Stylish Packing List for Europe

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What to Wear in Europe

The truth about backpacking and longer trips, is that you still only need to pack about 2 weeks worth of clothes. You have to remember that you’ll have access to laundry facilities in your hostel or hotel, and you’ll be dragging your luggage around with you. Even if you’re going on a group tour, baggage weight limits still apply, so don’t over pack. 

Shoes: For a one week trip I’d recommend 1-2 pairs of shoes. In warmer temperatures, sandals are perfect, but in colder temperatures opt for boots or enclosed flats. Check the weather before you leave, and if snow or moderate to heavy rain is forecasted, boots are a better choice.

For two weeks go for 1-3 pairs,  but in winter keep in mind boots will take up a lot of space. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking, make one pair a sneaker, otherwise just ensure you pick shoes that you’re happy to walk in all day. 

Dresses: Perfect for Summer, Spring and nights out. 3-5 dresses will be perfect, make sure a few (or all) can work as a night out dress. If dresses aren’t your thing, add a few dressier tops instead for clubs and beach parties. 

Tops: For a one week trip you can easily take a top for each day. For two weeks or longer, it will depend on how light you want to pack or if you need to bring warmer clothes. For a winter trip, you’re best taking 4-10 winter tops.

In summer, where you’ll have more space in your bag, 6-14 tops would easily work. 

Bottoms: For a one week trip 2-3 bottoms will serve you well, and you could easily squeeze in a fourth in summer. In winter I’d recommend packing two pairs of jeans, one blue, one another color, and mix and match them against your tops.

For a two week plus trip bring 3-4 pairs of pants in winter, or 3-6 bottoms in summer or the fringe seasons. Picking more basic items and colors maximizes your matching opportunities.

Outerwear: In summer I’d still always recommend bringing one cardigan, especially if visiting Northern Europe. In the side seasons, a cute jacket will be great for nights out and chillier evenings. In winter however, you’ll want to bring out a nice trench or warmer coat.

The level of warmth you’ll need in a coat in winter will depend greatly on where you visit, so do your research. Pop the country name into our search bar and see if we have a what to wear guide that’ll help.

Swimwear: For any length of trip, 1-2 pairs will keep you covered. You will be comfortable in all styles in Europe. 

Accessories: During any time of the year you can pick a few accessories but I’d advise against low hanging necklaces as they may catch on things. Don’t bring expensive jewelry floating around in your luggage incase you loose it.

If you have something nice you’d really like to bring I’d advise wearing it all the time, rather then keeping it in your luggage. Anything valuable not worn should be kept in your room’s safe if you have one. 

In winter, in Central, East, North & West, pack a scarf or two. In the North you’ll also want to pack gloves. A plain colored beanie or woolen hat would also be ideal during this time. In the south, winters don’t get too cold, but you should check the temperatures online and evaluate what to bring based on your own cold weather tolerance. 

Underwear: 7-14 pairs. Remember, these can easily be washed in your hotel sink with soap and water. 

Pajamas: 1-2 pair of pajamas is perfect for any length of trip. Pick something fast drying so you can wash it as you go. 

What Toiletries & Cosmetics to Pack for Europe

Make up: Primer is great to keep your makeup from sliding off. Apart from that pick your basics – foundation, concealer, bronzer, one eyeshadow deck and lip gloss. Put in all in a small makeup bag so its all together.

Beauty Items: Especially if visiting during colder weather, you’ll want a good moisturizer to keep your skin from getting dry. Sunscreen will be important in most seasons, especially summer. However be careful this doesn’t leak in your bag. Sunscreen is easy enough to purchase and dispose of at your destination.

Hair care: You may want to bring a travel sized hair dryer and straightener if you have the room in your bag, otherwise some hotel rooms will offer at least the hair dryer as an amenity. A hair brush is a must though.

Other Toiletries: Its easier to pack solid shampoo and conditioner so you don’t get any leaks, but you should still wrap these in a plastic bag so your luggage doesn’t get slimy. Alternatively, try travel sized shampoo and conditioner, just make sure you put the lids on properly. For razors or wax strips, you’re better off buying them once you arrive.

Beyond that of course you’ll need some deodorant, a toothbrush, and some toothpaste.

