1. Have a plan, but be prepared to change that plan.
Backpacking through Europe is an exciting venture, but it requires flexibility, especially when doing it on a budget.
It’s a great idea to make a loose itinerary of where you want to travel, and for how long, etc., but playing it by ear can often land you with excellent deals. It also gives you the freedom to pursue any once-in-a-lifetime adventure that comes along.
2. Lay out everything you think you’ll need, then only pack half.
The worst mistake you can make when backpacking through Europe is packing too much. Part of the appeal of a backpacking trip is the mobility and flexibility you have on your trip.
Packing too much will weigh you down, both physically and spiritually. You don’t want to be slowed down by your aching back. Pack light, and let the fun begin!
3. Forget souvenirs.
Forget purchasing tacky souvenirs from the tourist shops. Not only will these overpriced items cut deeply into your budget, but they take up precious space in your travel backpack. Although I think the best souvenirs are memories, you can buy or keep small mementos, such as ticket stubs, from special moments of your trip.
4. Opt for Eastern Europe.
If you want to see Europe on a budget, Eastern Europe is your most inexpensive option. Many people choose to see the “big” sights of Western Europe, but these countries can be pricey.
Eastern European countries, such as Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic, are incredible places with tons of history and natural and architectural beauty. Make your trip more unique by including some of these countries.
5. Stay in hostels.
Speaking of hostels, if you’re backpacking through Europe on a budget, you’ll need to stay in them. Hostels are awesome! You get to meet plenty of amazing people, and your basic needs are provided for you: bed, shower, and often, free breakfast. Nothing compares to the hostel experience.
6. Bring about 7 outfits.
It can be tough to know what to pack for several weeks or months in Europe. The best method is to pack many neutral items (tops & bottoms) that can be combined in various ways. Black, grey, and tan work best for these kinds of versatile outfits, and you can add a pop of color with a scarf or something if you get bored.
As a bonus, these muted tones will help keep you from standing out as a tourist. Pack enough items to provide you with 7 different outfits.
7. Pack laundry detergent.
Since you aren’t packing that many items of clothing, you will need to wash them every week or so. Heading to a Laundromat is too costly.
Make sure you pack a small tube of travel laundry soap/detergent. This enables you to wash your clothes by hand in the sink of your hostel. You can then hang them over the edge of your bunk bed while they dry. Voila!
8. Eat street food.
Street food is the most delicious food on earth, and also can save you money.
- In Prague, grab a sausage.
- Grab a slice of amazing pizza in Rome.
- In Paris, grab a baguette.
You can save so much money by not sitting down at a restaurant for a meal. This is the number one drain of funds for most travelers.
9. Try bus travel.
Although less comfortable, and often a longer journey, bus travel can save you Euros. You will need to do your research, however, as bus schedules are harder to find and understand, and sometimes train travel can be comparable, in certain areas. The moral of the story is, be open to alternate modes of transportation if they will save you money!
10. Use hostel booking apps.
When planning your next destination, use a smart phone app to book your hostel. You can research hostel options right for your phone, to find the cheapest and best option for your stay.
11. Decide if a money belt is right for you.
Before backpacking through Europe, I read a million guides which suggested the use of a money belt in safeguarding your cash, credit cards, and passport.
I never used one on my trip and felt good about that decision, however I kept my important items in a very small handbag, which I wore across my chest for extra protection, and which I kept my hand on at all times. If opting to forego a money belt, make sure you remain constantly aware of your money and belongings, and men: put your wallet in your front pocket.
12. Prepare for freezing cold/boiling hot showers.
Although hostels are fun and can be very comfortable, you should also prepare yourself for the less than perfect conditions you may encounter.
Hostel showers can be very unpredictable or unpleasant. Most showers I encountered were extremely clean, but unfortunately, many of them use a button system for water, meaning you press the button and the water sprays out for no more than 20 seconds at a time. Prepare yourself for these 20-second deluges to be either icy cold or boiling hot.
13. Read up on tourist scams.
Before you head off on your journey, scour the internet for tales of the latest tourist scams, particularly in tourism meccas such as Rome and Paris. There are many scams in use in these places (although it is very likely you won’t encounter them), but read up on them just so you know what to avoid and how to keep yourself out of these traps.
14. Cook meals in your hostel kitchen.
This is the #1 way to save money on your backpacking trip. Always choose a hostel with a kitchen if possible.
Cooking your own meals saves you so much money. You can eat very cheaply, with choices such as pasta or sandwiches, or you can splurge and make a fancier meal. Either way, you’ll still be saving money compared to dining in most restaurants.
15. Take advantage of free walking tours.
Most large European cities offer a few different free walking tours. Ask in your hostel lobby or look online for options. These walking tours are an amazing way to get a nice overall history of the city you’re visiting, and can help give you ideas for other places to visit during your stay. It’s a wonderful thing to do on your first or second day in a new city.
16. Go on picnics.
Taking a picnic lunch is a lot like cooking in your hostel: it saves you precious dollars! But a picnic has the added bonus of being outside. You can enjoy the nature in your city and that is a great experience. A European picnic? I can think of nothing better.
17. Explore graveyards.
This may sound a bit morbid, but graveyards are chock full of history. Free to the public and oftentimes centrally located, graveyards show you a lot about the people who lived in the town, and often you can locate the grave of a notable historical figure.
Vienna, Austria has some very lovely graveyards which are the home to the graves of many famous composers, including Mozart.
18. Use the internet.
We are so lucky to live in the day and age of the internet. Guidebooks are fairly unnecessary now, with the internet containing so much useful information. Make sure to use the web to check opening times on attractions you may be visiting (otherwise you may arrive at the Palace of Versailles on the one day a week it is closed).
19. Enjoy one great meal in every place.
Europe has amazing food. Although you’ll be saving money by preparing most meals in your hostel kitchen, splurge once in every new country or city by having one meal out. Keep it fairly modest, of course, so you don’t go over budget. Enjoy some of Europe’s finest culinary treats.
20. Drink at home.
Do not buy drinks out. I repeat, do not buy drinks out. Okay, once in a while is fine, but alcohol will soak up your money faster even than dinners out. In countries such as Germany and France, bottled wine and beer at the grocery store is shockingly inexpensive. I recommend drinking at home, in your hostel, before a night out.
21. Travel with friends.
Traveling with a group is great for the obvious reasons, but also has some budget benefits. Sharing meals can save you money, especially when you cook together in your hostel. Having travel buddies also helps relieve the loneliness and boredom for those long bus or train journeys.
22. Wean yourself off your morning coffee.
In our day to day lives, many of us require that extra jolt of caffeine in the morning to get us going. While traveling, coffee can be hit or miss. It is a financial drain to have to buy a coffee each morning. If you can kick that caffeine habit before heading out on your trip, your wallet will thank you.
23. Make copies of your passport and trip documents.
In the unlikely event of your passport or other documents being lost or stolen, having paper copies of these at the ready can help you.
Particularly in the case of a lost passport, having a paper copy can expedite your waiting time for a new one. Getting new copies of these documents can be time-consuming and costly, however, so keep them as safe as possible and with you at all times.
24. Buy travel insurance.
While we are on the subject of things going wrong (although they probably won’t), it is always a good idea to have travel insurance. You can buy a policy for a very small investment, usually, which covers you in case of a variety of situations.
Most individual policies are less than $100 for basic coverage. Although you have to shell out money for this, the peace of mind it gives you will be priceless.
25. Choose a budget airline.
Though much of your intercontinental travel will be via bus or train, you may find yourself needing to fly. In this case, I recommend budget European airlines such as Jet2, Ryanair, or EasyJet.
These airlines are bare bones, meaning you pay for your basic flight and that is it. Expect to pay extra for checked baggage, onboard food and beverages, or even a seat reservation. But if you’ve packed like a pro, your backpack should fit just fine as a carry-on.