Backpacking Europe - anyone gone the ONEBag way?

hitanshu · Jul 29th, 2009, 22:43

http://www.onebag.com/ intrigues me.

But other than that, for someone who is shortly going to Europe (Paris/esp Italy) - what kinda bags should one have that are EASY to carry around, and not piss easy for thieves (like some rucksacks can be) - stuff you can leave at a backpacker hostel at their desk, and be sure that mostly it wouldn't have been messed with.

I'd want something I could lock a bit securely - maybe a small chain.

Just want to understand since many europeans/italians come to India. Ideas people?

/PS: mean no disrespect - have been to Rome/Venice 6 years back and going again now. love the people. But hey, I spent one FULL night roaming outside Termini (penniless stupid intern) - so i know how it can get!

Mod note : Moving the thread to chai and chat

hitanshu · Jul 30th, 2009, 11:13

BUMP! Any comments, people?

machadinha · Jul 30th, 2009, 11:42

Er, Hitanshu, I don't know how others feel about it, but this site is really for travel to India.

People will normally humor the occasional member seeking to go the other way around; but maybe you could just have tagged this on to your existing thread on traveling Europe, where you've been receiving decent answers I think.

There are plenty of other web forums on the details of traveling there, some of which you've been pointed to before.

On your question of what bag to take I have really no answer; it gets asked a lot for India, and I frankly find it very silly. Go with what you're comfortable with. You say you've been there before, and on a low budget; I'm sure you know what to do.

Other than that, you could look for such existing threads here on what bags people prefer; whether taking them to India or Italy or wherever shouldn't matter very much.

You should normally be fine leaving your stuff at a "backpacker hostel desk" (they'll more likely provide a -- paid -- locker), I've never had any trouble with it.

nayan · Jul 30th, 2009, 12:14

I have backpacked in france/italy/netherlands/austria.

I used to stay in hostels about 17-25 euro per person per night range. I tried to stay in reputable hostels as per hostelworld.com ratings and reviews. I have stayed in female dorms and mixed dorms and private rooms. I never had an unpleasant experience in any of the hostels(other than a case of double booking and being given a double bed room instead of a twin bed room).

My backpack was my samsonite laptop backpack

My packing mantra is "less is more". I used no system of locking. So I guess any kind of backpack is ok.

I have left it in paid lockers(rome, vienna) and open reception area(paris, florence, avignon, berlin). I never lost a thing.

If you are afraid of pilfering and the hotel doesnot have lockers it may be a good idea to keep the luggage in the railway station paid lockers for the day. Most backpacker hostels are usually near the railway station so it should not be inconvenient.

BTW it would not have bothered me much had the backpack been stolen. Who in the world mourns for a few old clothes and an old toothbrush when you are seeing the glories of Paris and Rome?

josher · Jul 30th, 2009, 12:30

You might be on the right track with your one bag goal. For readers interested in visiting India and SE Asia, you can check out Richard's shoulder bag suggestion. I'm planning to use his ideas for my next trip. He has an informative "what to bring" section on his site. http://pleth.tripod.com/5.htm

From what I've read here at IM, most everything you'll need can be purchased locally, usually for a lot less than you'd pay at home.

machadinha · Jul 30th, 2009, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by josher

From what I've read here at IM, most everything you'll need can be purchased locally, usually for a lot less than you'd pay at home.

I'm sure you mean regarding purchasing stuff in India? The poster is an Indian traveling to Europe though.

hitanshu · Jul 30th, 2009, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Er, Hitanshu, I don't know how others feel about it, but this site is really for travel to India.

People will normally humor the occasional member seeking to go the other way around; but maybe you could just have tagged this on to your existing thread on traveling Europe, where you've been receiving decent answers I think.

Umm, I would think that you could distinguish an itinerary question from a specific packing question. Then again, if you'd actually stop and care to think, traveling in Rome requires one to be as much on guard like in India (Note that I am specific, and not asking about places like Germany/Switzerland where that's not an issue).

Plus, unlike your comment below, I don't find many vibrant helpful forums where I can find enough European people who can understand both the European low fare baggage checkin requirements as well as fears on leaving unattended luggage/theft (as opposed to general helpful faff).

Quote:

There are plenty of other web forums on the details of traveling there, some of which you've been pointed to before.

