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The 12 Travel Backpacks for Europe We Like Best

I’ve “backpacked” Europe more than a dozen times. And I can tell you that finding the right travel backpack for Europe might be the most important investment you make in your Eurotrip. I mean, you’ll use it literally the whole trip.

I have been traveling the world non-stop for 8+ years (see the below section on why you can trust our recommendations). Between myself and Travel Lemming’s team of travel reviewers, we’ve tested dozens of backpacks and compiled our top recommendations in this guide.

While some of these work fine if you just want a single bag, I usually suggest traveling with a large main pack plus a smaller day pack. So this post starts by ranking the 8 best main bag backpacks we’ve tested to date. Then we’ll also cover 4 travel daypacks that make good compliments to your main bag.

Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

Index

    The 8 Best Travel Backpacks for Europe We’ve Found, Compared (“Main Bags”)

    In a rush? Here’s a quick summary of the top large travel backpacks compared in this post below:

    Tortuga Travel Backpack

    main1

    Looking to avoid checked bag fees? This backpack is specifically made for you! Tortuga designed this to maximize space & comfort. It’s a single-bag solution for carry-on-only travelers.

    Want a versatile bag that works just as well on a hike as it does in a hostel? Salkan’s new carry-on compliant model offers a trendy unique design, comfortable padding, and plenty of space while still allowing you to save on those checked bag fees. Our reviewer Abigail says it’s her new favorite travel bag.

    I personally took a previous model of this bag to over 60 countries, and it’s held up remarkably well! A timeless design and durable construction, backed by Osprey’s famous “All Mighty Guarantee,” is why this is the popular bag you will see in Europe’s hostels. If on a budget but can’t sacrifice quality, choose the Osprey Sojourn Porter.

    The Backpacker is the most comfortable backpack I’ve found. The straps and weight distribution are unbelievable – it barely feels like I’m carrying it!

    I also love that it’s BOTH front and top loading and the customizable colors.

    Note: You can get the main bag alone, or the “Backpacker” bundle with Salkan’s stylish daypack.

    This is the perfect bag if you prioritize staying organized on the go. You’ll love the many pockets and compartments, including one for your laptop. The Global Travel Bag has comfortable straps and a thick hip belt, making it easy to carry.

    Osprey Farpoint 55L

    standard resolution

    You’ve got plenty of space to add some extras to your pack! Though I prefer to travel light, for travelers who want more space, this is a good choice. Men’s and Women’s versions available. Plus, it comes with Osprey’s lifetime guarantee.

    The viral Nomatic bag is taking the digital nomad world by storm for good reason. The bag has dozens of innovative features designed for remote workers – or just obsessive organizers. It has thoughtful features for stashing away everything you need, and is still carry-on size.

    Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

    Review photo 4.

     

    The Peak Design Travel Backpack offers a good balance of structure, organization, and space. It’s material is also highly durable. One downside is there are only two color options.

    Ok, that’s the summary.

    But for more detail, now let’s deep dive into the best backpacks for traveling Europe:

    #1 – Tortuga Travel Backpack

    Tortuga Travel Backpack

    Looking to avoid checked bag fees? This backpack is specifically made for you! Tortuga designed this to maximize space & comfort. It’s a single-bag solution for carry-on-only travelers.

    ✔️ Pros

    • Carry-on compliant, with maximum space
    • Super comfortable to carry (even full)
    • Eco-friendly materials
    • Lightweight & durable
    • Tortuga’s Worldwide Warranty

    Cons

    • Simple aesthetics
    • Lack of built-in lock

    Tortuga Travel Backpack Review

    Released in early 2023, the Tortuga Travel Backpack is a great new model geared towards travelers who want a “single bag solution.”

    Abigail put it to a hands-on test. Here’s what she liked (and didn’t like) about Tortuga’s newest travel backpack model:

    ✔️ Avoid Checked Bag Fees: The main selling point of the Tortuga Travel Backpack is that it is geared towards travelers looking for a single bag for their entire trip. The design maximizes the available space. In her tests, Abigail was able to fit a week’s worth of clothing and essentials in the bag.

