So, you’re dreaming of backpacking across Europe? Awesome! The allure of Europe lies in its effortless blend of history, art, and modern life, and backpacking offers an economical and flexible way to explore the continent’s magnificent landscapes and vibrant cities. Europe’s iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, breathtaking alpine landscapes, cobblestone streets, ancient ruins, and spirited cultures beckon to the adventurous spirit.
But backpacking across this diverse continent is easier said than done and requires careful planning and preparation. This guide is here to help. We’ll break down everything you need to know to embark on a successful and unforgettable journey, including information on visas, transportation, accommodation, and essential travel gear. If this is going to be your first backpacking trip, you can go through our comprehensive backpacking list. So grab your backpack, lace up your boots, and get ready to explore the wonders of Europe on a journey filled with discovery and excitement!
1. What Does It Mean to Backpack Through Europe?
The essence of backpacking lies in its distinctive approach to travel. This style emphasises travelling light, embracing spontaneity, and choosing budget-friendly accommodations and public transport not just to save money but to foster meaningful encounters and experience destinations from a local perspective. Here’s what makes it unique:
- Travelling Light. Embody the core philosophy of backpacking, where carefully selected essentials fit into a single pack. This minimalist approach ensures maximum mobility, allowing you to navigate crowded train stations, climb ancient castle steps, or spontaneously change destinations without being weighed down by excess luggage.
- Exploring Affordably. Indulge in authentic experiences through savvy accommodation and transportation choices. By choosing hostels over hotels, preparing meals from local markets, and utilising budget transit options, you can extend your journey significantly while gaining genuine insights into local life and culture.
- Embracing Adventure. Say yes to unexpected opportunities and step outside your comfort zone. It could be anything from accepting an invitation to a local festival, detouring towards a hidden village recommended by fellow travellers, or exploring destinations not in guidebooks. These spontaneous decisions often become the most cherished memories of your journey.
2. What to Bring Backpacking Through Europe
Preparing for a backpacking trip to Europe requires strategic planning and smart packing to ensure a comfortable and convenient journey. While the temptation to overpack may be strong, successful backpackers understand that mobility and versatility are paramount. The key is to select multi-purpose items that serve various needs and balance essential items with lightweight gear, allowing you to navigate challenging terrains and climates effortlessly. Having the right items can make all the difference.
Backpack Essentials
Successful backpacking hinges on thoughtful packing decisions to maintain a manageable pack weight. With carefully selected essential gear, you can ensure comfort and preparedness without sacrificing the freedom to move conveniently between destinations. Your primary companion, a well-fitted backpack ranging from 40 to 60 litres, should accommodate these crucial items:
- Clothing. You’ll be walking a great deal, so clothing choices should focus on versatility and practicality. Pack lightweight, quick-drying garments that can be layered and mixed to create different outfits suitable for various occasions. Essential footwear includes well-broken-in walking trainers for city exploration and hiking, sandals or flip-flops for casual wear and shared bathroom facilities. Include several pairs of socks, lightweight trousers, and weather-appropriate outerwear. A waterproof jacket and adaptable accessories like scarves or light jumpers prove invaluable across Europe’s varied climate zones. Choose fabrics that resist wrinkles and dry quickly after washing.
- Travel Documents. Travel documents require careful organisation and multiple backup options. Keep your passport, visa documentation, and travel insurance papers in a water-resistant holder, securely storing digital copies in cloud storage and physical copies separate from originals. Create a document checklist before departure and maintain a small folder with essential contact information, including embassy details and emergency numbers. A money belt or hidden pouch offers security for important documents and emergency funds.
- Electronics. Electronics need to balance necessity with practicality. A universal power adaptor with USB ports, a portable power bank, and a smartphone loaded with essential travel apps form your tech foundation. Download offline maps, translation tools, and accommodation booking platforms before departure to ensure connectivity isn’t a barrier to navigation.
