Packing List for Europe: Travel Essentials for Trip to Europe [2023] (2024)

Heading to Europe soon? Planning a trip to Europe can be such an exciting and exhausting experience. On one hand, you’re excited about all the wonderful things you’ll see and do on your trip around Europe. Yet, on the other, you find yourself worrying about two things.

#1. Will you be able to see everything there is to see? I won’t lie, FOMO is very real.

#2. Does your packing list for Europe have every essential item you need to make your trip smooth sailing?

While this post won’t be able to solve problem #1, I’m here with my ultimate Europe travel checklist to help you with problem #2! A complete list of travel items you need for your trip abroad!

Let’s get start!

Top Europe Travel Essentials

These are the top travel items that should be on everyone’s Europe packing checklist. Don’tleave home without them. Have these travel necessities before you arrive at your destination to ensure a seamless start to your trip. Otherwise, you’ll be frantically searching for these items in Europe instead of enjoying your trip!

1. Travel Adapter

Before traveling to Europe, it’s important to know that the voltage and the electrical outlets in Europe differ from the US.

The voltage in Europe is at 220 volts, so you can’t plug your electronics into the wall without using a voltage converter. You’ll fry it, just like how I almost fried my Nintendo DS in China. However, if you see “100-240V” listed on your charger, then you’re good. It means this electronic is dual voltage and you won’t need the voltage converter.

Now, let’s talk about the outlets in Europe. Without a travel adapter, you won’t be able to plug in your standard US chargers into the sockets in Europe.

AnEuropean travel plug adapter is good for Type C sockets (two round prongs). This is the common socket type used in most European countries, but not all.

Instead of buying multiple types of travel adapter, save the hassle and get yourself a universal travel adapter that can plug into any outlets in the world. This small yetessential item will help you charge all your electronics and prevent any inconveniences. Trust me, it’s a must-have to keep your phone alive!

2. Durable Suitcase

If there’s one thing worth splurging on, it’s spending money on a good suitcasewith very durable wheels. This suitcase will be the home to all your stuff for the entirety of your travels.

The last thing you’d want during your trip is to have a cracked suitcase or asuitcase with broken wheels. Imagine dragging that through Europe’s cobblestone streets during the heat of the summer. Not a pretty scene, I assure you.

Proof you need a durable suitcase:

1. I had to run while dragging two 50lb suitcases with broken wheels through the airport trying to make a connecting flight. For the cheaper suitcase, 3 out of 4 wheels had gone MIA during the rough unloading process by the baggage handlers..

2. In another incident, a friend had to find tape to patch up her cracked suitcase (another unfortunate victim of the check bagged unloading process).

3. Comfortable Walking Shoes

It’s not an exaggeration to say that you’ll be walking a lot while exploring these European cities. From cobblestone streets to hilly terrains, comfortable walking shoes are amust.

That’s why you need to invest in a good pair of walking shoes. Find one that provides lots of support and cushions. This will keep your feet happy even at the end of long travel days.

However, never travel with brand new shoes. Break them in before you travel so you won’t get blisters. If needed, pack some blister plaster to prevent blisters.

Some recommendation of good walking shoes are Adidas (their cloudfoam soles are godsend), Allbirds, and Tevas.

4. Travel Insurance

While it’s not a travel accessory, travel insurance ismust-have whenever you’re planning a trip. It’s a safety buffer that offers protection for unexpected events that could ruin your trip.

SafetyWings is my go-to travel insurance during my trips. It is travel insurance specifically made for digital nomads and travelers. Which is why there’s so much flexibility when purchasing a plan. You can include all the countries you plan to visit during a single trip in the coverage.

Plus, it covers both medical and travel insurance. So you will becovered for medicinal emergencies, medical evacuations, trip delays, lost luggage, and much more.

It’s crucial to do your own research and select acomprehensive travel insurance plan that meets your specific needs. Before purchasing insurance, always carefully read the terms and conditions. Look very very carefully at the fine prints!

5. Portable Power Bank

When you’re constantly snapping photos and using GPS on your phone, your battery will be nearing 0% by mid-day. Especially during the hot European summer. That’s where a portable power bank comes to your rescue, ensuring you never run out of juice while on the go.

I highly recommend this Anker power bank. Not only is it lightweight and easy to pack, it also has enough power to give you multiple charges. The wireless charging feature is great when you forget to bring your cables. I had to hunt down a charging cable in Spain because the one I packed was defective, so the wireless feature really came in handy.

So, when you’re packing your day pack, don’t forget this essential lifeline!

6. RefillableWater Bottle

You’ll definitely want to bring a refillable water bottle when you’re traveling to Europe. It’s a great way to cut down on plastic waste and help save some money, especially in European cities where tap water is safe to drink. For example, Madrid has one of the best tap water in Spain, so I just fill up the water in the sink before leaving for my day trips.

