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A detailed guide to planning and booking a trip around Europe, whether youâre travelling solo, in a couple or with a friend!
Europe is a continent that you could travelto hundreds of times, yet still, find something new to discover. Diverse and culturally rich, Europe is just the gift that keeps on givinâ.
Backpacking Europe is for anyone and everyone.
As someone who has visited Europe more times than I can count, I can guide you through the necessary steps to make your dream backpacking trip become a reality.
Planning a successful backpacking Europe trip will take a bit of time, dedication, and research, but it will all be totally worth it!
But first and foremost, Iâll let you in on a secret. If youâre backpacking Europe for the first time, the best way is get around is by interrailing. I speak about this more in my post later, but you can view some of my other posts below. Bookmark them for later!
đ Want to buy an interrailing pass for travelling Europe? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
- Interrailing Spain: Travel Spain By Train
- Best Hostel In Copenhagen: Steel House Review
- Interrailing Routes 3 Weeks: FOUR Routes Youâll Love!
- Interrailing Italy: Ultimate Guide and Route
- 21 Interrail Tips for First-Timers: Interrailing Europe
- What To Pack Interrailing Europe: Packing List Essentials
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Backpacking Europe: A Step-By-Step Guide
Contents
Planning a successful Europe trip
Europe lies solely in the Northern Hemisphere and is the worldâs sixth-biggest continent. It crazily only contains 7% of the worldâs land. Hard to believe when you think of all of the diverse countries it includes!
Whilst backpacking Europe, you have 50 unique countries to choose from.
A trip to Russia, the biggest in the continent situated in the North, is completely different to a visit to the smallest country on Earth; The Vatican City, which is actually located in the centre of Rome, Italy.
Whilst planning a backpacking Europe trip, there are some big factors that need to be considered.
For example, the weather! The weather within the continent can be completely different from one country to the next. For example, the UK has an average temperate of 14°C, whereas Turkey tends to linger in the high 20s more often than not.
Even visually, a country like Turkey is going to be an entirely different trip to a visit to the Scottish Highlands. Thatâs why knowing how to plan a Europe trip successfully is so important.
This post is a one-stop tour of all the important aspects to consider when backpacking Europe. Whether youâre riding solo, with a partner, friend, kids or Nan (I mean, I wish I was travelling with my nan), Iâve got you covered.
When using this post to plan your Europe trip, feel free to post any questions in the comment box, or contact me directly on social media! Iâm here to help you live out your Europe dreams without the stress đĽ°
đ Want to buy an interrailing pass for travelling Europe? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
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Step 1: Get together the right travel documents!
Letâs start out with some all-important boring stuff. Travel documents and admin for travelling Europe!
How does Brexit affect travelling around Europe?
If youâre backpacking Europe from the UK, itâs pretty simple on the visa front, even with the new Brexit changes.
Even after Brexit, we are able to travel freely around Europe, as long as it is for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180 day period).
So a weekend in Italy could be followed up by a fortnightâs stay in France. This would all be covered in your 90-day stay limit.
When planning a bigger backpacking trip around Europe, this is something to bear in mind. How long are you going for? Is your visa going to allow this?
If you are looking to stay for a longer amount of time, you will need to apply for an extended visa. This includes staying for tourism, work, or study.
This may change in the future. Please always check the latest Government advice.
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Is my European Health Insurance card (EHIC) still valid?
Yes. If your EHIC was issued before the end of 2020, your card is valid until the expiry date on the front of your card.
After this, the government has said they will issue a different type of card for emergency medical care. There is no confirmation of this and no details have been released.
It is advised that you buy medical insurance before travelling (anywhere), especially if you have a pre-existing health condition.
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Is my UK driving license accepted across Europe?
Yes.
Remember to take your driving licence with you, as well as your logbook (V5C) and valid insurance documents if you are taking a car that you own. You donât want to be caught short!
If you are taking your own car, you will need to contact your insurer around 6 weeks before travel to get a âgreen cardâ to prove your insurance is in date and in use.
Anyone over the age of 19 can hire a car in most places throughout Europe. There are a few countries (like the Netherlands, Hungary and Greece) where you will need to be 21+.
Without a doubt, the best way to backpack Europe is by interrailing. This is travelling Europe by train, and this blog is full of information to help you plan an epic interrailing trip!
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Iâm arriving from outside of Europe, what documents do I need?
First of all, the no-brainer of a passport. Make sure it has 6 months left before its expiry date and youâre sorted (if not, get that ticket to freedom renewed).
