Choosing the best travel backpack for Europe isn’t as simple as going to the supermarket and picking up the first bag you see. The continent’s ancient cities with cobbled walkways and tight, winding streets offer a unique challenge. And that’s without considering how you’ll travel between them!
Planes in Europe have different hand luggage allowances to those elsewhere and trains and buses tend to have storage compartments for big bags away from the seats. Cycling is also a popular way to travel locally.
We’ve regretted carrying travel bags on long-distance hikes, hated ourselves while trying to drag suitcases along tight cobbled streets and realised that comfortable trekking backpacks aren’t always ideal for city breaks in Europe!
Through our mistakes, we’ve learnt what makes a good backpack for Europe and after testing a bunch of different setups, we’ve got plenty of wisdom to share.
Related: (links open in a new tab)
- How Much Does Backpacking Europe Cost?
- Season-by-Season Guide to Europe
- Europe Backpacking Routes (4 Epic Itineraries)
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We always write our articles before checking if affiliate links are available.
The Best Backpacks for Europe – Quick Answers!
- Available in male (Farpoint) and female (Fairview) models
- Carry on compliant
- Comes with Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee
- Anti-theft
- Made from recycled materials
- Suitcase style opening
Backpacks for Europe – Top Picks!
Osprey Farpoint 40
- New Model — Osprey released the new Farpoint and Fairview backpacks in 2022. They took an already great travel bag and used customer feedback to make it even better. The new models feature an improved AirScape back panel, as well as foam wings similar to the Osprey Porter. These offer more protection and better compression than the previous straps and wings. As well as this, Osprey corrected the biggest problem with the Farpoint and Fairview – the laptop sleeve placement. It now rests against your back as you carry the bag!
- Farpoint vs Fairview — As with most Osprey backpacks, this bag is available in male and female models. The Farpoint is built for men, while the Fairview is for women. In real terms, this means the Fairview straps are cut differently and the suspension system is made for a smaller frame.
- Comfort — The Osprey Farpoint and Fairview have always been comfortable backpacks. The padded shoulder straps, AirScape back panel, hip belt and LightWire Frame distribute the weight of your gear across your body, reducing the strain on your back and shoulders.
- Sizes — We always recommend the 40-litre version of these bags. They’re carry-on complaint, lightweight and don’t feel unwieldy when full. Plus, they hold plenty of gear for an extended backpacking trip. If you want a bit more space, the 55-litre models are an excellent choice. With the daypack removed, they usually fit into carry-on specs but you’ll need to double-check with your airline to be sure. Osprey also produce 70-litre versions of both the Farpoint and Fairview. These giant bags are too big for most travellers but the detachable daypack and extra space will be appealing for some.
- Clamshell opening
- Carry-on compliant
- Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee
- Not the most versatile Osprey backpack
- Price Range: $$
- Best Feature: Versatile and easy to pack
- Feature To Improve: Getting the right fit is challenging
- Read:Tropicfeel Shell review
- Travel Brand — Tropicfeel are an all-inclusive travel brand. They produce everything from travel shoes and apparel to backpacks and accessories. They know what they’re doing when it comes to producing excellent travel gear!
- Expandable — The Shell from Tropicfeel is 40 litres in its largest guise. However, if you don’t need that much space, the bag can be compressed down to 30 and even 22 litres! This versatility means the same bag can be used as your main travel backpack as well as a daypack! To achieve this, Tropicfeel rely on a series of straps, pouches and attachments.
- Conscious — The Shell is made from 100% recycled nylon and 60% recycled polyester. Tropicfeel work with Bluesign to ensure their materials come from ethical suppliers who treat their staff and the environment with respect. They’re also Climate Neutral Certified and provide transparent information about their entire supply chain thanks to Retraced.
- Accessories — Tropicfeel make a big song and dance about the accessories that work in conjunction with The Shell. The Tech Pouch and Toiletry Pouch both attach to the outside of the pack using the FidLock Mounting system (those little plastic nipple-looking things). You can only attach one at a time, so if you choose to use both, the other will need to be stored in the pack. The Camera Cube is an excellent piece of kit that fits perfectly into the bag but the Wardrobe system is overrated. It’s hard to use and the bag performs better without it. There’s also a padded laptop sleeve and a couple of hidden pockets for keeping valuables secure.
- Expandable
- Versatile
- Well built
- Expensive
- Torso length is hard to get right
- Accessories are oversold
- Price Range: $$
- Best Feature: Anti-theft features
- Feature To Improve: Security features make the bag very heavy
- ECONYL — The Venturesafe by Pacsafe is made from ECONYL. Created from discarded fishing nets and other waste plastics, this regenerated nylon removes the need for virgin plastics and reduces the environmental impact of the bag!
