Packing list for europe — we’ve been researching and testing travel strategies for years, and this guide covers everything you need to know. This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
We’ve packed for Europe more times than we can count. This is the Europe packing list we actually use: stripped of the stuff we always leave in the bag untouched and full of the things we’ve been glad to have at midnight in a train station in Portugal.
The Golden Rule: Pack Less
Pack less than you think you need. You’ll carry your bag through cobblestone streets, up four flights of stairs in a Paris apartment, and on and off trains at 6am. Our rule: for 1–3 weeks, a carry-on only. Europe has laundromats, and merino wool base layers dry overnight in a hotel sink.
Clothing for Europe
Build a capsule wardrobe in neutrals (navy, grey, black) that mix and match. For a 10-day trip: 3–4 tops, 2 pants, 1 lightweight layer, 1 packable rain jacket (essential for UK/northern Europe), 4–5 merino socks and underwear, 1 walking shoe that works for dinner. Wear your bulkiest items on travel days.
Merino wool is the best travel fabric: it resists odor, dries fast, and works in a wide temperature range. Shop merino travel shirts on Amazon.
Shoes for Europe
Shoes are the biggest mistake most Europe packers make. The cobblestones of Rome, Prague, and Lisbon will destroy your feet in anything not designed for walking. Our recommendations: one pair of supportive walking shoes or trail runners that are also presentable enough for dinner (Allbirds, Hoka Clifton, ON Running all work well), and sandals in summer. Leave heels at home unless you’re going to a single city for a special event.
Tech and Electronics Packing List
- Universal power adapter — Europe uses Type C/E/F plugs; get one with USB-A and USB-C ports
- Portable battery pack — essential for long days navigating with your phone
- Unlocked phone or international SIM card — don’t rely on roaming charges
- Noise-canceling earbuds — for overnight trains and long flights
- Laptop/tablet — optional; a phone handles most needs
Documents and Money
- Passport (check expiry — many countries require 6 months validity beyond travel dates)
- Digital and printed copies of bookings stored in email
- Travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees — see our guide to the best travel credit cards
- Some euro cash for rural areas, markets, and old-school cafes
- Travel insurance documents — see our travel insurance guide
Toiletries and Health
Buy most toiletries at your destination — European pharmacies and grocery stores are excellent and it saves carry-on liquid space. Must-brings: prescription medications, any specific skincare products you depend on, blister bandages (for cobblestone feet), and a small first-aid kit. A good toiletry organizer makes TSA screening much faster.
The Bag: Carry-On Recommendation
A 40L travel backpack that fits overhead bin requirements is the gold standard for European travel. Osprey Farpoint 40 and Away Bigger Carry-On are excellent options — they’re durable, pack efficiently, and keep your hands free. See our full guide to the best carry-on luggage for frequent flyers for detailed recommendations.
What NOT to Pack for Europe
- A full-size umbrella (get a compact travel one or buy one there)
- A hair dryer (hotels provide them)
- More than 2 pairs of shoes
- Your entire skincare routine
- Jeans (they’re heavy, slow to dry, and uncomfortable in summer heat)
- Anything you’d be devastated to lose
The lighter you pack, the more you enjoy the trip. Every item on your packing list should earn its place — and if you haven’t used something by day 3, it probably didn’t deserve to come.
Planning resources: For the latest details, visit U.S. State Department traveler’s checklist, TSA – what you can bring on a plane, and European Travel Commission official site.