What is a good backpack to use backpacking?

What would be the approximate costs for backpacking across Europe?

• I'm in my senior year of high school and I'm 18. I'm planning to go to junior college in the next fall for one semester, and then heading off to backpack across Europe from February/March until my money runs out (hopefully I can last the entire summer, but I doubt it). Anyways, I already have some money and will probably have somewhere around $6,000 saved by the time I plan on making the trip. Can someone who has gone backpacking before try to help me figure out expenses? I plan to buy one way tickets because I'm not sure when I return. I expect it'll cost approximately $600 there and maybe $700 coming back (since it's summer). How much would a good hiking backpack cost? Will I need anything big to bring along (other than like clothes, shoes, hygiene stuff, a towel)? I already have a passport. I don't plan on using my phone a lot, but is there any package or something I need to get in case I want to make international calls? Do I need to get like international prepaid minute cards or something? I know you shouldn't carry around a lot of cash on me. Should I use debit or travelers' checks? How much would a Europass or other train passes cost? Which one should I get? How long do you think I can last with 6 grand? I don't spend that much or eat a lot. Thanks for any input you guys have.

• Answer:

  Dear Yami: I backpacked around Europe for 2 weeks in spring '07 and spent something like $2,000, not counting plane costs (I was studying in London at the time). The dollar has strengthened against the Euro and Pound since then, but I'd still guess that you should probably budget about $75-$100/day not including plane fare to or from Europe. Notes: Some parts of Europe are more expensive than others. Norway and Switzerland will drain your bank account a lot faster than Greece, for example. If you've never been to Europe before London and Paris are great places to start out. I also highly recommend Barcelona, Venice, Florence, Rome, the Bay of Naples, Interlaken, Amsterdam and Berlin. Greece was a bit of a pain to get to and Belgium is not all that awesome. Check out hostelworld.com and hostelbookers.com. Both websites let you book rooms in youth hostels pretty much anywhere (and their user reviews are generally accurate). Note that because these websites exist you'll generally need to make booking arrangements at least a few days in advance, especially in summer and on weekends. Don't just show up and expect to be able to get a room. And if you are trying to stretch your money hostels are definitely the way to go--they're cheap and let you meet a lot of interesting people. But bring a combination lock with you... I got my backpack at REI. I think a Mars brand, very big, maybe $250. Definitely a good purchase. Good hiking boots are also a solid investment. Note that many US cell phones generally don't work in Europe. You can get a cheapie while there, or just make do without one. Make sure you take a money belt, and make sure you have at least one card, the bulk of your cash and your passport in it. Also call your bank and make sure your cards are enabled to work in Europe. Eurrail has a number of different plans. Think before you buy one because the passes are pretty expensive. Also note that the passes aren't valid in the UK. Also I might not go to Europe in February--it's still pretty cold and dreary, at least up north. Wait until April and you'll likely get better weather. You'll probably have $4,500 or $5,000 after plane fare, and that should be enough to get you through six weeks-two months. Frankly I doubt you'd be able to last for a full summer.