Trekking Across Europe on the Cheap

I never thought I’d actually be thanking the crappy economy for anything but when it comes to European travel I can’t help but shout “THANK YOU!” The dollar isn’t faring as poorly against other currencies as it was at this time last year and that combined with sinking air fares, a European vacation isn’t out of the realm of possibility after all. The true trick is keeping things cheap once you arrive. Hotels, transportation, cost of food and shopping all make for an expensive trip, so what is your remedy? How do you travel economically across Europe? By backpacking and camping, of course! Not only will you save money and still have a great time, but you’ll also learn a thing or two about packing light. Now, where do we start? How about with the basics!

What Do I Pack?

- Sleeping Bag & Pad: Today’s sleeping bags are especially lightweight, just make sure you pack one suitable for the climate you are traveling in. A three-season sleeping might be best if you’re going to be camping at different elevations. I definitely recommend bringing along a ground pad or air mattress as you never know how level the ground at your campsite is going to be. Both are very lightweight and roll up pretty easily so you won’t be burdened by excess weight.
- Backpack: A backpack is obviously a crucial component in backpacking through Europe. Backpacks today (like tents and sleeping bags) are very lightweight. Make sure you try out a few in the stores before purchasing. You want to get a good sense of how the pack feels on your back. You also want to make sure that it has adequate storage pockets for your belongings. As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want to overstuff your backpack but remember this will be on your back so it’s a good idea to keep things light. Only bring what’s necessary!
- Other Necessities: Some other good things to include in your backpack include a good guidebook, a phrasebook (should you find yourself somewhere where English isn’t spoken), a trusty flashlight, water bottle and some chlorine tablets (in case the water isn’t safe to drink). I also recommend bringing a combination lock or a padlock of some kind. If you arrive in a new city, you can lock your stuff in a train station locker, or some other public lockers and do some sight-seeing without your heavy pack. Hostels also might let you use their lockers. Oh! Definitely bring along a digital camera with extra batteries and memory cards. Memory cards are great because they are relatively inexpensive, incredibly lightweight and available pretty much everywhere.

While the answer to this question is based in part on how long you plan on staying, there are some general rules of thumb that you should abide by. While staying in hostels is a perfectly acceptable affordable means of getting through Europe, camping is more fun, especially if you’re a social butterfly and a knowledge-seeker. A backpacking trip across Europe is loaded with life lessons that you’ll most likely never forget. Here’s the shortlist of “must-have” items for you to pack.

What Do I Eat?

Honestly, my food recommendation is to buy it as you need it. One of the best things about these quaint little European towns is the markets you’ll find. Before a big camping trip you might want to stock up on some dried fruit, nuts and other non perishables but if you’re traveling through cities and towns you’ll save money by buying fresh fruits, breads and sandwich meats as you need them. Nothing beats a fresh made mozzarella and prosciutto sandwich from a little Italian market for lunch. Quick, easy and cheap!

Where Do I Sleep?

It’s definitely a good idea to spend some time before you leave, researching potential campsites to stay at. On the whole, European campgrounds are clean, comfortable and secure with clean bathrooms, hot showers, even washing machines and sometimes a snack bar. Not very rustic, I know but very convenient! Most campgrounds also offer some kind of a sheltered socializing space with picnic tables. Camping through Europe is a great way to get to know people from all over the place. Don’t be shy! Say hello! You might even be able to exchange food and travel tips. Eurocampings.net is a great resource to check out when looking for places to stay in your planned travel path.

You might be surprised to learn that rest stops are also popular places to stay, should you decide to rent a car, van or RV. Since Europe is connected via a series of big highways, rest stops are plentiful and super clean. Many have showers (most for pay) and restaurants and you can sleep in your car. Wherever your travel plans take you, make sure that you’re safe and organized. Wear some sort of a money belt and keep your passport and any cash close to your person. This is going to be a trip to remember!