Europe for Australian travellers: visa-free 90 days, the long-haul routing question, AUD tips
Australian passport holders enter Europe visa-free for 90 days (ETIAS €7). The long-haul routing question — Qantas direct from Perth, Emirates via Dubai, or Singapore Airlines via Singapore — depends on departure city and budget. ING Orange Everyday or Wise eliminate the 3% forex charge on standard Australian bank cards.
Visa requirements
Australian passport holders enter Schengen visa-free for 90 days. ETIAS required — €7, valid 3 years.
Documents required
- ✓Valid Australian passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓ETIAS authorisation
Flights from Australia to Europe (Schengen)
Money, cards & forex fees
Best AUD→EUR rate for Australian Europe travellers
Zero forex debit — most popular Australian card for European travel
Zero forex debit alternative
ATMs in Europe (Schengen)
Best ATMs: Use ATMs attached to local banks: BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, ING, Crédit Agricole, Rabobank. Avoid Euronet ATMs (the standalone machines in tourist areas, airports, train stations) — they add 3–5% markup and poor exchange rates on top of their own fees.
Typical surcharge: €2–5 at local bank ATMs; €5–10 at Euronet standalone ATMs — avoid Euronet
Withdrawal tip: Most of Europe (especially cities) is card-friendly — Visa/Mastercard contactless accepted almost everywhere. Keep €50–100 cash for markets, smaller restaurants, and rural areas. Some restaurants in Italy and Greece still prefer cash.
Top cities in Europe (Schengen)
Paris
The world's most visited city — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral (now restored), Montmartre, and some of the world's finest restaurants. Paris demands at least 4–5 days and rewards slow exploration. The RER and Métro connect every arrondissement. Museum queues are long; pre-book everything.
Amsterdam
A city of canals, world-class museums, and cycling culture. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are among Europe's finest. The Anne Frank House requires timed tickets booked weeks ahead. Amsterdam's compact size makes it ideal for walking or cycling. Vibrant nightlife and exceptional food scene.
Rome
Two thousand years of history in a single walkable city. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon are all within reasonable distance. Rome rewards those who get lost in its neighbourhoods — Trastevere and Pigneto offer the most authentic dining. Book Vatican tickets at least 2 weeks ahead.
Barcelona
Gaudí's architectural masterpieces define Barcelona — Sagrada Família (still being completed after 140+ years), Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and La Pedrera make it unlike any other European city. The Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria market, and Barceloneta beach complete the picture. Famously late dining culture — restaurants don't fill until 9–10pm.
Berlin
Europe's most fascinating city for 20th-century history — the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall Memorial, Holocaust Memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie tell the story no textbook can. Berlin is also Europe's club capital and has a thriving contemporary art and tech scene. Comparatively affordable by Western European standards. Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The routing question: Perth direct, Dubai, or Singapore?
Australia to Europe is a 20-22 hour journey regardless of routing. Qantas now operates Perth-London direct (17 hours, no stop) — if you're in Perth this is transformative. From Sydney and Melbourne, the choice is Emirates via Dubai (excellent connectivity to 30+ European cities), Singapore Airlines via Singapore (superb cabin product, well-positioned hub), or Qantas/British Airways via Singapore (oneworld alliance lounges). Emirates' advantage is its European destination breadth — you can fly direct from Dubai to almost any European city. Singapore Airlines' advantage is consistent cabin quality and the shorter Singapore-Europe routing compared to Dubai. Economy return fares from Sydney to European cities average AUD 2,100-3,200 ($1,380-2,100 USD). Book 3-5 months ahead.
On-arrival tips
- 1Perth direct to London on Qantas is 17 hours — the world's second-longest nonstop flight, worth it to avoid Dubai/Singapore layover
- 2Emirates via Dubai gives access to 30+ European cities — excellent for multi-country European trips
- 3A$1 ≈ €0.57 — Europe is expensive relative to Australia but not drastically so
- 4Book Eurail pass before leaving Australia — purchasing in AUD can save AUD 50-100 vs buying in Europe
Key takeaways
- ✓Australian passport: visa-free Schengen 90 days — ETIAS (€7) required
- ✓Perth-London Qantas direct is 17 hours; Sydney/Melbourne route via Dubai or Singapore — 22 hours
- ✓ING Orange Everyday or Wise: zero forex — standard Australian cards charge 3%
- ✓Avoid Euronet standalone ATMs — use bank-attached ATMs only
- ✓Buy Eurail pass before leaving Australia for best prices
Related visa guides
Visa information is based on publicly available government sources and official embassy data. Entry requirements, fees, and procedures change frequently — always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Europe (Schengen) before travelling. ForexFee is not a legal adviser.