What To Pack Interrailing Europe: Packing List Essentials

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Interrailing Europe and not sure what to pack? This interrailing packing list has all of the essentials you’ll need on your first interrailing backpacking trip.

Interrailing is a great way to see Europe on a budget, as it allows you to travel to 33 countries across Europe by train. Before I interrailed for the first time across Europe in 2015, I had no idea what to expect!

And during my month-long interrailing trip, I learnt a thing or two about what I should have packed (and what I shouldn’t have packed). 

This blog post informs you of the best things to pack for your first interrailing trip. From what bag to take, to an all-important checklist, let’s delve into the exact things that should be on your interrail packing list!

Note: this interrailing packing list can also be used for Eurail ticket holders. There is no difference between the interrail and Eurail pass, apart from the purchaser’s nationality.

🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!

Interrailing Europe? You might also like…

• 21 Interrail Tips for First-Timers: Interrailing Europe
• Is the Interrail Pass Worth it? An Honest Review
• How to Interrail on a Budget: Interrail Europe CHEAP!

What to Pack Interrailing: A Summary

Before we begin, there are a few things to mention before starting to pack your bag for your interrail trip. Whilst you can’t go too wrong when packing for Europe, there are a few tips that might help you along the way. They are:

🧳 Pack light! You will be moving your bag on and off trains frequently, walking between train stations and there isn’t always much space for bags (especially if you are travelling in cities and at peak times). Pack less than you think, use a small backpack, and stay light on your feet!

🧊 Use packing cubes to maximise your storage and to keep your bag organised.

📚 Instead of carrying books, either take a Kindle or swap your books with other backpackers in hostels. Most European hostels have ‘book exchanges’, where you can leave your book behind and pick up a new one. This again saves on weight!

🚇 Regular items (like toiletries and groceries) in Europe are expensive. Take as much as you can in your bag before you leave for your interrailing trip.

🚝 Need to book train tickets to travel around Europe? If you’re NOT buying an interrailing pass, I recommend this company for the cheapest tickets. ➡ You can check out their availability and timetables here.

🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!

What is interrailing?

Interrailing is a great way to see Europe on a budget. Interrail passes are available for people of all ages, and they allow you to travel on any day of the week. You can also travel on multiple trains per day, making it easy to explore different countries and cities all in one single trip.

Interrail passes are valid for a certain number of days, so you can tailor your trip to your own needs. Plus, if you’re under 27 years old or under, you can get a special Youth Interrail pass that’s even cheaper!

Global passes for interrailing are the best way to see Europe – and they’re not as complicated or expensive as you might think. With a global pass, you can hop on a train and explore up to 33 different countries in Europe. There are different types of global passes to choose from, so you can tailor your trip to exactly what you want.

Whether you’re looking to backpack Europe for a week or a month, interrailing is a great option. Just be sure to check the rules and regulations before you go so that you can make the most of your trip.

Not sure whether the interrailing pass is worth it? Check out my detailed guide on interrailing passes here.

Best hostels whilst interrailing Europe

One of my best interrail tips is to at least book your first hostel in advance. During the summer months, hostels in Europe will be fully booked. It will be tough finding a good hostel last minute.

Use Hostelworld to pre-book any hostels. They have excellent cancellation policies and you can usually get your money back right up until 24 hours before staying, so if you have any last minute changes, you have that flexibility.

Whilst I can’t list every single hostel in Europe, these are some of the best, well-known hostels to stay in whilst interrailing. Simply click the link to check prices and availability!

• 🇫🇷 Paris: Generator Paris or The People
• 🇭🇺 Budapest: Maverick City Lodge
• 🇳🇱 Amsterdam: Ecomama
• 🇩🇪 Berlin: The Circus Hostel
• 🇵🇹 Lisbon: Home Lisbon
• 🇦🇹 Vienna: Hostel Ruthensteiner
• 🇪🇸 Madrid: Sungate One
• 🇮🇪 Dublin: Gardiner House

➡ Check out other European hostels here.

Interrailing essential packing checklist

Let’s start off with some of the basic and most important things you absolutely need to add to your interrail packing list.

• Your passport and interrail pass.

• A driving license (if you have one)

• Some emergency cash (Euros), or an international debit card like Monzo.

• Toiletries – don’t expect to be provided with any shower gel, sun cream, toothpaste or anything else in your hostel. Take it all yourself (or buy it there). Some hostels do supply essentials at an extra cost, but I wouldn’t rely on it.

• Checked luggage – I recommend at least 65L for women interrailing Europe. This Osprey bag is my favourite. 

• Hand luggage – a smaller backpack for your hand luggage. I always use this Aerolite backpack, which is perfect for tech, a book and my laptop.

• For a day bag, I use a tote to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!

• Camera – our go-to is this Canon EOS 6D Mark II, but any camera will do! I also use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips.

• An additional memory card and hard drive for saving your photos on the road!

