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Packing


So myself and a friend are heading interailling this summer. We’re hitting a LOT of countries and are very interested in outdoor pursuits such as hiking, sailing, swimming, surfing etc.

Our question is two-fold;

Firstly what sort of bag should we bring? Our flights come with a 20kg check-in bag, so we are torn between a suitcase and small day hiking rugsack or a backpacking rugsack or a backpacking rugsack and a day hiking rugsack.

Which makes the most sense in terms of getting about from train station to hostel etc. We don’t want to be lugging a suitcase around the city for hours but on the other hand we’re not sure if giving up some of the extra storage space is worth it.

It may be worth noting we will be visiting a range of climates from med to germany in early early summer.

 

Secondly what should we pack? Is there many opportunities to wash clothes, are there any other essentials etc.

 

Lastly how have people found sleeper trains? How much should they cost? We can get seats with our reservation credits but we were hoping to sleep in a bed for a low cost.

 

Thank you all in advance.

Best answer by ralderton

I always say pack light. Lighter than you think! Imagine you've got 2.5 hours between trains to explore a city, and there's no luggage lockers. 

If your luggage is a small backpack, that's not a problem. (It's also often cheaper when you do rent lockers)

It kinda depends what you mean by hiking? If it's easy trails in good weather, then you can get away with trainers and a lightweight pac mac. That's what I do.

The rest of your activities don't take much kit I guess. Don't be carrying a wetsuit around the whole continent just for one day's surfing! You can always buy or rent stuff locally.

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ralderton
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  • Railmaster
  • 1537 replies
  • Answer
  • March 26, 2025

I always say pack light. Lighter than you think! Imagine you've got 2.5 hours between trains to explore a city, and there's no luggage lockers. 

If your luggage is a small backpack, that's not a problem. (It's also often cheaper when you do rent lockers)

It kinda depends what you mean by hiking? If it's easy trails in good weather, then you can get away with trainers and a lightweight pac mac. That's what I do.

The rest of your activities don't take much kit I guess. Don't be carrying a wetsuit around the whole continent just for one day's surfing! You can always buy or rent stuff locally.


ralderton
Railmaster
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  • Railmaster
  • 1537 replies
  • March 26, 2025

Find out the local word for laundry - laverie or waschsalon for example - and put that into Google maps near your accommodation.  There's plenty of self service laundries.

Of course hostels and even some of the newer ‘co-working’ style properties will have laundry.

You can also rent an apartment with a washing machine. Airbnb add Booking . com allow you to filter your search for this. Or in a B&B, ask the old lady who runs it!


  • Full steam ahead
  • 20 replies
  • March 26, 2025

Hi, if you are on Facebook you might check out Interrailing groups such as Interrailing for the Older Crowd  - I don’t know your age -:) .

There is also Interrail & Eurail Travelers  or Interrail/Eurail Travel Tips, Advice and Planning.

Enjoy yourselves.


  • Full steam ahead
  • 20 replies
  • March 26, 2025

And of course there is the wonderful Man in Seat 61 site

Use Deutsche Bahn or OBB (Austrian rail) for route planning. The Interrail/Eurail app train times are only updated roughly once a month


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