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What to pack for a Europe trip

I have already mentioned inWhat to pack for longer backpacking trips” what you should carry with you on longer trips, so this post will cover what you will need while travelling around Europe.

First of all, you should carry much less luggage when travelling in Europe compared to Asia/Africa and South America.
Yes, some countries are colder than others, and I’m not trying to make you freeze your ass off! The reason is simple.. budget!

There are more than 20 low-cost airlines in Europe, and all of them charge an extra fee if you want to check in your luggage.
The price ranges from 15 to 75+ euro per. A bag you check-in! So if you can manage with just a small backpack/carry-on, you save a ton of money.

I travelled Norway – Portugal – Spain – Ireland – Norway with only hand luggage a while back, and all four flights, combined, only cost me 60 euros. Compare this to the 240 euros it would have cost me by checking in my luggage; it’s clear to see how much this can help your budget.

As I always say, “Travel Light!”

What to Pack for a Europe trip.

On my Europe trips, I use and recommend my Jack Wolfskin crosswind 26.
Good quality, nice and light backpack I can count on (..unlike my former piece-of-shit-bag, Osprey!)

This is what I carried in my backpack on my latest 3 week trip around Europe:
– One pair of Trousers
– Two pairs of normal shorts
– One pair of swimming shorts

– Four shirts
– One sweater
– One Jacket

– Five pairs of underwear
– Two pairs of socks

– One Towel

– Toiletries
– Ear Plugs! – It’s A Must! (Read: 10 Important Things That I Learned…..)
– One pair of shoes – Salomon speed cross three GTX. Great shoes for CityWalk and hiking.
– One pair of flip-flops – Some cheap one I bought in Taiwan.
– One Belt

– A Silk Sleeping bag
– Laundry Bag –  To keep the dirt and smelly clothes separated from the clean ones.

– Headlamp – This very useful when you sleep in dorms, so you don’t need to turn on the light and wake up the whole room just to find out your stuff or read something.

– Camera
– Tablet
– E-reader

That’s all you need!

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what to pack,backpack,bag,packing,pack for europe,packing tips, jack wolfskin

John from LifetimeTrek.com

Wednesday 15th of March 2017

Hey great list. I like how you limit the amount of clothes to take. Clothing can be the biggest weight anybody takes on their trips as well as all the "what if" items. (items you take just in case you need them) I travel everywhere with just one small backpack and I never miss what I don't bring.

Steph of Big World Small Pockets

Tuesday 3rd of November 2015

Totally love your minimal vibe here - I do have to ask about a universal sink plug however?! I always take one with me - of cheap laundry in sinks! So overlooked, but so handy, small and cheap!

Christian L.

Tuesday 3rd of November 2015

HI

I used to carry a a sink plug, but i have a bad habit in forgeting my stuff, so after i forgot 3/4 in different guesthouses. I just gave it up to carry it around. So normaly these days do i give in and deliver my dirty cloths to laundry;/

Thomas

Tuesday 15th of September 2015

I started out with a big backpack, and a ton of stuff I rarely used. Since then, my bags are just getting smaller and smaller. Traveling light (45L, rarely fully packed), let's me walk a lot longer and saves me a ton of money, so I totally agree with you ! TRAVEL LIGHT ! :D

I also check what kind of things might be cheaper than usual in the countries I'm visiting (sometimes it's cheaper to buy as you go). F.ex: If I'm traveling to china, where I can buy T-shirts, socks and underwear for next to nothing ($1), I skip these things from home.

Christian L.

Thursday 17th of September 2015

45L is a perfect size backpack for longer backpacker trips, no reason at all to pack anymore then that,

I agree with buying stuff on the road, you support the local economy for the locals, more then any western government will everyday with their sending money to poor counties program.