Backpacking through Europe is all it’s cracked up to be and more. The Old Continent has a lot of everything: vibrant cities, exquisite architecture, breathtaking natural landscapes, delicious cuisines, rich history, fascinating traditions, and a wealth of famous landmarks, activities, and events that can turn any backpacking trip into the adventure of a lifetime.
Backpacking through Europe is probably one of the best ways to explore the continent and discover its many hidden treasures. It allows you to move freely from place to place at your own pace, create room for exploration, reach locations outside of the regular tourist routes, connects with the locals, and truly take in the uniqueness and beauty of each region you visit - all that at a fraction of the cost.
That being said, if you’re new to backpacking and you’re not particularly familiar with European destinations, you can easily fall into tourist traps, or make rookie mistakes that might leave you with an empty bank account. Besides, planning a trip through Europe can be downright exhausting. Apart from budgeting, you’ll have a lot of other details to figure out about your journey, and that can prove challenging for inexperienced travelers.
So, if you want to make the most of your backpacking experience, here's a quick guide that will help you get ready for your first-ever Eurotrip.
Get a good backpack
The number one item that you have to take with you on a backpacking trip is obviously a backpack. However, not any kind of backpack will do – you have to invest in a good quality backpack that is both spacious enough to hold all your belongings and comfortable to travel with. Pack capacity, fit, frame type, material, and the number of compartments, are the main aspects to focus on when choosing a backpack. Also, consider the length of your trip before you make a purchase – for shorter trips, it’s best to opt for a smaller, lightweight backpack as you won’t need to carry as much stuff with you.
Pack travel essentials
Now let’s see what you’re going to put inside that backpack. The golden rule of backpacking is to travel light. Backpacking sounds like a lot of fun, but not if you’re trying to move around carrying a heavy load everywhere you go. You don’t want your trip to be ruined by backaches because you’ve stuffed your backpack with too many unnecessary items. Try to pack only what you actually need, not what you think you may need. Make a list with all the travel essentials, and leave potentially-useful items out of the equation, especially if you can also buy them from local stores along the way.
Plan your itinerary
Europe’s got a lot of countries and every country has amazing places to visit that match the budget and aspirations of all types of travelers, which is both a blessing and a curse. You are literally spoilt for choice in terms of travel destinations, but that makes deciding which places to include in your trip a difficult task. The good thing about backpacking is you don’t have to stick to a very strict travel itinerary. You can simply draft out a rough itinerary, so you can figure out what’s the most practical route for you, and leave some room for improvisation as well. Europe also has a pretty good transportation network that makes it easy to get from one destination to the next safely, and although it might not always come cheap, with a bit of research you can find a cost-effective and efficient way to move around.
Get off the beaten track
The beauty of backpacking lies in the freedom it provides. You’re not tied up to a group of tourists or forced to follow a specific route. You’re free to do as you please, change your plans as you go, and act on impulse and that’s exactly what you should do, within reason. While it’s nice to visit top attractions and landmarks, you don’t want to limit your trip to following the tourist trail and going where everyone else is going. Getting off the beaten track will not only help you avoid the crowds but will also allow you to discover hidden gems and immerse yourself in the local lifestyle and culture.
Stay safe
As fun and liberating as backpacking trips may be, you should always be aware of the risks and hazards they imply. Therefore, it’s important to take some basic precautions before you start your adventure. Doing a bit of research on the destinations you’re planning to visit and checking the safety recommendation is a good place to start. It’s also best to leave expensive items at home, as you don’t want to attract unwanted attention. Getting travel insurance should also be on your priority list. Most countries in Europe are relatively safe and the chances of being involved in an unpleasant event or accident are slim as long as you practice caution. However, it’s best to plan for the unexpected in case you get involved in an accident in the UK or any other country you’re visiting.
Focus on experiences rather than on checklists
Just because a destination or an attraction is deemed as a must-see doesn’t mean you absolutely have to see it. Try to be selective about the places you plan to visit and the activities you want to engage in. Don’t turn your once-in-a-lifetime backpacking adventure into a rush to check as many boxes off your travel list. It’s about the well-known quality over quantity choice: it’s best to visit fewer places and enjoy a truly enriching travel experience than hopping from one place to another just for the sake of it.
Be flexible with your accommodation
Along with transportation, accommodation is the biggest expense while traveling. Fortunately, you can cut accommodation costs if you’re flexible and willing to get a bit creative with it. after all, the whole point of backpacking is to improvise and adapt. With a quick search on Google, you can find cheap accommodation options in nearly every location you plan to visit. A mix of hostels, Couchsurfing, and local B&Bs will help you stretch your travel budget further and use every penny wisely.
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