Looking for the best backpack for Europe travel? Well, you have come to the right place!
There are so many backpacks out there, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Mix this with Airline luggage rules and it gets far more complicated.
Many companies claim to have the best backpack for exploring Europe but it still might not be right for your trip.
From constantly trying to find the right bag to Europe I have figured out from a lot of trial and testing that any backpack for European travel needs to be lightweight, durable and easy to carry.
To help you find a backpack that will be perfect for your Europe adventure, this ultimate guide has everything you might need.
So let’s dive in and take a look at what the best options are for your trip to Europe, I’m sure there will be one that is perfect for you!
Short On Time?
No Worries!
These Are The BEST Backpacks For Travelling Around Europe:
🏆The Discovery Rucksack– The Overall Best Option!
🎒Osprey Fairview 40– The Best Choice For Female Travellers!
$ The Amazon Basics Hiking Backpack– Great Option For All Budgets!
The Overall Best Backpack For European Travel
When you are exploring Europe you need your backpack to be Durable, Waterproof and comfortable. There are so many backpacks available that claim this but one stands out The Discovery Rucksack.
This is the best backpack for travelling in Europe for so many reasons.
This is the overall best backpack for European travel as it’s lightweight, has lots of space and is comfortable to travel with.
Pros
✔️ Distributes weight very well
✔️ Really comfortable and easy to adjust
✔️ Amazing value for money
✔️ Has endless space if you pack well
✔️ Rain cover included
Cons
What Is The Best Luggage For European Travel On A Budget?
If you are looking for the best European travel backpack on a budget, The Amazon Basics Hiking Backpack is a fantastic option!
Not only can you get this Backpack in 3 different sizes but it is water repellent and has a waterproof cover for heavy rainfall. This is perfect for a Europe trip as the weather can sometimes be unpredictable!
This backpack is great if you are going to be doing a lot of moving around thanks to its lower back support. Its airflow channels and padded shoulder straps make it really comfortable too!
Pros
✔️ The fit and ability to adjust fit is excellent
✔️ Plenty of storage compartments
✔️ Excellent quality for the price
✔️ Very strong and durable
✔️ Comfortable to wear for extended periods
Cons
❌ Bag is a little heavy on its own
The Best Women’s Backpack For European Travel
Backpacks are great for exploring Europe because they are hands-free.
The last thing you want to be doing is fighting over cobbled streets to roll your suitcase or lose a wheel at the start of your trip (this has happened to me more times than I like to admit!).
If you are looking for something easy to carry, durable and can fit a decent amount (which I think is a great idea!), Take a look at the Osprey Fairview 40.
This bag is considered one of the best women’s backpacks for travelling Europe for so many reasons. It’s comfortable to carry all over Europe, has a great storage capacity and is fantastic quality.
It’s also great luggage for road trips and to use on public transport!
Pros
✔️ Plenty of space so great if you are an over-packer
✔️ Handsfree so makes your journey stress-free
✔️ Cabin Luggage friendly on most airlines
✔️ Zippers blend in and can be locked using a small lock
✔️ Opens fully like a suitcase
Cons
❌ If your bag is super full it’s hard to put anything in the mesh pockets on the front
The Best Backpack For Long-Term Travel In Europe
Travelling around Europe long-term is one of the best experiences ever! For this type of adventure, the best European backpacks will need plenty of room and be pretty strong.
With this in mind, the best backpack for You is the Berghaus Trailhead Rucksack.
Pros
✔️ Built for all day comfort
✔️ Rain cover to protect your bag from the rain
✔️ Easy to alter straps
✔️ Amazing quality
✔️ Plenty of packing space
Cons
❌ Some of the pockets have been made with safety in mind so not great for super quick access
The Best Anti-Theft Backpack to Take to Europe
When exploring any destination, safety should be on your mind. The best backpack you can have in Europe is one that makes this its priority and keeps your things safe.
To make your trip stress-free and to give you some peace of mind, the Ambor anti-theft bag is a must!
Pros
✔️ Includes a password-protected lock
✔️ Double metal zippers and a hidden back pocket for extra safety
✔️ Headphone jack so you can listen to your music/Google map directions hands-free
✔️ Really comfortable to wear all day
✔️ Amazing value for money
Cons
The Best Daypack For Travel In Europe
When exploring Europe there is one thing you should take with you, a separate day travel bag.
They are perfect for your days exploring and mean you can carry just what you need. The best backpack for day trips in Europe needs to be comfortable, lightweight and of great quality.
In the past, I have just gone for the cheapest backpack I could find and it has always split or been too heavy 🤦♀️
Don’t make my mistake and go for one that is actually budget-friendly and good quality!
With this in mind, there is one daypack that is very popular with travellers, the Jansport SuperBreak Backpack.