• If you’re travelling Europe, make sure you pack a quick drying Microfibre towel. They make life easier when getting in and out of the water, they’re portable and easy to carry on any kind of day trip. The best kind of travel towels!

• You own padlock for lockers in hostels.

• An adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up for photos.

• A filter water bottle which works in every country where you can’t drink tap water.

• Waterproof phone case, especially if you’re going to be by the sea! We use ProCase for beach and scuba days.

• World travel adapter and an extension lead (in case you only have 1 outlet in a hostel).

• A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst travelling! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on a portable battery pack to get you from A to B.

• Hanging wash bag – I use this one for every trip, big or small. You can hang them up in hostels or Airbnbs so you don’t confuse your belongings with anyone else or lose anything. 

• Packing cubes to contain your luggage easier in your suitcase or backpack. 

• Suncream, as it can be expensive in Europe. I highly recommend Sun Bum, because it’s coral reef safe and environment friendly.

• A first aid kit – this may sound silly, but it’s one of our essential travel items!

• Stay safe by carrying your cash or card in a money belt. I know it sounds silly, but Europe can be chaotic and pickpockets are known to work in busy areas. it’s better to be safe than sorry!

The best backpack for interrailing

Suitable for both men and women, this backpack is a true winner in my eyes. Some may say it’s too big, but if you’re an over-packer like me, it’s perfect.

You can use a smaller-sized backpack, but this one is perfect for interrailing because of the wheels (and it’s a typical backpacker style bag).

OSPREY 65L WHEELED BACKPACK – BUY HERE

➡ Read a full review of the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack here.

Hand luggage bag for interrailing

In your hand luggage, keep your laptop, drone, earphones, speakers, camera and all the other valuable tech you may have. Never put valuable tech in your checked baggage. If you’re like me and need space for your laptop and cameras, the best backpack is the Aerolite 40L backpack. It’s small enough to fit in front of the aeroplane seat in front of you but big enough to hold everything you’ll need to take onboard.

It has a few different compartments which can be used for different categories, for example, tech in one pocket, and toiletries in another.

➡ BUY YOUR AEROLITE HAND LUGGAGE BACKPACK HERE.

Clothes and shoes for interrailing Europe

Depending on the season in Europe, you will need to dress differently. Most people interrail Europe during the summer months, so this list of clothes is based on a 4-week summer trip.

You will also be able to do laundry whilst backpacking Europe, especially if you are staying in hostels. The majority of hostels in Europe have laundry facilities.

My biggest tip for packing for Europe is to mix and match. Take everything plain coloured with some colourful scarves and accessories, so you mix your outfits.

If I was packing for an interrail trip again, these items would be in my bare minimum:

• 2x dresses
• 5x tops
• A scarf or shawl to style
• Running/hiking boots or a pair of trainers
• Flip flops or sandals 
• Waterproof jacket
• 2 x baggy jumpers for chilling or colder evenings
• Demin shorts
• Cycling shorts 
• 1 or 2 pairs of shorts or skirts
• 2x leggings 
• Socks and underwear
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Swimwear

Interrailing packing list for men

Similar to women, this depends on the season you are travelling in in Europe. Most people interrail Europe during the summer months, so this list of clothes is based on a 4-week summer trip.

You will also be able to do laundry whilst backpacking Europe, especially if you are staying in hostels. The majority of hostels in Europe have laundry facilities and a washing machine for you to use.

• 3-4 T-shirts
• Swim shorts
• 2 pairs of shorts
• Jeans 
• Jogging bottoms/comfy shorts
• 1 shirt
• 1-2 baggy jumpers 
• Light waterproof jacket
• Sunglasses and hat (optional)
• Flip flops
• Running/hiking trainers or boots
• Socks and underwear

Technology to pack for interrailing Europe

It is safe to take your electrical equipment with you to interrail Europe, and to use your camera and laptop in public. Europe is a safe continent and you don’t need to worry about it being stolen (if you use common sense). Just be vigilant like anywhere else in the world.

CAMERA

DRONE

LAPTOP

KINDLE

SPEAKERS

EARPHONES

HARDDRIVE

WATERPROOF PHONE CASE/DRY BAG

Hostel packing list

If you’re staying in hostels whilst backpacking Europe, I recommend the following items:

• A padlock: to keep your valuables secure when you leave your hostel room.
• A hanging wash bag: to make sure all your toiletries are kept in one place, and won’t get confused with anyone else
• Speakers: because, well, who doesn’t love music? Just make sure everyone in your room gets a chance to pick a song! (And no one minds you playing the music)
• A microfibre towel: Not all hostels will provide you with towels for free. Bring your own to save extra ££.
• Earphones: for loud nights and disruptions to your sleep.
• Flip flops: if you’re using shared showers.
• An eye mask: for uninterrupted sleep.
• A pack of cards: to make new friends easily!
• World travel adapter or an extension lead: so you’re not using more than one plug!
• Your laptop or tablet: for movie nights, of course! 🍿

➡ Check out the best hostels in Europe here.

