Is it hard to backpack across europe?

Question

I am 20 and i was wondering is it hard to backpack across europe i would like to do it next summer or sometime in the next few years considering all the things you have to bring and the countries you would like to visit?

Answer 1

LOTs of people do it! There are great train, plane and bus services for most of Europe and most of the touristy places have a few english speakers ( the only trouble i really had was in Paris and Zargreb but my very limited French and German ( of which is spoken widely in Croatia) helped out a little....apart from that i spoke english. If at first you dont succeed find the next person who may speak english...just keep trying.

Do you research first...so you know what places are worthwhile seeing it and which are not really worth it......also make a plan, then ask it again to see what people say, eg if its eough time, you have missed places etc.....i would have some flexibilitiy to it as well to add or change your plan as you find a great place that you want to stay longer.

Look at your costs...accommodation and travel will be the most, then food and entry costs will be the rest. Try not to buy too much in the way of souveniers as they fill up your bag or cost a bomb to send. Look at shared accommodation in hostels for the cheapest accommodation eg www.hostels.com, www.hostelbookers.com etc to see what it will cost in each place...some places will cost a LOT more than others eg venice and florence were pricey.

try www.skyscanner.net for some options on flights as you can get some very cheap fares at times in europe and may even be cheaper than bus or train...umm i think its eurolines.com which is bus..or at least quite a few options to lots of places.

If you do it slowly over the next 2 years...looking online all the time for airfares to get there and so you have an ideas as to general costs and know when you see a bargin, when the cheaper times to fly are and even where to fly into....gradually get to know some places that you want to go to...get a good travel book and read thru it or get it from the library to peruse.

Answer 2

It is totally possible.  Thousands do it every year. I would start by narrowing down the countries you would like to visit. Then, purchase a guide book, like LONELY PLANET or FODORS.  

Answer 3

The only hard part is the language barrier, especially outside bigger cities. So choose a few countries and get a phrase book for each language.

Answer 4

Lots of people do it every year. You actually don't need to bring much stuff at all, it's really important to pack light, just two or three changes of clothing, and a couple of warmer items so you can layer clothes if it gets cold.  Whatever you need you can buy in Europe.

Get a copy of Lonely Planet's 'Europe on a Shoestring', and work out an itinerary of sorts before you travel, so you're not wasting time an money backtracking to see things.