Rick Steves' Common Tip To Avoid Waiting In Endless Lines While Sightseeing In Europe

Time is money, so the saying goes. And that statement couldn't be truer during a vacation through Europe. There is a lot to see and do, so standing in lines to access a museum or monument can seriously cut into the fun parts of your trip.

Rick Steves, travel expert and television host, has a simple solution to avoid those long queues: advance tickets. As he shares in an article on his website, guests who have purchased admission tickets ahead of time can circumvent the long lines and walk directly through the entrance of most attractions. Even though there may be a small booking fee to obtain one of these advance tickets, Steves has other ways to save money while exploring Europe to help you stick to your budget.

Plus, you will save time because the ticket will have the exact time of entry stamped right on it. So, not only does this advance ticket allow tourists to avoid waiting in endless queues that can take hours during peak seasons, but it can also help in the coordination of other plans. You will know exactly when you can enter the attraction, after all, meaning the time affluence it affords ensures you have more time for other activities. While this tip will work with a vast majority of European attractions and get you past the lines, Steves is quick to point out that the advance tickets won't always help you avoid crowds. Big attractions, like Anne Frank's house or the Eiffel Tower, Steves says, are of huge interest, and crowds there are inevitable.

Peak season in Europe is in the summer. Specifically, Rick Steves says in a separate article that crowds are larger between May and September. But even in those more popular times, advance tickets can seriously cut down on the amount of time you spend in lines with your fellow travelers. And while some European cities are known to partially shut down in the later summer months, that rarely impacts tourist destinations and sites, Steves says.

Most attractions have advance tickets available through their individual websites or city tourism sites. While it can vary, many attractions let you purchase tickets several months ahead of your visit. But remember that while advance tickets do typically let you bypass the ticket queue, you may still have to pass through security screenings.

Making the most out of your European vacation — and having a more immersive experience abroad – requires a little bit of planning. Steves also suggests tourists keep a polite and humble attitude while traversing Europe. It's important to remember that many tourist attractions in Europe are within communities and cities that millions call home.