Disappointing photos show what backpacking across Europe is really like

Business Insider's reporter expected an Instagram-like backpacking adventure in Europe, but the reality was much less glamorous. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent two weeks backpacking in Europe for the first time in October 2022.

My trip wasn't the glamorous, romantic adventure that it often looks like on Instagram.

Overnight trains, tourist crowds, and limited outfit options disappointed me.

I'd seen it all over Instagram — backpackers posing in otherwise empty cityscapes and epic natural scenes, with inspirational captions about life being an adventure.

I started traveling with just a backpack before I took on the role as a travel reporter for Business Insider five years ago, when I realized I needed to lighten my load to make it easier to hit the road for longer periods.

In August 2022, I spent a week backpacking for the first time through Eastern Canada. My backpack and I traveled from Niagara Falls to Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City by train, and it turned out to be much easier than I'd originally thought.

So, two months later, when I planned a two-week train trip through Europe, I pushed myself to travel extra light again.

I traveled across Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, exploring Berlin, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Milan , and Zurich, sleeping in shared train cabins and booking budget Airbnbs to save money. It was my first time visiting each country and backpacking in Europe .

Initially, I felt like I was living the life of a young adult on a  gap year . But I quickly realized backpacking Europe wasn't as glamorous as it looks on social media. My trip was full of hardships that I rarely see posts about.

While packing for my trip, I realized that my biggest backpack could only fit half of the clothes I wanted to bring.

Everything the author packed for her two-week trip to Europe. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I picked my largest bag — a 32-liter backpack — for my trip to Europe.

I wasn't sure how well this bag would work for a two-week trip , so I practiced packing as lightly as possible to ensure I could fit everything.

I started with my work stuff: a laptop, cameras, lenses, and a notebook. Then, I packed chargers, toiletries, and snacks before realizing my work gear and other essentials were taking priority over clothes.

Although I hoped to bring two packing cubes full of clothing, I could only fit one, cutting my proposed wardrobe in half.

I brought two polos, one T-shirt, one long-sleeve T-shirt, three pairs of pants, a sweater, a blazer, a dress, and two light jackets.

Although I impressed myself by packing lighter than ever for the longest trip I'd ever taken, I was still disappointed by my limited outfit choices.

With a limited wardrobe, I had to do laundry at nearly every place I stayed.

The authors laundry in Germany (left), Austria (top), and Italy (bottom). Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've never seen a backpacking social-media post about doing laundry, but I found myself washing my clothes at nearly every Airbnb I stayed in.

I stayed in each accommodation for just one or two nights, so to ensure my clothes would be dry before checking out, I had to prioritize my laundry as soon as I checked in.

This was a bummer since I often arrived at each accommodation feeling exhausted from travel, and washing my clothes was the last thing I felt like doing.

I brought my own soap and used the sinks and bathtubs to wash each garment before hanging them up to dry.

Coming home to tiny Airbnbs with wet clothes everywhere stressed me out after a day of exploring.

The author's messy accommodations in Austria (L) and Germany (R). Joey Hadden/Business Insider

From a converted wine barrel outside Zurich to an Airstream trailer in Vienna , most of my Airbnbs were tiny homes with less than 100 square feet of space. So, the slightest bit of clutter made them look like a total mess. Having my clothes hanging to dry made the spaces feel even more chaotic.

Each time I returned to my accommodations, I was greeted with a disheveled space that made me feel stressed. I found it hard to relax in these rooms after tiring days of exploring.

I booked two overnight trains to free up daylight hours for exploring. But I didn't know how challenging it would be to get a good night's rest in a small, shared space.

The author rides a Nightjet sleeper train in Europe. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

To get from Vienna to Venice, I booked a bunk in a shared cabin for six on a train operated by Nightjet, which has overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.

I expected to feel slightly cramped in the crowded room, but I still thought I'd have some space to move around.

However, the 74-square-foot cabin didn't feel like enough space for everyone, especially with luggage. Our cabin had only four people, and I thought it would have been even more uncomfortable if it had been fully booked with six.

There was space for bags above the beds, but not enough for everyone. I couldn't do much more than sit in my bunk, and I quickly became disappointed with my decision to travel this way.

I was also surprised by the lack of privacy inside the shared bunk cabin on the train.

The author's shared sleeper cabin on an overnight train from Austria to Italy. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Before my trip, I imagined each bunk in the shared cabin on the sleeper train would have a curtain for privacy. However, the beds were completely exposed, so I had to go to the bathroom to change into my pajamas privately.

I also had to wake another traveler using the top bunk in the middle of the night to use the bathroom since the room's lock was only accessible from their bunk.

After this experience, I don't think I'll bunk with strangers on an overnight train again, especially since some Nightjet routes have private cabins .

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