What NOT to pack for an interrailing Europe trip

As well as knowing what to pack for an interrailing trip, there are some things you do not need to bring. They include:

👠 Heels: it’s unlikely that you will need heels for a night out whilst interrailing.

👞 Smart shoes: trainers and sandals are sufficient for an interrailing trip.

📚 Heavy guidebooks: Use blogs and social media to do your research!

💤 A sleeping bag: you will be given all necessary bedding in your hostel or hotel.

💄 Your make-up bag: pick a few essential items and soak up the vitamin D! I do however recommend taking SPF 50 suncream for daily face protection.

🎀 Hair tools: most hostels have hairdryers, or let your hair dry naturally in the sun.

☀️ A heavy towel: if you need a beach towel, pack a Microfibre one. They’re lightweight and dry quickly!

➡ Not booked your accommodation for Europe yet? If you’re travelling during the summer months, you must pre-book, as they sell out quickly! Check out the best hostels in Europe here.

What to pack interrailing: FAQs

1) Should I take a backpack or suitcase interrailing?

Backpacks are easy to move around in difficult places or cramped trains whilst interrailing. If you find your backpack is heavy and hurts your back, I highly recommend the Osprey wheeled backpack, where you can have the best of both worlds and either carry your backpack or wheel it.

🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!

2) What size backpack do I need to interrail Europe?

If you’re unsure about what size backpack to buy, here is some further guidance:

• 90L+ is large. It’s rare for backpackers to need a backpack over 90L, and you will rarely see them whilst travelling.
• 60L-70L backpacks are the most common size backpack for women. This size backpack will always need to be checked in for flights.
• 40-50L backpacks are most commonly used by men and minimalist packers. Depending on your airline, this size bag can usually be taken as hand luggage.

3) Is 40l enough for interrailing?

It depends on how much you would like to pack, and how long you are interrailing for. If you are an overpacker, 40L is quite a small bag to take for a 3-4 week interrailing trip. As someone who likes to have multiple options, I used a 65L backpack for a four week interrailing trip.

4) Can you go interrailing with a suitcase?

Of course! You can interrail Europe with either a backpack or a suitcase. If you are using a suitcase, just be prepared to squeeze it into small train spaces, and ensure it is light enough to carry on and off of trains.

5) Should I take a sleeping bag interrailing?

You will need a sleeping bag if you are planning on camping whilst interrailing. If you are not camping, you do not need a sleeping bag.

Most trains are during the day, so you will not often sleep on overnight trains. All Europe hostels have bedding, so a sleeping bag is not necessary.

6) How many shoes do you need for interrailing?

This is always going to be a personal preference. But a good rule to go by is: a pair of running/hiking shoes, a pair of sandals/beach shoes and a pair of shoes you can wear on a daily basis (white trainers, Converse).

🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!

7) Should I bring my laptop interrailing?

This is again, personal preference. It is safe to carry a laptop on a train in Europe, but the question is whether you want to carry it or not! If you need your laptop for interrailing research, use your smart phone or tablet to save on space and luggage weight.

8) Is it fun to interrail alone?

Yes! Going interrailing alone can be a great experience; you get to meet new people, see amazing new things and have the freedom to do what you want, when you want. But of course, it’s important to be safety-conscious too. You can read more about interrailing solo here.

9) Do I need a SIM card to interrail Europe? 

Yes, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

🚝 Need to buy your interrailing pass? I recommend checking this website for the best discounts and deals!

10) What tours should I do whilst interrailing Europe? 

Looking to book a tour whilst interrailing Europe? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!

When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else! 

➡ You can check out available tours in Europe with prices here!

11) Do I need a car to interrail Europe?

The whole point of interrailing is to travel Europe by train, so it’s unlikely you will need to hire a car. However, if you head to the Italian countryside, or want to take a day trip, you may want to hire a car; especially if a group of you have got together in a hostel and want to travel together.  

If you’re looking to hire a car in Europe, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world!  ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in Europe now!

Don’t forget travel insurance for Europe!

If you’re visiting Europe as a tourist, it is so important to have travel insurance.

As a full-time traveller and digital nomad, I recommend SafetyWing. From my own personal experience, I believe it is the best travel insurance on the market.

And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month!

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s frustrating to spend $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something does happen?

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Europe, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

If you’ve been putting off researching the best travel insurance companies, I get it, it takes a long time. But it’s my job to make your travels as easy and as successful as possible, so that’s why I’ve done all the hard work and research for you!

➡ Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

What To Pack Interrailing: In a Nutshell

Well, you’ve made it! Hopefully, you now have more of an idea of what to pack interrailing to ensure you have a good time!

But if you have any questions, feel free to contact me on Instagram or leave a comment below!

Happy travelling! 

Jennie 🙂 x

Other interrailing posts:

• Going Interrailing Alone: Interrailing Solo Tips
• Best Time To Go Interrailing (Europe) Guide: MUST-READ!
• Interrailing Routes 3 Weeks: FOUR Routes You’ll Love!

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