How do I approach backpacking?

Question

I want to travel, mainly to Europe. How do I get started planning? Is backpacking really all it's made out to be?

Answer 1

Back-packing can be great or it can be pure hell.

First think about what you want.
If you want be sure everything is organized for you and you feel better with someone to translate for you, better join a tour group.

If you want to do your own thing, do things a tour does not do or want to save money, make your own plans.

You can book a flight, toss some things in a pack and see what happens, but most people will book for the first few days, buy a train pass or bus pass or plan on buying tickets as they go, and plan what they want to do.

Take a rather light pack or suitcase, (although a back-pack is easier in use.)
Take clothes for a week, two at most, and plan to wash them several times during the trip.
Add a good guidebook, I like the Lonely Planet series, lot of reliable info and many guides to chose from so there is always one that covers all of your trip, and it will tell you where to find hotels or hostels and what they will cost. (But add about 25% as the prices go up and the cheapest rooms are always taken when you ask for them.)
A book like that safes you more than it costs.

If you like all things well planned you can make all your bookings before you even leave home, but when you travel outside July and August you will find that all towns have plenty of space, and if you phone in the morning you have a bed for the night. Or you can even leave it till the evening knowing that the next town is only a train ride away.

If you are the kind of person that likes things done for you, prefers privacy above company, and needs routine, do not go back-packing.

Answer 2

yeah, thats a good idea of backpacking. Get started first with ur clothes, cosmetics if u r interested, i-pod,and a laptop and
never forget ur mobile(if got one).