Packing For Europe
The first time I went to Europe, I was fourteen years old and packed a suitcase full of sundresses and rompers… for May in Austria, where average temperatures range between 55–65 °F (13–19 °C). Thankfully, my older sister noticed and helped me repack with more weather-appropriate clothes.
I’m not alone in this packing blunder. I can’t tell you how many American tourists I see dressed incorrectly for their European vacations. I’ve spent the past six months living in Scotland, and every day, I’d see a tourist in a skirt and sandals—without a rain jacket or warm coat in sight—looking miserable in the freezing rain. “But it’s June, I thought it would be warm…” Not in Scotland! Euro summer vibes really only apply to certain parts of Europe. That’s why I put together this comprehensive packing list for Europe; so you won’t have to worry about bringing the wrong things or guessing what to pack for the specific region you’re traveling to.
Advanced Packing Techniques:
Let’s get something out of the way: Europe is not a country. It’s a continent comprising 50 unique nations, each with its own personality, style, customs, and culture. So, summer in Norway is very different from summer in Monaco. To give you some perspective, the above photos were taken less than a week apart—that’s the difference in temperature between October in Southern Spain versus October in Northern Scotland.
This Europe packing list will break things down by region and season so you’re prepared for any trip—or even a backpacking adventure spanning multiple countries over many months. Use this guide as a handy reference before any European travel.
Hint: If you ever see an “ultimate European packing list” that’s generic and one-size-fits-all—run!
I’ve found immense joy in slow traveling across Europe, taking the time to experience the beauty of each country. While each country is unique, some similarities span the continent. When I say “Europe,” I mean aspects that apply across the board. When I need to be specific, I’ll list the country or region.
My Experience as a Traveler: My First Love is Europe
That first trip to Europe did more than teach me how to pack—it sparked a deep love of travel. I knew I had to live in Europe someday. Since then, I’ve visited over 20 different countries in Europe, even living short-term in four countries (and counting).
I love Europe—every bit of it! In my travels, I've cooked paella in Spain, biked through the Belgian countryside, hiked across Iceland, and taken a riverboat through Germany. I’ve partied in a Prague club until 3 AM (those photos will never see the light of day) and watched the sunrise over the shores of Lisbon. I’ve waited in line for the best gelato in the blistering summer heat and strolled nearly empty streets during a cold, grey February when tourist shops are closed for a winter break.
I’ve done the mega touristy things—climbed the Eiffel Tower, woken up at 4 AM to snap a photo in front of the Trevi Fountain, and trekked through sideways rain to see the (underwhelming) Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen.
I’ve also embraced authentic experiences, like preparing a traditional Luxembourgish meal on a farm with a family I had just met. (Some of my best European moments start like a Dateline special, but don’t worry—this packing guide will also cover what you need to stay safe as a solo female traveler.) I’ve even watched a Spanish opera sung in Italian with Slovakian subtitles in Slovakia. I didn’t understand a word, but it was beautiful.
I adore everything about Europe—the lifestyle, the architecture, the food, the people. It’s an easy love because the continent is incredibly solo-traveler friendly: most people speak English, public transportation is a breeze, and there are fantastic hostels, along with online communities that help you make friends.
This love has withstood the test of time and the occasional frustrating experience. I once flew to Italy only to have my suitcase decide it wouldn’t join me for my 10-day trip. Or the time a taxi driver locked my friend in his car until I withdrew a large amount of cash from an ATM. But don’t worry, this European packing list will also cover essential items you need to bring to handle any sticky situation.
What This European Packing List Will Cover:
- European Style For An American In Europe
- Essential Items You’ll Need Everywhere in Europe
- What to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag
- Packing Mistakes to Avoid
- Regional Packing Lists for Summer & Winter
- Safety As A Solo Female Traveler
- Budgeting for Europe
Packing as an American in Europe
The first thing to consider when packing for Europe is that Europeans tend to dress up more. As an American living abroad, I often find myself working from home in leggings and a sweatshirt (my current state as I write this), only to change into jeans and a sweater when I need to run an errand. It’s very European to look presentable, even for a quick grocery store run. This daily occurrence is the number one reason my American friends claim they’ll never live in Europe; they cherish the freedom of wearing sweatpants to the mall.
Europe expects you to look pulled together. Every region boasts its own style and vibe but they all look nice. I’ve become so indoctrinated in European style that I experience reverse culture shock when I see people in the U.S. walking around in athleisure wear.
Essential Items You’ll Need Everywhere in Europe
- Comfortable Walking Shoes: Just by looking at my step count, you’d know which three weeks of the year I spent in the U.S. Walking is far more common in Europe—you could easily hit 20,000 steps trying to see all the attractions.
- Dressy Shoes: For evenings or dinners.
- Bathing Suit and Flip Flops: Europe is home to plenty of thermal spas, public pools, lakes, and saunas.
- Pajamas
- Trusty Daypack: If you want to blend in, I recommend this waterproof Ori London pack made from recycled materials and equipped with multiple zipper pockets for your valuables.
- Small Purse or Crossbody Bag: Look for one with internal zipper pockets..