    🎒 Comfortable Even When Full: A lot of bags seem comfortable … until you pack them full. The Tortuga Travel Backpack has loads of padding, and an innovative harness system meant to distribute the weight of the bag. In Abigail’s tests, it felt comfortable even when packed to the max.

    📦 Easy to Pack: The Tortuga Travel Backpack is front-loading, which makes packing and unpacking it easier. It also has a nifty front panel where you can store your passport and other quick-grab essentials.

    Overall, the Tortuga Travel Backpack is a great choice for “single bag” travelers who want to avoid checked bag fees. For a more in-depth breakdown of this bag, see Abigail’s full Tortuga Travel Backpack review.

    #2 – Salkan Carry On Backpack

    Salkan Carry-On Bag

    Want a versatile bag that works just as well on a hike as it does in a hostel? Salkan’s new carry-on compliant model offers a trendy unique design, comfortable padding, and plenty of space while still allowing you to save on those checked bag fees. Our reviewer Abigail says it’s her new favorite travel bag.

    ✔️ Pros

    • Carry-on compliant size
    • Stylish design that works in urban and outdoor environments
    • Comfortable padding but durable exterior
    • Made of recycled materials
    • Lifetime warranty & 100-day free trial period

    Cons

    • Comfortable padding means less space to pack if it’s your only bag
    • The hip belt may not perfectly fit small body types

    Salkan Carry-on Backpack Review

    Salkan is a boutique company started by two real-life backpackers. They only recently released their carry-on model as of summer 2024, and Abigail was very impressed after taking it for a spin.

    This is a nice backpack to consider if you’re a light packer who is looking to explore Europe with just a single carry-on bag, but who also prioritizes comfort.

    It’s got a lot of padding, which means it’s super comfortable to carry.

    🏕️ Unique outdoorsy style – As the pack’s aesthetics convey, it sorta sits in a middle area between a true travel backpack and an outdoors backpack. That’s nice if you’ve got some hiking or outdoor activities on your Europe itinerary.

    🗂️ Solid organizational features – For a carry-on bag, it’s got lots of compartments and features: including lid storage, front storage, a mesh pocket on the inside, a laptop sleeve, dual side pockets, a bottom gear loop, fitted rain cover, pockets on the hip belt, side pockets, a tall back pocket, and a special secret security pocket (perfect for passports).

    ♻️ Eco-conscious materials – Salkan uses recycled materials for this bag, so it’s a good choice if you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your purchase.

    🎒 Made for carrying – The Salkan Carry-on comes with a hip belt and lots of padding, making it easy to carry. Just note that our reviewer Abigail found that the hip belt barely fit her petite frame.

    🛡️ Lifetime warranty and 100-day free trial period – If you’re on the fence, this is a nice perk that makes buying low-risk.

    #3 – Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L Backpack

    I’ve personally taken this bag to over 60 countries, and it’s held up remarkably well! A timeless design and durable construction, backed by Osprey’s famous “All Mighty Guarantee,” is why this is the popular bag you will see in Europe’s hostels. If on a budget but can’t sacrifice quality, choose the Osprey Sojourn Porter.

    Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L Review

    The Osprey 46 L Sojourn Porter is the most up-to-date version of the travel backpack I took to over 60 countries across 6 continents over 10 years of travel.

    Yeah, I put it through some serious wear and tear (I dropped it into the Amazon River at one point even). It is a beast of a backpack that held up remarkably well through all that wear and tear. If you want a reliable travel backpack, you can’t go wrong with the Sojourn Porter.

    Want a super light carry-on backpack? They also make the Sojourn Porter in a 30 liter version. Check out Taylor’s full Osprey Sojourn Porter 30 review for more details.

