Planning Your First Backpacking Trip to Europe

Bonjour, Guten Tag, Dia Dhuit, and hello! I'm excited to hear that the travel bug has bitten you, and that you'd like to leave the states and explore western Europe. This little guide will help you through the long and often stressful planning stages of your adventure, and hopefully make your trip worry-free!

Let's start off with a description of who this guide is not for: if you won't stay in a hotel with less than four stars, if your idea of a cheap meal has only three courses, or if you would never wear a pair of sneakers instead of high-heels - then I probably can't offer you any good advice! However, if you're willing to jump headfirst into new experiences, eat unique and exciting foods, and don't mind sleeping in a room full of strangers, then welcome!

The Preliminaries: When, Who, What, Where, and How?

The very first step in planning a European backpacking trip is to solidify the basic facts: who is going on this trip? How long do you want to stay in Europe? Which countries do you need to see? How much money can you afford to spend? Having these basic facts set in stone is essential, else you'll run into major issues further down the line which could cost you money and headaches.

When?

'When' is the first issue I address because you need to plan more than the days/weeks/months of your trip. You need to start planning and research far enough ahead of the trip to have wiggle room and to get all papers/reservations in order without conflict. My trip to Ireland in 2006 was nearly a disaster, when our hostel reservations for the first night weren't set until we had already left the United States! We had frantic cell phone calls to our travel agent as we sat on the steps of the Dublin airport, trying to find out where we would be sleeping that night. We got our reservations in the nick of time, but some earlier planning would have saved us from major panic (and sky-high cell phone bills!)

I personally recommend at least eight months prior to your planned departure date to start putting things in motion: This gives you enough time to create an itinerary, find and work with a travel agent, get passports, book flights, and reserve hostels/tickets. Any later than that and you risk being left without a place to sleep on any given night! Current passport requirements are changing, and it's best to be sure that your passport is up to date and acceptable. Visit travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html for all the details, but renewing or applying for a passport can take a number of weeks or even months, depending on your situation.

Who?

Perhaps you want to explore the world solo, and hate the thought of dragging anyone else along. Or maybe this trip is a chance for you and your significant other to create life-long memories? You may even have a whole bus load of friends ready for adventure! However large your group, it's most important to have certainty in your travel entourage. Going solo or duo presents fewer dedication issues, but trying to get a group to give a definite 'yes' takes a little more work. If you have a group of twelve friends who all agree to take this trip, but one drops out just before the departure date, you run into all sorts of reservation and cost issues: pre-bought plane and train tickets must be paid for, whether they'll be used or not, and hostels appreciate having the correct number of beds set aside, and may charge you for one left empty. While emergencies do occur, it's best to have all travel mates as certain in their commitment as they can be: time off of work should be approved as far in advance as possible to avoid any scheduling conflicts, house/child/pet sitters should be called, and money for tickets should already be set aside and untouchable.

The second 'who' decision involves finding a reliable travel agent. If you are a student, I personally recommend www.statravel.com for all your planning needs, particularly if there is an office anywhere nearby that you can visit for face-to-face help. Not only are the agents friendly and helpful, they are all seasoned world travelers and can offer advice and insight for your trip. Find an agent or agency who you really feel comfortable talking to, and who doesn't seem preoccupied with trying to sell you anything. You'll be in contact with this person quite a lot in the coming months!

What?

This early stage of planning is the best time to borrow/buy some guidebooks and sit down with your travel partner or group. Everyone will probably have different ideas about particular places and sights they want to hit along the way, but don't try to cram everyone's wants into one trip! The fairest way to choose destinations is to make a list and vote on a certain number, based on your number of travel days. While every traveler has a different preference, my personal rule of thumb is to devote at least one day to every major site, if not two or three days. It's easy to underestimate the time required to navigate foreign public transportation, long lines at popular destinations, or jet lag. On my trip to Paris, my group and I had hoped to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in one day - but we were all exhausted from our flight, and by the time we had scaled the famed tower, the Louvre was closed. Bring your list of destinations to your travel agent and ask their opinion on which sites are must-sees and which are worth skipping, it will make your experience far more enjoyable if you're not rushing all over or poorly rested.

