The Science of "Backpacking"

Odd question, but I really have no idea what this entails. Is it basically packing a bag full of essentials and literally living out of it, traveling across an idea? I mean, do you work? Where do you sleep? Is this safe? Is it a miserable experience?

I would love to travel across Europe, but I feel it would take years, because I would need to find a place to live and get a good job in order to sustain myself. I mean, what does it take? And whats the best way to experience other cultures?

Back packing -- from my perspective, the definition can be much of whatever you want it to be. I know some people work a while in each place to help support their travels. Others just pack super light, as you said, essentials only, and pay for the touring from savings (or whatever stash of cash they have). It also partly depends on how long you intend to "backpack". A couple weeks may not break the bank, but if you are planning to be gone for a year, working would probably be a good idea. I am planning a trip with a friend next summer and we hope to stay in hostels some, crash at friends' places some, and perhaps do some couch surfing. (Also there is no rule about not sleeping on the train ride from place to place!)
I think safety is largely common sense. Be smart, be respectable, and be observant of how people generally behave in that culture. A little common sense can go a long way. If you travel with someone that you know and trust, there is that added level of security too.

Have fun planning your trip (and don't wait till your 105 to do it!)

Allyssa

All I can feel from backpacking is . Freeeeedom!

For me, the easiest and most enjoyable way to do it is to pack only essentials, and stay in cheap hostels. You'll meet lots of great people, see incredible things, and all that for a lot less money than you'd think. I am presently on a 6 months trip that will cost me well below 10 000US$ with the flights tickets included. I will have visited amsterdam, russia, mongolia, beijing, japan, thailand, laos, vietnam, kuala lumpur, sydney new-zealand, fidji islands, and L.A. . Visit airtreks dot com (that's where I bought my flight tickets) and start dreaming!

Ahhh backpacking I love thee so. Backpacking is when you take a backpack and pack it with clothes and anything else you fancy pick a destination and go.
Backpackers usually tend to stay in hostels-a cheap place where you can meet fellow travelers.

Do a google search "lifeisgrand wine tour", it documents our 8 months backing trip through the southern hemisphere. Backpacking has a culture all of its own and you'll never be the same after experiencing it.

So all of you who have done this before: where do you start planning? I'm looking into spending a couple months (2 and a half) in Europe. I looked into the Global Eurail pass. I just don't know where to start planning. any ideas?

Looking into passes is a great place to start. There are many different types of passes in terms of length and places covered.
My steps would be:
1)Consider how much time and money you have

2)Think about WHERE you want to go and what you want to see. Do you wanna go to Paris? Have you ever wanted to see the leaning tower of Pisa? Once you have done this jot down what you want to see and all the countries they are in.

3)Think about how long you want to spend in Europe considering you now know what you want to do and see (and maybe allow yourself a little extra time).

4)Find a pass that best suits your needs.

Once you've completed step 2, you can look into things like where to stay and start planing how long you want to give to each destination.

I hope it all goes well for you!

By the way mwc187-I thought I would answer your questions as they were asked.

Odd question, but I really have no idea what this entails.
Basically as has been said its packing a bag and going somewhere

do you work?

You can do it depends-I have heard of some travelers volunteering at a hostel in exchange for a room.

Where do you sleep?

Most travelers will use hostels-cheap places with dorm rooms. Hostels vary in quality.

Is this safe? Is it a miserable experience?
It tends to be safe it depends on where you go and how safe you are. I would totally get advice on countries before you go though. Is it a miserable experience? Well that depends on where you go and the type of traveler you are. For sure backpacking is not for everyone. Me? I love it and could not imagine life without it.

I mean, what does it take?
A desire to see new things, meet new people and grow. It takes a lot of things but I think those attributes will help. Thats not to say non backpackers don't have these attributes either (don't feel bad is its not for you) but it helps.

Backbacking is pretty broad ranged. Ive met some people who seem to bring their wardrobe with them with hair dryer etc. I'll admit when i went to europe, i brought way too much crap. Then there are others who seem to live in the same clothes for a week at a time. It takes a bit of time getting used too, and learning how to engage others but once you learn how to get around, use the trains, meet other backpackers. It's probably one of the most rewarding experiences.

As for what others said, getting your pass is a good idea, figure out what you want to do yourself before u buy the pass. If your going to spend 1/2 your trip in a coffee shop in Amsterdam, then hit up france after, you can get passes that only have a few countries on them. Or if you want to travel all over, get the pass that covers all the countries for your whole trip.

Safety is one of those things thats really individualized. I felt safer in small towns of Romania then i did in Paris. Just be aware of your surroundings, don't piss off cab drivers and don't flash money. It's amusing to see that even buskers avoid backpackers because they know most have little money or are unwilling to part with what they do have.

As for MWC's original questions. It's pretty easy to live out of a backpack if you want too. Once you start thinking more in terms of what you "need" compared to what you "want" Then you realize that you only need a few things to get by each day. Some people do work, lots work in bars etc. Irish pubs seem to be the big one. Sleeping in hostels, campsites, and in the places of people you meet are the major ways. Traveling around places like Europe doesnt take long at all, a few days really. As for it being miserable. well spending the night in a trainstation with a crazy guy screaming at the top of his lungs is miserable but the next day was awsome, u just take it as it comes. As for experiencing other cultures. Just get out there. Step outside the comfort zone and meet people, laugh at your inability to talk in each others languages. It's a great time. Hope that helps

Buy a discount travel book. "Europe on $10 a Day" was popular when I did it, but now the book is outdated. However, it gives you an idea what to look for.