Europe can look deceptively simple from the U.S. side of the Atlantic.

Book a flight, grab your passport, pack a bag, and go, right?

Sometimes. But “Europe” covers a lot of countries, and the rules that apply in France may not be identical to the rules somewhere else. Before you head across the Atlantic, here are five things worth checking.

1. Check your passport expiration date before you book.

Don’t just ask whether your passport will still be valid on the day you arrive.

Many European destinations have passport-validity requirements that extend beyond your travel dates. Countries in the Schengen Area, for example, generally require a passport to remain valid for at least three months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area, and the passport generally must have been issued within the previous 10 years.

Other European countries can have different rules.

So pull out your passport before you start buying nonrefundable tickets. If it’s getting close to expiration, dealing with a renewal early is much easier than discovering a problem at the airport.

2. Don’t assume every European country follows the same entry rules.

This is probably one of the easiest mistakes to make.

The Schengen Area allows travelers to move between participating countries without routine internal border checks, but Europe and the Schengen Area aren’t the same thing. The United Kingdom, Ireland, and several other European destinations have their own entry systems and requirements.

Your itinerary matters.

If you’re traveling from the United States to London, then Paris, then Rome, for example, you need to look at the requirements for each portion of that trip rather than treating Europe as one destination.

3. Watch for electronic travel authorization requirements.

International travel has been moving toward online pre-travel authorization systems.

The United Kingdom now uses an Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, for many visitors who previously traveled there without obtaining a traditional visa. The European Union has also been developing ETIAS for visa-exempt travelers entering participating European countries.

These aren't traditional visas, but they still represent an extra step before travel.

Check the official requirements for your destinations shortly before departure because implementation dates and entry procedures can change.

4. Think about how you'll get around once you're there.

Europe has terrific rail and public transportation systems, but renting a car opens another set of questions.

Some countries may require or recommend an International Driving Permit in addition to your valid U.S. driver's license. An IDP doesn't replace your driver's license. It accompanies it and provides standardized translations of your licensing information.

If you're planning a European road trip, check the driving-document requirements for every country where you'll actually drive.

5. Keep backup copies of your important travel documents.

Take a clear photograph or scan of the identification page of your passport before leaving home.

Keep the copy somewhere secure and separate from the physical passport. You can do the same with travel authorizations, visas, insurance information, and other important documents.

A copy of your passport isn't a replacement for the real thing, but having the information available can be extremely useful if your passport is lost or stolen overseas.

And finally, give yourself time.

Passport renewals, travel authorizations, visas, and other documents are much easier to deal with from your kitchen table than from an airport check-in counter.

We help travelers with expedited U.S. passports, travel visas, International Driving Permits, and other international travel documents. Get the paperwork squared away first.

Then you can concentrate on the much more enjoyable question:

Where in Europe are you going?