European travel hacks everyone should know

I am planning my first backpacking trip across Europe this summer and I want to make the most of my budget and time. Are there any lesser-known tips for booking trains, avoiding long museum queues, or packing efficiently that locals or seasoned travelers swear by? I would love to hear your top game-changing hacks that aren't usually mentioned in typical guidebooks.

For trains, always check individual country rail sites instead of just Eurail. Sometimes booking point-to-point tickets in advance is way cheaper, especially in countries like Spain and Italy.

If you are figuring out your itinerary, you should definitely check out this guide on the best ways to travel between European countries without breaking the bank or losing your mind for some solid alternative routes.

When it comes to museums, don't just look for free days (which are insanely crowded). Instead, book the very last time slot of the day. Tour groups are gone and guards are just rushing you out, but you get to see everything in peace.

Packing tip: Merino wool socks and underwear. You can literally wear them for days without odor, which means you can pack half the clothes and just sink-wash them in your hostel.

Downloading the local public transit app (like Citymapper or local equivalents) before you land saves you from buying useless paper tickets and accidentally paying tourist trap rates.

If you are trying to decide where to go during your trip, this article on the best European cities for a weekend getaway has some hidden gems that are way cheaper than Paris or London.

Never exchange money at the airport or train stations. Use a travel debit card like Revolut or Wise and always choose to be charged in the local currency at the ATM to avoid terrible exchange rates.

Instead of eating near major tourist sights, walk five blocks away in any direction. Look for places with menus written only in the local language and no pictures of the food.

For packing, use compression packing cubes rather than rolling your clothes. They squeeze all the air out and let your backpack close without sitting on it!