Ultimate Europe Backpacking Travel Guide

In a continent as vast as Europe, it is hard to choose a few places to visit. The region is diverse containing a large variety of art, history, culture, and religion. It has magical and lively sea-shores lit by the warm light neighboring buildings, large and unique architecture and plenty of walking tours.

Narrowing it down to a small list of tourist destinations is a hard task. Each country contains many places worth seeing and every tourist destination seems to be more amazing than the previous one. Europe is a region that always impresses a first time traveler. I suggest Europe for a first time backpacker or traveler, it is safe, people know English and you can navigate the region easily with public transportation.

My Europe Story

Europe at a Glace

Language

English & More

Currency

Euro & More

Best Money Exchange

Differs By Country

Local Dishes

Differs By Country

Drones Allowed

Differs By Country

Is water safe to drink

Yes

Vaccinations

Check CDC

Power Plug Type

Differs By Country

Car Sharing Options

Uber

Peak Season

Summer

Backpacker Friendly

Yes

Hitch hiker Friendly

Yes

Credit Cards Accepted

Yes

Preffered Payment Method

Cash

Low Season

Winter

Countries I visited

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Europe

Eiffel Tower

The huge metallic structure with its airy lattice construction is one of the most famous and amazing landmarks in the world.

Colosseum

The ancient amphitheater is an iconic symbol of the long and 'tumultuous' history of Rome.

Vatican Museums

These museums contain various masterpieces of sculptures, paintings, and other artworks, collected over centuries by the .

The Grand Istanbul Bazaar

The Grand Istanbul Bazaar

The Alps

Whether skiing or hiking, the striking beauty of these regions will make you hold your breath

Other Things to See and Do in Europe

1. Berlin, Germany

Rich with vibrant art galleries, impressive monuments, magnificent nightlife, and delicious food opportunities, Berlin is one unique city of the world. Explore the rich cultural and historical centers around the city during the day and get the taste of vibrant energy of the city at night. Few of must-visit places are Weltzeituhr, Zur Letzten Instanz, and Berlin Wall.

2. Paris, France

It is unimaginable not to visit Paris on your visit to Europe. Known as the city of lights, Paris is one of the most active tourist destinations throughout the year. The city is famous for its world-class museums, blooming gardens, iconic landmarks, historical churches, fashion sense, unique cuisine and much more to spend an entire vacation just exploring this magnificent city. In a city full of many destinations, you must never forget to visit the Musée d’Orsay, Le Marais boutique, and Versailles Palace.

3. Prague, Czech Republic

Full of rich history this city feels alive even at night, with its city lights. The storied churches, statue-lined bridges, castles at the mountain tops and narrow streets create an unavoidable charm on its many visitors. Apart from its picturesque buildings and sights, it also offers cheap bars and unique food. Overall a Prague tour is more affordable and economical than many of the other European countries.

4. Rome, Italy

This city is famous worldwide for its unique cuisine and its history. Do not miss the Vatican museums, Trevi Fountain, and Saint Peter’s Basilica. This city is best explored on foot, so get ready to walk.

5. Barcelona, Spain

Also known as the city that never sleeps, I can attest to this. Find your way to a club, try bocadillo or walk through one of Barcelona’s many parks. Don’t forget to visit the beach!

6. London, United Kingdom

How can a trip to Europe be completed without visiting London?  Among all of the tourist destinations, keep the British Museum, Tower of London, London Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace at the top of your list. All good things come at a higher price, so does this visit. London is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. But with a good strategy, you can manage it within your budget.

7. Vienna, Austria

The symbol of elegance and class, the city has a distinct place among the European destinations.  A hub of imperial history, culture, music, and architecture, there is much more to explore than one can imagine. Go visit the Stroll Schönbrunn Palace, Naschmarkt, and as many art and historical museums as you can.

8. Dublin, Ireland

With the amazing outdoor landscapes, historical sites, good dining, the city of Dublin is one of the most enriched cities of Europe. Impossible to be explored in one day, the city offers activities for all ages and groups. 

9. Krakow, Poland

For those interested in political and cultural history, Krakow is the ideal destination. The cultural heart of Poland has numerous historical monuments and ancient architecture that will take you back to the royal days of the city. The former Jewish quarter, Wawel Castle, Rynek Glowny main square and Krakow’s Old Town are some of the must visit destinations.

10. Crete, Greece

The largest island in Greece, Crete is said to be the birthplace of the modern European civilization. With its rich historical architecture and mythological past, the Mediterranean landmark presents you the flavor of ancient Greece. You wouldn’t want to miss the ancient monasteries and fortresses and other cultural attractions of the region. 

Typical Costs

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Transportation

Transportation charges may vary depending upon the country and mode of transportation. Rental cars and taxis will cost you more compared to a local bus or train. Every city has its own well-maintained transportation system. You can get a bus or train pass to travel without worrying about travel charges. On average, local transportation may cost [wpcs_price value=4] to [wpcs_price value=14] per day, depending upon the city you are traveling in. in some countries like Barcelona, the metro ticket price is as low as [wpcs_price value=1.4] per trip.

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Accommodation

Try saving on hotel accommodation by choosing alternate methods like Airbnb and , Couchsurfing.  Local hostel accommodation prices may vary starting from as low as [wpcs_price value=8] and going to [wpcs_price value=50]per day, depending on the city. I stayed in Paris, France near the Sacred Heart, for about [wpcs_price value=35]Euros a night.

