10 Budget Tips for Backpackers

10 Budget Tips for Backpackers

Money is always the things holding us back from travel, so we’re giving you our top 10 budget tips for backpackers. It’s time for new experiences, feelings, emotions, friends, and stories! The world of travel might look expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. After all, how do you think so many people are able to see so much with so little? They’ve done their research, applied the methods, and now they have passports full of stamps and memories to last a lifetime. And you can do it, too.

Breathe in the air of freedom in Amsterdam, appease your senses walking around the Champs D’Elysees in Paris, show off your style in Berlin, check out Prague’s antique beauty, and see why everybody talks about London. Europe is full of exciting destinations and you’ll want to see them all. From North to South and from East to West, the European continent is the ideal place to go backpacking.

Remember that overnight stays in hotels, and the travelling part itself are where most of your budget will go. So we have hope these tips will help. Take note!

1. Plan Your Trip Well

Of course it’s so much more fun if you just pack up and take off on a spontaneous adventure. But it can end up costing you if you aren’t careful. This is probably a good first step in our guide to the top 10 budget tips for backpackers. We strongly recommend planning out exactly where you want to visit, and choosing destinations close to each other to reduce travel costs and time. This will really help you save money on travel, and will also help you avoid retracing your steps.

2. Make a Daily Budget

This is one of the essential budget tips for backpackers. Check how much you can realistically afford to spend each day, and don’t overestimate. If you struggle with keeping track of numbers, or even sticking to a budget, apps like Trail Wallet can help!

3. Low Cost Transport

Budget tips go a long way when it comes to transportation. For transportation options, we recommend looking into an Interrail or Eurail Pass. Rather than pay for several individual train tickets, you can purchase a single country ticket for a reduced price and get additional perks. For example, pass holders are entitled to a 10% discount at all Famous Hostels locations on advance bookings. If you choose not to get a pass, we recommend using platforms like Omio to get an overview and compare prices on trains, busses, and planes.

4. Eat Like a Local

It isn’t necessary to spend a fortune to eat well in Europe. Local food is often cheaper than imported goods, and it’s more authentic and flavourful. A good budget tip for backpackers is to go to local spots where you can try the most typical local cuisine without airs and graces. Another option is to buy food in supermarkets, and to book hostels that offer free meals.

5. Hostels for Accommodation

Another area where travellers tend to blow a lot of their budget is on accommodation, so we recommend booking hostels to soften the blow. Besides being a thousand times cooler than hotels, hostels provide a cool and relaxing environment at a fair price. Forget the cheap and basic idea of a hostel with bunk beds with nothing more to offer – hostels are welcoming places for all types of travellers. Read our guide on, ‘9 Hostel Myths Debunked!‘ to see what we mean.

6. Street Festivals / Events

Lots of cities you’ll visit will have street festivals and events organised by local councils or associations. These are more authentic than pricey tourist attractions, and you’ll get to see how the locals live!

7. Culture is Free

In many cities, museums are free and they’re a great way to get to know the place you’re visiting without spending a fortune. If you want to visit a museum which isn’t free, check online for museum or city pass bundles to save yourself a few extra pennies. You might also get to jump the queue!

8. Budget for Laundry

For as much as you want, you’re not going to be able to take your whole wardrobe in a backpack. Most hostels have laundry facilities, but you can also bring travel sized detergent with you to hand wash your clothes to help stretch your budget.

9. Be Wary of Souvenirs

We all like to buy a little something for our nearest and dearest. But souvenirs are almost always overpriced and take up precious space in your backpack. Send a postcard, or visit a flea market instead for a cheap souvenir. Postcards are usually less than a euro, and postage is never expensive.

10. Make Friends

This is the secret to a successful adventure around Europe and it’s one of our most cherished budget tips for backpackers. We don’t mean make friends for personal gain though; we want to promote authentic friendships. You can team up to cook together to reduce your budgets. Learn about the people you’re travelling with, and you may make a friend for life. Your backpacking adventure is guaranteed to be your ultimate life experience!

Where to Stay in Europe

Europe’s Famous Hostels is a network of hostels located across Europe and Israel. All locations within the network maintain a high customer rating, meet and exceed hygiene and COVID-19 safety standards, and are fully equipped with everything you need. Whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, as a couple, or a family, our locations offer a variety of rooms to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

And that’s not all. All our hostels are famous for their facilities and social atmospheres: from Happy Hours, Free Walking Tours, to saunas, and more, you’ll love being our guest. From the highlands of Scotland to the Dead Sea in Israel, stay famous when you stay with Europe’s Famous Hostels.

10 Budget Tips for Backpackers

Now that you have our top 10 budget tips for backpackers, you’re more prepared to take on an adventure and do it within budget! For additional tips on money saving strategies while travelling, click here and check out our guide on, ‘How to Survive Europe on a Budget’.

If you need more information to help you plan your adventure, click here for a range of helpful tips, city guides, food guides, and more. For all the latest news at Famous Hostels, follow us or subscribe on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube.