{"id":4896,"date":"2025-02-24T14:16:59","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T14:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=4896"},"modified":"2025-02-24T14:16:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T14:16:59","slug":"my-6-step-guide-to-planning-a-trip-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=4896","title":{"rendered":"My 6 Step Guide to Planning a Trip in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Backpacking Europe is one of my favorite things to do as a traveler. There isn\u2019t a year I don\u2019t 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\u2019ve 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\u2019t miss anything! In this post, you\u2019ll 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\u2019s everything you could ever want to know about backpacking Europe:<\/p>\n

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Step 1: Plan Your Backpacking Europe Trip <\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Nomadic\"Nomadic
How to Plan a Trip: A Month-By-Month Guide \u2013 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\u2019ll be on your way!<\/p>\n

How Not to Feel Overwhelmed While Planning \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 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

How to Avoid Paying Bank Fees \u2013 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? \u2013 Here is how to ensure you stay safe while traveling across the continent.
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Step 2: Get Your Gear for Backpacking Europe<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"A\"A
How to Pick the Best Backpack \u2013 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

What to Pack for Your Trip \u2013 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!).<\/p>\n

The Ultimate Packing List for Female Travelers \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 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? \u2013 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.
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Step 3: How to Get Amazing Accommodation in Europe<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"A\"A
How to Find Cheap Accommodation \u2013 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

How to Find a Good Hostel \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 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 \u2013 HomeExchange is a network that facilitates swapping homes with another person or family. It\u2019s 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. It has all my favorite hostels around Europe!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d rather stay in hotels, this page has all my favorite hotels in Europe.<\/p>\n

And, to find out where to stay in each city, visit my list of the best neighborhoods in Europe!
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Step 4: Get Around Europe on the Cheap<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Nomadic\"Nomadic
7 Cheap Ways to Travel Across Europe \u2013 Traveling around Europe can still be fairly expensive. Here are seven ways to backpack Europe without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n

The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money with Eurail Passes \u2013 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\u2019re planning to take the train but don\u2019t want to use the Eurail Pass, check out Trainline. It\u2019s the website I use to find routes and buy train tickets when I travel Europe. it\u2019s super easy to use!<\/p>\n

Europe is also an amazing destination for road trips. Countries like Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, and Norway are all amazing places to explore by vehicle. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning to drive around Europe, use Discover Cars 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

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Step 5: Save Money While Backpacking Europe<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Prices vary wildly in Europe. That means that how you save money in one country might not apply in a neighboring destination. To ensure you don\u2019t break the bank during your trip, here are a few posts that can help keep your budget in tact: <\/p>\n

How to Save Money on Food \u2013 While traveling Europe, food often becomes a major expense. Here are some tips for saving money on food so you still can afford a nice meal out every now and then.<\/p>\n

How to Use the Sharing Economy to Save Money \u2013 The rise of the sharing economy has made backpacking Europe so much easier and cheaper. This post lists all my favorite ridesharing, house sharing, local meeting websites so you can get off the tourist trail and experience day-to-day life with locals!<\/p>\n

61 Tips to Make You the Savviest Traveler \u2013 These 61 travel tips will help you become an expert traveler who gets around Europe cheaper, better, longer, and smarter!<\/p>\n

14 Major Travel Scams to Avoid \u2013 Losing money to a preventable travel scam sucks. Learn what scams to look out for in Europe and save yourself a potential headache!
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Step 6: Find Out What to See and Do in Europe<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Nomadic\"Nomadic
What do you do while backpacking Europe? LOTS! Here are all my comprehensive budget travel guides for destinations around Europe with tips and advice on things to do and see, ways to save money, and typical costs for each of them. You\u2019ll find country-specific tips as well as a host of cities listed as well. <\/p>\n

Additionally, here are a few of my favorite companies in Europe. These are the comoanies I use when I\u2019m looking for things to do, food tours, walking tours, and more!<\/p>\n

Walks \u2013 Walks offers in-depth history, food, and cultural tours in cities around the world (especially Europe). Its small-group tours offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access other companies can\u2019t get and use really incredible and knowledgeable guides. I can\u2019t recommend them enough.<\/p>\n

Devour \u2013 Devour has all kinds of amazing food tours around Europe. If you\u2019re a foodie who wants to learn more about the history and culture behind each dish, these tours are the best on the continent. I take them every chance I get.<\/p>\n

GetYourGuide \u2013 Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. The site has tons of tour options in cities all around the world, including cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more! It\u2019s a good resource to search for specific tours in any destination.<\/p>\n

For a complete overview of Europe in one easy-to-read post, you can check out this free guide. It covers all the basics, including ways to save money, things to see and do, when to go, and more! <\/p>\n

***<\/center><\/p>\n

This massive resource list will help you plan your trip to Europe in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step pattern so you won\u2019t get lost, overspend, or stress out about your upcoming dream trip. Europe is one of my favorite regions of the world (which is why I spend so much time there). There\u2019s so much variety in food, culture, and language, as well as so much history. I love the continent and hope you use these tips to plan your ultimate backpacking adventure in Europe!<\/p>\n

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Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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\"Get\"Get<\/div>\n
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My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Book Your Trip to Europe: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n

Book Your Flight<\/strong>
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!<\/p>\n

Book Your Accommodation<\/strong>
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. <\/p>\n

For suggestions on where to stay during your trip, here are my favorite hostels in Europe!<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong>
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It\u2019s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I\u2019ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?<\/strong>
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I\u2019m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. <\/p>\n

Want More Information on Europe?<\/strong>
Be sure to visit my robust destination guide to Europe for even more planning tips!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Source: https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/backpacking-europe-guide\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Backpacking Europe is one of my favorite things to do as a traveler. There isn\u2019t a year I don\u2019t criss-cross the continent (except 2020 when no one was crossing Europe). 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4889,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[100,101,80],"class_list":["post-4896","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-backpacking","tag-eurail","tag-europe"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4896","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4896"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4896\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4896"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4896"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4896"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}