Backpacking Europe

Euros cover most of the trip: Austria, Slovenia and Italy all use them. The exception is Hungary, which uses the forint (HUF), so you will want some forint in Budapest. Some places there accept euros, but at a poor rate.

Cards and contactless are widely accepted all along the route, and there are cash machines everywhere. When a card machine or cash machine offers to charge you in your home currency, say no and pay in the local one.

Summer, from June to August, is the warmest time, with long evenings and temperatures often around 25 to 30°C or more in the cities. It is also when Lake Bled is warm enough for a swim, but it is the busiest and most expensive season.

May and September are milder and quieter, and still good for cycling and outdoor activities at Bled. Winter brings cold weather and short days, and water activities are off. Our guide Europe weather: best time to visit has more detail.

Yes. Every country on this trip is in the EU, so a SIM from any EU country roams at home prices the whole way. UK networks no longer have to offer free EU roaming and many charge a daily fee, which adds up over a long trip, so check your plan before you go.

The easy fix is a Europe-wide travel eSIM, set up before you leave, or a prepaid SIM bought in the first country, which then works in all the others. Hostels have Wi-Fi.

Tipping is appreciated rather than expected, and around 10% for good table service is plenty. Rounding up is fine in bars and cafés.

Two things catch people out. In Budapest many restaurants already add a service charge of 10 to 15%, shown as szervizdíj on the bill, so do not tip twice. In Italy a per-person cover charge (coperto) is normal and is not a tip. In Austria, tell the server the total you want to pay when you hand over the money rather than leaving coins on the table.

Every country on this route is in the Schengen area, so all your days count towards one allowance of 90 days in any 180. UK passport holders do not need a visa for a stay this short; some other nationalities need a Schengen visa first. See our guide Do I need a visa to enter Europe?.

On your first entry into the Schengen area you will be registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and a photo), which is free.

ETIAS, the EU's planned online travel authorisation for visa-free visitors, is not running yet and has no start date, so there is nothing to apply for now. Ignore any website offering to sell you one.

Every country on this route uses the European two-pin plug (type C) or sockets it fits, at 230 volts, so one two-pin European adaptor covers the whole trip. Italy also has three-pin type L sockets, but most rooms have a two-pin socket as well.

Most phone and laptop chargers work on 100 to 240 volts, so you only need a converter for 110-volt-only devices. A small USB charger with several ports is handy in shared hostel rooms.