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If you’re a bit adventurous and you have the physical stamina, consider taking a backpacking trip through Europe.
It may not be the easiest thing to carry your bags from place to place, but it can really give you a glimpse into everyday life in Europe. Before you take on that adventure, though, there are a few key things you should know about before taking the plunge.
How to properly pack
Since you’ll be lugging around your backpack all around Europe, you’ll want to make it as light as possible, but you’ll still need to pack the basics. Here’s a list of some must-have items:
• A sleeping bag (it should provide adequate warmth)
• A decent tent for one person
• A lightweight jacket in summer and a heavyweight jacket in winter
• Money belt (for all of your personals like tickets and ID)
• One towel
• Underwear and socks for four days
• 2 pairs of long pants and 2 pairs of shorts
• One pair of good hiking/walking boots
• A hat
• Basic toiletries (soap, toilet paper, shampoo, a bag of detergent)
• Pocketknife with a few accessories.
Formulate a basic itinerary
Though you may not want to be boxed into a specific itinerary, it does make sense to make a basic plan. Decide which countries you plan to visit for what period of time. And if you’re not sure of your return date, book an open airline ticket. That way you won’t be penalized if you need to change the date of the ticket at the last minute.
Budget for your trip
Even though you will be saving money by camping out at some places, you’ll still need to plan your budget accordingly. Budget some money for hostels in case you want a break from the outdoors and figure at least $30 per day for food. Other expenses include transportation, which would be a combination of trains and busses. One economical way to travel around Europe is through purchasing one of the passes such as Europass or Eurail Pass. Check their online sites for current prices and destinations. |
