Can anyone give me some information on backpacking through Europe?.

Craig Hewson
Savvy Backpacker is a good website for first-timers. I referred to it a lot for my first trip back in May. They give tips on how to start your planning, packing lists, etc.
https://thesavvybackpacker.com/
My personal tips: Once you're in Europe, transportation is cheap. I would book the cheapest round trip you can find to a main travel hub (best prices from Edmonton are probably Paris, London, Amsterdam) and then book flights from there to where you want to go and back. Ended up getting direct to London round trip for $700, flights from London to anywhere were less than $100.
Don't plan every minute of your trip. Give yourself flexibility to just wander and hang out in certain cities or regions. If you're new to travelling, you might have a tough time in a place that doesn't speak english. That being said, I did Italy/Corsica/Spain with no spanish and a tiny bit of french and I did fine. Hostels are good for meeting people but if you want privacy stay in a hotel. With 2 people hotels can be pretty cheap, just know most little hotels in Europe don't have 24 hour check in and sometimes not past 8pm. Get a decent but simple backpack that works as a carry-on and get packing cubes. Don't be scared to travel light and hit up a laundramat once or twice on the trip.
More tips feel free to message me!
THESAVVYBACKPACKER.COM
Guide To Budget Travel and Backpacking Through Europe - Guide To Backpacking Through Europe | The Savvy Backpacker

Ireland would be a great place to start! People are so friendly and everyone speaks English. Hostels are a great place to meet people and they often have cheap or free walking tours etc.
ryanair is super cheap but baggage fees etc can get you so make sure you check that out. You need to print your own boarding pass with them and also get the pass stamped before heading through security as you will have a non-European passport

Okay so I did the single female traveller thing multiple times in my life....lets go....is a way better book than lonely planet or rick steves.....i used to have people beg me to look at my book when travelling.
The best thing with that one, is that they give you tips and tricks on local countries... For your first time....use the train....the country side is more than half a country...see that! Check out different passes....but do you math....it was cheaper for me to travel with no pass on one trip....because of how I was travelling.
The packing tips above....bang on!
The flight tips....perfect....fly in cheap and go from there!
Hostels are the way to go! Just remember a lock is never perfect....I used to keep my money belt on all the time....with other people in the room....you never know.
Never go out at night alone....you are travelling and vulnerable...make friends at the hostel....then go out!
Dont bother with the fake ring...it is obvious, it is fake.
As Canadians we often make eye contact with everyone....learn to glaze over and look ahead non specifically.... This will help with unwanted advances....
Always watch your stuff....learn about pick pockets and their tricks....not to scare yourself...but to learn the signs....that way, you will recognize when it happens and get out of it easier.
And finally....I will offer the option of messaging as well....take some of us up on it....learning from our experiences will help you have the best time!

Skyscanner.net to look for inter-euro flights. Make sure to select CDN currency when searching.
Hihostel and hostelworld websites for hostels.
If you’re staying in hostels take a few combination locks/key locks.
Are you going solo or with someone?
Depending what countries you’re going to I️ can have further info/recommendations.
Skyscanner.net
skyscanner | Find the cheapest flights fast: save time, save money!

It’s been almost 20 years since I did this
, so I’m not up to date on specific recommendations. But I can tell you that it was one of THE BEST decisions of my life. Sooo glad I did it. Relied heavily on lonely planet, had a Eurorail pass, HI membership & a loose itinerary. Went with a dear friend whom I knew we’d get along... & we did! Spent about 3mts. Amazing life experience!! Enjoy!!

Use the buses instead of trains. They are so much cheaper! I like flixbus a lot, very comfortable.
I'm currently at four months in Europe (Ireland, Scotland, England, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland. If you have questions about any of those places feel free to ask.)

Well it all depends on what interests you and how long your going, and who your going with. My first trip, i went to an English speaking country just to make it easy for me, but now i just go whereever interests me.
If you do go on a backpacking trip to Europe, i suggest flying between countrys (ryanair and easyjet) its really cheap and efficent and normally cheaper then trains, or if you want to "see" the countryside take a bus, which is still cheaper then trains.
For hostels, always read reviews, but dont rely on them completly. Everyones idea behind a good hostel is different. I like the Generator hostels, which are located in many different countries but they are a bit more pricy, around $30 CAD a night.
Dont be afraid to go to a country outside the norm, i personally love Croatia but English isnt as common there as other places in Europe. Im also obsessed with Germany, for being a non English speaking country I find communication there easy, not to mention its easy to navigate.

Stayed at the generator hostel in Berlin and to this day have never had a stronger long island ice tea lol

Im a long island ice tea fan and am staying there in two weeks, i will be trying it!!! Thanks for the heads up

They were so busy putting a full shot of each liquor that by the timr they got to the coke there was only room for a thimble full
had to order a coke on the side to slowly dilute!

Lmao sounds like my kind of place, only two weeks to wait
Cant wait for the shit show that follows after i power back a couple.

I backpacked Europe for three months in 2007. Bought an all-country rail pass, the Lets Go Europe book, and became best friends with hostelbooker.com and other booking sites and away we went! Tried to book a week or two of rooms in advance and was only without a room once in 82 days. Best vacation of my life and hit about 15 countries. If I was still childless, I'd do it again!
HOSTELBOOKERS.COM
Hostels, Hotels & Youth Hostels at hostelbookers

I feel like with two weeks Id want to do a Greek Island route or see Croatia/Slovenia route. Missed Slovenia when we went and it looks beautiful!

That being said, I wouldnt kick Holland out of bed! Would just love to get over there again!!

Buy a Rick Steves or lonely planet book for Europe and start reading.

Pack your bag then take 90% out and leave it at home. Take only what you need to survive.

Seriously this! I'm in the middle of a year long trip and my bag is just under 7 kilos and I'm looking forward to ditching some warm clothing when I head south.

i'm new to traveling.. so all information lol. Like where would i even start to plan this trip?.

Watch out for pickpockets. Take what you really need. You can buy shampoo and whatnot there.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the feedback.

Eurorail is a must!
Have fun

following

How long are you planning on going for?

What kind of info are you looking for?