I backpacked across Europe for 2 weeks. Booking Airbnbs in small towns to save money was the most unexpected highlight of my trip.

Tech Insider : Travel
A composite image. Left: A tree-covered mountain with green grass meadows, houses, and a body of water below. There are clouds just below the tip of the mountain.

I bunked with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on an overnight train in Europe. It was bumpy, cramped, and I wouldn't do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
A blue train with a red stripe stopped at a platform at night
Business Insider's reporter took a Nightjet train from Venice, Italy, to Vienna, Austria.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I backpacked across Europe for 2 weeks and slept on trains and in budget Airbnbs. 10 things surprised me about this type of travel.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Two images: Left: A sunlit field with homes in front of a mountain. Right: The author in her backpack stands smiling on a train platform on the right with people boarding a white and red train on the left
Business Insider's reporter took a one-week solo backpacking trip in Berlin and Vienna, sleeping in budget Airbnbs and shared train cabins.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I paid $560 for a 7-day Eurail pass to country hop by train in Europe. I took 8 rides between 6 cities and it was so much better than flying.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
The author traveled around Europe by train and preferred it to flying.
The author traveled around Europe with a Eurail pass.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Disappointing photos show what it's really like to backpack across Europe

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Left:  young smiling backpacker checking city map on smartphone with downtown buildings behind here. Right: The author in a black backpack walks next to a train with other travelers around her
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 $1,000 to have a room to myself on a 30-hour Amtrak ride. It was the best experience I've had on an overnight train in the US.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
The author relaxes in an Amtrak bedroom traveling from Miami to NYC.
The author relaxes in an Amtrak bedroom traveling from Miami to NYC.

Joey Hadden/Insider

I've spent 160 hours traveling by train. It's the best mode of transportation for 4 simple reasons.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Left: The author in front of a blue train with a red stripe. Right: The author sits with her knees up in a train bed with blue cushions behind her and a window on the left.
Business Insider's reporter prefers traveling by train over any other mode of transportation.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Disappointing photos show what it was really like to visit the Colosseum in Rome

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Expectation vs reality of visiting the Colosseum in Rome
Business Insider's reporter expected a less crowded experience at the Colosseum.

Maria Szymczyk/EyeEm/Getty Images, Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked an Airbnb in a Swiss village to save money while backpacking Europe for 2 weeks. It ended up being my favorite destination.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
A couple smiles in front of a grassy field with a path leading to homes and mountains in the background. The sky is blue with clouds
Business Insider's reporter traveled to six European cities, and her favorite destination was a small town outside of Zurich, Switzerland.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went to Québec City and felt like I'd jetted off to Europe without leaving North America

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Insider's reporter visited Europe and Québec City. She found that the two destinations had a lot in common.
Business Insider's reporter visited Europe and Québec City. She found that the two destinations had a lot in common.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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