10 Backpacking Essentials: A Hot List of the Top Ten Essentials For Backpacking Europe
Now, let me just say one thing, this list is obviously my personal opinion. I am limited to 10 essentials for backpacking Europe, and I’m not allowed to go over this (although I may be sneaky and list a few other ‘recommendations’ at the bottom of the page).
These are the things I personally consider to be absolutely essential if you are planning on backpacking through Europe.
Now for the sake of this list, I’m not going to be including clothes here, I’m sure you can figure out what clothes you would like to bring based on what time of the year you’re heading over to Europe. I won’t belittle you by listing things like ‘underwear’, ‘socks’ and ‘t-shirts’.
Let the list begin!
Help, I'm trapped on a touristy pier (in Brighton).
1. The Right Backpack For Europe (Not The Wrong One)
I list this here, because it’s important that you actually get the RIGHT backpack for your trip, not just any old backpack. One day soon you will stay at a hostel that is 15-20 minutes walk from the train station. Why would you waste Euros getting public transport or a taxi when you can simply walk there? This is much more difficult to do if you have a suitcase with wheels, and it’s also difficult to do with a backpack that doesn’t sit right on your body shape and frame.
You will need to know a few things. How long is your trip going to be? Are you going in summer months, or for a full year? Do you want something ultra light, or something that can carry a heavier load? Get an idea in your head of what you want out of your backpack, and then you’ll have a better idea of the sort of model that you will want.
Tips to get help you get a cheap backpack:
- Wait for the store to have a mega sale. I know for example that the Kathmandu stores in Australia have ‘super sales’ like three times a year. That’s where I got my backpack, and I haven’t had one problem with it in five years. Backpacks are often discounted 40% and more during these sales. I have absolutely no idea why anyone pays full retail price at that store.
- Another thing you could do is go and try on a few backpacks, get help with the fitting of it and learn how it operates, then say you’re still deciding if it’s the one you want. Then go home, get on the Internet and order the exact model online for a much cheaper price. It’s a little bit sneaky, but if you’re on a bit of a budget, I condone it.
2. Backpacking Money Belt – Because Every Backpacker Has One
Yes, it’s another big ‘must-have’ item in the backpacking world, the old money belt. I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t wear mine all of the time whilst backpacking, but I do consider it an essential backpacking item and I’ll tell you why.
You’re about to get on a busy train from Paris to Barcelona. This is going to be a long train ride, so you settle in and get comfortable. You have your passport and cash tucked securely into your day pack, which you slip underneath the seat near your feet. Hours pass and you fall asleep…… You awake, and are thirsty. You reach down to grab your water from your bag, and it’s gone…
I use the money belt when I’m physically travelling and it’s likely I’ll stop paying attention to bags at my feet or above my head, or maybe it’s an overnight train or bus and I’m going to go to sleep. The money belt is perfect in this situation, as you can secure your passport, cash and bank cards against your body underneath your clothes.
In a hostel with lockers, I’ll normally just lock it away and not take it out with me, but on long bus and train trips it shows its uses. In my opinion there is no need to get fancy with it, just something simple made of canvas or silk is fine.
3. A Simple Flashlight to Earn Backpacker Karma
Don’t most hostels in Europe have lights though, Tom? Why, yes they do, you intrepid traveler you. But when you’re in a 15 bed dormitory and you’re getting up at 4.30 in the morning after a big night out to get an early flight (it was much cheaper than the ones leaving at 10am), your fellow backpackers are really going to appreciate it if you DON’T turn on the giant light in the room and wake them up.
Behold ye simple flashlight! Suddenly it’s filled with uses, one of them generating backpacker karma to follow you forever more. Treat your fellow backpackers as you wish to be treated, and the fun times will follow.
All joking aside though, I do find a good quality yet simple button on/off flashlight pretty handy in a whole variety of situations. It’s also good for camping too of course, if that’s on the agenda (definitely worth doing in the summer months!).
4. Concentrated Travel Detergent To Wash Smelly Underwear
It’s a reality of backpacking that you may need to wash some socks and jocks and hang them off your dorm bed – unless you want to keep wearing them, over and over again……
Either way, some concentrated travel wash is great for hand washing some clothes to keep you going until your next big ‘proper wash’ (at the expensive Laundromats, no thanks!). You can also just use a bar of soap if you’re on a budget, but concentrated travel wash is just so much cooler.
5. Anti-Fungal Cream For Possible (probable) Skin Thingies
No-one likes to think that the world can be a dirty place where you could get Athlete’s foot or ring worm, but unfortunately it is true. If you start getting a weird rash or itchy skin and it doesn’t look like a bite, then whip out the old anti-fungal cream and it should be clearing up in no time.
