First time to Europe-Backpacking

Just so you don't go looking for Eurail trains or the Eurail station, there are none. You will be using trains of the Bahn (Germany), SNCF (France), and Trenitalia (Italy). Eurail sells rail passes which are accepted by these national railroads and others. And, BTW, you say you are using the trains and "backpacking". I travel in Europe by trains, which get me close enough to where I am going, then I walk the rest of the way with my convertible bag. Unless you are planing long hikes between towns, a true backpack is not needed. Try one of Rick's convertibles. They are comfortable enough for short distance and small enough to be carried on, not checked.

I agree with Lee. You won't need a real backpack. A convertible bag will work fine plus has the bonus of being okay for airline carry-on. Virtually all backpacks are too long to fit carry-on standards - which means you have to check it, wait for it and hope it arrives in one piece. I rarely walk more than a mile at a time with my bag, usually considerably less. Backpack straps on a convertible work fine for those walks. A backpack becomes necessary when you are walking hours at a time. I also bring a Civita daypack for non-travel days because it's lightweight and can be squished into my carry-on easily. If you see yourself spending several days in a place, it's good for carrying around daily necessities without carrying your whole bag.

One other big thing. If you're staying in hostels, bring a good padlock (the kind for gym lockers). Hostels are fine but are known for petty theft. Any time your stuff isn't with you, keep it locked up in your locker - even for short trips to the toilet.

Thanks for the replies! I should mention that I will have the bag with me all the time. Does that change anything?

"I should mention that I will have the bag with me all the time. Does that change anything?" What?

Meaning when I'm not in the hostel, it will be on my back while walking around the various cities.

Since this is your first time, and you want to carry-on, let me suggest a few things. Are you using a US flag airline (United, USAir, etc) to get to Europe or are you using a European airline (e.g., Lufthansa. Most US airlines have a pretty generous weight allowance for carry-on (something like 40#). Most European airlines have much lower limits (17.6# on Lufthansa, check their websites). With 40# you almost can't exceed the weight limit without also exceeding the size limit (22x14x9). With European airlines, it's easy to exceed the weight limit within the size (21.6x15.75x7.88) limit. In either case, make a packing list. Make it now. Look at it periodically and ask yourself, "Do I really need this". Then trial pack your bag. If flying a European airline, take the bag to the post office and weigh it. If the bag is too heavy or bulges too much, think about what you can eliminate. If you are flying in Europe, understand that the low cost carriers make their money from oversize/overweight charges. Read their website and make sure your not over their limits. You might want to read my webpage on packing light.

Matt, As this is your first trip to Europe, my first suggestion would be to read Europe Through The Back Door before you get too far in your planning. That will give you a lot of good information on "how" to travel well in Europe. On the topic of Backpacks, I have a slightly different opinion. I always travel with a Backpack and find that it's by far the easiest method for me. Before buying a Backpack, you'll need to do some homework. You'll have to decide whether you prefer a panel-load or top-load design, whether you want features like a detachable Daypack or stowable harness and finally the size. One of the most important criteria is to be properly fitted according to your torso size! The ETBD Convertible Backpacks work well for some people, but not for all. It's a frameless pack so can at times "hang" in an uncomfortable manner, depending on how it's packed (the contents have a tendency to settle to the bottom). Although the new model has a waist belt, there's no adjustment possible for torso range. I'll have a few more comments when I get back on. Computer (using an iPod Touch at the moment). Cheers!

You mention when you aren't in the hostel you will have the backpack on you at all times while walking around the cities you are going to. Why? First of all, this is a major hassle for you to lug around that extra weight on your back all day & also makes it awkward if you plan on taking public transit around town, especially during rush hours when everyone is squished in. Finally, a lot of tourist sights (museums, churches, etc.) won't allow bags inside over a certain size, and not all of them have coat rooms where you can check your pack. The ones that do will charge you to hold the bag; it's a small fee, but if you visit 5 or 6 sights a day it will add up. Not every hostel is crawling with thieves. Many provide lockers (but you often have to bring your own padlock), you can bring a cable lock for those that don't, and if you really feel on edge still, you could go as far as to buy a Pacsafe steel mesh encasement for your pack. If you are bringing a lot of electronic gadgets with you, maybe rethink how many you really need for a 2 week trip. Most hostels have computers you can use to send quick emails home, and an iPad or smartphone are light enough to carry around with you in a small messenger bag during the day if you need to access them regularly.

