Updated on January 7, 2019 by Asher Fergusson

What should I pack for my Europe trip?

Lyric and me on our honeymoon.

1) Passport Pouch

2) Lipstick-sized portable charger

3) Europe power adapter

4) Virtual Private Network (VPN)

It might be surprising to find this listed here but I’ve found that there are a high number of websites (or parts of websites) that get blocked in many European countries. For example, often music videos and movies on YouTube won’t be viewable. A good VPN like NordVPN will make it possible to visit every website without censorship.

Perhaps more importantly, though, is the security that a VPN gives you. I recently learned this the hard way in Paris where I had my credit card number stolen after using what I thought was a secure Wifi network at an Airbnb rental.

Whenever you go on someone else’s WiFi whether it’s at a cafe, airport, Airbnb, or hotel, you’re potentially putting your passwords, credit card and identity at risk of being hacked. With a VPN, you protect your sensitive data on any device with just 1-click. And, it’s super affordable!
View NordVPN.com Options ➜

5) Packing cubes

6) Natural Jet Lag relief pills

7) Travel insurance

8) Rain jacket Women’s and Men’s

9) Moisture-Wicking Scarf

10) Water bottle with built-in filter

11) Gorgeous Outfit: Women’s & Men’s

12) Solid shampoo

13) Flexible Phone Tripod

14) Travel daypack

15) Activated charcoal

16) Hanging toiletry bag

17) Rolling suitcase

Other commonly forgotten items for Europe vacations

Other European packing lists you may like: Amsterdam | Barcelona | Croatia | Greece | Iceland | Ireland | Italy | London | Paris | Portugal | Rome | Scotland | Spain |

What should I wear in Europe?

What should WOMEN wear in Europe? – (Click to expand)

Below is a sample women’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

The weather often varies a lot across Europe so you will want to pack clothes that are versatile. European women are quite stylish so choose outfits that are more on the smart casual side. Ankle boots are very popular and a pair of nice sneakers or flats are great to have while exploring around. Choose dark colored pants, jeans, or leggings to wear with camis, blouses, long knitted sweaters or cardigans, and dresses. Outside, leather jackets are popular and a scarf is essential. Accessories to add to any outfit include retro shades with a leather saddle bag or vintage rucksack to carry your things.

What should MEN wear in Europe? – (Click to expand)

Below is a sample men’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

Men also need to pack versatile outfits that can be worn for many different activities. European men are quite fashionable and wear clothing that is well fitted. Choose to pack a pair of leather sneakers for activities in the day and dressier oxford shoes for nights out. Wear dark fitted jeans, or earth colored tapered pants with a collard button up shirt or teeshirt with a sweater or casual blazer. Choose tee-shirts that are solid colors but you can add some style to button up shirts with different patterns. A belt helps dress up any look along with a pair of semi-rimless shades and fedora hat. Store your cash and cards in a minimalist RFID wallet and for day excursions bring a lightweight backpack.

SPRING – March, April, May: Spring counts as one of the shoulder seasons for Europe, and is an ideal time to travel to many locations which will have sparser crowds and still agreeable weather. Although, some places will be wet and dreary at this time, so check the specs on your destination before you pack.

Rain gear is absolutely crucial during spring, so bring a quality windproof travel umbrella and a good rain jacket. Boots are a good idea in most places, just in case you find yourself slogging through mud or wet grass. Temperatures average between 41°F and 58°F (5°C to 14°C).

You probably won’t need any heavier outerwear unless you’re traveling to destinations farther north or at higher altitudes. Temperatures average between 59°F and 78°F (15°C to 26°C).

FALL – September, October, November: Fall or autumn is the second half of the shoulder season in Europe, and brings milder weather and again, smaller crowds. Prepare for some precipitation (usually drizzle) and chill, but expect tolerable to fair conditions. As always, check on averages for your destinations to be sure!

Autumn in Europe calls for a light jacket, dependable waterproof walking shoes, and a couple of scarves to keep warm should a chillier day arise. Temperatures average between 45°F and 60°F (7°C to 16°C).

What NOT to take to Europe

1) DON’T BRING lots of electronics:
I recommend packing a camera and a Kindle, and maybe your laptop, but don’t bring much more than that. Unless you have other electronics you’ll really need on your trip, it’s just not worth the risk of them being lost or stolen.

3) DON’T TAKE expensive jewelry: Similarly, you don’t want to risk valuable or sentimental jewelry getting lost or stolen on the road. Plus, wearing a lot of flashy jewelry can make you a target. Pack a couple of pieces you’ll want to wear on your trip, and leave the rest at home.

5) DON’T PACK a bunch of books: More than one book will get heavy and take up a lot of space in a backpack or carry-on suitcase. Some hostels and cafes in Europe have book exchanges where you can pick up a free paperback and drop it off at a future exchange when you’re done. Or, you can simply load up a Kindle, and do your reading on a lighter device that’s easier to pack.

7) DON’T TAKE too many clothes: Most people have a tendency to over pack, especially when it comes to clothes, which just means more stuff to lug around. Pare it down to a few outfits, and if you run out of things to wear, it’s not hard to find a place to do laundry in most parts of Europe.

2) DON’T PACK a bath towel: It’s a good idea to bring a towel with you to Europe, but regular towels are bulky and heavy, and take way too long to dry. Take a quick-dry travel towel instead – they’re much lighter and smaller, but still plenty absorbent.

4) DON’T BRING lots of cash: Except for in very rural areas, nearly any place you visit in Europe will have ATMs, and many spots take credit cards, too. There’s no need to take a ton of cash and risk it being lost or stolen.