- Anti-Theft Technology — As with all Pacsafe bags, the Venturesafe keeps your gear safe. Using a combination of zip locking systems, eXomesh slashguard layers, a useful locking cable and puncture-resistant zips, you can rest assured your stuff is as protected as it can be while you travel around Europe!
- Ethics — Pacsafe have clear environmental and ethical policies. They donate 1% of website sales to grassroots projects through the Pacsafe Turtle Fund and arrange beach cleans across the world.
- Easy To Pack — As well as keeping your gear safe and helping to make the world a better place, the Venturesafe is a great backpack! The suitcase-style opening and huge main compartment make packing and organising your gear a breeze. The padded laptop sleeve can accommodate a 15-inch computer and there are a few smaller pockets dotted about the bag, so there’s always somewhere to store loose items!
- Comfort — Let’s not beat around the bush, Pacsafe’s Venturesafe is a heavy bag. Yet, it’s comfortable to carry. The internal frame distributes the weight well and the shoulder straps are padded enough to avoid them cutting in as you carry the bag. The waist strap directs a good portion of the bag’s weight to your legs, reducing strain on your back and shoulders.
- Anti-theft features
- Made with recycled materials
- Suitcase style opening
- Heavy
- Right on the limit for carry-on
- Price Range: $$$
- Best Feature: Maximised space for carry-on
- Feature To Improve: Too much webbing on the hip belt (especially if you're slim)
- Carry-On Spec — Available in two sizes (30-litre and 40-litre), the Tortuga Travel Backpack is perfect for carry-on-only travellers. The 30-litre version is essentially guaranteed to be carry-on size for any airline. The 40-litre version can be touch and go for some international airlines but is well within US carry-on limits.
- Shape — While the bag’s square shape isn’t the most visually appealing, it maximises all the usable space within the bag – there are no awkward corners or parts of the bag that can only fit a pair of socks! It makes packing and organising your gear super simple. Plus, the bag opens like a suitcase so once unzipped, you have full, unfettered access to everything!
- Suspension System — The Travel Backpack is fully adjustable. The straps, back panel and hip belt can all be sized to fit you exactly. The straps are well padded, comfortable and spread the weight of your gear across your whole body. Load lifters ensure the bag doesn’t feel unwieldy when full and the moisture-wicking back panel keeps you cool and comfortable!
- Materials — The Tortuga Travel Backpacker is made from high-quality fabric and hardware. The bulk of the pack is created from durable Sailcloth. This material, first created for boat sails, is lightweight, uber-tough and waterproof. The buckles are rugged and the zips are waterproof and hardwearing.
- Makes the most of carry-on space
- Ultra-comfy
- Fully adjustable
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Not the best-looking bag
- Price Range: $$
- Best Feature: The hybrid nature of the bag
- Feature To Improve: A laptop sleeve would be a welcome addition
- Read:Osprey Farpoint Trek review
- Sizes — The Osprey Farpoint Trek is available in 55 and 75-litre models. The female version of the bag, the Fairview Trek, is available in 50 and 70-litre variants. We recommend the 50/55-litre models for travelling in Europe. They’re big enough to hold a ton of gear while being small enough to carry with relative ease. However, neither model is carry-on size, so you’ll need to check the bag on planes!
- Hybrid — Taking inspiration from Osprey’s extensive range of hiking and travel backpacks, the Farpoint/Fairview Trek is suitable for long-term travel and hardcore hiking trips. It features a clamshell design which offers easy access to your travel gear. Compression straps keep the bag as streamlined as possible and the amazing suspension system is super comfy, even after a long day of hiking!
- Comfort — The AirSpeed trampoline suspension keeps the pack off your back. This increases airflow and prevents bulky items pummelling your spine. It distributes the weight of your gear across your body and down to your hips. The hip belt features thick padding and can hold up to 80% of the bag’s weight, saving you from sore shoulders!
- Organisation — The Trek has one huge main compartment and a myriad of smaller pockets for arranging and organising your stuff. The main compartment can be sectioned off, so you can store a sleeping bag in the bottom part if required. You can also access this area through an extra zipper on the bottom section, so you don’t need to empty everything to get at your sleeping bag!
- Super comfy suspension system
- Separate entry points
- Fully adjustable
- Rain cover is quite fiddly
- No laptop compartment
- Not carry-on size
- Price Range: $$
- Best Feature: Large internal compartments and suitcase-style opening
- Feature To Improve: Not the most comfortable back panel
- Del Dia — The Cotopaxi Allpa is available in a regular and Del Dia version. We recommend the Del Dia model because it’s made with (Re)Purpose fabrics. These offcuts from other backpack manufacturers mean Cotopaxi reduce waste and limit the environmental impact of their bags. Each Del Dia bag is unique with different coloured panels and stitching! You can choose from a range of Del Dia designs or use the ‘surprise me’ function to get a random colour combo!
