How To Backpack Through Europe | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

How To Backpack Through Europe

Tips for planning the trip of a lifetime.

20
How To Backpack Through Europe
www.blondechicktravels.com

I have always been someone who was interested in traveling. When I was younger just going to the airport made me excited because it meant that I was probably going to a new place that I could explore and learn about. I grew up watching "The Amazing Race" and watching the Travel Channel, thinking “one day I’m going to do that." I have even picked a career path that will hopefully involve a lot of travel in the future.

Recently, I was talking to one of my good friends and she told me that she read my article about Abby Clayden and her experience traveling and staying in hostels. She told me that was something she had always wanted to do, and as we talked more about it that sparked our plan: we’re going to backpack through Europe together. While it has been romanticized in TV shows and movies, we are both practical thinkers and immediately thought “well how are we going to pay for that?”

I started to look into it, and it is actually possible for broke college students to afford it. Below I have listed some of the best money-saving tips that I found!

Stay In Hostels

While the idea of staying in a hostel may freak out the germaphobes out there, and your mom probably isn’t too into the idea, they are cheap. You will probably end up sharing a room with a few strangers, but hey maybe you will end up making some new friends! Also if you are really living out the experience to its fullest, you shouldn’t be spending much time in your room at all.

Use Public Transportation

Most European cities have good public transportation systems, and it is much more cost effective than paying for taxis or car services. London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague and Barcelona all have pretty reliable and cheap public transit options.

Buy A Eurail Pass

Eurail passes are a great investment! Depending on which pass you get, you can travel between 28 countries for just the cost of the train pass. For example, you can get the Global Pass for one month of continuous travel for $1,075, and hop on and off whenever you want in any of the 28 countries. My mom used a Eurail pass when she visited Spain after high school and said it was a great investment! Check out the website for all of the different ticket packages: http://www.eurail.com.

Only Pack The Essentials

Think about your usual packing habits for a trip. How many bags are you bringing? One? Two? Three? One just for shoes? Well, backpacking is a whole different ballgame. You will be carrying everything that you will have, so you can really only pack the essentials.

A very handy website for backpacking, The Savvy Backpacker, has several excellent packing lists. They even have packing lists tailored just for women. Let's be real ladies, we usually pack way too many clothes and tend to pack for “any occasion." They suggest packing basics and items of clothing that can be mixed and matched so you can maximize your outfit options.

You can find the helpful packing lists here.

Don't Plan Every Single Detail

If you’re someone who is willing to take only the belongings that you can strap to your back to travel through Europe, it’s likely that you have a great sense of adventure. Run with that! Budget the important things, such as the initial plane ticket, and investing in a Eurail pass, but leave the rest up to your whim. If you are in Paris and decide you want to head to Amsterdam, do it. Make the most of your time and stretch your money as far as possible.

Safe travels, my friends!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181368
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8274
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453231
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23750
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments