual, it is better to be safe than sorry. When incidents occur in Europe, it may not necessarily be cheaper to purchase a CDW; however, having one can save time for you and your client, as trying to solve a car-rental problem from the U.S. can be challenging.

Yes, most car-rental locations will request a credit card on spot to cover a damage deposit. This hold will be reimbursed once the car is returned without damage, but it can sometimes take 2-3 weeks.

Car rental companies often prohibit driving a car that was rented in Western Europe to many Eastern countries. Passengers should always check if the desired itinerary is allowed before traveling.

Yes, a GPS can be requested when booking, but some locations will not guarantee them, stating that they are first come first serve. If your clients have a GPS here in the US or Canada, they may be able to contact the manufacturer and get it updated for use in Europe. This can be less expensive and will save your client the aggravation of getting used to new technology or ending up with a GPS that is in a foreign language. Also, a GPS may not always be the top tool for finding the way around Europe; in some places a good old-fashioned map may be the best option.

It is always safe to assume that European cars will be smaller than cars in the US or Canada due to narrower streets, smaller parking places and more compact garages. Packing lightly and not exceeding the maximum amount of passengers will make for a more comfortable trip.

Europe Express works exclusively with Enterprise, the largest transportation solutions provider.

Yes, our rates include the car rental and the VAT taxes. The driver will be required to pay all other fees on spot. Common additional fees include (but are not limited to) drop fees, convenience options, safety options, location service charge, vehicle licensing fee, airport surcharges and road taxes.

Yes, depending on the car type and location, should any damage to the rental car occur, a deductible will be charged that cannot be waived. For this reason, it is advisable for clients to review all documents closely upon pick-up and drop-off of a rental car.

Yes, at Europe Express we regularly book all rail components. That being said, many travelers often have the misconception that rail passes are the most cost-effective way to travel by train in Europe. However, depending on your itinerary, the specific number of segments, and routing preference - at times rail passes can prove to be more expensive than buying rail tickets point to point.

Additionally, it is important to be aware that rail passes do not cover all costs. For example, seat assignments may be required on particular high-speed trains, or supplements may be required if a pass doesn't include all countries on your itinerary. Specialty trains or overnight trains can also often incur additional charges not covered by the passes. Therefore, it is a good idea to always compare the price and efficiency of point-to-point tickets with the cost of a pass plus all additional local fees before deciding which to present to your client.

Yes, you certainly may book seat assignments prior to your clients' departure. Oftentimes the cost of booking a seat assignment is already included in the rail ticket cost. However, not all tickets include seat assignments so it is important to clarify if one will need to be purchased in addition to the ticket. Many regional and local trains don't require seat assignments, and some trains don't offer them at all.

For some trains however, seat assignments are mandatory and must be purchased locally before boarding if they haven't already been purchased prior to traveling. This is especially important when someone is traveling with a rail pass. Although passes allow for flexibility, they do not guarantee travel if the train is full. Therefore to avoid confusion, when possible we recommend that you arrange seat assignments prior to departure.

Yes, overnight trains are available on many routes throughout Europe. When taking an overnight train there are many choices and configurations with some trains having bunks, while others simply have seats that recline. Passengers often have the option of choosing how many people will share their couchette. European trains tend to be quite full so travelers should be prepared to share a compartment and bathrooms if they did not pay for private facilities. To avoid confusion or uneasiness, it is best to determine your client's expectations before booking any train passages.

Regardless of how travelers get from one country to another, everyone will be asked to show proper documentation (passports/visa). On an overnight train the conductor may collect passports during boarding or shortly after, often not returning them until the following morning.

Some trains require passengers to show their tickets before boarding while others will not check them until the train departs. The conductor will almost always ask to see tickets and seat assignments if purchased separately, so it's a good idea to always have these on hand and to be seated in the correct compartment/seat.

As there are over 50 different train companies throughout Europe, the amenities, costs, and quality of trains can vary greatly. Depending on your clients' needs and expectations, it may prove worthwhile to encourage them to upgrade to first class. As trains and routes do differ, it is essential to evaluate the specific amenities of each class before deciding what to suggest for a particular journey.

At the very latest, transfers and sightseeing will be confirmed 30 days prior to departure. Please note that in order to confirm services, all details must be entered properly in our system.

We have informational vouchers that contain detailed instructions on where and how passengers should meet their sightseeing/transfer providers.

All travel extras can be added as early as the quote process and as late as one week prior to departure. In special cases we may be able to confirm last minute services but this is subject to availability and can vary based on the type of service.

Yes, you can book transfers and sightseeing without other services in the booking.

Absolutely. We offer a wide range of special products including river cruises, 100% customized sightseeing experiences, cooking courses, wine tastings, and much more. Additionally, if your clients are interested in non-traditional hotel properties, we also have special property-related products such as villas, farmhouses, Paradores, castles, bed-and-breakfast properties, etc.

You are more than welcome to request any custom or specialty product that is not the system by calling one of our reservation specialists, who will be more than happy to assist you in processing a special request with our product team.