jeje977

Hello!

I'm a 19 years old guy from Québec, Canada, and I'm planning a trip alone in France, possibly at the end of January till mid February 2017. I would like to travel with only a backpack and stay in youth hostels.

I was wondering if anyone ever backpacked in France during winter, and if it's a good idea? If possible, I would like as many advices about what clothing should I bring, if backpacking is a good idea during winter or if I should bring a suitcase, and what would be the minimum amount of money that I would need for this trip? I am not the kind of guy that buys a lot of souvenirs or goes partying much.

I also wish to meet new friends during this trip!

Thank you for your time

thursdaysd

Welcome to Fodors. I see you've already posted on the Europe board, which is the right place. But I would just point out that a backpack, unless you are trekking, or traveling a good bit further off the grid than Europe, is just a way of carrying stuff, not a travel style. I used to carry a backpack, these days I travel with a wheeled case. The backpack is easier in train stations that don't have escalators or elevators, the case is easier on most pavement.

jeje977

Hi! Thank you for your answer. The only thing about the suitcase, it's just that I don't feel like carrying it everywhere I go, since I'll never know where I'll be staying and for how long.

thursdaysd

If you don't carry the suitcase, you'll carry the backpack. And I am not suggesting carrying a 24+ inch case by the handle, lol, I am suggesting rolling a 20 or 22 inch carry on. I check my 22 inch, but it is carry on size for American planes (not most European). If you can't get your stuff into a 22 inch case, you are taking too much and need to read the threads on packing. How big a backpack were you thinking of taking?

jeje977

I don't know yet! But I do want to bring the minimal amount of things possible. For the clothing, I was thinking about washing it in a laundry room when I would have the chance, so I wouldn't have to bring too much clothes.

thursdaysd

I wash mine in the bathroom sink.