Last updated : Thursday, May 20, 2010

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10 Must Haves for Backpacking in Europe

Whether you are staying in extravagant hotels or dilapidated hostels, organization is key when you’re backpacking through Europe. Aside from the obvious essentials like your passport, clothing, and toiletries, here are your ten must-have items that you can cram into your pack without breaking the zipper.

1.       Quick-Dry Towel: These things are amazing! Made of microfiber, quick-drying towels are the perfect way to keep your pack dry. They are also lightweight and thin so they won’t take up too much space.

2.       Flashlight: Many hostels require you to share a room with others, so you’ll want to be considerate when stumbling into the room at three in the morning. A small Maglight will do the trick and will help keep all of your important belongings accounted for at night. Also, a little miner’s headlamp is a nifty tool to keep your hands free. You can find some cool gear here.

3.       Sheets/pillowcase: If you’re staying in a hostel, you’ll want to bring your own sheets and a pillowcase. While most hostels are clean, you won’t want to take that chance of a sleepless night in some funky sheets.

4.       Camera: If you’re backpacking through Europe, most likely this is going to be an experience of a lifetime, something that you’ll want to remember forever… pictures help!

5.       Swiss-Army Knife/ Leatherman: You never know when you’ll need to use a serrated knife, a screwdriver, a corkscrew, pliers, scissors, and even a toothpick. You should purchase a multi-functional pocket knife once you are overseas due to security issues you might have on the plane ride over.

6.       Earplugs: Without these, you’ll be up all night cursing out the snoring stranger sleeping next to you in your hostel. Bring a pair of small foam earplugs and you’ll get some serious shut eye! 

7.       Travel guidebook/ Translation Dictionary: Travel guidebooks may seem old fashioned and cumbersome, but you won’t believe how many times you’ll need to use one! A great go-to guidebook is Lonely Planet, but Fodor’s, Frommer’s, and National Geographic make great ones as well. In addition, you’re going to want to have a translation dictionary for whichever country you’ll visit. If you show people that you are trying to speak their language (don’t feel bad if you fail miserably), nine times out of ten that person will be more than willing to lend a helping hand.

8.       Journal: It’s not a diary! It’s a journal! Whatever you want to call it; it’s always nice to look back at what was going on in your head during your past travels.

9.       Lock: A small combination lock will keep perpetrators from rummaging through your pack, ensuring that all of your belongings are safe.

10.   Toilet Paper: Need I say more?

For more great travel tips, click here.

 

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