When traveling to Europe on a budget, planning out your trip is an important step. It will help you have a more affordable and enjoyable vacation. Now, unlike most of the information you will find, it’s not essential for every little detail to be planned out, but rather just a rough idea.
A big part of the experience while backpacking Europe is the freedom you have when it comes to deciding where and what to do. However, it is important to know what places you would like to see most before you depart. It is also a good idea to know what season you’re going to be traveling and for how long you’re planning to stay.
Deciding what you would like to see is completely dependent on what region of Europe you are planning to visit. If you’d like to stay in Western Europe then you’ll want to make sure and see the popular attractions like the Colosseum, and the Louvre. Or if you’ll be backpacking in Eastern Europe, then you’ll want to see classic destinations like Montenegro and Croatia. No matter where you decide to visit, you’re sure to have the adventure of a lifetime and a trip you’ll never forget.
What Season Should You Visit?
Summertime is the most popular season for backpacking through Europe and for good reason. The weather in Europe during the summer is fantastic, but with great weather comes longer lines and more difficulty finding a hostel. Although the weather is great during the summer, visiting Europe in the winter is still an option worth considering.
There are significantly fewer people traveling during the winter months and this will allow you to get a more up close and personal experience in many locations. No matter what season you choose to visit, you’re sure to have an enjoyable trip. Deciding when to visit just comes down to your schedule, budget, and personal preference.
How Long Are You Planning To Stay?
It is also important to decide how long you’d like to go backpacking through Europe. Trips range anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months and choosing how long to stay really comes down to your budget and how much you’d like to see.
Figuring out how long you’d like your trip to last will greatly determine how much to pack, how much money to bring, and what places you’d like to visit. I can advise you to check out Ireland and the “Irish College of Druids” if you can find a cheap flight and if your budget allows you to do that.
Packing
One of the most common questions new backpackers ask before a trip to Europe is what to pack. The traditional saying is “Pack everything you think you’ll need and then get rid of half of it.”
The philosophy is that many of the things you think you need are actually unnecessary. So take this statement into consideration when doing your packing, but be realistic. Don’t stretch yourself too thin, but do remember that you will be carrying everything in your backpack much of the time so be sure to spare anything you can.
Budgeting
When planning a backpacking trip to Europe on a budget, take careful consideration because the last thing you want is to spend half of your trip rationing because you didn’t prepare well enough. While there is no way to tell you how much money to bring, it is a common practice to plan on 50 euros per day.
This will cover food, transportation, and lodging. Some days you may need more, and other days, less. Excluding airfare, backpacking in Europe is very affordable when compared to a more traditional vacation. Not only that, it is much more exciting!
If you’re really lost when it comes to planning out your trip you may want to consider buying a guidebook. You will be able to find all sorts of information there, from planning your itinerary, down to what hostel has the most comfortable bed.
Try and look for a book that caters for budget travel as they are much more informative for you, a backpacker. Another benefit to buying a guidebook is that you can bring it with you. Whenever you find yourself with a question, you’ll be able to refer to your guidebook.