![\"Nomadic](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/planeurope.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Backpacking Europe<\/a> is one of my favorite things to do as a traveler. There isn’t a year I don’t criss-cross the continent (except 2020 when no one was crossing Europe). <\/p>\n During the summer, hostels burst with life, the Mediterranean sparkles, streets fill with people drinking wine and enjoying the day, and the late night setting sun leads to long wondrous days. Winter brings Christmas markets, skiing, fewer crowds, and lower prices! And Spring and Fall bring the right mix of people, temperatures, and prices that make these two my favorite seasons to travel Europe. <\/p>\n Since starting this website in 2008, I’ve written a lot<\/em> of posts on Europe. I visit Europe multiple times a year, have been all over the continent, lived there on multiple occasions, and I have even run tours there.<\/p>\n With so much content on the blog, I wanted to create a resource page that will help you plan your backpacking trip to Europe with ease. That way you don’t miss anything! In this post, you’ll find all my best resources on planning a backpacking or budget trip to Europe, including destination guides, transportation tips, accommodation information, ways to meet people, and so much more!<\/p>\n So, without further ado, here’s everything you could ever want to know about backpacking Europe:<\/p>\n How Not to Feel Overwhelmed While Planning<\/a> – Planning the perfect trip to Europe can be daunting and overwhelming. I\u2019ve been there and I understand, but I can tell you from years of experience that the more you plan your trip, the more anxiety you will face.<\/p>\n How to Save for Your Trip<\/a> – Is money stopping you from taking the trip of your dreams? Here is my list of easy ways to cut down on your daily expenses so you can save money to backpack Europe.<\/p>\n How to Find a Cheap Flight<\/a> – Getting to Europe can be half the challenge. Luckily, there are a ton of flight deals to the continent now if you know when and how to look for them. This article will show you how to always get a cheap flight to Europe.<\/p>\n How to Earn Points for Free Flights and Hotel Stays<\/a> – Free travel is my favorite kind of travel! This post shows you eight strategies I use to get over a million frequent flier points. These will get you out of your house faster, cheaper, and in comfort!<\/p>\n How to (Legally) Stay in Europe for More Than 90 Days<\/a> – Every year, thousands of travelers wonder how they can stay in Europe for more than 90 days, which is the limit in the Schengen Zone. The good news is that there are a few different ways to stay. In this post, I share what you can do to stay legally beyond 90 days and on the continent in general.<\/p>\n Get Nomad Health Insurance<\/a> – You should always get insurance when you travel because you never know what can happen to you on the road. The Nomad Complete plan is my favorite. Here’s a full review<\/a>.<\/p>\n How to Avoid Paying Bank Fees <\/a> – You should never have to pay any bank fees while you are accessing your money in Europe! Here is my advice on how to avoid bank fees as your backpacking Europe.<\/p>\n Is Europe Safe to Visit?<\/a> \u2013 Here is how to ensure you stay safe while traveling across the continent. What to Pack for Your Trip<\/a> – What should you pack on your trip? Well, there is no one right answer, but this list will give you a good place to start. It\u2019s what I take on my trips with me (though you\u2019ll need to make some seasonal variations, I\u2019m sure!). This list will give you a good place to start, covering essentials like an eSIM<\/a> to stay connected, a succinct clothing list, and a small medical kit.<\/p>\n The Ultimate Packing List for Female Travelers<\/a> – In this post, Kristin Addis shares her packing insights for women, so that you can travel just about anywhere without spending a fortune on gear.<\/p>\n How to Buy Good Travel Insurance<\/a> – Travel insurance is one of the most important things you\u2019ll need for your trip. You wouldn\u2019t have a car without car insurance or a home without home insurance, and you can\u2019t have a trip without travel insurance!<\/p>\n The Best eSIM for Traveling Europe<\/a> – Having access to mobile data while you travel can not only keep you safe if there is an emergency, but it ensures you can book accommodation, flights, and activities on the go. This post breaks down the best eSIMs for travelers in Europe, helping you stay connected on a budget.<\/p>\n Are These The Best Clothes for Travelers?<\/a> – Unbound Merino make durable, stylish, and affordable travel clothes. I bring them with me every time I visit Europe. In this post, I explain why I think you should check them out for your next trip. How to Find a Good Hostel<\/a> – This article features my best tips on how to find an affordable, clean, and fun hostel where you can meet a lot of amazing people.<\/p>\n The Best Hostels in Europe<\/a> – This is a list of European hostels that I would definitely use again if I have the chance. Hope this helps with your next European backpacking adventure!<\/p>\n How to Become a Housesitter<\/a> – This is a how-to guide to house-sitting, a wonderful opportunity that allows you to stay in a location rent free in exchange for watching someone\u2019s house.<\/p>\n The Best Website for House Swaps: My HomeExchange Review<\/a> – HomeExchange is a network that facilitates swapping homes with another person or family. It’s an amazing platform if you want to deepen your travels, connect with locals, and save money.<\/p>\n For more budget accommodation suggestions, check out my hostel hub page<\/a>. It has all my favorite hostels around Europe!<\/p>\n If you’d rather stay in hotels, this page has all my favorite hotels in Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n And, to find out where to stay in each city, visit my list of the best neighborhoods in Europe!<\/a> The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money with Eurail Passes<\/a> – Everyone traveling to Europe wonders if they will save money by buying a rail pass or if it\u2019s cheaper to buy tickets as they go. This detailed post outlines everything you need to know about buying a rail pass!<\/p>\n If you’re planning to take the train but don’t want to use the Eurail Pass, check out Trainline<\/a>. It’s the website I use to find routes and buy train tickets when I travel Europe. it’s super easy to use!<\/p>\n Europe is also an amazing destination for road trips. Countries like Iceland<\/a>, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, and Norway are all amazing places to explore by vehicle. <\/p>\n If you’re planning to drive around Europe, use Discover Cars<\/a> to find the best rental prices. They search rental companies big and small to find you the best deals.<\/p>\n You can use the widget below to get a quote. It\u2019s fast and free:<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nStep 1: Plan Your Backpacking Europe Trip <\/h3>\n
![\"Nomadic](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2022\/guideupdatepost2.jpg\")
\nHow to Plan a Trip: A Month-By-Month Guide<\/a> – This post breaks down the planning process by month, making it super easy to plan your trip to Europe. Just follow the steps and you’ll be on your way!<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nStep 2: Get Your Gear for Backpacking Europe<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/europesteps3.jpg\")
\nHow to Pick the Best Backpack<\/a> – It\u2019s important to pick a quality backpack for your trip since it\u2019s going to get beaten up as you travel! This guide to choosing the right travel backpack will help you determine the best pack for your trip.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nStep 3: How to Get Amazing Accommodation in Europe<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/europeresourcepage7.jpg\")
\nHow to Find Cheap Accommodation<\/a> – If you are looking to stay somewhere besides a hotel or a hostel, this article lists all the types of places where you can rest your head in Europe \u2014 from couches to farms and even monasteries!<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nStep 4: Get Around Europe on the Cheap<\/h3>\n
![\"Nomadic](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2025\/matticelandmountain_1.jpeg\")
\n7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe<\/a> – Traveling around Europe can still be fairly expensive. Here are seven ways to backpack Europe without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n