Europe Packing List: What to Pack for Europe (2026)

I have packed for Europe more times than I can count, and I have made nearly every mistake along the way: the 28-kilo suitcase I dragged up four flights to a Roman walk-up with no lift; the gorgeous heeled boots that lasted exactly one afternoon on Lisbon’s marble pavements; the hairdryer I fried in a Paris socket on day one. So this europe packing list is not a wishful, magazine-perfect one. It is the real, tested, “I have learned this the annoying way” version — built to get you across the continent with one bag you can carry up a staircase yourself, the right clothes for the weather and the culture, and nothing you will resent lugging around.

The thing nobody tells first-timers is that packing for Europe is less about what you bring and more about how little you can get away with. Trains, cobblestones, tiny lifts, budget-airline baggage rules and the simple joy of not being a pack mule all reward the light traveller. Get this right and the trip feels easier from the moment you leave home. Get it wrong and you will spend the holiday managing your luggage instead of enjoying Florence.

Last updated: June 2026. Prices, airline baggage limits and entry rules change — I have hedged figures as “around” and you should confirm current details with official sources (airlines, tourism boards, the official EU entry pages) before you fly.

The Europe packing list in 60 seconds

For most Europe trips, pack a carry-on capsule wardrobe in a neutral palette: around 5 tops, 3 bottoms, one versatile dress or smart shirt, a layering jacket, a rain shell, two pairs of broken-in walking shoes, plus underwear and socks for about a week. Add a universal travel adapter, your phone and chargers, a slim crossbody anti-theft bag, key documents and a small medicine kit. Plan to do laundry once mid-trip rather than packing for every single day — it is the single trick that keeps your bag light.

That is the whole philosophy in one breath. The rest of this guide is the detail: exactly how many of each item, what to wear so you do not stand out, how to adapt the list by season and region, the electronics and documents that actually matter in 2026, the things you should firmly leave at home, and a printable run-through at the end. I have broken it into clear sections so you can skim to whatever you are stuck on. If you want the condensed, tick-box version to pack against, jump to my printable Europe packing checklist; this page is the why behind every line on it.

Europe packing list at a glance

Here is the core kit I would pack for a typical one-to-two-week trip in spring, summer or early autumn, sized so it all fits in a single carry-on. Treat the quantities as a sensible default, then adjust up or down for your season and style. The “do you really need it” column is the honest part — the bits people pack out of anxiety and never touch.

Notice what is not on that list: a hairdryer (your accommodation has one), a full-size towel, a “just in case” formal outfit, more than three pairs of shoes, or a different outfit for all fourteen days. Cutting those is what turns an overstuffed suitcase into a carry-on you barely notice. I will explain each call as we go, and the exact swaps for a cold-weather trip or a beach-heavy summer itinerary further down.

Pack carry-on only (yes, even for two weeks)

If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: try to travel carry-on only. I resisted it for years, convinced I needed options. Then I did a 16-day, four-country trip out of a single 40-litre bag and never looked back. The freedom is the point — you walk past the baggage carousel, you are never separated from your things, you can hop on a regional train or a tram without a second thought, and you sidestep the checked-bag fees that budget airlines treat as a profit centre.

Europe is built in a way that punishes big luggage. Medieval old towns have cobbles that eat suitcase wheels. Charming little hotels have charming little lifts, or none at all. On train travel in Europe you are responsible for hauling your own bag up steps and onto overhead racks, often in a 90-second station stop. A bag you can carry up a flight of stairs without help is not a constraint; it is the thing that makes spontaneous, independent travel possible. For the deeper how-to, I have a full carry-on only packing list, but the principles below get you most of the way.

What size bag actually fits Europe

Aim for a bag around 40–45 litres, or a roller in the 55 x 40 x 20 cm region. That is the classic carry-on size, but here is the catch travellers miss: European budget airlines are far stricter than airlines back home, and their limits differ from each other. Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Vueling and the rest each have their own free “small bag” dimension (often around 40 x 20 x 25 cm) and charge for anything larger, sometimes more than the flight cost. Always check your specific airline’s current cabin-bag rules and, if you are flying several carriers, pack to the smallest one. A soft-sided bag has a little give that a hard shell does not, which has saved me at the gate more than once.

