Before We Start
Have you ever gone backpacking before? If you have, what places do
you consider to be the most interesting and enjoyable for backpacking?
What preparation work do you need to do before you go on a trip to a place that's new to you?
Step 1: Plan Your Trip
First, know where you're going. Now is the time for you to sketch out the itinerary of the places (cities or countries) you want to visit.
A Place to Stay
Look up information about local hostels or hotels and their pricings. Acquired information from travel agencies or by surfing on the internet. Special promotions or coupons are always good ways to help you save money on your trip.
Finding a nice place to stay at a reasonable price ahead of time will help you eliminate the trouble of having to waste a great deal of time searching for one when you get there - especially if you don't speak the local language!
Step 2: Know your budget
Try to set a budget for yourself for each day of your trip so you don't end up broke before the end of your vacation.
It's important to know exactly how much money you can spend before you start planning your trip.
Another good idea is to bring a credit card, just in case there's an emergency.
Entertainment
Get an idea of the kinds of things you want to do on your trip so you will have a better idea of how much money you should have on you to do them.
Having a guidebook is great for helping you to decide what famous attractions or spots you should see.
Normally, you don't have to worry too much about finding out about dining and
shopping places beforehand, because the hotel staff should be able to point you in the right direction while you are there.
Transportation
Transportation cost is probably the easiest way to burn your money. To prevent yourself from spending too much on getting from one place to another, find hostels or hotels that are near to the attractions or locations that you want to see.
Questions
What would be your most desirable first stop in Europe?
What sort of entertainment or activities would interest you the most on a trip abroad?
Step 3: Getting from place to place cheap
If you're planning to spend your time experiencing different countries in Europe and you don't want to waste a lot of money, you might want to get a Eurail pass (a train ticket that can take you around Europe for a pretty decent price -as low as 175US$).
Eurail passes can either be purchased online or at the train station. They allow you to travel unlimited times for a certain amount of days within a specific travel time period.
Tips on Transportation
If you are traveling during peak seasons, keep in mind that other tourists will most likely flood the area where you're heading to as well. So, planning ahead is always better.
After you get a Eurail pass, you might want to reserve your seating ahead of time too, although you are not always required to do so. Many of the better seats are booked far in advance.
Booking a sleeper compartment on a train can definitely help you add more time to your trip. Sleeping overnight on the train and waking up in a new city is a great idea if you are planning to travel over a long distance.
If you think taking a train will take up too much time, you can simply choose a budget flight. You can find plenty of flights that are not too expensive. As always, booking those tickets ahead of time will get you the best deal.
Step 4: Start Packing
Before you begin this step, make sure to look up the airline regulations and policies on size and weight of luggage. Make sure your backpack doesn't exceed the limitations otherwise you will have to pay extra.
Get a sturdy and durable backpack. Make sure the straps are comfortable on your shoulders. Remember, cheap articles are not always very reliable.
Now, fill your backpack with only the things that are absolutely necessary. You will be carrying your backpack for many days, so this is definitely not the time to over pack!
List of Some Useful Things
1.A comfortable pair of shoes
2.A sleeping bag (just in case you can't find a place to sleep)
3.Medicine, such as aspirin and antacid
4.Camera
5.A day pack (a separate smaller bag, so you don't have to carry everything with you wherever you go to)
6.A money belt
7.Enough clothing (the amount depends on how many days plan on staying)
8.Bring at least one to two nice outfits in case you end up going somewhere special
9.Toilet paper (you'll find it extremely useful since some places may not have it when you need it the most)
10.Toiletries (try to fit everything in one bag so you can get the things you want instantly)
11.Guidebooks and maps
12.An electronic translator (it helps when you're having trouble communicating with others)
13.Extra batteries for your electronic devices
14.An international phone card (for emergency use)
15.A plastic raincoat
16.Sunglasses
Etc.
Step 5: Ready to go?
Congratulations! Now you've got everything pretty much set and have your passport, visa, ATM card, credit card, and traveler's checks ready.
What else is there that you might need before you proceed to the boarding gate?
Step 6: Practical tips
Travel insurance - Although many people feel it's not necessary, it is a good idea because you never know what might happen when you are in a strange, foreign place.
Furthermore, travel insurance isn't really that expensive. It's a good way to protect yourself throughout your entire journey.
Step 7:Be prepared for the worst...
Besides money, your passport and ID are probably the two most important things that you need to keep with you the during your whole trip. Hotels and hostels normally have safes that you can place these important documents in.
In case anything goes wrong, keep a photocopy of these documents with you if possible.
You could also scan these documents, save them as PDF files and send them to a your email account.
Having copies of your documents will help you get a passport quicker from your embassy if for any reason you have lost yours.
Remember, not to access the email account where you have stored your documents on a shared computer unless you have to.
Step 8: Overcome your fear of travel
If you consider yourself to be a very introverted person and the whole 'traveling by yourself ' idea freaks you out, the best solution for you is to book a tour.
The good things about tours are that you won't have to worry about where to go, what to see, and where you'll be living. You get to meet new people throughout your trip ,so you'll always have someone to talk to.
The drawbacks of tours? Needless to say, the amount you'll spend on a tour is substantially higher than backpacking.Sometimes, there could even be a single supplemental fee (because people who join a tour often come in either families or couples), so you might be asked to pay more to make up the difference.
There are also time restrictions and the tour guide will decide exactly which spots you get to see. However, tours are less risky than personal travel.
Final Step: Enjoy!
Now you're ready to take your first step to a completely new place and fill yourself up with new experiences.
One last reminder, watch out for your personal belongings the whole time, so you don't lose them while you are having fun on your trip .
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