    ✔️ What We Love: Travel backpacks have come and gone over the years, but the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L maintains its popularity because it is relatively affordable and the perfect size for backpacking around Europe. The Porter has shoulder straps and waistbands for easier carrying, but they can be tucked away to make this appear like a duffel bag. Its slim size means it’s also the best carry-on backpack on this list.

    🎒 Packs Like a Pro: The Osprey Sojourn Porter has one large front-loading main compartment. This makes it super easy to pack on the go. It also has some nifty compression straps that help to keep your profile small (it can function as a carry-on backpack for most airlines if not overfilled).

    🧳 Converts to a Duffel: One awesome feature is that this bag converts from a backpack into a duffel bag by foldering the straps into the back. This means you can carry this backpack like a carry on suitcase, though the price you pay for that is that the shoulder straps are a little thin.

    You Won’t Look Like a Dirty Backpacker: I happen to think it looks pretty stylish (I have the black version) compared to other backpacks that scream “I’m a scruffy backpacker who hasn’t showered in days” to everyone you meet.

    💯 Lifetime Guarantee: I love Osprey because they have a really great lifetime guarantee (I still have mine over a decade after purchase) – Osprey will repair any bag they’ve ever made for any reason!

    #4 – The Backpacker by Salkan

    The Backpacker by Salkan

    Salkan’s larger bag, The Backpacker, is the most comfortable backpack I’ve found. The straps and weight distribution are unbelievable – it barely feels like I’m carrying it!

    I also love that it’s BOTH front and top loading and the customizable colors.

    Note: You can get the main bag alone, or the “Backpacker” bundle with Salkan’s stylish daypack.

    ✔️ Pros

    • Front AND top-loading
    • By far the most comfortable bag to carry I’ve ever tested (the harness system is awesome at distributing weight)
    • Thoughtful touches like a flight and rain cover
    • Comes bundled with included day pack (if purchasing Backpacker bundle)
    • Free shipping and returns

    Cons

    • The size is technically just a couple of inches longer than most carry-on limitations (with that said – I’ve now personally carried it on planes twice with zero problems).

    Salkan Backpacker Review

    Having personally tested over a dozen bags, I recently went on an extended trip with Salkan’s The Backpacker these days. Here’s what I personally like about this bag (and why it might not be right for everyone):

    🥾 Versatile Design: The Salkan is both one of the best travel backpacks and one of our best backpacking backpacks. The padded carry system makes it solid enough for day hikes, but its stylish design and practical organization features also make it practical for a train trip through Europe.

    🎒 Front AND Top Loading: One of the biggest debates in travel backpacks is whether to go with a front or top loader. Front loading is easier when you are trying to organize and pack your bag, but top loading can be much more convenient when actually using the bag in a crowded hostel dorm room or out in the wild. The Salkan Backpacker is the only one I’ve ever seen that offers both options, so you don’t have to choose!

    🎒 Perfect Daypack Combo: The Backpacker comes with a detachable daypack that is perfect for an “under the seat bag,” carrying a laptop, or throwing essentials in a pack for day-to-day use around whatever European city you’re currently exploring.

    💯 Lifetime Guarantee: Salkan bags are built to last, and you can literally feel it in the quality of the material. I’ve already put this backpack through a lot, and I’m guessing it can survive a lot more, but they offer a lifetime guarantee just to be sure.

    📦 Free Returns and Shipping to the USA: Salkan is a British outfitter but they ship free to the USA, though, and my bag arrived in just a couple of days. Plus, if for whatever reason you don’t like the Backpacker, they offer free returns.

    Read my full review of the Salkan backpack for a more in-depth look at this bag’s many features.

    #5 – Topo Designs Global Travel Bag

    Topo Designs Global Travel Bag

    This is the perfect bag if you prioritize staying organized on the go. You’ll love the many pockets and compartments, including one for your laptop. The Global Travel Bag has comfortable straps and a thick hip belt, making it easy to carry.