Backpack or wheeled bag?

This is genuinely a personal call. A wheeled cabin bag is effortless on smooth airport floors and flat city centres, and it keeps your back happy. A travel backpack wins the moment you hit cobbles, stairs, gravel or a longer walk from the station to your apartment — and it is the obvious choice if you are backpacking Europe or moving towns every couple of days. My honest compromise: a 40-litre carry-on backpack with a proper hip belt for multi-stop trips, and a small spinner for a single-city break where I am not moving much. Whatever you choose, pick a bag in a low-key colour; a giant neon pack marks you as a tourist before you have said a word.

The case for packing cubes

Packing cubes changed how I travel, and I am not usually one for gadgets. They turn a chaotic bag into a tidy drawer system: one cube for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and socks, a compression cube for the bulky layer. You stop excavating your whole bag to find one T-shirt, repacking takes two minutes, and the gentle compression genuinely creates room. Add one small dry bag or a couple of plastic bags for dirty laundry and wet swimwear, and your bag stays organised for the whole trip.

The capsule wardrobe: clothes that mix and match

The secret to a light bag is not packing fewer clothes you love — it is packing clothes that all work together. A capsule wardrobe is a small set of pieces in a coherent colour palette where almost everything pairs with everything else. Nine or ten well-chosen items can produce a couple of weeks of outfits without anyone noticing you are on rotation. I build mine around a simple rule: pick two neutral base colours (say navy and beige, or black and grey) plus one or two accent colours, and make sure every top goes with every bottom.

How many of each thing to bring

Here is the quantity formula I use for a 7–14 day trip, on the assumption that you will do laundry once. It scales: a long weekend needs less, a month needs the same plus more frequent washing, not more clothes.

Fabrics that earn their place

Pack for performance, not just looks. Merino wool is the traveller’s miracle fabric — it regulates temperature, resists odour so you can wear it several times, and dries overnight. Synthetics and synthetic blends dry fast and pack small. Linen and linen blends are heaven in Mediterranean heat (Italy, Greece, southern Spain) though they crease, which in summer reads as relaxed rather than scruffy. The fabrics I avoid: pure cotton that takes two days to dry after a wash, and anything that needs ironing. Choose pieces that shrug off a long day, a quick hand-wash and a night on a hanger.

The colour-palette trick

This is the bit that does the heavy lifting. If your tops are white, navy, grey and one accent, and your bottoms are navy, beige and black, then literally every combination works. You can pack five tops and three bottoms and get fifteen distinct outfits, before you even add a scarf or jacket. Neutrals also hide stains and travel grime far better than pale pastels, and they let you dress up or down with a single accessory. I keep a deeper breakdown in my guide to what to wear in Europe, but the palette principle alone will lighten your bag more than any packing hack.

Accessories that punch above their weight

A large scarf or pashmina is the most useful thing in my bag: it dresses up an outfit, warms you on a chilly evening or an over-air-conditioned train, doubles as a blanket on a night journey, and covers your shoulders when you step into a church. A packable tote or foldable daypack is brilliant for market shopping and beach days. One belt, a couple of pieces of simple jewellery (leave anything flashy or precious at home), sunglasses and a hat for sun or cold — that is genuinely all the extras you need.

Shoes: where most Europe trips go wrong

If clothes are where people over-pack, shoes are where they pack wrong. You will walk astonishing distances in Europe — 15,000 to 25,000 steps a day is normal when you are exploring a city on foot — and you will do it on cobblestones, marble, worn stone steps and uneven pavements that were laid centuries before trainers existed. The wrong shoes do not just hurt; they can quietly ruin a day you waited a year for. I have watched friends limp around the Vatican because they “broke in” new shoes on the trip itself. Do not be that person.

The two-pair rule

For most people, two pairs is the sweet spot, three is the absolute maximum. Pair one is your workhorse: genuinely comfortable, supportive, already broken in, and ideally a touch smart so it does not scream “gym”. Stylish trainers, leather sneakers, or comfortable walking shoes in a neutral colour all work and let you blend in. Pair two depends on the season — in summer, a comfortable, walkable sandal (not a flimsy flip-flop); in cooler months, a pair of waterproof leather boots or Chelsea boots that handle rain and look good at dinner. If your trip has a dressier evening, that smart-but-comfortable second pair covers it without a dedicated third.

What not to wear on your feet

Leave the brand-new shoes, the high heels and the flimsy flat sandals at home. Stilettos and chunky heels are a genuine hazard on cobbles — ankle-rolling territory — and even block heels get exhausting fast. Pure-white box-fresh trainers will be grey by day three and mark you instantly as a visitor. And whatever you do, never pack a shoe you have not already worn for a few long days; a blister on day two is a tax on the whole trip. For a deeper dive into specific styles and brands that survive a European city, see my guide to the best travel shoes for Europe.

What to wear: dressing so you blend in

Europeans, broadly, dress a notch more put-together than the casual default in a lot of the world. That does not mean formal — it means considered. Fewer giant logos, fewer athletic clothes worn off the trail, darker and more neutral colours, and an overall sense that the outfit was chosen rather than grabbed. You do not need to pass as a local, and honestly you won’t, but dressing with a little intention means more respectful service, fewer pickpocket eyes on you, and better photos. The classic tourist tells — bright white trainers, a baseball cap, cargo shorts, a money belt worn outside the clothes, a giant DSLR swinging from your neck — are easy to skip.

Dress codes you will actually meet

Two come up constantly. The first is churches and religious sites: most major ones (St Peter’s in Rome, the Duomo in Florence, many in Spain, Greece and beyond) enforce covered shoulders and knees for everyone, and will turn you away at the door if you are in a vest and shorts. That packable scarf and a pair of trousers or a longer skirt solve it instantly. The second is dinner: smart-casual gets you into the vast majority of European restaurants — a collared shirt or a simple dress, closed shoes — and only genuinely fine-dining spots expect more. You rarely need a jacket and tie, so do not pack for an occasion you probably will not have.

How dressing varies across the continent

Europe is not one dress code. In fashion-conscious cities — Milan, Paris, Vienna — people lean smarter, and you will feel more comfortable matching that. In Italy the concept of la bella figura means locals dress well even for a coffee run. Northern and Alpine areas are more practical and outdoorsy. Beach towns and the Greek islands are relaxed and breezy. The good news is that a neutral capsule wardrobe quietly fits in almost everywhere; you just shift the accessories. When in doubt, look at what people your age are wearing in the first café you sit in, and adjust.

What to pack for Europe by season

The single biggest variable in your packing list is when you go. Europe’s weather swings hard between seasons and regions, and the difference between a comfortable trip and a miserable one is often just one forgotten layer. Check the forecast for your specific cities in the week before you leave, and use the best time to visit Europe as your starting point for what conditions to expect. Here is how I shift the core list by season.

Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October)

These shoulder seasons are my favourite time to travel and, conveniently, the easiest to pack for — but they demand real layering, because a single day can swing from a crisp morning to a warm afternoon to a cool, drizzly evening. Pack long-sleeve tops you can roll up, a light sweater, a versatile jacket, and a properly packable rain shell. Bring one warmer layer than you think you need; spring evenings in Prague or Edinburgh have caught me out more than once. Footwear stays closed and comfortable. This is layering season, full stop.

Summer (June–August)

Mediterranean summers are genuinely hot — 30–38°C across Italy, Spain, Greece and the south of France — so pack light, breathable fabrics in light colours: linen, cotton blends, loose shirts, shorts, sundresses. You will still want one light layer for fierce air-conditioning and cool coastal evenings, and a sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen are essentials, not extras. If beaches are on the agenda — and along the best beaches in Europe they should be — add a swimsuit (or two, so one can dry), a quick-dry travel towel and the walkable sandals. My full breakdown lives in what to pack for Europe in summer. Note that northern Europe — Britain, Scandinavia, the Baltics — stays far milder, so check your actual region.