- Size — The Allpa is available in 28, 35 and 42-litre models. The 35-litre model is the best for travelling in Europe because it’s carry-on compliant and can still hold plenty of gear. The 28-litre model makes an excellent daypack but only true minimalist travellers will be able to use it as their main pack. The 42-litre model is a little too large to always be carry-on compliant, although some airlines may allow you to take it as hand luggage.
- Suitcase Opening — The Allpa opens up like a suitcase. Once opened, it has one large main compartment and a series of smaller ones. Each has its own zipper and they’re all separated by lightweight mesh to ensure your gear remains organised. There’s a laptop sleeve in the back of the bag. This is accessed through an external zip. All the external zips have webbing tabs which you can pull the zipper through. These help prevent opportunistic thieves from getting into your bag.
- Carry — The Allpa carries well but the back panel lacks some padding compared to other backpacks on this list. The straps are less padded too which saves weight but means they’re not as comfortable as they could be. The straps can be hidden away when checking the bag for flights.
- Rain cover included
- Del Dia
- Hard wearing
- No exterior pockets
- Anti-theft zips are more annoying than effective
- Price Range: $$$
- Best Feature: Versatility
- Feature To Improve: The weight and price
- Built for Photographers – As with all Peak Design products, the Travel Backpack is built for photographers. Thick foam padding around the bag means the gear inside the well protected and the bag holds its shape no matter how full or empty it is. There are a bunch of access points on the front, sides and back of the back, so you can easily get to exactly what you need. The bag integrates into the Peak Design ecosystem meaning their camera cubes, tech pouches and packing cubes all fit seamlessly into the backpack.
- Expandable – Going from 30 litres up to 45, the Peak Design Travel Backpack is a true one-bag travel option. Fill it to the brim when on the move, then compress it down to use as a sturdy daypack when you leave the bulk of your gear at your accommodation. When used in 30 or 35-litre modes, this bag is within carry-on specs for most airlines but in the 45-litre iteration, it’s too big.
- Comfort – At a smidge over 2kg, the Travel Backpack is one of the heavier bags on our list. But even so, it remains one of the most comfortable. The thick foam padding which acts as protection also means the pack holds its shape well against your body, distributing the weight of your gear evenly across your shoulders, back and hips. The shoulder straps attach to the bag using a unique axial mounting system, which offers more adjustability than with a standard backpack, ensuring full comfort and versatility for a range of body types!
- Manoeuvrable – Almost every surface on the Travel Backpack has some kind of handle. This makes it easy to get the bag in and out of lockers, overhead compartments and other hidey holes. The shoulder straps and hip belt are stowable, allowing you to streamline this bag if you need to check it on a flight or just store it away.
- Expandable
- Robust
- Protects your gear
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Overkill for most travellers
- Price Range: $$
- Best Feature: Anti-Gravity suspension system
- Feature To Improve: The weight
- Atmos vs Aura – As with many Osprey packs, this bag comes in specific gendered models. The Atmos is made for men, while the Aura is built for women. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Some women may find the Atmos more comfortable just as some men may prefer the Aura. Try both in-store to see which offers the best fit for you!
- Hiking Bag – The Atmos/Aura backpacks are true hiking bags. They offer a range of features to make your trail days easier: huge water bottle pockets that can be accessed while wearing the bag, a fantastic Anti-Gravity suspension system that is one of the most comfortable we’ve ever tested, a front shove-it pocket for gear you’ll need in a hurry and excellent hip belt pockets are just some of the top-rated features within his bag!
- Robust – The Atmos/Aura bags handle heavy loads well and can be used as real gear haulers if you’re tackling a long trail. At the same time, they work well enough as travel bags thanks to the vast storage space and rugged exterior. They lack some of the organisation of more dedicated travel bags but that’s to be expected!
- Adjustability – To ensure you get the best fit possible when choosing your backpack, consult the Osprey size guide. When your bag arrives, you may need to adjust the torso length, which is quick and easy to do. The fit on the fly hip strap also offers maximum adjustability so you can fine-tune the bag to you!