    ✔️ Pros

    • Excellent organization features
    • Solid laptop compartment
    • Comfortable straps and hip belt
    • Materials feel high quality and durable

    Cons

    • If overstuffed may not fit as a carry-on bag
    • When packed fully, it’s fairly bulky

    Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Review

    Travel Lemming writer Sky recently reviewed the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag on an extended trip to Portugal. Sky came away impressed by the bag’s many organizational features.

    If you’re the type of traveler who prefers to have a pocket or compartment for every item, the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag might be the backpack for you.

    🗂️ Many Pocket Options – You will find several pockets and compartments in this backpack, making it easy to create an efficient packing system. The Global Travel Bag even has a water bottle pocket.

    🧳 Suitcase Style Main Compartment – The main compartment of this backpack zips open like a suitcase, which can make it easy to pack and unpack when you get to your hostel or hotel.

    🎒 Adaptable Carry System – You can carry the Global Travel Bag as a backpack using the shoulder and hip harness system. But it also converts to a duffel bag that you can carry in briefcase style.

    High Quality Materials – One of the things that most impressed our reviewer Sky was the high quality and durable construction. The Global Travel Bag is made to last!

    #6 – Osprey Farpoint 55

    Osprey Farpoint 55L

    You’ve got plenty of space to add some extras to your pack! Though I prefer to travel light, for travelers who want more space, this is the best travel backpack for Europe. Men’s and Women’s versions available. Plus, it comes with Osprey’s lifetime guarantee.

    ✔️ Pros

    • A lot of space inside
    • Functional and practical
    • Good price/quality balance
    • Backed by Osprey lifetime guarantee

    Cons

    • A little heavy
    • Not many pockets (really, just one large compartment)
    • Not carry-on sized

    Osprey Farpoint 55 Review

    Not a light packer? Then I suggest you consider upgrading from the Sojourn Porter to the much larger Osprey Farpoint 55.

    See Sky’s full Osprey Farpoint 55 review for more details, but here is a quick summary of the Osprey Farpoint 55:

    🎒 Space to Fit It All: The Osprey Farpoint has almost 10 liters of extra space to fit in those extra shoes, clothes, or whatever else it is that you need on your trip, plus a good hip and harness strap system to allow you to comfortably carry that extra weight.

    👉 Need Even More Space? Check out Osprey’s 70 liter version.

    🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Popular for a Reason: This is definitely one of the most popular backpacks for traveling Europe. So if you want a safe bet that many others seem to like, this is a good choice. I’ve seen this exact backpack MANY times in hostels all over the European continent. So obviously a lot of other people think it’s one of the best backpacks for traveling Europe. Just be sure to tag yours so it doesn’t get taken by the wrong person!

    Recomendado:  Kansas City Chiefs Color Codes Hex, RGB, and CMYK

    #7 – The Nomatic Travel Backpack

    Nomatic Travel Backpack

    The viral Nomatic bag is taking the digital nomad world by storm for good reason. The bag has dozens of innovative features designed for remote workers – or just obsessive organizers. It has thoughtful features for stashing away everything you need, and is still carry-on size.

    ✔️ Pros

    • Purpose-built for digital nomads and remote workers
    • Best organization features of any bags we’ve tested
    • Expandable size (20 L to 30 L)
    • Splits open in the center, making packing easy
    • Simple but sleek design, quality construction

    Cons

    • May be too small to serve as the sole bag for those who pack a lot

    The Nomatic Travel Backpack Review

    I loved the organizing features of the Nomatic Travel Bag and, for my latest trip, very nearly chose it as my personal bag … except that it just doesn’t have quite enough space for me personally. But, if you’re a light packer, or looking to carry two bags though, it could be a great option. Here are my thoughts on it:

    💻 Made for Digital Nomads: the bag went viral in the digital nomad community for good reason. It is well-designed for organizing tech gear, and the many pockets and sleeves make it easy to find and grab items on the go.

    Expandable Carry-On Size: the Nomatic Travel Backpack expands from 20 L to 30 L, which means it is pretty versatile. Expand it out to carry on an airplane, then size it down for a day at the co-working space.