Winter (November–March)

Winter is where layering becomes an art. The system that works: a thermal base layer, a warm mid-layer (merino or fleece), and a warm, ideally water-resistant outer coat, plus the trio that does the real work — a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. These pack small and make the difference between enjoying a frosty Christmas market and fleeing indoors. Add warm, waterproof boots and thick socks. It does not get truly brutal everywhere — southern Spain and the Greek islands stay mild — but central and northern Europe get cold, grey and short on daylight. The complete cold-weather kit is in what to pack for Europe in winter. If your trip involves the slopes, skiing in Europe needs its own specialist gear that is usually better rented than packed.

Packing by region: Europe is not one climate

“Europe” spans subtropical islands and the Arctic Circle, so a Sicily trip and an Iceland trip need almost opposite bags. If your itinerary crosses regions — and many do — pack for the coldest, wettest leg and shed layers for the warm bits, not the other way round.

The Mediterranean south

Italy, Spain, Portugal, southern France, Greece, Croatia and Malta are hot and dry in summer, mild and pleasant in shoulder season, and only lightly cold in winter. Think breathable fabrics, sun protection and modest options for churches. Even here, pack one warm layer for evenings and ferries.

Northern and Western Europe

Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, northern France and Germany are mild but famously changeable, and rain is a year-round possibility. A reliable waterproof and a compact umbrella matter more here than warmth. Layers, again, are your friend, and a “summer” here is nothing like a Greek one.

Alpine and Nordic

Switzerland, Austria, the mountains, and Scandinavia run cold and demand proper insulation and waterproofing even in summer at altitude. Warm layers, good boots, hat and gloves, and serious outerwear in winter. Mountain weather changes fast, so a windproof, water-resistant shell is essential whatever the calendar says.

Toiletries and a sensible health kit

Toiletries are where bags get heavy for no reason. Europe has pharmacies and supermarkets everywhere, so you are never more than a short walk from shampoo — pack travel sizes and top up if needed, or buy full-size on arrival and leave it behind. If you are flying carry-on, all liquids, gels and pastes must go in containers of 100 ml or less inside a single clear, resealable bag of around one litre. A quick 2026 note: some European airports have installed new CT scanners that relax this to larger volumes, but the rollout is patchy and uneven — airports like Munich have it on some lanes only, and Paris is not expected to be fully ready for years. So assume the old 100 ml rule still applies unless your specific departure airport clearly says otherwise.

The toiletries worth packing

A toothbrush, travel toothpaste, deodorant, a small shampoo/conditioner (or solid bars, which dodge the liquids rule entirely), a razor, sunscreen, any skincare you are loyal to, and a microfibre travel towel — because many budget stays and hostels do not provide one, and they dry far faster than the thin towel that is there. Add lip balm, a small comb or brush, and a few hair ties. Skip the hairdryer: essentially every hotel and most apartments have one, and yours may not survive the voltage anyway.

A small medical kit saves the day

This is the one category I never skimp on. Pack any prescription medication for the whole trip in its original packaging, in your carry-on (never in a checked bag you might be parted from), plus a small kit of basics: painkillers, anti-diarrhoea tablets, antihistamines, plasters and blister plasters (you will use these), rehydration salts, and any motion-sickness tablets if ferries or mountain roads feature. Pharmacies across Europe are excellent and pharmacists can advise on minor ailments, but having the essentials on hand at 11pm in a small town is worth the few grams.

Electronics, adapters and power

Get this section right and your devices stay charged; get it wrong and you fry something on day one like I did. The headline facts for 2026: continental Europe runs on 230 volts and uses the round-pin Type C and Type F plugs (France adds Type E), while the UK and Ireland use the chunky three-rectangular-pin Type G. So a trip that includes both Britain and the continent needs both adapter types, or one good universal adapter that covers everything.

