Interrail Packing List Essentials - What To Pack For An Interrail Trip

Last Updated on 20th May 2025

This ultimate Interrail packing list essentials guide mentions previous collaborative work with Interrail. It also contains affiliate links, please see my disclaimer for more.

Interrail Packing List Essentials - What To Pack For An Interrail Trip

Are you planning an epic train journey across Europe and wondering what to bring with you interrailing? I’ve got you covered in my ultimate interrail essentials packing list below!

After embarking on numerous Interrail trips over the last few years and writing about it extensively on my blog, I’d think to think that I’m quite the expert when it comes to everything you need to know about interrailing, including what to pack for an Interrail trip!

I’ve been on multiple Interrail adventures, all of varying lengths, so whether you’re planning to spend two weeks, one month or two months interrailing around Europe, I’ve got you covered with my huge list of all the things to pack for interrailing below!

EUROPE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Interrail Pass / Eurail Pass
Flights: Kiwi.com / Expedia / Trip.com
Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld
Transport: Flixbus / Trainline
eSIM: Airalo
Activities/tours: Get Your Guide / Viator / Klook / Go City
Travel insurance: SafetyWing
Reviews: TripAdvisor
My backpacking essentials: Amazon

Interrail packing list essentials summary

Passport/driving licence
Interrail Pass
Backpack (or suitcase if you prefer)
Packing cubes
Travel Insurance
Rail Planner App
Clothes
Camera
Refillable water bottle
Trainers/hiking boots
Waterproof jacket
eSIM
International bank card/Euros
Toiletries
First aid kit
Luggage lock/padlock
Universal travel adapter
Earplugs
Microfibre towel
Portable charger
Sun cream
Bumbag

Interrail travel essentials

Below you’ll find a list of all the essential items to take interrailing before you’ve even started thinking about packing your backpack!

Passport/driving licence

Your passport is one of the most important travel essentials no matter where you are in the world or what kind of trip you’re going on as you nearly always need it to travel to a new country.

Even if you’re a European citizen and you’re already living in Europe before starting your Interrail trip, you should still come prepared with your passport as you may be required to show proof of ID in some countries such as Denmark and Sweden when travelling by train.

You may also need it to show proof of ID when buying alcohol in some countries, so it’s always a good idea to have it with you at all times.

Interrail Pass

Another one of the most important things to carry while travelling by train in Europe is your Interrail Pass (if you choose to buy one).

Determining whether an Interrail Pass is worth it for your trip involves some calculations to work out whether it will save you money.

I’ve personally used an Interrail Pass on every single one of my Interrail adventures in Europe and I would highly recommend checking them out to see if it could save you money instead of purchasing individual train tickets for each journey.

Rail Planner App – packing list for Interrailing

The Rail Planner App is another one of my top Interrail packing essentials as it requires no extra paperwork or effort to carry (it’s literally an app that you can download onto your phone!) and it makes planning your Interrail trip so much easier.

You simply download the Rail Planner App, add the details of your Interrail Pass (if you’re using one) and then you can check train times, book seat reservations and plan your entire trip.

Travel insurance for interrailing

Travel insurance is an important thing to have on every single trip and I’d highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before interrailing.

We’ve been using SafetyWing for all of our trips all over the world for the last few years as you can get travel insurance for as little as £1.25 a day per person and it covers you worldwide (note that you do need to pay extra for travel insurance in the USA).

I would highly recommend SafetyWing travel insurance for interrailing as it’s super cheap and comprehensive and the customer service team are excellent.

Get travel insurance with SafetyWing for your interrailing trip here!

International bank card/Euros

An international bank card/credit card is another Interrail packing list essential as you’ll obviously need money to pay for everything on your trip!

We’ve been using Monzo for over two years now in 20+ different countries all over the world (including on our Interrail trips) and it’s one of the best and easiest to use international bank cards I’ve ever had.

There are no international fees or hidden charges and you can withdraw up to £250 from UK and EEA ATMs and up to £200 from international ATMs.

While credit cards and international bank cards are very widely accepted in Europe (we didn’t use physical cash at all on our 2-month trip apart from Danish Krone in Denmark), it’s still a good idea to take a bit of cash with you for emergencies or in the event that some bars/restaurants don’t accept card payments.

The amount of money you’ll need while interrailing in Europe will depend on how you’re long you’re going for and how many countries you’re visiting, but I would probably recommend withdrawing €100-€200 from a local ATM when you arrive in your first European country to make sure that you’re covered.

Some people prefer to exchange money before they begin their trip, but we never do this; we always withdraw money using our international Monzo card as soon as we arrive in a new place.

Sign up for Monzo here and we both get a £5 reward!

eSIM – Interrail packing list essentials

An eSIM is something you’ll want to consider for your Interrail packing checklist if your phone doesn’t work internationally.

