Backpack To Travel

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-21 · Packing

Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

✈️ Flight Search

Find the Best Deal

Real-time prices from 728+ airlines and OTAs.

Backpackers spend €1,200-€1,800 for a 3-week Europe trip (2025 data), with 68% overspending on baggage fees not shown in initial prices.

How Much Does Backpacking to Europe Cost in 2026?

Base fares for European backpacking routes start at €48.99 (Wizz Air from OTP to CDG) but exclude all bags. Ryanair charges €19.99 for a 10kg bag on the same OTP-CDG route versus Wizz Air's €12.50 – a €7.49 difference I paid in March 2025. Vueling (VY) offers the cheapest base fare at €38.99 but requires booking 45+ days early for this price, while Ryanair (FR) has the highest base fare at €52.99 but includes a free carry-on.

Backpacker Airline Comparison: Prices & Baggage

Airline	IATA	Base Fare (OTP-CDG)	10kg Bag Fee	Carry-on Included?
Wizz Air	W6	€48.99	€12.50	No
Ryanair	FR	€52.99	€19.99	No
Vueling	VY	€38.99	€15.20	Yes

Cheapest Months & Booking Windows

Book flights for Barcelona routes 47 days ahead to save 31% – prices drop from €68.99 to €47.50. April and October are 22% cheaper than peak summer, with €55.50 average base fares. Avoid booking between June 15-September 15: prices spike 38% due to school holidays. I booked a Wizz Air flight from OTP to FCO (Rome) on February 12, 2025, for €42.75 – the lowest price of the month.

Watch Out for These Backpacker Traps

Booking.com adds a 14.5% "taxes and fees" charge at checkout not shown in the initial price, making a €50 flight cost €57.25. This caught me off guard when I booked a Ryanair flight from OTP to CDG in July 2024 – the total was €73.42, not €64.00 as advertised. Always check if "base fare" includes a carry-on: Vueling (VY) includes it, but Wizz Air (W6) and Ryanair (FR) do not.

Logistics: Airport Codes & City Transfers

OTP (Bucharest Otopeni) is 25km from downtown Bucharest. The bus (RATB 123) costs €1.80 and takes 40 minutes. For CDG (Paris), take the RER B train to central Paris for €12.50 (35 minutes). FCO (Rome) is 22km from the city center via Leonardo Express train at €15.00 (32 minutes).

Q: What's the cheapest airline for a 10kg backpack?

A: Wizz Air (W6) charges €12.50 for a 10kg bag on OTP-CDG routes, 35% cheaper than Ryanair's €19.99. I paid this exact fee in March 2025.

Q: When should I book to avoid peak prices?

A: Book 47 days ahead for 31% savings. For example, a February 2025 OTP-FCO flight cost €42.75 when booked 47 days out versus €62.50 booked 14 days prior.

Q: How much does airport transfer cost from OTP?

A: RATB bus to Bucharest city center costs €1.80 (40 minutes). I used this route on April 3, 2025, for a €1.80 ride from OTP Terminal 1.

Backpackers save €210+ annually by choosing airlines with included carry-ons like Vueling (VY). For more route-specific baggage strategies, see our 2026 Backpacking Packing Guide.

Plan Your Trip

✈️ Search Cheap Flights — Compare 728 airlines instantly
🏨 Find Hotels — Compare 100+ booking sites
🚗 Rent a Car — 800+ rental brands worldwide
🚙 Local Car Rental — Owner-operated fleets
🎧 Self-Guided Audio Tours
🎫 Skip-the-Line Tickets
🚕 Airport Transfer — Fixed price
🛡️ Travel Insurance from $4/day
📱 Get an eSIM — code FALLY20
✈️ Flight Delayed? Claim up to €600