How to Plan a Backpacking Trip Through Europe: 11 Steps
This guide will teach you How to Plan a Backpacking Trip Through Europe in 11 Steps!
Europe…a foreign land with so much beauty, history and culture to explore. A travel lover’s dream.
Each country is individually very unique from one another. A place where you can hop around from country to country so easily. Exploring as much or as little as you’d like.
All you need is to save up a some money, get a good backpack, and the travel bug. Have a few friends who also have the bug , a passport and you are ready to submerge yourself into European culture and all it has to offer!
I spent a month backpacking through Europe with a few friends in the summertime and had the time of my life. One of my favorite trips I’ve ever been on.
In this blog I will tell you, step by step, how to plan a backpacking trip through Europe from start to finish on a budget. Tips and tricks like when to buy flights and how to find accommodations very cheap as well as things to avoid and while traveling over there!
How to Plan a Backpacking Trip Through Europe: 11 Steps:
Step 1: Passport
If you don’t already have one, you’ll have to get a passport. This can take a little bit of time so try and do this first before anything else.
If you do have, one double check and make sure it hasn’t expired, if so you’ll just have to renew it.
Step 2: Travel credit & debit cards
It’s time to apply for a travel credit card (if you don’t already have one).
You want to do this because you are about to purchase a lot of flights, accommodations, excursions, etc. If you put the purchases on a travel card you will end up saving money in the long-run. You save money by earning thousands of points that can be claimed as cash or put toward other travel expenses like your flight home. One I like is the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card.
Also, make sure you have a debit card that will work over in Europe. Some banks are very strict and will think it’s fraud which can be a pain to deal with once you are over there. A good one to get that you can rely on is the Charles Schwab debit card.
Step 3: Recruit travel buddies
Find a friend, a group of friends, a significant other, a sibling, a parent, anyone who you like to travel with to join you!
Make sure to discuss the type of trip you are going to be going on. There will be times when you are in difficult situations or times when things won’t go as planned. When that happens in a foreign country things can get stressful for some. Make sure your travel companions understand what they are signing up for.
Traveling solo is fun but on a trip like this it is best to have at least one other person along with you to be safe and experience everything together. You’ll make memories that will last a lifetime with the people you travel with. You’ll talk about your adventures from amazing destinations with them for years to come!
Once you have found your group of travel buddies, everyone get together and discuss when you can all take off time for the trip. I would recommend taking off a month (or longer!) if possible but if not however much time you can all agree on will work out fine.
Step 4: Pick out destinations
The fun part…time to decide on where to go while in Europe!
A good way to do this is; say if there are four of you in your group. Everyone picks two places they have always wanted to visit in Europe and make a list of all eight places. Most likely people will have overlapping destinations which is ok. Talk about it and narrow the locations down into a list everyone agrees on.
Depending on how long you will be traveling is how you should decide how many locations you will visit. Give yourself at least four days at each place.
Look at a map while planning this out and try to pick destinations that make sense to go to and from so you aren’t all over the map with long flights or train rides every time. Make your traveling route make sense and be as easy as possible.
This doesn’t mean you can’t visit Amsterdam and Greece, you totally can. I would just recommend that in a situation like that to start off in Amsterdam. Then have your other destinations be stepping stones in between there and Greece. Once you have figured out your plan, get it on paper and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Step 5: Buy 1st plane ticket
Time to make your first purchase- your plane ticket to Europe to your first destination.
Buy this ticket as early as you can, doing so will save you a lot of money. When you go online be sure to go on private browsing mode. Doing this will keep your flight search history private. This prevents the airline companies from upping the prices once they realize you are interested in a specific flight.
Since you are buying your flight so early seats with extra leg room might be at an affordable price. Check because having that on a long flight is so nice. Book your flight with your travel buddies so you all can pick seats next to each other.
So it’s official! Your trip is in the works and is happening, you have bought your first flight! This is when the excitement kicks in…your trip might not be for eight months out but now it’s really happening and you have something so fun to look forward to!
Step 6: Research accommodations
Start researching hotels, hostels and airbnbs in the destinations you have planned out. See what’s available and what prices are. Be sure to research these in private browsing mode like you did with the flight.
