You Need These 6 Items to Travel to Germany. Might as well get a deal on them for Black Friday!

THIS Backpack Is My Go-To For European Travels

I know it’s not always realistic, but if you can do carry on only, I promise it is going to make life so much easier in Germany, especially if you are taking trains, walking through old towns with rough cobble stones, etc. A backpack is my preferred luggage for European travel!

This is what I’ve been using for the last 8 years and LOVE it!

Osprey Porter Backpack

I highly recommend the Osprey Porter backpack for anyone traveling to Europe. It’s really comfortable, insanely durable (you wouldn’t BELIEVE how much I’ve pushed those zippers to the max….and beyond!) and has plenty of room for all your essentials.

Pros ✔️	Cons ❌
The adjustable torso fit ensures that the backpack fits comfortably and securely.	There’s not a lot of separate compartments for more organized packing.
The external gear attachment loops are perfect for attaching extra gear or equipment.	The backpack doesn’t have a built-in rain cover.
The padded top and side handles make it easy to carry the backpack when it’s not on your back.
You can attach the Daylite Bag directly to the outside of this bag so that you don’t have to wear one on your front and one on your back.

Osprey Lifetime Warranties

One of the reasons I will always recommend Osprey as a company is because they have lifetime warranties. In fact, my Daylite Bag (up next) had the chest clip come off after 8 years of brutal use and they gladly took it back to repair it. No questions asked!

Osprey Daylite Everyday Backpack

If it’s possible to be obsessed with a day bag, I’m there with this one. The Osprey Daylte is my absolute go-to. Here’s why:

Pros ✔️	Cons ❌
It connects directly to the outside of the Osprey Porter!!!!!! (I LOVE THAT!!!!)	Not a ton of various compartments for extra organization.
Detach it and you’ve got yourself a day bag!	Is a small day bag (think slightly smaller than a backpack).
Surprisingly large main compartment to fit a TON of stuff in for such a “small” day bag.
The dual stretch mesh side pockets provide additional storage options.
The multi-function interior sleeve can be used for either a hydration reservoir or tablet.

Roller Suitcases- Black Friday 25% Off Limited Time Deal

While I may PREFER to travel light, let’s be honest here. I’ve got three young children. There is no such thing as “Packing Light” in this phase of life! And even if you don’t have kiddos in tow, even though I still STRONGLY suggest a backpack for Germany travels vs an actual suitcase if you know you need a suitcase or will be bringing on regardless, this is the set I bought and use when I need more space.

Amazon Basics Softside Spinner 3-piece Set

This is actually a 3 piece set (I’m not sure why it only shows two??). I’ve had this set personally since about 2017 and it’s been hanging on strong after countless international trips around the world. I love how lightweight it is and is really easy to maneuver with the 4 spinner wheels.

Pros ✔️	Cons ❌
Very Lightweight and easy to maneuver.	Some reviewers have reported issues with the zippers- I haven’t had issues at all.
Comes in a set of 3 sizes (Large: 31 Liters (21-Inch), Medium: 77 Liters (30.9-Inch), Small: 50 Liters (25.9-Inch)).	Not the most stylish option.
Durable nylon fabric.	Blends in with all the other black bags on the luggage carousel.
Surprisingly durable zippers despite me extremely overstuffing bags!

Durable Shoes for European Travel

You might think you can just wear whatever footwear you have lying around at home, but I HIGHLY encourage you to consider really good, durable, and weatherproof shoes when coming to Germany. Between the cobblestone streets, long days of walking while sightseeing, and unpredictable weather (ahem….rain) a day traveling can actually be ruined with the wrong shoes!

Skechers Shoes

If you want to “fit in” with the looks of Germans, then picking a plain black or plain white sneaker is great.

But better than fitting in, is having a shoe that actually is super comfy and keeps your feet going ALL DAY LONG. I bought my first pair of Sketchers Sneakers in 2019 and fell so in love with them that they are my new go to brand for travel shoes. These Sketcher Shoes are often the shoes that people like nurses will wear for those 12 hour shifts, so you KNOW they are going to be comfortable.

Pros ✔️	Cons ❌
Really comfortable even on uneven cobblestone surfaces.	Not the most stylish option.
Keep feet feeling good even with long walking days.	Ran small: I had to order about a size up to fit correctly.
Lightweight and breathable.
Slip-resistant and flexible.
Memory foam insole for added comfort.
Blend in with the local fashion/ go with most basic outfits.

Salomon Women’s X Ultra Pioneer Climasalomon Waterproof Hiking Shoes

I know what you are saying, “LeAnna!!! You promised you’d only give ONE option for each category!” And while that’s mostly true, I really do see a sturdy, durable, all weather hiking shoe different than sneakers and even if you aren’t hiking, I can’t recommend these shoes enough.

I used to be a Merrell kinda hiking shoe gal, but I was in need of a new pair this last year, and after a ridiculous amount of research (and hemming and hawing over sticking with what I knew vs branching out with a new shoe brand) I did it and made the leap and bought the Salomon Weatherproof Shoes. And I’ve been really happy with my Salomon shoes! If I know I’ll be where cobblestones are or if it’s going to rain, THESE are the pairs of shoes I pull out now!

Pros ✔️	Cons ❌
These shoes are waterproof, which makes them perfect for walking in wet conditions (which could potentially be always with German weather!)	In all my research, a lot of people reported that they ran small so I sized up half a size and they are good!
The shoes are very comfortable and provide great foot support.	The shoes may not be suitable for people with wider feet, according to reviews.
I bought a pair that “blends in” with a lot of outfits so it doesn’t scream “HIKING!” and looks more like a sneaker.

Miscellaneous Must Haves

When traveling to Germany, there are a few miscellaneous items that I always make sure to bring with me. These items may seem small, but they can make a big difference in your overall travel experience.

Rain Jacket

I know I’ve alluded to it already in this article, but seriously…you NEVER know when it will rain in Germany!!! Be prepared and have a raincoat!

Pros ✔️	Cons ❌
Lightweight and packable= perfect for travel	Not suitable for cold weather
Waterproof AND wind-resistant	Sizing can run a bit small-order up
Comfortable to wear
Affordable price

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Or A Travel Umbrella

If you aren’t going to pack a rain jacket, then you’ll at least need an umbrella. I always keep a compact, travel umbrella in my day bag when out and exploring Germany….just in case!

Pros ✔️	Cons ❌
Fiberglass ribs mean this bad boy is windproof!	Make sure that what you receive wasn’t a cheap knockoff (if it looks cheap or if you do a test run and the water soaks through, immediately return for a refund as you probably got a knockoff 😔 ).
Can both open and close with just a push of a button.	The button can be a bit hard.
It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around on your travels.

Packing Cubes for Suitcases

I used to be all “I don’t get it, how can some cubes help me pack better/ more!?”

So, like most things I don’t get, I just dug my heels in harder to just not succumb to the “trend”. But finally, on a huge, multi trip, 2 month backpacking trip, I bought a set of packing cubes and I was like Jasmin singing, “A whole new world!!!” It was insane how much more efficiently, organized, and MORE I could pack with cubes! I’ve been sold ever since!

Pros ✔️	Cons ❌
The set includes 8 pieces, featuring 4 sizes of packing cubes, a shoe bag, a laundry bag, a toiletries bag, and an accessories bag.	The zippers on the cubes may be initially stiff but tend to become smoother with use.
The packing cubes are durable and water-resistant.	The laundry bag is quite large, potentially occupying more space in your luggage than expected.
	The cubes don’t compress contents as much as some other options, so consider this for tighter packing.

And while I promised to keep this list to “Just the essentials” for the products I shared, if you want to do a rundown of my entire “Germany Packing List” here it is, I’m not going to give you links to things like “Layers” because that’s pretty up to you on style and design, but I still think they are pretty darn important for Germany!

Just use this checklist as a guide and if you need to be on the lookout for anything on Black Friday, it will help make sure you’ve got all bases covered!