Guidebook

If you're passing through six countries, you don't have to lug around six guidebooks for each one. Take a general Europe guidebook, such as Lonely Planet's Europe on a Shoestring.

Money

In Europe, east and south are generally cheaper than west and north. In terms of how much you might expect to spend, you can get by on less than a £15 a day if you're camping and making your own sarnies. If you're hostelling and eating out, you'll need more like £25 to £30.

Say what you like about the Euro, but it does make Inter-railing easier as you don't have to keep changing your currencies as often as you used to. It's a good idea to draw up a budget and decide on an approximate amount you're able to spend throughout your trip. To get you going, about £100 in Euros and some travellers' cheques should do you just fine. Take a debit card too and you'll be able to withdraw local currency from ATMs in most towns, sometimes for a small charge (around £1.50).

Useful lingo

Your trip will probably take you through several different language zones, which can be a bit daunting. To help, try to learn a few basic words in the language of each country you'll be visiting, such as:

• Hello;
• Yes;
• No;
• Please;
• Thanks;
• Sorry;
• Do you speak English?
• Numbers (up to the number of people in your group - so you can ask for the right number of drinks or croissants);
• The word or phrase for the drink you're most likely to choose (for example: 'coffee with milk', 'beer', 'dry martini garnished with an onion-stuffed olive').

If you only learn one word in each language, 'thanks' is a good one. Then if you sound like an ignorant Brit, at least you'll sound like a polite, ignorant Brit. If all else fails, try out your best miming skills.

Other essentials

• Sun cream;
• Sunhat; 
• Waterproofs (yes, it does rain outside the UK);
• Sleeping bag;
• Small bottle of clothes-washing liquid;
• Penknife (just remember not to take this on a plane if you've got any flights to catch);
• Gas-stove;
• Basic eating accessories, such as a saucepan, cutlery, and plastic crockery;
• Camping equipment if you're planning to bed down in the great outdoors.

Updated: 19/07/2010

Written by Jess Fitch from gapyear.com