If there’s one place in the world that offers as diverse and unique experience as any, it’s Europe. And the best way to experience all that? Here's How Not To Go Over Your Budget When Backpacking In Europe!

We often feel guilty about spending the money we earn on anything but the basics we need for survival. But if there’s one thing you should never feel guilty about, it’s traveling.

People are never the same after they’ve traveled to a new country, and the change is always for the best. Seeing the world away from your comfort zone is an eye-opener, and it’s something that everyone should do whenever possible.

How Not To Go Over Your Budget When Backpacking In Europe

Backpacking

Roaming the many interconnected countries and cities in Europe with nothing on you but a backpack is the experience of a lifetime, but this brings us to the question of money. Is it expensive to backpack across the continent? If you don’t know what you’re doing, definitely. But with these tips, you can do it while sticking to your budget. 

Research and ask

It goes without saying that you need to create a budget before even considering going on this trip. But the tricky part isn’t creating one; it’s not going over it. To do that, you’ll need information on the cheapest places to go, the best natural sights that wouldn’t cost you money, affordable transportation, and much more.

Fortunately, we live in the age of the internet, and you can access all that information with little effort. Your inquiries shouldn’t end with Google, though; ask friends who’ve been there what cost them money and how to avoid that happening to you, and when you’re in the country, visit tourist information centers to get the locals’ insights on the cheap options in town. 

Save on accommodation 

If you plan on backpacking through Europe and staying in 4-star hotels, then you’re doing it wrong. You stand to save a lot of money on accommodation, and it’s your chance to explore Europe like never before.

Staying in hostels, guesthouses, and even camps in the open give you the chance to experience some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. And you’ll save a lot of money too, so always opt for cheaper accommodations for both saving and adventure purposes. 

Get currency from back home

You might want to convert some local currency before traveling to Europe. You’ll find that exchange rates can be a bit expensive, once you’ve reached your destination, and it’s even more expensive in airports.

So, when you are traveling in Europe, compare rates and try to find the best possible ones so you could save money. If you can’t bring euros from back home, then at least avoid converting at the airport and don’t just go to the first money exchange office you come across; compare prices until you can find the cheapest. 

Use public transportation 

If there’s one place in the world where you should use public transportation, it’s Europe. The continent has some of the best transportation networks you could ever use, and they’re quite affordable, too.

So, forget Uber and taxis, and use trains and buses. They’d save you a lot of money over the course of your trip, and you’ll also get to interact with the locals and probably make a few friends in the process. 

Never forget travel insurance 

If you decide to take the risk and travel without insurance, you might end up spending your entire budget on an emergency, which can be quite frustrating. Having travel insurance helps you sleep better at night knowing you’re covered if you lost something or had a medical emergency, and it will save you a lot of money because medical checkups can be quite expensive without insurance. 

Shop less

Backpacking is exciting for many reasons, but for some people, it’s about shopping. You’ll find a ton of cool gadgets and gimmicks to buy, and each labeled a backpacking essential. If you don’t keep this under control, before you know it, you’ll be spending some of your trip’s budget getting useless items that you don’t really need. So, try to control yourself and get only the essentials like a decent backpack and some good shoes. You should also try to contain yourself when in Europe because shopping is quite fun, but it can obliterate your money if you aren’t careful.

Backpacking in Europe will be one of the most exciting things you ever do, but you need to be really careful about how you go about it. Plan ahead and look for cheaper options, and always prepare for the worst. Pro tip: leave some money on the side for emergencies so you don’t tap into your main budget.