The Beginners Guide to Backpacking
/I went on my first backpacking trip with a small Hershel backpack, one pair of shoes, and $1,200. I was gone for about two months. I lost my wallet with 500 Euro in it in the first week of my trip. I got kicked out of a hotel, lost my friend at least 12 times, had a random guy tattoo my name on his butt with an American flag. Ate only McDonald’s cheese burgers for 1 Euro because I wanted to save my money for drinks.
I think that’s it but I’m sure i’ll think of something else. The moral of that story is, I’m here to tell you exactly how to plan your first backpacking trip where you can build memories but also be a little more prepared.
Let’s start with the first step, the location. I will always recommend western Europe for a first-timer because western Europe is no stranger to backpackers, it is safe, and a lot of people speak English and there are a lot of hostels with great reviews and good locations.
Now that we have a where out of the way lets go to the HOW.
Before you started reading this you probably thought you needed to save a lot of money before hitting the road and then you read my interesting $1,200 experience so you’re thinking maybe not?
Learn from my mistakes.
Lesson Number One: FINANCES
You don’t need a small fortune by any means but please don’t attempt 2 months on $1,200. I had an incredible time don’t get me wrong but McDonald’s cheeseburgers are no way to eat when you’re over there! Also, you’ll always want to have an emergency fund.
One time, I was traveling from London to France on the Chunnel (super overrate way to travel and too expensive). Chunnel tickets are nonrefundable. And because I’m me I booked our return ticket for a month after we were actually supposed to leave. I HAD TO BUY A WHOLE NEW TICKET. An entirely new one-way Chunnel ticket of 250 Pounds, which is like $400. Always have an emergency fund.
sidebar: the Chunnel is overrated. Don’t do it.
Lesson Number Two: Planning.
I love when people say “I want to just go and wing it!” Now, I’ve winged it and I’ve planned it and I’ve had a blast both times. But I will say, for your first trip, please do not wing it. At least have a few days booked at a hostel and a general idea of where you are going. I recommend having your first week to two weeks planned and then you can kinda switch it up if you want to.
Winging it is fun and you feel like you’re really cool because when someone asks you where you’re going next you get to say “where ever the wind takes me man!” and you get to be this person who you would probably hit if you met them here but when you’re backpacking Europe or Asia its totally ok to be that person. BUT, you also run the risk of overspending for hostels or ending up in a super sketchy hostel because you just need a bed, or end up homeless because you couldn’t find wifi (this has happened numerous times)
The general advice here is at least have an idea where you might be headed. I listen to a crap ton of Crime Junkie podcast and I have an If I Go Missing folder and I’m paranoid as all get out when it comes to just flying by the seat of my pants but I also kept my parents one country behind me through social media when I went to Eastern Europe but thats a different story.
Lesson Number Three: Making Friends.
The people that go backpacking all have a common code, either they are avoiding responsibilities, sold all their stuff and are traveling, just trying to live a little they are all there to experience new things. I actually met a girl who ended up traveling with us for a few months, when we got back she moved from Colorado to Orlando and was my roommate for a year before she moved to Tampa with our other friend. I’ve also met some straight up creepers.
This being said BE SMART! Don’t just go running off with a boy who you think is cute because I told you to make friends in your hostel. Go in groups, use your head, and trust your gut. You’ll meet some amazing people and friends for lifetime, don’t be shy, but don’t be an idiot either.
This leads me to Lesson Number Four: BE SMART!
You guys know I love my wine and I have definitely had some close calls where I got a little too comfortable with alcohol on backpacking trips but girls, listen up, you might make backpacking friends who are cool but there are always creepers out there who are just waiting for you to drink a little too much. I’m not saying be a sober nun, but watch yourself, if you are traveling solo, this goes for guys too, just be mindful of your surroundings and if you feel like you are getting a little too gone, drink some water or go home, no sense ruining your trip being roofied or getting arrested because you wanted to have one more drink.
That wasn’t meant to scare you from getting drunk at the ruins bars in Budapest, it’s just meant to put the seed of caution in you so you stay safe!
On a lighter note, Lesson Number Five: Packing
You don’t need a lot of shit. If it’s in the summer pack a few dresses, shorts, t-shirts, sneakers and a pair of sandals. Call it a day! Washing is cheap and it’s so easy to go to the laundromat and your shoulders will thank you! My first backpacking trip I took this too literally and it was cold and I smelled awful because I had like two outfits and they were with my shoes, and then the second trip I took I overcorrected and I swear I had indents in my shoulders from how heavy my bag was.
Put your outfits in plastic bags, not only does this conserve space but it also is easy to pull out an outfit, put it on and go, then put it dirty back in the bag, doesn’t make the rest of your clothes stink and its just so convenient.
…man you guys probably think I really smell, I promise I don’t but you go traipsing around Europe for months with not a lot of clothes and you start to smell like your backpack.
A few essentials:
Shower shoes— if you go in a hostel shower without shower shoes, I can’t talk to you.
Rain jacket — whether it’s a windbreaker or a cute rain jacket just have one, your stuff gets wet and you can’t wash it right away you will regret it when it starts to stink.
A lock— I use a key and put it on my necklace so I don’t loose it, but they are cheaper to buy in the states then in Europe or at the hostels they double charge you and you do not want to not lock your stuff up.
Dryer sheets— put these in your shoes and in each outfit bag, keeps it all fresh and is a natural bug spray.
Lesson Number Six: MONEY EXCHANGING
A lot of people will tell you to order Euros ahead of time or exchange cash at the airport. Do not do either of these. When you land in the airport, find an ATM, this is 2019, they are everywhere. Pull out the max amount you can take, usually its 200-500 Euro, this is THE BEST exchange rate. I recommend using cash, unless you’re in Sweden, because the exchange rate on each credit card transaction is an additional 3%. Also, don’t pull out just a little bit at a time, each transaction will charge you a small fee to pull money out at a foreign ATM but it is so much smaller than the fee at the bank or the airport.
I think this is it, for now! I’m sure I’ll update this from time to time but I will let you know. The next guide will be the ultimate European backpacking trip. So if you’re starting to plan, this is a good base!
I have great stories about how I figured all these out so just wait to hear!
