The Joey Tribbiani-Approved Backpacking Checklist for Western Europe

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Backpacking through Western Europe is every traveler’s dream. The food, sights, culture — and if you’re anything like Joey Tribbiani — it’s mainly the food! But even Joey wouldn’t just hop on a plane with nothing but charm and a pizza in hand — okay, maybe he might. For everyone else — here’s your backpacking checklist for packing right, traveling smart and eating very well — Joey-style. 

1. The Backpack: Could You BE Any More Packed?

Practice packing before packing for your trip — Joey once brought a meatball sub to the theater. You can’t risk crushing your sandwich because your socks weren’t packed right. Start with a solid, comfy backpack. It needs: 

• Padded straps: If you’re like Joey, the only heavy-lifting you should be doing is picking up that pizza box. 
• 40 – 50L size: It needs to be big enough for your backpacking essentials — not your entire apartment. Choose your backpack size based on your weight and time away.
• Front-loading: Like a fridge but for your backpack — the front-loader gives you easy access to binoculars and clothes. 
• Water-resistant material: Go wherever the road takes you but be prepared for wet and dry weather. 

The Joey Tip: If it can’t hold a sandwich, is it even worth carrying?

2. Clothes: Layers Over Fashion

Unless you’re traveling with a friend like Chandler — whose clothes you can wear — it’s advisable to carry layers because European weather can change in an instant. Pack the following: 

• Tops: Two to three breathable T-shirts — black hides sauce stains. 
• Formal: One button up — you never know when you’ll find a date or an audition. 
• Casual: One hoodie or a light sweater.
• Cold Days: One waterproof jacket. 
• Bottoms Up: Two pairs of pants — Jeans and pants, just in case that date finds you. 
• Cover Your Essentials: Four to five pairs of underwear: The average person owns four “good” pairs of underwear. 
• Protect Your Feet: One pair of sneakers — Joey doesn’t do blisters and neither should you. 
• Protect Your Feet Part Two: One pair of flip-flops to let your toes breathe at the beach. 

The Joey Tip: Pack elastic waistbands because you never know when pizza will happen — and it will happen.

3. Toiletries: A Must on Your Backpacking Checklist

Your backpacking checklist should include the basics because let’s face it — that’s all you need. 

• Say Cheese: If you’re not eating cheese, you should be saying it — remember to pack your toothpaste and toothbrush. Did you know that toothpaste and a toothbrush are the most commonly forgotten items when packing?
• Wash Your Hair: Travel-sized shampoo and conditioner.
• Smell Good: Deodorant — Joey would always remember his deodorant.
• Clean Your Face: Razor or trimmer. 
• Nail Clipper: You may have a wilderness backpacking checklist but you don’t need to live like those in the wilderness. 

• Sunscreen: Sunscreen may be a “moo point” for 11% of Americans — but that shouldn’t be you. 
• Lip Balm: Your lip balm should be 30 SPF or at least 15 SPF to protect you from UV rays. 
• Your Hair Matters: Carry a comb or brush. 
• Cologne: Pack a travel-sized cologne — Joey would put this in the front loader of his backpack. 
• Microfiber towel: It dries quickly and takes up little space in your bag.

The Joey Tip: Cologne is optional — but you might meet someone in Paris. 

4. Documentation: Don’t Pull a Joey at Customs

If you don’t want to be detained at the airport like Joey was, make sure these documents are on your backpacking checklist: 

• Passport: Make sure it’s valid. 
• Visa: Look at each destination’s visa requirements. 
• Travel insurance: You may feel invincible but situations are not. Travel insurance should include emergencies, lost or delayed baggage and more. 
• Cards: Carry your credit or debit cards. 
• Local Currency: Always carry some cash in local currency. 
• Identification: Carry your student ID to get discounts on activities.
• Itinerary: Print your itinerary and hostel confirmations. 

• Emergency Numbers: Carry copies of your emergency contacts so if you need help, someone can call your loved ones.

The Joey Tip: Keep everything in a zippered pouch unless you want to be “the guy who lost his passport in Prague.”

5. Electronics: Pack What You’ll Use

You don’t need to haul half the tech store across Europe. Bring just the essentials to stay connected, capture memories and maybe binge-watch a show or two. Here’s a tip — watch Friends — They’ll be there for you. 

• Communication: Carry your smartphone and charger to navigate, take photos and stay in touch. 
• Universal Adapter: Europe has different outlets — so pack a universal adapter because you should only fry foods — not your devices. 
• Power bank: Carry a portable charger so you always have battery life in case of an emergency — like needing to get that beautiful girl or handsome guy’s number. 
• Noise-canceling devices: Pack noise-canceling earbuds or headphones for the long train rides or noisy hostel bunkmates. 
• Reading Device: Take a lightweight tablet or e-reader if you want to read or stream on the go. 
• Mini Power Strip: This is handy to use at hostels with limited outlets. 

The Joey Tip: There’s no need to carry a DVD box set when you’re living out the adventure. You might meet a woman or man bathing in a secluded lake, which could lead to a romantic encounter. 

6. Food Prep: Joey Doesn’t Share Food

A hungry traveler is a cranky traveler and Joey doesn’t do hangry. Whether you’re on a train, exploring the museum or wandering through cobblestone streets — having ready-to-eat snacks is a must on your backpacking checklist.

• Water Bottle: Carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Americans buy about 50 million water bottles annually. That amounts to 13 bottles monthly per person — but if you use reusable water bottles, you could save 156 bottles. 
• Protein Bars: Joey likes protein bars so it’s definitely worth adding to your backpacking list. Carry bars or a trail mix for an energy boost between meals. 
• Noodles: Instant noodles or soup packets are great food supplements for those nights when you’re too lazy to dine out. 

The Joey Tip: Carry a zip-close bag for sandwiches and hide it in your jacket — trust Joey on this one.

How You Backpackin’?

Whether you’re following the scent of croissants in Paris or chasing sunsets in Lisbon — Western Europe is your playground. Traveling Joey-style means keeping your backpacking list light, staying curious and always being ready for snacks and stories. Zip that bag, grab your passport and hit the road. You’ve got friends to make and bakeries to find. And if anyone asks, “How you doin’?” Just smile and ask, “How you backpackin’?”