Packing List: What to Pack for Backpacking Around Europe
For two consecutive summers, I backpacked around Europe. I stayed in hostels, traveled by train and bus, and yes, carried everything I had with me on my back.
On my first trip, I traveled for 8 weeks across 11 different countries in Eastern, Central, and Northern Europe. On my second trip, I traveled for nearly 3 months in Western and Central Europe.
Below you can see everything I took with me, and learn what I needed and what I could have done without!
What to pack for backpacking around Europe (in summer)
In my backpack
The bag: On my first backpacking trip, I traveled with a 60L full-zip REI backpack. For my second trip, I decided to go a little smaller and used a 44L Kelty Redwing, which is made specifically to fit women. I really loved this backpack, and highly recommend it for backpacking in Europe!
You'll see in the below photos that I'm a big fan of packing cubes; they really help to organize your bag!
Clothing
I'm admittedly not a minimalist packer – I generally tend to pack enough clothing to last at least 7-10 days, and then do laundry along the way. Here's what I recommend for a summer in Europe:
- 3 pairs of shorts
- 2 skirts
- 2 dresses
- 1 pair of leggings
- 1 pair of jeans
- 3 t-shirts
- 5 tank tops
- 1 light sweater
- 1 set of sleepwear
- 1 swim suit
- 4 pairs of socks
- 3 bras
- A week's worth of underwear (I love these ExOfficio ones!)
- 1 scarf (this Speakeasy scarf served double duty, as it also has a hidden pocket!)
If you'll be visiting the UK or Scandinavia on your trip, I also recommend packing a raincoat! (This Columbia Arcadia one is my favorite.)
Shoes
- Lightweight sneakers
- My Teva Verra walking sandals
- Flip-flops
Everything else
- 1 fast-dry travel towel (a MUST if you're staying in hostels!)
- Toiletries (including sunscreen, shampoo, sanitary products, etc.)
- Travel hair dryer (this dual-voltage one is perfect for travel)
- 8 weeks worth of contacts
- Medicine/mini first aid kit
- Small umbrella
Sound like a lot? I actually still had some wiggle room!
I know you might be curious why I recommend taking jeans, a sweater, leggings, and a scarf. Well, even though much of Europe is hot during the summer months, not all of it is! Places like the UK and Norway and anywhere up in the mountains can get chilly even in the summer months.
The leggings and scarf are also handy for instances where you may be visiting churches, monasteries and mosques where you'll have to cover up knees, shoulders, and perhaps even hair for modesty's sake.
Like a Boy Scout, I like to live by a “be prepared” motto. (Also, I don't really like to have to buy anything abroad!)
In my carry-on
I'm a big fan of efficiency when it comes to my carry-on bag. For these specific trips, I wanted something small since the double-turtle look (i.e. when you wear one backpack on your back, and another on your front) is easier with small bags, and I wanted something that would keep my valuables like my laptop and camera safe on travel days.
I went with a small backpack from Pacsafe, who make great theft-proof bags. The bag I had on these Europe backpacking trips was the Pacsafe Citysafe CS350, which is a great small bag. It has a slash-proof exterior and secure zipper clips. It also holds an astonishing amount for its size, yet is still comfortable to carry.
Other theft-proof backpacks to check out include:
Here's what was inside this bag:
- My 11″ Macbook Air (*NOTE* this bag will not fit larger laptops)
- My Kindle
- Electronics chargers and outlet adapters for Europe
- A small planner/journal
- Extra camera lens
- Headphones
- My small make-up bag (which has everything from my toothbrush to earrings in it)
- My glasses
- My Camelbak water bottle
- Some business cards (because you never know who you'll meet!)
- Change purse with back-up funds/credit cards
In my purse
Since I don't always like to use my daypack as my handbag, I almost always carry a purse with me, too. On my Europe backpacking trips, I had a bag similar to the Travelon Bucket Bag, which is a cross-body, anti-theft handbag.
Inside I had:
- My wallet
- My iPhone
- My camera (learn about my camera gear here)
- My action video camera
- Extra camera battery/lens cloth
- Sunglasses
- Mini brush
- Chapstick
What was I glad to have?
My Teva sandals – I'm not the kind of person who can wear flip-flops nonstop (I really only packed them to wear in hostel showers), so I was super glad to have my Teva walking sandals with me. They still let my feet breathe in hot locations like Croatia and Greece, but also gave my feet enough support for a full day of walking.
A reusable water bottle – I went through a LOT of water in several destinations, and it was nice to not have to buy wasteful bottled water everywhere. Tap water is generally safe to drink in Europe, and many European cities have fountains for filling up water bottles – so there's really no excuse not to travel with one! I love my Camelbak Chute.
Dresses – I would live exclusively in dresses if I could! And they're perfect for most cities in Europe – especially in the summer because they tend to be breathable! IF, however, you're worried about chafing (I'm not nearly as skinny as I was in these photos, and chub rub is REAL, people), I recommend picking up some moisture-wicking Skimmies by Jockey, which help prevent chafing.
What else do you need to backpack Europe?
One thing I didn't pack that I should have was a sunhat – I ended up spending way too much money on one in Greece. Sunglasses and sunscreen are good, but they won't protect your scalp from burning! I like this packable sunhat.