For other cities in Europe where tap water is not consumable, you will want to pack a water bottle with a filter.

7. Theft-Proof Daypack

It won’t take you long on yourEuropeantrip to hear some horror stories about pickpockets. Sadly, we’re all easy targets walking around an European city, especially in crowded tourist sites.

You won’t even feel these pickpockets sneaking up on you. I thought I was saved from pickpockets on my 5 weektrip to Europe until someone pickpocketed me on the very last day!

Get yourself a theft-proof backpack or anti-theft cross-body bag with secure compartments to keep your belongings safe. The slash-proof material will prevent pickpockets from slashing your travel bag.

8.Packing Cubes

Ever since I found out about packing cubes, I cannot travel without them anymore. Which is why I think everyone should have them. Especially, if you’re flying with a budget airline and need to deal with the luggage restrictions.

Unless you’re a minimalist packer, it can be quite difficult to pack everything you need into a small suitcase. However, by using packing cubes, you can keep your clothes compact, organized, and wrinkle-free. There’s no need to unpack your entire bag to find that one shirt again!

I swear by these Osprey packing cube sets. For something that weighs close to nothing, it’s super durable. I’ve squeezed my clothing for multiple week trips into these 3packing cubes!

9.Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees

Don’t travel internationally without first getting yourself a travel credit card. By using acard with no foreign transaction fees, you will save on the 3% fees that regularcredit card charges on every international purchase you make.

During my first international trip, I didn’t know about this and swiped up $$$ in fees alone! My heart dropped when I saw that credit card statement.

10. AirTag

No one wants to hunt down missing luggages. Pack an AirTag into your suitcase or attached it to your important items so you can track their whereabouts!

Plus, when you’re nottraveling, you can dump the AirTag in your car. This will save you the trouble of wandering the streets hunting down your car because you forgot where you parked it.

11. VPN

Whenever we’re on the go, it’s unavoidable that we’ll connect to a public WI-FI. Secure your browsing by using a VPN. They also work great if you don’t want to miss out on your Netflix shows while overseas. Just connect to a USA server and you’ll have your show! The VPN I use while on the go is Surfshark VPN!

Backpacking Europe Essentials

1. Durable Travel Backpack

You’ll want a backpack that’s durable enough to withstand all the throwing and lugging on your backpacking trip across Europe.

My go-to travel backpack is the Osprey Fairview. It has traveled with me across all over Asia and Europe.

Weighing at less than 3lbs, it’s great for backpackers because you’ll need to pack light. And since it’s only 40L, you can easily take it onto your flight as the carryon bag.

2. Flexible Combination Lock

If you’re staying in hostels, you’ll need to bring your own lock when using the hostel lockers. I love using the flexible combination lock. It is the perfect item for the job. Plus, when you’re on the road, you can also use them to lock up the zippers to your backpack or suitcase.

3. Dry Bag

Don’t forget to include a dry bag on your travel essentials checklist! You don’t want to mix your clean clothes with your worn dirty clothes, right??? Repeat after me: No, we don’t.

A dry bag will hold those stinky clothes for you and prevent the odor from spreading until your next laundry day. If you’re going to a water activity, it’s also great for holding your wet swimsuit until you can dry it.

4. Portable Travel Door Lock

Onetravel essential item for anyone’s list is a light portable door lock. When you’re traveling for a while, you’re bound to come across some doors with wonky locks. A portable door lock will keep that door closed and secured, giving you a good night’s sleep.

Bring this with you on your next trip, especially if you’re going alone!

Read this blog for more safety trips when solo traveling!

5. Portable Luggage Scale

This digital luggage scale will be your best friend when you need to make sure your luggage doesn’t go over the airline’s weight limit. It’s small and lightweight and will easily fit into yourluggage. This is how I make sure my luggage does not go over 15lbs whentaking budget flightsin South East Asia.

6. Travel Umbrella

You’re bound to encounter rain if you want to backpack for weeks in Europe. Pack a small durable travel umbrella for those rainy days. They’ll easily fit into a daypack so you can carry it on the go for days with 50% rain.

7. Hanging Toiletry Bag

Atoiletry bag is usefulfor organizing your personal care items and keeping them easily accessible during your Europe travel.

When you’re staying in hostels, you’ll often notice the lack of counter space at the sink for your stuff. This is where a hanging toiletry bag that easily hangs on a hook or door is a godsend.

Store your liquids together in a clear plastic bag/case and keep them all under 100ml each to comply with airport travel restrictions. Packing travel-sized toiletries is the way to go!

8. Quick Drying Travel Towel

Hostels rarely provide towels for free. If you do not bring your own, you’ll need to rent one from the reception.

Now, before you pack that soft (but bulky!) bath towel into your bag, let me introduce you to the quick dry travel towels!

