Europe is one of the most diverse and accessible regions in the world for backpackers, offering a mix of historic cities, iconic landmarks, varied landscapes, and rich cultures packed into relatively short travel distances. From vibrant capitals and charming old towns to coastlines, mountains and countryside, Europe delivers an incredible range of experiences for every type of traveller.
Whether you're city hopping by train, exploring cultural hotspots, chasing nightlife or travelling slowly through lesser-known regions, Europe is easy to navigate and well set up for both short trips and long-term travel.
May, June and September are the sweet spot — warm enough for the south, mild enough for long train days, and ahead of or after the July–August crush when hostels fill up and prices across the continent climb. Northern Europe (UK, Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia) is at its best from May to August, while Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia) stays pleasant well into October and can be uncomfortably hot in peak summer. Christmas markets make December worth considering for Central Europe, but many hostels and budget flights thin out over winter, and the Balkans and Scandinavia get genuinely cold.
Where you go depends on the kind of trip you want. Below are some of the best backpacking routes and regions to explore — whether you're travelling on a budget, chasing culture or planning a long multi-country trip.
France blends iconic cities, alpine scenery, and relaxed southern coastlines into one easy route. Paris draws visitors for its landmarks, museums and café culture, while the French Riviera and Annecy offer beaches and mountain views. It's mid-range in cost, with transport excellent but accommodation pricier in major cities.
Germany offers a mix of historic cities, modern culture, and fairytale landscapes. Berlin is famous for its history and nightlife, while Munich and Bavaria showcase castles and alpine scenery. The country is incredibly well connected by trains, making it ideal for overland routes.
Austria combines elegant cities with dramatic alpine landscapes. Vienna offers grand architecture and café culture, while Salzburg and Hallstatt bring mountain scenery and lakes. Trains run through some of the most beautiful routes in Europe.
Slovenia is small but packed with natural beauty. Lake Bled, Ljubljana, and Triglav National Park offer lakes, mountains and charming streets within short distances. Prices are reasonable and the country feels calm and uncrowded.
The Netherlands is compact, easy to navigate, and perfect for first-time Europe backpackers. Amsterdam's canals, museums, and nightlife are the highlight, with smaller cities like Utrecht and Rotterdam offering a calmer vibe.
The Czech Republic is known for Prague's stunning old town, cheap beer, and lively backpacker scene. Beyond the capital, places like Český Krumlov offer storybook streets and riverside views — one of Europe's best value destinations.
Hungary is a favourite for budget travellers thanks to Budapest's nightlife, thermal baths, and riverside views. It's cheap, social, and easy to reach from surrounding countries — daily costs here are among the lowest in Central Europe.
Croatia is famous for its Adriatic coastline, island hopping, and historic towns like Dubrovnik and Split. Ferries connect the islands easily, making it ideal for slow travel. Coastal areas can be pricey in summer, but inland stays remain affordable.
Italy offers world-famous cities, coastal scenery, and incredible food all on one route. Rome, Florence, and Venice are cultural highlights, while the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre provide stunning seaside views.
A few tried-and-tested routes to build your own trip around — extend or combine them depending on how much time you have.
Lisbon → Barcelona → Paris → Amsterdam → Prague → Vienna
The most-travelled first-timer route — big cities, reliable trains, and an easy hostel scene the whole way.
Prague → Vienna → Budapest → Ljubljana → Zagreb
Cheaper than the west, with excellent value cities and short, easy train hops between them.
Barcelona → French Riviera → Italian Coast → Dubrovnik → Athens
Beaches, ferries and island-hopping — slower paced, with more time spent outdoors than in museums.
Lisbon → Madrid → Paris → Amsterdam → Berlin → Prague → Vienna → Budapest → Croatia → Greece
For travellers with real time on their hands — combines the western classics with Central Europe's value and the Balkans' coastline.
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The backbone of a Europe trip — a rail pass pays off fast if you're covering 5+ countries; book seat reservations for high-speed lines ahead of time.
Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet make long jumps (e.g. Lisbon to Prague) cheaper and faster than the train — watch the strict baggage rules.
FlixBus covers routes trains don't, usually at a lower price, at the cost of longer journey times.
Dorm beds run roughly €15–20 in Central/Eastern Europe, €25–40 in Western Europe capitals — book ahead in summer.
Most capitals have a day or multi-day transit pass that pays off if you're sightseeing hard — check before buying single tickets.
Per-person daily costs in EUR, excluding flights between regions. Western Europe runs noticeably higher than Central and Eastern Europe throughout.
Inter-city transport: Varies — a rail pass or FlixBus ticket typically runs €20–50 per travel day
For a trip this long, a daily average isn't enough — see if you're actually on track, and how that compares to the budget tiers above.
See your real daily budget from here, not a generic average from day one.
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Most Western nationalities can travel the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period — but that clock covers the whole zone, not each country individually, so long trips need planning around it. The UK, Ireland, Croatia and several Balkan states sit outside Schengen with their own entry rules. Europe is broadly very safe for backpackers; the realistic risks are petty theft on crowded transport and in tourist hubs, not violent crime.
90 days within any 180-day period for most non-EU passports
UK, Croatia border checks, Balkans — check entry rules separately
112 (works across the whole EU)
Low violent crime; petty theft (pickpocketing) is the main risk in tourist-heavy areas