Matt, I forget to mention it previously, but I also wonder why you're planning take the Pack everywhere with you? That approach has numerous potential problems, which were well described by Ceidleh. If the Backpack you choose has a detachable Daypack, you could use that for day touring. Another option would be the Civita Daypack sold on this website. I always pack one along, and it's one of my most useful pieces of travel kit. For suitable Packs in various sizes and price ranges, have a look at the Osprey or Eagle Creek websites. Cheers!

Lee, I tend to look at "Backpacks" and the "Convertible Carry-On" as being exactly the same, since they share a number of features. For example: > Both can be purchased in sizes that are theoretically allowed for carry-on by at least some airlines. My EC Pack is supposedly "carry-on size with the Daypack removed" but that's likely never going to happen as it usually exceeds the weight for carry-on. I've never found it a problem to check the main Pack and use the Daypack for carry-on. > Both can be worn as Backpacks, or configured more as "suitcases" and carried using handles on the side or the top. > Both use "soft" construction using Cordura Nylon or similar materials. The main differences between "Backpacks" and the "Convertible Carry-On" are: > The majority of conventional Backpacks use an internal frame, which provides some degree of structure and shape. I don't find the small weight of the aluminum frame parts to really be any problem at all. > Many of the Packs designed for "travel" (as opposed to mountain trekking) have features such as detachable Daypacks and stowable harness systems (the RS Convertible model has those as well). > The most significant difference is that most Backpacks provide the ability to fit the pack for the torso range of the user. One "weakness" of the Convertible Carry-On is that it has too many zippers which makes it difficult to secure all the compartments. Many of the newer EC Packs provide for "single point locking". Cheers!

I've used an Eagle Creek backpack for 10 years now - going to Europe once or twice a year (6 week/2 week trips). However, I must admit that I also carry the Civita day pack as my "personal" item (just be sure your airline accepts the extra item). Don't check your backpack - you can manage to fit everything in and carry it on - read the information on this site to figure it out. One piece of advice, though - leave the jeans home unless you plan to wear them straight through for 2 weeks - they take forever to dry - everything you take (other than your coat/jacket) needs to be able to dry overnight.

How do you differentiate a "Backback" from a "Convertible "Carry-on"? Structure? (Doesn't that add weight and maybe make them too big for carry-on?) Non-hideaway straps? Which of the Eagle Creek bags would you consider "backpacks"?

With all due respect to Karen, if you want to pack a couple pairs of jeans if that is what you normally wear, feel free. Yes, jeans are heavier than a pair of khakis. Yes, jeans take a long time to dry if you hand wash them in a sink and hang them to dry in a room. But here's the difference... You said you are staying in hostels. Not hotels, not B&Bs where laundry rooms are scarce or expensive. I've stayed in plenty of hostels in Europe that offer coin-op laundry rooms. From very small 6 room hostels that have just 1 washer & 1 dryer for guests, to the large hostels that have an entire laundry room with 10+ machines. The price is reasonable enough. Your trip is short enough that you only need to do laundry 1 or 2 times tops. You can wear each pair of jeans 2-3 times. You don't have to wear the same pair of jeans for 2 weeks straight. Even though the trip is 15 days, pack clothing for 1 week and at one of your hostels mid-trip, take care of the laundry. If you want to check to see if a particular hostel has laundry facilities, many of the hostel review websites (such as hostelworld.com or hostelz.com) should be able to tell you what amenities they have. Some of the large adventure travel packs sold now can be overkill for a short trip where you are only hopping trains to get from hostel to hostel and not actually out on the trail camping. The brands Ken recommended are both excellent and offer well-constructed bags. I have an Eagle Creek pack I took on the road for a year around the world and it held up great, was comfortable, and worth every penny. Eagle Creek's website has a section of lightweight carry-on bags and their Hybrid Hauler Medium would give you plenty of room to pack. You should always check in advance to see what the carry-on bag dimension and weight limits are for the airline you intend to fly on. Whether you check a bag or carry-on is a matter of personal preference.

