How to Backpack Europe

When traveling abroad, many people sacrifice true cultural experiences by going with large travel groups or through school programs. If you really want to immerse yourself, go on your own or with a friend. Backpacking Europe means exploring at your own pace, not according to an itinerary.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Planning

1. Book a one-way plane ticket, and set aside cash for another. If you book round-trip, it restricts where you can go and when. Doing it this way leaves your trip open-ended.

2. Plan to fly into a large city. The plane ticket likely will be cheaper, and you should be able to find a hostel. Later on, you'll become more accustomed to this style of lodging that just seems lost in American culture. Large cities also usually are hubs for European rail lines.

3. Pack light -- as little as 25 pounds if you can manage it and no more than 40. You'll need the following items:
   - One pair of tennis shoes
   - One pair of sandals.
   - Two pairs of jeans or pants
   - One pair of shorts
   - Five pairs of underwear and socks.
   - Five t-shirts
   - Two to three dressy but casual shirts
   - A small tent
   - A blanket
   - A durable water bottle (the Nalgene brand is a good one)

4. Prepare a list of places you'd like to visit. If you mark larger cities, then plot smaller towns in between. They can be notable for some reason (home of a museum, cathedral or gravesite), or they can just sound cool. Research different regions. If a region is popular for wine, for instance, then there might be a relatively obscure vineyard that offers a nice peek into the areas's cultural and economic identity. Locales that are off the beaten path can be cheaper and more authentically European.

5. Make two copies of your passport. One will stay in your bag. One will stay on you.

Lodging and Entertainment

6. Stay in hostels and campgrounds only. They're cheaper. Campgrounds are usually only found outside of larger cities and are good for hitchhiking. Hostels are great because they offer a bit of a social life.

7. Go out with other backpackers. Most people staying at hostels are also backpacking. This makes for a good hodgepodge of internationals with whom to go galavanting around town.

8. Wear closed shoes when you go out. Many places in Europe, even dives, have rules about sandals and open toes. Tennis shoes usually are acceptable in most bars and restaurants, while clubs may enforce stricter requirements.

Sightseeing

9. Narrow your list of places you want to see in larger cities. To really take in a museum, it can require most or all of the day. Research points of interest in travel guides beforehand.

10. Relax. Europe is chock full of good stuff to see, and plenty of people pressure themselves to take it all in. Allow yourself time to relax and have meals. Wander the streets and take in the sights, sounds and feel of the place. Rushing from one tourist destination to another is no way to see a city. Take your time and let it sink in.

11. Use tour guides. If you do this online ahead of time, you're likely to get stuck in a large group. Show up at a venue early and find out what they offer. Try to book a private tour for later that day. You can then bypass the lines and get a personalized experience.

12. Look for ecotourism possibilities. Hiking in the Alps offers great vistas and cool, small-town experiences, but you often need a guide. Whitewater rafting is also popular in many places, Austria in particular. If you're there during the winter, look into skiing at local resorts and small slopes.

Traveling within Europe

13. When you arrive at a city or town, get a map of the place at the train station. Familiarize yourself with the terrain, the streets and distances from the city center. If it's early, spend time roaming the streets and determine which barrio might be ideal to stay in.

14. Get a train schedule when you arrive. Train stations should have a schedule available for the next few days. Departure times to certain destinations tend to be consistent day to day. Compare the available destinations with the list of your destinations. See if any align, or see if there's a nice stop offered somewhere in between.

15. In large cities, get a map of the metro or tube stations. This is typically the most convenient and cost effective way to navigate within a city. In smaller towns, you can usually walk across them in an hour or less.

16. Buy your train ticket the day before or the day you plan on leaving. They're not likely to sell out. Also, this allows you to stay longer in a place if you choose to do so.

17. Buy your plane ticket home three weeks in advance. By then, you should have a rough idea of where you can be and by when.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase special health insurance before you go. Your existing healthcare provider may have a travel plan. Travel and study-abroad associations also may offer temporary coverage.
• Make sandwiches to save money. Simple bread and peanut butter can be found anywhere.
• Travel with water and a snack. Getting stuck in train stations or the side of the road is extremely common.
• Don't book month-long rail passes. They are very expensive and not worth the cost. It's much cheaper to purchase a ticket at a train station.

[LaurenRomano]

on 2/11/2008 Great article! I always wanted to backpack through Europe but haven't had the opportunity to do so yet. I'm going to keep these in mind for when I do go.