Adapter versus voltage converter

This trips people up constantly, so let me be clear. An adapter just changes the shape of the plug so it fits the socket. A voltage converter actually changes the electricity from 230V down to the 110V some countries use. The good news: almost every modern device — phones, laptops, tablets, camera and most chargers — is “dual voltage” (you will see “100–240V” printed on the plug or brick), which means you only need a simple plug adapter, not a heavy converter. The exceptions are high-wattage single-voltage gadgets, above all hair tools — straighteners, curlers and many hairdryers from 110V countries — which can burn out or trip the socket even with a converter. Honestly, just leave those at home and use the one in your room. For the full rundown of plug types by country and what to buy, see my guide to travel adapters and electronics for Europe.

The tech worth its weight

A universal travel adapter (ideally one with a couple of USB ports so it charges several things at once), your phone and its charger, and a power bank are the core. A long, hard day of maps, photos, transit apps and translation drains a phone fast, and a power bank has rescued me more times than I can count. Download offline maps and your transit and translation apps before you go. Bring a charging cable or two, and if you carry a laptop or tablet, a small multi-socket from home plugged into one adapter charges your whole kit from a single outlet.

Documents, money and beating pickpockets

These are the truly irreplaceable items — the ones that turn a hiccup into a holiday-ruiner if they go missing. Treat them with more care than anything else you pack.

The documents to bring

Your passport (check it is valid for at least three to six months beyond your trip — a rule that catches people out), any required visa, your travel insurance details, booking confirmations, and at least one debit and one credit card. I keep digital copies of my passport, insurance and key bookings in my email and a secure app, plus a paper photocopy of the passport stashed separately from the real thing — it makes replacing a lost passport far less painful. On entry rules: as of mid-2026, most visa-exempt visitors still enter the Schengen Area on just a passport, but the new ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to launch toward the end of 2026 and become mandatory around 2027. It is not required yet, but check the official EU pages close to your trip; I keep the current state explained in my guide to ETIAS and the Schengen rules.

Money and cards

Most of Europe is comfortably card- and contactless-friendly, so you do not need wads of cash — but carry a little local currency for markets, small cafés, tips and the occasional cash-only spot, and remember the continent is not all euros (the UK uses pounds, Switzerland francs, plus the Czech koruna, Polish zloty, Hungarian forint and more). Tell your bank you are travelling so a foreign transaction is not flagged and frozen, bring a backup card kept separately from your main one, and a travel card or app with low foreign-exchange fees will save you a surprising amount over a two-week trip. For squeezing more from your budget, my Europe on a budget guide goes deep.

Anti-theft, without the paranoia

Pickpocketing, not violent crime, is the realistic risk in tourist-heavy European cities — busy metros, crowded sights, train stations. The fix is simple and mostly about your bag: carry a slim crossbody or sling that zips shut and sits in front of you in crowds, rather than an open tote or a back pocket. A bag with a zip is genuinely the single best anti-theft tool there is. Keep your phone off the café table edge, split your cash and cards between two places, and skip the obvious money belt worn outside your clothes. Stay aware in crowds and you will almost certainly be fine; I have travelled Europe for years and a little sensible bag discipline is all it has ever taken. More street-smarts live in my Europe travel tips.

How to actually pack it all

Having the right things is half the battle; fitting them in is the other half. A few methods genuinely work.

Roll, fold and compress

Roll soft items (T-shirts, knitwear, casual trousers) to save space and reduce creases; fold structured pieces (a blazer, a smart shirt) to keep them sharp. Use packing cubes to keep categories separate and compress the bulk, and stuff socks and underwear into shoes and gaps so no space is wasted. Put anything that could leak inside a sealed bag. Keep one outfit, your medication, chargers and valuables in your personal item, so a delayed or lost main bag does not strand you.

The 5-4-3-2-1 starting point

If you freeze at the suitcase, this old traveller’s formula is a great default for a week or two: five tops, four bottoms, three accessories (scarf, hat, belt), two pairs of shoes, one of each “special” item (a dress, a jacket, a swimsuit). Adjust the numbers to your trip, but it lands you very close to a perfect carry-on without overthinking. Weigh your bag at home on a bathroom scale before you leave — discovering it is 3 kilos over at the airport check-in desk is an expensive surprise.