You also should definitely pick a good travel insurance policy! That way everything from lost luggage to a bad accident is covered – because you just never know! I recommend World Nomads for basic (and really affordable) travel insurance perfect for backpackers.
What do you think of my list? Is there anything else you'd take to Europe, or anything listed here you'd leave behind?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
Wow I wish I could pack like you!! Have a great trip!
Come visit Arizona soon! :))
Grettings!
Aww, it’s not really all that hard! You just have to limit yourself and pack less. 🙂
And I’d love to come back to Arizona sometime soon!
I meant to ask you dear – how did the Pacsafe bag hold up for you on your trip?!
My Pacsafe held up incredibly well on my trip! I am in LOVE with it; I think it’s going to travel everywhere with me from now on. Most days, I was using it in lieu of a purse.
What lens do you use for most your photography? It looks so professional for a point and shoot!
My camera is actually a micro 4/3 camera. I usually just shoot with the lens that came with the camera, though I also have a decent zoom lens I use occasionally, too.
I love those packing cubes! I absolutely need to get some! I hate having to disturb everything whenever I need something at the bottom of my pack!!
Packing cubes are AMAZING. I don’t go anywhere without them – I even use them now in suitcases and smaller weekend backpacks!
Where did you get the packing cubes from?
I bought mine at REI, which is an outdoor outfitting store. But they are a brand called Eagle Creek, and you can buy them online (and probably at many other outdoor stores), too.
I’m very impressed! I’m currently in Japan for 2 months, and you don’t want to see the amount of luggage I brought.
Some things I also couldn’t live without: my cute moo.com business cards, my MacBook and wrinkle-free spray.
Happy travels!
Haha, I definitely know how difficult it is to pack light! I still suffer from chronic over-packing sometimes…
You are well organised, well done… I love your packing cubes, need to get some for ourselves to keep things more tidy in the backpack!
Did you use everything? If you didn’t, what did you find unnecessary so far?
Happy travelling! 🙂
The packing cubes are amazing; I will never travel anywhere without them again!
And yes, so far I have used everything that I brought with me!
[…] at A Dangerous Business, Amanda is opening the contents of her luggage for everyone to see what to pack for two months in […]
Let me share a quote – ““When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” -Susan Heller.
Great quote, and so apt here! And that’s basically what I did – started with a big pile of stuff, and spent a week or so “editing.”
I just love the idea of packing cubes. Wish I had done something like that during my last fortnights trip to Japan!!! Enjoy your sojourn Amanda:)
Packing cubes are amazing!! I will never, ever travel without them again.
If you like the packing cubes you should try the packing folders. I do not travel without them.
Packing folders?? I’ve never even heard of them! I’ll have to go look them up now for sure.
Eagle Creek makes them in different sizes. The small one is the ideal size for a backpack. They compress your cloths and keep them wrinkle free and organized.
your packing in cubes is great! and the business cards for new contacts is a great idea! I would ahve to agree with the hairdryer thing – on the other hand you are already out on your adventure so enjoy!
The packing cubes were a wonderful investment!
Amanda, you are packing pro. I love the packing cubes. I have to buy some to organize better my suitcase (I have a carry-on size suitcase that can be converted to a backpack). I like and approve what you are taking. I always take a pair of jeans and a light sweater (even to Central America!!). Last time I visited Europe (in Juy), it was chilly in London and Paris and I had only summer clothes. Ohh, and we have the same Tevas and flip-flops.
Haha I don’t know about a pro! 😉
The packing cubes are a MUST. I never go anywhere without them now!
And my jacket/sweater have already come in handy on this trip – it’s been getting chilly at night here in Romania!
Just the sound of having to pack for 11 countries is overwhelming, even if many of them will have similar climates. Like you said, I’m sure some of it will end up just having come along for the ride, but I’m like you and always prefer to be prepared.
Yep, “overwhelming” is a good word to describe packing for this trip! Lol. I’ve never traveled like this before, so it’s an experiment for me, really!
Too much lady! I did a few months in Europe with a 45L with no daypack and I still wish I had gone smaller to 35L.
Haha I’m too much of an over-packer! I could never do such a small backpack… but it’s awesome for those of you who can!
Hey Amanda, I’m a totally light traveller, I could get by with a 30 litre backback for 6 months. But…. I do travel with a female companion, so I know all about the “be prepared” motto 😉
I would leave out:
* 2 pairs of shorts (1 should be enough, especially as you have the skirts etc)
* The hairdryer – you don’t need it, I’m sure you look lovely whether you’ve dried your hair or not. 😉
* Umbrella !!
* Do you really need the Kindle?
* As someone else suggested, get a PDF or ebook for the Lonely Planet guide
Apart from that, good job, seems to have all bases covered without any unreasonable excess!
PS, great choice on the Olympus – packs a lot of technology and image quality in such a small camera.
The hairdryer is one of those tiny little fold-up ones, and fits nicely into an unoccupied corner of my backpack. I never travel without it… I HATE going anywhere with wet hair! Call me vain, but I just don’t like to do it! The umbrella has already come in handy twice, and I’m actually already really glad I brought it.
As for the Kindle… yeah, I like to have it, and it takes up basically no room! 😉 And the only reason I have the pocket-sized language guide with me is because it was a gift from my boyfriend. 🙂
As for the clothes, I probably did overpack, but we shall see!