The Best & Worst of Backpacking Europe – Know Before You Go

Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Backpacking Through Europe

Greetings from the Tower of London! We backpacked through Europe in the summer several years, so it’s obviously something we enjoy. However, there are things you’ll love about it and things you’re going to hate. Today, we’re sharing the five things you’ll love and hate about backpacking Europe.

Backpacking Europe Hate #1: Planning & Budgeting

Figuring out where to go, for how long, can be a difficult task. Your budget will help narrow down your choices. For example, your money will last a lot longer in Greece, Italy and Portugal than it will in Switzerland, Germany and Scandinavia.

Tip: Make a list of ten places you’d like to visit, then look at a map to see which destinations group together most logically.

Backpacking Europe Hate #2: Your Travel Buddy

Traveling long-term with someone can be difficult, especially if it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend in a newer relationship. Many young relationships don’t survive an extended backpacking trip in Europe. Traveling together is a lot more intense than having school friends you spend a lot of time with. Chances are, you’ll be together 24/7 while traveling, and even little things can suddenly become annoying.

Tip: Plan separate time, whether it’s a free day in your week, or a free week in your 6-week trip.

Backpacking Europe Hate #3: Finding Accommodation (Especially Last Minute)

Part of the beauty of backpacking in Europe is having a flexible itinerary, and going with the flow. However, arriving in towns late at night and trying to find someplace to sleep can be frustrating. What you’ll often find is that everyone’s using the same tour book, with the same recommendations, and it doesn’t take long for the good spots to book up early.

Tip: For high season spots, like Munich during Oktoberfest, make your reservations ahead of time. You can still be flexible the rest of your trip, but lock in accommodation for the busiest cities.

Backpacking Europe Hate #4: The Eurofunk (You Stink!)

Eurofunk is a summertime European phenomenon. But Americans aren’t immune to becoming stinky on the backpacker’s trail. Personal hygiene and laundry sometimes take a back seat to sightseeing and clubbing.

Tip: Try to find hostels where you can wash your clothes every once in a while.

Backpacking Europe Hate #5: Sites Start to Blur Together

After a few weeks of travel in Europe, everything starts to look the same. The churches, cathedrals, castles and museums all blend together. You might start skipping out on some things later in your trip.

Tip: Choose the best sites in each city; you don’t have to see everything. Plan some down days, too.

Backpacking Europe Love #1: The Amazing Sites

Europe has so many amazing things to see and do, you can’t help but love it all. Between the history, and the culture, and the festivals, seeing all these things in real like is incredible.

Backpacking Europe Love #2: Appreciation of New Cultures and a New Outlook on Life

Traveling through Europe really opens your eyes to new cultures, and gives you a different perspective of the world. You’ll start to really appreciate the culture of the world, and the diversity of cultures just within Europe.

Backpacking Europe Love #3: The People, ie the other travelers & locals you meet

Between the locals you’ll meet, and fellow travelers, you’ll love all the people you meet in Europe. Meeting the locals as you travel really enhances your travel experience and cultural understanding of the various European countries.

Backpacking Europe Love #4: The Fun

You’ll love how much fun you have while backpacking through Europe. It’s not all cultural experiences and museums, but there are festivals and outdoor adventures, too.

Backpacking Europe Love #5: Finding Your Own Hidden Europe

Maybe it’s a restaurant tucked away, or a small town you stumble upon, there are so many hidden gems of Europe. As you make your way from big city to big city, you never know what little towns and villages you’ll uncover. These are the places you will recommend to friends for years to come.

Ready to plan your European backpacking trip? Check out some of our other blog posts and videos!