What not to pack for Europe

Half of packing light is knowing what to leave out. These are the things I see overpacked again and again, and the reasons to skip them:

• Too many shoes. Three pairs maximum; they are heavy and bulky and you will wear two.
• A hairdryer. Your accommodation has one, and 110V tools can fry on Europe’s 230V.
• A full-size towel. Hotels provide them; for hostels, a microfibre travel towel weighs almost nothing.
• A “just in case” formal outfit. Unless you have a specific event, smart-casual covers Europe.
• Heavy guidebooks. Use your phone, with offline maps and a couple of saved articles.
• Valuable jewellery. It worries you and attracts the wrong attention — leave it home.
• An outfit for every day. Pack for a week and do laundry; this is the big one.
• Bulky beach towels or full toiletry bottles. Rent, borrow or buy these on the ground.
• More than one bag’s worth of “options”. If you are debating an item, that is usually a no.

Packing by traveller type

The core list flexes for who you are and how you travel. A few adjustments by type:

Families and travelling with kids

With children the rules bend: pack more changes of clothes for the little ones, but stay ruthless about your own bag. Bring snacks for travel days, any comfort items, a compact first-aid kit, and entertainment loaded onto a tablet for long train rides. Lean even harder on laundry and on buying nappies, wipes and baby food locally — they are sold everywhere — rather than hauling a fortnight’s supply. My Europe with kids guide covers the family-specific kit in detail.

Solo travellers

Solo, you carry everything yourself with no one to watch the bag, which makes packing light non-negotiable and a secure, zipped day bag even more important. A backpack you can comfortably wear through a station, a doorstop or door alarm if that helps you feel secure, and a portable charger so your phone (your map, your lifeline, your camera) never dies all earn their place. More on travelling alone in my solo travel in Europe guide.

Couples and short city breaks

Couples can share — one tube of toothpaste, one adapter set, one mini first-aid kit — which frees up real space. For a long weekend or a European city break, a single small bag each genuinely does it: two or three outfits, one nice option for dinner, one pair of good shoes. Short trips are where carry-on only is easiest, so there is no excuse to check a bag for three nights in Vienna.

The practical stuff: laundry, logistics and buying there

The reason you can pack for a week and travel for a month is laundry. Most cities have self-service launderettes, many apartments and Airbnbs have a washing machine, and hotels offer (pricey) laundry service. I pack a small tube of travel detergent or a few soap sheets and hand-wash underwear and the odd T-shirt in the sink, hanging things to dry overnight — which is exactly why quick-dry fabrics matter. Plan one proper laundry stop around the midpoint of any trip longer than ten days and your bag stays light the whole way.

Remember too that Europe is not a place you need to bring everything to. Pharmacies, supermarkets and clothing shops are everywhere, so anything you forget is easily bought — and shopping for a missing layer or a pair of local shoes is half the fun. Leave a little room in your bag for what you will inevitably acquire. As you map the route, my guides to getting around Europe and where to stay in Europe help you anticipate when you will be hauling your bag and when it can sit in a room, which quietly shapes how much you bring.

Frequently asked questions about packing for Europe

What should I pack for 2 weeks in Europe?

For two weeks, pack the same carry-on capsule as for one week — around five tops, three bottoms, a dress or smart outfit, layers, a rain shell and two pairs of comfortable shoes — plus about a week of underwear and socks, and plan one laundry stop at the midpoint. You do not need 14 separate outfits; you need versatile pieces that mix and a plan to wash them.

Can I really travel Europe with just a carry-on?

Yes, and most experienced travellers prefer it. A 40–45 litre bag holds a full capsule wardrobe if you stick to a neutral palette, quick-dry fabrics and two pairs of shoes, and do laundry once. You skip checked-bag fees, never lose luggage, and move easily on trains and cobbles. It takes a little discipline the first time, then it is liberating.

How many outfits do I need for a Europe trip?

Think in pieces, not outfits. About five tops and three bottoms in coordinating colours generate well over a dozen combinations, which is plenty for one to two weeks with a mid-trip wash. Add one “nice” outfit for dinners or churches. Packing a distinct outfit for every day is the most common over-packing mistake and the easiest to fix.

