Frequently Asked Questions

Below we have answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about Rick Steves' Europe, as well as links to more frequently asked questions for specific Rick Steves' Europe travel services. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, or would like to provide feedback, please email us.

About Rick Steves' Europe

Can Rick Steves' Europe help me plan my trip?

Rick Steves guidebooks offer suggested itineraries and all the info you'll need on hotels, sights, food, and transportation to plan your own trip. This website also provides extensive European trip planning information for free. If you need more help, ask us!

Will Rick Steves' Europe take care of my travel arrangements for me?

Rick Steves' Europe is not a travel agency, so we don't book flights, car rentals, or hotels.

If you are looking to have most of your travel arrangements taken care of for you, you might consider one of Rick Steves' European tours.

Rick's guidebooks have all the information you need to find your own Back Door style hotels, and you'll usually save money taking care of your own reservations rather than booking through a travel agent. These guidebooks list Rick Steves' favorite hotels, and also include complete instructions for booking your hotels on your own.

For flights and car-rental arrangements, we recommend contacting a travel agent in your area. Be sure to check out Rick's travel tips for help with the very doable task of handling it all yourself.

Do you have a store where I can see your travel products in person?

Yes — our Travel Center in Edmonds, WA, is open on Saturdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (It's currently closed the rest of the week.) If you have a question about one of our products that isn't answered in our online Travel Store, please contact our helpful customer service team at [email protected].

Does Rick offer any seminars in my area?

When Rick plans travel classes, we post updates to Rick's travel schedule.

When can I watch Rick Steves' Europe on TV?

You can watch Rick Steves' Europe right now! Watch Rick Steves' Europe on demand for free on our website. Or, watch segments of Rick Steves' Europe on YouTube.

Of course, you can watch Rick Steves Europe on your local public television station. Check with your local station for airtimes.

Do you have a mailing list?

You can subscribe to our email list to receive monthly Travel News or Tour News dispatches from Rick. If you wish to unsubscribe or update your contact information, go to our Subscription Center.

How did Rick get started as a travel writer?

Rick says: "I traveled each summer back when I was a piano teacher. On a super tight budget I made lots of mistakes and learned the hard way. My passion for travel showed itself in a powerful interest in teaching others from my mistakes. Eventually I was giving talks about budget travel at the University of Washington, throughout Seattle, and even using my piano studio recital hall more for travel lectures than for piano concerts. I finally had to decide: teach piano or teach travel. I chose travel and the rest is one very well used passport."

Does Rick have any tips on how to become a travel writer?

The keys to becoming a travel writer are to travel for the love of travel, sniffing out maximum experiences, and writing while on the road. Back home, get your writing out any way you can (for free). Your publicity stunt must be your commitment to smart travel. Impress people with the quality of your work by making it available widely and for free. Eventually, people will pay for your writing. (But keep your day job if you ever want to afford another plane ticket.)

Do you publish travelers' articles and photos?

While we love hearing about travelers' experiences, we do not accept unsolicited articles or photos. If you'd like to share your travel experiences or tips, please visit our Travel Forum.

Does Rick have any tips on how to get into TV production?

Breaking into TV production requires lots of money and something viable to make into TV. You need to have accidently been preparing to produce TV without knowing it for a decade and then proceed. The equation for making TV production a viable business is nearly impossible without lots of hard work, luck, and money.

Find out more about Rick Steves!

Contact Information

You'll find email addresses for customer service and other departments plus our phone number, address, directions, and map listed with our contact information.

Employment Opportunities

Please see our job openings.