    #8 – Peak Design Travel Backpack

    Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

    The Peak Design Travel Backpack offers a good balance of structure, organization, and space. It’s material is also highly durable. One downside is there are only two color options.

    ✔️ Pros

    • Solid organization & lots of compartments
    • Super durable exterior
    • Soft & stretchy (but durable) interior materials
    • Comfortable, adjustable & padded shoulder straps

    Cons

    • Very few color options
    • Sometimes out of stock
    • Can be a bit bulky when overpacked

    Peak Design Travel Backpack Review

    Our writer Lea Rose recently reviewed the 45 L Peak Design Travel Backpack after testing it out on the road during her extended backpacking trip to Spain and Portugal. Lea Rose really enjoyed the bag.

    Although the Peak Design Travel Backpack only comes in limited color options, it stands out for its organizational features and soft but durable material.

    🤐 Zippered Pocket Compartment – One of the standout features of the Peak Design Travel Backpack is the front zippered compartment, which actually contains four separate zippered pockets (two meshed, two enclosed). There are several more pockets for your passport, pens, and other quick-grab items.

    Dividing Panel with Dual-Side Access – Peak Design excels at organization, and another great feature of this backpack is the dual-access dividing panel that can be used to organize the backpack’s main compartment (or stowed away if you don’t need it).

    🎒 Stowaway Shoulder & Hip Straps – The back panel of the Peak Design Travel Backpack comes with a magnetic flap which allows for easy storage of the shoulder and/or hip straps. This means you have options for how to wear the backpack, depending on your preferred style and how much weight is inside the bag.

    4 Best Travel Daypacks for Europe

    Most backpackers in Europe carry a daypack or laptop bag in addition to their main backpack. This makes a lot of sense since a lot of times you’ll need something to carry your camera and other essential items while you are out exploring for the day.

    Carrying an additional daypack also gives you extra space to pack things if you are trying to carry on a plane (since daypacks can fit under the seat in front of you, and usually count as a personal item).

    Here are our 4 favorite travel daypacks to consider for your Europe trip:

    Nomatic Navigator Lite

    Nomatic Navigator Lite

    A lightweight and durable everyday carry bag perfect for minimalists who valuable organization. Comfortable and durable, this is a premium daypack perfect for both travel and everyday use.

    The Nomatic Navigator Lite series includes some of the newest travel day packs on the market. Travel Lemming writer Abigail recently got her hands on this backpack and put it to the test in her Nomatic Navigator backpack review. Here’s why we think it’s the best all-around everyday carry bag:

    Stylish and Versatile: If you’re going to splash out on a new daypack for your trip to Europe, you might as well get a back that will be functional when you return home. The Nomatic Navigator Lite is a bag you’ll also want to use on your everyday commute, at school, or at work.

    🎒 The Perfect Level of Organization: This day backpack strikes a good balance between offering enough organization without overloading you with compartments and pockets.

    Brilliant Features: Nomatic has packed this bag with tons of practical features, like a charging cord slot, a hidden water bottle pocket, and a luggage strap.

    Tortuga Laptop Bag

    Best Laptop Personal Item

    Tortuga Laptop Bag

    This is the perfect laptop / “personal item” bag for keeping your computer and other items close to you. Solid contraction, thoughtful organization, and the perfect amount of space.

    Tortuga has consistently produced the best “main” backpacks we’ve tested at Travel Lemming, so I was really excited when they announced that they were also going to put out the Tortuga laptop bag. My partner Clara is currently using this bag, and absolutely loves it:

    👉 Great Organization: As you would expect from something with the Tortuga brand, this bag offers many different organization features, pockets, and places to stash away small items like keys, a passport, or a charger.

    Super Cushy Straps: Laptop bags are usually the bag that spends the most time on your shoulders, and laptops tend to weigh a fair bit, so Clara loves that this bag has super comfortable padding.

