Backpacking over Europe

Bengaboy

Bengaboy

Bengaboy

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I have already been Magaluf this year, and was planning on going again at the end of August. I have been talking with a pal at work, and we have decided to go against the Magaluf idea, and go backpacking over Europe via the inter rail train ticket thing.

Both of us are new to this - so we would, I imagine, would have to buy everything from scratch - such as a rucksack and all the bits and bobs you will need. I have done a little bit of research when I have had the time, but I was wondering what sort of kit you would recommend buying?

Here is a bag I was looking at - any good? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Berghaus-Verden-65-10-Rucksack/dp/B003AM8DM2/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

In regards to the bag, I understand that some bags can have a smaller bag that detaches from the bigger one for a normal "school" sort of rucksack? Is that what the +10 bit means on this? As in the detachable bag contains 10lts worth of space? (backpacking noob!)

And also, any tips on great places to stay / visit? Are hostels generally the best way of sleeping about?

ANY info would be much appreciated! :)
 
How long do you want to go for? Do you have a budget? Where do you want to go?

That bag has a main capacity of 65l, and then the other pockets add up to another 10l. If you're going to be staying in cities mainly, then there isn't really anything that you need to buy - just a bag (or a case) and you're good to go. You'll also take far to much stuff with you, so when packing really consider if you need to take it all.
 
Ahleckz said:
How long do you want to go for? Do you have a budget? Where do you want to go?

That bag has a main capacity of 65l, and then the other pockets add up to another 10l. If you're going to be staying in cities mainly, then there isn't really anything that you need to buy - just a bag (or a case) and you're good to go. You'll also take far to much stuff with you, so when packing really consider if you need to take it all.
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Ahhh I see, so is this a good size to take then?

We are going for 2 weeks, and will be taking about £1000 spending money, but really dont want to spend that if possible! Its all going to be about doing it on the cheap. We are going to get the eurostar from London to Paris and then move about from their - we are still to plan our route, but we would like to end up at Stockholm at the end of the 1st week and then travel back down towards Brussels where we can get the Eurostar back to England.
 
Yea, that bag will be fine.

If you have to include Stockholm, then make that your starting point and fly into it. Then you can do something like:
Stockholm - Copenhagen - Berlin - Munich - Paris - Amsterdam (fly back from here).

Stockholm is a bit of a hassle though, as it'll take ages to get there and back. I reckon it's a waste of time myself. You certainly wouldn't want to get the train there and back!

Don't try and see too much, you'll end up seeing the inside of a train more than anything else. With that budget, it's hostels only! Hostels are fine though, just check them out on hostelbookers or something like that and book one with a decent rating.

When I went interrailing, we didn't have a route planned at all. We knew we had to be in Amsterdam on a certain date to get back to the UK but that was it. We would have a chat about where we wanted to go the next day, book a hostel for the first night and then get there. Much better this way, as if you don't like somewhere (Nice for us) then you're not stuck to staying there for 4 nights as you've booked the hostel. On the other side, if you want to stay somewhere longer (Interlaken) then that's possible as well because you don't have to be somewhere else.

This was my route:

Amsterdam - Brussels - Luxembourg - Paris - Geneva - Marseille - Nice - Rome - Venice (I then went back to Rome for a night, but my travelling companion didn't) - Interlaken - Munich - Berlin - Amsterdam. That was around 5 weeks worth, and I spent numerous thousands. Was good fun! I didn't think much of: Marseille, Nice & Venice. Really enjoyed Interlaken, Munich and Berlin though!
 
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From my experience of 'backpacking' in Europe in 2007 it is honestly more comfortable and less bulky to have a good portable (with wheels) suitcase. Yes it doesn't really fit the backpacking image but when you're mostly on public transport and not hiking places then it would be much easier.
There were four of us and our backpacks were very bulky on the public transport having to be careful to keep them out of people's way, it also makes you very hot when carrying them.