Where?

Perhaps you only have a few days to spare in Europe, and want to see a single city or two. Or have you quit your job, moved out of your home, and are ready to spend the next few months living out of a backpack? It's best to plan your city/countries by your time span, rather than visa versa. Research the time required for travel between your destinations, and allot for that in your itinerary. My first backpacking trip lasted 20 days, and included six different countries, which was just a little too hectic for a group of eight inexperienced travelers. If at all possible, avoid spending less than a day in any location, unless it's only a stopover in the voyage to another site.

Take your time and try to be flexible in the early planning stages of your itinerary: the possibilities seem endless, and it's your personal responsibility to limit them to avoid fatigue and generally having a miserable time. It's impossible to enjoy the splendor of an Italian sunset or the German countryside if you're running on two hours of sleep!

How?

The most difficult and frustrating part of planning for a European backpacking trip is the nitty-gritty 'hows'. This is where your travel agent becomes your best friend - they can find the best prices on plane tickets, rail passes, and hostel reservations. Give yourself ample time to research your travel options, and keep a personal log of hostel names and addresses, important phone numbers, and prices. This may seem like a hectic mess at the time, but as your plans get solidified, you'll be glad to have this information at hand. Do you plan on hiking between locations? Do you want to go by rail? By bus? By plane? Each option has it's benefits and drawbacks, and you may find that you need to use them all in the course of your trip. The cheapest flight my group and I could get to Europe was to land in the small town of Killarney, Ireland. We then managed to find a good price on a bus from Killarney to Dublin, from which we could catch a plane further into Europe. But unexpectedly, the bus ride through the Irish countryside was one of the most pleasant experiences of our whole trip - it gave us time to adjust to our new surroundings and to see Ireland off the beaten tourist path.

The Basics: Personal Preparations

While the needs of any particular trip are going to be unique, there are a few basic rules for equipment and belongings.

What to Buy

Assuming that in your home, you use full-sized shampoos and soaps, it's best to go out and buy 'travel sized' items for your trip. The most important thing to remember is that you'll be carrying all your belongings, and every extra bit of unnecessary shampoo or deodorant will just be dead weight. Plastic ziplock bags are priceless when it comes to backpacking, they prevent gels from exploding all over your clothes, and can separate your messy and dirty items from the clean. You won't want to carry a full-sized pillow across Europe, but a travel pillow or 'moshi' is great for train rides and fluffing up paper-thin hostel pillows. Fold-up ponchos are great for emergency rain gear, and an extra memory card for your digital camera can come in handy.

What to Gather

The items for your trip that you probably already own include the basics like socks, underwear, and a toothbrush. Important papers like passports, money, and tickets should be kept in a secure place: either in a personal bag or strapped to your person. It's best to make copies of everyone's passports and keep them together, in case anyone has their original stolen or lost. Bring your best (strongest) pair of sneakers, and prepare to use them often! Flip flops are necessary for hostel showers, as are your own washcloth and a towel. Bring items that can serve more than one purpose: a sweatshirt works well to keep you warm on cold nights, but can also double as a makeshift window curtain (if your hostel has none and you want to sleep past sunrise) or d.i.y. pillowcase (if your hostel tries to charge you for such a basic comfort).

What to Pay a Lot For

While you're probably trying to save money in the planning stages of your trip, it's important to splurge on a few items of the utmost importance:

1) A good backpack.

Don't cram all your belongings into a worn school sack; go to a sporting goods store and ask to be fitted for a professional-quality backpack. The damage that can be done to your back from poorly supported weight is not worth the money you'd save. You'll be carrying more weight on your back than you're accustomed to in daily life, for hours a day. A store employee can explain how your backpack should fit, and how to best adjust the straps to fit your size. Listen well to them!

2) Traveler's insurance.

While it may be tempting to save that fifty or hundred dollars for something fun, like a boat tour of the Thames, it's important to purchase traveler's insurance. The risk of being seriously hurt in a foreign country is too daunting to risk being without coverage, and most everyday plans do not cover international travel. Talk to your travel agent about available plans, and check with your insurance company to learn of their policies for travel coverage.

3) Sturdy shoes.

