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Discovering Europe: what is the best backpack for interrailing?
Few experiences beat the thrill of hopping on a train and waking up in a new, beautiful European city. Whether you’re enjoying Paris bohemian lifestyle or exploring the hilly streets of Lisbon, interrailing offers the freedom to explore Europe with just one backpack on your shoulders.
But now you are surely asking yourself “What is the best backpack for interrailing, and how can I choose the right one”?
No worries, Eastpak is here to help you gear up and travel comfortably, with zero stress. So, let’s start by breaking down what you need to know before you hit the rails.
What is Interrail?
Interrail is a travel pass that allows both European citizens and non-Europeans who are official legal residents of European countries to explore up to 33 countries across the continent by train and ferry.
With flexible routes and schedules, Interrail is perfect for both spontaneous and carefully curated trips, allowing people to travel at their own pace.
Whether you’re a student on a summer break or an explorer with years of experience, Interrail opens the door to unforgettable adventures and avoids you being stuck in long airport queues.
What is Interrail?
Interrail is a travel pass that allows both European citizens and non-Europeans who are official legal residents of European countries to explore up to 33 countries across the continent by train and ferry.
With flexible routes and schedules, Interrail is perfect for both spontaneous and carefully curated trips, allowing people to travel at their own pace.
Whether you’re a student on a summer break or an explorer with years of experience, Interrail opens the door to unforgettable adventures and avoids you being stuck in long airport queues.
Do you need a big backpack for interrailing?
The short and easy answer? It depends.
It depends on your travel style, on the duration of your Interrail pass, on the period in which you’re planning to visit Europe, and on many other factors.
If you’re planning a longer route or visiting multiple climates, you’ll want a backpack that can carry your essentials without weighing you down. Therefore, we recommend looking for something between 35L and 60L, depending on your trip duration and your travel style. This size strikes the perfect balance between packing space and portability, especially when navigating train platforms, cobblestone streets, or hostel staircases.
Here we have listed our best rucksacks for interrailing, from the least to the most spacious:
What is the best, a backpack or a duffel?
Can’t decide between a duffle and a backpack for your Interrail? At Eastpak, we’ve developed something that is ideal for dithering people: the Duffel Pack, available in two sizes, S and M, with 40L and 70L of internal capacity, respectively. This “duffle backpack” combines the practicality of a duffle bag and the versatility of a backpack, allowing you to choose how to carry it around. Part of our rugged Tarp collection, the Duffel Pack is truly Built to Resist and will protect your interrail essentials during your trip.
What is best for interrailing, a backpack or a suitcase?
It’s the classic debate: what’s better for interrailing, a backpack or a suitcase?
While a traditional rucksack gives you hands-free convenience and flexibility, a suitcase, especially a wheeled one, can ease the strain on your back and shoulders. The best solution? A hybrid design that offers both structure and mobility, like our Duffel Pack Wheel.
For heavy packers: Eastpak Duffel Pack Wheel
Our Duffel Pack was already super versatile, but we’ve decided to take it even further: by adding two wheels to it, we’ve created a duffle backpack with wheels, to give you even more freedom. Although the Duffel Pack Wheel is available in three sizes, we recommend choosing the S (38L) or, if you were a heavy packer, the M (60L): the L would be just too big for travelling around Europe. If you are looking for the maximum versatility, a ton of room and a sturdy construction, the Duffel Pack Wheel might be the best backpack for your Interrail trip.
What is best for interrailing, a backpack or a suitcase?
It’s the classic debate: what’s better for interrailing, a backpack or a suitcase?
While a traditional rucksack gives you hands-free convenience and flexibility, a suitcase, especially a wheeled one, can ease the strain on your back and shoulders. The best solution? A hybrid design that offers both structure and mobility, like our Duffel Pack Wheel.
For heavy packers: Eastpak Duffel Pack Wheel
Our Duffel Pack was already super versatile, but we’ve decided to take it even further: by adding two wheels to it, we’ve created a duffle backpack with wheels, to give you even more freedom. Although the Duffel Pack Wheel is available in three sizes, we recommend choosing the S (38L) or, if you were a heavy packer, the M (60L): the L would be just too big for travelling around Europe. If you are looking for the maximum versatility, a ton of room and a sturdy construction, the Duffel Pack Wheel might be the best backpack for your Interrail trip.
Still not sure? We break it down here:
- Backpack = better for off-the-beaten-track cities, budget hostels and outdoor adventures
- Wheeled suitcase = smoother through train stations and urban hubs
- Wheeled backpacks = the best of both worlds, but heavier than a backpack and not spacious as a suitcase
Get ready for interrailing in Europe: Eastpak’s packing list
A smart packer is a happy traveller. Whether you’re heading out for one week or one month, here’s your essential packing list for interrailing:
- Travel documents (ID card, passport, Interrail pass, insurance) and their photocopies
- Reusable water bottle
- Compact first aid kit
- Packing cubes or organiser pouches
- Power bank, universal adapter & torch
- A Kindle, to have something to read while sitting on the train (books are too heavy!)
- Lightweight clothes (think layers!) and, above all, a waterproof jacket
- Backpack rain cover
- Hiking – and possibly waterproof – shoes or boots
- Flip-flops for hostels
- Small daypack for city exploring
- Padlock for hostel lockers
The things listed above are essential to ensure that your trip around Europe goes smoothly, so they cannot be forgot at home. Moreover, remember that true backpackers love to travel light and smartly, taking with them only what is strictly necessary and using multi-purpose items: therefore, the best backpack for interrailing may be a smaller one, as it will reduce the space available for stuff that isn’t strictly necessary for your adventure. A mental trick that may make your trip around Europe even more memorable!
Explore Europe with a backpack that is Built to Resist
Ready to roll? Your Interrail adventure starts with the right backpack. No matter how many cities you’re going to visit during your Interrail, your gear should keep up with your pace. With durable fabrics, functional designs, and iconic styles, Eastpak backpacks are not only Built to Resist, but also built to help you travel lighter and with zero stress.
Remember also that, in case of any manufacturing defects related to materials or workmanship, you’re covered by our 30 years limited warranty.
Explore Europe with a backpack that is Built to Resist
Ready to roll? Your Interrail adventure starts with the right backpack. No matter how many cities you’re going to visit during your Interrail, your gear should keep up with your pace. With durable fabrics, functional designs, and iconic styles, Eastpak backpacks are not only Built to Resist, but also built to help you travel lighter and with zero stress.
Remember also that, in case of any manufacturing defects related to materials or workmanship, you’re covered by our 30 years limited warranty.
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