What I recommend doing is to first check out Hostel World and see what kinds of hostels are available in your destinations. Hostels are really popular in Europe so you will probably see a few options at each place. Read reviews and see what kind of bedroom options are offered. You can find great budget-friendly deals here for your stay.
If you are a group of four, there’s a chance the four of you could fill a room so you’ll have your own private space. If this is the case, book the room ASAP so you secure it and know you’ll have it. Booking through hostels will be significantly cheaper than anything else.
DISCLAIMER:
Staying in hostels is almost always a very different experience than staying in a hotel. There are some hostels where you’ll get lucky and have your own space with your friends and maybe even your own bathroom…but that’s rare.
Often you are in a bigger room with a few other random people of any age who might not speak the same language as you. You usually don’t see them much other than in the morning and when you go to bed but at times it can be a little awkward.
There are a lot of positive things about staying in hostels. Cost is low, usually free breakfast, a place to lock up your belongings, a place to wash your clothes, and you almost always will meet new people.
I also recommend checking out Airbnb.
Find some you really like that aren’t too expensive. Book hostels in some of your destinations then airbnbs in others. Stagger them so you stay at a hostel in one country then splurge for an airbnb in the next and so on.
Doing this is nice because after you stay in a hostel the airbnb will feel like a treat and give you a little more privacy.
Step 7: Book transportation and accommodations week by week
Spend the next few months going from destination to destination in order (so it’s easy to stay on track) booking a flight, train ride or accommodation each week. Doing it week by week is nice so you don’t have to rush into doing it all at once, you can take your time.
Always think about all the travel options when going from place to place. What makes the most sense? A flight, train, ferry, Uber, taxi, rental car, bus? Look at of all options and do the research. Then before you know it all your flights and places to stay will be booked!
Step 8: Book excursions
Your trip is really coming together now!! The excitement is building and all you can think about is how much fun this big European backpacking adventure will be. Now that your transportation and accommodations are in place it’s time to book some fun things to do while in Europe!
For example, say Switzerland is one of your destinations. You most likely want to see the Swiss Alps and the beautiful countryside. There are tours you can book like the picture below. I highly recommend booking some things like this at the destinations you will be traveling to. Pay for it ahead of time that way when it’s time you just show up and enjoy the day!
Booking excursions is a great way to explore a new destination and really see what it has to offer. Doing this you will have some days planned that you won’t even have to think about once you arrive, just show up and enjoy!
Have your travel buddies look into some excursions that interest them and pick out a few you all like and book them together.
Step 9: Buy a backpack & small bag
Something you will have to get before you jet off to Europe is a good backpack! One that is really good quality that you can rely on because that thing will go everywhere with you.
Go to a sporting goods/outdoor store near you, a place like REI. Try some backpacks on to get a feel for what style you like. Make sure it’s comfortable on your back, you will have it on for long periods of time through airports and such.
One I highly recommend is the Thule Chasm 40L Duffel Bag. I like this one a lot because it packs like a duffle but you can wear it like a backpack. Really strong material and holds a lot for its size. Also the perfect size for a carry-on. When backpacking don’t check your bag unless there’s a situation where the plane is full and they offer to for free.
Something else you will want to pick up is a good crossbody purse or fanny pack. One that zips up and you can wear it securely so nobody will steal it. Try not to get one that’s too big. Sometimes when boarding a flight a worker will tell you you can only have one bag can be very strict about it so you’ll have to squeeze it into your backpack.
Get one that is comfy, good quality, practical and cute. You’ll wear this everywhere so make sure you like it. Some I recommend are the Fiona Fossil small E/W Crossbody and the Patagonia Ultralight Mini Hip Pack Black Hole 1L.
Step 10: Plan out clothes to bring
As the months go by and your trip really starts creeping up, start thinking about what clothes you want to bring with you.
Since you’ll be backpacking you will have to wash your clothes a few times while in Europe. You will simply not have enough if you are there for a month all in a backpack.
Think about: what the weather will be like while I’m over there? How different is the weather from country to country? What kind of activities will I be doing? You want to think all this through and pick out pieces of clothes that will all get used. You don’t have room for wasted space. Will you be swimming, hiking, in hot or cold climates?
It might sound silly but try and plan out some of your outfits, it really helps. Pick out pants/shorts and tops that can be worn as a few different outfits. Think about shoes, you want to bring very comfy and practical but also cute shoes that you like since you’ll be wearing them all the time. Something you want to put some thought into, if not you will be frustrated with yourself once you are there.