Technology to Bring to Europe

Camera Gear: If you have your own camera gear pack it in your carry on luggage to keep it safe. Pack two or three 8-16gb memory cards as well. If you’re looking for a new camera, I have both a mirrorless sony camera and a Nikon DSLR.

I’m obsessed with my Nikon, but the sony mirrorless cameras have similar quality and are much smaller.

Phone: Don’t forget this.

Chargers & Batteries: I can’t stress this enough, don’t forget your chargers! Write a list on your phone and check them off as you pack them. You don’t want to get all the way to Europe and then realize you can’t find a charger for that dinosaur of a phone you bought five years ago.

Spare batteries are also a must. Its easiest to have a zip lock bag for batteries and chargers, or their own power adapter is a must have so you can charge your items.

Other Things to Pack for Europe

Luggage: In Europe you could easily go either way, backpack or suitcase, there are positives and negatives to both options. Backpacks will be more useful if you expect a lot of rain, but it can be easier to pack and remove your winter clothes from a suitcase.

Medical: Bring your prescription and any medicine you need. You’ll find it easy to get headache other general medicine in the country though.

Bankcards & Passport: Bring one MasterCard and one Visa to decrease your chances of not being able to find an teller machine that accepts your bankcard.

Also make photocopies of your passport leaving one with family, and one kept safe in an area separate to your passport. This will be helpful in case of theft, alternatively take a photo on your phone.

Locks: If you’re staying in hostels, many will let you use your own lock for the lockers. I recommend one with a code rather than a key, because let’s face it, you’ll probably loose the key at some point.

Packing Tips for Europe

Weather protection: If visiting during a time when a lot of rain is forecasted, and are traveling with a backpack, buy a waterproof backpack cover. This is protect your belongings from getting wet, just make sure you get the right size.

If your using a suitcase, and haven’t bought one yet, opt for one with a hard cover, so it’ll be less likely your clothes will get wet.

Packing cubes: Choosing Your Luggage or Backpack

For longer trips in Europe I would strongly recommend taking a backpack. It is a major pain to drag a suitcase around for that long. I also found it annoying to stash the suitcase when on the trains as it was pretty heavy.

For suitcases I prefer ones with a hard cover, and for backpacks 65L is the sweet spot for packing light-ish. For backpacks Osprey is one of the most popular brands, but there are cheaper options that are decent too.

Seasonal Packing Lists for Europe

What to wear in Europe in Winter (December, January, February): A jacket and boots are a given when traveling Europe in winter, as you’ll want to keep yourself warm while sightseeing. The closer north you’re visiting, the warmer you’ll want your clothing to be.

While, if traveling the south, you’ll be able to get away without wearing gloves as long as you’re not overly sensitive to the cold. Winter is actually a great time to visit Europe as you’ll see snow, have less crowds and may even get to visit a Christmas market or two.

What to wear in Europe in Spring ( March, April, May): Spring in Europe is a pretty time to travel, with temperatures thawing and flowers starting to pop up around the region. While it can still be cold, especially in the northern countries, you can get away with less clothes during this time.

What to wear in Europe in Summer (June, July, August): Summer is the most popular time to visit Europe, with tourists coming from all over to sightsee and gather in cafes. In the South and some parts of Central Europe temperatures can hover around 35C / 95F meaning you’ll want to seek shade and wear as little as possible.

In the north however you’ll feel a lot more comfortable during this time. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water in summer and remember to lather on the sunscreen.

What to wear in Europe in Fall / Autumn (September, October, November): As the summer heat gradually declines a rash of color spreads itself among the trees. Much like Spring, temperatures will be comfortable and crowds will lessen and you’ll find yourself more comfortable out and about.

During fall a coat is still recommended especially if visiting the north and center of Europe.

Travel Tips for Europe

Currency for Europe – Most places use the Euro, but there are a few exceptions, *cough* Switzerland, so check the countries you’ll be visiting beforehand.

Daily Budget for Europe – For backpackers you may be looking at 40-80 euros a day on average. This would include accommodation, transport and food. Prices are on the lower end in Eastern Europe and move towards the higher end in places like Switzerland and Norway.

For a midrange budget you’ll move closer to 90-130 euros a day.

Electronics – C and F are the two most common plugs. In certain places in Eastern Europe, E may also be used.