A traveller's guide to backpacking across Europe

Are you planning a trip to Europe, as we speak? Well if you are, then we have some advice. Ditch the traditional way and go backpacking across the continent, instead? Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? We thought so, too.

So, we got Skyscanner, a leading travel search engine to bring you, our reader (and traveler) the absolutely must-know facts regarding backpacking across Europe.

Everything you need to know is in this article. We guarantee. Plus, we also have tips from seasoned travelers- Shivya Nath and Kedar Jaidev.

Hop on!


1. From dreaming to planning: where to START?

This is the most important part of the entire trip. The smartest thing to do is to start planning early. You need to do a lot of research to decide on the countries that you want to visit – from the travel documents that are required, and value-for-money deals for flights and hotels. The research will also help you determine the duration of your stay at each place which will give you a fair idea about your itinerary.

2. How not to go overboard and land up broke?

In addition to the flight and visa costs, you must fix a daily budget for yourself, which would include food, accommodation and travel costs, along with the budget for the entire trip. Maintain a daily diary/log of expenditure whilst travelling so that you are on track and don’t end up over-spending.

3. Europe is vast, where should you go?

Skyscanner recommends that you visit the Schengen Area in Europe, which covers 26 countries. This gives you the freedom to travel across the international borders of these countries with a single visa. However, keeping in mind that this is a backpack trip, some of the countries that we also recommend are Austria, Lithuania, Romania, Italy and the Czech Republic.

The avid traveler, Shivya also adds that for backpacking, one must plan to visit the countryside, instead of the main cities. You will enjoy a much more enjoyable trip eating local food, getting introduced to the local cultures and traditions, and also ensuring that it’s light on your pocket. Plus, you can always plan day trips to the main cities from the countryside.

4. What is the best time to visit?

June and July are the peak months for traveling in Europe, so we recommend a trip in the months of September to October so that you may enjoy the ideal weather.

5. What modes of transport to take while tripping?

Kedar says, “Public transport is all you need in Europe.” Most cities have a travel card facility that covers trains, buses, subways, etc. You may also rent a bike, where you get the first hour’s ride for free, and are then charged between 2 to 7 euros per hour. As per Shivya’s advice, it’s also a good idea to get an Eurail pass, because traveling by train is an awesome way of viewing the great European countryside. Most of Europe is a pleasure ground for walking, and that’s what we suggest you do in each city that you visit. Typically, local transport would cost you about 10-15 euros per day.

6. Where should you stay?

Europe offers a host of safe accommodations. Keeping in mind that we are suggesting a backpacking trip, hostels would be your best choice. These hostels provide all amenities like clean toilets, fresh bed sheets, towels, access to the kitchens, access to the Internet/Wi-Fi, as well as laundry services. They are budget-friendly, and most of them have a bar, which is a great place to meet fellow travellers. You might just have to put up with the noise, and the fact that you need to share toilets and washrooms. But, meeting with fellow backpackers can help you with valuable tips. Couch surfing is another good option to consider, where you stay at a local host’s place, and in return, you offer your own place back home to travellers. We recommend that you do your homework about the person you are staying with and read their reviews, if available.

7. What should I prioritize in my backpack?

It’s a backpack trip. So plan your essentials wisely. Because we have recommended you to travel during Autumn, you should carry about 6 to 7 pairs of comfortable clothes, shorts, t-shirts, sleepwear and adequate undergarments and socks. Kedar says that you should always carry a towel and a hand towel in your backpack at all times. Also recommended are essential toilet accessories, a torch with extra batteries, basic medicines and a simple first-aid kit. Shivya suggests that you do some research on the weather of the places you plan to visit, and pack accordingly. Make sure that you pack optimally, so that you don’t have a very heavy backpack on your shoulder. This will hinder walking and hiking options, if you are planning to.

7. The most essential Do’s and Don’ts.

Remember, you are visiting places that are native to the locals. So it makes sense for you to read up on the local cultures and traditions of the places you plan to visit. Treat the people the same way you would like to be treated by travelers in your country. Be polite at all times and avoid littering. Across Europe, the local tourism boards are very helpful with information; not only what’s available officially, but also from other travellers who hang around the tourism counters. Their inputs might lead you to have an unforgettable experience. A very significant aspect of this kind of travel is to pick up phrases in the local language, adds Shivya.

TIP: Save some of the local phrases in your phone. It could be very useful when you least expect it.

8. What is the preferred mode of carrying money in Europe?

We’d highly recommends that you get a travel card from your bank or an agency that facilitates this. Make sure that you get a card with a chip because almost all ATM’s and other ticket machines across Europe have switched over to “chip-only.” You should also carry an adequate amount of cash with you for miscellaneous expenses (no need to carry cash in bulk). Travelers' cheques are also a good option, but this will require you to go to a bank or an authorised agency to encash.

9. What modes of communication to use while traveling in Europe?

Kedar is of the opinion that you would rather be disconnected if you are traveling to the countryside, and wouldn’t want to connect with the outside world for some time; and we agree! However, families and friends do get worried if you don’t keep in touch. Shivya suggests that if you must communicate with worried parents back home, online communication is the most cost-effective. Most budget hotels provide free Wi-Fi, and if you plan to carry a mobile device, you can always send e-mails, or call them through Skype. Another option is to get a local SIM in Europe, which turns out to be economical as well.

Well, so what are you waiting for?

Go avail a few days of leave, buy a good backpack (if you haven’t done it already), pack your essentials, get your Schengen visa and book your flight ticket to Europe today! Bon voyage!

(This post was done in association with Skyscanner. All pictures are courtesy Skycanner.)