Backpacking through Europe - what to bring, euro rail, general tips, etc.

After spending a semester studying in London, a friend and I backpacked around the contienent for a month. It was almost six years ago now, but from what I remember ...

-I would definitely buy a rail pass, but yes, you will likely end up paying some extra surcharges along the way. I'm not sure there is any way around it, if you're intersted in sleeping on a night train or even reserving a seat. But, I would definitely recommend reserving a seat where you need to, especially in the summer. We were on a couple of crowded trains, particuarly in Italy, where I'm very glad we had erservations. Others had to stand for the trip's duration. However, we never made train reservations too much in advance--we just did as as we arrived in each city. This was late December/early January, so I'm not sure how different it might for the time of the year you're going.

I would definitely recommend a backpack. And pack as light as you can! I had a huge, Kelty backpack, which was nice and it worked, but it was way too heavy--my shoulders/collarbone ended up a bit bruised. I think backpacks are easier for navigating trains and stations. Just be aware if you travel on a subway car or something like that with a big backpack. Although warranted, I got a quite a few glares from locals when I was taking up too much room.

You can try winging the hotels as you go, but be advised that you might end up traveling from hotel to hotel trying to find an available, inexpensive room. After traveling for a significant amount of time, this can be stressful and annoying.

Most people will probably suggest bringing layers for the different climates you'll probably experience. I wouldn't worry about bringing nicer shoes for nightlife--it really isn't worth lugging them around. I think a pair of European type sneakers--Puma, Adidas, or anything you can dress up or down--will work for day and night. Try packing enough clothes for two days and do laundry once or twice along the way.

Have fun!

No reservations are possible on regional trains. For certain other trains they are optional. For others (like high speed trains) they are required and you will have to pay a reservation fee if you have a pass. You will also have to pay a sleeping accommodation supplement if you have a pass and want to take a night train. Train companies limit the number of seats they allocate for passholders. Popular night trains often sell out weeks in advance so make reservations for those ASAP. Click on the Railpasses tab at the top of the page you're reading now and you'll find pages of information about passes. Also read the Railpasses section at www.seat61.com.

If you can commit to specific dates and times, buying point-to-point tickets in advance from the national rail sites of the countries in which you will be traveling is usually quite a bit cheaper than a pass. Since you want flexibility, that probably isn't the best choice for you. However, even buying p2p tickets at the station is often cheaper than a pass. Check the standard fares on the various national rail sites and compare them to the cost of a pass. Standard fares are higher in some countries (like Germany and France) and lower in others (like Italy).

Click on the Travel Tips tab at the top of the page you're reading now and you'll find several articles pertaining to packing light. Visit the Rick Steves Travel Store and check out his soft-sided convertible bag which can either be carried like a suitcase or worn as a backpack.

For travel, you'll need a good internal frame pack.
Check this one out on ebags.com

http://www.ebags.com/high_sierra/explorer_55/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=88521

Footwear....check into Chaco or Keen. they both are wearable right out of the box, and you can get them wet (use them in the shower in hostels!) and they dry fast.

For clothing. Do not take jeans - you can live without them for 13 days. and it's going to be HOT in Aug/Sept.

Plan on 2-3 bottoms, and 6-7 shirts. Take a light sweater or fleece jkt for cooler nights. Plan to wash your clothing. Really, you can wear the same shirt for 2 days in a row, then wash. Remember, you don't really see the same people everyday, so they won't know that you are re-wearing clothing. no one cares but you. you can't bring too little! If you do, you can purchase a shirt if you need it...but I bet you won't.

You will be miserable if you overthink clothing. I can travel for 2 weeks with what I've listed for you, and I'm a girl!

Whatever you do, do NOT take a rolling suitcase. Too heavy, and a pain for someone on the move on trains.
The pack I recommended is on sale right now for about $103. I've used this High Sierra frame pack for our trip last November, and it was great. Carry it on the plane, and run through customs while everyone else is searching for their black bag!

I definitely recommend making reservations for trains that require them. Some are only 5 euro, but others run up to 20 euro (for Eurostar). I met some guys who didn't have reservations and they ended up sleeping on the floor of the train next to the washrooms on a night train from Austria to Italy - not a nice way to spend 15 hours! Also, I would reserve hotels/hostels, because it makes arriving in a strange city so much less stressful if you know where you are going to sleep that night. You don't say how old you are, but if you feel comfortable sleeping in a hostel, they are a great way to save money.
As for a backpack, I used one of Rick Steves' bags, and I really liked the fact that the zipper goes all the way around three sides of it. Real hiking backpacks often only open at the top, so finding stuff is more difficult. However, hiking bags also have waist-straps, which take the weight off your back.
It sounds like you are just getting started, so I would suggest buying "Europe Through the Back Door" - it has a lot of great traveling tips in it!

Here is what I wear. Adjust to taste but hopefully it gives you an idea of a functional set of lightweight clothes. I regularly go a month with a similar set of clothes.

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268

I pack it in an Ebags convertible carry on. It has backpack straps with a sternum and waste strap for longer hikes. It's not perfect, but is the best solution I've found so far. It weighs about 3 lbs. empty and with my pack list about 15 lbs. packed.

The problem with backpacks are they're too long for carry on requirements. You have to check them, limiting your ability to wing it. If you go for a pack, be sure to get a bag for checking it so the straps don't get torn off by baggage handling equipment.