The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Across Europe

With the summer months approaching, I thought I would write a review of tips for backpacking through Europe, which if done the right way can be one of the most thrilling adventures you will ever go on in your life.

For years Europe was the place to be for aristocratic youth who were given months long trips to tour the continent from their wealthy parents while staying in the best hotels and being treated to the best money could buy. It was wonderful, that is assuming, of course, you were one of the one's who could afford it.

Those days are LONG gone and now anyone with a small nest egg of cash and an once of smarts can get to know Europe as up close and personal as the wealthy. All you have to do is strap a backpack on your back and go where the European winds (and your feet) take you. Not only can backpacking across Europe be a lot cheaper than being a tourist it also can be so much fun and really introduce you to different cultures and amazing, friendly people you never would have experienced otherwise. And the big plus is it makes for some really cool stories for years to come!

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to know where you're going in Europe beforehand. Actually, one of the greatest joys of backpacking across the continent is going from train station to train station and deciding right then and there where you want to go. With that being said you will need to have an idea of when you'll be traveling and for how long.

When to travel

Most backpackers travel in the summer when the weather in Europe is very pleasant and everything is open including site's to see and hostels. Hostels will become an important friend on you trip through Europe and they are surprisingly cheap in some cases. There are many websites out there for people to utilize before they trek out on foot including www.bugeurope.com and www.hospitalityclub.org where you can actually find people willing to let you crash on their couches while you make your journey.