Backpacking from Geneva to Copenhagen (advice please!!)

Travel Forums Europe Backpacking from Geneva to Copenhagen (advice please!!)

1. Posted by hil_136 (Budding Member 14 posts) 17y Star this if you like it!

Hi, I am trying to sort out a trip for myself from early May to early June. I would fly from London to Geneva then work my way up to Copenhagen where I would fly back to London. I have almost exactly 4 weeks to spend travelling. The 'wish' itinerary that I've worked out is this: Geneva to Bern to Zurich to Munich to Vienna to Prague to Berlin to Hamburg to Copenhagen. I really want to see Geneva, Munich, Vienna, Prague and Copenhagen. Obviously I really want to see the rest as well, but it's mostly a 'well, they're sort of on the way...' deal. So I would be spending on average 3 nights in each place, more in the ones I really want to see, less in the others. Is this reasonable or insane?

Also, I am a female, travelling alone, which I have never done before, I have also never been backpacking before. Is there anything I should know before I go?

Should I book hostels in each place in advance (giving myself a set itinerary) or will that make the trip too rigid and less enjoyable? Part of me likes the idea of being able to change my plans mid trip depending on how it's going, etc, but at the same time, I think I would feel more comfortable knowing I have a bed in each city before I get there.

Does anyone know how I can buy a cheap railpass? I have looked at the InterRail passes and their 10 travel days in 22 days would probably work out perfectly for me, but I know they are only available to European residents... I am a US citizen, but I live in the UK, so would I be able to purchase that?

I am in the very beginning stages of planning for this, but so excited and really want to do it! Thank you!!!

Oh, and if anyone has any advice on my itinerary... ie, skip that place, go here instead, that would be awesome!

2. Posted by hil_136 (Budding Member 14 posts) 17y Star this if you like it!

posting a reply to myself... silly! but an update on my plans... I just bought my plane tickets! lol. I fly out of London to Geneva on the afternoon of May 10 and back to London from Copenhagen midmorning on June 7. The flight worked out beautifully, times and airports and price! But now I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed! I've been changing my itinerary so it is now: Geneva to Zurich to Munich to Budapest to Vienna to Prague to Berlin to Copenhagen.

Now for my questions:

1. Again, is my itinerary too much? And does anyone have any suggestions for alternate places/how much time is necessary in each place?

2. I know some of them have minor 'dangers' of pickpocketing and scams, but are any of them dangerous otherwise? again I will be a solo female (young) traveller.

3. How much trouble should I expect since I only speak English and very, very rudimentary French?

I am mostly concerned about having my stuff stolen to be honest. If hostels have lockers are they safe to stow stuff in? In terms of a bag to carry around the city with me... I'm assuming a backpack would be easy to steal from from behind (so locks for zippers?) so what kind of bag should I have? I am very good at packing light and am not worried about taking too much stuff, just really don't want to have my passport/money stolen in a foreign country. Any advice?

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