Backpacking Through Europe

People who are backpacking Europe often have trouble deciding between getting a rail pass, or a bus pass. Some people have specific tastes, and usually just rattle off whichever one they like the most. But let’s analyze the difference between two passes. With this, you can at least see how to compare passes, so you pick the perfect one for your trip.

Say we’re planning a trip through western Europe, France, Germany, Belgium etc.

Let’s compare a Eurail Select Pass Youth, which is a rail pass that works within 3-5 countries with a Busabout Northern Loop Pass, which is a bus pass that covers 12 cities in Western and Northern Europe.

Cost:

The First thing most people look at is the cost of the pass, and many people pick their pass only by the listed price. But let’s see if that’s really wise, or if there are things the passes don’t cover.

A BusAbout Flexitrip: Essentially any 6 sections on their route — $356.00
Eurail Select Pass 4 Countries Youth (6 travel days) — $339.00

So the Eurail pass for the same amount of travel days is actually cheaper than the flexible bus pass. But if you do a full “Northern Loop” on the Busabout, you see 12 cities, so you would need 12 travel days unless you saw more than one city in a day. However, the Eurail Select Pass has a maximum of 10 travel days

Comparing those:

Northern Loop (1 loop, 12 cities) — $434.00
Eurail Select Pass Youth 4 Countries (10 travel days) — $449.00

So one loop is a little bit cheaper and you are able to see two more cities than with a Eurail pass. But what if you don’t want to see all of the cities on the loop? What if instead of seeing Stuttgart, you would rather go to Freiburg?

In that case, you would have to take the bus to Stuttgart then buy a ticket from Stuttgart to Freiburg. Bahn.de, Germany’s national rail company, shows that a ticket from Stuttgart to Freiburg is 43 Euros each way.

So to go to Freiburg instead of Stuttgart would cost an extra $120+, whereas with a Eurail Pass it wouldn’t cost anything extra.

So unless you really want to see all the cities that a pass like the BusAbout hits, you’re probably best getting a rail pass that’s more flexible, if only a tiny bit cheaper.

Are you about to embark on a backpacking journey somewhere in the world? Have you thought about what you are going to bring on your trip? Packing the right travel gear, can eliminate some of the annoying aspects of backpacking, to make your trip more enjoyable.

Backpack – The most important thing to bring is a good backpack. There are three things make up a good backpack; comfort, capacity, and security. It is important to bring a backpack the fits your body style correctly. Each backpack fits differently, so it is crucial to get a backpack fitted before it is purchased. It is also key to make sure you have enough storage capacity for your trip. For backpacking trips longer than 2 weeks, a storage capacity of at least 55 L is recommended. Lastly, you want to make sure that your bag has good security, as theft can happen while backpacking. Most front loading backpacks offer loops for luggage locks, which provides some security.

Proper Jacket – Bring a jacket that suits the climate you will be backpacking in. If you are not prepared for unpleasant weather conditions, it can ruin some of the sights you may want to see. For example, if you didn’t bring a rain jacket to Ireland, chances are that you will get rained on during your trip. If you are at the Giant’s Causeway, and it is windy and pouring rain, you will definitely want to leave as soon as possible, not giving you the full experience you could have had.

Flip Flops and a Towel – Aside from the obvious reasons, flips flops and a towel have another purpose when backpacking. Lots of hostels don’t provide towels for the showers, so you need to have your own. Also, some hostel showers are not the cleanliest, so wearing flip flops in the shower is recommended.

Electrical Converter Kits -If you plan on using anything from digital cameras to electrical razors, you will need an electrical converter kit. Electrical outlets and voltages vary from country to country, so it is best to buy a universal kit. Check out the connectors you will need prior to leaving on your trip.

Digital Camera – A digital camera is must when traveling the world. There are so many memorable sites, that a film camera just doesn’t cut it. A digital camera with at least 5 megapixels and 1x optical zoom should be the minimum you bring along. If great photographs are something you want to bring back with you, a digital SLR camera probably suits you personality better. Also be sure to bring enough memory cards, so you can capture every possible moment.

Travel Alarm Clock – This is what most backpackers do not want to bring on there trip, but no trip should be without it. If you sleep in an miss a flight or a train, it can be very expensive to get back on schedule. Also at some attractions, such as the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, you have to be there at a certain time to be able experience it.

Sleep Sack – This extra layer will provide some comfort when the hostel bed just doesn’t seem clean, which is especially the case in South East Asia and South America. It is also good for hostels where the temperature is too cold, as it provides an extra layer of warmth. Other optional items such as a laptop, money belt, running shoes, pocket knife, backpack cover, and a document holders, can make your trip much more enjoyable.