If youâre from America, Canada or Australia (and most other major countries), you will not need a visa for short stay trips. This is similar to UK travellers; where youâre allowed a trip of up to 90 days.
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Step 2: Get a rough idea of where you want to go whilst backpacking Europe
Now, when you are ready to plan your backpacking Europe trip, you do not need to make a definitive list of destinations (unless you know a lot about Europe already).
However, itâs good to have some idea of what you want to see and where you want to go on your trip!
Like; are you a beach person and want to hit up the European coastlines? Or would you rather the history and culture of an old city, like London or Paris? You donât have to decide now, but most people know without a lot of thought what theyâre into.
GOOD TO KNOW: Europe is split into Eastern, Northern, Central and Western sections (which is actually quite rarely referred to).
As you know, Europe is a pretty big continent and each country is extremely different from the next.
Therefore, for practical reasons, you might want to focus on one section to keep your journey between each European country shorter.
Check out my interrailing posts if youâre serious about backpacking Europe!
đ Want to buy an interrailing pass for travelling Europe? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
Which part of Europe is best to travel?
- Eastern Europe â Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine and most of Russia
- Western Europe â Belgium, France, Luxemburg, Ireland, Monaco, the UK, Netherlands
- Central Europe â Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Liechtenstein the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland
- Northern Europe â Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden
(FYI â these sections literally change depending on which site you look at. They provide a rough guide if your European geography is a bit pants.)
When I travelled across Europe interrailing, I did cross quite a few sections, so it is possible! Especially if you have an Interrail pass. The trains are super well connected and you can get to most countries in Europe easily (but more on that later).
Donât worry if you have zero ideas about whatâs in each country or why you might want to visit. So many European countries will surprise you with their beauty, especially the least expected ones!
Iâd strongly advise researching different countries in Europe (even ones you havenât heard of!) before planning your route; just to see what else is out there!
I have detailed posts on interrailing Spain, France and Italy. Make sure you read them before you go!
Need more information about interrailing? I have a whole section on the blog about travelling Europe by train. Check out the most popular blog posts here!
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Step 3: Think about your duration:places ratio
Now, I am a big advocate of taking things slow when travelling, especially when backpacking Europe. I made the mistake of planning hundreds (well, nearly) countries into a 2-week trip and ended up burnt out, exhausted, and if Iâm honest, a trip that could have been better if Iâd not planned as much.
If you cram too many places into a short amount of time, it just wonât be worth it.
My advice to backpackers would be to plan to visit fewer European countries and give yourself more time to explore each one.
This also works in your favour when you meet new people and want to tag along with them to a crazy beer festival or realise youâre in a city with the worldâs oldest pizza restaurant and have an extra few days to visit.
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How long should you spend in each European destination?
Here are my recommendations for travelling to European countries and cities.
- Major Cities: 2-3 nights minimum
- Small towns/coasts: 2-4 nights minimum, unless you are likely to spend a lot of time on the beach
- Hiking/Camping: 2 nights +, especially if you are planning on a lot of activity during the day. Having to pack up and be ready to leave the next morning can add extra pressure to your (already) strenuous activity.
Of course, these guidelines are adaptable and personal. If you are on a tough time restriction, just plan less. Plan to go to fewer places in Europe, plan to see or do less, otherwise, you will end up frazzled and end up falling asleep halfway through your strawberry gelato.
I know some of you might be saying âbut I want to see everything!â and I get that.If youâre absolutely set on stretching yourself thin and doing a non-stop whirlwind tour of a country in a couple of days; go for it. Maybe plan a few days off work when you return to recover (and be prepared to have to whizz through some of your plans because of how much you have organised).
I have detailed posts on interrailing Spain, Switzerland, France and Italy. Make sure you read them before you go!
Step 4: Decide on HOW youâre backpacking Europe
Youâre in luck here; as backpacking Europe is one of the easiest continents to travel around (and comfortably!). There are quite a few options to choose from, from budget to luxury options.
Youâll find whilst backpacking Europe that most countries will have their own transport systems that have basic hygiene and comfort levels. Iâve been on a few rickety trains through Eastern Europe, and even they were nothing like the rickety-ness of Southeast Asia (if youâve been to Thailand, youâll know what I mean).
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Train (Interrailing Pass) around Europe
One of the most popular ways to get around Europe is via train. This is due to the easy âInterrailâ system. Buying this pass will allow you to travel freely around most countries in Europe, on modern and comfortable trains.
