Europe is one of the most amazing and popular places to visit in the world and people of all ages enjoy can enjoy backpacking here. It is definitely at the top of many people’s list of places to visit and for good reason. With its incredible history, rich culture, and vibrant countryside, a vacation can make for one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
Having backpacked through Europe several different times and seeing most of the popular sights to see there, I feel as though I have some good tips for newbie backpackers. If you’ve never gone backpacking through Europe and you are looking for some tips to help make your trip more enjoyable, then read on.
1.) The old adage, “Pack everything you think you’ll need and then get rid of half of it.”, is very close to true. While I wouldn’t go that far, I do recommend getting your packing list as light as possible. Scrap things like heavy and bulky jackets and bring lighter clothing. For cold weather, you can layer your clothing rather than wearing that huge coat.
2.) Get a good rail pass. I can’t tell you how much money you can save with the right rail pass. Don’t ever buy point to point tickets unless you’re only sticking to 1 or 2 destinations. One of my favorite parts about traveling Europe is riding the train believe or not. Definitely make use of train travel in Europe during your backpacking trip. For example, if you’ll be backpacking in Ireland, and you’re next stop is in France, you’ll want to catch a ferry to the mainland and then a train to your final destination.
3.) Book all of your transportation and accommodations well in advance of your trip. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is not getting their plane tickets or hostels booked far enough in advance of their trip. Believe me, there is nothing worse than not having a place to stay when you’re in a foreign and unfamiliar country. Also, having everything booked ahead can usually save you a fair bit of money so it is definitely worth it no matter how you look at it.
4.) Give each destination at least a week of your time. Many people try to cram too many locations into their itinerary and it can really hinder your overall experience. I remember my first time in Europe, I was backpacking through Italy, and I only gave myself 3 days to enjoy it. I really missed out on a few great destinations because of it and I will never make that mistake again.
Overall, just do your planning and research before you depart and use common sense. Not everything has to be meticulously planned, but do have a general idea. One of the best parts about backpacking Europe is that you can fly by the seat of your pants, so don’t lose that spirit just because you’ve never done it before.
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