The ultimate Europe packing list. Advice for choosing clothes, toiletries, shoes, electronics, luggage, and more for Europe.
February 11, 2023
Packing for your trip to Europe can be stressful so I’ve put together my Europe packing list. This mega packing list will cover everything from clothes and luggage to electronics and toiletries. I’ve even tried to include specific packing tips for summer travel and winter travel.
Interested in packing tips for backpacking Europe? We’ve created a Backpacking Europe Packing List For Women and Backpacking Europe Packing List For Men.
This Europe packing list is very extensive so here is a quick rundown of what you’ll see in this guide. Keep reading to see everything.
The type of luggage you choose will have a major impact on your travel style.
You essentially have two choices — a wheeled suitcase or a travel backpack. Either option is perfectly fine but both have their positives and negatives (which we’ll cover in this section).
Before I talk about luggage, I want to reiterate the idea of packing light because traveling light makes moving around easier and more enjoyable.
Rolling luggage is the most popular style of luggage for traveling in Europe. It offers a lot of benefits but it’s not always right for everyone.
I’m a big fan of travel backpacks and it’s my preferred luggage choice. However, they’re certainly not for everyone so I’ll cover what to consider before buying a travel backpack.
I’ve written multiple guides about finding the perfect travel backpack. Here’s my Guide To Choosing The Perfect Travel Backpack and a list of my favorite backpacks traveling Europe.
Travel Backpacks We Like:
Rolling Luggage We Like:
There are a lot of places to purchase luggage and travel backpacks. Here are a few of our favorites:
Life gets a little more complicated when you’re living out of a bag but worry not… I’m here to help.
Behold the magical packing cubes.
They may not look like much but these simple travel accessories make packing so much easier.
The idea behind packing cubes is simple — you divide your clothing up between different cubes (socks in one cube, underwear in another cube, etc.). This keeps all your clothes compressed and organized.
This way you can quickly grab what you need. And these make repacking all your stuff easy as well since you know where everything goes.
As an added bonus, packing cubes can also help reduce wrinkles by preventing your clothing from shifting around in your bag. And the compression lets you fit more stuff into your luggage.
There are a ton of companies that make packing cubes but here are a few of our favorites:
Learn More: Read a more in-depth review of the best packing cubes.
We don’t personally use packing folders but they’re a popular travel accessory. Basically, packing folders are designed for larger items like dresses, button-up shirts, and pants.
We recommend Eagle Creek Packing Folders — which cost anywhere from $16-$25 depending on size (via Amazon).
A toiletry bag is essential for keeping all your toiletries contained.
Do yourself a favor and buy a toiletry bag with a hook so it can be hung up since most European bathrooms have little/no counter space. There are a bunch of different bags available on Amazon but here are a few popular travel toiletry bags:
The majority of the weight in your luggage will come from clothing so it’s important to limit your clothes if you want to travel light. Of course, this is easier said than done.
In this section, we’ll help you choose which types of clothes to pack, some general tips for packing light, and packing tips for all seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring).
I’m a big fan of travel underwear — mainly because you can easily wash them in the sink and they’ll dry in a few hours. They’re also designed to be more comfortable when you’re traveling all day. When you’re searching for travel underwear, look for the following things:
The number of pairs you bring is a personal preference. We don’t like washing underwear every night so we bring five or six pairs — but you could conceivably get away with two pairs (if you don’t mind washing often
The most popular travel underwear is made by ExOfficio — they get a ton of great reviews on Amazon. They are ideal for travel because they’re breathable, odor-repellant, and dry in just a few hours. They do tend to be more expensive than normal underwear but most experienced travelers swear by them.
ExOfficio has a fairly wide range of underwear styles available and they’re priced anywhere from $8-$20/pair (depending on style and color):
Patagonia also makes some really nice underwear that is great for travel. They get good reviews for being soft and comfortable. The Patagonia underwear won’t dry quite as quickly as ExOfficios but they still dry quickly. Patagonia stuff is always high quality but it also comes at a price — these normally cost about $20/pair.
Bring two or three comfortable bras. You may also want to bring a quality sports bra for those long travel days.
ExOfficio Give-N-Go underwear is the most popular underwear for travelers (read our personal review here) and their boxer briefs have over 5000 reviews on Amazon.
I wear mine even when I’m not traveling because they are pretty damn comfortable. ExOfficios breathe well, inhibit odor, and air dry super quickly. ExOfficio offers a few different styles and they cost between $15-$25/pair (via Amazon). They’ve also just released their new Give-N-Go Sport boxer briefs that look really nice. They cost $30 (via Amazon).
Under Armour also makes HeatGear underwear that performs similarly to the ExOfficios. They cost around $20/pair (via Amazon).
If you prefer wearing natural fibers, we suggest Merino wool. The Smartwool underwear is nice and will keep you cool and dry. They usually run about $48 so they are on the expensive side. We also have a pair of boxer briefs from Wool & Prince that we really like.
It might not be exciting but a quality pair of socks will make a world of difference when you’re traveling. I’m a huge fan of socks made from fine Merino wool.
Lightweight merino wool socks are great in the summer because they’ll actually keep your feet cool and dry. Heavier-weight socks are good for traveling in the winter because they’ll keep your feet warm and dry.
Quality socks are expensive but they’ll last for a long time if you take care of them. Synthetic/wool blends also work well.
Ideal Travel Socks:
A good pair of socks can be worn 2-3 times before they start to stink (although you’ll want to rotate the days you wear each pair so they can “air out”). For a more in-depth article about the wonderful world of socks, check out our article about the best travel socks.
Wear. Comfortable. Shoes.
The most important packing tip is to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes when traveling Europe.
Trust me — you’re going to be on your feet way more than usual and your feet are going to take a beating. That’s why you should put comfort over fashion — luckily there are plenty of fashionable and comfortable shoes on the market.
So let’s look at a few tips for ensuring your feet stay happy:
Learn More: Take a look at our guides to the Best Travel Shoes For Women and the Best Travel Shoes For Men—both articles go into much more detail about what you should look for in a pair of travel shoes as well as a selection of footwear perfect for travel.
Now let’s dive into shirts and tops. To help keep things simple, I’ve split this section up into a women’s section and a men’s section.
Treat these sections as general guidelines on what kind of shirts/tops to pack — don’t forget the general rules of durable fabrics, dark colors to hide stains and wrinkles, and choosing items that can be easily paired with other items.
By the way, if you’re an ultralight traveler, you’ll probably want to pack less than what is listed below.
I usually only pack two pairs of pants — mainly because they take up a lot of space in your luggage. Also, pants are one of those things that you don’t really need to wash all that often so there’s no real need to pack multiple pairs.
It’s a good idea to prepare for the elements so you’ll want to look into a few options — especially in the non-summer months.
Here are a few handy accessories to round out your outfit.
Winter travel in Europe poses a few extra packing challenges to consider so we’ve written a few handy guides to help guide you on your way.
We’ve put together a list of our favorite travel accessories to help make traveling in Europe easier and more enjoyable.
The cheapest way to get mobile data for your phone is by using a European SIM card — this is much cheaper than using your home carrier’s International Mobile Data plan.
You can read about my guide to using smartphones and data plans in Europe but I recommend buying your SIM card from SimOptions.com or Holafly.
A small backpack is essential for carrying around your day-to-day stuff (camera, souvenirs, rain jacket, guidebooks, etc.) as you’re sightseeing. We recommend a small daypack that can be easily packed away in your luggage and that won’t strain your back as you wear it all day. Here’s a list of the best daypacks. — we’ve also included a few anti-theft backpacks which are handy if you’re visiting areas known for pickpockets.
Packing a quick-drying travel towel will come in handy if you’re staying somewhere like a hostel that doesn’t provide towels. That’s because traditional cotton towels, in addition to being very bulky, take hours to dry — which will lead to a musty smell if you pack it before it is dry. Travel towels work well because they are compact but can still absorb plenty of liquid as they dry overnight.
Note: Travel towels are often much smaller than normal towels. We suggest buying the large or XL size—especially if you have long hair (or buy two).
There are a ton of travel towels on the market but these get great reviews:
Most people use their phone as a flashlight light but a small keychain flashlight is still a nice accessory — especially in dark dorms and city streets.
We love the Streamlight 73001 Nano Light Miniature Keychain LED Flashlight because it’s super small (it fits on a keychain) but it provides a ton of light. Streamlight also has a ton of other great-quality pen lights if want other compact light options
If you’re staying in a hostel, you’ll need a lock so you can secure your stuff in the lockers. We recommend the Master Lock Set-Your-Own-Combination Padlock because it allows you to create your own combo so it’s easier to remember.
Retractable cable locks are nice for securing your bag to your bunk or a luggage rack. They will deter a thief from running by and snatching your bag.
An eye mask is nice for trains/planes/buses or if you stay in hostels (some jerk will turn the lights on at 3 am). Additionally, you’ll be glad you brought earplugs if you stay in hostels because you’ll eventually share a room with someone who snores. These Mack’s Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs are really nice for sleeping.
Throw in a small notebook like the Moleskine Notebook, Field Notes, or Rhodia notebooks to make notes of things as you travel. We write down directions, phone numbers, addresses, restaurants, spending, etc. At the end of your trip, your notebook will end up being a nice little souvenir.
Stay hydrated with a water bottle. A basic water bottle is perfectly fine but this flexible water bottle by Platypus Soft Bottle is a great choice because it can be rolled up when empty.
Are your hostel sheets clean… who knows? If you don’t want to take the chance, think about packing a sleep sheet/sleep sack. A cotton Sleep Sheet is cheap but bulky. Silk Sleep Sacks cost but they’re a lot lighter, less bulky, and the silky feeling is nice.
