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Starting Your Hostel Backpacking Adventure
On my first round-the-world backpacking trip, my best friend wasn’t a person — it was my backpack. “Beast” (my Osprey pack) and its smaller zip-off twin, “Mini Beast,” carried me through cobblestone alleys, train platforms, hostel bunks, and border crossings with ease.
If you’re planning your first multi-day hostel backpacking trip — especially through Europe — packing light and smart is essential. You’ll be carrying everything on your back, so the right gear makes all the difference.
Here’s your ultimate hostel backpacking packing list and a few bonus packing hacks to keep you comfortable and sane while living out of a backpack.
Essential Hostel Backpacking Packing List
Whether you’re staying in a €10 bunk in Budapest or hiking up steep alleys in Porto, these travel essentials will help you stay light, organized, and ready for anything.
1. Packing Cubes
- Space-saving, sanity-saving. They compress your clothes and keep your backpack from becoming a tangled mess.
I love these from Eagle Creek – see my review here!
2. Quick-Dry Towel
A must for hostel showers and beach days. Go for a body-sized one for max versatility – beach days and hostel showers!
3. Earplugs + Eye Mask
Hostel life = shared rooms = snorers, street noise, and inconsiderate 3am arrivals. These are lifesavers.
4. Headlamp or Clip-On Light
For those midnight bathroom runs and early morning packing.
5. Universal Power Adapter
Look for one with USB ports for charging multiple devices.
6. Laundry Line + Mini Detergent
Doing laundry on the go? A lightweight travel laundry line is gold for hostel bathrooms.
Don’t forget a sink stopper like this one!
7. Trash Bags + Resealable Bags
They’re perfect for separating wet clothes, dirty shoes, or snack storage. Plus, a trash bag inside your backpack doubles as a DIY rain liner.
8. Lightweight Sleeping Bag or Liner (Optional)
Some budget hostels charge extra for linens or just feel sketchy. A sleeping bag liner gives peace of mind.
9. Flip-Flops or Shower Shoes
Trust me: hostel showers are not the place to go barefoot.
10. Reusable Grocery Bag
Folds flat and helps with last-minute grocery runs or carrying overflow gear.
Backpacking Hacks: Smart Add-Ons That Make a Big Difference
Here are a few bonus tricks I swear by after months on the road:
Compression Sacks: Use one for your dirty laundry to keep things contained and separated.
Safety Pins: Perfect for airing out wet gear or fixing things on the go. Also (TMI?) great for draining blisters — just bring alcohol wipes!
Trash Bag Liner: When it rains, a trash bag inside your backpack keeps your clothes dry. For bonus protection, pair it with a pack cover.
Planning Your First Solo Trip?
Don’t miss my post:
➡️ My Best Tips for Your First Solo Trip
You’ll find gear recs, solo safety tips, and my exact pre-trip routine.
Save This Post for Later!
Don’t forget to pin it — your future self will thank you when packing day rolls around.
Got Questions or Your Own Hostel Must-Haves?
What’s your #1 backpacking essential? Share it in the comments below — let’s swap packing tips!