Top 10 Items
for Backpacking through Europe (or Anywhere!)
In 2017, we snagged cheap plane tickets (only $400 because we caught a flight deal using a service like Faredrop!) to Venice, Italy. We were SO EXCITED to visit Europe together for the first time! Since then, we have visited 4 times and have backpacked through 7 countries!
With Europe’s cobblestone streets and robust public transportation, traveling with a backpack is much easier than traveling with a suitcase. This hands-free way to travel is popular abroad for a reason: it’s super convenient! If you aren’t used to packing all of your belongings into a backpack, it can be intimidating, but we are here to help! We use these 10 items on every single trip we take to Europe, making our travels seamless.
Without further ado…here are our backpacking faves!
Please note this article does contain affiliate links, meaning we may receive a small commission if you purchase one of our recommended items (at no cost to you!). This helps fund articles like this one!
Gregory Zulu 30L Backpacks
Ahead of our first trip to Europe, we asked Phil’s parents for these Gregory backpacks for Christmas in 2016. Eight years later & they are still in fantastic condition! They are a perfect carry-on size (they actually fit under the seat on most airplanes!), making them unlikely to be checked at the gate which means you can get a jumpstart on your travels when you don’t have to wait at baggage claim. If I had it to do over again, I would still buy this same exact backpack. It’s lightweight, well-constructed, durable, and comfortable.
Phil also owns both a smaller and larger Gregory pack, so we clearly believe in the brand!
Total Cost for 1 Backpack: $199.56
Packing Cubes
Oh my gosh. I don’t know how I packed for a trip before I knew about packing cubes. They are so helpful for any type of traveling, but are absolutely essential for backpacking! They help organize and compress your clothing so that you can easily separate clothes by type, style, or when you intend to wear them. Plus, if you’re like me, you will transition one cube to a dirty clothes cube later on in the trip! Packing cubes = a must.
Wrinkle Release Spray
I’m ashamed to admit that I just discovered this hack on our last trip to Europe in September! But, to be honest, I had actually only recently discovered how well wrinkle release spray works. These bottles are 3 fl oz (making them perfect for travel) & quickly help release the wrinkles out of any of your clothes that have been cooped up in a backpack for too long. Definitely a travel must for me from here on out!
Total Cost for 2 Downy Wrinkle Release Spray Bottles: $17.48
Laundry Detergent Sheets
These laundry sheets are a game changer! They pack up super small (throw a couple into a Ziplock bag to maximize space!) & allow you to launder something in the sink if you need to. When we travel to Europe, we usually have at least a couple of items that need to be freshened up, so we will run a quick sink full of water & throw in one of these sheets. We have also used these at campgrounds & short term rentals during both road trips & plane trips, so we have definitely tested them out!
Total Cost for 1 Pack of Laundry Detergent Sheets (100 loads): $14.36
Samsonite Travel Locks
Since your backpack is…on your back (shocker, I know!), it can be helpful to have a way to secure the pockets that contain any valuable belongings while traveling to your destination. We typically use these small locks to clip our zippers together just in case we move through a crowded area (where pickpockets are more common) while in transit to our lodging.
Total Cost for 2 Locks: $8.70
Small Travel Sling Bag
While traveling abroad, you will want to keep your passport safe & on your person. We used a money belt in our early travels, but have found this to be less comfortable. Instead, I prefer to wear a tightly fitted bag on the front of my body so that I can keep my passport, cards, and phone safe from pickpockets. This is good safety protocol for any crowded area, but is especially helpful when protecting important documentation!
Universal Power Adapter
At this point, many places in Europe have USB and/or USB-C chargers available, but this will likely not be the case everywhere! It’s always helpful to pack a universal power adapter in your backpack to be sure that you can use any outlet that you are near to charge your devices (or charge up your power banks!).
Power Banks
If you’ve read our 10 Favorite Items for SUV Camping article, then you know we rely heavily on power banks! These power banks are super thin & will allow you to charge your phone after you have inevitably taken a long flight to Europe & are trying to figure out how to find your hotel!
Mini First Aid Kit WITH Moleskin
If you’re backpacking, I’m going to assume that you’re planning to do a bit of walking in Europe! And if you’re walking in Europe…well you may be walking a decent bit. This mini first aid kit is loaded with band-aids and moleskin, making it perfect for handling blisters and any other little bumps or scrapes you may encounter when traveling.
Total Cost for 1 mini first aid kit: $13.97
*Also, if you’re traveling with kids, this KeepGoing mini first aid kit is adorable & comes loaded with plenty of kids’ band aids & it comes in durable bags with adorable travel designs.
Last but definitely not least….Rick Steves Guidebooks!
Before our trip to Venice, a dear friend gifted us our first Rick Steves guidebook and we are absolutely hooked! We don’t take a trip to Europe without buying the Rick Steves’ guidebook for the country and/or city. The pocket books are super compact & give a fantastic overview of Europe’s biggest tourist destinations, including walking tours, historic sites, & quick cultural tips. We have personally used the pocket guidebooks for London, Venice, Rome, Munich & Salzburg.
In addition to pocket guidebooks, full country guidebooks are incredibly thorough & allow you the opportunity to explore off the main paths while following in a seasoned traveler’s footsteps! We have used our Spain, Switzerland, Scotland & Italy guidebooks, but we have barely scraped the surface of what all they have to offer!
Other top Rick Steves guidebooks include: Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Iceland, Amsterdam & the Netherlands, Croatia & Slovenia, Pocket Paris, & Germany. Full disclosure, we own several of these because we bought them to plan future trips! That’s how much we love them!
Total Cost for a Rick Steves guidebook: $9.82-$25.98
For your viewing pleasure, please enjoy this photo of us circa 2018 (back before a travel blog was even a twinkle in our eye!) making the most of our time in the Lauterbrunnen Valley of Switzerland, soaking up all of Rick Steves’ suggestions:
