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Train travel is one of the most popular and convenient methods of transportation around Europe. What many travelers don’t realize, though, is that you need to tailor your packing methods specifically for train travel.
How to Pack for an Inter-Railing Trip Backpacking Europe
Table Of Contents
I found out the hard way what NOT to pack on an inter-railing trip around Europe. In 2008, my friend and I spent two fun weeks breezing through Italy, France, England, and Spain with gigantic suitcases that were not travel friendly.
As our first time traveling as “independent” travelers, we were extremely unprepared. It pains me to think about the visual of two girls dragging massively wheeled suitcases through the cobblestone streets of Florence, the multiple flights of stairs in the London tube, and trying to store our oversized gear in tiny hostel dorms. Funny sight!
As I get ready to return to Europe at the end of the year, I’ve put together this handy packing guide for travelers embarking on their first backpacking trip around Europe so you can avoid repeating my packing blunders. Lesson learned: pack light and portable.
Packing for Train Travel
One of the most important things to consider before you start planning your ultra-chic travel wardrobe is the size and type of bag you want to use for your trip.
Trains have minimal storage compartments. Choose a bag that’s carry on size if possible and stay away from bulky oversized backpacks and suitcases. A roller suitcase may be convenient when strolling through city streets, but not when you’re running and tumbling around train stations, especially those with endless sets of stairs.
I would highly recommend a backpack no bigger than 50L or a hybrid bag that has both backpack straps and wheels for those requiring a bit more versatility. Personally, I am a big Osprey fan – good looking backpacks that are durable and stylish.
In order to maximize the space in your backpack or suitcase I highly suggest you use packing cubes. They are lifesavers and will help you fit all of your clothing into a reasonably sized bag conveniently and easily. Now that I have a front loading 40L backpack instead of a top loader, it’s essential to use packing cubes for organization and to squeeze in as much as I can into my small carry on space. Believe me, these little packing cubes do wonders! I use a 3 Piece Slim Set.
Travel Clothing for Europe
Decide what type of activities you want to participate in so you know what type of clothing you need to pack. It is more than likely that you’ll be spending most of your time focusing on the beautiful sights of the different European Capitals and you’ll need a more polished appearance. Those convertible travel pants we all know and love will look very out of place and jeans are much more preferable.
Select regular clothing items that are both practical and sophisticated. Remember that you want to pack light so quality is more important than quantity. Choose clothing items in a classic styles and neutral colors. Stick to a singular color scheme and use accessories to add color and design to your travel outfits.
When it comes to packing for Europe – layering is essential. The weather can be sunny in one country and below freezing the next. All the clothing that you decide to bring to backpack Europe should be interchangeable and work well together for the cold, and individually when it’s warm.
For more clothing ideas, check out this awesome Packing List for Europe.
Essential Travel Footwear
Footwear is really important to consider when traveling through Europe because while you’ll want the outmost level of comfort you also want to blend in with the locals who will most certainly not be wearing your traditional Chaco “travel” shoes.
Generally, three shoes is a good rule to follow: a pair of trainers, dress shoes, and flip flops. If you don’t expect to do any hardcore trekking, Toms or Converse add the perfect element of comfort and style to your travel clothes.
Carrying stilettos is just not practical in any backpacking situation. Try carrying a set of classic ballet flats like the Ted Baker shoes on Zalando’s website so you can dress up at night or wear for a smart look during the day.
Flip flops are always handy especially if you’re planning to stay at hostels where it is highly recommended to wear flip flops in the shower. Try to find a “hybrid” flip flop sandal that will work as well for practical reasons as it will for a warm sunny day in the city.
As a personal preference, instead of using trainers, I choose a quality pair of leather boots that I can use to walk, go out at night, and for everything else in between.
Learn more about how to create a capsule wardrobe with just three pairs of shoes!
Additional Travel Gear
In addition to your fashionable and practical travel clothing and shoes, there are other essential items to help make your time traveling Europe via train more pleasant. A travel pillow is essential to help make those long journeys more enjoyable and to also help you snooze in comfort. A sleeping liner is ideal to provide warmth on trains and is also invaluable to use in hostels, too.
Even in the summer, many parts of Europe are still rainy. Check the weather and be prepared for a sudden change by packing a travel sized umbrella and rain coat. If you plan to travel Europe in the winter, consider getting a practical but sleek rain coat that will keep you dry, warm, and stylish, too.
Make sure to add a travel adapter to your packing list!
I hope these packing guidelines for a rail trip around Europe are useful and help you avoid a packing nightmare like I had to endure on my own trip!
What are your packing tips for an inter-railing trip backpacking Europe?
