Disappointing photos show what it's really like to backpack across Europe

Joey HaddenMar 24, 2023, 16:13 IST

Insider's reporter expected an Instagram-like backpacking adventure in Europe (L), but the reality was much less glamorous (R).Halfpoint Images/Getty Images, Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently spent two weeks backpacking through Europe for the first time.
I found that it wasn't the glamorous, romantic adventure that it often looks like on Instagram.

In 2022, I tried backpacking for the first time.

The author prepares to board a train in Europe.Joey Hadden/Insider

Unfortunately, I found that backpacking through Europe wasn't as romantic or glamorous as it often seems through photos on my Instagram feed.

A woman backpacks in Northern Italy.Mathieu Young/Getty Images

First, I found that my biggest backpack couldn't squeeze in all the clothes I wanted to bring.

Everything the author packed for her two-week trip to Europe.Joey Hadden/Insider

Because I could only bring a few garments, I had to do laundry at nearly every accommodation.

The authors laundry in Germany (left), Austria (top), and Italy (bottom).Joey Hadden/Insider

Coming home to tiny Airbnbs with wet clothes everywhere stressed me out after a day of exploring.

Staying in small, cluttered spaces made the author feel stressed in Austria (L) and Germany (R).Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought a sleeper train would be a smart way to arrive in new cities and maximize my time, but these shared cabins felt cramped and uncomfortable.

The author rides a Nightjet sleeper train in Europe.Joey Hadden/Insider

I was also surprised by the lack of privacy inside the shared bunk cabin on the train.

The author's shared sleeper cabin on an overnight train from Austria to Italy.Joey Hadden/Insider

But I thought my experience was even worse on the other overnight train I took where I booked a regular seat and didn't sleep at all.

The author felt restless on an overnight train from Germany to Austria.Joey Hadden/Insider

I often arrived in each country feeling exhausted from lack of sleep, which made it harder to enjoy my time in each place.

The author arrived in Vienna feeling exhausted.Joey Hadden/Insider

In fact, a lot of my trip was more physically draining than I anticipated because carrying my backpack each day made my body sore.

The author sores her back from carrying her bag.Joey Hadden/Insider

Large crowds made having a backpack even harder. I thought traveling in October — the end of shoulder season — would help me avoid this, but I was wrong.

Narrow alleys were filled with people in Europe, according to the author.Joey Hadden/Insider

While it wasn't a picture-perfect adventure, backpacking through Europe made me realize that you can't plan out every second, and maybe that's a good thing.

The author backpacks in Europe.Joey Hadden/Insider

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