What I’m Packing for Europe

Posted by Ian in Logistics, Preparation

Eager Existence > Travel > Logistics > What I’m Packing for Europe

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

Last minute packing… gotta love it.

Two days before I left for Turkey, I packed my backpack for the first time.

To see the backpack I decided on, see my post on choosing the right backpack for your trip.

As I said there, it seems no matter what blogs you read, or who you ask for advice, everyone seems to agree that the lighter you pack, the better.

The going recommendations are around 50–60L… but if you can get away with packing it all in your carry-on, why not. Personally, I can’t. Although, I am actively packing and repacking to find out what extra weight I can get rid of.

Girl with backpack

Here’s what I packed in my 80L pack:

Clothing

5 t-shirts
2 shorts
1 pair of jeans
1 pair of running shoes
1 pair of thongs (jandals/flip-flops)
1 pair of nice shoes
2 long-sleeve shirts (for going out)
1 sweatshirt (to keep me warm)
7 pairs of socks and underwear

Electronics

iPhone
Netbook
Camera

Other

First aid kit (a gift)
Moleskin notebook
Sleeping Bag
Quick-Drying Travel Towel
Beach Towel
Book to read

Toiletries

Small mirror
Toothpaste & Toothbrush
Razor & Cream
Shampoo
Wax
Soap/Body Wash
Washing detergent
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Wet wipes
Toilet paper
Febreeze (Fabric Deoderizer)
Cologne

I’ve heard the weather in Turkey this time of year is around 7 degrees, and can fall around 0 degrees at night!

This is not good to hear.

Coming from Australia, I don’t really have any cold weather gear. I guess I will try and pick something up on the road if necessary. When I went to Canada 10 years ago, I pretty much did the same thing, and I survived there for a year. So why should this be any different?

The running shoes are so I can get back into shape. I hope to post about exercise while travelling regularly, just to show you don’t need a gym to get your sweat on. You might be thinking “sure, you’re not gonna exercise on holiday”, but at this point, its a goal… let’s just leave it at that for now.

I’ve been told by friends, who have done the backpacker circuit in Europe before me, that those fast-drying travel towels aren’t that comfortable. So, I’m also taking a beach towel. If I get used to the ‘chamois’ feeling of the Quick-Drying towel, I can always dispose of the beach towel.

Let me know in the comments what you have packed, what you would have packed, and what you think I’m missing.

Ian Cartwright

is a guy who gave up his career and mortgage for solo long-term travel. He travelled extensively across Europe for a year before heading onward to North Africa. He is now planning a trip to Latin America. As always there’s sure to be plenty of laughs, tears, and misadventures along the way.