Best Backpack For Interrailing: Ultimate Europe Backpack Guide
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Interrailing Europe and not sure what backpack to buy? This interrailing backpack guide has reviews, pros and cons and all of the details you will need to buy your interrailing backpack.
Interrailing is a great way to see Europe on a budget, as it allows you to travel to 33 countries across Europe by train. Before I interrailed for the first time across Europe, I had no idea what to expect! And during my month-long interrailing trip, I learnt a thing or two about what kind of backpack is best (and which ones aren’t as great).
This blog post informs you of the best backpacks to buy for you first interrailing trip. From where to buy from, how to adjust your backpack properly to which size you need; let’s delve into the best backpacks for interrailing.
➡ Don’t have a lot of time? Check out my exact backpack I use as a full-time digital nomad to travel the world here.
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
Other interrailing posts:
- What To Pack Interrailing Europe: Packing List Essentials
- Going Interrailing Alone: Interrailing Solo Tips
- 21 Interrail Tips for First-Timers: Interrailing Europe
- How to Interrail on a Budget: Interrail Europe CHEAP!
Best Backpack For Interrailing: A Summary
When looking for the best backpack to buy, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. From the size to the durability, the way it opens and the way you hold it – these factors are all important when buying your first backpack.
And then there’s the fact you’re interrailing. Interrailing is travelling Europe by train; meaning you’ll be hopping on and off trains regularly. You need a bag that you can manoeuvre easily. When it comes to size, it’s important to know that;
- 90L+ is large. It’s rare for backpackers to need a backpack over 90L, and you will rarely see them whilst travelling.
- 60L-70L backpacks are the most common size backpack for women. This size backpack will always need to be checked in for flights.
- 40-50L backpacks are most commonly used by men and minimalist packers. Depending on your airline, this size bag can usually be taken as hand luggage.
Based on this, I knew I needed a 60-70L backpack to interrail Europe. For some, this may be too big; but choosing the right backpack for you is personal.
➡ You can check out my exact backpack I use to travel the world here.
What is interrailing?
Interrailing is a great way to see Europe on a budget. Interrail passes are available for people of all ages, and they allow you to travel on any day of the week. You can also travel on multiple trains per day, making it easy to explore different countries and cities all in one single trip.
Interrail passes are valid for a certain number of days, so you can tailor your trip to your own needs. Plus, if you’re under 27 years old or under, you can get a special Youth Interrail pass that’s even cheaper!
Global passes for interrailing are the best way to see Europe – and they’re not as complicated or expensive as you might think. With a global pass, you can hop on a train and explore up to 33 different countries in Europe. There are different types of global passes to choose from, so you can tailor your trip to exactly what you want.
Whether you’re looking to backpack Europe for a week or a month, interrailing is a great option. Just be sure to check the rules and regulations before you go so that you can make the most of your trip.
Not sure whether the interrailing pass is worth it? Check out my detailed guide on interrailing passes here.
Best hostels whilst interrailing Europe
One of my best interrail tips is to at least book your first hostel in advance. During the summer months, hostels in Europe will be fully booked. It will be tough finding a good hostel last minute.
Use Hostelworld to pre-book any hostels. They have excellent cancellation policies and you can usually get your money back right up until 24 hours before staying, so if you have any last-minute changes, you have that flexibility.
Whilst I can’t list every single hostel in Europe, these are some of the best, well-known hostels to stay in whilst interrailing. Simply click the link to check prices and availability!
- 🇫🇷 Paris: Generator Paris or The People
- 🇭🇺 Budapest: Maverick City Lodge
- 🇳🇱 Amsterdam: Ecomama
- 🇩🇪 Berlin: The Circus Hostel
- 🇵🇹 Lisbon: Home Lisbon
- 🇦🇹 Vienna: Hostel Ruthensteiner
- 🇪🇸 Madrid: Sungate One
- 🇮🇪 Dublin: Gardiner House
➡ Check out other European hostels here.
Best Backpacks for Interrailing Europe
1) Osprey Farpoint Wheels 65
🎒Best for: overpackers
Suitable for both men and women, this backpack is the one I still travel with today. It’s a 65L backpack which is light, durable and has optional wheels. Whilst I tend to wheel my backpack, you can opt to put it on your back as well.
In terms of comfort, it has wide straps with padding to protect your shoulders. It’s also front loading, which is good if you are packing and unpacking in different locations (this means it opens like a suitcase, rather than a backpack that opens at the top).
2) Eagle Creek Tour Travel Pack 40L
🎒Best for: minimalist packers
This is a great smaller backpack for interrailing Europe. If you’re more of a minimalist packer, this backpack doesn’t need to be checked in at airports, and can easily slide under train seats and in the overhead compartments.
The next time that I interrail Europe, I am going to use a smaller bag like this. As it holds less, it’s easy and comfortable to carry, and has multiple pockets and sections to separate your items.
3) Women’s Kyte 48L
🎒Best for: moderate packers who would prefer to carry their bag easily on their back
Another great backpack for interrailing Europe is the Osprey Kyte 48L. A medium size, so you can pack a little more than the Eagle Creek. It’s made with an extra durable, waterproof material, and has adjustable torso lengths and additional features to make it a stable, and breathable backpack.