This amazing product is perfect for travelers who are constantly on the go. Unlike regular towels that take forever to dry, these quick dry towels are optimized for travel. It’s made from a special microfiber material that not only absorbs water quickly but also dries in no time.

Which means.. you don’t worry about a damp towel in your backpack! Plus, they pack small so you don’t have to worry about them using up half your luggage space!Get one now!

9. Portable Travel Hangers

Need something to hang your wet laundry? Pack a pair of these portable travel hangers so you can hang up your clothes anytime! Once you’re done, it folds into a compact size you can easily slip into your luggage.

I also love these convenient and lightweight cloth hangers. It’s super easy to find a pole or hanger to attach the cloth hangers to. Once you’re done, just clip your socks and undies and leave for the day.

UltimateTravel Packing List for Europe

Adapt thisEurope packing list based on the specific activities, climate, and duration of your journey.

Travel documents:

• Passport
• Visa (if required)
• Travel insurance
• Copies of these important documents

Clothing:

• Enough outfits for each day of your trip (up to 7 days)
• Tops
• Pants/Skirts
• Dresses (pack more one piece outfits if you want to reduce weight)
• Underwear x days of trip
• Socks
• Sleepwear
• Cardigans for layers
• Windbreaker jacket

Shoes:

• Comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing
• Sandals (warmer weather)
• Flip-flops for shower & beach
• Dress shoes (for special occasions)

Accessories:

• Sun hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Scarf / shawl (versatile use: cover up, cold weather)

Toiletries:

• Toiletry bag
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Body wash
• Skin care products
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Sunscreen
• Feminine care products
• Necessary medications

Electronics:

• Phone
• Phone charger
• Selfie stick / tripod
• Camera (and charger)
• Adapter plugs for European outlets
• Power bank
• Any other devices you need & their charger
• External storage hard drive

Money and cards:

• Cash in the local currency
• Travel credit cards with zero foreign transaction fee x 2 minimum
• Debit cards x 2
• Notify your bank about your travel plans.

Miscellaneous:

• Refillable water bottle
• Day bag
• Padlock
• First aid kit
• Dry bag (serve as laundry bag)
• Portable fan (for those hot European summers)
• Download offline maps of destination
• Download country’s language pack in Google translate

Tips for Packing for Europe

Make copies of travel documents

Before leaving for your trip, make sure you have all the travel documents, including your passport, visas, and any required vaccinations.

Make copies of these documents and store them in a separate location, as well as keeping digital copies in the cloud. This will speed up the replacement process if your documents ever get lost.

Is backpack or suitcase better forEurope trip?

When choosing luggage for your Europe trip, it really depends on your preference and travel plans.

If you’re planning a longer trip or like to bring back souvenirs, a checked suitcase will give you that flexibility in storage spaces.

Something to keep in mind, however, you’ll most likely be walking through the cobblestone streets in Europe. With a suitcase, lugging it through the uneven paths could get annoying at some point. If there’re no elevators in your accommodation, you’ll also need to lug your suitcase up the stairs.

Carrying a backpack will solve that mobility problem, but there’s another issue. Unless you’re packing super light, you’ll most likely feel the dead weight on your shoulders for the whole trip.

Carefully weigh the pro and cons of both options before you decide on which to bring on your trip!

What should you wear in Europe?

Dress your best because you’ll encounter Instagram worthy spots everywhere you go. You’ll even fit in better since you won’t be seeing many T-shirt and shorts combos in Europe. So pack clothes that are BOTH comfortable and stylish (ditch the uncomfortable clothes at home).

Since you’ll be moving around a lot, opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics. And choose versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Layers are essential to have, since they allow you to adjust to changing temperatures throughout the day.

Don’t forget to check the weather forecast for your destination, and make your list of items to pack accordingly.

How to pack light forEurope?

Packing light is key to having a stress-free travel experience in Europe. Start by making a list of everything you need and then carefully consider each item’s necessity. Do you really need to bring it or can you buy it in Europe? If you know your accommodate provides toiletries, you can even ditch the shampoo and conditioners.

Pack versatile clothes that can easily mix and match. Neutral colors work really well in this case. Minimize the number of shoes and accessories.

Having fewer items in your bag will make packing much easier as you move around places in Europe.

What to keep in your carry-on bag?

If you’re traveling with both a checked baggage and a carry-on, there’s a few things you’ll need to keep in your carry-on.

Make sure to pack your important documents, passport, travel itinerary, visas, and medications in your carry-on bag.In case your checked luggage gets delayed, pack a change of clothes and basic toiletries. Keep your electronic devices, chargers, and adapters in your carry-on.

By following this Europe travel essentials packing list, you will be well-prepared for your trip to Europe in 2023. No more scrambling to pack. Happytravels!

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