I went in August 07 for just over 2 weeks and flew to Budapest and worked north from there.
Budapest
Bratislava
Vienna
Prague
Berlin
Amsterdam
flew home

It was awesome and I'd love to do something like it again, maybe doing a bit more south/eastern Europe.

Ours was done on a budget and we booked all our hostels through HostelWorld.com and it was all fine except for one in Bratislava that didn't have our reservation and wanted to put us in a shared room! :o which was a shame as we went to another hostel that was really weird and not very nice, like an old school or hospital. :s
 
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Last summer I drove around the alps and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't fancy touring cities.

I went to Lake Constance where you can go boating/water skiing/tubing and camp at night. Sky diving over the alps in Switzerland, hiking/mountain biking in Austria and rafting/kayaking in Northern Italy.

Driving around this area is also visually stunning and there are hundreds of places where you can just pull over and set up camp instead of trying to find a hostel.
 
Take a lock with you just in case if staying in hostels. I didn't but made friends with all the room mates I shared with and didn't have a problem. All you'll need is clothes and toiletries really.

This is what I did:

1 Night in Brussels (I left on the Friday straight from work and stayed at a friend of a friends place, I didn't really get a feel for the place and was still in 'work mode' so was really none the wiser to the new city)
2 Nights in Amsterdam (paid for a hotel the first night and didn't use it except to dump the bag)
2 Nights in Prague (wish I researched this place before going so knew where to go)
1 Night in Vienna
1 Night in Salzburg (amazing place)
3 Nights in Budapest (super amazing place)
2 Nights in Zagreb (cool chill out, but not much here, would recommend going to lake Bled instead)
Dinner in Ljubljana
Lunch in Venice (didn't think much of it)
3 Nights in Milan (I didn't expect much as it was a stop off before flying out but met up with a few groups of people who we met on the way so had a great time, if going here, stay in Ostello Bello)
 
Bengaboy said:
I have already been Magaluf this year, and was planning on going again at the end of August. I have been talking with a pal at work, and we have decided to go against the Magaluf idea, and go backpacking over Europe via the inter rail train ticket thing.

Both of us are new to this - so we would, I imagine, would have to buy everything from scratch - such as a rucksack and all the bits and bobs you will need. I have done a little bit of research when I have had the time, but I was wondering what sort of kit you would recommend buying?

Here is a bag I was looking at - any good? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Berghaus-Verden-65-10-Rucksack/dp/B003AM8DM2/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

In regards to the bag, I understand that some bags can have a smaller bag that detaches from the bigger one for a normal "school" sort of rucksack? Is that what the +10 bit means on this? As in the detachable bag contains 10lts worth of space? (backpacking noob!)

And also, any tips on great places to stay / visit? Are hostels generally the best way of sleeping about?

ANY info would be much appreciated! :)
Click to expand...

That bag is anything but good!
Maybe the brand is good but that's about it. You need a side loader with a zip ,think suitcase/backpack.

With top loaders if something is atteh button you have to empty everything out. Side loader you don't. Some guy on these very forums gave sme excellent advice about backpacks. I'll try and find the thread :)
 
Ahleckz said:
Yea, that bag will be fine.

When I went interrailing, we didn't have a route planned at all.

I spent numerous thousands. Was good fun! I didn't think much of: Marseille, Nice & Venice. Really enjoyed Interlaken, Munich and Berlin though!
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Amen to that.

You'll be glad to do this OP, a fantastic experience!

My journey was:

Arras
Brussles
Bruge (Cause we couldn't get a train to next location)
Berlin
Prague
Budapest
Vienna
Rome
Lucerne

Went for a month and costed over 3k. But one of the best ways I've spent money, and will stay with me for life.
 
I did mine proper cheap in comparison, I spent £1000 for the whole thing including travel and ate well in restaurants most nights and drank plenty of beer and wine.
 
If your backpacking around europe try and fit in a visit to Luxembourg. Its got a great youth hostel and theres loads of historic sights to see especially the catacombs where the town hid during the war.
Plus side theres a pub that sells yorkshire beer right across the road from the hostel:)
 
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