We’ve been using the eSIMs from Airalo for the last few months in places such as Japan and South Korea and I really can’t fault them, so I would highly recommend getting an Airalo eSIM for Europe.

You can get an eSIM for as little as $5 for 7 days, but they also have eSIMs that last for up to 180 days if you’re planning a longer Interrail trip.

Luggage interrailing essentials

Now that we’ve got the important documents and monetary Interrail essentials out of the way, let’s take a look at the luggage essentials you’ll need for your Interrail trip, including the best Interrail backpack for women, the best packing cubes for interrailing and the best day backpack to carry all your essential things while travelling in a train.

What is the best backpack for interrailing?

If you’re wondering if you should use a suitcase or backpack for interrailing, my answer would always be a backpack.

While suitcases can be great for lengthy summer holidays where you stay in one place for the entire duration of your trip, a backpack is much better suited to an Interrail adventure as it’s much easier to carry when you’re constantly hopping on and off trains.

I’ve taken various backpacks on my interrailing trips over the years and I have two recommendations for the best backpack for interrailing, depending on how long your interrail trip is.

Osprey Fairview 70L – best interrail backpack for long trips

If you’re planning an Interrail trip that’s more than two weeks, I would highly recommend my beloved Osprey Fairview 70L backpack.

I’ve used this backpack for almost every single trip I’ve been on since April 2019 and it’s been with me to more than 35 countries and it’s stood the test of time more than any other luggage item I’ve ever used!

The Osprey Fairview 70L is the best Interrail backpack for women (I would recommend the Osprey Farpoint 70L for men) as it fits so much stuff inside and it also comes with an awesome detachable 13L day bag which is perfect for carrying my laptop, water bottle, and all my other travel essentials while I’m interrailing.

If you’re planning to embark on a one-month or two-month Interrail trip, I’d highly recommend checking out the Osprey Fairview 70L for women.

Osprey Porter 46 Backpack – best bag for interrailing for shorter trips

If you’re planning to go interrailing for just one or two weeks, the Osprey Porter 46 backpack is definitely the best luggage for train travel in Europe.

I used this backpack on our first-ever two-week Interrail trip to Brussels, Munich, Vienna, Budapest and Bratislava and it fit everything I needed for a 2-week trip.

It’s much smaller than the Fairview 70L, but it’s still an Osprey backpack so the quality is absolutely phenomenal and it was a great luggage companion for our shorter interrailing trip.

Backpack rain cover

No one wants to think that it will rain on their interrailing trip, but there’s a good chance that it might, so it’s best to be prepared just in case with a backpack rain cover.

This Unigear backpack rain cover is ideal for any backpack from 10L to 70L and it comes with its own tiny storage bag for when you’re not using it.

Best packing cubes for interrailing

Most people either love or hate packing cubes, but I am definitely someone who is a huge advocate for packing cubes as I’ve been travelling with them for over four years now and I honestly don’t think I could pack my backpack without them!

I’ve used numerous brands of packing cubes over the years but my favourite ones are the Osprey packing cubes, these leopard print packing cubes that I’ve had for over five years and these grey Geediar packing cubes.

Packing cubes are definitely an Interrail packing list essential for me as they help to organise my belongings neatly in my backpack and it also makes it so much easier to pack/unpack my bag whenever I get to a new destination.

Day backpack

Our Osprey 70L backpacks come with a detachable day backpack that we can use to carry our laptops and other travel essentials, but if you want to opt for the smaller backpack, and still have another bag that you can use during day trips and excursions during your interrailing trip, I’d highly recommend getting another day bag.

The Osprey Unisex Daylite backpack is my go-to recommendation for the best day bag for interrailing as it’s very similar to my 13L day backpack, but this one has a 20L capacity, so it can fit a bit more in.

It also has a laptop sleeve and additional pockets to make it easier to store your belongings while travelling on trains in Europe.

Bumbag

A bumbag or (fanny pack if you’re American!) should definitely be on your interrailing kit list as it’s great for keeping all your essential items and important documents in one place.

I’ve used and loved the Eastpak bumbag for over four years now as it’s the perfect size for carrying my phone, purse, passport, anti-bac, lip balm and more! It also has numerous hidden pockets where you can stash emergency cash etc.

Interrailing packing list essentials

Clothes for interrailing

When it comes to how many clothes to take interrailing, it really depends on how long you’re going for, where you’re travelling to and what the weather will be like in each of the destinations you’ll be visiting.

I’ve been interrailing both in the middle of summer and during the height of winter, so I know exactly what to pack for all kinds of European weather.

Check out my interrailing clothing packing list essentials for summer and winter below. The packing lists below are also based on a one-month Interrail itinerary and have been created with the intention of doing laundry during your trip.