Hostels usually have a time during the day when everyone has to be out, leaving you with your backpack in tow. Some hostels will allow you a locker to leave your backpack in during the times the hostel is closed. In other cases, you can drop your bag in a locker at the train station. Trust me, it's better to reduce your load to only what you need for the day whenever possible. Also a little on Eurail. I haven't purchased a pass in at least ten years (probably a lot longer). I found the passes only pay for themselves on really long travel legs. As I've gained experience, I've decided to forego long travel legs as they burn too much of my limited vacation time. No long travel legs means a point to point ticket is the better deal.

Brad, just wondering where all those hostels are that require you to be out mid day and bring your backpack with you while you are a guest? This has never been my experience with hostels. I am aware some hostels have mid-day "lock outs" when they want all guests out for a few hours so they can clean the bathrooms, showers & change linens (and hostels with lock-outs are easy enough to avoid if you know what the policy is before you book a bed). But the ones with lock-outs don't expect you to pack up all your belongings and take them with you while you sightsee. If they don't have lockers, leaving your backpack in the room (preferably cable locked to a fixed object) is perfectly acceptable unless you are checking out that morning and are needing to stash your pack until you return and move on to your next overnight destination. Then they may require you leave your pack at the front desk, in a luggage room, or take it with you.

Matt, hasn't reposted. But one possible reason he will be carrying the bag a lot is he is doing three countries in 2 week. While frowned upon by many Rick Steves forum members, there are people who will do 12 or more different cities in 15 days, particularly if young, on their first trip, have a 15 day global eurail pass and light backpack. On one of those type trips you carry the bag a lot. --- PACK LIGHT!

Thank you all SO much for the advice. I'm definitely going to take all of this into consideration. And just as an extra thought, what you all prefer? Vacuum bags or compression sacks?

Brad, Which Hostels have you been staying in? With all of the Hostels I've used so far, they like guests to be out for a few hours during the day so that cleaning staff can do their work, but it's not a strict "lockout". None of them have required guests to remove travel kit during the day. I'm aware there are Hostels that operate with a lockout, but I won't use them as I like to at least have the option to come back for a short rest in the afternoon. I normally leave my main Pack in the room and locked, and other items in the Locker (which I've secured with a good quality Padlock). I often leave the Pack on the bed, since cleaning staff usually don't need access to the bed in Hostels (but of course that's different in Hotels). Cheers!

"Vacuum bags or compression sacks?" Neither, for May. Those are good for compressing fleece, down, or loosely-woven sweaters. Things like t-shirts can't really be compressed. Many of us DO use packing cubes - soft-sided 'boxes' for organizing our clothing. Click on "Travel Store" on the tabs at the top of this page, then go to "Accessories", then to "Packing and Organizing" to see some. Also, click on the "Handy Mesh Bags". And if you haven't already, for some insight on what to pack, and what to pack it in: http://www.youtube.com/ricksteves#p/c/DA1849C66C2A6D62/1/ird4DF5fgHE http://www.youtube.com/ricksteves#p/c/DA1849C66C2A6D62/9/2P2R5-Zc7To http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/packlist.htm DO look at his YouTube channel, Hulu, and/or this website for his 3-part travel skills programs...ALL (or mostly all) of his programs are located in all 3 places...

I use the "vacuum bags"* or zip locks. *Note: not bags that actually require a vacuum cleaner to use, the type where you roll the air out. Basically big zip lock bags. My reason is not to reduce space in my luggage as much as my bag is not waterproof. Nor is yours. Its water resistant, but a good downpour will saturate it and water does come in the zippers and heaven forbid it gets set down in a puddle. I had one experience with a good downpour getting everything in my bag wet. It was pretty miserable trip. After that everything went into plastic bags and since then I have had two more experiences where I was the only person in the group with dry clothes (but like my companions my bag was soaked thru and thru.)

Ed,
That's good advice...but what if the bag has a pullout sack for waterproofing?