Of course, if the problem persists, go see a doctor. Unfortunately we can’t rely on anti-fungal cream for every ailment.
6. Combination Padlock – Because No-One Likes Keys
It’s always a good idea to lock your backpack before train trips, bus rides and whilst staying at large hostels with no lockers (although that’s pretty rare in Europe these days). Three small combination padlocks is normally enough to secure any large backpack, you just lock the two zips together at the backpack entry points.
If you’re stuck for ideas on a combination choice, just use the last three or four numbers of your OLD mobile number. See, I’m full of ideas!
7. A Journal To Record Your Adventures
Record the little things, and years down the track you will be pleasantly surprised. I’m always thinking things like, ‘Oh wow, I really have to remember that amazing fact!’, and guess what, the next day I’ve completely forgotten! It happens all the time (or maybe it’s just my bad memory?), but writing those small experiences and facts into a Journal every night is a fantastic habit, and will be the perfect thing for your grandchildren to read (if you’re not still backpacking, that is).
Don’t forget to bring a pen, and make it easily accessible too (my girlfriend is an artist and always has her pencil case buried in her backpack – it’s no good when you need to fill in those pesky arrival cards on the plane).
8. Camera For Those Who Love Photography (And For Those Who Don’t)
Yes, I know many fellow backpackers would disagree with this one. But remember, this is my personal opinion list (feel free to disagree with me in the comments – I love a mass debate [get it?]).
There’s nothing more fun than getting back home and having a whole bunch of cool and awesome pictures to show everyone. It’s also the perfect opportunity to develop your photography skills (if you’ve ever thought about doing that).
Remember, lots of photos can go from looking average to fantastic thanks to Photoshop, so there are lots of chances to snap a winner that you can blow up and put on the wall. Free art!
Plus, everyone loves showing off on Facebook, let’s be honest.
Hot Tip: Don’t forget more than one SD card. You will want to switch them as you travel, the only thing worse than losing your camera is losing the SD card inside it with all your photos of Paris or Budapest.
My girlfriend and I use a Canon 450D at the moment, and we also have a Panasonic Lumix DMC (one of those shockproof/underwater proof cameras) and it’s great fun when we go swimming!
For those on a tighter budget, these last two on the backpacking essentials list are for you. All the hostels you visit will have sheets and towels, but often they will charge you for the privilege of using their luxurious fabrics (normally it’s about 2 Euros).
9. Backpacking Travel Sheet
A simple cotton travel sheet can save you a bit of money whilst backpacking Europe. Instead of opting for those hostel sheets, just whip out your own travel sheet and you’re good to go. You’ll want something that also has a section to cover a pillow (most will).
So bring along your travel sheet, and snug into it in the dorm at night, happy with the knowledge that all the other suckers paid for their linen!
10. Backpacking Micro Fiber Travel Towel
These towels dry super fast, and can be fantastically useful for hostels where they charge you for towels. Just don’t put them on the ground or use them at the beach (I did that once), because the sand and dirt will stick to these things like glue.
It may feel a bit fuzzy and weird, but it will get the water off you quick smart and dry faster than an open bar at a wedding. If you keep them for use in the hostel and dry them by hanging them off your dorm bed, you will be right as rain!
So there you have it, the Backpacking 10 Essentials List!
Here’s a few other items you may want to consider bringing along though:
Other Recommendations:
Small Nail Clippers – Don’t let those nails grow long and yellow!
MP3 Player – Music can be an awesome way to pass time on those long bus trips.
Alarm Clock – Not good at getting up early? Well there’s your answer.
Mobile Phone – I take my iPhone with me these days (it is the future, guys), it’s great because it can access the Hostel WIFI, and act as an MP3 player and an alarm clock too.
Thanks for reading, if you agree or disagree with these backpacking Europe essentials – or just feel like saying Hi. Well, don’t be shy, leave a comment.
Have fun backpacking!
Tom
2 Responses to “10 Backpacking Essentials: A Hot List of the Top Ten Essentials For Backpacking Europe”
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great site and content!
i personally have all these except for the flashlight… my phone doubles as that. i remeber a time when i forgot to bring a nail clipper… the horror. now i have the consciousness to lug it with me wherever i go.
cheers!
Hey, thanks for the salutations and contribution
Nail clippers are always a must-bring-item
You make a great point about the phone being a flashlight too. Hmmm… I’m just not sure I can give up my trusty flashlight though!