How to Plan a Europe Backpacking Trip (2026 Guide)

Everything I wish someone had told me before my first trip.

I planned my first Europe trip with 47 browser tabs, a massive spreadsheet, and constant anxiety that I was doing it wrong.

I was doing it wrong. Most of that planning was unnecessary. Here's what actually matters.

How Much Does It Cost?

Budget €50-80/day for Western Europe. €30-50/day for Eastern Europe.

This includes:

• Hostel: €15-35/night (dorm), €40-70/night (private)
• Food: €15-25/day (groceries + cheap restaurants)
• Transport: €10-20/day average (varies wildly)
• Activities: €10-15/day (many things are free)

For 3 weeks: Budget €1,500-2,500 depending on your route and style.

How Long Should You Go?

Minimum: 2 weeks. Less than that and you'll spend half your trip in transit.

Sweet spot: 3-4 weeks. Enough time to slow down.

Common mistake: Trying to see too many cities. 3-4 days per city minimum. 1-2 nights means you see nothing but train stations.

Route Planning

Pick a region, not a continent. You can't "do Europe" in three weeks.

Classic starter routes:

• Western Europe: Paris → Barcelona → Nice → Rome → Florence
• Central Europe: Berlin → Prague → Vienna → Budapest → Krakow
• Balkans: Split → Dubrovnik → Kotor → Tirana → Thessaloniki
• Portugal/Spain: Lisbon → Seville → Granada → Barcelona

Pro tip: Plan a rough route, not a rigid schedule. Book the first 2-3 nights. Figure out the rest as you go.

Transport

Trains

Best for medium distances (2-6 hours). Book 2-4 weeks ahead for cheaper fares. Night trains save a hotel night.

Budget Airlines

Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air. €20-50 flights exist. Watch for baggage fees—often costs more than the ticket. Carry-on only if possible.

Buses

FlixBus covers everywhere. Cheap but slow. Good for overnight routes where you'd otherwise waste a day.

Eurail Pass

Math usually doesn't work out unless you're doing 10+ train rides. Calculate before buying.

Hostels

Book on Hostelworld or Booking.com. Read reviews carefully.

• Look for: 8+ rating, recent reviews, good location, 4-6 bed dorms
• Avoid: "Party hostels" (unless that's your thing), 20+ bed dorms
• Book ahead: In summer, popular cities sell out

Bring earplugs, eye mask, and a small padlock. Non-negotiable.

What to Pack

One backpack. 30-40 liters. That's it.

See our complete packing guide for the specific list. The short version: you need less than you think.

Apps You'll Actually Use

• Google Maps: Offline maps. Download before you leave.
• Rome2Rio: Transport options between cities.
• Hostelworld/Booking: Accommodation.
• Trainline: Train bookings across Europe.
• Polo: Turn your saved TikToks and Instagram posts into an actual itinerary.
• Wise: Best exchange rates, works everywhere.

Things Nobody Tells You

• You'll get tired. Schedule rest days. Travel fatigue is real.
• The best stuff isn't planned. Leave gaps in your schedule.
• Other travelers know things Google doesn't. Talk to people.
• Shoulder season (April-May, September-October) is best. Fewer crowds, lower prices.
• Most museums have free days. Look them up.
• Tourist areas are the most expensive. Walk 10 minutes in any direction.

Start Simple

Don't overthink it. Book a flight. Book the first few nights. Figure out the rest there.

The trip will be messy. You'll miss connections, get lost, eat at bad restaurants, and stay at sketchy hostels. That's part of it.

Just go.

Plan your Europe trip with Polo. Import your saved travel content, see it on a map, build an itinerary. Free to try.