If your sneakers are looking a little worse for the wear, invest in a strong pair of walking shoes. Even if you plan on using public transportation wherever possible, you will eventually need to walk long distances on your trip. Just like having a good backpack, having a sturdy pair of shoes will avoid strain and injury, and will make your experience far better on the whole. Shoes with good arch support, a secure fit, and good ventilation are your best bet.

What to Pay a Little For

There are some travel expenses which can be done 'on the cheap', as your trip will probably cause quite a bit of wear and tear.

1) Clothes.

Unless you plan on attending some fancy parties while abroad, leave your 'nice' clothes at home. Your clothes are going to be wrinkled, sweaty, and for the most part, unwashed. Don't bring too much of any one type of clothing, as the weather will be different depending upon where you travel, and no one wants to be caught in a cold downpour with nothing but a pair of shorts and a tank top. Your dress pants and gown can stay safely in your closet at home, and never bring an article of clothing that you'd be devastated to loose or damage.

2) Food/Drink.

Since most airlines today do not allow liquids on planes, don't bother packing much in the way of food or beverage. A sturdy water bottle is a must, but local grocery stores and markets are the best way to eat abroad. Make sure to know your dietary needs and allergies before you go, but don't be afraid to try the local cuisine!

3) Makeup.

Bring a hairbrush and maybe a few makeup essentials, but chances are good that you won't want to waste any time getting pretty before a day of walking/riding/exploring. Plus, you're very likely to leave a container of mascara or a tube of lipstick in your hostel anyway, so bring very little (if any!) and bring the cheap stuff.

Know Before You Go

It's best to educate yourself about the languages, customs, and history of your destinations. While no one can cram all the information they'll need into a few short months, there are some basics you should try to have handy.

Individual Countries

It's perfectly okay to visit Germany without a working knowledge of German. But having a list of handy phrases like 'ich spreche Deutsch nicht' (I do not speak German) or 'wo ist der Flughafen?' (where is the airport?) can be very helpful. Make a list of useful phrases in the languages you'll need on your trip and keep it handy.

Always have a map of the town you're visiting, because without one you're likely to end up walking in the opposite direction of your destination! Maps are useful for point-and-gesture translations, where you can ask non-English speakers (through mime!) to point in the direction of your destination - as long as you can show them where on the map your destination is.

While people argue about the best guidebooks available, I've found that sampling from a variety is a good way to get the information you need. Spend a day in your local library copying pages out of guidebooks and create your own personalized guide. If you're visiting more than one country, trying to haul around multiple books is far more difficult and stressful than a neatly folded stack of papers!

General Travel Info

Use the internet to find average temperatures and weather for your destinations, and pack accordingly (but prepare for unforeseen extremes!) Write down the address for the American Embassy in each country you're visiting, and keep it with your passports and tickets at all times.

It's great to research lesser-known destinations for your trip. The internet can be a valuable resource for finding out-of -the-way sites and local recommendations. Sites such as www.livejournal.com or www.blogger.com are great ways to find communities focused on certain areas, and can help you get second opinions from people who have been in your shoes!

Research the hours of operation of your destinations, and be sure to know the admission prices of any tourist sites. If you have special needs, such as wheelchair access, be sure to find out where you can be accommodated. Look up local laws and customs, and try to become up-to-date on area politics. This is important to do early in the planning stages, as certain volatile areas should potentially be avoided by the casual traveler. Ask your travel agent for more information if in doubt about any of your countries.

And Away You Go!

Of course, this guide can't lay out every step necessary to plan a backpacking trip; each itinerary and group will have their own requirements and experiences to prepare for. But hopefully this has given you a good jumping point for your own adventures! The most important thing to keep in mind while trying to plan for your first backpacking trip abroad is to relax, give yourself time, recruit friends and family to help where they can, and allow for life to be a little unexpected. Everything is not going to go as planned. During my first trip, two members of my group were stranded on a train platform somewhere outside of Berlin, while the rest of the group was stuck inside the moving train. What could have been a disaster ended up being one of our funniest memories, since our panic seemed so silly after we were reunited a mere ten minutes later. The adventure of traveling abroad is the unexpected, so jump right in and enjoy the experience! You'll be making memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.