For more tips, please read these Europe packing lists:
- Athens
- Amsterdam
- Budapest
- Copenhagen
- Cologne
- Dublin
- Edinburgh
- Estonia
- Italy
- London
- Lithuania
- Paris
- Rome
- Spain
- Zurich
Suggested travel resources:
Please read our Ultimate Packing List for Europe featuring stylish outfits and travel tips for 9 countries.
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Hope this packing list helps you plan how to pack for an inter-railing trip backpacking Europe. Don’t forget to share the love on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Very helpful tips. Lots of people take far too much with them and end up regretting it when carrying their luggage around in the heat!
Thanks!
Just wanted to add that if you end up with rolling luggage, most European trains have a bike car – the entrance opens wider and level with the train platform. Just roll right in and then walk through to another car/coach.
Great tip Phebe! Thanks for sharing!
great tip phebe x
Thanks Jamie!
Hey, In July I’m going to Russia for 17 days. I’m planning to spend about 9 days sightseeing Moscow and St.Petersburg, 4 days in Trans Siberian train and 2 days near Baikal Lake. What should I pack? I want to be fashionable and feel comfortable. I have a limit 8kgs in my backpack. What do you recommend?
Hey Klaudia 🙂 This sounds like a really exciting trip! I have not been to Russia myself so I’ll post your comment on our Facebook page to get some ideas from other readers! https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl/
Thanks Oisin!
Hi,
i’m travelling europe for a full year (backpacking) so i will go through different climates. i want to travel carry on only as its way cheaper but the weight limit is only 5kgs (11 lbs).
what do you recomend clothing wise (thats cheap but versitile) and to be honest if it looks good thats just a bonus as i’m a laid back girl.
thanks Gracie
Hi Gracie! – thanks for your comment! What are your trip dates?
With a 5kg weight limit, you are extremely limited so you may want to look into ultra-light travel gear including items like
UNIQLO’s ultra-light down jacket: https://travelfashiongirl.com/ultralight-warmth-uniqlo-30-day-packing-list/
Anatomie travel pants: https://travelfashiongirl.com/best-travel-pants-for-women-function-and-fashion/
And Merino Wool layers from companies such as Ice Breaker: http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=ice%20breaker%20merino%20wool&linkCode=ur2&tag=travelfcom0a-20&url=search-alias%3Daps
Your packing strategy will also be key and you’ll need to wear your heaviest items such as jeans on travel days such as exemplified here: https://travelfashiongirl.com/one-bag-travel-how-to-pack-for-a-weekend-trip/
Fortunately for you Summer weather is limited in Europe so you’ll mostly need warm weather items anyway 🙂
You also might find these articles helpful:
https://travelfashiongirl.com/the-only-backpacking-packing-list-for-europe-youll-ever-need/
https://travelfashiongirl.com/central-america-ultra-minimalist-travel-packing-list/
I’ll post your question on TFG’s Facebook page to get more feedback from other travelers: https://www.facebook.com/TravelFashionGirl
Have an amazing backpacking trip to Europe!
What is your take on a leather holdall instead of a backpack/suitcase?
Hi Ali
They’re usually much nicer looking 🙂 In my opinion, so long as you’re comfortable walking around with the weight it’s probably fine. The biggest pain with train travel is hauling a chunky wheeled suitcase through a million flights of stairs at the stations.
I’ll go ahead and post this question on Facebook though just to get some more feedback for you 🙂
Hope this helps!
alex
Hi, what do people wear to the clubs in Europe? Wondering what I should pack for that. Could you add that to one of your lists or put a few pics of outfis, including shoes?
Thanks!!
I LOVE your website and all of the visuals- so useful and so much fun!!
Thanks Jenny! maybe I’ll make it a separate post 🙂
I would recommend packing a padlock, especially if you are planning to stay in Hostels. You would often need one to lock away your belongings. Also, I usually bring along a drinking bottle I can refill almost everywhere since the tapwater quality is really good in most european countries, especially Switzerland and Scandinavia. However, you should always inquire about the water quality before drinking it.
The images on this page are broken
Thanks for letting me know!
really helpful tips 🙂
Hello where is that jacket from
Hi Natalie, it was from yesstyle.com/en/info.html/pid.1031558852 but is now sold out 🙁
Thank you and im going to dublin ireland whats a good rain jacket?? I liked the northface one u listed on another post whats the style please
Hi Natalie! My Ireland packing list is coming out in May. Stay tuned! Which post are you referring to so I know what jacket you’re talking about? Thanks!
Can i please know where that green coat is from? Thank you
it was from yesstyle.com/en/info.html/pid.1031558852 but now it’s sold out 🙁
The image under the backpack seems to be broken.
Thanks Gerard! I fixed it 🙂