You finally decided to throw yourself in the arms of adventure and explore Europe’s finest – great! Once you’ve planned your trip, there’s one last hassle lying ahead… packing!
When it comes to preparing for a holiday, a comprehensive packing list is essential. If you’re not fully prepared, your trip can turn into a stressful mess real quick.
Creating a travel checklist can help you stay organized and ensure you have everything you need for your trip.
The ultimate packing list for a European adventure should cover everything from clothing to electronics and travel essentials. And let’s not forget the coolest travel gadgets on the market!
This article covers everything from essential travel gadgets to clothing and accessories, toiletries, personal care items, and miscellaneous items you want to bring along.
Scroll down for a PDF version of the ultimate Europe packing list.
Key items to bring with you
- Passport/ID – Even though it’s an obvious essential for your trip, it’s always good to write it down and double-check you got everything in place before your trip. Consider getting a neat travel wallet to help you organize your key documents.
- Travel insurance information – Keep this document with your passport or ID to ensure you always have it on you in an emergency.
- International sim card – To make sure you are in touch with your family or friends during your travel and have stable internet in Europe, consider getting an international Sim Card for the duration of your journey.
- Local currency – make sure to check what is the currency at your destination. You may want to exchange cash at your local vendor to avoid extra fees at the airport or a hassle once you are there. It’s always helpful to have some cash with you since some rural places in Europe may not accept cards
- Outlet connector – make sure you have a connector for the chargers you’re bringing with you. It’s not exactly a key item as you’ll survive without it, but why bother once you’re in holiday mode?
Essential travel gadgets for Europe
- Noise-canceling headphones – Perfect for long flights or train rides, noise-canceling headphones will block out unwanted noise and let you enjoy your music or audiobook in peace. If you really want to get a high-quality set of headphones, you can’t go wrong with Bose! The elegant design, high quality, and long-lasting battery make this product possibly the best choice for headphones that will serve you for many years.
- Travel pillow – Make your long flights or train rides more comfortable with a travel pillow that supports your neck and head. It can also prove useful during wild excursions, beach fun, or car rides. If you’re not a fan of airport-bought standard neck pillows, make sure to try a neat design made by the Ostrich brand. You can use it in many different ways and it’s extremely space efficient!
- Reusable water bottle – Many countries in Europe have access to clean, drinkable tap water. To comply with the local recommendations regarding plastic usage, consider getting a good-quality water bottle to use during your trip.
- Travel lock – Keep your luggage secure with a travel lock that fits TSA regulations.
- Ultimate travel backpack – Tropicfeel is definitely the Holy Grail of travel backpacks with a beautiful design, lightweight, and practical solutions for all your accessories. You can design your own bag by choosing different colors or adding toiletry and cosmetic bags or pouches.
Make sure to check also the Most unique travel ideas for movie lovers!
Clothing and accessories to pack
- Comfortable walking shoes – Europe is known for its cobblestone streets and uneven surfaces, so make sure to pack comfortable shoes that you can walk in for hours.
- Rain jacket – Europe’s weather can be unpredictable, so a lightweight rain jacket will definitely come in handy. If you’re thinking of getting a high-quality and space-efficient jacket, consider a brand that all serious hikers and globetrotters adore – Patagonia. https://eu.patagonia.com/pl/en/shop/womens-waterproof-rain-jackets-vests
- Scarf or shawl – A versatile accessory that can be worn to keep you warm, cover your head or shoulders, or warm yourself on the plane. Choose one that won’t take up too much space in your luggage!
- Sunglasses – Make sure you protect your eyes from the sun with high-quality filters in your sunglasses. And look stylish at the same time!
- Clothes – make sure to pack whole outfits to save space and time during your trip!
- Swimwear – No matter which European countries you will be discovering, there will always be places to swim on your path. Europe is famous for picturesque lakes, mesmerizing beaches, and natural thermal baths – not to mention an incredible selection of hotels with pools!
Toiletries and personal care items to pack
- Travel-sized toiletries – Save space in your luggage by packing travel-sized toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
- Sunscreen – Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is absolutely essential. Avoid being exposed to the sun without a proper, high-quality cream on your skin.
- Insect repellent – Depending on where you’re traveling in Europe, you may encounter mosquitoes or other insects. Better be safe than sorry!
- Hand sanitizer – Keep your hands clean and germ-free on the go. By now, we all are more aware of the negative consequences of not being too careful. It’s safe to say it won’t hurt to be extra cautious!
- Medications – Don’t forget to pack any prescription medications you need and over-the-counter medications for headaches, allergies, and other common ailments. These items are definitely available in European countries, but I bet you don’t want to waste your holiday time trying to find substitutes for medications you know and are familiar with.
Electronics and miscellaneous items to pack
- Phone and a charger – despite the fact that it’s an obvious thing we carry with us all the time, make sure you check you have a charger for your corresponding electronics right before you leave to avoid a hassle when you reach your destination
- Camera and a charger/batteries/film – even though our phones can make professional-looking pictures these days, you may want to take a camera with you to take even more memorable and juicy shots. Keep in mind that will also allow you to take a break from the phone, which may be incredibly beneficial for unwinding on the road!
- Travel journal – Document your travels and jot down your thoughts, experiences, or phone numbers (who knows?) in a neat journal.
- Foldable tote bag – A lightweight and foldable tote bag can come in handy when you need to carry extra items or go shopping for fresh local products!
- Travel-sized umbrella – A compact and lightweight umbrella can save you from getting soaked on rainy days. Weather in Europe can be quite capricious – but it’s all worth it!
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