If you’re backpacking Europe, you’ll want a backpack that’s ready for adventure. You will need something sturdy, yet lightweight. The best backpack for Europe will be invulnerable to theft, modest enough to carry on a plane, and easy to use. In this post, we’ll discuss exactly what capabilities you need in a European backpack. Read on to determine the best backpack for your trip across the pond.

Pickpockets and petty theft are normal in busy tourist areas (such as the Eiffel Tower and the Red Light District in Amsterdam), budget hotels, and Eurail. Prevent greedy fingers from taking your passport, cash, camera or laptop with a secure bag. Hiking packs are secured with a rope. You could just hang up a sign that says “Easy Mark!” A zippered backpack will stop theft. Just be harder to steal than other American tourists in Europe. Thieves will always steal from the most vulnerable person. A small TSA-approved padlock will be enough security to stop most petty theft abroad.

When backpacking Europe, you will be moving between cities and hostels frequently. To do this, you will need a backpack that you can easily pick up and carry. Carrying a backpack as big as you are will only slow you down, it won’t make everything any easier. You shouldn’t take everything. Travel packages for Europe should be the size of hand luggage, even if you’ll be traveling primarily on Eurail trains. Using a tote bag will ensure that you cannot pack too many things. Most international airlines allow bags up to forty-five linear inches or 22″ high x 14″ wide x 9″ deep. This bag size is small enough to be lightweight and comfortable to carry with the amount perfect luggage: 45 liters You should have enough clothes for 7-10 days, which you can use more than once and wash as needed in the laundromats or sinks in the hostel.

When you take your backpack on a plane, you’ll save money by not paying checked baggage fees. You can also save time by not checking your baggage before your flight and waiting to pick it up after your flight. With your package in your possession, airlines won’t be able to lose it or break it unexpectedly. I can’t stress enough how important it is if you’re short on cash and don’t have a fixed address.

Finally, most bags open from the top. To get to most of your stuff, you’d have to take out everything on top of it. You’ll probably be living in a lot of hostels without a lot of personal space, so unloading everything every time you need something isn’t feasible. You have to carry a front loading bag. Front-loading packs use a clamshell opening, in which the entire front can be opened. Then you will be able to quickly grab anything in your backpack without having to unpack it.

Before leaving for Europe, find the perfect bag for your trip. It must be lockable, the size of a carry-on, and accessible. What other features do you recommend for Europe travel backpacks?