Decide where you want to go. Read a lot of books, watch the Travel Channel and talk those who backpacked through Europe before. See what fires your curiosity. Buy a backpacking travel guide. "Let's Go," "Rough Guide" and "Lonely Planet" are all popular book series. Understand that all plans are tentative. The very nature of backpacking requires spontaneous flexibility (see Resources below).
Pack smart. Buy a backpack no larger than 45 linear inches. This is the maximum size allowed for an airline carry-on. Do not check luggage. You must carry everything while backpacking through Europe. If it does not fit in your backpack, don't bring it. The heavier your bag, the more miserable you will be when it is on your back.
Take two changes of clothing in neutral colors so everything goes with everything else. Every night, wash clothes in your hostel sink. Choose easy-care fabrics that dry fast. You may look the same in all your pictures, but it beats carrying around a bag full of dirty clothes. If something wears out, buy a replacement in Europe. Leave jewelry at home and get a cheap digital watch with an alarm.
Get your paperwork in order. You must have a valid passport, but most countries in Europe do not require visas for Americans. Shop around for cheap airfare to a gateway city, then take the train everywhere else. This is the best way to experience Europe. Buy a Eurail Pass, which provides unlimited train travel. You must get it before arriving in Europe through their website or a travel agent (see Resources below). Your ATM card and credit cards will work in Europe.
Stay in hostels and inexpensive hotels. Most are safe, clean and reasonably priced. They are common in Europe, and are always near public transportation. Follow recommendations from your guide book and fellow travelers. Hostels are the best places to meet other travelers and make friends (see Resources below).
Eat on the go. Food is expensive in Europe. Avoid restaurants and eat at take-away places. They serve much nicer cuisine than American fast food. Better yet, go to specialty shops and buy fresh bread, meat, cheese and fruit, then have a picnic.
Skip the expensive sites. Backpacking through Europe is about the journey. Wandering around a town square or marketplace is a cultural experience in itself. You can spend a bunch of Euros to enter a museum and not remember anything you see there. Pick a few "must see" sites like the Louvre or Vatican Museum. Skip the other stuff and walk around instead. Use bag check places and lockers to store your pack while you stroll around.
Stay safe. Europe is relatively safe, but tourist are still targeted for crime. These are usually crimes of opportunity. Secure your valuables in a security wallet beneath your clothing, travel in groups and don't walk around remote areas at night. Bring a lock. Most hostels provide lockers to secure your stuff. Watch your pack, and don't make yourself an inviting target.
Limit your souvenirs to photographs and journal entries. They are free and will be what you treasure most when you reflect on your backpack journey through Europe years later. Buying stuff fills up your backpack and weighs you down. If you must buy something, mail it home.
