This is a post about how to backpack through Europe.
Last night I was chatting to a younger friend who recently went backpacking through Europe and asked her about planning. I wanted to know how she planned her trip, how she decided where to go, what to book, etc. and there was a lot she learned during the trip that she wished she had known beforehand. So I thought I’d put together all my knowledge from years of travelling and made this step by step guide on how to backpack through Europe.
Backpacking through Europe can be one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do, it’s almost a rite of passage! Especially if you come from much younger countries (in their current iteration) like the US, Canada, Brazil and Australia. Seeing all this history, all these ancient places and cultures… it’s fascinating. But planning can also be overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin.
This detailed guide gives you a step-by-step walkthrough to organise your trip efficiently, save money and make the most of every destination. Whether you’re travelling for two weeks or three months, here’s how to backpack through Europe, from idea to departure.
Step 1: Choose Your Dates
Consider the Season
Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal for backpackers: fewer crowds, mild weather and better prices. Summer (June-August) offers festivals and long days, but hostels fill up quickly and prices are higher. Not to mention…it gets CROWDED! Winter (November-March) is off-season for most destinations but perfect for Christmas markets, cities like Prague or Salzburg and snow lovers.
Match the Season to the Region
- Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal): Great in spring/autumn to avoid heat and crowds.
- Northern Europe (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland): Great in summer for extended daylight and outdoor activities. They’re also pretty special during winter as well though to get the full scandi winter experience along with winter activities. It really depends on what you’re after.
- Central and Eastern Europe: Beautiful year-round, with more affordable prices. Can get both super hot AND super cold depending on the season.
Step 2: Decide Where to Go
Start With Must-Sees
Make a list of 3-5 countries or cities that are non-negotiable for you. Use Pinterest, YouTube vlogs or travel blogs like this one for inspiration. Feel free to drop in the comments the countries/cities you want to visit and I’ll tell you what I think of them, if there are better alternatives or any add-ons.
Group Destinations by Region
This helps reduce travel time and transport costs. Example regions:
- Iberia: Portugal and Spain
- Western Europe: France, Belgium, Netherlands
- Central Europe: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
- Balkans: Croatia, Montenegro, Albania
- Eastern Europe: Poland, Hungary, Czechia
One of the great things about Europe is that it’s small. You fall out of bed, you’re in another country with very different culture. Multi-country trips are easily doable, even if you’ve only got a few days. For instance, you could do Vienna in Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia in just one weekend! I’m not about counting countries, I’m about maximising my experience. I’d love to travel slow through every country but often I’ve got work with what I’ve got.
Consider Budget and Accessibility
Some destinations are significantly cheaper than others. That can also change according to the season. Here’s a rough price tier:
- Budget: Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Poland
- Mid-range: Portugal, Spain, Greece, Hungary
- Expensive: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland
We’ve actually got a whole post about backpacking Europe on a budget! Be sure to read that after for all the tips saving money on your European trip.
Step 3: Set Your Budget
Daily Budget Estimates
- Budget backpacker: 40€-60€/day (hostels, grocery store meals, buses)
- Mid-range: 60€-90€/day (mix of hostels, meals out, tours)
- Flashpacker: 90€+/day (private rooms, trains, experiences)
Use Budget Tools
- Skyscanner for cheap flights
- Rome2Rio to compare transport options
- Omio to book trains and buses
- Hostelworld for accommodation comparisons
- Wise for a travel-friendly debit card (if you use this link you get the first transfer of up to £500 free)
Once you know how long you’ve got and how much it gets easier to figure out your route.
Read more: 13 Easy Tips for Travelling Europe on a Budget
Step 4: Build Your Itinerary
Start With Trip Length
Decide how long you’ll travel. A general rule: 2-3 nights per city, 4-5 nights for large cities or chill breaks. Some places might be enough in 1 day.
Map Your Route
Avoid zigzagging. Travel in loops or straight lines when possible:
- Example: Paris > Amsterdam > Berlin > Prague > Vienna > Budapest
Use Google Maps or Rome2Rio to plan logical connections and see travel durations.
Balance Cities and Nature
Too many cities = burnout. Include lakes, mountains or beach breaks.
Step 5: Book Major Transport
Use the Right Tools
- Trains: Eurail (for longer, multi-country trips) or Trainline
- Buses: FlixBus or BlaBlaCar
- Flights: Skyscanner or Google Flights
Book Early For Savings
- Trains and budget flights often sell out or go up in price
- Buses can be booked a few days ahead but, if you’re travelling in the summer, I’d try to book as much in advance as possible
Step 6: Book Accommodation
Where to Look
- Hostelworld for social stays
- Booking.com for a mix of hostels, hotels and apartments
- TrustedHousesitters for long-term stays in exchange for pet care
Booking Tips
- Reserve your first 2-3 nights in each city early, especially in summer
- Check reviews for cleanliness, location and atmosphere
- Consider hostels with kitchens to save on food
Step 7: Reserve Must-Do Activities
Book ahead for major attractions to avoid missing out:
- Paris: Eiffel Tower, Louvre
- Rome: Colosseum, Vatican
- Amsterdam: Anne Frank House
- Barcelona: Sagrada Familia
- Prague: Prague Castle (especially at holidays)
Use GetYourGuide or Viator to find tours and skip-the-line tickets
Step 8: Plan for Entry Requirements
Know the Schengen Rules
Most travellers can stay 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Zone. Keep track of your days to avoid overstaying.
Passport, ETA and ETIAS
- Make sure your passport is valid 6 months past your return date
- ETIAS (visa waiver) is expected to launch in 2025-2026. Check for updates
- If travelling to the UK, you now need an ETA (it’s only £10 and easy to get!)
Travel Insurance
Use SafetyWing or World Nomads for flexible backpacker insurance
Step 9: Pack Smart
Essentials for Backpackers
- 40-45L travel backpack
- Travel insurance documents
- Passport + digital and printed copies
- Power bank and universal adapter
- Packing cubes (trust me)
- Reusable water bottle
- Microfibre towel
- Quick-dry clothing and layers
- Travel adaptor
Helpful Extras
- Flip flops for hostel showers
- Sleep mask and earplugs
- Lock for lockers
- Wise card for no foreign fees
Step 10: Prepare Your Documents and Apps
Must-Have Apps
- Google Maps (offline areas)
- Maps.me (offline walking routes)
- Omio / Rome2Rio for transport
- Hostelworld / Booking.com
- Google Translate
- WhatsApp (used more than SMS in Europe)
Read more: 15 Best Travel Apps You Must Have When Travelling Europe
Documents to Organise
- Travel insurance policy
- Visa confirmations
- Hostel/hotel addresses
- Digital tickets for trains/attractions
Did I answer all your questions about how to backpack through Europe? Let me know in the comments if you have any others!
This was a post about how to backpack through Europe.