    👖 Usable as Your Only Bag: This is meant to be an under-the-seat “personal item,” but it honestly has the space not just for a laptop, but everything you’d want in a backpack for a shorter trip. If you were only taking a trip for a long weekend and wanted to just carry one bag, you could probably get by with just the Tortuga laptop bag!

    Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack

    Osprey Daylite Daypack

    I’ve carried this trusty and affordable daypack to over 50 countries all over the world. For the price, you won’t find a better value. Solid construction, lots of colors to choose from, and sensible compartments. All at a remarkably affordable price.

    This is a classic daypack. I absolutely love The Osprey Daylite Daypack and took it to over 50 countries. It’s a simple bag, but it really works. Here’s why:

    ✈️ Lightweight But Feature-Rich: 13 liters, it’s the perfect size for packing your camera and other items (I even fit my drone in there!). This daypack is lightweight so it doesn’t hurt my back, and it has a small hip strap that can be useful at times.

    🔒 Osprey Locking System: Best of all, it straps into my main Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 backpack through their proprietary locking system, meaning it’s possible to attach the two bags together and just carry them as one!

    ✔️ Lifetime Guarantee: In case you couldn’t tell that I love Osprey by now – the Daylite daypack also comes with Osprey’s incredible lifetime guarantee.

    Salkan Daypack

    Can’t decide between a laptop bag or a more traditional daypack? Consider the Salkan Daypack, which offers the best of both worlds. It comes bundled with the Salkan Backpacker, but can also be bought separately. I can confidentially say it makes for an excellent choice for a daypack for Europe because it’s what I’m personally using these days!

    ✔️ Great for Laptops AND Day trips: I use my daypacks for two similar but different purposes. First, to keep my laptop and day-of essentials close to me on flights. Second, when I am already in a destination, I like to have a bag I can grab to keep important things like towels, umbrellas, and other basics on hand while exploring a city or beach. The Salkan is the only bag I’ve found that is perfect for BOTH use cases.

    Super Stylish: I don’t know about it, but I think it just looks really cool right?

    Why Trust Our Recommendations

    So who am I and why should you trust my travel backpack recommendations?

    I’m Nate Hake, a full-time traveler since 2016.

    I quite literally live out of a backpack and a daypack.

    Above you can see me and my 46L Osprey Sojourn Porter in Amsterdam. Oh, and I’ve also traveled in Europe a LOT. I’ve been to nearly every country in Europe (I’m coming for you Albania!), and I backpack somewhere in Europe almost every summer. (Side note: if you’re getting wanderlust right now, check out my list of the best places to backpack in Europe and our huge guide to Backpacking Europe).

    And guess what I’ve learned in all that travel? I’ve learned that a quality travel backpack can be your best friend while traveling through Europe.

    First, I have a few tips for picking the best travel backpack for Europe properly …

    4 Tips for Picking a Backpack for Traveling Europe

    Let’s start by covering some of the basic things you should be looking for when shopping for a backpack for traveling in Europe.

    Most of these things apply universally to shopping for any sort of travel backpack, but there are a handful of unique considerations when backpacking Europe that might matter:

    #1 – Sort Out Your Desired Size First

    Most importantly, you need to decide how much luggage space you need in your travel backpack. Personally, I suggest aiming to be as lean as possible. You’ll be carrying this bag a lot on your trip, so the less weight you have on it, the better and more comfortable it will be.

    Reasons why smaller = better include:

    • Carry-on-sized bags help save money on checked bag fees (especially on European budget airlines like Ryan Air).
    • Smaller bags are easier to stuff into the overhead compartments on trains, or into the sometimes small lockers in hostels.
    • You don’t want to be that backpacker who has a huge bag hogging up the corner of the crowded dorm room!

    And I know what you’re thinking: but what about laundry?

    Well, fortunately, that’s easy and cheap to find when traveling Europe. Most hostels offer a laundry room or laundry service and, when they don’t, it’s usually just a few blocks away. Or you could always carry a Scruba laundry bag with you and just do it in the shower!

    So leave the extra outfits at home and just plan to do a wash every now and then!

