I know before I left I asked a lot of questions about traveling. Now that I’m back I don’t have all the answers, but I have a few tips that might make your trip a little easier.

1. DON’T OVERPLAN – If you have a four week trip planned and everything planned out, you’re going to be very disappointed. There are miscellaneous travel issues that arise, cities you fall in love with and want to stay longer at, people you had fun with and plan on meeting later on or traveling with to a new city. It’s great to have a general idea of the countries or major cities you want to go, but leave where you stop along the way up in the air until you need to book it.
2. Don’t pack too much – I brought a 45L backpack and I wish I left a good portion of it empty to shop and bring clothes/miscellaneous back with me. Pack plenty of socks and underwear though!
3. Once you know what city you’re going to next, book your hostel or Airbnb immediately so you can see if it’s booked. ALWAYS book hostels and Airbnbs with 8.5 or better ratings and read the reviews.
4. Flying can be cheaper than trains when you book in advance. But if you’re going to be traveling last minute a lot a Eurail pass is the way to go. They have tons of different options on travel plans. Busses are a good way to go to, on the shorter trips especially.
5. Apps essential to have: Hostelworld, Airbnb, Go Euro, and TripAdvisor.
6. If you don’t have international data, screenshot your directions in maps and navigate from there. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for directions. A lot of people are happy to help, or at least try and help.
7. Use public transportation as much as possible, it’s cheap and easy to navigate. Or walk, we found so many hidden gems just because we chose to walk and not drive.
8. Be aware of pickpockets. We never had a problem, but some people do. With that being said, we never felt unsafe once the whole trip no matter what time it was or where we were.
9. Be openminded and willing to meet anyone and everyone. Lots of people are happy to talk with and meet you. It was an election year so we got a lot of questions about Trump and Hilary once people found out we were American.
10. Try stuff you’ve never tried, it’s fun!
11. Bring something to stay occupied when you travel; books, music, a journal to write in, a journal to sketch in. Some of the longer train rides can get boring, especially when the views aren’t pretty in some places or it’s dark out.