Alright, so everyone’s raving about backpacking through Europe, saying how safe and easy it is. And yeah, for the most part, they’re right. It’s got great public transport, and jumping between countries is a piece of cake. But that doesn’t mean you can just wander around with your head in the clouds. I’ve clocked up a fair few miles over there, learned a thing or two, sometimes the hard way, sometimes by watching others mess up. So, I figured I’d share how I generally keep myself out of trouble.
My Pre-Trip Rituals – The Boring but Necessary Stuff
Before I even thought about which cool old city to hit first, I got my ducks in a row. Sounds dull, I know, but it’s saved my skin more than once.
- Copies, copies, copies! Seriously. Passport, ID, travel insurance details – I photocopied the lot. Stashed one set deep in my main backpack, left another with my folks back home, and had digital scans on a secure online drive. You never know when you might need a backup.
- Money. I never kept all my cash or cards in one place. Bit in the wallet, a bit stashed in a less obvious pocket in my bag, maybe even one of those nerdy money belts if I was feeling extra cautious. And always, always told my bank I was travelling. Getting your card frozen when you’re trying to buy a train ticket in a random town? No thanks.
- Get that insurance. Don’t be a cheapskate on this. Seriously. I always hoped I’d never have to use it, but just knowing it was there meant I could actually relax a bit, especially when I was off doing something a bit more adventurous than just looking at old buildings.
- Packed light and smart. Didn’t want to look like a walking ATM. The less flashy stuff I had, the less I looked like a target. Simple clothes, nothing with big logos. Blending in is underrated.
On the Road – How I Actually Did It
Once I was actually there, it was mostly about using my common sense, but sometimes you gotta actively think about it.
Choosing where to sleep: Hostels were my go-to. But I always looked for ones with decent lockers. And I used my own sturdy padlock, not some flimsy thing they might try to sell you. If a dorm felt a bit off, I wasn’t shy about asking if I could switch. Most times, though, everyone’s cool.
Day-to-day smarts:
- My bag was like my baby. In crowded spots – markets, train stations, tourist traps – my daypack was always on my front or held tight. On buses or trains, especially overnight ones, I’d often loop a strap around my arm or leg. Might sound like overkill, but better safe than sorry.
- Nightlife. Look, I like a good time as much as the next person. But getting completely wasted in an unfamiliar city is just asking for trouble. I always tried to keep an eye on my drink, especially in packed bars. Heard too many dodgy stories. And if I was out late, I’d try to walk back with other people from the hostel or stick to well-lit main roads.
- Scams. Oh, the scams. The “found a gold ring” one, the “sign the petition” distraction. I just learned to be a bit wary if someone was overly friendly or pushy out of nowhere. A polite “no thanks” and keep walking usually did the trick.
Stuff I flat out avoided:
- Getting involved in anything illegal. Sounds obvious, right? But you’d be surprised. Drugs, dodgy deals – just a massive NO. Not worth the risk, period.
- Leaving my common sense at the hostel door. If a situation felt weird, I trusted my gut and got out of there. No shame in it.
- Dressing like I owned the place or trying to show off. You don’t need to advertise you’re a tourist with money to burn. I found it better to just be low-key.
Why I Bother With All This
Look, I’m not trying to make Europe sound like a warzone. It’s mostly super chill. But I remember this one time, I was in Rome, totally knackered after a long train ride. I was at a cafe, put my small daypack (just had a book and a water bottle, thankfully) on the chair beside me. Turned my head for like, ten seconds to look at a map. When I turned back, poof. Gone. My own stupid fault for being careless.
It wasn’t a disaster, not like my pal Mark who had his whole rucksack nicked off a sleeper train in Italy while he was out cold. Passport, cash, clothes, the lot. What a nightmare that was for him, trying to get an emergency passport. He was a pretty experienced traveller too, just got complacent. That’s the thing – it can happen to anyone if you switch off.
So yeah, that little incident in Rome, and seeing Mark’s ordeal, made me tighten up my act. It’s not about being paranoid; it’s about being aware so you can actually enjoy the amazing experiences without some idiot ruining your trip. A little bit of smart thinking means you can focus on having a good time, which is what it’s all about, right?