- Rain Jacket
- Socks, Underwear, Bras
- Scarf: Extra coverage is useful when visiting religious sites like the Holy Grail in Valencia or the Vatican in Italy, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time there.
- Converter/Adapter: If your converter or plug type isn’t right, any corner shop will have one for a few dollars.
- Sunscreen & Hand Sanitizer
- Over-the-Counter Medications: Note that European pharmacies often don’t use brand names like Advil or Tylenol. Ask for ibuprofen and paracetamol (called acetaminophin in the United States) instead.
- Band-Aids: Even comfortable shoes can give you blisters after 20,000 steps a day.
- Tissues: Paper towels, napkins, and tissues aren’t as readily available as in the U.S.
- Additional Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Remember, there are pharmacies in every town—though many close by 5 PM.
- Contacts/Glasses
- Airtags: So helpful for tracking your luggage.
What to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag
- Passport
- Alternate ID
- Student ID: Use your student discount while you can! Students often get free museum entry, cheaper transportation, and discounts on attractions.
- Debit and Credit Cards: While cards and ApplePay are widely accepted, cash is still king in street markets and local markets in smaller villages. Pick up some local currency everywhere you go.
- Copies of Your Passport and Credit Cards: Pickpocketing can happen, so it’s wise to have emergency copies.
- Copy of Your Travel Insurance
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization): Fill out the form online or through the app and print out the approval page to show at customs. (Note: Most ETAs take 72 hours to get approved, so plan ahead.)
- Medications
- Portable Charger: Don’t rely on the plane’s charging port or finding an outlet in airports.
- Headphones (Optional: Earplugs & Eyemask)
- Electrolytes: Staying hydrated on your flight is my number one tip for avoiding jet lag.
- Pajamas and One Day of Clothing: Especially handy if your bag gets delayed during a layover.
- A Snack: Fun fact: I hate plane food. If I’m flying from the U.S. to Europe, I’m a nutcase who brings a Sweetgreen salad to eat on the plane.
Packing Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t overpack: Many packing lists push you to fill a bag with items you’ll “need” to survive the flight before you even consider what you’ll need for the activities on your itinerary. That’s not my style. Instead, it's important to pack light. Plus, laundrettes are all over Europe so you can easily rewear outfits.
- Avoid excessive extras: I’ve read lists suggesting you bring everything from a travel iron to a sewing kit and your own sheets. I don’t know what arts & crafts project they have in mind, but I prefer to pack only what I’ll use to avoid any additional cost.
Note: I don’t believe in going overboard with trendy travel accessories. The items I recommend are ones that I actually use.
- Looking like an American: As a solo female traveler, I try to avoid drawing attention to the fact that I’m a foreigner. Dressing like an American can make you an easy target for pickpocketing and scams, and taxi drivers might charge you more. Especially as political tensions rise, it might be best to avoid looking obviously American.
- Avoid leggings, gym shorts, baseball caps, or clothing with sports logos.
Clothing is only half the battle. Europeans have a saying: you can hear an American before you can see them. So, please be mindful of your volume in public places to further sell the European look.
- Stilettos: Europe equals cobblestones, and cobblestones plus stilettos equal broken ankles. Ignore the influencers telling you to pack multiple pairs of heels; opt for a chunky heel, a wedge, a boot, or sandals instead. In my opinion, white sneakers reign supreme.
What To Pack For A Summer Trip To Europe
Summer in Europe is popular for a reason! June is one of the best times to visit anywhere in Europe.
Note: Europeans aren’t big fans of air conditioning or ice in drinks, so it can get very warm during the afternoon. Lightweight, breathable clothing is always best for hot summer days.
Southern Europe
Situated along the Mediterranean, Southern Europe is beautiful in the summer. Picture yourself strolling along the beach as the sun reflects off the water while you sip an Aperol spritz. Are you packed yet?
Marvel at ancient civilizations in Greece, go wine tasting in Portugal, relax in Costa Brava, Spain, or eat all the pasta in Italy. There are so many Euro summer getaways. The new hotspot for outdoor adventures and watersports is Croatia.
Pack:
- Lightweight dresses & skirts
- Shorts
- Tops: T-shirts, tank tops, blouses
- Sneakers & sandals
Central Europe
Hike the mountains of southern Germany, explore the champagne region of France, or savor Belgian chocolate in Bruges. A fantastic trip could be taking the train between Prague, Vienna, and Budapest to experience three unique cities in one go like I did on my latest trip.
Pack:
- Maxi dresses
- Flowy pants: Linen and cotton are best
- Shorts & skirts
- Sneakers & sandals
- Tops: T-shirts, tank tops, blouses
- Lightweight sweater: For cooler evenings
Northern Europe
Thanks to long daylight hours and milder temperatures, summer in Northern Europe is perfect for trekking and adventure. Stand atop the cliffs of Moher in Ireland or hike up a volcano in Iceland.
