How hard is it to backpack through Europe?

Europe has a great transportation network, making it incredibly easy to zip from city to city and country to country. The hardest part is choosing which method is right for your travel style and budget. In this section, I cover each major transportation option system and give tips on finding the best deals.



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If you're planning on backpacking through Europe, the good news is, it's probably the easiest continent to backpack. Most European countries are very safe, have great public transport, and it's easy to get around between cities and countries.

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With 10,000 USD, you could easily travel around Europe for a few weeks. You could stay in budget hostels and eat at local restaurants or cook your own meals. If you plan carefully and look for deals, it's possible to stretch that amount even further.

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It depends on your budget, how much time you have and how much of Europe you want to see. If backpacking through Europe is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you, it's worth going all in (if you can) and spending at least a month there.

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Backpacking around Europe can be just as safe, and just as much fun (if not more), as traveling with your dearest friend. Just follow these tips, and you, too, can have an awesome backpacking trip. If it's your first time traveling alone, backpacking Europe is the way to go.

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The main day-to-day costs associated with backpacking Europe include accommodation, food, sightseeing, public transportation, and a few extra incidental costs. Most frugal-minded, hostel-hopping backpackers spend around $75-$125/day in Western Europe and $40-$90/day in Eastern Europe.

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Extended-trip (5+ nights; 70 liters or larger)
Trips of 5 days or more usually call for packs of 70 liters or more. These are also usually the preferred choice for winter treks lasting more than 1 night.

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While your exact expenses depend on a lot of factors, here is the short answer to the question: how much do I need to budget for backpacking Europe? Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.

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Whether you're planning to see it all or explore the hidden corners of the continent, these are our top 15 tips for backpacking through Europe.
  1. Pick your season wisely.
  2. Take the train.
  3. Be savvy about accommodation.
  4. Plan your trip around a festival.
  5. Eat like a local.
  6. Find the freebies.
  7. Get outdoors.


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Avoid overpacking and feel light and free during your entire trip.
  1. Start with the right packing list.
  2. Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time.
  3. Check your airline's baggage policy.
  4. Choose the right bag.
  5. Check the weather.
  6. Pack versatile clothing.
  7. Create a Travel Capsule Wardrobe.
  8. Pack lightweight fabrics.


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Options for Moving to Europe: To legally reside in a European country long term, you need a foreign residence and/or work permit. The first step is usually applying for a visa from your home country. Once approved, that visa allows you to enter the country you're moving to with your U.S. passport.

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Most European countries are very safe, have great public transport, and it's easy to get around between cities and countries. There are also plenty of cheap destinations, and with the tips that I'll share in this article, you can travel around the whole of Europe on a budget while having the time of your life.

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if your gear doesn't fit in the 50-60, take less gear. YES! 85 liters 20 liters too big and 2-3 pounds too heavy. If you fill up that pack it will be way too heavy and if you don't fill it up it won't carry well.

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You can fly with any amount of cash. No law prohibits you from bringing any amount of money on a flight. Likewise, TSA has no rules that limit how much money you can bring through security. In other words, TSA has no cash limit per person.

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Generally, $20,000 is the baseline cost for a trip around the world for one person for one year. This estimation falls in line with popular recommendations that budget travelers can spend an average of $50 a day on the road, and allows additional budget for flights and vaccines.

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For many people, $50,000 is enough income to live comfortably, although your location and lifestyle are important factors. In coastal cities, that money doesn't go as far, but there are certainly households in New York City that live on one or two Social Security incomes amounting to less than $50,000.

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While your exact expenses depend on a lot of factors, here is the short answer to the question: how much do I need to budget for backpacking Europe? Backpackers should expect to spend between $40 – $70 USD/day in Eastern Europe, $70 – $100/day in Western Europe, and $150 – $200/day in the Nordic countries.

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PACKING LIST FOR EUROPE IN SUMMER: CLOTHING
  1. 2 or 3 short sleeved tops.
  2. 1-2 long sleeved tops.
  3. 2 tank tops (summer)
  4. 1 dress.
  5. 2 or 3 shorts/skirts (any length is fine)
  6. 1-2 pairs of light trousers.
  7. 1 swimsuit.
  8. 2-3 pairs of socks – I wear Toms and sandals, so socks are just for preventing bug bites.


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