Packing List for Backpacking Europe: Hostels, Trains, and City Hopping
Everything you need to pack for a European backpacking trip covering hostel essentials, multi-climate clothing, train travel items, and gear for 2-12 weeks of budget travel across the continent.
Pack 4-5 tops in neutral colors that mix and match
Neutral colors like black, navy, grey, and white create the most outfit combinations from the fewest items. Merino wool tops resist odor for 3-4 wears, reducing laundry frequency. One collared shirt covers smart-casual restaurants and clubs across Southern and Western Europe.
Bring 2 pairs of versatile pants and 1 pair of shorts
Dark travel pants handle city walking, museums, and casual evening dining. Convertible zip-off pants count as both pants and shorts. One pair of athletic shorts covers warm weather, beach days, and hostel lounging. Quick-dry fabrics handle hand-washing and overnight drying.
Pack a waterproof shell jacket for rain across Northern and Western Europe
London, Amsterdam, Dublin, and Scandinavia get frequent rain. A packable waterproof jacket with sealed seams weighs under 300 grams and fits in any daypack. This single layer handles light rain, ferry spray, and wind on Scottish highlands or Norwegian fjords.
Bring a warm mid-layer for cool evenings and mountain excursions
A lightweight fleece or thin down jacket handles cool evenings in Scandinavia, Scottish highlands, Alpine regions, and air-conditioned train cars. It layers under your rain jacket for colder conditions. Even Mediterranean summers have cool nights in mountain villages and along northern coastlines.
Pack 4-5 pairs of merino underwear and socks
Merino wool underwear and socks can be worn 2-3 times between washes without odor. Five pairs with regular hand-washing cover trip lengths from 2 weeks to 3 months. The higher upfront cost pays off in reduced luggage weight and laundry frequency. Quick-dry synthetic is an acceptable budget alternative.
Footwear
Bring one pair of comfortable all-purpose walking shoes
You will walk 15,000-25,000 steps per day exploring European cities. All-black trail runners or leather walking shoes handle cobblestones, museums, light hikes, and casual restaurants. Break them in at least 3 weeks before departure. Wear them on the plane to save pack space.
Pack lightweight sandals or flip-flops for hostels and beaches
Hostel showers require footwear for hygiene. Sandals handle beach days in Croatia, Greece, and Spain. Simple flip-flops weigh 100-200 grams and pack flat. Sport sandals are more versatile for actual walking but heavier. Two pairs of shoes total is the backpacker standard.
Hostel and Sleep Essentials
Pack a silk or cotton sleeping bag liner
Some hostels provide sheets, others charge 3-5 EUR for linen rental. A silk liner weighs 150 grams, packs to the size of a fist, and guarantees clean bedding everywhere. It also adds warmth on cool-season trips and works as a light blanket on warm trains.
Bring a padlock for hostel lockers
Most hostels provide lockers but not locks. A combination padlock avoids the need to track a key. Bring 2 locks: one for your main locker and one for your bag when left in common storage. Cable-style locks wrap around locker hasps of varying sizes.
Pack quality earplugs and a sleep mask
Hostel dorms have snoring, late arrivals, and early departures. Foam earplugs rated at 30+ decibels block most disturbances. A contoured sleep mask blocks light from overhead bunks and early sunrises. These two items are the difference between waking rested and being exhausted by week 2.
Bring a quick-dry microfiber travel towel
Hostel towels are either absent or rental-only at 3-5 EUR per stay. A microfiber travel towel dries in 1-2 hours, packs to the size of a small book, and weighs 200-300 grams. Hang it from your bunk to dry after morning showers. A full-size cotton towel takes up too much pack space.
Train Travel and Transit Items
Pack a small daypack for daily city exploring
Leave your main backpack at the hostel and explore with a 15-20 liter daypack holding water, rain jacket, phone, wallet, and camera. A packable daypack that folds into its own pocket weighs 100-200 grams and takes no space in your main pack.
Bring a universal European power adapter
European countries mostly use Type C round two-pin plugs at 230V. A single compact adapter handles all EU countries. Hostel outlets are scarce and fought over, so a small multi-USB charger lets you charge 2-3 devices from one outlet. Train seat outlets are Type C across most European rail networks.
Pack a 10,000 mAh portable charger for travel days
Long train rides from Paris to Barcelona, overnight buses, and full days of navigation drain phone batteries by early afternoon. A 10,000 mAh power bank provides 2-3 full charges. Charge it overnight at the hostel. Budget airlines rarely have seat power, making a power bank essential for in-flight entertainment.
Bring a reusable water bottle for hydration across the continent
Tap water is safe throughout Western and Central Europe, Scandinavia, and the UK. Refilling a water bottle saves 1-3 EUR per bottle at tourist prices. Many cities have public drinking fountains. A 750 ml bottle handles a full day of city exploring with refills.
Security and Documents
Pack a money belt or hidden neck pouch for valuables
Carry your passport, backup credit card, and emergency cash in a hidden belt or pouch under your clothes. European cities with pickpocketing hotspots include Barcelona, Rome, Paris, Prague, and Athens. Your visible wallet should hold only daily spending cash and a single card.
Bring photocopies and digital copies of all important documents
Photocopy your passport, visas, travel insurance card, and credit cards. Store paper copies separate from originals. Email digital copies to yourself for cloud access from any device. Replacing a lost passport is faster with a copy. Many hostels and car rentals accept passport copies instead of originals.
Pack a small toiletry bag with travel-size essentials
A clear toiletry bag under 1 liter meets airline liquid restrictions. Pack only what you cannot buy in Europe. Toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, and sunscreen are available in every European city. Solid toiletries like shampoo bars and solid deodorant bypass liquid limits entirely.
Bring a packing cube set to organize your backpack
Three compression packing cubes keep clothes organized and compress volume by 30-40%. One for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and socks. Cubes prevent the common backpacker problem of digging through an entire bag to find one item at the bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should my backpack be for backpacking Europe?
A 40-50 liter backpack handles trips from 2 weeks to 3 months with a minimalist packing approach. Anything larger encourages overpacking. Many budget airlines charge for checked bags, so carry-on compliant sizes under 55x35x20 cm save money. A front-loading or clamshell opening is more practical than top-loading for accessing items at hostels.
How much money do I need per day backpacking Europe?
Budget backpackers spend 40-70 EUR per day in Western Europe and 25-45 EUR per day in Eastern Europe, including hostels, food, transport, and activities. Hostels cost 15-40 EUR per night in Western Europe and 8-20 EUR in Eastern Europe. Cooking in hostel kitchens, using rail passes, and visiting free attractions keep costs at the lower end.
Should I book hostels in advance or walk in?
Book 1-3 days ahead in summer and during festivals. Walk-ins work in shoulder season and smaller cities. Booking platforms show real-time availability and reviews. Private rooms book up faster than dorms. Flexible travelers can save by walking in and negotiating prices at quieter hostels, but risk full houses in popular cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Prague during peak months.
Is a Eurail pass worth it for backpacking Europe?
A Eurail pass saves money if you take 4+ long-distance trains per month. Compare pass cost against point-to-point ticket prices on your planned route. Budget airlines are often cheaper than trains for cross-country routes. A pass adds flexibility to change plans without rebooking fees. Seat reservations on high-speed trains cost 10-25 EUR extra even with a pass.