- Toiletries. Toiletries should be compact and travel-friendly to maximise space. Consider solid shampoo bars, multi-purpose soap, and concentrated toiletries that comply with flight restrictions. Pack items in leak-proof containers and include basic first-aid supplies for minor emergencies.
Other essentials focus on comfort and security during your journey. A sturdy combination lock secures your belongings in hostels while packing cubes help organise your backpack efficiently. A quick-dry, lightweight microfibre towel saves space and dries rapidly. A reusable water bottle helps reduce expenses and environmental impact while keeping you hydrated during long days of exploration.
Pro Tip: Leave room in your backpack for souvenirs and extra items you might pick up along the trip!
3. How to Backpack Around Europe
Backpacking around Europe is an exciting way to explore the continent’s rich history, landmarks, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes. With careful planning of routes and understanding various transport modes, you can create an itinerary that balances efficiency with exploration.
Getting Around
Europe’s comprehensive travel infrastructure offers multiple options for inter-city travel and makes even the most ambitious routes achievable. The continent’s sophisticated public transport network of trains, buses, and budget airlines offers backpackers unprecedented flexibility in crafting their perfect journey.
- Trains. The extensive railway system represents one of the most efficient ways to traverse the continent, offering scenic journeys and convenient city-centre arrivals. The Eurail Pass system provides flexible, cost-effective options for multi-country exploration. High-speed trains connect major capitals while regional trains access charming countryside destinations. Consider booking sleeper carriages for overnight journeys to maximise your time and save on accommodation costs.
- Buses. Coach services present an economical alternative for budget-conscious travellers, with companies like FlixBus offering extensive routes across the continent. Modern coaches typically feature Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and convenient pickup points, making them ideal for shorter journeys between neighbouring countries or regions.
- Budget Airlines. Low-cost carriers provide quick connections between major cities and significantly reduce travel time for longer distances, especially when crossing from Western to Eastern Europe. However, watch for luggage restrictions and additional costs such as airport transfers and baggage fees. Carefully check departure airports, as many budget airlines operate from secondary terminals further from city centres.
Public transport and walking tours provide the most immersive way to explore individual cities like Amsterdam, Prague, and Florence. Many European urban centres feature pedestrian-friendly historic districts, efficient metro systems, rideshare options like BlaBlaCar and bike-sharing schemes that allow you to experience the destination like a local.
Planning Your Route
Balance your itinerary between iconic destinations and lesser-known localities to experience Europe’s full spectrum. While Paris, Rome, and Barcelona offer unmissable cultural landmarks, smaller cities like Bruges, Porto, and Salzburg reveal authentic local traditions and fewer tourist crowds.
Consider your travel goals and available time when choosing between regional exploration and multi-country adventures. A focused regional approach allows for deeper cultural immersion, reduces transit time and costs, and lets you discover hidden gems often missed by tourists rushing between major cities. For example, combining Southern European destinations allows you to follow historical threads and cultural connections while minimising long-distance travel costs.
Alternatively, covering multiple countries offers a greater diversity of experiences and the thrill of contrasting cultures. While this approach requires more planning and travel time, it can be immensely fulfilling—experiencing the transition from a Mediterranean lifestyle to Nordic efficiency. Consider practical factors like seasonal weather patterns, regional festivals or events, and whether you prefer the depth of experience over the breadth of exposure. History enthusiasts might prefer focusing on a single region rich in historical sites; first-time visitors might benefit from experiencing Europe’s diverse cultures through a carefully planned multi-country route.
Utilise travel apps and online platforms like Hostelworld to secure accommodation that aligns with your route. Book hostels or guesthouses near famous attractions, transport hubs or city centres to maximise exploration time and leverage traveller networks to gather valuable insights about your chosen destinations.
4. Best Backpack to Travel Europe
Selecting a quality backpack is crucial for comfort and convenience during your travels. Aim for a lightweight yet durable pack with ample space for essentials but not so large that it becomes cumbersome. A good rule of thumb is to keep your pack’s weight under 10% of your body weight.
The right backpack can make or break your trip. Here’s what to look for:
- Size and Capacity. Impact your mobility and comfort during the trip. A 40-60L backpack provides ample space for essential gear while remaining compact enough to stow in overhead compartments and hostel lockers. This size range allows you to pack efficiently for various seasons without overloading unnecessary items.
- Fit and Comfort. Features determine how well you’ll manage long walks between stations or through historic city centres. Look for packs with padded hip belts to distribute weight effectively, adjustable shoulder straps for custom positioning, and ventilated back panels to reduce perspiration during summer travels. The backpack should sit comfortably on your frame without causing strain or limiting movement.
- Compartments. Enhance organisation and accessibility during your travels. A well-designed pack includes a main compartment for clothing, a separate laptop sleeve, quick-access pockets for travel documents, and external attachment points for items like water bottles or travel pillows. Strategic compartmentalisation helps maintain order and allows you to retrieve essential items quickly without unpacking everything.
- Accessibility. Through front-loading designs dramatically improve the practical aspects of backpack living. Unlike traditional top-loading packs, front-loading systems allow you to access items from multiple angles, similar to a suitcase. This feature proves invaluable when retrieving items from the bottom of your pack in crowded hostels or busy train stations.
- Durability. Ensures your pack withstands the rigours of extended travel across various environments. Invest in water-resistant materials with reinforced stitching at stress points, robust zippers that won’t fail mid-journey, and abrasion-resistant fabrics that can handle being dragged across cobblestones or stuffed into luggage racks. Quality construction pays dividends in reliability and longevity throughout your adventures.
Pro Tip: Test your backpack before the trip by packing it and walking around to ensure it’s comfortable.
5. Tips for Making Your Backpacking Trip Unforgettable
Stay in Hostels. Hostels offer more than just budget-friendly accommodation—they’re social hubs where people form lasting friendships and exchange travel tips. Modern hostels often feature well-equipped communal kitchens, comfortable social spaces, and organised activities that facilitate natural connections between fellow adventurers. First-time backpackers and solo female travellers can take advantage of common areas and group events to share experiences and gather recommendations from others who’ve explored your upcoming destinations.
Be Spontaneous. Spontaneity adds an element of excitement and discovery to your journey that no guidebook can replicate. While having a basic structure is necessary, leave gaps in your schedule for unexpected opportunities, whether joining newfound friends for a local festival or following a resident’s recommendation to a hidden viewpoint. Some of your most cherished memories will likely come from unplanned detours and serendipitous encounters.
Stay connected. Travel apps like Hostelworld allow you to stay connected, enhancing your journey without diminishing its authenticity. Beyond booking accommodation, use technology to discover local events, navigate public transport, and perhaps connect with other travellers heading to your next destination. Digital tools can help you find everything from secret beaches to underground art shows that might otherwise remain undiscovered.
Learn local customs. Learning local customs and basic phrases demonstrates respect for your host culture and often leads to more meaningful interactions, especially if you are travelling solo for the first time. Remember essential greetings, please-and-thank-you expressions, and basic numbers in each country’s language. Understanding cultural norms about dining etiquette, appropriate dress, and social interactions helps you navigate daily situations more gracefully, often resulting in warmer welcomes from locals.
Conclusion
A backpacking trip through Europe promises unforgettable experiences filled with adventure and discovery. Carefully planning your itinerary, budgeting wisely, packing efficiently, and embracing local customs will help you create lasting memories while exploring this vibrant continent.
As you navigate Europe’s diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes, remember to stay flexible and open to new experiences. Embrace the spontaneity of travel, and let the spirit of exploration guide you. Make your European backpacking trip an unforgettable journey that leaves you with stories to tell and a deeper appreciation for the world around you.
Ready to hit the road? Start your adventure by downloading Hostelworld to find top-rated hostels, meet fellow travellers, and plan your perfect backpacking trip to Europe. Safe travels and happy adventuring!