- Comfortable
- Carries weight well
- Loads of usable storage space
- Not always within carry-on size
- Heavy for a hiking bag
- Price Range: $$$
- Best Feature: The wheels
- Feature To Improve: Backpack carry comfort
- Sizes – The Farpoint Wheels comes in two sizes: a 36-litre model and a 65-litre version. The smaller model is well within hand luggage sizes, even on budget European airlines. It’s very similar in size to most rolling hand luggage bags. The 65-litre bag will always be checked luggage as it’s much too large to take in the cabin.
- Wheels – Unlike most wheeled luggage, the oversized 90mm casters on the Farpoint Wheels can handle relatively uneven terrain – you won’t get stuck between paving slabs or while walking along cracked old sidewalks. The single-stem handle reduces the overall weight of the bag but means it’s less manoeuvrable than it would be with a twin-stem handle.
- Backpack Mode – When you inevitably hit some ancient European streets with uneven cobblestones or kerbs you need a stepladder to summit, the Farpoint Wheels has a trick up its sleeve. Un-stowing the shoulder straps and activating backpack mode only takes a minute, allowing you to swing the bag onto your back and walk free without needing to drag it behind you! When in backpack mode, the Farpoint Wheels is relatively comfortable compared to other wheeled backpacks thanks to the brilliant AirSpeed mesh back panel. However, it’s still nowhere near as comfortable as a regular Osprey backpack!
- Storage Space – Both the 36 and 65-litre models offer an astounding amount of usable space. They open like a suitcase and are essentially just a huge compartment for your stuff. There are very few organisational options within them, giving you ultimate freedom in how to pack your gear. Although this does mean packing cubes are important!
- Wheels
- Part of the Farpoint family
- Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee
- Heavy when carried
- Not the most comfortable backpack
- Single stem handle can make the bag hard to manoeuvre
What to Consider When Choosing a Backpack for Europe
Type of Trip = Type of Backpack
The kind of trip you’re on will directly affect the type of backpack you need. There’s no point taking a rugged hiking bag for a short city break and a standard travel backpack just doesn’t have the features you’ll need on a multi-day trek. Make sure the bag you choose matches your holiday!
Travel Backpacks
Unsurprisingly, travel backpacks are built for travel. They should be comfortable to carry for reasonable distances but certainly aren’t designed for all-day comfort. They may have lots of organisational compartments, or may just be a big open pocket, depending on what you desire. The weight of these bags varies but most have frames to help spread the load. Hip belts aren’t mandatory on travel backpacks but they’re relatively common.
Hiking Backpacks
If you’re heading off on a hiking trip to Europe, don’t put yourself through the pain of carrying anything that’s not a specific hiking bag. Trust me when I say, it’s not worth the suffering!
Unless you’re going ultra-light, you can expect hiking-specific backpacks to have plush shoulder straps and a good solid hip belt. The back panel should be breathable and not rub or chafe – remember this is a bag that you should be able to wear all day! More technical hiking packs are likely to have extra features such as gear loops, external attachment points and easily accessible exterior pockets or storage compartments!
Backpacks With Wheels
As the name suggests, these are backpacks with wheels, although they’re often used more as suitcases with backpack straps. If the majority of your trip will be short hops from airports to hotels, especially if you don’t have to stray too far from smooth roads and pavements, a wheeled backpack is a good choice! Just don’t expect them to be as light or as comfortable as a dedicated backpack!
Hybrid Backpacks
Much like backpacks with wheels, hybrid backpacks straddle two worlds. Our favourite hybrid backpack for Europe is the Osprey Farpoint Trek. It has great features for both travel and hiking and is surprisingly comfortable to carry for long distances!
Other hybrid backpacks may include duffel bags with backpack straps or expandable travel bags that can act as a main bag and daypack depending on your needs!
Size
When choosing a backpack for Europe, one of the most important things to consider is how much stuff you’re going to take. You don’t want to realise that you’ve not got enough room for all your gear the night before you travel. Likewise, dragging a massive bag around unnecessarily is a chore and you’ll end up carrying way more than you need– not great for your back!
If you travel light(ish), a 40-litre backpack should be enough. However, if you want a few more home comforts, you’ll need to opt for a larger bag. For most travellers, a 60-litre bag will be the most you’ll need.
Comfort
Having a backpack that’s the right size for your stuff is all good and well but if it’s not comfortable, it’s a waste of time. Look out for bags with quality back support, padded straps, a good hip belt and a sturdy sternum strap. These features all make a backpack much more comfortable to carry.
Frame
Most travel backpacks today feature an internal frame that helps balance the bag, distribute the weight of your gear and help the bag keep its shape. Whether you need a framed bag often doesn’t matter, you’re likely to end up with one anyway!
Durability
Backpacks that are badly built, or made from shoddy materials, will fall apart and need to be replaced. It’s bad for your wallet and the planet. A long-lasting backpack costs a little more initially but will last for years of travel!