One-month summer interrailing packing list (for women)

5-8 T-shirts
3-5 dresses/skirts
3-5 shorts
2 pairs of jeans/leggings
Flip flops/sandals
Plenty of underwear (I usually try and take at least two weeks’ worth)
Comfy trainers/hiking boots
1 jumper/long-sleeved top for cooler evenings
Light waterproof jacket
Sunglasses/sunhat
2-3 sets of swimwear

One-month winter interrailing packing list (for women)

3-5 T-shirts
3-5 winter dresses/skirts
3-5 pair of tights
3-5 pairs of jeans/leggings
5-8 jumpers/long-sleeved tops
Plenty of underwear (I usually try and take at least two weeks’ worth)
Thermals (depending on how cold it is)
Comfy trainers/hiking boots
Waterproof jacket
Winter coat
Winter hat/scarf and gloves
1 set of swimwear (for the thermal baths in places like Budapest, for example).

Remember that you will need to do laundry at least once (if not more) during your trip, so you don’t need to overpack and have different interrailing outfits for every single day!

Toiletries/toiletry bag

The toiletries you pack for your interrailing trip will depend on your own personal preferences, but I have included a few suggestions below:

Toothbrush/toothpaste
Mouthwash/dental floss
Hairbrush
Makeup
Deodorant
Shampoo/conditioner/body wash (you might just want to bring mini versions of these as many hotels/hostels in Europe provide them for free)
Face wash/scrub
Makeup remover

I would also recommend packing a hanging toiletry bag so that you can easily fit all of your bathroom essentials into one convenient bag.

We’ve been using this unisex hanging toiletry bag for over a year now and it’s such a great size for an Interrail trip as it fits so much inside!

Ear plugs – Interrail packing list

If you’re planning to stay in dormitories in hostels during your Interrail trip, I would highly recommend adding ear plugs to your packing list essentials for interrailing as hostels can be pretty loud and earplugs are a great way of drowning out the incessant noise of other travellers!

These ultra-soft ear plugs come in a pack of 50 so you don’t need to worry about losing an earplug while travelling as you’ll always have a backup! They’re also super affordable and will last you for many years beyond your Interrail trip!

Luggage lock/padlock

A luggage lock is another thing you should consider packing for interrailing as it can help to keep your belongings safe while travelling via train, as well as in dorm rooms if you’re staying in hostels.

These TSA-approved luggage locks are super affordable and come in a pack of two so you can keep both your large backpack and your day bag safe while interrailing in Europe.

Microfibre towel

A microfibre towel is another handy Interrail essential as you can use it in accommodations where free towels aren’t provided, as well as for the beach/during hikes.

We’ve had the Bodhi Microfibre towels ever since our first backpacking trip all the way back in 2019 and they’ve really stood the test of time.

Eye mask – Interrail packing list essentials

You might want to add an eye mask to your Interrail backpack list as they’re great for napping on trains or staying in dorm rooms to block the light out if you need to get a bit of extra sleep.

I would always recommend getting an eye mask with extra cushioning as I’ve used many eye masks in the past that fit super tight around your head. This Mavogel cotton eye mask is a great choice as it’s super soft and comfortable, while still blocking out as much light as possible.

Refillable water bottle

You can drink tap water in almost every single place in Europe, so it’s a good idea to bring your own reusable water bottle to save on buying plastic bottles all the time.

This Super Sparrow sports water bottle comes in so many different colours and sizes and it’s BPA-free and eco-friendly!

First aid kit

While you would hope that you’ll never have to use the contents of a first aid kit while travelling, it is a good idea to pack one for your interrailing trip just in case.

We’ve had this mini first aid kit ever since we first started travelling full-time in 2019 and we’ve kept it constantly stocked ever since. It contains essentials such as plasters, scissors, bandages, safety pins, cotton swabs, saline solution and more.

What to pack for interrailing – technology essentials

While it’s not absolutely essential to have all the below tech items on your Interrail packing list, these are the things that I take with me on every Interrail trip as I like to document my adventures using my camera, GoPro and drone.

It’s also essential for me to take my laptop on every trip so that I can create epic travel content while I’m travelling, but I totally understand that not everyone will want to take a super expensive laptop on an Interrail trip, so please adjust this packing list according to your own personal preferences and needs!

Camera

You definitely don’t need a super fancy camera on your Interrail packing list (your phone camera will do just fine!), but if you do want to take some amazing pictures while travelling via train in Europe, I’d highly recommend investing in a proper DSLR.

I’ve had the Nikon D3500 for the last five years and it’s been with me to over 35 countries so far and it’s taken over 30,000 photos!

If you are planning to go interrailing with a camera, I would also recommend packing a proper camera bag to keep your camera safe and well-protected. My go-to brand of camera bag is Fosoto; I’ve had numerous bags from them over the years and they’re always such high quality.

GoPro – Interrail Europe packing list

A GoPro can make an excellent addition to your Interrail packing list if you want to get some awesome footage of your travels.

