Days 1-2: London, United Kingdom

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Arrival Airport: Heathrow Airport (LHR) or Gatwick Airport (LGW)

As a traditional backpacker, you will fully immerse yourself in London’s culture, using the provided Oyster card to travel within the city. You will explore the British capital on your own, visiting sites like Big Ben and the London Eye, eating meals in traditional pubs and teashops, and taking obligatory photos in red phone booths. If you wish, you may also dive into the city's nightlife, explore its world-class museums, or see a West End show.

On the evening of your second day, you will transfer to Paris for the next phase of your adventure.

Accommodation: Rest Up London Hostel or similar; Hotel The Originals Paris Maison Montmartre or similar

Day 3: Paris, France

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Waking up bright and early, you will have the opportunity to explore all of the famous landmarks in Paris. By jumping on the metro, you can visit multiple locations around the city and experience French culture for yourself. Don't miss sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Palais Garnier, or neighborhoods like Montmartre and the Marais. Remember to grab a baguette and a block of cheese for a traditional French snack!

Accommodation: MIJE Fourcy Fauconnier Maubuisson or similar

Days 4-5: Interlaken, Switzerland

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Transfer from Paris to Interlaken via train, then spend the rest of Day 4 exploring Interlaken and gazing up at Switzerland's jaw-dropping mountains.

On Day 5, you will visit the nearby village of Lauterbrunnen, famous for its picturesque mountains and cascading waterfalls. If you'd like, you may add on an adrenaline-inducing paragliding trip or take the cable car to the sky-high mountain village of Murren.

Accommodation: Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof (Hostel Interlaken) or similar

Day 6: Milan, Italy

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In the morning, you'll catch a train from Interlaken to Milan, Italy's fashion capital. Once you arrive, you'll have the day to explore sites like Il Duomo, Sforza Castle, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. You should also take time to enjoy a delicious meal along the Canal in the city's Navigli District.

Accommodation: Babila Hostel or similar

Days 7-8: Rome, Italy, and the Vatican

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On Day 7, you'll transfer from Milan to Rome via train. Upon your arrival, you’ll have the freedom to explore on your own — we recommend checking out the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colosseum, Spanish Steps, and many other historical landmarks scattered around the city. Later, you’ll make your way over to Trastevere (Rome’s bohemian quarter) by tram, where you will enjoy a delicious authentic Italian meal.

On Day 8, you will head to the Vatican, home to the Roman Catholic Church and some of the most famous artworks in the world. Here, you will experience St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican museums. (Keep in mind that your special ticket will allow you to skip the lines!) You'll spend the afternoon exploring a few more Roman neighborhoods on your own.

Accommodation: RomeHello Hostel or similar

Days 9-11: Florence and Pisa, Italy

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On Day 9, you will board a train from Rome to Florence, where you will spend the next two days gazing at gorgeous art and architectural wonders, as well as enjoying delicious food.

You'll spend Days 9 and 10 exploring on your own, checking out places like Il Duomo di Firenze (including the Baptistery, the Campanile, and the main cathedral), the Piazzale Michelangelo, San Lorenzo Market, and the Boboli Gardens.

On Day 11, you'll take a day trip to Pisa, giving you enough time to explore Piazza del Duomo, Pisa Baptistery, and Piazza dei Miracoli, before returning to Florence for the evening.

Accommodation: Academy Hostel or similar

Day 12-13: Venice, Italy

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After transferring from Florence to Venice by train, you'll have two days to explore gorgeous Venetian locales, including St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and the city's extensive network of canals. Remember to take a ride on a traditional gondola or vaporetto before you leave!

Accommodation: Combo Venezia or similar

Day 14: Ljubljana, Slovenia

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After a train ride from Venice, you'll arrive in Slovenia's gorgeous, green capital: Ljubljana. Spend the day touring Ljubljana Castle, exploring the waterfront, going on a café crawl of the city's most inviting eateries, or making a quick day trip to nearby Lake Bled.

Accommodation: Turn Hostel or similar

Day 15-16: Vienna, Austria

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Early on Day 15, you'll board a bus bound for Vienna. Once you arrive, you might like to visit Schonbrunn Palace, other historical landmarks, and the city’s variety of marketplaces. You'll spend your days in the Austrian capital walking along the royal streets and observing the famous historical buildings, beautiful gardens, and grand museums, as well as enjoying delicious meals.

Accommodation: Wombat City Hostel-Vienna The Naschmarkt or similar

Day 17-18: Budapest, Hungary

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You will take a two-and-a-half-hour train ride from Vienna to Budapest, arriving with plenty of time to explore the city before the day ends.

