{"id":196,"date":"2026-08-03T07:11:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T03:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/?p=196"},"modified":"2026-07-31T17:32:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T17:32:42","slug":"disappointing-photos-show-what-backpacking-across-europe-is-really-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/?p=196","title":{"rendered":"Disappointing photos show what backpacking across Europe is really like"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/67bdddd9c832c3638fa51efd?format=jpeg\" height=\"2560\" width=\"3413\" alt=\"A cluster of arms holding phones to capture a tourist attraction in Rome\"><figcaption>Business Insider&#039;s reporter expected an Instagram-like backpacking adventure in Europe, but the reality was much less glamorous.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"summary-list\">\n<li>I spent two weeks backpacking in Europe for the first time in October 2022.<\/li>\n<li>My trip wasn&#8217;t the glamorous, romantic adventure that it often looks like on Instagram.<\/li>\n<li>Overnight trains, tourist crowds, and limited outfit options disappointed me.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I&#8217;d seen it all over Instagram \u2014 backpackers posing in otherwise empty cityscapes and epic natural scenes, with inspirational captions about life being an adventure.<\/p>\n<p>I started <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/book-airbnbs-in-small-towns-while-backpacking-europe-2023-8\">traveling with just a backpack<\/a> before I took on the role as a travel reporter for Business Insider five years ago, when I realized I needed to lighten my load to make it easier to hit the road for longer periods.<\/p>\n<p>In August 2022, I spent a week <a target=\"\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/first-time-backpacking-europe-surprising-things\">backpacking for the first time<\/a> through Eastern Canada. My backpack and I traveled from Niagara Falls to Toronto, Montreal, and <a target=\"\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/north-american-cities-that-feel-like-europe-quebec-city-canada\">Quebec City<\/a> by train, and it turned out to be much easier than I&#8217;d originally thought.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>So, two months later, when I planned a two-week train trip through Europe, I pushed myself to travel extra light again.<\/p>\n<p>I traveled across Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, exploring Berlin, Vienna, <a target=\"\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/first-trip-italy-surprises-venice-rome-milan\">Venice, Rome, Milan<\/a>, and Zurich, sleeping in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/europe-overnight-sleeper-trains-surprising-things-photos-2023-2\">shared train cabins<\/a> and booking <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/airbnb-safety-hack-for-solo-traveler-tip-2023-9\">budget Airbnbs<\/a> to save money. It was my first time visiting each country and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/switzerland-village-roggwil-hidden-gem-destination-backpacking-europe-2023-9\">backpacking in Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, I felt like I was living the life of a young adult on a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/son-regrets-college-wishes-gap-year-2025-6\">gap year<\/a>. But I quickly realized backpacking Europe wasn&#8217;t as glamorous as it looks on social media. My trip was full of hardships that I rarely see posts about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slideshow\">\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">While packing for my trip, I realized that my biggest backpack could only fit half of the clothes I wanted to bring.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/636e5814f5877200181c7158?format=jpeg\" height=\"2249\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Everything the author packed for her two-week trip to Europe.\"><figcaption>Everything the author packed for her two-week trip to Europe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>I picked my largest bag \u2014 a 32-liter backpack \u2014 for my trip to Europe.<\/p>\n<p>I wasn&#8217;t sure how well this bag would work for a <a target=\"\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/backpacking-europe-two-weeks-what-to-leave-behind-pack-lighter-2023-9\">two-week trip<\/a>, so I practiced packing as lightly as possible to ensure I could fit everything.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I started with my work stuff: a laptop, cameras, lenses, and a notebook. Then, I packed chargers, toiletries, and snacks before realizing my work gear and other essentials&nbsp;were taking&nbsp;priority over clothes.<\/p>\n<p>Although I hoped to bring two <a target=\"\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/travel\/monos-packing-cube-review\">packing cubes<\/a> full of clothing, I could only fit one, cutting my proposed wardrobe in half.<\/p>\n<p>I brought two polos, one T-shirt, one long-sleeve T-shirt, three pairs of pants, a sweater, a blazer, a dress, and two light jackets.<\/p>\n<p>Although I impressed myself by packing lighter than ever for the longest trip I&#8217;d ever taken, I was still disappointed by my limited outfit choices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">With a limited wardrobe, I had to do laundry at nearly every place I stayed.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6414830e0308e00018553927?format=jpeg\" height=\"2250\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Three imagaes of the authors laundry in Germany (left), Austria (top), and Italy (bottom).\"><figcaption>The authors laundry in Germany (left), Austria (top), and Italy (bottom).<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>I&#8217;ve never seen a backpacking social-media post about doing laundry, but I found myself washing my clothes at nearly every Airbnb I stayed in.<\/p>\n<p>I stayed in each accommodation for just one or two nights, so to ensure my clothes would be dry before checking out, I had to prioritize my laundry as soon as I checked in.<\/p>\n<p>This was a bummer since I often arrived at each accommodation feeling exhausted from travel, and washing my clothes was the last thing I felt like doing.<\/p>\n<p>I brought my own soap and used the sinks and bathtubs to wash each garment before hanging them up to dry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">Coming home to tiny Airbnbs with wet clothes everywhere stressed me out after a day of exploring.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6419af3d1b5e1000186dabf1?format=jpeg\" height=\"2249\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Two images of the author&apos;s messy accommodations in Austria (L) and Germany (R).\"><figcaption>The author&#039;s messy accommodations in Austria (L) and Germany (R).<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>From a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/airbnb-barrel-switzerland-review-photos-2022-11\">converted wine barrel<\/a> outside Zurich to an <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/airstream-trailer-luxury-europe-review-what-its-like-photos-2022-12\">Airstream trailer in Vienna<\/a>, most of my Airbnbs were <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/tiny-home-hotel-in-europe-photos-tour-inside-2023-2\">tiny homes<\/a> with less than 100 square feet of space. So, the slightest bit of clutter made them look like a total mess. Having my clothes hanging to dry made the spaces feel even more chaotic.<\/p>\n<p>Each time I returned to my accommodations, I was greeted with a disheveled space that made me feel stressed. I found it hard to relax in these rooms after tiring days of exploring.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">I booked two overnight trains to free up daylight hours for exploring. But I didn&#039;t know how challenging it would be to get a good night&#039;s rest in a small, shared space.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6419d8891b5e1000186db44a?format=jpeg\" height=\"2249\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Two images: Left: The author&apos;s legs stretched out on a red couch inside a sleeper cabin. Right: The author takes a selfie with a mask on in the same spot\"><figcaption>The author rides a Nightjet sleeper train in Europe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>To get from Vienna to Venice, I booked a <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/overnight-sleeper-europe-train-shared-cabin-photos-review-2022-11\">bunk in a shared cabin<\/a> for six on a train operated by Nightjet, which has overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<p>I expected to feel slightly cramped in the crowded room, but I still thought I&#8217;d have some space to move around.<\/p>\n<p>However, the 74-square-foot cabin didn&#8217;t feel like enough space for everyone, especially with luggage. Our cabin had only four people, and I thought it would have been even more uncomfortable if it had been fully booked with six.<\/p>\n<p>There was space for bags above the beds, but not enough for everyone. I couldn&#8217;t do much more than sit in my bunk, and I quickly became disappointed with my decision to travel this way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">I was also surprised by the lack of privacy inside the shared bunk cabin on the train.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/641483a75f4f5400191a14f2?format=jpeg\" height=\"2250\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Two images: Left: The author&apos;s legs stretched out on a red couch inside a sleeper cabin. Right: A closed gray, sliding door with a curtain in the train cabin\"><figcaption>The author&#039;s shared sleeper cabin on an overnight train from Austria to Italy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>Before my trip, I imagined each bunk in the shared cabin on the sleeper train would have a curtain for privacy. However,&nbsp;the beds were completely exposed, so I had to go to the bathroom to change into my pajamas privately.<\/p>\n<p>I also had to wake another traveler&nbsp;using the top bunk in the middle of the night to use the bathroom since the room&#8217;s lock was only accessible from their bunk.<\/p>\n<p>After this experience, I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ll bunk with strangers on an overnight train again, especially since some Nightjet routes have <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/private-cabin-overnight-train-ride-europe-worth-it-photos-review-2023-12\">private cabins<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Offering our passengers a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for us,&#8221; a representative for OBB Nightjet told Business Insider. &#8220;We are constantly working on improvements to our product and also take into account the requirements of our customers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">My experience was even worse on the other overnight train I took, where I booked a regular seat and didn&#039;t sleep at all.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/641483a85f4f5400191a14f4?format=jpeg\" height=\"2250\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Two Images: left: a blur reclined chair on a train. Right: The author takes a selfie in the same chair\"><figcaption>The author restless on an overnight train from Germany to Austria.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>On my other overnight train from Berlin to Vienna, I had even more trouble sleeping. I sat in a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/overnight-sleeper-train-europe-seating-carriage-review-photos-2022-12\">seating carriage room<\/a> with six seats facing each other, which is Nightjet&#8217;s version of standard coach seating.<\/p>\n<p>During my leg of the journey, three travelers were already there when I boarded, and two others arrived within the first few hours. I thought the room was cramped and lacked enough legroom for each traveler.<\/p>\n<p>The seat appeared slightly wider than a typical train coach seat. It also reclined, though not fully. I reclined mine as far as possible, but the gap between the seat back and the bottom cushions made it tough to get comfortable.<\/p>\n<p>I found it impossible to sleep with the constant bumps on the ride and so many people around. I ended up staying up until the morning and regretted traveling overnight.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The quality of travel depends not only on the carriages but also on the route,&#8221; OBB Nightjet wrote in a statement to Business Insider. &#8220;We recommend the sleeper or couchette car for night travel. There is enough space to stretch out. Seated carriages are recommended for shorter journeys.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>While some influencers might like this type of travel, I&#8217;ll stick to daytime routes next time if I can&#8217;t sleep flat on a bed in a private room.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">I often arrived in each country feeling exhausted from lack of sleep, which made it harder to enjoy my time there.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/63ad9f413e42ed001855cdab?format=jpeg\" height=\"2249\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Two images. Left: a train seen from the window of a train in the early morning\"><figcaption>The author arrives in Vienna.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>Because I had so much trouble sleeping on both overnight train rides, I often arrived in a new city feeling depleted instead of excited and ready to start exploring.<\/p>\n<p>When I got to Vienna at 7 a.m. after a sleepless night in the seating carriage, I was so exhausted that I looked for any hotel that would take me in so early in the morning. I thought this made the overnight ride ultimately not worth the time saved, since I didn&#8217;t do anything when I arrived other than sleep.<\/p>\n<p>When I got off the train in Venice, I had enough energy to explore after some sleep in the bunk, but I still felt fatigued, which took away from how much I could enjoy that first day.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, my first day in both cities felt disappointing, and my plan to save time and energy backfired. I couldn&#8217;t help thinking I wasted two days that could have been spent feeling more appreciative of the city surrounding me had I gotten enough rest.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">In fact, a lot of my trip was more physically draining than I anticipated because my backpack made my body sore.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/64148f7a5f4f5400191a1862?format=jpeg\" height=\"2249\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Two images: Left: The author walks next to a train wearing a big backpack. Right: The author sits in a train seat stretching her neck\"><figcaption>The author sores her back from carrying her bag.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>On travel days, I had to carry my backpack for long periods. I wore it on the go to catch my train. When I arrived in a new city, I had to keep it on my back until I could check into my accommodation. And then, I&#8217;d repeat the entire process when I checked out before catching a train to my next destination.<\/p>\n<p>Each day, after wearing my backpack for extended periods while walking, my muscles felt incredibly sore.