I have a Summer European Backpacking Packing List here you can check out for a reference.
Step 11: Share all travel plans with family
Before you leave for Europe write down each place you will be traveling to and the dates you will be going. Write down where you are staying in each destination and any plans you have and give it to a parent, significant other, or close friend. Someone who cares about you who isn’t traveling with you.
This is just an easy and smart thing to do to be safe incase something ever happened. Check in with your loved ones at home every few days to let them know how it’s going and all the amazing things you’ve seen! Just be mindful of the time difference, it can get pretty far apart the further away from home you travel.
Tips & Tricks:
Things I learned while backpacking through Europe that will be helpful to know before you go!
- Bring some cash but not a bunch from home. You will have to get it exchanged at the airport to different currencies based on where you are. It’s easier to just go to an ATM in the country you are currently in and just get it as you need it at each place. This way you won’t lose money either.
- If you plan to rent any sort of motorized vehicle while over there get your International Driver’s License before you go. Most places will require this.
- Bring shower shoes (cheap plastic flip flops) for the hostels.
- Bring a small lock for your bag incase you ever have to leave it out.
- If you are only allowed one bag on a flight and you have your big backpack and also a purse or something, hide your purse in between your backpack and back as you board so they don’t give you a hard time; this has worked for me countless times.
- Buy your place ticket home before you arrive in Europe. That way at customs when they ask what you are doing there and how long you are staying they shouldn’t give you a hard time and you can change it to a different date if you need down the road.
- Bring a nice camera if you have one.
- Don’t pay for an international phone plan, WiFi is everywhere in Europe- very easy to find when needed.
Tips & Tricks:
- Ubers are in most countries and if not taxis are and easy to use.
- Drop pins on your phone for where you stay and places you need to go when you have WiFi then just follow your maps on your phone if it’s walkable, even if you don’t have service this works.
- Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when drinking lookout for one another.
- Bring travel size shampoo, conditioner, etc then just restock when you run out.
- Bring a laundry bag if you have room for one.
- Bring pjs you don’t care too much about incase you buy something then need to leave something behind to make room.
- Download the Currency Converter app on your phone. It doesn’t require data or WiFi to use. It’s so helpful as you bounce around from country to country using all kinds of different currencies.
- Get a small, portable charger that fits in your purse or fanny pack. You will often be out an about all day long exploring so it comes in handy a lot.
Tips & Tricks:
- Be aware of pickpocketing- it’s common in Europe especially at the touristy spots. Always keep your bag in the front of you, always zipped up, don’t put things in your back pockets.
- At restaurants you usually have to ask for the check, it’s rude in their cultures to just drop it off like we do in America.
- In a lot of countries it’s common to be served a shot of limoncello or something similar after dinner without asking for it.
- Set reminders on your phone to check into flights and such so you don’t forget.
- Take photocopies of your passport, license, and health insurance cards before you go and have your parents or someone you trust to hold on to them just in case anything happens.
- Use packing cubes- they are SO helpful!
- Let your banks know where and when you are traveling to avoid difficulties with your cards.
- Overall cost for a month long backpacking trip through Europe if you plan flights and accommodations far in advance is roughly $3,000.00 which is fairly cheap with how many cool places you will see.
You are now ready to plan a backpacking trip through Europe!
So you are all ready and prepared for you big adventure!
Nothing ever goes perfect when traveling so try and go with the flow as much as possible and everything will work out. You will see amazing places while backpacking through Europe and gain once in a lifetime memories that will stick with you forever.
If you are a beginner and this is your first time going on a backpacking trip don’t stress you will have the time of your life! The trip is well worth the money for the amazing places you will visit and see.
Make sure to takes lots of pictures!! Your future self will thank you later on.
Have you backpacked through Europe? If so is there anything you think I missed? Let me know below!
sierra
Hello there! It's wonderful to have you here. I'm Sierra, a NH native with a love for travel and adventure. I have a constant desire to explore beautiful places around the world and go on awesome adventures! I seek to inspire others to travel to see all the beauty and culture the world has to offer! 🌞⛰️🌼🫶🏼🦋🌲📸🥾💛
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