When you’re getting ready for your trip, you need the best backpack for travel in Europe. The travel backpack should be comfortable and designed to avoid back pain, as well as small enough to throw onto a train or a budget airline.

There are hundreds of different backpacks for travel in Europe and around the world, so when you begin your search for the perfect backpack you may feel overwhelmed Hopefully this post can guide you with some direction so you don’t spend countless hours scouring review sites and Reddit posts. I lived in Europe for five years, so these are my recommendations based on my personal experience!

Headed to Europe for your first big trip? Be sure and also read this beginner’s guide to backpacking Europe.

What to look for in a travel bag

First off, as you’re searching for the perfect travel bag, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

1. Backpack vs. Suitcase
2. Size of the bag
3. Technical aspects

Backpack or suitcase?

The first question you should ask yourself is whether you want a suitcase for your trip or a backpack. Should you even carry a backpack in Europe?

Both have pros and cons, so sometimes it can really come down to preference. Depending on where you travel, suitcases can be easier to transport, as you can just roll them down the street. However, as soon as you find yourself on a dirt road or a cobblestone street (especially in Europe!), you’ll wish that you could just pick it up and carry it. Backpacks are great for that, as well as climbing up flights of stairs, since many Airbnbs that you stay at in Europe will not have elevators!

Backpack	Suitcase
Pros: – Easier to swing over your shoulder – No worrying about walking on cobblestone/stairs	Pros: – Easier to get around in airports
Cons: – Can kill your back	Cons: – Rolling on cobblestone streets or taking stairs in public transport/Airbnbs is a hassle

For this post, we’ll focus on the different backpack options available.

Size of the bag

When I was younger, more naive, and had just started traveling, I was bringing a massive suitcase with me for a trip of two weeks. The bag was too big to carry, so I always needed help transporting it and it was a huge hassle when I had to unpack and repack every few days.

Bring a bag that you can carry YOURSELF. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere waiting for someone to help you. Pack layers and clothes that can be reworn, and do laundry every week so that you can optimize space.

I used to be a serial over packer and have now learned so much! Here’s one of my videos on how I pack for a month in Europe:

@thetejanaabroad

When I first started traveling, I was a serial overpacker. Now, I’ve learned how to condense as much as possible! Comment “link” and I’ll message you the products I mentioned. #packingtips #culturalexplorer

♬ original sound – thetejanaabroad

Additionally, in Europe the airlines charge you depending on the size of your bag. Personal items are always free, and some of them are big enough to fit enough clothes for a week or two inside! Carry-ons come with an additional cost and checked baggage cost even more. When packing and booking your flights, keep in mind that you have have to pay 20-50 euros more depending on the luggage you choose to take.

Technical aspects

When choosing your backpack for travel in Europe, you may want to take a look at a few technical aspects.

Weight

The lighter the backpack the better of course, although that isn’t always a dealbreaker depending on the fit. Just something to keep in mind as you’re searching, although I believe weight comes more into play when searching for suitcases.

Fit

The backpack should be comfortable and allow you to carry quite a lot of weight for an extended period of time. A waist belt will work wonders so that less weight is centralized on your poor back. Brands also come with bags made specifically for men and women, so as to accommodate different torso lengths so you can ensure you have the best fit possible.

Compartment organization

Personally, I always prefer the bag that opens up like a suitcase, so I’m not having to dig through the entire backpack to reach my things. I also always need a padded laptop compartment, so that’s one of the first things I look for when choosing a bag.

It also isn’t a must for me but I love when my backpack includes a bottle pocket. It’s the little things!

Extras

There are a few extra technical aspects that are up to personal preference. Some bags include anti-theft zippers, so as to make it more difficult for someone to open your bag while you’re on the move. Others are waterproof or water resistant, to provide you with some protection when walking in the rain.

So here’s a round-up of the top picks:

Now we’re going to dive into each one, based on how long you’re going to be traveling:

Best travel bag for 2 weeks in Europe

The bag comes with a laptop compartment, anti-theft zippers, and a rain cover included. If you’re traveling less, you could even downsize to the 28L version, which I use as a personal item on flights. Honestly, any of the Cotopaxi Allpa packs would be a great backpack for travel in Europe.

Best travel bag for 3 – 5 weeks in Europe

Slightly bigger to accommodate more items, while still being comfortable. While not as equipped with all the fancy features of Cotopaxi, it still gets the job done, and for a great price!

Best travel bag for 5+ weeks in Europe

For those extended journeys when you need just a bit more space.

Osprey Fairview and Farpoint Travel Backpacks

This backpack is amazing because it fits an insane amount of items, and includes a daypack on top that can be zipped on and off. I usually will check the bigger part of the backpack and put all my valuables in the daypack so I can use it as a personal item. I took this baby to Southeast Asia for 3 months and it fit SO much. It’s one of the highest rated backpacks and I can definitely see why!

There are men and women versions and different sizes available so you can find the one that fits your torso the best. Check the sizing chart of each to see which one works better for you.

Best Daypack for Day Trips

The backpack that you have inside of your luggage of bigger backpack so that you can take everything out that you need for the day.

The daypack that comes with the Osprey pack is great, but is structured more like a regular backpack. If I’m throwing another daypack inside my luggage, I prefer to have one that is easily compressed. Plus, if I’m bringing the backpack around to beaches and in nature, it’s way easier to clean!

When choosing your backpack, look for something that works for you! I hope this guide helped you to decide for your upcoming trip.