👉 Check out this post if you’re looking for the most sustainable backpack choices!
Weight
Remember, you’ve got to carry it! A backpack that weighs too much will be uncomfortable and in rare cases, cause injury. It can also take your luggage over the weight limit for airlines which means paying more!
Organisational Features
Do you like a bag to be full of pockets and hidey holes, or do you prefer a bag with one big main pocket that you can stuff all your belongings into? It all comes down to personal preference.
Backpacks with a lot of pockets make it much easier to organise and find your gear. However, the extra features impact the bag’s usable space and add to the overall weight. Bags with just one large compartment can store slightly more (if packed correctly) but you’ll probably find yourself digging through all your gear to find small items that inevitably fall to the bottom.
If you opt for a backpack with few organisational options, packing cubes can help keep your stuff in order!
Security Features
Europe is home to some of the safest countries in the world. But as with everywhere, there are common scams and crimes to be aware of. Pickpocketing is rife in some of the continent’s popular tourist destinations. To protect yourself from thieves, consider a bag with added security features.
Lockable zips and hidden pockets are the bare minimum and are common in most travel bags. Other features to look out for in anti-theft backpacks are slash-proof materials and uncuttable straps.
Weather Resistance
Wouldn’t you know, it sometimes rains in Europe – even if you visit in the height of summer! Having a bag that can protect your belongings in case of a downpour means you have one less thing to worry about!
Packing List for Europe
Getting your bag for Europe sorted is one thing but now it’s time to fill it! What you’ll need to pack for Europe depends on where you’re going and what activities you plan to do but this European packing list has all the essentials you need for a great visit!
Packing Tips for Europe
Before packing for Europe consider:
- The time of year you’ll be visiting
- Where you’re going
- What activities you’ll be doing
- How many days of clothes you need (laundrettes are common in Europe)
- Whether your clothes have multiple uses
The Best Backpacks for Europe FAQs
What’s the best size backpack for travelling Europe?
There’s no one right-size backpack for travelling in Europe. Light packers are unlikely to need a backpack more than 40-50 litres. Bags on the smaller end of this range can usually be taken as carry-on for international airlines too, so you won’t need to check a bag! For travellers wanting a few more luxuries, a 60-65-litre bag should be enough. Any bigger and the bag starts to become unwieldy – especially when navigating tight city streets or public transport!
Is it safe to travel with a backpack in Europe?
Yes, it’s safe to travel with a backpack in Europe. However, some cities in Europe have a bad reputation for pickpocketing. Keep your wits about you and don’t leave your bag unattended. When on public transport, store your bag at your feet rather than on your back – especially if you’re travelling at rush hour. Travelling with a backpack in Europe is just as safe, if not safer, than travelling with a suitcase.
Backpack vs suitcase for travelling in Europe?
Europe is full of ancient cities, narrow streets, cobblestones and extensive public transport systems. A backpack is much more suited to this environment than a suitcase. Having all your gear on your back means you can zip over uneven ground, down into metro systems and through crowds without having to drag everything behind you.
Is a 40-litre backpack enough for travelling in Europe?
For most travellers, a 40-litre backpack is enough for travelling in Europe. While some might want a bit more space from their bag, the pros of travelling with a smaller bag far outweigh the cons. Being able to fly carry-on only and keep all your stuff with you on planes and trains more than makes up for having to leave an outfit or two at home. Plus, a smaller bag is easier to carry when you’re exploring or moving between cities!
Can I bring a backpack full of clothes on a plane?
Yes, you can bring a backpack full of clothes on a plane. As long as there is nothing in there that you’re not allowed, and your bag fits within the airline’s limits, you can take what you like on a plane. Plenty of carry-on-only travellers take everything they need for months as hand luggage!
Round Up of the Best Backpacks for Travelling in Europe
When choosing a backpack for Europe, size, comfort and durability are the most important factors to consider. Our favourite bag for travelling on the continent is the Osprey Farpoint/Fairview. These excellent all-rounders are the perfect travel companion for almost any trip.
We also love the Cotopaxi Allpa 35. It’s an excellent backpack but the environmental and charitable work done by Cotopaxi makes it stand out as the eco-friendly choice. This is also true of the Tropicfeel Shell which has fewer organisational features but is still an environmentally friendly option. The best anti-theft backpack for travelling in Europe is the Pacsafe Venturesafe.
- Available in male (Farpoint) and female (Fairview) models
- Carry on compliant
- Comes with Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee
- Anti-theft
- Made from recycled materials
- Suitcase style opening
Tim Ashdown | Writer and Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.
