What It’s Really Like Traveling Europe as an Au Pair (The Good, the Hard, and the Honest)

A realistic look at what traveling Europe as an au pair is actually like — from weekend freedom and budget wins to responsibility, fatigue, and learning how to travel at a slower pace.

AU PAIR LIFE IN FRANCE

2/2/20266 min read

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Traveling Europe as an Au Pair: What It’s Really Like

Travel was a huge reason I wanted to become an au pair. I knew I wanted to experience Europe in a deeper way than a short vacation — really immerse myself in a new culture, learn things you wouldn’t necessarily learn on a two-week trip, and travel more long-term without completely draining my savings. That’s when I came across the idea of being an au pair.

Being an au pair puts you in a unique position where travel feels more accessible. I don’t pay for housing or meals, and I’m paid weekly for the work I do. That means when I have time off — weekends or longer breaks — I can actually take advantage of it and explore.

Traveling while living abroad feels very different from a typical trip. When you travel, you’re not coming back home-home — you’re coming back to your new home in a place you’re still learning and adjusting to. So while you’re discovering new cities or countries, you’re also discovering where you live. That’s been a huge part of this experience for me.

While the ability to travel is definitely a perk, it’s important to say this upfront: being an au pair comes with real responsibilities. It’s not a nonstop adventure. But living somewhere long-term allows you to truly immerse yourself in the culture and take a slower, more intentional approach to travel — which I’ve grown to really appreciate.

The Good

One of the biggest perks of being an au pair in Europe is how easy it is to travel. Trains connect everywhere, and neighboring countries are often just a few hours away. Since most au pairs have weekends off, there are built-in travel windows that make short trips realistic.

When planning weekend trips, I almost always use Omio to compare trains, buses, and flights in one place. It makes planning so much easier and helps me find the best option depending on time and price — especially when I’m traveling at the last minute.

Living in Europe long-term also gives you time to figure out how travel actually works here. On a short vacation, you’re trying to adjust, explore, and plan everything all at once. As an au pair, you slowly learn the best routes, cheaper options, and what works for your schedule. Over time, traveling starts to feel less stressful and more natural.

Another big perk is feeling more like a local than a tourist. You’re not rushing to see everything — you get to experience places at your own pace and come back to them if you want to. That alone changes the entire travel experience.

The Hard

One of the hardest parts is coming back from a fun weekend trip and jumping right back into responsibilities. But honestly, for me, that’s become more grounding than difficult. I love exploring, but I also really appreciate having a routine to come back to.

It’s an interesting balance — you’re not in full vacation mode. You’re working a job (even if it’s not a traditional one), learning responsibilities, adjusting to a new household, and trying to build a routine while also exploring a new country.

Full transparency: if your main goal is to make a lot of money, becoming an au pair probably isn’t the right move. I didn’t choose this for the pay. While it’s nice to be paid, it’s not a lot, so it’s important to be mindful about spending — especially if you want to travel during your time off.

Another challenge has been the language barrier, especially navigating it alone. That part has been really humbling. Recently, I started using Memrise to help with language learning, and it’s been a great way to build confidence little by little — especially with everyday phrases that actually come up in real life.

How Traveling Changes When You Live Abroad

Living abroad has completely changed the way I think about travel. Slow travel just feels better. There’s no pressure to “see everything” because you know you have time. You get to pick and choose what you want to do, revisit places, and experience them in different ways.

I also love that rest becomes a choice. It’s not about packing every free moment with sightseeing. Sometimes it’s about staying in, recharging, and getting ready for the next adventure — without guilt.

When I do want something a bit more structured, I’ll occasionally book experiences or walking tours through GetYourGuide. It’s an easy way to learn more about a place without feeling overwhelmed or rushed, especially when visiting somewhere new on a short trip.

Solo Travel vs. Traveling with Friends or Family

Solo travel has been one of the most liberating parts of this experience. Traveling alone forces you out of your comfort zone and builds confidence in a way nothing else really does. You learn to trust yourself, make decisions on your own, and realize just how capable you are.

I love traveling with friends and family too — both experiences are special in their own way — but solo travel has taught me that I don’t need to wait on anyone else to do the things I want to do.

When traveling alone, having a few safety essentials has helped me feel more confident, especially in busy cities. A cross-body anti-theft bag has been one of my go-to items for keeping my belongings secure while still being practical for day trips.

What I’ve Learned About Myself Through Travel

This experience has shown me that I can handle more than I give myself credit for. I’m capable of navigating uncomfortable situations, figuring things out as I go, and trusting that things will work out — because they usually do.

I’ve also learned that I genuinely enjoy my own company. If there’s something I want to do and no one else is available, I’ll do it on my own. That mindset shift has been incredibly empowering.

Travel has a way of revealing your strengths, especially when you step outside your comfort zone. You don’t realize how capable you are until you put yourself in situations that force you to grow.

Would I Recommend Traveling Europe as an Au Pair?

Absolutely — 100%. I don’t regret this decision for a second. If you enjoy working with kids and truly want to immerse yourself in a different culture, becoming an au pair can be an incredible experience.

I worked with Global Work & Travel through this whole process. However, Au Pair World is another great resource for starting this journey, and it's specific to just being an au pair. Every au pair experience is different, but so far, mine has been overwhelmingly positive.

It’s not always easy, and living in someone else’s home definitely comes with adjustments. But the things you learn, the independence you build, and the experiences you gain are priceless. It feels scary at first, but the hardest part is taking the leap — once you do, all that’s left is embracing the opportunity.

Resources I Use

These are the tools and items I actually use while living and traveling in Europe as an au pair. I’m sharing them here in case they’re helpful if you’re considering a similar experience or planning long-term travel abroad.

✈️ Transportation & Experiences

Omio – My go-to for comparing trains, buses, and flights across Europe. It makes planning weekend trips so much easier, especially when traveling between countries.
GetYourGuide – I use this when I want something a bit more structured, like walking tours or experiences, without overplanning an entire trip.

🎒 Travel Essentials

Carry-on Travel Backpack – Perfect for weekend trips and short stays. It fits everything I need and makes navigating trains and cities way easier than a rolling suitcase.
Packing Cubes – These have been a game changer for staying organized, especially when packing light or repacking quickly after a weekend away.
Cross-Body Anti-Theft Bag – I use this almost daily when exploring cities. It helps me feel more secure, especially when traveling solo or in crowded areas.

🗣 Language Learning

Memrise – I recently started using this to help with language learning, and it’s been really helpful for everyday phrases and building confidence little by little.

🌍 Au Pair Resources

Au Pair World – This is not the company I used, but I know other Au Pairs who did use it and highly recommend it for becoming an Au Pair.
Global Work & Travel – The company I used to help guide me through the process and support me along the way. (Use code NINA330 if you book through them for anything!)