Travel Tips for Backpacking Europe
Some Packing Essentials for Backpacking Europe
Rome, Italy by Lauren Klammer
1. Using a Backpacking Pack VS. a Carry On Suitcase
Benefits of using a backpacking pack
It’s always on you so you don’t have to worry about someone steeling it while your not looking.
Many cities in Europe have cobblestone streets and countless sets of stairs; rolling a suitcase over these streets or carrying it up those stairs is going to be a pain. You will probably end up carrying the suitcase in these situations so why not get something which is meant to be carried anyways?
I believe you can get a little attachment with wheels for a pack so you can wheel it around too, I never did, but there was a lot of times that I wish that I had. And if it gets too heavy just ask your cute Australian friend if he’ll carry it up the endless stairs awhile.
Benefits of using a carry on suitcase
You don’t have to carry it. Which for some might be enough right there.
You can fit more into it than a backpacking pack. Just make sure it will fit in the carry on sizing bin at the airport and that it is not over weight. I repeat, that it is not over weight! If it is too big or too heavy you will have to go wait in the baggage check in line, then pay exactly 80 euros to check it as an “extra bag”, and only then can you return to the end of the security line. Good luck catching your flight!
There are a few suitcase brands that have a self weigh mechanism so you’ll be able to shop knowing if those Italian leather boots will put you over weight or not, which for someone like me that has made the mistake of over packing way too many times this suitcase is an ideal option.
2. Pack a Small Day Time Bag
Bring a small purse, travel bag, or backpack that you can wear crossing over your body and that has zippers for all the openings. Don’t bother bringing a purse that is open on the top unless you want to make yourself an easy target for pick pockets. I was never pick pocketed while abroad because I was super good about being smart about how, what, and where I carried my valuables.
3. Back Up Your Documentation
Tickets, Visa, Passport, Drivers License, Credit Card, Debit Card, Insurance Card
Physical Copies
ALWAYS ALWAYS pack printed copies of your tickets, visa, passport, drivers license, credit card, debit card, and insurance card. Wear a money bag under your clothes on travel days with the copies and 100 in cash; it sounds overly cautious but if you get your bag stolen you will be so grateful you took the extra precaution.
Digital Copies
Create a folder on your Google Drive and save scanned copies of all these documents there, share it with your family just in case.
4. Make an Itinerary
Create a travel itinerary which includes your transportation times and locations of where you will be staying. Print a copy to keep in your money bag with your other documents and share a copy via Google docs with your family or a friend so that someone knows where you are. As someone who struggles being on time, it helps me to create timing breakdowns for travel days. I start with the time of departure then count backwards while adding in: time for international flights, time to get a snack and relax, time to find my gate, time for security, time to transport from where I am staying to the airport, and wiggle room.
Example for an international flight
5:30 am Time to leave where you are staying
5:30 am (45 minutes) wiggle room
6:15 am (30 minutes) time to transport
6:45 am (30 minutes) time for security
7:15 am (15 minutes) time to find my gate
7:30 am (30 minutes) time to get a snack and relax
8:00 am (2 hours) time for international flights
10:00 am flight leaves
Also, always plan in extra wiggle room, because we all know that what can go wrong will go wrong… like the time my friends and I almost missed our flight to Copenhagen because there was a suspected bomb threat in the Paris Orly Airport. They evacuated thousands of people from the terminal without telling us why and we waited outside for about an hour. They then brought in the bomb squad to search the terminal and we found out that the bomb threat was actually just three unattended suitcases!
5. Check the Currency
Check to see if the country is using euros or Krona or Pound or whatever it might be! Most counties in Europe will accept the euro but it is often better to exchange for their money so you don’t get charged a conversion fee.
Also, don’t exchange money in the airport when you land in the new country because you will be charged a super high rate, instead plan ahead and exchange the money in a bank before you leave the city you are staying in.
6. Random Necessities
Don’t forget medicines and toiletries!
A portable cell phone charger will come in so clutch! Also please bring an extra phone charger and keep it in a different bag than your normal charger.
A Converter!
Check to make sure you have the right plug for the country you are going to, the outlets are different in the US and you will need to get a converter. PLEASE NOTE: a converter is different than an adapter. An adapter can ruin your technology by over powering it. For example using an adapter with a hair straightener will give the straightener roughly double the wattage and will likely fry your hair off.
Snacks and a reusable water bottle.
Buy a 2 euro paper map from the airport or train station if you don’t print one out before, they might save your butt and are a fun souvenir.