There are different types of interrail passes, such as;
- Global Pass (2nd Class) â this allows you to visit the entire continent on one ticket. Prices start around ÂŁ150 for 4 days, up to the 90 day mark for around ÂŁ500.
In regards to the class, 2nd isnât hugely different to 1st and definitely better for those on a budget.
The Global Pass lets you travel in these 33 countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.
- One country pass: If youâre more of a thorough traveller and want to take your time, this one is perfect for a one-country trip. Prices do vary depending on the country youâre wanting to visit, so check out the Interrail Site before purchasing.
đ Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
Still unsure about the interrailing pass? Iâve written a detailed post on why itâs so wonderful here.
Bus around Europe
- Megabus: I love this option. I love Megabus! Although I am a bit weird and love long coach journeys (I just love the chill and snacks, okay?!)
Megabus is a super cheap way to travel to some parts of Europe. So if youâre hitting up the UK, Brussels, Paris or Amsterdam, Google Megabus and find some cheap-as-chips bus tickets to travel the entire length of your chosen country. Seriously, some journeys can be as cheap as ÂŁ3!
If youâre backpacking in England, trains are going to be your last option due to the incredible amount of ÂŁÂŁÂŁ they cost. A ÂŁ5 Megabus journey may cost ÂŁ50+ on a train. Take it from me, I wouldnât get a train in England unless I really, really needed to!
- Busabout/FlixBus: These are essentially the Megabus, but spread further across Europe. Just check out your destination and what bus service the country uses.
Most of the buses have free Wifi, toilets onboard and are pretty comfy.
Busabout also sells hop on/hop-off tickets for a set price. If youâre planning on taking multiple trips in a short amount of time and want some activities thrown in, it might be worth looking into.
Prices start at around ÂŁ250 for a 2-week pass.
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Flying around Europe
Europe definitely isnât the cheapest continent to fly around, but if youâre lucky and travelling out of school term time, you may get some budget deals.
Have a look at Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, Flybe, Norweigan Air and Wizz Air for the cheapest deals (even though they add about 6 grand on for luggage. Sometimes I think they donât actually work out that cheap *rolls eyes emoji*).
My go-to for booking flights is Google Flights and Momondo. I find they tend to be the cheapest.
Whenever I have travelled through Europe, I have completely mix-matched my modes of transport. Iâve flown, drove, train-ed and bus-ed. It really is all down to where youâre travelling to (for example, if youâre in Ibiza itâs going to be pretty impossible to get on a bus to Italy).
Step 6: What time of year is best to visit Europe?
Europe is situated in the Northern Hemisphere of the world, so the seasons pretty much look like this;
- Winter: December â February
- Spring: March â May
- Summer: June â August
- Autumn: September â November
The temperatures do vary from country to country, but itâs a good guide to have for when youâre planning your trip.
âď¸ Spain, Portugal and Greece generally have good weather all year round. Although, they do have times where it can be quite brisk and windy, especially over the winter time.
âď¸ If youâre planning on hitting the slopes, January â February tends to be quieter than the peak season in March. For further info, check out On The Snow to compare each countryâs weather for the best skiing time.
Wherever youâre going, check out the weather first before you start packing.
You really donât want to be left in your flip-flops when thereâs a monsoon going on overhead. Been there, done that. It isnât great.
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Step 7: What to Pack for a Europe trip
Packing can seem like an unbearable task; especially before youâve started. I find the best way to get the job done quickly and efficiently is to make a list (or if youâre my boyfriend, pack 5 plain t-shirts and a pair of shorts).
You can check out my detailed interrailing packing list here.
If youâre travelling to a snowy part of Europe (like Finland or Norway) I have an extensive Arctic Circle packing list here!
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Step 8: Deciding on a budget and saving money whilst travelling Europe
Now weâre down to the nitty-gritty. How much money do you save to take when backpacking Europe?
The answer? It depends. (Sorry).The question you need to ask yourself really is, HOW do you want to travel Europe?
On a tight budget? In luxury? A mix of both? Hostels? Airbnbs? Signing up for every activity known to man in the entire continent?
I know when I travel, Iâm a mix of cheap and âdo I really need to go on that 8th wine tour?â type of spender. I hate missing out on anything, so my priority is usually activities over accommodation.
On my travels, I have met so many people who are the same as me. Dorm rooms, shared bathrooms, messy kitchens â no problem if Iâm able to scuba dive the Meditteranean.
