I backpacked across Europe for 2 weeks and slept on trains and in budget Airbnbs. 10 things surprised me about this type of travel.

In August 2022, I spent a week backpacking for the first time through Eastern Canada and realized the minimalist travel style was much more attainable than I’d originally thought. 

So when I planned a two-week train trip through four European countries two months later, I decided to push myself to fit everything I needed into my backpack again.

I was surprised to find I had everything I needed. 

I started with my work gear, which included a laptop, cameras, lenses, and a notebook.

Then I packed other essentials like chargers, toiletries, and snacks.

I also stuffed a packing cube with two polos, one T-shirt, one long-sleeve T-shirt, three pairs of pants, a sweater, a blazer, a dress, and two light jackets.

While on my way to each destination, I read about the sights that awaited me in my guidebooks. These books helped me decide how to spend my time in each location and built up my excitement for my upcoming adventures. 

During my trip, I downloaded a few episodes of my favorite TV shows to comfort me, which I usually watched around bedtime.

I also used my iPad to draw cover art for my band with the Procreate app, so I spent some time sketching designs for upcoming singles. 

I initially thought overnight transportation would be the best way to travel through Europe to maximize my time exploring during the day.

But for me, sleeping on board flights and train cabins among strangers was challenging, and I arrived at my destinations feeling more exhausted than I had hoped. 

Before going to Europe, I planned everything, from booking accommodations and train rides to mapping out the locations I wanted to visit to avoid problems.

But plans don’t always work out, and I had to make quick decisions, like when I arrived in Vienna. 

When visiting a new country for just a couple of days, it’s easy to pack exploration into every hour without planning for rest. But without downtime, I found travel wasn’t as enjoyable. 

Wearing my backpack while walking for extended periods made my muscles feel sore. 

Sure, a carry-on suitcase is larger, but after lugging around my backpack all day, I felt like it could be easier to roll a suitcase around.

Plus, I’d have more outfits to choose from. 

According to SOTC Travel Limited, a travel company based in India, Europe is less crowded with tourists in September and October than in summer.

But in the fall of 2022, traveling during shoulder season became a big trend.

When I visited Berlin, I stayed in a tiny home hotel in Neustrelitz, Germany.

My hotel was a 20-minute walk from the train station, and I enjoyed starting and ending each day with a relaxing walk through town, where I spotted the occasional backpacker among mostly locals. 

With so many crowds in the cities, I enjoyed experiencing the quiet, slower pace of suburban life while photographing landscapes in less-visited areas of Europe. 

Berlin and Vienna weren’t the only destinations to leave lasting impressions.

The canals in Venice also made me feel like I was in a storybook, while Zurich had charming streets with jaw-dropping mountain backdrops.

While on my own, I had to endure more uncomfortable situations than I’d had on any previous trip.

Having someone to share memories with when my partner joined me in Italy halfway through the trip taught us how to work together in new places.

Next time, I’ll let go of my expectations and plan to be surprised.