Backpacking has long been synonymous with impoverished students grasping the opportunity to travel by wandering around Europe with all the possessions strapped to their back. After a drop in popularity a decade or so back, the economic climate is one of the reasons why there has been a great resurgence in interest in backpacking as a cheap way to travel. It isn’t simply a case of have backpack will travel however, and a great deal of planning can go into achieving a successful trip.
The fundamentals are finance and route, and the two go together like fish and chips. While many have the fairy tale notion of working their way around Europe, this is becoming almost impossible due to both regulations and problems with the Eurozone economy. This trip needs to be planned as far ahead in advance to give you time to save and make sure you have the right travel insurance. Spend time working out your route too, and once you have established your starting point in Europe you can work out the cheapest way of getting there.
Backpackers traditionally stay in youth hostels, and while still cheaper than hotels, they have risen sharply in price. Once you have firm route established, check out the websites dedicated to couch surfing. You can input the town and date you need accommodation and you will get a list of homeowners offering a bed free of charge. If you are travelling extensively through Europe, also check out the many Eurozone rail companies that offer student fares, one ticket can cover all your intended destinations.
Even though you may have wanderlust and want to explore unknown pastures, be sensible and stick to main towns where you will have a mobile phone signal should any kind of emergency. Also, if you plan to travel for more than 6 months, it will probably be worth looking into annual travel insurance as you will save in the long run. This last tip may seem like a no brainer but check the expiry date on your passport; many countries won’t allow entry unless you have at least 6 months left on your passport.
By planning your trip properly, your backpacking tour of Europe will be the experience of a lifetime, Bon Voyage!
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