What to Pack for a Europe Trip

Clothes & Layers

European weather shifts quickly, especially in spring and autumn, so build your wardrobe around layers you can add and remove through the day. Choose lightweight, versatile pieces in colours that mix and match, and favour fabrics you can rinse in a sink and dry overnight.

• Layers — a t-shirt, a long-sleeve or light sweater, and a packable jacket.
• A versatile jacket or light rain layer for unpredictable days.
• Smart-casual outfits for nicer restaurants and for churches (covered shoulders and knees).
• Quick-drying fabrics you can wash and re-wear to pack fewer items.
• A scarf or shawl — useful for warmth, sun, and covering up at religious sites.

Shoes — Your Most Important Choice

Shoes make or break a European trip. You will walk far more than you expect, often on cobblestones that punish thin soles and brand-new footwear, so bring comfortable, well-broken-in walking shoes — never new ones. One pair of supportive walking shoes plus one smart-casual pair that works for dinners covers most trips without weighing your bag down.

Documents & Money

Keep your essential documents together and carry offline copies in case you lose signal or your phone. A card with no foreign transaction fees will save you a meaningful amount over a multi-week trip.

• Passport, valid for at least three to six months beyond your return date.
• Travel insurance documentation.
• Accommodation and transport confirmations, saved offline.
• Cards with no foreign transaction fees, plus a small amount of local cash.
• A backup card kept separately from your main wallet.

Tech & Connectivity

Staying connected across multiple countries is easy with the right kit. A single Europe eSIM covers dozens of countries on one plan, which is far simpler and cheaper than roaming or buying a local SIM in each country.

• A travel eSIM for seamless data across multiple European countries.
• A universal plug adapter — Type C/E/F covers most of the continent; Type G for the UK and Ireland.
• A portable power bank for long sightseeing days.
• A phone with good optics, or a compact camera.

Toiletries & Health

Pack toiletries with carry-on rules in mind, and bring any medication you rely on rather than assuming you can buy it abroad. Most other essentials are easy to replace in Europe, so do not overpack.

• All liquids in containers of 100ml or less for carry-on, in a clear resealable bag.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent in summer.
• Prescription medication in its original packaging, with a copy of the prescription.
• A basic travel first-aid kit.

Carry-On Only or Checked?

For trips of up to two weeks, many seasoned travellers manage with carry-on only by packing a versatile capsule wardrobe and using hotel laundry or a laundromat midway through. Carry-on only speeds you through airports and sidesteps the steep checked-bag fees common on European budget carriers. If you do check a bag, keep a change of clothes and your valuables in your carry-on.

What to Leave at Home

Over-packing is the most common mistake. Leave the "just in case" extras behind: more than two pairs of shoes, bulky guidebooks (use your phone), expensive jewellery, and a hairdryer or travel iron, which nearly every hotel provides. You will be glad of the lighter bag on every train platform and staircase.