Backpacking Across Europe: What to Know Before You Go

Backpacking across Europe is a rite of passage for travelers craving adventure, culture, and maybe a few too many hostel happy hours. It’s exciting, unpredictable, and—if you don’t plan right—potentially chaotic.

From train passes to packing light, navigating budget airlines to finding the best cheap eats, there’s a lot to consider before setting off with nothing but a backpack and a dream. Whether you’re a first-timer or looking to refine your travel game, here’s everything you need to know before you go.

1. Your Route: Plan, But Not Too Much

Europe is packed with bucket-list cities, but trying to see them all in one trip is a guaranteed way to burn out. Instead, focus on a region or a logical route that doesn’t involve crisscrossing the continent unnecessarily.

Classic Routes for First-Timers

Western Europe Highlights: Paris → Amsterdam → Berlin → Prague → Vienna → Rome
Mediterranean Dream: Barcelona → Nice → Florence → Rome → Athens → Santorini
The Balkans & Beyond: Budapest → Belgrade → Sarajevo → Dubrovnik → Kotor → Athens
Scandinavia & The North: Copenhagen → Stockholm → Oslo → Helsinki → Tallinn

Trains and budget airlines make it tempting to hop around, but don’t overdo it. Spending at least 3–4 days per city will make your trip feel less like a blur.

2. Packing: Less Is More (Seriously, Trust Me)

You’re backpacking, not moving. Overpacking is the biggest rookie mistake—lugging around a heavy bag across cobblestone streets and packed metro stations is not fun.

The Essentials

✔ A lightweight backpack (35-50L max)
✔ 3-4 outfits that mix & match
✔ Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be living in them)
✔ Packable rain jacket (Europe’s weather is unpredictable)
✔ Quick-dry towel & laundry soap (washing clothes saves space)
✔ Universal adapter (different countries = different plugs)

What to Skip

✖ Too many shoes (1-2 pairs max)
✖ Fancy outfits (unless you’re going to a wedding)
✖ Heavy books (e-books or audiobooks are your friend)

3. Getting Around: Trains, Buses, and Budget Airlines

Europe has some of the best public transportation in the world, but choosing between trains, buses, and cheap flights depends on your route and budget.

🚆 Trains: Ideal for Western Europe, scenic routes, and avoiding airports. Eurail passes can be great if you’re doing multiple long journeys, but sometimes individual tickets are cheaper—use sites like The Trainline or Omio to compare.

🚌 Buses: The cheapest way to travel long distances, especially in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. FlixBus and BlaBlaCar (ridesharing) are good options.

✈️ Budget Airlines: Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air have crazy-cheap flights—but watch for hidden fees. Carry-on bags must meet strict size limits, or you’ll pay more for luggage than the ticket itself.

🚇 Local Transport: Most cities have great metro, tram, and bus networks. Get a multi-day pass if you’re staying for a while.

4. Where to Stay: Hostels, Couchsurfing, or Budget Hotels?

Backpacking isn’t just about where you go—it’s about who you meet.

🏠 Hostels: Cheap, social, and (usually) clean. Look for ones with kitchens to save money on food. Check reviews on Hostelworld—anything under 8/10 is a gamble.

🤝 Couchsurfing: Stay with locals for free—great for cultural exchange, but always check reviews and stay safe.

🏨 Budget Hotels & Airbnbs: In some cities (like Eastern Europe), a budget hotel or Airbnb can be just as cheap as a hostel—worth checking for privacy.

🚨 Pro Tip: Book at least your first couple of nights in advance, especially in high season. After that, you can stay flexible.

5. Money Matters: Avoiding ATM Fees & Overspending

Europe uses multiple currencies—most of it runs on euros (€), but places like the UK (pound), Switzerland (franc), and Hungary (forint) have their own.

💳 The Best Way to Pay:

A travel-friendly debit/credit card with no foreign transaction fees (Revolut, Wise, or N26 are great for European travel).
Always pay in local currency instead of letting the machine convert—it’s a scam that costs you more.
Avoid airport currency exchange—ATMs offer better rates.

💰 Budgeting Tips:

Eat street food & supermarket meals—picnicking in a park is both cheaper and more enjoyable than overpriced tourist restaurants.
Free walking tours are a great way to explore (just tip your guide!).
Use student or youth discounts—many attractions have discounts if you're under 26.

6. Avoiding Common Backpacker Mistakes

🚫 Mistake #1: Trying to See Too Much Too Fast
Rushing through cities just to “check them off” leads to burnout. Pick fewer places and enjoy them fully.

🚫 Mistake #2: Not Researching Local Customs
Every country has quirks—don’t be that tourist who forgets to validate their train ticket in Italy or doesn’t tip properly in Spain.

🚫 Mistake #3: Ignoring Safety Precautions
Europe is safe, but pickpockets in places like Barcelona and Paris love distracted tourists. Keep an eye on your belongings.

🚫 Mistake #4: Booking the Cheapest Everything
That €5 flight? Probably lands in the middle of nowhere at 3 AM. That hostel with no reviews? Might not have hot water. Cheap is great, but read the fine print.

7. Why Backpacking Europe is Worth It

Sure, it takes planning. Yes, you’ll make mistakes. But nothing beats the freedom of waking up in a new city, meeting travelers from around the world, and experiencing Europe on your own terms.

The best part? Once you go, you’ll want to do it again—because there’s always another hidden café, another breathtaking view, and another train waiting to take you somewhere new.