Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to plan out your entire route prior to backpacking in Europe. You will want to plan out some aspects of your backpacking Europe itinerary such as when you are going and how long you are going to stay. However, the joy of backpacking in Europe lies in the fact that you can pretty much hop on a train and go wherever you please with a minimal amount of planning.

The Basics of Planning a Backpacking Europe Itinerary

First and foremost, you need to make sure you have the right backpacking in Europe gear such as a money belt and a comfortable backpack. Bring clothes that are appropriate for the season you are traveling in. Some gear that is essential for backpackers is a rain jacket, flip flops, and traveling/hiking boots.

You will want to get an idea of how much you will need to spend when planning your backpacking in Europe itinerary. Look up the types of hostels that are within your budget range and research how much everything will cost in the regions you are traveling to. Eastern Europe is pretty cheap but some cities in Europe like London can be pretty expensive. Expect to spend at least $60 per day.

An important thing to remember when planning your backpacking in Europe itinerary is to be flexible. You may change your mind when you get there so try not to create a very rigid travel plan. Remember also that train and bus schedules do change so try to be flexible. If you try to stick too closely to a plan or schedule, you are bound to end up frustrated and disappointed.

Oftentimes when you backpack in Europe you end up meeting other travelers who tell you about an amazing place they visited that wasn’t a part of your original backpacking in Europe itinerary. If you remain flexible, you can make these new destinations a part of your trip regardless. Keeping your schedule open to change is a big part of the adventure!

In order to create a rough and flexible backpacking in Europe itinerary, all you need to do is research rail pass prices, flight prices within Europe, flight prices from your home country to Europe, and then put them all together to make a plan. You can come up with different travel itineraries and keep them on hand while you are on your trip in case you want to change things up.

Believe me. Staying flexible is the key to making the most of your backpacking trip in Europe. While it’s important to have some kind of a backpacking in Europe itinerary, being rigid will only make your trip stressful. Stay flexible because it’s all part of the adventure!