This packing list covers everything you should bring and How to Pack for a Month Long Backpacking Trip Through Europe with lots of helpful tips and tricks!

Backpacking through Europe…a once in a lifetime kind of trip.

Bouncing around from place to place with all your belongings in an oversized, really heavy backpack that you find yourself trucking though dozens of airports with. Far away from home for weeks on end, on an amazing exploration through historically stunning lands.

I backpacked through Europe with a three of my girlfriends early summer for a month and had the time of my life! A lot of thought into what I was going to bring before hand and I learned what is necessary and what you can leave behind after my experience…packing a little amount for a long time isn’t always easy.

Going on an adventure like this, you have to make sure you pack well…really well. Only the travel essentials will make the cut. Here, I have a list for you for everything you will need for a month + of backpacking Europe in the Summer and how to pack everything into a backpack! Keep in mind a washing machine is necessary every once in a while!

Let’s get into your pre-trip checklist!

How to Pack for a Month Long Backpacking Trip Through Europe:

Miscellaneous:

Clothes:

Shoes:

Toiletries:

*All need to be 3oz or less since you won’t be checking a bag*

Electronics:

How to pack everything in one bag:

So you might get overwhelmed…how to pack everything in one bag!? I’m telling you it’s very doable you just have to play around with it until you figure out the best and easiest way!

First:

To start off, what works for me is to fold all of my bulky shorts, jeans, leggings flat into a pile and put them into an air-tight bag. Get all of the air out and put that in the bottom of your bag, flat down first. The bag is a necessity! You can find one on Amazon. They are easy to use and save you a lot of room.

Second:

Secondly, pack your tank tops into a cube, your bathing suits, bras, socks, and undies into another, your pjs into another then just add the cubes into the backpack. With the clothes you have left, roll them up and tuck them into crevices of the bag, there is still a lot of unused space in there it just might not look like it.

Third:

Thirdly, wear either your Birks or sneakers while traveling and pack the other pair on the bottom with what room is left. Squeeze your shower shoes in wherever they fit.

Fourth:

Fourthly, always wear your coat while you travel or tie it around your waste. You need room for your toiletry bag on top so leave a little space for that.

Fifth:

Lastly, carry all of your IDs, cards, cash in your purse/fanny pack and put your camera in there as well but if it doesn’t fit you can just wear it just make sure the lens is protected. If you are the one bringing the nice camera see if your travel buddy will bring the GoPro, you only will need one for the group.

Since you’ll most likely be bouncing around to new destinations pretty often you will get used to unpacking and repacking your backpack very fast. After the first few times it becomes so easy you will be a professional tight packer in no time.

It is nice only traveling around with just one bag. At the airport you will always just go right to security and when you get off the plane you can don’t have to wait for your bag to get off the plane.

Believe me, you’ll be happy you don’t have to worry about dragging a big checked bag through some of the places you’ll be visiting and trying to fit it in the taxis.

I hope this list and advice were helpful!

Have you backpacked Europe in the summer before? If so, is there anything you think I should add to this list?

Check out my post: 11 Steps to Plan a Backpacking Trip Through Europe on a Budget here!