If you’re looking for a list of what to pack for Europe, including a complete FREE Europe packing list, look no further because you’re in the right place. This Europe packing guide will help you plan your upcoming trip, and give you ideas on what to pack for your trip.
I get so many questions about what to pack for a trip to Europe, so today I am here to help you get that list organized and perfected! + stay till the end for a FREE Europe packing list.
Related: International Travel Essentials, How to get Global Entry for Free
What to Pack For Europe
There are a few rules when it comes to packing for Europe, especially if you want to pack light but versatile enough that you have a lot of options.
This is where a travel capsule wardrobe comes in, and we’ll talk more about that below! It’s essential to have a good capsule wardrobe especially when you travel, so that you have endless outfit options.
Your Travel Capsule Wardrobe
Let’s define a capsule wardrobe first, shall we?
A Capsule Wardrobe is a prefixed set of items that you own that can be used to mix and match easily with other pieces in your closet.
Key features of a capsule wardrobe:
- Usually consist of neutral colors
- Not more than 10-12 pieces an item (ie: t-shirts, pants, sweaters etc)
- Able to mix and match easily with other items in your closet
Clothes
For a trip to Europe, I recommend you bring: at least 4 pairs of trousers or shorts (depending on the season), a pair of jeans, 2-3 skirts, several tops for the daytime and 1 or 2 going-out or ‘dressier’ tops, 2-3 dresses for the evening, a blazer or tweed jacket, 2-3 pairs of comfortable shoes, and a trench coat if the season calls for it.
Here’s an example of what to pack for a trip to Europe using a travel capsule wardrobe!
To add to this, you might want to bring along some workout clothes if that’s your thing! I know for me, personally, I am always finding a way to workout when I travel, so this is necessary for me.
You’ll also want to bring comfortable, breathable pajamas like these ones by Eberjey, or these ones by SKIMS, which I totally adore!
What to Wear in Each of Europe’s Different Seasons
Europe Packing List Winter
Winter in Europe typically runs from November to March, and the weather can be unpredictable. You can generally assume that it will be cold, but it also depends which region you plan on going to!
It’s always best to check the weather ahead of time for the region you plan on visiting. Typically, it will be much colder in Northern regions like Scandinavia compared to Spain or countries closer to the equator.
If you’re visiting the central region of Europe like Hungary for example, you will experience temperatures similar to that of NYC in the winter.
Once you have an idea of what the weather will look like in the region you’re traveling to, you can then start to plan out your travel capsule wardrobe.
No matter which region you plan on visiting, you can safely assume that the following clothing pieces will work for a majority of your chosen destinations. That’s the beauty of a capsule wardrobe!
Europe Packing List Fall
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Europe, and perhaps one of my favorites! Fall in Europe typically spans over two months, usually between September and October.
The weather is not too chilly, but crisp enough that you can pull out that beautiful trench coat you’ve been dying to wear.
I like to mix both dark and light pieces for fall in Europe, whereas in winter I would typically opt for a darker look overall, with both the top and bottom being a muted color.
The nice thing about fall is that you can still get away with wearing skirts without being too cold, and if it is a bit chillier that day you can totally throw some tights on underneath, and you’re good to go!
Check out the Europe packing list for fall below, a curated travel capsule wardrobe perfect for your next trip!
Europe Packing List Spring
Ah, another great time to visit Europe! Tourists are not yet in full bloom, and you have a mix of both warm and cool days, which makes for many fun outfit variations.
Your best bet is to pack a variation of short and long items, aka LAYERS. You will likely be removing and adding layers constantly as the weather in spring can be very unpredictable; one minute the sun is shining and the next you’re caught in the rain!
I would recommend to bring at least one spring jacket, which should ideally be a light rain jacket (just in case). Then, bring a variation of both pants, long skirts, and one or two pairs of shorts. Trousers are great because they are light and airy, and I’m a huge advocate of long skirts in the spring as well.