6) DON’T TAKE a Europe-wide guidebook: Lonely Planet and many other publications have a guidebook that covers all of Europe. While that might seem like a good idea if you’re planning to visit several countries or are still deciding where to go, they rarely have sufficient detail on any individual place. Do your generic Europe research online, and get the guidebooks for the specific countries or regions you’ll be visiting.

8) DON’T PACK overly casual clothes: Europeans tend to dress well, and they generally dress up more than North Americans do. While you’ll want some casual clothes for hanging around your hostel or hitting the pool or beach, I’d suggest bringing a collection of slightly nicer clothing for your Europe trip.

FAQs about trips to Europe

1) Is the tap water in Europe safe to drink?

You can drink the tap water in most of Europe. However, that is not true for countries in the Balkans and the Former Soviet Union. In those areas, travelers should be careful to avoid tap water unless it has been treated. In Eastern Europe, you may also want to avoid untreated tap water outside the major cities to be safe. With this being said we recommend you always use a filtered water bottle to be sure.

2) How prevalent is English in Europe?

Among European countries, English is the primary native language only in the U.K. and Ireland, but it is widely spoken as a second language elsewhere. In Nordic countries and the Netherlands, a large portion of the population speaks English well, even in smaller towns. In Western Europe, you won’t have much trouble finding English speakers in major towns or popular tourist sites, and most people who work in the tourism industry speak English. The farther east you go, however, the less English you’ll encounter (though hotel staff still commonly speak English). English speakers can certainly still travel in those countries, it just might be a bit more challenging.

3) What countries in Europe are the cheapest to visit?

In general, Eastern Europe is significantly cheaper than Western Europe. Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, and the Czech Republic are especially popular budget travel destinations, but Slovakia, Serbia, Latvia, and Ukraine are also very cheap to visit.

4) Is it safe for women to travel alone to Europe?

Yes! Women should have no more fear about traveling alone than men should – especially when traveling to places in Europe. Stay in areas that are safe for tourists, don’t flaunt the fact that you’re a tourist, and take standard safety precautions with your money. The one thing that may be more applicable to women than to men is that you shouldn’t go walking alone at night, but that’s standard anywhere. Don’t carry excess cash, take familiar routes when possible, try to avoid out-of-place clothing, and relax! You’re more likely to blend in instead of sticking out as a tourist if you look like you belong there. It will likely make you more comfortable to research current country-specific travel notes here.

5) Is it worth getting a Eurail pass?

Europe’s train systems are highly lauded, and many backpackers and other travelers in Europe plan their trips around riding the train from country to country. But many find themselves wondering, “Is a Eurail pass worth it?” Whether a pass is the cheapest option depends on how many train rides you’ll be taking, where you’ll be riding, and how far in advance you could book tickets.

In general, a pass will save money if you’re visiting a lot of different countries and/or taking long train rides, while buying individual tickets is cheaper if you’re booking far in advance or if you’re traveling exclusively in Eastern Europe. But, one of the biggest perks of using a pass is the flexibility: last-minute train tickets are expensive, so if you want to be able to travel with more spontaneity, a pass is the way to go.

6) Do I need to tip in restaurants in Europe?

Restaurants in Europe often note on the menu or bill that a service charge is included, in which case an additional tip is not necessary. Otherwise, tipping is not required but it’s customary to round up the bill. If you do decide to tip, make sure to do it in cash and hand it directly to your server. The major exception to this rule is Scandinavian countries, where tipping is not generally practiced.

7) Where can travelers get off the beaten path in Europe?

In general, Western Europe is much more traveled than Eastern Europe, and capital cities and historical sites are often heavily visited. To get off the beaten path, head to rural areas or to countries in the Balkans or the Former Soviet Union, which see relatively little tourism.

8) What is the best way to get around Europe?

Public transportation is well developed throughout most of Europe, and it’s generally easy to get from country to country. Most trains in Europe are comfortable and efficient, and train travel is probably the most popular way to get around, whether you opt for a Eurail pass or individual tickets (see above). For most routes, though, the bus is cheaper than the train, and Eurolines is the main network of international buses in Europe. With budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet, flying between countries can be an affordable option, too; just check Google Flights or a site like Kayak to see all the flight options.

9) Do I need a visa to visit Europe?

To visit countries in the Schengen Area, which currently includes 26 European countries, citizens of the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most of Central and South America do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days (within any 180-day period). The U.K. is not part of the Schengen Area, and allows citizens of most of the same countries to visit visa-free for up to six months. Check here to verify the current requirements.

10) Are there any good Mediterranean cruises?

Absolutely! Apart from the Caribbean, we believe the Mediterranean is the best place to do a cruise. Why? Well it’s simple, you often get to see six different countries in the space of 10-days and many itineraries have only a couple of cruising days. This means you can be out exploring the ports every day and finding the best food and best excursions to do while enjoying such an array of different cultures in such a short time. If you’re wondering what to pack for a cruise, read our full guide.

11) What is the best time of year to visit Europe?

In general, the best seasons to visit Europe are the spring and fall, particularly in May, June, and September. During these months, prices are lower than during peak season, and the weather is agreeable in most areas.

12) How can I save money while traveling in Europe?

There are lots of ways to save money in Europe. For starters, stick to hostels or try couch-surfing to cut your accommodations costs. Car rentals and taxis can be pricey, so use trains and buses to get around instead, or just walk. Limit eating out, and pick up groceries for some of your meals; look for hostels or vacation rentals that have kitchens where you’ll be able to cook. Try eating out at lunch instead of dinner too, as many restaurants in Europe have good-value (and filling) lunch specials. Skip the bottled water, and just bring a reusable water bottle that you can keep filling up. And of course, putting a limit on your alcohol consumption will always save money.

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