On Day 18, you'll have the chance to visit all the hotspots you might not have explored on your first day: the thermal baths, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Parliament Building. In the evening, you'll board an overnight bus bound for Krakow.

Accommodation: Avenue Hostel or similar; overnight bus

Day 19-20: Krakow, Poland

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You will arrive in Krakow around 6:30 am. Grab breakfast in the city center, then use your public transportation card to explore the city and its historical landmarks (like Cloth Hall and Wawel Castle), or take an add-on tour of Auschwitz. This part of the world is rich in history, and if you’d like to learn more about the horrifying events and long-term impact of WWII, there’s no better place to do so.

On Day 20, you'll have all day to visit the sites you didn't get to see on the previous day. At about 10 p.m., you'll board an overnight bus to Prague.

Accommodation: Ginger Hostel or similar; overnight bus

Day 21: Prague, Czech Republic

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Upon arriving in Prague in the early morning, you’ll have time to get acquainted with Prague’s public transportation system before grabbing breakfast.

Your morning and afternoon will consist of independent exploring. Prague is extremely walkable, so wandering around on foot is the best way to discover the city’s Old World charm. This city is packed with beautiful and historical sites, including Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and the Old Town Square.

Accommodation: Hostel Prague Tyn or similar

Day 22-24: Berlin, Germany

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On the morning of Day 22, you will board a train bound for Berlin, arriving to Germany's capital in the early afternoon. After checking in to your hostel, you may opt to visit some of Berlin’s most popular landmarks. You'll have the rest of the day, as well as the following two days, to explore sites like the John Lennon Wall (specifically the East Side Gallery), the Brandenburg Gate, Museumsinsel (Museum Island), the Holocaust Memorial, Schloss Charlottenburg, and the Reichstag. Given Berlin’s artsy reputation, you can also set forth on a self-guided street art tour, making sure to keep an eye out for colorful murals and gritty installations.

Berlin is famous for its nightlife, so in the evenings, you'll probably want to spend some time on the town!

On Day 24, you'll board an overnight train to Amsterdam.

Accommodation: Pfefferbett Hostel or similar; overnight train

Day 25-26: Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Arriving around 7 a.m. on Day 25, you’ll have ample time to acclimate to Dutch culture. Amsterdam is known for its scenic canals, lovely artwork, and rich history, so you may opt to bike around the city and visit the Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House. Like Berlin, Amsterdam offers a vibrant nightlife scene, so you may choose to spend your evening dancing in a nightclub.

On Day 26, you'll have plenty of time to explore the city, visiting attractions that you haven't yet had time to see. In the evening, you'll board an overnight bus to London.

Accommodation: Ecomama Hostel or similar or similar; overnight bus

Day 27: London, United Kingdom

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In the morning, you'll arrive in London, the city where your trip started nearly four weeks ago. Grab breakfast in the city and explore the city by foot or public transportation. Don’t miss the major landmarks you might have missed during your first visit (such as Big Ben or Tower Bridge), or if you'd prefer, you can return to your favorite spots.

In the evening, you can enjoy your last night of this backpacking journey, keeping in mind that the nightlife in London is fantastic.

Accommodation: Rest Up London Hostel or similar

Day 28: Departure from London

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You'll have one last breakfast at your hostel, then head to the airport for your flight home. Although it’s never easy to say goodbye, you can rest easy, knowing that you’ve made lifelong memories and friends in some of Europe’s most beautiful cities, towns, villages, and mountain resorts. Until next time!

Departure Airport: Heathrow Airport (LHR) or Gatwick Airport (LGW)

+ Can you help arrange my Europe travel visas?

If you are an American traveler joining this trip in 2019 or 2020, you will not need a visa. Beginning in 2021, many travelers (including Americans) will need to apply for the ETIAS visa waiver, a new form of travel authorization, to enter the countries in the Schengen Area. Please see here for more information on ETIAS.

In any case, please use VisaHQ to verify the visa requirements for your travel plans.

+ Do your tours include international airfare?

Travelers arrive from all over the world to begin our tours, and it is not possible to include international airfare in our prices. We would be happy to help you arrange flights. Just ask for an air quote when making your booking.

+ What vaccinations should I get before my trip?

It's important that you receive the most accurate and up-to-date travel health information for the region you will be visiting. The only one qualified to provide you with this advice is your family physician or a specialist from a Travel Health clinic. We can provide some general guidance on what websites to check, but these websites are no substitute for a personal consultation with a qualified medical professional.

+ How should I pack for this trip?

Please see our blog article and video on packing for Europe.

+ I'm a solo traveler — will I be charged a single supplement?

We can accommodate single travelers, but we do require a single supplement charge.