You can even set them up in the train window to get some truly beautiful window content, particularly if you’re on super scenic train journeys in places such as Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia.

We have the GoPro Hero 7 which is super outdated now, so I’d recommend getting the much newer GoPro Hero 11 if you want to make sure your content is as high quality as possible.

Universal travel adapter

A universal travel adapter is definitely one of the best things to pack for interrailing, especially if your electronics and gadgets don’t use European plugs as you’ll need an adapter to be able to charge things.

We’ve had this universal travel adapter for over four years and we use it every single day, no matter where we are in the world. It has 4 USB ports, a Type-C fast charge, Universal AC Socket and it’s compatible in over 180 countries, so it can be used for future travels after your interrailing trip!

External hard drive

If you’re planning to Interrail with electronics such as your phone, camera, drone and GoPro in tow, you might want to purchase an external hard drive to back up all your photos and videos.

It’s a good idea to get an external hard drive with as much storage as possible and this 2TB Seagate Portable Drive has over 250,000 reviews on Amazon and is a relatively affordable price compared to many other hard drives!

Portable charger – Interrail packing list

A portable charger is a great thing to add to your Interrail packing checklist as it will ensure that your phone doesn’t run out of battery while you’re travelling.

Most trains in Europe will have plug sockets that you can use to charge your electronics, but I always like to pack a portable charger as well just in case my phone runs out of battery while I’m exploring a city.

We’ve had this INIU Power Bank for over two years and it was such a great purchase for our travels. It’s thin and lightweight and it can charge an iPhone 13 2.2 times and an iPhone 14 Pro Max (Matt’s phone) 1.5 times.

Kindle

A Kindle is one of the newest additions to my interrailing essentials roster as I only received one as a gift from Matt at Christmas 2022.

My Kindle has since been on a 2-month Interrail trip with me, as well as to 10+ countries so far at the time of writing this post and I really can’t imagine travelling without it now.

I have the 11th Generation Kindle and after many years of swearing that I could only read physical books, I’m a huge convert for e-readers and if you also love to read while travelling, I would highly recommend getting a Kindle.

Small portable speaker

A portable speaker is another tech item that you might want to add to your interrailing packing list, especially if you’re staying in hostels where you might be partial to a few nights of partying!

The Anker Soundcore mini portable speaker is always my recommendation of choice as it’s super small and lightweight, so it can easily fit in your Interrail bag without taking up too much space.

Drone

A drone certainly isn’t an Interrail “essential” as they’re crazy expensive and actually quite difficult to fly in many places nowadays unless you have the proper authority to do so.

However, there are still many places in Europe where you can fly your drone (such as in Zurich, Switzerland where we got some epic footage!), and if you plan on taking to the skies to document your Interrail adventure, I’d highly recommend the DJI Mini 2.

We’ve had our DJI drone for over two years and it’s even suffered a few crashes during its lifetime and it’s still going strong!

Earphones/headphones

Earphones are always a great companion no matter where you’re travelling to as it’s nice to have the option to listen to music or watch something on your phone without disturbing anyone else.

I personally prefer in-ear earphones as opposed to giant headphones and these Blukar noise-isolating earphones are insanely cheap with almost 50,000 reviews on Amazon!

Bonus – laptop

I’ve already mentioned above that I know not everyone will want to take their laptop on an Interrail trip, but if you work remotely like me or you just want something to watch movies and TV shows on a night, you might want to consider packing your laptop for your trip.

I have the MacBook Pro 13 Inch and while my 2017 model is getting a little outdated now, I am always such an advocate for Apple laptops as I think they run so well, especially for my line of work as a travel writer and content creator.

Interrailing Europe packing list essentials – top tips

Try to pack as light as possible! If you’re constantly swapping between trains and travelling to and from hostels/hotels and train stations, keeping your luggage as lightweight and compact as possible is a good idea. This will also come in handy when finding a place to store your luggage when you’re on trains.
Make sure you have your Interrail Pass loaded on your Rail Planner App before you set off on your interrailing journey (or print your pass off if you’d prefer to have a physical copy).
Use packing cubes to help save space and organise your belongings! I’ve already mentioned how much I love packing cubes in the section above, but they are one of my ultimate packing list essentials for any trip!
Use a luggage lock when travelling on trains and staying in dorm rooms to keep your belongings safe. Most European trains are safe in general, but if you have to leave your backpack in a luggage compartment away from your seat on the train, it’s a good idea to have it securely locked just in case.

Interrail packing list – conclusion

And there you have it – my ultimate guide on what to pack for interrailing Europe! I hope you found this Interrail packing checklist useful and I hope it helps you to prepare for your next awesome train adventure in Europe!

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Is there anything else you’d add to this list of interrail packing essentials? Let me know in the comments or in my Interrail Travel Tips, Advice & Planning Facebook Group.