For tops, I like to bring a mix of short and long, and for the short ones I will just layer them with a cardigan or a light jacket. Bring 1-2 long sleeves, like a plain white button down linen shirt and perhaps a long sleeve striped top.
I’d also recommend bringing an umbrella like this one or this one to Europe in the spring, because you never know if you might catch yourself in a quick drizzle!
Europe Packing List Summer
This is one of the most fun seasons to pack for, in my option. You have so many options, and can experiment with beautiful, bright colors too.
While I typically like to stick to neutral colors, because that’s how you can create the most effective travel capsule wardrobe, adding a pop or two of color is definitely essential in the summer.
For your colorful items, I recommend you choose a skirt or a dress. This is because this will be your “statement” piece, and you’ll likely only wear it once (maybe twice) on your whole vacation.
Dresses work great as statement pieces, because you’ll probably only wear the same dress once or twice anyway. You don’t have too much variation with dresses like you do with mix-and-matching tops and bottoms.
You have the ability to pack slightly more in the summer than you would in other months, because of the weight of summer clothing, which is typically very light. Make sure to pack 6-7 basic tops that you can switch out daily, 1-2 pants, 4-5 skirts/shorts, and multiple light dresses.
Take a look at my Europe packing list for summer below! If you want to shop any of these items, make sure to scroll down for list of all of the pieces mentioned in these photos.
Shop the seasonal looks below!
Trousers & Shorts
Dresses & Skirts
Tops & Blouses
Jacket & Trench Coats
Shoes
Possibly the most important item on this list! Trust me when I say that you will walk EVERYWHERE. That means that you’ll need to be comfortable to endure an entire day in one of Europe’s stunning cities.
One of my FAVORITE shoe brands for traveling is Vaneli. They are the epitome of comfort without having to sacrifice style.
Check out some of the amazing styles below
Accessories
Accessories can dress up any outfit you have on. They are absolutely essential to any outfit you put together.
Check out my picks below for a list of my favorite accessories, from belts, to hats, scarves, sunglasses, jewelry, and more!
Europe Packing Essentials
Toiletries
As a female traveler, you know the struggle when it comes to packing all of our toiletries efficiently, and not getting questioned or stopped by TSA! Check out my list of recommended toiletry organizers below.
Electronics
You definitely don’t need to go overboard here. Just make sure you are covered with the following items, and you’ll be set for your Europe trip!
Bags
Perhaps another essential item, the bag(s) you carry around Europe will largely affect the outcome of your trip!
Here is my list of recommended travel bags for flights, to wear during the day in Europe, and bags to wear or take to the beach, if that’s in your Europe trip itinerary!
Luggage
Durable luggage is so important. Now, you’re talking to someone who loves all things fashion and elegance, so it was really hard for me to compromise on style for durability.
Luckily, I found some suitcases that I have been LOVING, which have both.
Organizers
Two of my favorite packing cubes that I use religiously to organize my clothes are ‘Bagail’ and ‘Bag All’ packing cubes.
You’d be surprised at how much these cubes hold! They are also super durable with great zippers and were thoughtfully designed. I also love the colors they come in.
Long Flight Essentials
After 15+ overseas trips to Europe, I’ve finally figured out exactly what makes a comfortable flight.
Here are some essentials that will get you through a long flight to Europe.
These travel essentials are guaranteed to make your flight experience smoother and more enjoyable.
If there’s anything I recommend from the above items, I would definitely say go for some comfy pjs! Trust me, it makes a world of a difference when you wear something breathable and light on a 10+ hour flight.
If the plane is a bit chilly, you can always wrap yourself up in the carry-on blanket that you brought. Or, chances are pretty high that the airline would supply blankets as well. They usually do on international flights!
Don’t forget to check out THESE TIPS to make sure you have access to perks like Global Entry, TSA Pre ✔️, lounges, and more.
Oh, remember that free Packing Checklist I promised you? Click on the button below to grab it right now!
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