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Budgeting for a Europe backpacking trip
The first time I travelled Thailand in 2015, I jetted off for a month in August and spent ÂŁ1000. Total.
The following year, I spent a month travelling Europe. Total price: ÂŁ3500.
Exact same time of year, exact same amount of time. Just a whooooole lot more money.
My trip around Europe was anything but luxury. We did have a few private rooms and Airbnbs but they were pretty standard.
But, we didnât scrimp on the activities. We did everything, every excursion, nice meal out, we partied, drank (alcohol probably was 50% of my budgetâŚmaybe) and we really pushed the boat out when it came to enjoying ourselves.
Could we have travelled around Europe for less? Probably. I made some rookie mistakes and it was one of my first backpacking trips, so donât let it put you off.
But, I do think, especially for newbie travellers, it is important to highlight how expensive travelling can be. Especially if you really want to enjoy every moment and live your trip to its fullest.
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Step 9: Choosing accommodation whilst backpacking Europe
This is the part where I should probably say to get the cheapest room possible and rough it out whilst backpacking Europe, but I wonât tell you to do that.
Instead, Iâm going to speak from personal experience here. I have stayed in all types of accommodation (and I really mean, all types).
If youâre starting out, travelling solo or with a friend, Iâd strongly recommend a shared room throughout Europe.
Donât always look for the cheapest â look for the most popular. Highest reviews, shares on social media, tagged photos etc.
If youâre anything like me when travelling (a severe social butterfly), you want to be where everyone is at. Is there anything worse than hostel FOMO?
Do your Europe hostel research. The best kind is speaking to someone else whoâs been there before and knows the lowdown on the best spots in town to make hundreds of like-minded pals. (Ahem, shameless plug to myself).
If sharing a room isnât your thing, I have also been a more âprivate spaceâ traveller. The first month I backpacked through SE Asia, my best friend and I were huge fans of private rooms (still in a hostel though, not that loaded).
Yes, you do get the privacy and luxury of your own bathroom, but we met about 90% less people and drank about 90% less alcohol because of being so isolated from others.
Iâd recommend private rooms if you are a couple, or need a bit of a âdetoxâ from the 20-man dorm room, but shared dorms will always be my go-to for solo travelling.
CHECK OUT THE BEST HOSTELS IN EUROPE HERE!
Best hostels whilst interrailing Europe
One of my best interrail tips is to at leastbook yourfirst hostel in advance.During the summer months,hostels in Europe will be fully booked.It will be tough finding a good hostel last minute.
UseHostelworld to pre-book any hostels. They have excellent cancellation policies and you can usuallyget your money back right up until 24 hours before staying, so if you have any last-minute changes, you have that flexibility.
Whilst I canât list every single hostel in Europe, these are some of the best, well-known hostels to stay in whilst interrailing.Simply click the link to check prices and availability!
- đŤđˇParis:Generator ParisorThe People
- đđşBudapest:Maverick City Lodge
- đłđąAmsterdam:Ecomama
- đŠđŞBerlin:The Circus Hostel
- đľđšLisbon:Home Lisbon
- đŚđšVienna:Hostel Ruthensteiner
- đŞđ¸Madrid:Sungate One
- đŽđŞDublin:Gardiner House
âĄCheck outother European hostels here.
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Step 10: Should I buy an Interrailing Pass to travel Europe?
Yes!
Using an interrailing pass is definitely the easiest way to travel Europe.
Your interrailing pass covers all of your travel, and all of the timetables and routes are online for you to easily access.
The interrailing pass will save you money, as some single trips between destinations can cost between 50 â 100 EUR. If you buy the Interrailing Pass at the start of your trip, you wonât have to spend any more money on travel (unless you wanted to use a ferry or another mode of transport).
Also, if you book individually with local trains, youâre not going to be able to spontaneously change your plans or get any refunds if things go wrong.
If youâre still worried, sit and do the maths and work out whether the pass is right for you or not. Personally, I love the flexibility of the pass and being able to chop and change right up until the last minute.
đ Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
Still unsure? Check out my Is the Interrail Pass Worth it? An Honest Review and decide for yourself!
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Backpacking Europe: When You Arrive
Yay! If youâve made it this far in the post, so you must be pretty serious about your trip across Europe. How exciting!
Ok â do this. Close your eyes.
Seriously do it.
Well, maybe read the next bit first and then close your eyes or you wonât actually have a clue whatâs going on. (Iâm just trying something here).
