Reply. Close. Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure. As of November 2020, most of the major of European powers are in the dregs, Italy, France, Spain, and the UK being the most critical. Spend your last couple nights in Santiago de Compostela, a Galician city with fine homemade cooking and a spectacular cathedral. So even if you are trying to travel cheaply in Europe, you’ll save money by buying a backpack that lasts longer. You can sort your car rental here in just a few minutes. Help us keep the site going! Personally, I think a lot of compartments and pockets are constraining, and I find that having fewer, larger pockets is more versatile and makes packing easier and quicker. That is not to say that as soon as you hit the Alps you’ll be on your own. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and fits easily in a backpack. Simple. The truth is that you’ll find a way to pack your stuff in most bags, so it’s size, comfort, and durability you should be focusing on when picking your backpack. The network here is very developed and you can get just about everywhere by rail. Explore the beautiful beaches and stunning interior of France’s most relaxed region. YOU. The cost of living is just too high and the visa policies are just too difficult to navigate for most traveling remote workers. It also gives you extra space to pack things if you are trying to carry on a plane (since daypacks can fit under the seat in front of you, and usually count as a personal item). And I’m here to help you sort through the many travel backpack options out there and to help you quickly and efficiently find your best bag for Europe. In recent years, Eastern Europe has become the go-to destination for travelers wanting to escape the standard Europe backpacking route found in the western part of the continent. So safe yourself some trouble and just pack one now. Let’s be honest: Belgium does offer much in way of stand-out attractions. You came to the wrong country. It’s a win-win! Pros: Carry-on friendly, men and women’s fit, packs like a suitcase, high quality materials, supporting small businesses. Europe is home to some pretty awesome festivals happening throughout the year. Even within one country transportation costs are not universal. Lors de notre premier voyage en backpack en mode baroudeur, nous nous posions mille … The town of Chamonix is the birthplace of modern mountaineering and home to Mount Blanc, Europe’s tallest mountain. The farther north you go, the more dramatic they become. Once you dial in where you plan to go it is only natural to start your backpacking Europe trip in the country first on your list. England and Wales have large sections of coast that are far off the beaten path and offer up excellent hiking/camping possibilities. You can fly there in less than a day so if you have a week or two off work or studying, you too can backpack through Europe… Admittedly, you’ll probably get tired of Belgium quicker than other European countries not to mention put your arteries at serious risk. It’s a challenge as every country has a different language, but a little effort goes a long way. The first and absolutely most important thing that you need to know about culture in Europe is that people are not “just European.” In fact, using “European” as a blanket term for everyone who lives on the continent might land you in some trouble. The parties in Berlin are on a different level. Travel within the Schengen is permitted. Most hostels offer a laundry room or laundry service and, when they don’t, it’s usually just a few blocks away. Disclosure: If you buy something through links on this page, this independent travel blog may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. It’s full of valuable insider hacks that will help you unlock your full potential as a traveler. Sintra shouldn’t be missed. Weight. This is one of the best ways to see Italy in only 10 days – two weeks! Galicia looks more like Ireland than Spain whereas, Central and Southern Spain are dry and hot. The pace here is slower than that of other European countries. After all, it is not much fun spending all of your time sitting on buses or waiting in airports. Check out the world-class museums while backpacking in Madrid. Don’t let the jaded, bitter tourists tell you there’s nothing new to see or do here; you just need to get off the beaten path a bit. Hope that helps! Places like Morocco and Tunisia are great backpacking destinations to head to after backpacking Europe. Forget about the old stereotypes about the French being rude and uptight. I quite literally live out of a backpack and a daypack. Is it the small plates of delicious Tapas? While famous for its fast cars and pretzels, there is so much more to see whilst backpacking Germany – historic towns, medieval monasteries and castles, culture-filled cities, fairy-tale forests, and majestic mountains. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Justifiably so to a degree, though I would argue that Europe is still just as safe as it ever was to go traveling. You can score some pretty sweet deals on epic trips in Europe for a fraction of the price of what other tour operators charge. Explore the cities, beer halls, and the stunning Black Forest in Germany before heading to The Czech Republic. According to Britannica, there are over 160 distinct cultures in Europe, though if we’re being honest this number could be higher. This is definitely one of the more varied backpacking across Europe routes. Start your trip on Karpathos, and enjoy its walking trails, surreal scenery, whitewashed windmills, and glass-blue water for swimming and snorkeling. Start your trip off in Madrid or Barcelona, Spain. Copenhagen is leading the way as a new age metropolis while Stockholm remains one of the most classically beautiful cities in the region. Backpacking in the Pyrenees is a whole trip onto itself really. ATM’s and Money Changers are easy to find across Europe and card payments are now accepted pretty much everywhere. Granted, it’s more expensive than the bus but sometimes worth the extra Euro. Europe was the first region following China to get hit hard by COVID-19. In fact, we at the Broke Backpacker love European hostels so much we have created a whole series of guides breaking down the best hostels to be found in cities across Europe. Europe is full of historical treasures. Having three months or more to backpack thru Europe is an awesome experience. Just remember to take it easy, pace yourself, and not do anything stupid that affects those around you in a negative way. This means that if you book your accommodation, buy a book or sort your insurance, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only travel with my ASUS flipbook usually. When possible hitchhike close to a major highway thus eliminating the element of dealing with confusing backroads. Pros: Extra space but not enormous, backed by Osprey guarantee, solid construction. Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & Singapore can usually obtain visa’s for most European countries on arrival. If you’re an American, like me, this might be hard to wrap your mind around so let me give you some context: The backpack in the photo of me above in Amsterdam above is a 46 liter bag, which I use as my main bag now and which is about the maximum size you can have before you start to have to check your bag. In addition to exploring a few cities in Portugal, visit some of the best beaches that the country has to offer. Whilst you are backpacking the cities in Europe, use the metro and local buses to get across town. Joining a tour is a great way to see a majority of the country quickly and without the effort that goes into planning a backpacking trip. They are roomy and can hold quite a bit of my stuff. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails from Herschel Supply Company Ltd. containing news, updates and promotions regarding our products and events. I have noticed that airfare to and from the USA has gotten much cheaper in the last year or two. Most have guesthouses attached. Rome…Rome is amazing; where else can you find masterpieces from almost every era of western civilization? Backpacking Eastern Europe is one hell of a good time for any aspiring adventurer. It would be an absolute shame to miss though because Austria has all the makings of great time! But if you’re willing to invest in a high-quality bag for the long-term, and you want something that is carry-on friendly, you can’t find a better premium bag than the Tortgua Outbreaker. Be smart, make good choices and it shouldn’t be too difficult to guard yourself and your belongings. More information. Sometimes (like when I was in Mexico), I managed to also fit a full on laptop in there. If you can swing hiring a campervan you will certainly not regret it. In the end, planning a backpacking trip to Europe depends entirely on where you really want to visit. Many backpackers are unaware that there is some killer surf to be found all across Europe. Genoa is a short drive away from Turin and is a bit of a forgotten destination. On every adventure, there are six things I never go traveling without. Blog Voyages en Europe. A journey backpacking Europe is one of the best adventures any traveler can experience. Envie d'un voyage itinérant pour vivre de nouvelles aventures ? If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must. He is an advocate for off-beat responsible travel and the preservation of the world's wild places and spaces. Canals. Let me know if you have any other questions! Within that one culture, there are at least five different sub-cultures – probably more in reality – and three of these actually want to start their own nations: the Basque, Galicia, and Catalonia, all of which are a part of Spain. Because the retractable cable comes in handy when you need to secure your travel backpack (for example in a dorm where the hostel doesn’t have a locker, or the locker won’t fit your bag). Keep in mind when looking at that photo that I’m very tall, so it may look bigger on you. When it comes to understanding culture in Europe, it just takes an open mind. Récits et photos de mes voyages: de l'Italie à la Suède, de l'Irlande à la Roumanie! So in this post, I’m going to quickly help you find the best travel backpack for Europe for you! #antitheft #pickpocket #bag #backpack #travel #city #subway #bus | anti-theft bags | pickpocket proof backpacks | travel tips This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off. So with that in mind, here’s a rundown of some of the best backpacks for traveling Europe, starting with our top ranked bag: Our writer Hedy reviewed the Tortuga Setout Backpack and, wow, were we blown away by the versatility and durability of Tortuga’s super-practical travel backpack. Because the country is relatively small, you can travel around here with ease whilst taking in a majority of it. Since France is quite a large country in European terms, there are so many hidden gems in this country that I have lost track.