Backpacking Trips in Europe: A Beginner’s Guide

A popular reason travelers take advantage of airline prices to Europe is backpacking. These high energy and explorative trips offer what you don’t find in travel brochures -- the back country of Europe. If you are thinking of searching flight deals for your own European backpacking trip, consult our beginner’s guide to get the most out of your European experience.

Set a Budget
You have done your homework and found Europe cheap flights, but now is the time to set a budget for the overall trip. Don’t include the one-time purchase for your gear, but consider a daily allowance for souvenirs, hotels, a night out, etc. Consider the exchange rate for Europe as well, depending on the area you are planning to travel to. $40 is a realistic budget daily, but some areas, like London, will require more like $55 per day USD.

Set Your Destinations
Look for last minute flight deals to Europe, but make sure to set one or two destinations for the overall backpacking trip. Europe has so many lush mountains, hillsides and countrysides to see, that you will have more than enough to do in just one area. London is one of the more expensive areas to plan a backpacking trip, but has more excitement, especially for nightlife. Germany has the excitement of nightlife, but a cheaper rate than staying in London. Amsterdam is packed full of people and often a popular place for backpackers to stay overnight; therefore, expect to pay a little extra.

Transportation
You have booked your Europe flight deals, but now is the time to plan your transportation around. Sure you are going to backpack, but that is not the only means of transportation you will use while you are out there. Some travel agencies offer discount travel options for travelers looking to backpack, but don’t be fooled. You can often find cheaper transportation when you arrive at your destination rather than planning ahead of time.

Consider renting bikes for part of the trip. Bike rentals are fairly cheap and mountain bikes are available if you plan to go off trails and roadways. Consider taking busses or even horse rides to your destinations. If you are looking at two separate backpacking locations, purchase rail passes for the train while purchasing your flight deals to maximize the savings.

Lodging
Hotel rates are cheap, but when you are backpacking you only need a place to rest your body and mind before picking up and going again. Therefore, stay at a hostel instead. Hostels are meant for overnight stays and the majority of European backpackers make a point to stay in them for a reason. Cheap rates can be paired with the Europe cheap flights to literally make your European vacation cost you less than $50 per day.