<\/p>\n<p>In these moments, I was surprised to find myself questioning whether a backpack is really more convenient than a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/when-to-travel-backpack-vs-carry-on-luggage-suitcase-2023-9\">carry-on suitcase<\/a>. Sure, a carry-on suitcase is larger and often needs to be wheeled around, but after lugging my backpack all day, I felt it would have been easier on my body. Plus, I&#8217;d be able to pack more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">Large crowds made having a backpack even harder. I thought traveling in October \u2014 the end of shoulder season \u2014 would help me avoid this, but I was wrong.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6419b05f1b5e1000186dac14?format=jpeg\" height=\"2249\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Two images of crowds walking between narrow, historic buildings in Venice.\"><figcaption>Narrow alleys were filled with people in Europe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>In most backpacker posts I see on Instagram, it looks like they&#8217;re completely alone in a dramatic scene, whether it&#8217;s a&nbsp;scenic landscape or a major tourist attraction.<\/p>\n<p>However, even though I visited during the shoulder season, this was not the case. From Rome to Zurich, I trudged through places that were overrun with tourists.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout my trip, I stood on tiptoes to see popular historic sites above rows of heads, obscuring my view. Even getting just one photo of myself at tourist hot spots, like the&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/colosseum-rome-italy-visit-tour-reality-vs-expectation-photos-2023-2\">Colosseum in Rome<\/a>, felt nearly impossible. And since I&#8217;m 5-foot-3, I found it hard to see over the heads and smartphones of the people around me.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I also wasn&#8217;t used to the weight and size of my backpack, which made it challenging to get around. In crowded spaces, I kept forgetting that the backpack made me about a third larger than I typically am. I bumped into people with my pack in busy streets and train stations before realizing I needed to reconsider how I was taking up space.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Next time I plan a trip to Europe, I&#8217;ll visit during the offseason for fewer crowds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide\">\n<div class=\"slide-title\">While it wasn&#039;t a picture-perfect adventure, backpacking through Europe made me realize that you can&#039;t plan out every second, and maybe that&#039;s a good thing.<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-image\">\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6414830d0308e00018553922?format=jpeg\" height=\"2250\" width=\"3000\" alt=\"Two images: Left: The author takes a seflie on a platform next to a red train. Right: The author walks next to a train wearing a big backpack\"><figcaption>The author backpacks in Europe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"copyright\">Joey Hadden\/Business Insider<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"slide-content\">\n<p>While there were a handful of hardships, backpacking in Europe was also full of good surprises.<\/p>\n<p>For example, I initially thought seeing so many new places in a short time would make them blend together in my mind, but each city felt genuinely unique and left me with distinct memories. And without my backpack, I probably wouldn&#8217;t have been able to travel to as many places in one trip.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ll never forget how alive Berlin felt with its lush pockets of greenery, dramatic murals, and street performers, or how Vienna&#8217;s garden mazes and fairy-tale architecture made me feel like royalty \u2014 even with a turtle shell on my back.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, I thought the good surprises outweighed the bad, so I would definitely backpack in Europe again. But next time, I&#8217;ll avoid shared accommodations, overnight rides, and the busy season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"read-original\">Read the original article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/backpacking-europe-what-its-like-disappointing-photos\">Business Insider<\/a><\/div>\n<p><em>Source: <a href='https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/backpacking-europe-what-its-like-disappointing-photos' target='_blank'>Read the original article on www.businessinsider.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Business Insider&#039;s reporter expected an Instagram-like backpacking adventure in Europe, but the reality was much less glamorous. Joey Hadden\/Business Insider I spent two weeks backpacking in Europe for the first time in October 2022. My trip wasn&#8217;t the glamorous, romantic adventure that it often looks like on Instagram. Overnight trains, tourist crowds, and limited outfit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":343,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,36,3],"tags":[14,29,33],"class_list":["post-196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-important","category-share-suggestions","category-technology","tag-impact-meta","tag-signal-avoid","tag-stage-stage-4"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=196"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/343"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/futureknowledge.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}