Camping is an option in some areas and usually costs from [wpcs_price value=10] – [wpcs_price value=20] USD a night.

Most Hostels have free bedding, wifi and a breakfast, but when I travel I take my own sheet and travel towel as some may charge you a fee.

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Food

If you are going to experience the local food from roadside shops you will need a budget of [wpcs_price value=14] – $30 per day. But if you intend to visit local affordable dine-ins it may reach up to [wpcs_price value=15] per day. You can always get sandwiches and pizza for [wpcs_price value=4] – [wpcs_price value=6] Euros, a backpackers staple. 

Don’t forget that you can take a trip to your local grocery store, I opt for making some snacks and lunches on my own, so that I can spend on activities! 

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Activities

If you are going to experience the local food from roadside shops you will need a budget of [wpcs_price value=14] – $30 per day. But if you intend to visit local affordable dine-ins it may reach up to [wpcs_price value=15] per day. You can always get sandwiches and pizza for [wpcs_price value=4] – [wpcs_price value=6] Euros, a backpackers staple. 

Don’t forget that you can take a trip to your local grocery store, I opt for making some snacks and lunches on my own, so that I can spend on activities! 

Suggested Budget

It is hard to get a good average as there are a lot of factors, but here is a general ballpark for a few places.

Budgeting Tips

1. Tours: Book through your hostel, or from a local

I find that hostels typically have good deals for their occupants, though I can usually find cheaper prices by just wandering about the tourist areas, you always take a gamble with this, but you’ll find that people pay different price points for the exact same tour.

2. Use Couchsurfing

One of the best ways to get immersed in the local culture and free accommodation. You don’t know what you are missing out on! I strongly suggest joining this community of travelers.

3. Eat local

You’re in Europe! Eat local, its the best and only way to experience the rich flavor of the food in this region. No mcdonalds!

4. Plan it before hand

It is necessary that you leave with a well-planned strategy, i.e. list of places you want to visit, a detailed schedule of when and where to go, specified budget allocation for each place, etc. Planning will help you stay in budget.

5. Free Walking Tours

You”ll find free walking tours in most major European cities.

6. Choose the off season

Not only are prices are cheaper during the off-season but also there are less tourists. You can get good accommodation at lower prices which are otherwise outrages during peak-times.

7. Save on entertainment

Yes, there is free entertainment in Europe. For example, most museums have specific days when the entrance fee is free. Keep an eye on the opportunities. Many cities hold free shows and seasonal popup shops.

Where To Stay

All around Europe, I used hostels, so that I can make some friends, here are some places that I stayed at and really enjoyed. 

Prague, Czech Republic

Lucerne, Switzerland

Reykjavik, Iceland

How To Get Around

Car rental

Car Rentals

The public transportation is very good, so renting a car really isn’t needed unless you want to go to the countryside.

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RideSharing

One cool thing I discovered is blahblahcar, which is pretty much a cheaper Uber for long distances. A driver posts open seats for when they are going to a different city, and you can purchase a seat.

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Trains

Getting around Europe is very simple, most travelers use the bus and rail systems. You can buy daily bus bases and rail passes, which can save a lot of money. I suggest buying train tickets ahead of time online.

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Bus

Using buses is a great way to get around European cities, check to see if there are any tourist buses!

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Airlines

It’s fairly cheap to fly from one European country to another, but may be more efficient to use a train. Especially after accounting for going to the airport early etc.

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Hitch Hiking

I hear hitchhiking is popular in Europe but I have yet to try it, read up on it before committing to this method. 

When To Go

With a continent as big as Europe, there is no best time to visit. Every season has something amazing to offer. Usually, summer is the high tourism season. The sunny summer days are ideal to visit the iconic mountains, magnificent coastlines and much more. However, rates are also high at this time. With a limited budget, you should prefer going in May or September when the sun is pleasant and the weather is refreshing. Take a dive in a lake or sea, explore the magnificent castles or the archeological ruins, go hiking in the beautiful mountains, and much more. If you are a skiing fan then November is the best snow time. But if you want to maintain your budget then choose January, when the snow is still good but the accommodation and other commodities offer a good bargain.

How To Stay Safe and Aware of Scams

Some people have concerns about safety in Europe due to terrorist attacks and media coverage in the past few years. However, Europe is a very safe tourist destination. Though there are local small crimes and scam threats they can be avoided by being careful. The key is to trust your gut feeling. If you are having a bad feeling about a person, just avoid. Stay among the crowds, avoid deserted places. Try to keep your valuables, like money, cards, passport, etc. safe in a sturdy wallet under your belt.

1. Wrong Change

A common scam is very simple, they know you are a tourist and so they give you the wrong change, claiming that you gave them a bill of lesser value. 

2. Pick Pockets

A common scam is very simple, they know you are a tourist and so they give you the wrong change, claiming that you gave them a bill of lesser value. 

3. Charity Petition

As you sign someone may be pick pocketing you, or you will be asked for a cash donation.

Packing List

Depending on the length of your stay your list may be a little different but here is a small outline of what items you may want to pack for 1 week.

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2 Pairs of Shorts

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5 long sleeve

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8 pairs of underwear

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Medicine

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1 Pair of jeans

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Flip flops

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Toiletries

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Locks

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Swim Trunks

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Comfortable Sneakers

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Quick dry towel

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Laundry Bag

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5 shirts

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8 pairs of socks

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Dedorant

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Hand Sanitizer

Did I Miss Something? Let Me Know In The Comments!

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