- Pants
- Tops: Both short and long-sleeve
- Lightweight jacket
- Sweater
- Sneakers
- Optional: Hiking boots and hiking pants
Summer Capsule Wardrobe:
If you’re trying to pack as light as possible, consider the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method
- 5 Tops: T-shirts, button-ups, blouses, tank tops
- 4 Bottoms: Flowy pants, skirts, shorts
- 3 Shoes: Sneakers, sandals, dressy shoes
- 2 Dresses: Sundresses, maxi dress, romper, jumpsuit
- 1 Set of Accessories: Jewelry, hat, bag, jacket
You can adjust the numbers, but it’s a great method for backpacking trips.
What To Pack For A Winter Trip To Europe
While May through September is peak season in Europe, there’s always plenty to see and do year-round.
- Thanksgiving can be a great time to travel to Europe. Check out my suggestions for solo getaways at Thanksgiving.
- December sees a spike in tourism, thanks to the Christmas markets. Renowned all over Europe, I recommend the markets in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Learn more about my experience at Europe’s best Christmas markets. Or explore more solo trip destinations perfect for Christmas.
- From January through March, there’s still lots to enjoy. Chase the Northern Lights in Iceland, ski down a mountain in Switzerland, or cozy up with a pint in an Irish pub.
Wherever you go, packing for winter is a bit easier because everywhere gets cold! From Iceland to Greece, temperatures drop – though it’s a bit milder along the Mediterranean (40–55 °F / 4–13 °C) and freezing in the Nordic countries (-20–40 °F / -35–4 °C).
Note: Similar to the summer’s lack of air conditioning, you may notice a lack of heat inside buildings in the winter. Some countries only turn on their heat for certain hours, while others adopt the Germanic practice of opening a window for good fresh air, even when it’s 30°F outside. When I opened my window in February in Scotland, I knew I had become a true European.
Pack:
- Pants
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Thermals
- Sweaters
- Boots & wool socks
- Winter jacket
- Waterproof down jacket: Good for outdoor adventures like dog sledding in Lapland
- Wool jacket: Good for admiring Christmas lights in town squares
- Pro Tip: I recommend two jackets and fewer seaters. You see your jackets in every photo. I’d rather rewear the same base layers and have options for outer layers.
- Hat, scarf & mittens
Winter Uniform
- Base layer: Leggings and a long-sleeve shirt
- Mid layer: Jeans and a sweater
- Outer layer: Jacket, boots, and a hat
Optional Accessories:
- Belts
- Sunglasses
- Hats
- Jewelry: Leave the expensive pieces at home
- Umbrella: This depends on your activities. It might be useless on the windy Cliffs of Moher.
- Tote bag: Perfect for farmers’ markets, day trips, or impromptu shopping.
- Quick-dry towel: Great for hostels or beach trips
- Phone lanyard (or “phone leash”): Phone theft is a real issue in major European cities. Be aware of your surroundings when you take out your phone for directions. Watch out for motorbikes!
- Reusable Water bottle: Essential for hikes and long day trips. (Yes, it’s a very American habit to carry a reusable water bottle everywhere we go, but with Europe’s clean tap water and focus on sustainability, it’s a great habit to have. You’ll never find me without my water bottle.)
- Leggings: For layering under pants in the winter or under a long skirt on cool spring days
- Swiss army knife
Safety As A Solo Female Traveler
With a bit of common sense, you can feel safe in most parts of Europe. Like the United States, there are areas where you need to be more aware of your surroundings. You need to be careful in major cities like London, Berlin, Rome, Paris, and Barcelona. Be cautious about showing where you keep your money or proclaiming that you’re traveling alone.
Some essentials for peace of mind:
- Pepper spray
- Portable door lock
- Fake wedding ring: Use it with the phrase, “My husband is waiting for me at the hotel.”
- Luggage lock: Especially in hostels
How Much Money Do I Need To Travel Europe
One of the great things about Europe is the ability to build an itinerary that fits your budget. I’ve traveled Europe on a strict budget, staying in hostels, taking trains or buses everywhere, buying groceries, and prepping meals, and I had an amazing time.
I’ve also experienced a slightly more luxurious side of Europe (when I was a teenager and my parents were footing the bill).
Now, I typically find myself somewhere in the middle: I’ll spend hundreds of dollars on flights without hesitation, but then I’ll walk 45 minutes to avoid a $2.50 bus fee. That’s “girl math” at its finest.
My only recommendation when budgeting is to have a surplus of money for safety. If there are creepy men in your co-ed hostel room, make sure you have enough to switch to an all-female room (usually pricier than co-ed). Or if you’re in an uncomfortable situation, have enough money to pay a surge-price Uber if you need to leave quickly.
For budget-conscious travelers, check out U30X last-minute trip deals. With accommodations, meals, and activities included, you’ll get tremendous value for your money.
Bon Voyage on Your European Adventure
After years of exploring Europe, I still feel like there is so much more to discover. I’m writing this just days before I head off on another four-month adventure in Central Europe. I’m counting down the days until I can savor a freshly baked croissant and stroll down cobblestone streets once again.
If you couldn’t tell, I think Europe is amazing and is a place everyone needs to experience. Don’t wait for someone to join you. Either be brave and travel on your own or go with U30X and meet like-minded travelers. Explore their European trips here and discover your next favorite destination!