When you envision your beautiful future in Europe, living out your dreams, what do you picture yourself doing?
- Drinking champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower?
- Skiing the slopes of the Alps?
- Hiking through the forest in Scandinavia?
- Eating tapas in Barcelona?
- Sunbathing on the beaches of Santorini?
- Watching the sunrise on a boat in Croatia?
Ok, Iâll stop. Iâm close to booking another trip to Europe here myself.
Anyway, my point here is â if youâre planning a backpacking trip around Europe, do it the way you want to do it. Drink that champagne, eat that bowl of pasta, hike that forestâŚyou get what I mean.
Donât miss out on an adventure of a lifetime and regret not doing something for years to come.
Skip buying the dress for your night out in your hometown and save that ÂŁ50 for a wine tour in Paris. I promise, itâs worth it.
What to see and do in each country really needs research per destination.
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Backpacking Europe FAQs
Is it easy to backpack through Europe?
Backpacking Europe is easy if you have done the right planning and have enough money to keep you going. Europe isnât the cheapest of continents, but it is known for its fast transport systems and comfort.
The problem with Europe (or pro, depending on how youâre looking at it) is that itâs so diverse. You can spend weeks backpacking Europe and still feel like you didnât see half of it. This can be something difficult to wrap your head around, but it just means youâll need to plan return trips!
Technically speaking, it is easy to backpack Europe due to modern transport systems, clean and modern hostels, clear and direct signposts and easy driving on roads.
Is it expensive to backpack through Europe?
This really depends on how you want to backpack Europe. However, even backpacker hostels will set you back around ÂŁ20-30 per night (whereas SE Asia can be as low as ÂŁ4-5 per night).
It is one of the most expensive continents to travel, but with good planning and savvy spending, you can keep costs to a minimum.
Is backpacking Europe safe?
Like travelling anywhere, travelling Europe has its risks and reasons for you to be vigilant. On a whole, backpacking Europe is safe, and even as a solo female, I have never felt âunsafeâ anywhere in Europe.
Of course, keep your guard up, donât walk in quiet places alone at night, and use your common sense when it comes to staying safe. But overall, Europe is a safe place to travel.
How long should you backpack Europe?
This all depends on your budget and what you want to see during your trip.
If you want to see a fair amount of the continent, youâre going to want to plan for at least 4 weeks. When staying in European cities, youâll want at least 1-2 nights, and locations out in the countryside or in the mountain ranges, you might want extra time to explore a bit more.
Think about whatâs important to you, and how well feasible it would be for you to slow travel Europe.
đ Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
How much should I budget for a month in Europe?
Excluding flights, I would recommend budgeting at least ÂŁ1500+ for a month travelling Europe.
This includes all accommodations, trips, activities and food. Food alone will set you back a fair bit on your trip, and you donât want to miss out on bucket list experiences by not having enough money.
Spend some more time saving so you can experience Europe to its fullest.
How do I prepare for backpacking Europe?
- Check your passport is in date, and you have all the relevant travel documents.
- Buy your backpack. My favourite is this Osprey wheeled 65L, because you can roll it when youâre feeling tired!
- Make a packing list. I have a backpacking essential list here!
- Book your flights and look up how you will travel from the airport to your first hostel or hotel.
- Use Pinterest, travel blogs and Instagram to find places you really want to visit.
- Decide on whether or not you want an Interrailing Pass.
- Pack your bag and GO! Donât think any more about it, just prepare yourself for a European trip of a lifetime.
Backpacking Europe: In a Nutshell
Now, you truly are all set to book that incroyable trip around Europe!
There is a lot of information here and it may be quite overwhelming, so save or share this post to come back to it later.
But GO YOU for getting this far in a 5000-word post. You must really want that dreamy Europe trip.
And guess what? You deserve it!
đ Do you have something to share about planning a trip around Europe? Want to add something to the post? Comment below!
Happy travelling!
Jennie đ x
PSSST, Iâm a bit of an expert when it comes to interrailing Europe. Check out my posts here:
- Best Backpack For Interrailing: Ultimate Europe Backpack Guide
- Interrailing Routes 3 Weeks: FOUR Routes Youâll Love!
- Best Time To Go Interrailing (Europe) Guide: MUST-READ!
- Interrailing Italy: Ultimate Guide and Route
- 21 Interrail Tips for First-Timers: Interrailing Europe
- Interrailing Spain: ULTIMATE Guide to Travelling Spain By Train
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Jennie
TRAVEL BLOGGER
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).