backpacking across europe?

Question

me and my best friend are planning to have a backpacking trip across europe russia and japan we plan on starting from london or ireland hitting up france italy germany amsterdam greece then going on to moscow and then heading into tokyo. So do any of you have any advice? We are very new to this.

Answer 1

First get yourself a good guidebook.
For Europe it will safe you money, in Russia it is more important as it will have information on things like visa, whether and how to report to the police, (if still needed.)
In Japan it will safe you money again and might help you with language problems.
(I have been in Japan, 15 years ago, and except for one out of the way hostel, everybody I met spoke English.)

The Lonely Planet series are very good guidebooks for the kind of travels you plan.
Make sure you have the right edition, with info on all the places you want to go in Russia.

Sit down with your friend and talk about the practical side of traveling, what kind of transport, hostels or campgear, how much money per day (average,) and how much for the more expensive countries.
Take a map (print one out from the www,) and point out all places you want to go, and if the are far apart, how do you travel from one to the other.
I saw that you have Amsterdam and Greece next to each other in your list, that is not the most logical way to travel as far as I can see.
You might need to fly between several of the destinations, and if you book early your ticket will be cheap but you can not change your plans much that way, if you buy last minute tickets it can be dear.

For Russia it might be even more important to have your plans before you get in, as the system there is still rather strict on where tourists go, and two young men together may be more than the locals officials are happy with.

Also talk about what you expect to do when you are in a town, if the one wants to do all museums and sights while the other just wants to drink your trip will not last past the first week.
But if you can get it going it will be the best thing you have ever done.

When you are ready to go, pack little, one or two spare jeans, a couple of T-shirts and a sweater, a handful of underwear, towel, toothbrush and deo and you are ready to go.
You will carry your stuff more often than you expect, and a backpack gets heavy.
If you add camping gear you will not want to walk distances anymore, unless you really bite down on weight.

Whatever you decide, travel and enjoy it.

Answer 2

If you want to travel by train across Russia from Europe to Japan, do a search for "City-Star" train tickets. These are special discounted rail tickets for travel to Russia. Best buy them in Bratislava.

Answer 3

Stay in hostels. Cheap and fun:)
bugeurope.com has some good reviews.
kayak.com
vitualtourist.com
tripadvisor.com
eurotrip.com

these are 4 of the greatest sites! I used them when I planned my backpacking trip.....

London is a good hub, flights are cheap from there. use airlines like ryanair and easyjet ect....

the best souvenir I had was a journal......I wrote everyday, even if it was just street names hotel names ect...I also brought tape and taped receipts and flyers in it. Best thing i ever did.
if u have specific questions email me:)


Melissa

Answer 4

I would recommend getting a rail pass to travel around Europe - try http://www.thetravellerslounge.co.uk/getting_around/rail_passes/

For accommodation, staying in hostels will be the cheapest option and most you can prebook online for only a few cents http://reservations.bookhostels.com/thetravellerslounge.com