    One thing to note about travel backpack size:

    Size is typically expressed in liters or “L”. If you’re an American, like me, this might be hard to wrap your mind around so let me give you some context:

    The travel pack in the photo of me above in Amsterdam is a 46 liter bag, which I use as my main bag now and which is about the maximum size you can have before you start to have to check your bag.

    Keep in mind when looking at that photo that I’m very tall, so it may look bigger on you.

    #2 – Make Sure it is Comfortable

    You’re going to be walking around with this bag on your shoulders a fair amount, so finding a bag that comfortably fits your frame is important.

    One thing that REALLY helps distribute the weight of a heavy backpack is a hip strap.

    If you’ve not used a hip strap suspension system before, it can feel a bit funky the first time, but it works wonders by moving a lot of the weight from your shoulders to your hips. Trust me, your shoulders will thank you at the end of the day for using the waist-strap suspension system!

    On the other hand, backpacking in Europe isn’t the same as trekking through Nepal or Patagonia.

    Honestly, you will seldom carry your travel backpack more than a kilometer or so at a time, so it’s not like you need to bother getting an expensive and bulky hiking backpack. True “backpacking backpacks” are often top-loading and often has way more features for comfort like padded hip belts and complex suspension systems).

    #3 – Don’t Sacrifice Durability for Price

    I’ve seen so many backpackers in hostels with tears in their bags, ripped straps, or just generally discolored and gross-looking backpacks.

    Backpacks take a beating and it’s important to buy a brand that gets good reviews over the long haul. So even if you are trying to travel cheaply in Europe, you’ll save money by buying a backpack that lasts longer.

    You may also consider if your backpack comes with a warranty or guarantee, which usually is the manufacturer’s way of expressing confidence in the durability of their product.

    #4 – Consider (But Don’t Overthink) Features

    Traditional hiking backpacks have a ton of pockets, as well as the main compartment that is usually accessible only from the top.

    Some people like this because it helps them to organize – they designate a pocket or compartment for toiletries, other compartments for shirts and underwear, other compartments for pants, etc.

    Personally, I think a lot of compartments and pockets are constraining, and I find that having fewer, larger pockets is more versatile and makes packing easier and quicker.

    Also, note that some backpacks also are designed with an option for a built-in waterproof cover.

    While a nice feature, I personally don’t think this is necessary if you just need a backpack for travel in Europe.

    Sure, it rains, but you’ll be inside most of the time (again, this isn’t Patagonia) and it’s almost always possible to quickly find cover in Europe.

    Whatever you do, don’t overthink small features like pockets. The truth is that you’ll find a way to pack your stuff in most bags, so it’s size, comfort, and durability you should be focusing on when picking your backpack.

    FAQs

    What is a good backpack for traveling Europe?

    Our top backpacks for Europe are the Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 L and the Salkan Backpacker. Both bags work perfectly for a trip through Europe, with the Salkan offering more space and the Sojourn Porter the ability to travel check-in only.

    Is it better to travel with a backpack or suitcase in Europe?

    It depends on your personal preference. If you are staying in hostels, you’ll find that most travelers use backpacks for ease of portability. Though it’s a never-ending debate, the truth is you can travel Europe just fine with either a travel backpack or a carry on suitcase.

    How big of a backpack do I need to travel to Europe?

    The smaller the bag, the better. It’s easy to do laundry in Europe, and you’ll have more mobility if you have less to carry. A bag of around 40-50 liters is plenty big.

    Is a 40l backpack carry-on?

    Usually, a 40l backpack qualifies as a carry-on in the US and Europe, though restrictions vary by airline.

    Can I bring two backpacks on a plane?

    It is often possible to bring two backpacks on a plane. Most airlines will allow passengers to bring a carry-on, such as a main pack, and a personal item that must fit under the seat in front of them, such as a smaller daypack backpack. Note that in Europe many budget airlines charge for all items, even personal items, so pay close attention to the terms of your particular flight.