Backpacking Europe 101 Part II

So in the former article we addressed how to pack, how to travel, how to plan, and how not to pee yourself (all very important). In this article we will focus more on actual tips for travel.

Tip #1: Travel Insurance

This is something that a lot of people forget, and it's very important that you take it out for your entire trip. The best thing to do here is research travel insurance online. STA travel offers standard travel insurance starting at around US$48 and I recommend it. For more information on what it covers go here http://ww2.statravel.com/travel_insurance/International.pdf

Tip #2: Discount Cards

While we're talking about STA let me tell you also about the STA student travel card. At first I thought it would never get used, but honestly this card saves you a pretty good amount of cash. It gives you discounts at a ton of places including museums, hotels/hostels, and even a discounted membership to 24 hour fitness so you can get your muscle on to attract all the hot foreign girls or guys. All for only US$22

Another discount card is the Hostelling international Card. This comes in really handy for hostels that are part of hostel international, and can save you a pretty good amount of money when you think about the fact that you will be traveling for a good amount of time. It also acts like the STA card and offers discounts on entertainment while you're out traveling. The site for this card is http://www.hihostels.com/web/membership.en.htm

Tip #3: How to get around once you're in the city

Hate to say this, but be ready to get your walk on. One of the main ways to burn through your cash fast is transportation, so try to book your hostel close to things that you want to see. Of course there are always buses, and in some places there is also the subway for not too much money, especially if you buy a day or week pass. The front desk of your Hostel should be more than helpful in suggesting the cheapest and best way to get from your sleeping quarters to where you want to visit during the day.

Tip #4: Hostels - What to expect.

So first off remember that you're not staying at the Hilton, so lower your expectations a bit. Hostels are an amazing place to meet people of other cultures and really meet lifelong friends (As well as free places to stay when you plan your next trip). Unless you want to pay more money for a private room you will probably be in a dorm style room with bunkbeds. Most are mixed rooms but many hostels offer female only rooms. You will also more than likely be sharing a bathroom with a number of people. This is also why I recommend packing sandals to protect your feet from the numerous diseases that can come from exposed skin and molds and nastiness.

Don't let the lack of room service detour you though. Many hostels can be seriously hopping (in fact if you want to have a semi quiet night's sleep I recommend getting a room as far from the common area as possible). Hostels can sometimes be an all night party (something that I enjoy, but may not suit your tastes) so be prepared. Overall you will meet great friends, have great experiences, and most likely see a side of the city that you would not have seen otherwise.

Tip #5: Your passport

Likely Page Break

So this is probably the most important thing you need, even more than money. Keep it with you ALWAYS! If there is a hostel safe it can be a good place to put it but always have photocopies on you at all times. Always bring your photo ID with you as well. If any tip you get out of this article let it be this one. Before you leave, scan your passport and photo ID into a PDF document. Open a new email address (one that you will never use except for this purpose) and email the PDF to this new email address. This was probably the best advice I ever heard. Do not use the email address for normal mail. Only access it if you lose your passport and need a quick copy. This will help get your passport quicker from the embassy if for some reason you lose yours. The reason for the separate email account is that you may be checking your email on a public computer at some point, maybe in a computer café. This keeps anyone from being able to access your passport if you forget to logoff from your normal email.

Tip #6: I'm scared! What can I do!

If traveling on your own really freaks you out consider booking a student tour. The great thing about student tours is that it takes the stress out of where you are going, what you are doing, where you are staying etc, and also takes a lot of the fear out of your first trip. Don't feel like a wimp if you choose this option, at least you are still getting to see the world, and maybe after getting used to being overseas you will want to try a trip on your own the next time around. Another great thing is that most student tours do not charge you a single supplemental (most tours are sold as a couple traveling so if you're single they charge you more to make up the difference....retarded, I know).

The downsides of a tour you ask? Well, first of all it cost substantially more since most likely the hotels you stay in will be more expensive and you are also paying for the tours services. Also you will have less control over what you get to see and where you get to go. But, like I said it's totally fine to choose a tour group, just make sure it's with your age groups, unless you really like older men or women or just miss your grandma.

Here are some great student tour sites

Busabout Adventures (book through STA Travel http://www.statravel.com/cps/rde/xchg/us_division_web_live/hs.xsl/Bus-Tours-Europe.htm

Contiki Tours www.contiki.com

EF College Tours http://www.efcollegebreak.com/HomePage.aspx

So that's it! You're ready to take your first steps out into the world and become a real world traveler. Now, I must warn you that traveling is like crack...except not illegal and much less harmful for you...but just as addicting. Once you have taken one trip you will want to take another, and another, and another. So get off your chair, change your underwear, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime!