13 Best Travel Backpacks for Europe, 2023 [Tested & Ranked]

Finding the best travel backpack for Europe can be a daunting task. A backpack might be the biggest investment you make in your Eurotrip beside plane tickets. Plus, you’ll use your travel backpack literally all the time (they don’t call it “backpacking Europe” for nothing)!

I am a travel blogger who has been traveling the world non-stop since 2016 (see section on why you can trust my recommendations below). Travel Lemming’s team of travel reviewers and I have tested dozens of backpacks over the years. In this post, we share our current top 13 travel backpacks.

✨ Our current overall top-rated backpack is the Osprey Porter 46, an awesome and durable bag I’ve personally carried in more than 60 countries!

I usually suggest traveling with a large main pack plus a smaller day pack. This post starts by ranking the 9 best travel backpacks we’ve tested to date, then we’ll cover 4 best travel daypacks.

These bags are all different, but that’s the beauty of it in my mind – I think everyone is likely to find their perfect bag somewhere among these 12 travel backpacks:

Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

9 Best Travel Backpacks for Europe Compared

In a rush? Here’s a quick summary of the top 9 travel backpacks for Europe reviewed in this post below:

Ok, that’s the summary.

But maybe you want a little more info to help decide which one of these awesome travel bags is best for you?

Let’s now deep dive into the best backpacks for traveling Europe, starting with our top ranked bag – the one I used for nearly a decade of travel:

#1 – Osprey 46 L Porter Backpack

Osprey Porter 46L Review

The Osprey 46 L Porter is the most up to date version of the travel backpack I took to over 60 countries across 6 continents over 10 years of travel. Yeah, I put it through some serious wear and tear (I dropped it into the Amazon river at one point even). It is a beast of a backpack that held up remarkably well through all that wear and tear. If you want a reliable travel backpack, you can’t go wrong with the Porter.

Want a super light carry on backpack? They also make the Porter in a 30 liter version. Check out Taylor’s full Osprey Porter 30 review for more details.

✔️ What We Love: Travel backpacks have come and gone over the years, but the Osprey Porter 46L maintains its popularity because it is relatively affordable and the perfect size for backpacking around Europe. The Porter has shoulder straps and waistband for easier carrying, but they can be tucked away to make this appear like a duffel bag. Its slim size means its also the be carry on backpack on this list.

🎒 Packs Like a Pro: The Osprey Porter has one large front-loading main compartment. This makes it super easy to pack on the go. It also has some nifty compression straps that help to keep your profile small (it can function as a carry-on backpack for most airlines if not overfilled).

🧳 Converts to a Duffel: One awesome feature is that this bag converts from a backpack into a duffel bag by folder the straps into the back. This means you can carry this backpack like a carry on suitcase, though the price you pay for that is that the shoulder straps are a little thin.

✨You Won’t Look Like a Dirty Backpacker: I happen to think it looks pretty stylish (I have the black version) compared to other backpacks that scream “I’m a scruffy backpacker who hasn’t showered in days” to everyone you meet.

💯 Lifetime Guarantee: I love Osprey because they have a really great lifetime guarantee – Osprey will repair any bag they’ve ever made for any reason!

👉 If you just want a “can’t fail” option, I say grab the Osprey Porter 46L and get on with planning your Europe backpacking trip already.

#2 – The Backpacker by Salkan

Salkan Backpacker Review

Having personally tested over a dozen bags, I recently went on an extended trip with Salkan’s The Backpacker these days. Here’s what I personally like about this bag (and why it might not be right for everyone):

✔️ Why I Chose This Bag: Salkan is a small company founded by serious travelers, and it shows in the design of their signature bag The Backpacker. The bag is loaded with features, like a built in rain cover and laundry sling, and has a sturdy weatherproof exterior that someone manages to stay fashionable while still being highly functional. I travel full time all around the world, and so chose this bag to carry with me as it is more versatile than any other I’ve tested.

🎒 Front AND Top Loading: One of the biggest debates in travel backpacks is whether to go with a front or top loader. Front loading is easier when you are trying to organize and pack your bag, but top loading can be much more convenient when actually using the bag in a crowded hostel dorm room or out in the wild. The Salkan Backpacker is the only I’ve ever seen that offers both options, so you don’t have to choose!

🎒 Perfect Daypack Combo: The Backpacker comes with a detachable daypack that is perfect for an “under the seat bag,” carrying a laptop, or throwing essentials in a pack for a day-to-day use around whatever European city you’re currently exploring.

💯 Lifetime Guarantee: Salkan bags are built to last, and you can literally feel it in the quality of the material. I’ve already put this backpack through a lot, and I’m guessing it can survive a lot more, but they offer a lifetime guarantee just to be sure.

📦 Free Returns and Shipping to USA: Salkan is a British outfitter but they ship free to the USA, though, and my bag arrived in just a couple days. Plus, if for whatever reason you don’t like the Backpacker, they offer free returns.

I think the Salkan is arguably the best travel backpack for men who plan to spend time traveling through the outdoors, although it is a bulkier bag. Read a my full review of the Salkan backpack for a more in-depth look at this bag’s many features.

#3 – Tortuga Travel Backpack

Tortuga Travel Backpack Review

Released in early 2023, the Tortuga Travel Backpack is a great bag geared towards travelers who want a “single bag solution.” Abigail recently put it to a hands-on test. Here’s what liked (and didn’t like) about Tortuga’s newest travel backpack model:

✔️ Avoid Checked Bag Fees: The main selling point of the Tortuga Travel Backpack is that it geared towards travelers looking for a single bag for their entire trip. The design maximizes the available space. In her tests, Abigail was able to fit a week’s worth of clothing and essentials in the bag.

🎒 Comfortable Even When Full: A lot of bags seem comfortable … until you pack them full. The Tortuga Travel Backpack has loads of padding, and an innovative harness system meant to distribute the weight of the bag. In Abigail’s tests, it felt comfortable even when packed to the max.

📦 Easy to Pack: The Tortuga Travel Backpack is front-loading, which makes packing and un-packing it easier. It also has a nifty front panel where you can store your passport and other quick-grab essentials.

Overall, the Tortuga Travel Backpack is a great choice for “single bag” travelers who want to avoid checked bag fees. For a more in-depth breakdown of this bag, see Abigail’s full Tortuga Travel Backpack review.

#4 – Topo Designs Global Travel Bag

Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Review

Travel Lemming writer Sky recently reviewed the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag on an extended trip to Portugal. She came away impressed by the bag’s many organizational features. If you’re the type of traveler who prefers to have a pocket or compartment for every item, the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag might be the backpack for you.

🗂️ Many Pocket Options – You will find several pockets and compartments in this backpack, making it easy to create an efficient packing system. The Global Travel Bag even has water bottle pocket.

🧳 Suitcase Style Main Compartment – The main compartment of this backpack zips open like a suitcase, which can make it easy to pack and unpack when you get to your hostel or hotel.

🎒 Adaptable Carry System – You can carry the Global Travel Bag as a backpack using the shoulder and hip harness system. But it also converts to a duffel bag that you can carry briefcase style.

✅ High Quality Materials – One of the things that most impressed our reviewer Sky was the high quality and durable construction. The Global Travel Bag is made to last!

#5 – Osprey Farpoint 55

Osprey Farpoint 55 Review

Not a light packer? Then I suggest upgrading to the Osprey Farpoint 55.

See Sky’s full Osprey Farpoint 55 review for more details, but here is the quick summary:

🎒 Space to Fit It All: The Osprey Farpoint has almost 10 liters of extra space to fit in those extra shoes, clothes, or whatever else it is that you need on your trip, plus a good hip and harness strap system to allow you to comfortably carry that extra weight.

👉 Need Even More Space? Check out Osprey’s 70 liter version.

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Popular for a Reason: This is definitely one of the most popular backpacks for traveling Europe. So if you want a safe bet that many others seem to like, this is a good choice. I’ve seen this exact backpack MANY times in hostels all over the European continent! So obviously a lot of other people think it’s one of the best backpacks for traveling Europe. Just be sure to tag yours so it doesn’t get taken by the wrong person!

#6 – The Nomatic Travel Backpack

The Nomatic Travel Backpack Review

I loved the organizing features of the Nomatic Travel Bag and, for my latest trip, very nearly chose it as my personal bag … except that it just doesn’t have quite enough space for me personally. If you’re a light packer, or looking to carry two bags though, it could be a great option. Here’s my thoughts on it:

💻 Made for Digital Nomads: the bag went viral in the digital nomad community for good reason. It is well designed for organizing tech gear, and the many pockets and sleeves make it easy to find and grab items on the go.

➕ Expandable Carry-On Size: the Nomatic Travel Backpack expands from 20 L to 30 L, which means it is pretty versatile. Expand it out to carry on an airplane, then size it down for a day at the co-working space.

#7 – Peak Design Travel Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack Review

Our writer Lea Rose recently reviewed the 45 L Peak Design Travel Backpack after testing it out on the road during her extended backpacking trip to Spain and Portugal. Lea Rose really enjoyed the bag. Although it only comes in limited color options, this travel backpack stands out for organizational features and the soft but durable material.

🤐 Zippered Pocket Compartment – One of the standout features of the Peak Design Travel Backpack is the front zippered compartment, which actually contains four separate zippered pockets (two meshed, two enclosed). There are several more pockets for your passport, pens, and other quick-grab items.

➗ Dividing Panel with Dual-Side Access – Peak Design excels at organization, and another great feature of this backpack is the dual-access dividing panel that can be used to organize the backpack’s main compartment (or stowed away if you don’t need it).

🎒 Stowaway Shoulder & Hip Straps – The back panel of the Peak Design Travel Backpack comes with a magnetic flap which allows for easy storage of the shoulder and/or hip straps. This means you have options for how to wear the backpack, depending on your preferred style and how much weight is inside the bag.

#8 – Pacsafe Venturesafe Carry-On Travel Backpack

Pacsafe Venturesafe Review

If you want a quality bag loaded with security features, the Pacsafe Venturesafe is a great travel carry on bag for Europe.

🔪 Slash-Proof – Bag slashing is one of the more common crimes targeting backpackers in Europe. Since slashers tend to target corners of bags, Pacsafe reinforced this bag with its eXomesh stainless steel mesh. Good luck cutting through that!

🤐 Lockable Zippers – While backpacking Europe, you’ll spend a lot of time leaving your bag in random places: hostel floors and common rooms, open shelves on trains and ferries, and in large stacks of other bags. These lockable zippers make it much harder for a pickpocket to snatch something while you aren’t looking.

🎒 Organized and Comfortable – The anti-theft features aren’t the only thing this backpack has going for it – it’s also pretty comfortable to carry and loaded with smart organization features.

#9 – Tortuga Outbreaker

Video Review of Tortuga Outbreaker Backpack

Tortuga Outbreaker Review

The Tortuga Outbreaker is something of a legendary bag in the travel community. It’s been replaced by the newer and more updated Tortuga Travel Backpack, but is still available while supplies last. Here’s what we love about this classic travel backpack:

✈️ Carry-On Only Backpack: This shockingly comfortable bag comes in both 35L and 45L sizes, and fits clothes for up to a week of travel, plus a 17 inch laptop in a special padded laptop compartment.

✔️Crazy-Good Organization: The Tortuga Outbreaker has plenty of space on the inside, plus an incredibly smart front pocket organizer with space for things like your passport, wallet, keys, and more. It even has a little zipper pocket on its hip belt that functions like a fanny-pack – great for easy access as you’re walking around European old towns.

4 Best Travel Daypacks for Europe

Most backpackers in Europe carry a daypack or laptop bag in addition to their main backpack. This makes a lot of sense since a lot of times you’ll need something to carry your camera and other essential items while you are out exploring for the day. It also gives you extra space to pack things if you are trying to carry on a plane (since daypacks can fit under the seat in front of you, and usually count as a personal item).

Here are the 4 best travel daypacks for Europe:

Nomatic Navigator Lite

The Nomatic Navigator Lite series includes some of the newest travel day packs on the market in 2022. Travel Lemming writer Abigail recently got her hands on this backpack and put it to the test in her Nomatic Navigator backpack review. Here’s why we think it’s the best all-around everyday carry bag:

✨ Stylish and Versatile: If you’re going to splash out on a new daypack for your trip to Europe, you might as well get a back that will be functional when you return home. The Nomatic Navigator Lite is a bag you’ll also want to use on your everyday commute, at school, or at work.

🎒 The Perfect Level of Organization: This day backpack strikes a good balance between offering enough organization without overloading you with compartments and pockets.

⚡ Brilliant Features: Nomatic has packed this bag with tons of practical features, like a charging cord slot, a hidden water bottle pocket, and a luggage strap.

Tortuga Outbreaker Laptop Bag

Tortuga has consistently produced the best “main” backpacks we’ve tested at Travel Lemming, so I was really excited when they announced that they were also going to put out the Tortuga Outbreaker laptop bag. My partner Clara is currently using this bag, and absolutely loves it:

👉 Great Organization: As you would expect from something with the Tortuga brand, this bag offers many different organization features, pockets, and places to stash away small items like keys, a passport, or a charger.

✨ Super Cushy Straps: Laptop bags are usually the bag that spends the most time on your shoulders, and laptops tend to weigh a fair bit, so Clara loves that this bag has super comfortable padding.

👖 Usable as Your Only Bag: This is meant to be an under-the-seat “personal item,” but it honestly has the space not just for a laptop, but everything you’d want in a backpack for a shorter trip. If you were only taking a trip for a long weekend and wanted to just carry one bag, you could probably get by with just the Outbreaker laptop bag!

Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack

This is a classic daypack. I absolutely love The Osprey Daylite Daypack, and took it to over 50 countries. It’s a simple bag, but it really works. Here’s why:

✈️ Lightweight But Feature-Rich: 13 liters, it’s the perfect size for packing your camera and other items (I even fit my drone in there!). This daypack is lightweight so it doesn’t hurt my back, and it has a small hip strap that can be useful at times.

🔒 Osprey Locking System: Best of all, it straps into my main Osprey Porter 46 backpack through their proprietary locking system, meaning it’s possible to attach the two bags together and just carry them as one!

✔️ Lifetime Guarantee: In case you couldn’t tell that I love Osprey by now – the Daylite daypack also comes with Osprey’s incredible lifetime guarantee.

Salkan Daypack

Can’t decide between a laptop bag or a more traditional daypack? Consider the Salkan Daypack, which offers the best of both worlds. It comes bundled with the Salkan Backpacker, but can also be bought separately. I can confidentially say it makes for an excellent choice for a daypack for Europe because it’s what I’m personally using these days!

✔️ Great for Laptops AND Day trips: I use my daypacks for two similar but different purpose. First, to keep my laptop and day-of essentials close to me on flights. Second, when I am already in a destination, I like to have a bag I can grab to keep important things like towels, umbrellas, and other basics on hand while exploring a city or beach. The Salkan is the only bag I’ve found that is perfect for BOTH use cases.

✨ Super Stylish: I don’t know about, but I think it just looks really cool right?

How to Research Travel Backpacks

• ✔️ Why Trust Us
• 👉 How to Pick a Travel Backpack
• 👖 What to Pack for Europe
• ❓ FAQs

Why Trust Our Recommendations

So who am I and why should you trust my travel backpack recommendations?

I’m Nate Hake, a full time traveler since 2016.

I quite literally live out of a backpack and a daypack.

Above you can see me and my 46L Osprey Porter in Amsterdam. Oh, and I’ve also traveled in Europe a LOT. I’ve been to nearly every country in Europe (I’m coming for you Albania!), and I backpack somewhere in Europe almost every summer. (Side note: if you’re getting wanderlust right now, check out my list of the best places to backpack in Europe and our huge guide to Backpacking Europe).

And guess what I’ve learned in all that travel? I’ve learned that a quality travel backpack can be your best friend while traveling through Europe.

First, I have a few tips for picking the best travel backpack for Europe properly …

4 Tips for Picking a Backpack for Traveling Europe

Let’s start by covering some of the basic things you should be looking for when shopping for a backpack for traveling in Europe.

Most of these things apply universally to shopping for any sort of travel backpack, but there are a handful of unique considerations when backpacking Europe that might matter:

#1 – Sort Out Your Desired Size First

Most importantly, you need to decide how much luggage space you need in your travel backpack. Personally, I suggest aiming to be as lean possible. You’ll be carrying this bag a lot on your trip, so the less weight you have on it, the better and more comfortable it will be.

Reasons why smaller = better include:

• Carry-on sized bags help save money on checked bag fees (especially on European budget airlines like Ryan Air).
• Smaller bags are easier to stuff into the overhead compartments on trains, or into the sometimes small lockers in hostels.
• You don’t want to be that backpacker who has a huge bag hogging up the corner of the crowded dorm room!

And I know what you’re thinking: but what about laundry?

Well, fortunately, that’s easy and cheap to find when traveling Europe. Most hostels offer a laundry room or laundry service and, when they don’t, it’s usually just a few blocks away. Or you could always carry a Scruba laundry bag with you and just do it in the shower!

So leave the extra outfits at home and just plan to do a wash every now and then!

One thing to note about travel backpack size:

Size is typically expressed in liters or “L”. If you’re an American, like me, this might be hard to wrap your mind around so let me give you some context:

The travel pack in the photo of me above in Amsterdam above is a 46 liter bag, which I use as my main bag now and which is about the maximum size you can have before you start to have to check your bag.

Keep in mind when looking at that photo that I’m very tall, so it may look bigger on you.

#2 – Make Sure Your Travel Backpack is Comfortable

You’re going to be walking around with this bag on your shoulders a fair amount, so finding a bag that comfortably fits your frame is important.

One thing that REALLY helps distribute the weight of a heavy backpack is a hip-strap.

If you’ve not used a hip strap suspension system before, it can feel a bit funky the first time, but it works wonders by moving a lot of the weight from your shoulders to your hips. Trust me, your shoulders will thank you at the end of the day for using the waist-strap suspension system!

On the other hand, backpacking Europe isn’t the same as trekking through Nepal or Patagonia.

Honestly, you will seldom carry your travel backpack more than a kilometer or so at a time, so it’s not like you need to bother getting an expensive and bulky hiking backpack (which are usually top loading and often have way more features for comfort like padded hip belts and complex suspension systems).

#3 – Don’t Sacrifice Durability for Price

I’ve seen so many backpackers in hostels with tears in their bags, ripped straps, or just generally discolored and gross looking backpacks.

Backpacks take a beating and it’s important to buy a brand that gets good reviews over the long haul.

So even if you are trying to travel cheaply in Europe, you’ll save money by buying a backpack that lasts longer.

#4 – Consider (But Don’t Overthink) Features

Traditional hiking backpacks have a ton of pockets, as well as the main compartment that is usually accessible only from the top.

Some people like this because it helps them to organize – they designate a pocket or compartment for toiletries, other compartments for shirts and underwear, other compartments for pants, etc.

Personally, I think a lot of compartments and pockets are constraining, and I find that having fewer, larger pockets is more versatile and makes packing easier and quicker.

Also, note that some backpacks also are designed with an option for a built-in waterproof cover.

While a nice feature, I personally don’t think this is necessary if you just need a backpack for travel in Europe.

Sure, it rains, but you’ll be inside most of the time (again, this isn’t Patagonia) and it’s almost always possible to quickly find cover in Europe.

Whatever you do, don’t overthink small features like pockets. The truth is that you’ll find a way to pack your stuff in most bags, so it’s size, comfort, and durability you should be focusing on when picking your backpack.

What to Pack for Europe

One more thing before you travel to Europe:

Don’t forget these items that should be on every backpacker’s packing list …

Compression Bags

A great way to fit more items in your travel backpack is to use compression bags to squeeze the air out of your clothes.

I personally use these fabric compression bags, but these plastic bags are a high-rated option that give more compression.

European Travel Plug Adapter

If your electronic devices are from the USA/Canada/Australia/UK, you’re going to need an adapter to be able to charge them!

This is a solid one that also works in many different locations around the world.

A Retractable-Cable Lock

Why this specific type of lock?

Because the retractable cable comes in handy when you need to secure your travel backpack (for example in a dorm where the hostel doesn’t have a locker, or the locker won’t fit your bag).

Here is a highly-rated and affordable one to try.

Travel Neck Pillow

Backpacking Europe = a LOT of time spent on trains, planes, and buses (not to mention hostels without adequate facilities).

I wouldn’t dare try it without a travel neck pillow in my backpack.

Because I’m obsessed with perfection, I had our writer Hedy test out 5 of the best travel neck pillows.

The winner of our test?

The TRTL Travel Neck Pillow … by a landslide. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and fits easily in a backpack.

Travel Umbrella

An umbrella is one of those things you don’t think to pack and then later realize you need it … but only when you REALLY need it.

So safe yourself some trouble and just pack one now.

And I’ll help you get the best one quickly, because another one of our writers (Lydia) actually tested out the best umbrellas for travel.

Her top choice?

The Rainmate Compact Travel Umbrella. It’s lightweight yet durable, packs down small, but gets the job done at an affordable price.

Travel Insurance for Europe

Are you covered in case of an accident during your backpacking trip through Europe? If not, you could be in for a real crisis if an emergency happens. That’s why I always add travel insurance to my packing list.

You can easily compare quotes for your trip from a site like VisitorsCoverage.

A House Sitting Membership

What’s house sitting?

Well, it’s where you watch someone’s home (and usually their pets) while you stay in it without paying.

It’s cheaper than a hostel (well, unless you happen to get one of those sweet hostel jobs through a service like World Packers). Plus, you don’t have to crash on a couch, and you get MUCH more space to unpack your travel backpack than you would anywhere else.

Read our post on How to Housesit to learn why many think it’s the ultimate hack to backpacking Europe.

Or check out Trusted Housesitters if you want to start browsing available properties now.

FAQs About Buying a Europe Backpack

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That’s it for this guide on the best travel backpacks for Europe!

Do you have an opinion on the best backpack for traveling Europe? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

And if you have any questions or need further help to choose your best bag for travel in Europe, just let me know! I’m always here to help my readers.