Pros
✔️ Incredibly comfortable and fantastic quality
✔️ Plenty of space
✔️ Lightweight
✔️ Brilliant quality
✔️ Fantastic value for money
Cons
❌ Doesn’t have lots and lots of pockets
The Best Travel Backpack For Europe Carry-On
Having a good carry-on bag for any flight is a must, especially if you are using a budget airline.
This is my favourite backpack for flying to Europe and think it would take a lot to change my mind!
There are so many carry-on backpacks out there but there is one that stands above the rest, The Cabin Max Manhattan.
This is a fantastic carry-on backpack if you are looking for something that is durable, fantastic value for money and you can take on all airlines (including Ryanair) for free.
Pros
✔️ Is surprisingly spacious
✔️ 3 year manufacturer guarantee
✔️ Can be used on all airlines as a free cabin bag
✔️ Handsfree so makes being organised super easy
✔️ Secure compartments to keep tech and travel documents separately
✔️ Really comfy to wear all day
✔️ Cabin Max promotes recycling and reusing products
Cons
❌ Can’t use too much force when using the Zip
Is It Safe To Use A Backpack In Europe?
Europe is a huge continent with many different cultures, languages and customs.
There are a few things you should be prepared for before you start your trip.
One of the first things you need to consider is safety when looking to purchase your backpack for Europe.
The crime rates in Europe are generally low so it is perfectly safe to use a backpack in Europe. But it’s always best to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
One of the most common safety risks in Europe is pickpocketing.
Like most destinations around the world, just use common sense and keep a close eye on your backpack and you will be fine.
What Is The Best Type Of Backpack For European Travel?
There are so many great backpacks available that will all do a decent job when travelling around Europe.
However, if you are looking for the best backpack for backpacking Europe, it needs to have a few features to make your trip stress-free.
➡️ It needs to be durable and of good quality
➡️ Your Backpack Needs to be lightweight if you are travelling to lots of destinations
➡️ The weather can be unpredictable in some places, so a waterproof backpack is a must
How Big Of A Backpack Do I Need For Europe?
A backpack is a crucial part of your trip to Europe. No matter your budget or needs, finding the backpack that is tailored to you and your needs will make your trip a lot easier.
You need to pack for the changing weather, so you should choose a bag that can fit all the European travel essentials.
You will be visiting some landmarks and restaurants that require you to dress well, so you should bring at least one outfit with you that isn’t shorts and a t-shirt.
The size of your backpack totally depends on how long your trip will be and what you plan on doing. For most trips, 40L-50L backpacks are a perfect size.
Just make sure the main compartment has a decent amount of room to fit most of your essentials!
FAQs About The Best Backpack For European Travel
Trying to find the best backpack for European travel has probably left you with some questions you need to answer before deciding on the perfect backpack for you.
To help you answer these, we have put all the frequently asked questions about getting the best backpack for European travel in one place.
What backpacks are popular in Europe?
Many people think the best backpack for European travel is the one that is most popular. That simply isn’t true. You can find a backpack that looks almost identical and is more durable for half the price.
However, if you want to browse the most popular backpack brands in Europe, these brands are some of the most loved:
➡️ Fjällräven
➡️ The North Face
➡️ Berghaus
➡️ Jack Wolfskin
Duffel Bags vs. Backpacks
When it comes to choosing the best backpacks for European travel, you tend to have two options: duffel bags or backpacks.
Duffel bags are more expensive, but they are also lighter and easier to carry when full. They’re also more comfortable on your shoulders when full of clothes and other essentials.
When empty, however, a duffel bag can be awkward to carry due to its shape—and since most Europeans opt for trains instead of buses (which won’t accept checked baggage), you’ll likely find yourself carrying your empty duffel bag everywhere at some point during your trip.
Backpacks offer many organisational pockets that make it easier to access everything in them quickly—but they tend to weigh more than duffels do because of their rigid frames and straps.
Duffels are better suited for short trips where you don’t need much space or organisation—but if you’re travelling long term across Europe with lots of stuff and little time on trains between cities (or even just within cities), then a backpack is probably better suited for you!
Is it better to travel with a backpack or suitcase in Europe?
Before looking for the best backpack for European travel, you may be thinking ‘Should I take a backpack or a suitcase?“
If you are constantly on the go, We recommend backpacks over suitcases because they’re easier to carry around on foot and they have more space for everything you need.
However, if you are planning on staying in just one or two hotels over your trip, a suitcase will probably be easier for you.
How big of a backpack do I need for 2 weeks in Europe?
Two weeks in Europe will allow you to have a great taste of what this wonderful continent has to offer. But from country to country, the climate and weather can change dramatically.
For two weeks in Europe, a backpack that is 40L or under will be perfect for your trip.
The best backpack for European travel Sign Off: Trying to find the perfect backpack for your Europe trip kind of be a challenge at times.
No matter which backpack you use, I recommend getting one with a water bottle pocket to make sure you keep hydrated!
Use this guide full of the best backpacks for European travel options so you can find the best one for you.
And if you are struggling to still decide, The Discovery Rucksack is a safe and reliable choice!
Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.
