backpacking across europe?? help!?

Question

any advice?

Answer 1

Get yourself a good compact guide book..".Let's Go Europe" has always been excellent. Buy it now...It can help you get ready. Get a good backpack. See Europe by train. Buy your Eurailpass (Train ticket) here before you go. (Or anything else like it...Traveler checks etc...). Night trains save you money. (No hotel). And some trains will have sleeping cars...Make reservations. Shop in the markets for your food instead of restaurants (Carry some in your backpack). If you do go to a restaurant...Talk to the locals and find the "working class" places to go. They're often better and much cheaper! Watch your stuff!! Keep your Passport and money in a protected place other than your backpack...(Fannypack etc...) Don't exchange your money in trainstations or airports (High rate). Find a good bank (Cheaper). Hang out with the locals and get the inside stories. It's a blast! Remember, the longer your money lasts...The longer you can stay!

Answer 2

In my experience train stations and airports are not too bad to change money, but if you just want to change a little, go to the places that have a no charge policy.
Do not take traveler cheques, keep your money in your bank account, take a debit card and get most of your money out of the ATM, but check with your bank what they charge for using the card. Often it is just token money, but sometimes the charges are high.
If you have a credit card, bring it, but do not use it in the ATM, except in emergencies. (The charges can be real high.)
Visa and Mastercard are the most used cards, and most ATMs work on the same systems, often with cirrus too.
American Express is not liked, you can use it, but expect it to be rejected often.

For travel, I personally prefer the train, passes are great but might work out more expensive than individual tickets.
http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/eurail_index.htm
If your budget is real tight, consider a bus pass:
http://www.nationalexpress.com/eurolines/save/eurolines_pass.cfm

Traveling in Western Europe is rather easy, almost everybody speaks English, but it is also rather expensive.
Eastern Europe is less expensive but the language barier will be a bit higher.

Hostels are very good places to sleep, and to meet people.
Get a good guidebook that lists hostels, I like Lonely Planet, they tell you about hostels, hotels, restaurants, museums, sights, markets and shopping, all with prices. And how to get to the places and how to get around.

Use a small backpack, they do get heavy when walking around. Or take a pack that is a backpack but also has wheels, best of both worlds.
Do not take clothing for more than two weeks, rather less, and do some laundry underway, not hard and makes traveling so much easier.

Answer 3

take the train, stay at youth hostels, eat in local restaurants, go with a friend!

I love Europe
Ich liebe Europe!
<3

Answer 4

Don't. They invented hotels for a reason.