What should you not wear in Europe?

Skip brand-new white trainers, athletic wear off the trail, baseball caps, cargo shorts and a money belt worn over your clothes — they mark you as a tourist and draw pickpockets. Avoid high heels and flimsy sandals on cobblestones. And remember many churches require covered shoulders and knees, so vests and short shorts will get you turned away at the door.

Do I need a travel adapter for Europe?

Yes. Continental Europe uses round-pin Type C/F sockets at 230V, while the UK and Ireland use the three-pin Type G, so you need an adapter — ideally one universal adapter that covers both plus USB ports. Most phones, laptops and cameras are dual-voltage (100–240V) and need only the adapter, not a heavy voltage converter.

What shoes are best for walking in Europe?

Comfortable, broken-in, supportive shoes in a neutral colour — leather sneakers, stylish trainers or proper walking shoes — that handle cobblestones and 20,000 steps a day. Add a walkable sandal in summer or a waterproof boot in winter as your second pair. Never bring shoes you have not already worn for several long days; blisters can wreck a trip.

Do I need a voltage converter for Europe?

Almost certainly not. Check the label on your charger: if it reads “100–240V” it is dual-voltage and only needs a plug adapter. That covers nearly all modern phones, laptops, tablets and cameras. The exception is high-wattage single-voltage hair tools from 110V countries, which can burn out — leave those at home and use your accommodation’s hairdryer.

How do I avoid pickpockets in Europe?

Carry a slim crossbody or sling bag that zips shut and keep it in front of you in crowds, on metros and at busy sights. Split cash and cards between two places, keep your phone off the table edge, and stay alert in tourist crush-points. Pickpocketing is opportunistic, so a zipped bag and a little awareness defeat the vast majority of it.

Final thoughts

After all the trips and all the mistakes, my packing has converged on one idea: bring less, choose better. A small bag of versatile, comfortable, quietly stylish things you can carry yourself is not a sacrifice — it is what makes Europe easy. You move faster, worry less, blend in more, and have room to bring home the ceramic bowl from Puglia or the scarf from a Paris market. The traveller dragging the giant case up the cobbled hill is not having a better trip than you; they are having a heavier one.

So build the capsule, break in the shoes, pack the adapter, leave the hairdryer, and trust that anything you forget is for sale somewhere lovely. Then close the bag, leave the rest behind, and go. For the bigger picture of where all this packing is taking you, start with the best places to visit in Europe and my framework for how to plan a trip to Europe — and when the route is set, a ready-made Europe itinerary ties it all together. Whether you are bound for the beaches of Spain or a winter market in Bavaria, the right bag is the one you forget you are carrying. Safe travels.

About the author: Hannah Brooks is Senior Europe Editor at EuropeanTourism.org. She has packed (and re-packed) for trips across more than thirty European countries, travels carry-on only even for a month on the road, and still occasionally over-packs shoes. She writes practical, first-hand guides for independent travellers.

Last updated: June 2026. Airline baggage limits, liquid rules and entry requirements change — confirm current details with your airline and official sources such as national tourism boards and the official EU ETIAS and airport-security pages before you fly.

Photo credits

All images are used under their respective licenses via Wikimedia Commons. With thanks to the photographers:

• An open carry-on packed for a Europe trip — Photo: Familydestinationsguide.com Images / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
• Travellers and their luggage in a European railway station — Photo: Phil Richards from London, UK / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
• Packing cubes organising a carry-on bag — Photo: Tony Webster / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
• Comfortable walking shoes for Europe’s cobblestones — Photo: Jacek Halicki / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
• A Paris café terrace, on dressing to blend in — Photo: Alexemanuel / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
• Oia, Santorini, on packing for a Mediterranean summer — Photo: Giles Laurent / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
• A European Christmas market, on winter layering — Photo: francois (Strasbourg) / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
• A European round-pin plug and socket — Photo: Retired electrician (CC0) via Wikimedia Commons.
• A backpacker in the Swiss Alps — Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer) / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.