The Ultimate Packing Guide for a European Bikepacking Trip

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This ultimate packing guide for a bikepacking trip in Europe has everything you need!

For your first bikepacking adventure through Europe, you don’t want to be weighed down with too much, but you also don’t want to be missing anything either. After more than 5,000 kilometers of bike touring on 7+ routes through 12 countries, I have a good idea of what to pack on a European bikepacking trip. This ultimate packing guide for a European bikepacking trip contains everything I like to pack, so I’ll let you know what I think is essential and what could be tweaked to your preferences.

In most of Europe, you have the luxury that anything you may need or want can usually be found within 10-20 kilometers. So if you have forgotten something from this ultimate packing guide for a European bikepacking trip, it’s probably no sweat. On the other hand, it is good to be prepared and to have gear you are familiar and comfortable with. See here for more tips for your first European bikepacking trip. Now on to the ultimate packing guide for your European bikepacking trip…

Ultimate Packing Guide: Bike

You and your bike will be best friends on this journey, so you’d better make sure your number one companion is as ready to go as you are!

Touring bike

It’s important to have a proper bicycle for your European bikepacking trip. My first trip (the worst bike trip ever) was a long 4 days and 300 km on a second-hand kid’s mountain bike. It worked, but I’ve had two touring bikes since then and it has made a big difference.

The bike needs to be sturdy enough to carry your luggage, but shouldn’t be as heavy as your luggage. Racing bike tires will be too thin and mountain bike tires will have too much of a profile, creating unnecessary friction. I’ve used Giant Toughroad and Stevens Cross 6x. I also think disc brakes are important because the weight of the luggage. If you’re not using a touring bike, you’ll want to make sure you can attach a luggage rack onto it. On my current bike it’s only possible to have a rack on the back wheel and not on the front. My partner, C has luggage racks on both ends of his touring bike.

Fenders

This could be optional, but I was extremely dirty after that first trip because it rained nonstop for two days (so I was really wet), and then it was muddy for a few days after that (and so was I). Some touring bikes might already come with fenders. If they don’t, I find them worth adding on.

Bell

A bell is required in Germany for bikes which are on the road. Even if you’re not cycling in Germany, bells are useful to let other bikers know you want to pass or to tell pedestrians to get off the bike lane!

Bikepacking Suggestion: Berlin to Copenhagen! 650 km and 2 weeks

Lights

Another requirement for bikers on the road in Germany, lights are just good to have. I often don’t need them in summer because the days in Europe are so long. Though, some days might be very dark with clouds or rainy. You never know when you’ll have an early start or a late finish when you’ll need lights. Many touring bikes also have integrated lights, which means as long as you’re peddling the lights are on. Don’t forget any necessary charging equipment either.

Kickstand

Friends of mine detest kickstands because they add too much weight. I think it’s annoying to have to lean your bike against something or to lay it on the ground every time you’re not sitting on it. Especially when it is loaded with luggage. Maybe optional for you, but not for me.

Bike bags

Unless you’re getting a shuttle service for your luggage, you will need some way to put your gear onto your bike. They seem like an expensive investment at first, but a good pair of bike bags will last you more than a decade. How many you need and what they look like will depend on how much luggage you’re carrying. (If you’re in Germany, you can find some to rent on Ebay Kleinanzeigen).

Since we’re camping and cooking, we have a lot of gear. C uses two back and two front panniers, while I use two back panniers and the rack back bag. We both have a handlebar bag, which is handy for things like maps, quick snacks, sunscreen, phone, etc. I used to have an upright roll down bag, which we called “the sausage.” It’s also great for paddling trips and floating down the Rhine.

We highly recommend the Ortlieb bags. I use mine every day rain, snow, and shine to work and also for bikepacking. They are really waterproof!

If you’re packing lighter, you may consider frame packs which attach directly to the frame of your bike. This wouldn’t really be possible for me on my current bike because the bar on the frame is lower, leaving no space for luggage. So be sure to consider the shape and size of your bike if you go with this model.

Luggage rack

Once you have those fancy bags, you’ll need something to hang them on to. Again, it will depend on how much luggage you’re carrying, whether you’re using frame bags or the kind which need a rack, and what kind of bike you have. Most luggage racks fit most bikes. Your local bike shop will be able to help you pick out the right one.

And don’t forget:

Water bottle, bottle holder, phone holder, bike lock, bike helmet.

Bike Touring Recommendation: 100-Schlösser-Route – see tons of castles on day trips from Münster!

Ultimate Packing Guide: Tools

It’s really hard to be out in the middle of nowhere in most of Europe. If something really goes wrong with your bike, you’ll most likely be able to get it the 10-15 kilometers to a bike shop. What you should know how to do before you go is to change a tube and to fix a flat tire.

I keep a tiny bag packed with the following items: 3 tire levers, 2 tubes, 1 patch kit, 1 bike multi-tool and chain oil. My bike pump attaches directly to my bike near the water bottle holder. Not only is it important to have these tools, but know how to use them. I can tell you that watching some Youtube videos about changing a flat tire is much different than doing it in actuality. So if you’re able to do a class or get some practice fixing a flat before you go out, future-you with a flat tire will thank you. If you’re in Germany, ADFC offers inexpensive bike repair courses.

Ultimate Packing Guide: Clothes

Clothes are light, but they take up a lot of space. Exactly what you pack to wear will depend on your personal comfort level and exactly what kind of European bikepacking tour you plan to do. Friends of mine bikepacked to a wedding, so they needed different clothes than C and I did when we cycled to Bornholm to go rock climbing.

Bike outfit

You will need at least one outfit to cycle in. C manages to have one pair of cycling shorts and one cycling T-shirt and uses this for all three weeks of our trip. I prefer to have 2-3 pairs of shorts so I can hand wash them every day and give them enough time to dry. That said, it is very important to have a pair of padded cycling shorts. I didn’t on my first trip and I had a very sore bottom. It really does make a big difference. A cycling specific shirt is not necessary. Any quick-drying, light T-shirt will do.

Adventurous Bikepacking Suggestion: EuroVelo 9 across Slovenia – through the mountains to the Adriatic!

Sleeping outfit

I’m a big fan of clothes you can wear around and sleep in, so my camp outfit is often what I sleep in. For me, it’s a light T-shirt and a pair of athletic shorts. C sleeps in his swim trunks and a T-shirt.

Non-bike outfit

If your sleep outfit is not something you want to be seen around town in, then you’ll need a second one. I like to pack a light dress to wear on rest days while everything else is in the laundry. Even if your sleep outfit is your town outfit, you’ll want a second set of clothes to wear on wash day (most likely for trips over a week).

Socks and underwear

How much socks and underwear you pack will depend on how long until you plan to do laundry on your trip and if you feel comfortable wearing them two or more times before getting washed. Wool underwear can be worn several times before needing a wash. Other kinds are made to dry quickly after handwashing. I usually pack 5 pairs of underwear, 3 pairs of socks, and 2 sports bras with the intention of doing laundry every 6-7 days.

Rain gear

This summer we didn’t need it one bit. Two summers ago, it rained so much our camp was covered in 6 inches of water and our camera drowned. You never know what will happen, so you don’t want to be without it. Pack a rain jacket and rain pants. I got tired of leaky rain jackets, so I now have a fancy expensive one, but my rain pants are a generic, one-size-fits-all (actually, one-size-fits-man) pair. You can also use them to layer if it gets really cold. And the rain jacket can work as a windbreaker if you don’t have one.

Camp shoes

You might want to save the weight and just cycle in the same pair of shoes you will wear otherwise, but I enjoy wearing something else in the evenings. C and I cycle in sneakers and then have trekking sandals for evening and to wear on rest days. Flip-flops or sandals are good for walking around camp or showering, while a sturdier shoe would be good for a “rest day” hike.

Bathing suit

In Basel, we floated down the Rhine like the locals and on the EuroVelo 6 we swam (and bathed!) in the Danube. When we reached Calais, we jumped into the North Sea. Ok, even in summer it was too cold for me at the North Sea, but I stuck my toes in! Though you can see what I’m getting at. You never know when you’ll want it, so don’t forget it. Some camps (and hotels) have pools, others are situated on nice lakes. C’s even doubles as sleepwear.

Windbreaker

I’ve only recently gotten a cycling windbreaker, but it’s one of my favorite pieces of gear. It’s light enough that I don’t sweat, but keeps the wind off me. If you’re not willing to invest in this just yet, your rain jacket could double as a windbreaker.

Something warm

Europe is much further north than the US. Even though the sun can be scorching in the summer, evenings and nights can get quite cold. I always have a pair of leggings and a thermal long-sleeve in my luggage. Also, a fleece is good for layering. If it gets really cold, I can put on my leggings, thermal shirt, rain pants, fleece, and rain jacket. If you’re going to be in Scandinavia, you might need to consider more layers. For our trip from Berlin to Copenhagen, this was enough.

Biking for City Slickers – the Berliner Mauerweg – 150 km around former West Berlin

Ultimate Packing Guide: Camping

Really going the adventurous route then, are you? It’s so freeing to cycle knowing that you have everything you need right there with you and that you can go wherever you want! I love this independent feeling while backpacking through Europe.

Tent

Sleeping Pad

After a long day of cycling, you want to have a comfy night of sleep! An inflatable mattress will be better than the egg carton-foam kind. I have had two Therma-Rest pads, currently with the NeoxAir. C has an Expeds. Both blow up with a pump sack.

Sleeping Bag

For much of Europe in the summer months, a light-weight summer sleeping bag will be fine. Mine is comfort down to 12°C. Since I’m easily cold, I also carry a light silk sleeping bag liner which doesn’t add too much weight or volume to my luggage. In Scandinavia or at other times of the year, you might need a heavier bag.

Pillow

I’m getting too old and three weeks is too long to sleep without a comfy pillow. If you want to go without, you can use your fleece or jacket inside the sleeping bag stuff sack as a pillow. I like to sleep in my fleece on cold nights though, since I have a light sleeping bag. Another option would be to use your camping seat cushion as a pillow, but they aren’t as comfortable.

Chair/sit pad

After biking all day, sitting on the ground doesn’t sound like the comfiest thing to do. I bring a small inflatable seat cushion to sit on while cooking and eating at camp. C’s luxury item on the trip is his folding camp chair with headrest. It weighs nearly a kilo (2 pounds) but it’s worth it for him. I’ve seen other bike campers with little foldable stools or camp chairs too. I didn’t have this on my first cycling trips either, so it is an optional item for sure! Some camps will have picnic benches to use, but this is gold mine when you find one that exists and isn’t taken already.

Blanket/tarp

Going along with the last item, something to spread on the ground to sit on is nice to have at hand. We also use it in the morning to keep things dry when the rest of the ground is wet with dew. Our tarp is from an old rope sack, so really any lightweight ground covering will do. Not necessary, but convenient.

Towel

You get one at the hotel, but not while camping. My luxury item is a giant towel I can wrap up in. But you can save weight and space by packing a small hand towel-sized one. A microfiber towel will dry quicker and pack smaller than a regular cotton one. Some bikepackers/campers carry an extra towel to dry the tent in the morning or to use for the dishes.

Headlamp/Flashlight

Often campsites are very well-lit, even at night. But you will run into a few cases where having a torch comes in handy. We each have a headlamp. For the tent we have a lantern, so we can read before going to sleep. At least one light (that isn’t your phone!) should be available for emergencies.

Ultimate Packing Guide: Cooking

Even though some bikepackers choose to camp, they don’t cook. Cooking yourself and camping will significantly decrease your budget, but it means carrying extra gear and planning in time to do these things. Choosing not to cook also involves careful planning if you are camping. Many campsites have a restaurant on site, but you cannot rely on this as it is not always the case and they are often closed at least one day per week. Some campsites will have some groceries which you can buy on site, mostly packaged items (no fresh fruits/veggies), usually more expensive than the supermarket.

Stove

These come in all shapes and sizes! We have a JetBoil, which is heavier than an ultralight stove, but it boils water very quickly. We find this advantageous because in the mornings we only cook water and it saves us on gas over the course of three weeks.

Fuel

We carry enough for our entire trip with us. Some countries only offer certain kinds and that might not be the one you need. I don’t think this is something you can carry onto the plane with you, so you’ll have to do some research about the kind available where you’re landing. Globetrotter is an outdoor store which you can find in many major cities in Germany: Here’s their selection of fuel for stoves, which you can expect to find at many outdoor stores across the country.

Pot

You’ll, of course, need something to cook in! We love the Sea to Summit X-Pot. The 2.8 L is perfect for 2 people, while the 1.4 L is good for singles. They even make a 4L pot! The X-Pot is great because it collapses down to a very small size. We can also fit our bowls and cups inside too.

Pan

Perhaps only necessary for gourmet camping cooks. We also have the X-Pan, which is great for sautéing veggies we find at farm stands along the way and adding some greens to our meals.

Utensils

A necessity unless you’re only going to be eating energy bars the whole way. Camping cutlery comes in all sizes and materials. C has a titanium spork with fork at one end and spoon at the other. I love my To-Go bamboo spoon, which I’ve found is usually all I need for eating at camp. Personal need and preference will decide how you go. We have a Swiss army knife for cooking and everything else, plus a small wooden spatula so we don’t scratch our cookware.

Dish/bowl

If you’re on your own, just eat out of the pot and save the weight! I have certainly done this, if only to save on washing dishes. Otherwise you’ll also need a container to eat out of. We find that a bowl suffices for pretty much everything. Again, we love the X-series from Sea-to-Summit because they pack neatly into our pot, and are lightweight and space-saving. We also carry a few tupperboxes with us to store our rice and lentils. The ones I have stack well together (to save space when not in use) and end up being in use for the whole trip.

Coffee

We don’t drink coffee. *Gasp!* So I don’t know what you need for this, but there is definitely a camping section at your favorite outdoor store with a selection of accoutrements to help you. What I recommend everyone brings is a cup which can hold hot beverage.

Sponge and Spüli

Easy to forget, but you’ll need to do the washing up after enjoying a well-deserved meal at camp. Spüli is short for Spülmittel which means dish washing detergent in German. Our tip is to cut a regular sponge in half. It saves you a little bit of space and a little weight, but also looks totally cute if you also have the travel-sized dish soap to go with it 😉

Ultimate Packing Guide: Food

This will vary wildly from person to person. I hope to do a few posts on our favorite camp meals in the future, so be on the lookout! We always eat vegetarian, and mostly vegan while camping because dairy products don’t keep well (though we did buy a LOT of cheese in France!).

The great thing about cycling is that it is possible to go to the supermarket nearly every day. We like to have a few days’ worth of food with us a time to save us from thinking about what’s for dinner each night and to save time finding and going to the store. Unless you’re cycling through northern Scandinavia, you do not need to carry 3 weeks’ worth of food with you.

Tip: going to the grocery store in another country is a great way to experience the culture. What do they have a lot of variation of that is uncommon where you live? What kind of sweets do they have? Are there fruits and vegetables you don’t recognize?

MREs, or Meals Ready to Eat, are nice to have with you because they are very simple to cook (just add hot water, stir, and wait). The cons are that they are expensive and weigh a lot. We carry 2-4 with us for our 3-week journey as emergency meals. In cases when the weather is bad or you have a particularly long day, having these meals can cut you a little break. Most outdoor stores have a big selection ranging from breakfast, to dinner, to dessert!

Snacks

Absolutely essential. Yes, you may be able to stop often to get food, but when hanger strikers, you do not want to be without snacks. Especially if you’re cycling with me! Our favorites are Clif Bars, dried fruits, trail mix, and gummibears. Chocolate melts a lot in the summer, but is also a nice treat.

Ultimate Packing Guide: Medicine Cabinet

No one wants to need it, but you want to have these things with you in case you do!

First aid kit

Our pack includes tape, blister bandages, elastic fixation bandage, alcohol swabs, bandages of different shapes and sizes, emergency/space blanket, and a triangular bandage.

Corona kit

The dreaded C-word! Ever since Covid hit, I’ve been carrying a little kit around just-in-case. Even if Corona has quieted down, it doesn’t hurt to have a little kit in case you get sick. In it I have a thermometer, nasal spray, Ibuprofen, throat lozenges, and cough drops. You’ll never be far from the pharmacy on your bikepacking trip, but it is good to have products you are familiar with when illness strikes or to get you through until the next morning. A lot of over-the-counter medicine is really different in Europe compared to what you can get in the US, so don’t expect to get even the same kinds of products you’re used to.

Ultimate Packing Guide: Personal items

Most of these items are self-explanatory. You may have more to add to the list. Again, you can get most of these things in any drug store, just not the same one you have at home.

Toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, personal medications, feminine hygiene products, hairbrush, shower gel/soap/shampoo, nail clipper, chap stick, sun screen, hand sanitizer

Tweezers – double as a tick remover and we’ve even used them to remove thorns out of tires

Toilet paper – they only ever come in a pack of 6 which is not something you want to carry around with you. Also, when you arrive at a campsite and there’s no TP you don’t usually have time to run to the store to get some. It’s also convenient to have along the way. Just make sure that when you go, you don’t leave toilet paper behind! No one else wants to see it and it’s not biodegradable.

Ultimate Packing Guide: Electronics

As much as going away on holiday means getting away from all of this, we still love to stay connected!

Phone and co.

I’ve forgotten all sorts of parts from having the wrong adaptor in Scotland to remembering the power bank but forgetting my phone cable while cycling to Poland. Accessories you may need include but aren’t limited to your phone, a power bank, charger, cable, appropriate adaptor, and headphones.

Bike computer

C had one the last few years, but recently even with replacing the battery it has stopped working. They are great when they work, but aren’t the most reliable little machines. After several days in a row of use, ours usually goes on the fritz. Which brings me to the next point…

Apps

For a long time I really avoided using my phone or even having it on while I was out hiking or cycling. Now I enjoy using Komoot, a German-based outdoor adventure app for hiking, bike touring, mountain biking, road cycling, and running. The app allows you to record your route and will give you all the stats the bike computer usually does. You can also plan your route with it or follow routes completed by others. It’s social media for outdoors people! Follow me on Komoot!

Great transportation apps: Deutsche Bahn (for train travel in Germany), FlixBus (for travel by bus and train with your bike in most of Europe)

SimplyCards – I love sending postcards and this app lets me easily send them with photos I’ve taken from our trip. I like that the cost of sending the postcard is the same regardless of where in the world you send it. It usually takes 7-10 days for the postcard to arrive depending on where it’s going. Here’s why postcards make the best souvenirs.

Ultimate Packing Guide: Documents

You don’t want to be far away from home without these!

Identification

Passport or EU ID card. Required for all those borders you’ll cross on your European bikepacking trip!

Visas

Be sure to check for any visa requirements before you leave for your trip! You do not want any unwanted surprises at the border!

Train/Bus tickets

Can mostly be held digitally, some hard copies might be useful especially if you will be crossing into or out of non-EU countries. I had quite a headache getting from Croatia to Hungary (both EU, but Croatia is non-Schengen). Having physical train tickets and hotel receipts was helpful.

Maps

Health insurance

I don’t have lots of tips here, just make sure you’re covered in case something happens. Usually in Europe the idea is that everyone deserves to be cared for, but you should still have insurance because you never know! Lots of people recommend World Nomads for travel insurance. I used them once on my trip to Ecuador, but had no need while I was there, so I can’t say how great it is or not.

Credit/debit cards

Be sure to notify your bank and credit card company that you’ll be traveling out of the country. This way your cards won’t be blocked when you arrive. Have a few options with you. Even if you do tell your bank that you’re leaving, sometimes they still give you problems. I have a Chase United credit card and it works EVERYWHERE. There are also no exchange fees, so I can always use it in the local currency.

Ultimate Packing Guide: Odds and Ends

These items don’t really fit anywhere else, but you don’t want to forget them either.

Swiss army knife

Ok, this seems like it could go with camping, but I think it’s important to bring even if you’re not camping! That’s why it’s here. A knife just comes in handy at all sorts of times. You might not need one with a ton of gadgets, a light pocket knife will probably be just fine.

Entertainment

For down time, it’s handy to have a book, podcast, magazine, or music. You can often leave books at campsites or book telephone booths and pick up new ones. You won’t always find books in English though, but many bookstores along the way may have an English section. Keeping a journal is also a great way to retain all the memories you’re making. You think you’ll remember the name of that adorable village with the to-die-for eclairs, but you won’t!

Money

Germany is largely a cash society. Although this changed a lot during the pandemic, it is still not surprising when you can only pay in cash. Many campsites (EU wide) also only accept cash, so be prepared. Running around (or cycling 10 km) to find an ATM is not fun.

Luxury Item

I don’t mean your diamond studded wristwatch. I mean something that is a little extra comfort or piece of home. For C, it’s the folding camp chair. My giant towel is my luxury item. Maybe you have a teddy bear or a real pillow for sleeping. Bring as many “luxury items” as you want – you’re carrying them, not me!

Download Your Ultimate Packing Guide for a European Bikepacking Trip

Whoa! What a list! This ultimate packing guide has everything you’ll need for your European bikepacking trip. Even if you do forget something, you’ll either find a new one on the way or learn to live without it. It’s all part of the adventure. I wish you and your cycling partners a wonderful trip! Be sure to check out these tips for planning your European bikepacking adventure! And tell us about it and what you brought in the comments 🙂