Rachel’s Interrail Adventures

As this was my first interrail trip I took a while to consider how the packing would work. I’m usually quite slapdash about packing and just fling things in a suitcase. But this time I felt the challenge of keeping things to a minimum. 4 weeks around Europe – summer weather (whatever that means!)

What worked

• Packing cubes – were amazing and meant that I could pull things out of my bag easily. One each for tops, underwear, shoes, electric cables/chargers, worn clothes.
• Robinsons – small bottles of cordial concentrate meant I drank much more water than I normally would

• Water bottle – thanks Aimee- your kind gift saved the day (and saved a lot of money too)

• Hat/glasses/sun spray – all essential in the summer sun/heat – used nearly every day
• Power bank – I bought a fairly heavy one but not a brick! It’s 15,000amH and can charge my phone a couple of times and more I think. Comes with its own short cable to connect the phone and plugs straight into the wall so no cords. Used constantly.
• Lightweight trousers – loved these when the weather got a little cooler. They could zip off to be shorts but I never did that
• Rain poncho – I only used this twice but it took up hardly any room and was very light. Was really good to have when raining.

Duds

• Travel knife – hardly used because had a plastic knife (thanks Thai Airways) that was good enough. But will keep for next time when I may do more cooking/preparation.
• Travel washing line – only used once when I washed my clothes but couldn’t access the tumble dryer. Normally, I took laundry to the washing machine room or the launderette and washed and tumble dried there
• Travel bowl – didn’t use and also too small! Have already donated to Lola my son’s cat!!

Other stuff:

• Not sure about the slash proof handbag I brought. It needed carrying around in my back pack when traveling between places but I did use it a fair amount in cities. It has a pocket for my water bottle but was quite heavy with both the water bottle and phone battery… I think I’d prefer a slash proof backpack…
• I had one or two tops that I never wore!
• I took my cross stitch project and didn’t touch it at all.

All in all I was pleasantly surprised with how little I actually needed and I think next time I will do even better.