A number of travel operators offer tours specifically designed for backpackers. Eastern Trekker offers Eastern European tours through Montenegro, Slovenia, Serbia, Hungary, Croatia and Bosnia. Tours are designed for travelers on a budget, and travelers holding ISE and ISIC student identification cards can enjoy additional discounts.
Big Brother Backpacking offers tours for teens and young adults. Backpackers can choose between one-month or two-week tours to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia. Big Brother Backpacking escorts small groups, up to five people, with open itineraries to allow for more flexibility among travelers.
The Backpacker Tour Company takes backpackers to destinations in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Europe. Tours are designed for small groups and can include accommodations, attraction admission fees, meals and transportation.
Eastern Trekker
easterntrekker.com
Big Brother Backpacking
bigbrotherbackpacking.com
Backpacker Tour Company
backpackertours.co.uk
Independent travelers can design their own backpacker tours of Europe. Independent travel allows singles and groups to choose their own destinations, modes of transportation and accommodations. Individuals can select accommodations and destinations that offer opportunities to meet fellow travelers along the journey.
A variety of options allow travelers to find the best prices for airfare to Europe. Websites like Kayak, Priceline, Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia search the airfares of many airlines to find the cheapest prices. Individual airline websites, such as Delta, British Airways, Lufthansa, American Airlines and KLM, can also offer special airfares to Europe.
Rail transportation in Europe offers an extensive way to explore the continent. Travelers can purchase a Eurail Pass, for use in up to 25 countries. The Eurail Global Pass offers travel in up to 21 countries, the Select Pass allows travelers to choose up to five countries to travel in and the Regional Pass offers travel in 25 different European regions. Eurail customers can choose first- or second-class travel passes.
Eurail
eurail.com
A Busabout Pass allows backpackers to travel in nine European countries. Busabout offers 14 passes to choose from, allowing travelers to select a variety travel itineraries. Busabout passes do not have an expiration date, allowing travelers to stay as long as they like in any destination along a Busabout route.
Busabout
busabout.com
Hostel and hotel booking websites, such as HostelWorld, HostelBookers and Hostelling International, can provide a list of hotel and hostel accommodations in large cities and can often provide information about accommodations in smaller towns and villages. Booking websites offer information about accommodations, hostel and hotel features, locations and local attractions. Once a hostel or hotel is located, hostel and hotel booking websites allow travelers to make reservations online to secure a room or hostel bed in their desired location.
