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Euros cover most of the trip: France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Italy all use them. The two exceptions are the Czech Republic, which uses the Czech koruna (CZK), and Hungary, which uses the forint (HUF), so you will want some of each in Prague and Budapest.
Cards are widely accepted all along the route.
The 11-day Backpacking Europe trip is the second half of this one. It starts in Budapest and follows the same route through Vienna, Ljubljana, Lake Bled and Venice to Milan.
This 19-day trip starts in Paris and adds Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague first, so it suits you if you want to see both halves of Europe in one go.
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.
We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all! While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.
We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.
Can’t convince your mates? No worries! Most of our travellers come solo, and it’s one of the best ways to experience a new destination.
You’ll join an instant crew, meet amazing people, and make new friends from day one. Plus, you can keep your travel plans flexible and fully your own.
Ready to roll solo? You won’t be alone for long.
Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Your group leader will email you around 1 day before the tour starts.
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.
Call your group leader using the number sent in your welcome email. They will assist you.
15 breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not, which leaves you free to eat where you like, from currywurst in Berlin to pasta in Milan.
The group eats out together on several evenings, including dinner in Berlin, dinner before the night cruise in Budapest and the last night in Milan, and your tour leader can point you to good local places on the others.
You stay in hostels for all 18 nights, in dorms of four to eight beds. The dorms are for the group only, so you only ever share with people on your tour. They may be mixed, and some hostels have shared bathrooms outside the rooms.
The hostels are chosen for where they are: Mitte in Berlin, Vinohrady in Prague, near Mestre station in Venice and by the Navigli canals in Milan.
Awesome! Once you’ve booked, just let us know who you’re travelling with and we’ll make sure you’re roomed together. Easy as that!
Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) for the start, and home from Milan Malpensa (MXP), the closest airport to the finish.
International flights are not included in the price. Because the trip starts and ends in different countries, book a one-way flight into Paris and another out of Milan rather than a return.
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.
Once you've booked your flights, log in to My Account on our website and enter your flight arrival details. That is how your group leader knows when you are landing.
Arriving before the tour starts, or staying on at the end? Let us know as early as you can so we can check availability and pricing on extra nights.
Please let us know as soon as possible. If you are already en route and a connecting flight changes, contact your group leader or email us so we can still meet you at the airport.
For group tours, your place is confirmed once enough travellers have booked, and always at least four weeks (28 days) before your tour starts. Most group tours are confirmed around six months before departure.
For volunteer or private bookings, please allow 2-3 working days.
If a tour does not run, you get a full refund.
There is no weight limit on the trains, but you need to be able to lift your bag into the luggage racks yourself, and they are often overhead.
You change cities nine times on this trip, so a backpack or a small, light suitcase makes every travel day easier.
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.
Backpack or suitcase? Totally up to you. But here’s the golden rule: pack light! We recommend keeping it under 20kg.
A few quick tips:
Keep it simple. You’ll thank yourself later!
Almost entirely by public train. Every leg from Paris to Ljubljana, by way of Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Budapest and Vienna, is a rail journey, and your tickets are included. The one change of pace is in Slovenia, where a bus takes you from Ljubljana to Lake Bled and you leave Bled by bus and train for Venice.
Transport within each city is included too, so you will not need to buy tickets as you go.
Everything on the itinerary is included, 24 activities in all, from the Paris walking tour to the gondola ride in Venice.
The one afternoon with extras on offer is at Lake Bled on day 15, where after the morning bike ride you can add activities such as rafting or kayaking, or simply spend the afternoon by the lake.
Most things are covered, including activities, transport, accommodation and some meals. You'll just need money for extra meals, drinks, shopping and any onward travel after the tour.
The trip starts in Paris and finishes in Milan.
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