A mountain train crosses a high valley with peaks beyond the windows

Journeys

A solo rail trip with one lift

A bag you can hoist onto a rack, plus a daypack for the platform change.

Traveler
Solo backpacker Couple Retirees traveling together Young family Business traveler
Travel mode
On foot Cruise Road trip Carry-on Rail

Length and climate

Optional. These notes stay on this page, so the link stays shareable.

What this trip asks of your gear

Train racks punish 45 L canvas. A 35 L suitcase-style pack and a 20 L daypack let you keep a hand free for the ticket.

Luggage

A bag you can hoist onto a rack without a second person.

Shoes

A sandal the maker calls packable, so the second pair does not eat the bag.

Shirts

A merino tee for repeat wear. The UPF shirt is the exposed afternoon.

The kit for this trip

Each pick solves a problem this trip creates. Read why before you buy.

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack in crimson, front studio view

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

Cotopaxi lists 35 L, 22 x 12 x 10 in, and about 2 lb 15 oz / 1.33 kg, with a suitcase-style opening.

  • Solo
  • Couple
  • Family

$200 to $330 Price checked Aug 23, 2026

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Xero Genesis sandal

Xero Shoes

Xero Genesis Sandal

Xero calls the Genesis ultra-light, flexible, and packable.

  • Solo
  • Business

$14.99 to $49.99 Price checked Oct 13, 2026

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Osprey Daylite Plus daypack, photographed from above

Osprey

Osprey Daylite Plus

Osprey’s 20 L class everyday pack, covered by the All Mighty Guarantee.

  • Solo
  • Couple
  • Retirees

$70 to $90 Price checked Aug 23, 2026

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Humangear GoToob+ silicone travel bottles in multiple sizes

Humangear

Humangear GoToob+

Locking silicone tubes in 50 ml, 75 ml, and 100 ml, sized for the cabin liquids tray.

  • Solo
  • Couple
  • Retirees

$10 to $16 Price checked Aug 23, 2026

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Trtl travel pillow in grey

Trtl

Trtl Pillow

A fleece wrap with an internal support stay. Trtl says it packs smaller than a U-pillow.

  • Solo
  • Couple
  • Retirees

$49 to $70 Price checked Aug 23, 2026

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Also on the list

The small things people forget on this kind of trip.

  • Empty weight on the walk between buses and hostels
  • Paying twice for a cube or bottle you could skip
  • A bag that looks carry-on on the site and oversized at the gate

Describe you and your vacation

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All packing lists

Winter camping

A solo trek in the cold: a 40 L walking bag, a light shell, a fleece, and a pillow that belongs in a tent.

A backpacking hostel trip

One carry-on pack, a liner for the bunk, and a stash for the passport that stays on you.

A Europe rail trip

A couple on the trains: one rack lift, a daypack for the platform, and plugs that change by country.

Same traveler, different trip

On foot
Cruise
Road trip
Carry-on