European Multi Country Tours: How Many Countries Is Too Many?
It’s tempting, isn’t it? Five countries in ten days sounds like brilliant value. Then you’re on day six, you can’t remember which city had the cathedral, and you’ve packed your suitcase more times than you’ve unpacked it.
European multi country tours are great when the pace is right. This guide helps you judge that. It shows the multi-country tours we list, the days you get per country, how they compare with single-country breaks, and a simple rule for spotting a route that’s trying to do too much.
A quick word on who’s behind this page. Red Tours runs escorted and guided tours across Europe and worldwide, from 3-day short breaks to multi-week grand tours. We handpick our hotels, our tours are led by highly trained, experienced Tour Managers, and we list starting prices openly on redtours.co.uk, so what you read here matches what you’ll see when you book.
Our multi-country tours
| Tour | Countries | Length | From (per person) | About per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A European Odyssey | Austria, Italy, Switzerland | 12 days | €1,852 | €154 |
| Contrasts of Europe | Several (see tour page) | 23 days | €3,564 | €155 |
Prices are listed in euros on redtours.co.uk, were checked on [date] and can change. “About per day” is our own arithmetic from the listed price and length.
A European Odyssey gives you three countries in 12 days. That’s an average of four days per country, which is a comfortable pace for most people. Contrasts of Europe is our full grand tour; check the tour page for the countries and the order.
Multi-country or single-country?
| Multi-country tour | Single-country short break | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | A European Odyssey, 12 days | Northern Portugal, 5 days |
| From (per person) | €1,852 | €474 |
| About per day | €154 | €95 |
| Variety | Mountains, lakes and cities across three countries | One region in depth |
| Hotel changes | More | Fewer |
| Best for | Seeing a lot in one trip | A relaxed break or a first tour |
The multi-country tour costs more per day. In return, the logistics that make multi-country trips painful on your own (border crossings, long transfers, booking hotels in three languages) are handled for you.
Want to know exactly which cities are on the route? Ask us for the day-by-day itinerary and hotel list for your dates. Call +44 (0)20 3031 6996 or get in touch online.
The “days per country” rule
Divide the number of days by the number of countries. Here’s how we’d read the answer:
- Under 2 days per country: you’ll mostly see motorways and hotel lobbies.
- 3 to 4 days per country: a good balance of travel and time to look around.
- 5 or more: slow and relaxed, closer to a single-country holiday.
A European Odyssey sits at four. It’s a rough guide, not a law, but it’s a quick way to spot an over-packed itinerary from any operator.
Who multi-country tours suit
Travellers who want variety and get restless staying in one place. Couples and families who want one booking to cover several countries. First-time visitors to Europe who want a broad overview before coming back to their favourite country later. And anyone who’d rather not drive across borders themselves.
If three countries feels like a lot, try a short break first. See our best European tours picks, or if you have three weeks, read our grand European tour guide.
Ready to book?
Browse our Europe tours or talk to a real person. To get a proper quote on the first call, have these ready:
- Your travel dates, and how flexible they are
- Number of travellers and the room type you want
- Your departure city
- Any dietary or mobility needs
- The countries you’d most like to see
Frequently asked questions
Which Red Tours trips cover more than one country?
A European Odyssey covers Austria, Italy and Switzerland in 12 days, and Contrasts of Europe is our 23-day grand tour.
How much do European multi country tours cost?
A European Odyssey starts from €1,852 per person and Contrasts of Europe from €3,564 per person.
How many days per country is a good pace?
Three to four days per country is a comfortable balance for most people. A European Odyssey averages four.
Do I need to handle border crossings?
No. Our tours are carefully planned so we take care of the key arrangements, and you travel on our premium coaches.
What standard of hotel can I expect?
We handpick our hotels, with a minimum of 3 to 4 star ratings.
How do I book?
Call +44 (0)20 3031 6996 or email enquiries@redtours.co.uk.
The short version
European multi country tours work best at three to four days per country. A European Odyssey hits that pace with Austria, Italy and Switzerland in 12 days. Check the hotel changes and the longest coach day before booking. When you’re ready, browse our Europe tours or call us on +44 (0)20 3031 6996.
Ready to see more than one country?
Tell us your dates and the countries on your list. We’ll match you to a route, or tailor one from scratch.
Prefer to talk? Call +44 (0)20 3031 6996 or email enquiries@redtours.co.uk