Patch up stuff with duct tape. A whole roll because it is too bulky so just wrap some around a pencil. Or buy some travel duct tape.
Make sure your bag isn’t too heavy with a digital luggage scale.
Make copies (physical and electronic) of your passport and other important documents. We email them to ourselves or save them to Google Docs.
Plastic bags are a great way to store your dirty or wet socks/underwear so they don’t get mixed with your clean clothes. We’ll also put our liquids in a sealable bag in case of a leak. The large 3 gallon bags are nice for storing shoes so you don’t get your clothes dirty.
One of the best ways to avoid becoming a pickpocketing victim is to wear a money belt (learn more about avoiding pickpockets here). Personally, we don’t really like money belts because they’re kind of annoying to wear but a lot of people always wear one — it comes down to personal preference.
A travel umbrella is optional if you’re traveling in the summer. However, the fall, winter, and spring tend to be rainy, so you might want to bring one along.
We eat a lot of meals from the grocery store so we always bring a set of Plastic Travel Utensils. If you really want to go all out, you should check out this sweet titanium spork.
Keep your toothbrush germ-free with the Steripod Clip-on Toothbrush Sanitizer cover. It protects the brush and sanitizes it using voodoo science. Yeah, science! Or you can just get a normal toothbrush cover if that’s how you roll.
A lint roller is an easy way to help keep your clothes looking presentable.
Despite loving internet resources, we are still huge fans of using printed guidebooks to research wherever visit. Learn more about our favorite travel guidebooks & websites.
A small phrasebook can also come in handy if you’re not familiar with the local language (but most people in big cities will speak a little English).
We travel with more electronics than ever so here’s a list of things you might want to bring along.
IMPORTANT: North America and Europe use different voltages (120v vs 220v) for their electronics. So what does that mean for you?
For high-end electronics like phones, cameras, laptops, iPads, etc… it doesn’t matter. All you need is a plug adaptor because these electronics are all designed to work at multiple voltages.
However, electronics with heating elements and motors like hairdryers, curlers, straightening irons, hair clippers, etc. aren’t designed for multiple voltages so they’ll fry if you use them in Europe.
Read our guide to traveling with electronics for more in-depth advice about using electronic devices while traveling.
You’ll need a couple of outlet plug adapters for all your electronics. Most of Europe uses the same plug but the UK uses a different configuration. There are dozens of adaptors out there but this affordable plug adaptor set from Ceptics will work fine. They also sell UK, Ireland, and Switzerland-specific versions if you’re traveling there.
Many hostels and hotels may only have one or two power outlets per room. That’s why we often pack a travel power strip to power our various gadgets. The Belkin Travel Power Strip with USB ports is a well-rated option but there are plenty of other travel power strips on Amazon.
If you’re anything like us then you’re going to use your phone a ton when you’re traveling so you’re going to drain your battery before noon. That’s why a portable phone charger is a must-have travel item. We use the Anker PowerCore 10000 because it’s the size of a deck of cards and is affordable.
Standard North American hairdryers and straighteners won’t work in Europe — even if you use a voltage adapter. That’s because Europe uses a higher voltage than North America. That’s why you need a dual-voltage hair dryer. The Revlon 1875W Compact Travel Hair Dryer is a top choice for travelers because it is powerful, lightweight, and foldable.
We use our iPhones for a majority of our travel photography but you’ll want a quality digital camera if you want nicer photos. We’ve already written an in-depth article about choosing the best digital camera for travel. Don’t forget the extras:
We love traveling with our iPads — they’re the perfect travel computer. So, unless you really need the full functionality of a laptop, we suggest sticking with an iPad.
Everyone has a smartphone these days. Here’s our guide to the best travel apps if you’re curious to know our favorite apps.
Be sure to read our guide to using Data Plans Abroad
It’s nice to listen to tunes as you travel. Additionally, there are a lot of downloadable audio guides for cities and museums — which are great ways to learn more about the places you’re visiting.
We absolutely love our Apple Airpods (not having wires is so amazing). But we still throw in a cheap pair of headphones for flights. We’ve written more about our favorite travel headphones.
We suggest minimizing your toiletries since liquids are heavy and you can purchase anything you need once in Europe. That said, here is a list of things you might want:
We recommend picking up some travel insurance — which will help cover your stuff, flights, hotel, train tickets, rail passes, medical emergencies, and more. World Nomads is our top choice but you can check out our guide to buying travel insurance.
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the author of the book "The Savvy Backpacker's Guide To Europe On A Budget". He's been blogging about budget travel in Europe since 2010.
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Thanks For Reading! — James
February 11, 2023
Hi, I'm James and I've been teaching people how to travel Europe on a budget since 2010.
I created The Savvy Backpacker to be the most comprehensive resource for planning your trip to Europe. Join me to learn more about the best travel backpacks, train travel in Europe, curated packing lists, European city travel guides, cheap data plans, itinerary planning, and money-saving strategies to help you plan a trip to Europe on a budget.