Been there, got some hokey dokey replies but none of those is as vibrant as IM.

Quote:

On your question of what bag to take I have really no answer; it gets asked a lot for India, and I frankly find it very silly. Go with what you're comfortable with. You say you've been there before, and on a low budget; I'm sure you know what to do.

Tell you what worked? It was an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant who protected me from the low lifes in that area!

And while I've been there, I feel I can pack better - ergo the question. Backpacking without overloading one's back is a bit of an art.

Quote:

Other than that, you could look for such existing threads here on what bags people prefer; whether taking them to India or Italy or wherever shouldn't matter very much.

Point me to some, that relate to my specific query. Pretty please.

Quote:

You should normally be fine leaving your stuff at a "backpacker hostel desk" (they'll more likely provide a -- paid -- locker), I've never had any trouble with it.

Normally. But if I can figure out some arrangement that gives me more peace of mind, why not.

But seriously, that was a long essay for me - would've appreciated if you'd actually shared a few specific and helpful links. Far better use of time for both you and me.

PS: I'm not a thread addict - even in past, once I got my knowledge - have even PMed mods to close it - don't want to run unnecessary threads beyond a point!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nayan

I have backpacked in france/italy/netherlands/austria.

I used to stay in hostels about 17-25 euro per person per night range. I tried to stay in reputable hostels as per hostelworld.com ratings and reviews. I have stayed in female dorms and mixed dorms and private rooms. I never had an unpleasant experience in any of the hostels(other than a case of double booking and being given a double bed room instead of a twin bed room).

LOL. You have a PM

I am following the same logic btw.

Quote:

My backpack was my samsonite laptop backpack

My packing mantra is "less is more". I used no system of locking. So I guess any kind of backpack is ok.

I partly agree. I carried novels etc in a humongous heavy backpack to Switzerland in 03. My back can't take that thing more than 100m today!

Quote:

I have left it in paid lockers(rome, vienna) and open reception area(paris, florence, avignon, berlin). I never lost a thing.

If you are afraid of pilfering and the hotel doesnot have lockers it may be a good idea to keep the luggage in the railway station paid lockers for the day. Most backpacker hostels are usually near the railway station so it should not be inconvenient.

See THAT is the point. If I need to spend 5-10 EUR per day on peace of mind, I'd rather have a lockable bag that can be left at any hostel reception without worrying if someone has slashed it or not.

Even 5 EUR over ten days, is 50 EUR - i'd much rather buy a fancy safer bag upfront than pay for peace of mind. No?

Quote:

BTW it would not have bothered me much had the backpack been stolen. Who in the world mourns for a few old clothes and an old toothbrush when you are seeing the glories of Paris and Rome?

You speak exactly like I was in 2003. Traveling with a song on my lips and a pair of undies in my bag

Quote:

Originally Posted by josher

From what I've read here at IM, most everything you'll need can be purchased locally, usually for a lot less than you'd pay at home.

Thanks for the link. But you see, I'm an Indian

federica · Jul 30th, 2009, 16:15

Hitanshu, I guess you got my message wrong in the other thread. I wouldn't get worried too much about my backpack gets stolen, that happens not that often (it's more likely that it gets lost/delayed during a cheap flight

) I was talking about money, credit cards, camera, passport etc. Especially during night train travels, in a crowded local bus and undergrounds you should be careful, in some areas more than careful

Regarding hostels/dorms: It doesn't matter whether you're in Italy, Germany or Switzerland, they are places were you can "loose" something very easily. It's just bad luck. My brother had a very unpleasant experience in a hostel dorm in Geneva. If I can't lock my valuables somewhere, I take them in my bed/sleeping bag with me

I know that's not 100% safe, but safer than just leaving them in my bag.

nayan · Jul 30th, 2009, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitanshu

See THAT is the point. If I need to spend 5-10 EUR per day on peace of mind, I'd rather have a lockable bag that can be left at any hostel reception without worrying if someone has slashed it or not.

Even 5 EUR over ten days, is 50 EUR - i'd much rather buy a fancy safer bag upfront than pay for peace of mind. No?

You speak exactly like I was in 2003. Traveling with a song on my lips and a pair of undies in my bag

I dont know of any very safe backpack.
Any valuables(passport, money, cards, ticketand other travel reservation docs) that I have are always with me in my purse or in my male companions waist pack(worn in the front below a jacket).

Jul 29th, 2009, 22:43	#1
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 880	Backpacking Europe - anyone gone the ONEBag way? http://www.onebag.com/ intrigues me. But other than that, for someone who is shortly going to Europe (Paris/esp Italy) - what kinda bags should one have that are EASY to carry around, and not piss easy for thieves (like some rucksacks can be) - stuff you can leave at a backpacker hostel at their desk, and be sure that mostly it wouldn't have been messed with. I'd want something I could lock a bit securely - maybe a small chain. Just want to understand since many europeans/italians come to India. Ideas people? /PS: mean no disrespect - have been to Rome/Venice 6 years back and going again now. love the people. But hey, I spent one FULL night roaming outside Termini (penniless stupid intern) - so i know how it can get! Mod note : Moving the thread to chai and chat __________________ SMASH!!!! Last edited by nayan : Jul 30th, 2009 at 12:15.

Jul 30th, 2009, 11:42	#3
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,385	Er, Hitanshu, I don't know how others feel about it, but this site is really for travel to India. People will normally humor the occasional member seeking to go the other way around; but maybe you could just have tagged this on to your existing thread on traveling Europe, where you've been receiving decent answers I think. There are plenty of other web forums on the details of traveling there, some of which you've been pointed to before. On your question of what bag to take I have really no answer; it gets asked a lot for India, and I frankly find it very silly. Go with what you're comfortable with. You say you've been there before, and on a low budget; I'm sure you know what to do. Other than that, you could look for such existing threads here on what bags people prefer; whether taking them to India or Italy or wherever shouldn't matter very much. You should normally be fine leaving your stuff at a "backpacker hostel desk" (they'll more likely provide a -- paid -- locker), I've never had any trouble with it. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jul 30th, 2009, 11:13	#2
hitanshu Renegade Killer Bee Join Date: May 2006 Location: Out of coverage area! Posts: 880	BUMP! Any comments, people?

Jul 30th, 2009, 12:14	#4
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	I have backpacked in france/italy/netherlands/austria. I used to stay in hostels about 17-25 euro per person per night range. I tried to stay in reputable hostels as per hostelworld.com ratings and reviews. I have stayed in female dorms and mixed dorms and private rooms. I never had an unpleasant experience in any of the hostels(other than a case of double booking and being given a double bed room instead of a twin bed room). My backpack was my samsonite laptop backpack My packing mantra is "less is more". I used no system of locking. So I guess any kind of backpack is ok. I have left it in paid lockers(rome, vienna) and open reception area(paris, florence, avignon, berlin). I never lost a thing. If you are afraid of pilfering and the hotel doesnot have lockers it may be a good idea to keep the luggage in the railway station paid lockers for the day. Most backpacker hostels are usually near the railway station so it should not be inconvenient. BTW it would not have bothered me much had the backpack been stolen. Who in the world mourns for a few old clothes and an old toothbrush when you are seeing the glories of Paris and Rome?

Jul 30th, 2009, 12:30	#5
josher Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Palm Springs, CA US Posts: 26	You might be on the right track with your one bag goal. For readers interested in visiting India and SE Asia, you can check out Richard's shoulder bag suggestion. I'm planning to use his ideas for my next trip. He has an informative "what to bring" section on his site. http://pleth.tripod.com/5.htm From what I've read here at IM, most everything you'll need can be purchased locally, usually for a lot less than you'd pay at home.

Jul 30th, 2009, 16:15	#8
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,774	Hitanshu, I guess you got my message wrong in the other thread. I wouldn't get worried too much about my backpack gets stolen, that happens not that often (it's more likely that it gets lost/delayed during a cheap flight ) I was talking about money, credit cards, camera, passport etc. Especially during night train travels, in a crowded local bus and undergrounds you should be careful, in some areas more than careful Regarding hostels/dorms: It doesn't matter whether you're in Italy, Germany or Switzerland, they are places were you can "loose" something very easily. It's just bad luck. My brother had a very unpleasant experience in a hostel dorm in Geneva. If I can't lock my valuables somewhere, I take them in my bed/sleeping bag with me I know that's not 100% safe, but safer than just leaving them in my bag.