Comments on: Backpacking Europe Packing List

By: Husain Abdullah

Husain Abdullah — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 15:37:00 +0000

In reply to Patrick Burns. how do you charge your cell phone, do you carry a small solar cell, or just charge whenever you are in a hostel?

By: Patrick Burns

Patrick Burns — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 04:31:00 +0000

Great list, and very helpful. But seems it needs a 2017 update.

A decent iPhone or Android replaces the camera, ipad, and most of what you’d need a laptop for. If you prefer to type on a keyboard, you can get silicone Bluetooth keyboards that actually roll up into your luggage and can pair with your phone for writing emails ( or do as I do and just use Google Voice to Text to compose your messages by speaking! Saves time, and won’t give you carpal tunnel syndrome! 😉

a laptop with its charger is going to consume several pounds of precious weight and space that we are trying to conserve, and is an attractive target for thieves. Better to have a little computer (phone) that you keep on your person at all times.

Extra SD cards – most new phones come with 32 gigs of storage, which should be plenty for your entire trip. Get a Google drive or Flickr account, and you can upload your photos to the cloud when you’re on WiFi.

Speaking of phones, I’m waiting for our new Google project fi phones to arrive. They are supposed to work in nearly 200 countries without the need to get a local SIM card. It works with the Google Voice app (see below). 20 cents per minute calling over cellular networks, $10 per gigabyte for data, free VOIP on wifi, and unlimited text messaging. Excited to see how well they work on our trip early next year.

Google Translate App. Amazing translation capabilities. For many languages like French and Spanish, you simply speak and the device translates and speaks back the translation. I have had this app for years and have never had a chance to use it yet. Excited about the possibilities of narrowing the communication gap using this amazing technology in Europe next year!

CamScanner app – scan all your important documents, and have them available on your device, or even in the cloud.

Google Voice app. Get a phone number for free, and you can call and receive calls internationally for 20 cents a minute, unlimited text messages. Plus you can retrieve your call log, text messages and even voice mails online should your phone get lost or stolen.

So yea – a smartphone really IS a smart thing to take. Nearly essential, I would venture to say.

By: Jesse Allison

Jesse Allison — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 20:10:00 +0000

do you have any apps you recommend downloading for travel? Europe

By: John Cusumano

John Cusumano — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 16:43:00 +0000

My big question is, how do you keep all of this at 20-22 lbs? My packing list is pretty much identical to yours and I’m still way over at 29 lbs. Having a tough time cutting weight and would love any tips. Thanks guys!

By: Vidhi Shah

Vidhi Shah — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 07:57:00 +0000

wowwwww! awesome thanks a ton!

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:13:00 +0000

Hi there.
Can’t thank you enough for all these snazzy, getaway cheap tricks! My partner and I have never been more excited. We are always struggling with the age-old sock dilemma on whether to go cotton, however you two savvy travellers have really cut our travel prep in half! Super disappointed to hear you both don’t enjoy the sound of a live guitar. Nothing gets a hostel bopping more than a mug of chocolate soy-milk and the timeless anthem ‘Wonderwall’ (by Oasis).
Ta so much again for all your helpful, fun and groovy hints! Fellow backpackers, Susan and Matthew. Namaste!

By: Grace Ellen Miller

Grace Ellen Miller — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 22:23:00 +0000

In reply to Allison Chiliak. I love the LUSH solid shampoo bars - excellent for travel!

By: Grace Ellen Miller

Grace Ellen Miller — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 22:20:00 +0000

One thing I would note on the knife/multitool subject: Check before you pack if carrying knives is allowed in the city/country you are visiting. I have a friend who spent a night in a London jail for possession of a weapon because he brought a pocket knife with him. Knives are very useful, but it’s also important to know what might get you in trouble. Not every country in Europe is as liberal with it’s ideas about armed citizens as the US is. Just want you all to stay out of trouble! 🙂

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:32:00 +0000

Reading your site is entertaining and informative. Understand pack everything light, an iPad mini is good enough to travel Europe or better with a MacAir as well? I have them both, just wondering if is necessary to bring both. 🙂

By: chad

chad — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 06:05:00 +0000

Don’t be that guy. People are offended by everything now lol