You can also buy the Osprey Kyte 48L in a deep red to make it stand out from the crowd.
4) Fairview Trek 50L
🎒Best for: those who will be hiking often whilst interrailing Europe.
If you are going to spend a lot of time hiking whilst interrailing Europe, I recommend the Fairview Trek 50L backpack. Big enough to fit enough for your entire trip, and to then be used as an overnight hiking bag, it’s the perfect backpack for interrailing Europe.
The comfortable mesh-back panel backpack is waterproof and has an inbuilt rain cover to protect your belongings on long hikes. It also has adaptable and convenient pockets and sections to use whilst interrailing to different locations.
Fitting your backpack for the first time
When trying your backpack on for the first time, ensure that you unclip all the straps and belts so they are ready to be fitted. Put the backpack onto your back, and make sure the hip belt is positioned on your hip bones, and tighten to provide a secure fit. Ensure the shoulder straps are pulling your backpack towards your back and not backwards!
Ideally, the hip straps and shoulder straps should be supporting the weight of the backpack. The first time I accurately fixed my backpack, the difference in support was unbelievable!
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
Packing for interrailing tips
Before we begin, there are a few things to mention before starting to pack your bag for your interrailing trip. Whilst you can’t go too wrong when packing for Europe, there are a few tips that might help you along the way. They are:
🧳 Pack light! You will be moving your bag on and off trains frequently, and there isn’t always a lot of space for bags (especially if you are travelling in cities and at peak times). Pack less than you think, use a small backpack, and stay light on your feet!
🧊 Use packing cubes to maximise your storage and to keep your bag organised.
📚 Instead of carrying books, either take a Kindle or swap your books with other backpackers in hostels. Most European hostels have ‘book exchanges’, where you can leave your book behind and pick up a new one. This again saves on weight!
🚇 Regular items (like toiletries and groceries) in Europe are expensive. Take as much as you can in your bag before you leave for your interrailing trip.
🚝 Need to book train tickets to travel around Europe? If you’re NOT buying an interrailing pass, I recommend this company for the cheapest tickets. ➡ You can check out their availability and timetables here.
What NOT to pack for an interrailing Europe trip
As well as knowing what to pack for an interrailing trip, there are some things you do not need to bring. They include:
👠 Heels: it’s unlikely that you will need heels for a night out whilst interrailing.
👞 Smart shoes: trainers and sandals are sufficient for an interrailing trip.
📚 Heavy guidebooks: Use blogs and social media to do your research!
💤 A sleeping bag: you will be given all necessary bedding in your hostel or hotel.
💄 Your make-up bag: pick a few essential items and soak up the vitamin D! I do however recommend taking SPF 50 suncream for daily face protection.
🎀 Hair tools: most hostels have hairdryers, or let your hair dry naturally in the sun.
☀️ A heavy towel: if you need a beach towel, pack a Microfibre one. They’re lightweight and dry quickly!
➡ Not booked your accommodation for Europe yet? If you’re travelling during the summer months, you must pre-book, as they sell out quickly! Check out the best hostels in Europe here.
Best backpack for interrailing: FAQs
1) Should I take a backpack or suitcase interrailing?
Backpacks are easy to move around in difficult places or cramped trains whilst interrailing. If you find your backpack is heavy and hurts your back, I highly recommend the Osprey wheeled backpack, where you can have the best of both worlds and either carry your backpack or wheel it.
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
2) What size backpack do I need to interrail Europe?
If you’re unsure about what size backpack to buy, here is some further guidance:
- 90L+ is large. It’s rare for backpackers to need a backpack over 90L, and you will rarely see them whilst travelling.
- 60L-70L backpacks are the most common size backpack for women. This size backpack will always need to be checked in for flights.
- 40-50L backpacks are most commonly used by men and minimalist packers. Depending on your airline, this size bag can usually be taken as hand luggage.
3) Is 40l enough for interrailing?
It depends on how much you would like to pack, and how long you are interrailing for. If you are an overpacker, 40L is quite a small bag to take for a 3-4 week interrailing trip. As someone who likes to have multiple options, I used a 65L backpack for a four-week interrailing trip.
4) Can you go interrailing with a suitcase?
Of course! You can interrail Europe with either a backpack or a suitcase. If you are using a suitcase, just be prepared to squeeze it into small train spaces, and ensure it is light enough to carry on and off of trains.
🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!
5) Do I need a SIM card to interrail Europe?
Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
6) What tours should I do whilst interrailing Europe?
Looking to book a tour whilst interrailing Europe? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!
➡ You can check out available tours in Europe with prices here!
7) Do I need a car to interrail Europe?
The whole point of interrailing is to travel Europe by train, so it’s unlikely you will need to hire a car. However, if you head to the Italian countryside, or want to take a day trip, you may want to hire a car; especially if a group of you have got together in a hostel and want to travel together.
If you’re looking to hire a car in Europe, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in Europe now!
Best Backpack for Interrailing: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the best backpacks for interrailing. When you’re planning a trip to interrail Europe make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more interrailing content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
