Europe is one of the finest backpacking destinations in the world. Some backpackers plan epic multi-month adventures throughout Europe, while others travel faster on their overland tours.
Travel veterans know that backpacking Europe on a budget can be a unique and life-changing experience. It's not just about the beautiful sights. It's about living the backpacking lifestyle, too.
The lure of backpacking Europe is a dream of many, including Dave, who founded Go Backpacking in 1998 to encourage others to take a summer trip like his. And it's easy to see why.
Who wouldn't want to see the picturesque landscapes, myths, legends, and historic buildings on one of the world's most amazing continents? As a result, thousands of travelers use it as a base while traveling across the globe every year.
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How to Plan Your First Backpacking Trip
You can go backpacking with friends or on your own. Sometimes travelers feel like they need to be alone to enjoy their freedom, but sharing the adventure with like-minded people can be fun.
Before you start making plans, consider your travel budget. If you look for deals, backpacking Europe can be affordable.
For example, consider purchasing a hostel membership and only staying at places that offer a discount. Hostel membership cards allow you to stay in a dorm bed for as little as $10-12 per night and eat breakfast for free.
Moving to Europe from the US can be the best thing when you have all the belongings you need for the next destination.
On the other hand, you may need the best deal. With a little effort, you can get the best deals and ensure that everything is organized before you leave.
If you stay longer than a month, it's probably worth getting a rail pass - these usually allow unlimited travel for a specific period for a fixed price.
However, you should always check prices online before buying tickets or booking accommodation. This can lead to some fantastic offers.
Once you've decided on your itinerary, make sure that you leave enough time between each part of your journey so that if anything goes wrong (for example, if there's too much traffic or a train or flight is canceled), you have some leeway to fix it.
If you've never been backpacking, it can be a bit daunting to take all your gear with you and then carry it through airports and trains.
Nevertheless, planning your first backpacking trip can make it one of your most significant learning experiences.
Finding Cheap Flights
The best time for booking flights is usually during the off-season. For example, it's easier to find budget flights from Europe in the late summer or between October and May.
However, during the high season, when most people travel, airlines are forced to raise their prices to fill all the seats on their planes.
Traveling during the shoulder season is a great way to get cheap airfare and a fantastic method of saving money on accommodation costs.
Another thing worth considering when booking flights is looking for special deals and airline discounts. You can often make significant savings by purchasing a flight that includes one-way tickets and using it as a round-trip.
For example, a two-way ticket can be purchased for flights between London and Edinburgh. By doing this, you can save on ticket costs and avoid paying additional airport taxes.
If you're staying in hostels or Airbnbs during your travels, look out for discount vouchers from booking sites such as Hostelworld and Airbnb.
These usually range from 10% to 20% off your booking amount. Check them out before finalizing your reservation with the hostel or Airbnb.
Planning Your Itinerary
Whether heading to Europe on a package tour or backpacking independently, you'll want a plan before you go.
- What will the weather be like at your destinations?
- Where can you get cash, if needed?
- Can you drink the tap water?
- Should you pack shorts or pants?
These are some basic questions to keep in mind before you leave. Then, to make your itinerary, figure out how long you'll stay in each place and what you'd like to see and do there.
First-time backpackers in Europe typically take trains and planes from one major city to another. It's a fast and efficient way to see many European capitals in one trip.
Staying Safe and Comfortable
Before you leave home, make sure that you have all of the essential documents with you. If you need to renew documents, do so before your departure date. Some countries require this.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date, so make sure yours meets this requirement well before your planned departure.
You should also find out if any vaccinations are required for the countries you will visit and schedule an appointment with a doctor or health clinic to get them if necessary.
A travel insurance policy is a good idea if you don't have health insurance, and even if you do, your policy at home may not cover emergencies abroad.
Finally, check with your bank or credit card company before leaving home to find out what fees they charge while traveling.
How to Pack for a Backpacking Trip
"Backpacking is an exhilarating experience that offers a great way to explore the world while being frugal," says travel blogger and guidebook author Johnny Jet.
"Whether you're going long-distance or short-term, packing for your trip should be done with care. This can seem daunting, but once you have done it, you will realize that it wasn't difficult."
- Clothing
- Toiletries
- Electronics
- Documents and money
- First aid kit
- Miscellaneous items
You'll want to bring clothing that will keep you warm at night and during rainy days, but that can also dry quickly. Synthetic fabrics are preferred over cotton (because cotton takes forever to dry). Avoid bringing clothes that take up too much space or weigh too much (such as winter coats).
Conclusion
Hopefully, these tips will help give you ideas for what's worth bringing and what's not. You can never predict what kind of weather you'll be facing, where your hostels will be located, or what activities you might want to schedule.
You'll have to learn most of this along the way, but with the right amount of essential preparation, you'll be fine. So enjoy Europe to the fullest, stay safe, and take advantage of its attractions.
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This story is published in partnership with SDC International Shipping.
