What size pack for a week in Germany?

[Vipergrün]

Hello all, so excited to be able to take my two sons to Germany for a week in July.

We will start in Munich and explore with a 7 day rail pass.

We want to be mobile, and no suitcases. I am thinking 50/55L packs should suffice. Should not need much more than 10 t-shirts, socks/underwear, pair of jeans, few shorts, toiletries, etc. No need for a sleeping bag, we will probably VRBO or B&B each location. What do you think?

Currently looking at these;

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Internal-Hiking-Backpack-Rainfly/dp/B06Y58B6RY/ref=pd_sbs_468_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B077P17P2N&pd_rd_r=JH1V0DGVTT9EA42BX20V&pd_rd_w=uNchI&pd_rd_wg=pxzla&refRID=JH1V0DGVTT9EA42BX20V&th=1

Porsche museum and factory tour are on the list (I've been there), not sure if we can make it to the Nurburgring, kind of a pain to get to ($$$) from Koblenz.

Otherwise, will all be partaking in many beers and having a great time!

Thanks for your feedback!

[Rick Lee]

There's a laundromat within walking distance of the Munich Hbf. You'll think you're in Syria, but you can drop your laundry off and pick it up a few hours later, walk around town until then. I would never do Germany on a train anymore. It's more expensive and slower than driving and in the real big cities the train stations can be kind of sketchy. That's where Germany's new "guests" hang out, since they're unemployable.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

There's a laundromat within walking distance of the Munich Hbf. You'll think you're in Syria, but you can drop your laundry off and pick it up a few hours later, walk around town until then. I would never do Germany on a train anymore. It's more expensive and slower than driving and in the real big cities the train stations can be kind of sketchy. That's where Germany's new "guests" hang out, since they're unemployable.

+1 on that! My last time at a train station in France at 3:30 AM was terrifying.

Sounds like a great trip with your sons, Vipergrün!

My son and I both have these. Love them!

https://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101

[vash]

blow off the jeans.

i have switched 100% to a synthetic product. that pair of Eddie Bauer Guide pants was a game changer. i spent a week in Tokyo with the same pair of pants. they dry so fast if they got dirty, i could do a quick wash and go. or just clean off the offending spot.

we had tiny 35L packs. shirts are subjective. i wore all merino wool shirts and did laundry.

my new pant are the Zion Pranas..i'm wearing them right this second. i will take two pairs to Peru..

[Otter74]

How old are your sons? Are you talking about one 55L pack for all three of you? Or will they be carrying their own stuff?

Half a trip's underwear plus one and wash it in your bathroom sink (or send it to a laundromat); two pair of shorts/pants, maybe three. Shirts for every other day (wash if needed); socks ditto, unless you wear merino (I love it) in which case two is probably fine; one pair of shoes; a hat if you like; large Dopps bag for toiletries; jammies, whatever you sleep in; and whatever else you like to carry on such a trip. I could probably fit it all in the bag that motion linked to. I love traveling light.

[stomachmonkey]

My routine is one pair of underwear and socks per day plus one day.

You should be able to make due with two pairs of pants.

3-4 shirts.

Basic rule is, pick it up, sniff it, decide if you can go one more day or not.

Check youtube for space saving packing tips.

I can do a week out of a gym bag.

[Vipergrün]

Thanks all! We will each have a pack. Boys are 18 and 31, and dwarf my 5'9 ness. LOL.

Interesting comments on the train. I think getting around LA on a train is sketchy, last time in Germany it was fine.

I like the idea of washing 1/2 way through! And like the idea of no jeans!

[95avblm3]

I live on the other side of town from Zuffenhausen and Porsche. The Mercedes Museum is definitely worth your time while you are here, even if you aren't a Merc fan. I don't think the trains or train stations are scary but we have found that often it is cheaper and easier to rent a car. I've been to Stuttgart Hbf, Munich Hbf and a bunch of the smaller bahnhofs that are a day trip from Stuttgart. July can be warm here (not Florida warm, but warm). We live in convertible trekking pants during the summer because they are lighter weight and more comfortable than jeans. Beware, many homes, flats (and subsequently VRBOs and AirBnBs) will not have AC. It's really not that bad but you need to be sure not to overdress.

PM me if you want to have a beer while you're here

[recycled sixtie]

The backpack I used hiking in the UK doing the Coast to Coast on four separate trips of about 50 miles a trip was either a 75 or 90 litre. It weighed about 40 lbs when packed. After the first two trips I used Packhorse and they drove my backpack to my next accommodation.

A backpack is less secure than a suitcase in transportation so would suggest getting a fanny pack to keep your valuables in while you are on the aircraft and on a train.

Yes I remember arriving late by train when I was 16 enroute to a job in France. Arrived at Dijon France at one in the morning. Got a cab and arrived at the Chateau(think of French Fawlty Towers) at 3 am.

Enjoy your trip to Germany. The last trip my daughter and her husband did to Ireland they lost her suitcase. Our daughter went out and bought what she needed to get by. Suitcase was delivered three days later to their hotels. Airline compensated her.

I think next time if I do hiking in the UK a 50 litre backpack would be easier. I like cargo pants as well. T shirts and basics...

[vash]

Viper..

Recycled touched on a great point. i have a REI discontinued backpack security sack. it's fairly lightweight and is lockable. sure you can knife it open. packed down and wrapped, it is about the size of my two balled up fist.

it does two things for me:

1. it keeps all the straps and buckles secure so some airport conveyer belt doesnt destroy them.
2. plain security..i would hate to be some unknowing drug mule if someone slipped some contraband into my pack. granted, i was traveling third world places.

something to think about. i'm also traveling in July, or i would loan you mine.

[motion]

https://www.ebags.com/hproduct/pacsafe/pacsafe-55/99926?productid=1263915&cat=luggage-accessories&country=US&currency=USD&sourceid=ADWPRODUCT&gclid=CjwKCAjws6jVBRBZEiwAkIfZ2nVk37P8ARLCtUGdzTNt ZtuWtz6T8_CWDQQsqK8bwzlmxs235Yv14RoCL6IQAvD_BwE

[Gretch]

A week? I would suggest a 30 pack at a minimum..........

[motion]

^^^ Sorry, forgot the image

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

There's a laundromat within walking distance of the Munich Hbf. You'll think you're in Syria, but you can drop your laundry off and pick it up a few hours later, walk around town until then. I would never do Germany on a train anymore. It's more expensive and slower than driving and in the real big cities the train stations can be kind of sketchy. That's where Germany's new "guests" hang out, since they're unemployable.

Most hotels have a guest laundry room with a couple of washer and dryers. You might want to pack a tiny box of detergent (powder, not liquid), in the original package, and a few dryer sheets.

When I would go skiing for week long trips, I'd take 2 sets of long underwear and a bottle of Woolite. Every evening, I'd wash the used ski underwear in the sink and hang it to dry in the shower.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by motion

^^^ Sorry, forgot the image

That is great! I had a buddy who back-packed the Andes and he said you had to put your backpack into a burlap sack or people with razors would cut the nylon and swipe things out of your pack.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

.....would suggest getting a fanny pack to keep your valuables in while you are on the aircraft and on a train......

You'll be an obvious tourist simply by your shoes and clothes alone.

The fanny pack just reinforces it and they are easy to nab.

Go with around the neck and under the shirt pouch.

Passport Holder Neck Pouch Stash - Luggage Sets

[svandamme]

How anybody things they can hold on to their man card while even thinking of a fanny pack is beyond me. The word alone says it : FANNY pack

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by svandamme

How anybody things they can hold on to their man card while even thinking of a fanny pack is beyond me. The word alone says it : FANNY pack

I notice the green font. In this part of the world I carry my bear spray sometimes in my fanny pack. You never know when you might cross paths with a bear....

Not noticeable if I wear a long shirt not tucked in to my pants. The fanny pack is concealed under the shirt.

Something I noticed a few years back on the underground in London. A tourist had a medium size backpack that he wore backwards with the bulk of it in front of him.

[motion]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

Something I noticed a few years back on the underground in London. A tourist had a medium size backpack that he wore backwards with the bulk of it in front of him.

Very common to see the Chinese doing this!

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by svandamme

How anybody things they can hold on to their man card while even thinking of a fanny pack is beyond me. The word alone says it : FANNY pack

I see them every day and assume they're for concealing handguns. I wouldn't wear one, but then I just carry IWB.