Are You Ready to Backpack Europe?

By: Dana Brown
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Are You Ready to Backpack Europe?
Image: martin-dm/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

So you've always wanted to travel to Europe with nothing but a backpack, the wind in your hair and the chugging of a train to take you from country to country. You know that within a couple of hours, sometimes even minutes, you could be traversing an entirely different place, culture and language group. There's something awe-inspiring about that. You're eager! You want to go and see it all for yourself!

Cities like Paris and Prague; islands like Santorini and Mykonos; mountains in Transylvania; villages in remote Eastern European countries. There is so much to see and discover. You want to tread those much-treasured cobblestones.

However, before you set forth on your European backpacking adventure, you should have an essential checklist in mind. Do you know just what to bring, how much of it and what to leave behind? There's only so much you can fit into a backpack, and only so much you can carry without it carrying you and holding you back. Do you have your documents, credit cards and emergency numbers in place? Do you know who to contact in case something happens while you're abroad?

We've devised this quiz with your best interests in mind, to ensure that your journey will be as seamless as possible. Are you ready for it? Let's find out! 

Woman at the train station
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What transportation would you take to hop from place to place?
A train, bus, ship or plane
I'd say a train.
Trains are the only way to go, right?
I'll figure it out when I get there.
Backpack
Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Plus
What should your backpack be like?
Water resistant, with many compartments
Big and cool
Very stylish
Second-hand or real cheap
Distracted brunette female tourist and a pickpocket
Lorado/E+/Getty Images
If your American passport gets lost or stolen, what should you do?
Fill out a police report, contact the State Department website, fill out the form and take it to the embassy to get an emergency passport.
Call the embassy!
Start flailing your arms about for the police!
Yell "Help!"

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Insurance claim form and insurance policy
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What kind of insurance are you taking with you?
Travel and health
Health
No insurance
Why would I need insurance?
Young woman packing luggage on bed
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Are you bringing a towel?
Of course
Why? Should I?
Of course not. Every hostel has towels.
I'll just buy one when I'm there.
Famous folklore festival in Kyjov, Czech Republic
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What do you do about navigating different customs?
I do my basic research before arriving in each country.
I bring a guidebook that I may or may not glance at.
I'll learn them (or not) once I get there.
Who cares about customs?

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Young woman getting train ticket
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What's one ticket you should have in Europe to travel from country to country?
A Eurail Pass or something similar
A train ticket
The ticket I buy
What's this about tickets?
Young female tourist storing personal baggages in security locker
d3sign/Moment/Getty Images
What should you invest in if you want to keep your items safe in a hostel?
A padlock for my locker
I can use a locker.
Nothing. I'll carry everything with me at all times.
Hmm. Is that a trick question?
Travel plug adapters on world map
Jorg Greuel/Photodisc/Getty Images
What kind of power adapter will ensure that your electronics get charged properly?
Universal adapter, because not all European countries have the same outlets
A European power adapter
I'll find out when I get there and buy it.
Power adapter? Say what?

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Backpacker couple at the train station reading book
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If you're bringing books, how many should you carry with you?
As many as I want in my Kindle Reader, or one or two in paperback if I must
Around five
I'll just stuff whatever comes to mind into my backpack.
Ten, maybe
Map of Europe
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How do you get from Italy to Greece?
By boat or plane
By plane
Somehow
I'd swim, hahaha.
Variety of sunglasses
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What kind of sunglasses are you bringing?
Something solid, with good UV protection
Something cheap that can be tossed or lost
I don't wear sunglasses.
I'll get something at the airport.

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Hiker using binoculars, Mont Cervin, Matterhorn, Valais, Switzerland
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If you're going to the mountains, what should you pack for sure?
Water-resistant gloves, down jacket, trekking trainers, good socks
A windbreaker
Mountain wear, the same as I wear at home
Snacks and sunglasses
Money, credit card and passport on the backpack
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What can you bring to hide your money, passport and credit cards at all times?
Hidden travel security belt
Fanny pack
Underwear
That's a funny question.
Hiking young man and lunch break in front of his tent
StefaNikolic/E+/Getty Images
If you're planning on going camping, what item can you bring with you to cook with?
A portable stove
A stovetop
A can opener
Again with the trick questions!

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Many colorful blankets
By shibu bhattacharjee/Moment Open/Getty Images
What kind of blanket would be super versatile and welcome?
A picnic blanket
A wool blanket
A towel that doubles as a blanket
My childhood blankie for emotional comfort
Red and orange carabiner
Sjo/E+/Getty Images
What's a carabiner for?
Attaching items to my backpack and fixing something
Extra weight
For carrying my backpack
Something I'll not be bothered with
Female traveler holding water bottle
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What kind of bottle is a must to carry?
A water bottle!
A plastic bottle
A wine bottle
Message in a bottle, hehehe

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Assortment of toiletries and travel kit
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What three items are essential in your toiletry bag? (The rest can be bought locally.)
Toothbrush, toothpaste and soap
Sunscreen and cotton balls
Shower gel and razors
Everything can be bought locally
First aid kit
Creativeye99/E+/Getty Images
Taking a first-aid kit with you?
Of course, with all the essentials
I'm taking some band-aids.
That will weigh too much.
If anything happens to me, I'll head to the hospital!
US Passports
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How long should your passport still be valid for before you travel?
At least six months
At least three months
The length of my return ticket, obviously
I need a passport to go to Europe?

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Schengen Visa and Passport
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How long are you allowed to stay in the Schengen Area during a six-month period?
Three months
One month
Six months
Is the Schengen Area in Germany?
Wallet with euro and credit card
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Should you take cash with you?
Yes, It's a good idea to have some and exchange it whenever needed, in addition to carrying credit and debit cards.
No. Just credit and debit cards
I'm bringing my debit card and that's it.
Cash only, I say.
Variety of denominations of Euro coins and bills
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Does every European country use Euros?
Not at all
Hmm, of course
Euros for Europe!
They don't use dollars?

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Woman holding passport
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Do you need to have your passport with you every time you go to a new country?
Yes, you do, in case you get asked.
No, you just need it once to enter and once to leave the Schengen Area.
I need to check that. Hold on a sec.
Now you're confusing me.
Couple of tourist with rental car reading map-Road trip
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What do you need to drive in Europe?
My driver's license and an International Driving Permit for some countries
Duh, my driver's license
A car
A moped
Female student holding a card
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If you're a student, should you take your student ID with you?
Indeed, I can get some discounts that way.
No. It's only valid in the United States.
No idea, but I'll carry it just in case.
I have a fake student ID. Does that count?

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Traveler checking in at hotel
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Do you need the address of where you'll be staying?
Yes, even if it's a hostel
No, it's a hostel.
I don't think so.
I already have that whatchamacallit, passport. That should be enough.
Backpacker talking on phone
Laurence Dutton/E+/Getty Images
What do you need to make international calls without paying a fortune?
An international SIM card, as well as Facetime or WhatsAPP
An international SIM card
That's a good question.
A phone booth
Woman buying fruit and vegetables at a market in a foreign city
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Are you planning on learning the basics of the local languages?
Yes, I'll look up the greetings and basic courtesies of each country, such as how to say "thank you" and "please."
Maybe. I know some Spanish.
Oh, c'mon, everyone speaks English in Europe.
Oh, jeez, you're stressing me out!

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