The Only Packing List For Europe You’ll Ever Need For Your Adventure

The things to take on a Europe trip are mostly small: a padlock for hostel lockers, a quick-drying towel, a plug adaptor, offline maps, a reusable water bottle and layers that suit the season. Get those right and everything fits in one carry-on backpack, which saves money on budget flights and makes hopping between cities by train much easier.

This packing list for Europe was written by a backpacker who spent two and a half years on the road, and we rechecked the practical details in November 2026, from plug types and roaming to the EU’s new border checks. Below you’ll find a quick checklist, why each item earns its space, how to fit it all in a carry-on, and what to add for summer and winter. Still planning the route? Start with our guide to backpacking Europe and the Europe travel hub.

Quick packing checklist for Europe

1. Sunglasses
2. Camera
3. Maps.me App
4. Beach Blanket
5. Omio App
6. Money belt
7. Quick drying towel
8. Reusable water bottle
9. Sunscreen
10. Headphones
11. Eyemask and earplugs
12. Laundry bag
13. Basic first aid kit
14. Keychain flashlight
15. Padlock
16. Photocopies of important documents
17.  Plug Adaptor
18. Travel Insurance
19. Hostelworld travel app
20. Clothes

 

1 Sunglasses

Most of our absolute favourite European destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Italy and France are all blessed with copious amounts of sunshine, especially during the summer seasons. With the amount of time you’ll be spending in the sun, you’ll definitely need a pair of sunglasses. You’ll want to find something that’s fashionable but not overly expensive as sunglasses are often the first casualties of travelling, and are likely to get broken. So you’ll want to make sure you bring a hard case to help protect them in your bag. At most European summer hotspots you’ll be able to purchase a decent pair of sunglasses from a street vendor.

📷: @Christopher Czermak

2 Camera

While your smart phone might be adequate enough for taking pictures, take your photography to the next level and invest in a camera for your European trip. Europe is a photographer’s paradise and you’ll never be at a shortage of things to shoot. If you already own a camera and are uncertain if you’re going to bring it or not, because you’re worried it might get stolen or lost that’s understandable. However, in my opinion, what’s the point of owning a camera if you don’t take it where the opportunities are? You’ll regret not bringing it with you on your packing list for Europe.

3 Maps.me App

Roaming is cheaper than it used to be, but offline maps still save you when the signal drops in a metro or a mountain village. If you have a SIM from an EU country, roam like at home rules let you use your normal allowance across the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein at no extra cost (within fair-use limits) until 2032, and Ukraine and Moldova joined that zone in 2026. UK, US and Australian SIMs don’t get that protection, so check your provider’s roaming fee or buy a local SIM or eSIM data plan.

Maps.me is a free app that works like an offline version of Google Maps: download the map for each city while you’re on Wi-Fi and it works without data, showing ATMs, hostels, transport stops and walking routes. It now has ads and some paid extras, and some users report crashes, so also save offline areas in Google Maps as a backup.

4 Beach Blanket

This is actually something that’s best saved until you get to Europe, rather than adding for your packing list for Europe. On any Mediterranean beach, or summer destination, it’s safe to assume there will be a lot of street vendors selling products for tourists. While most of their products aren’t of a terribly high standard, one of the best purchases you’ll make is one of their beach blankets. These are usually a large square blanket with a funky design on it, that allows up to 3 people to lounge on comfortably. They are multi-purpose, and carrying one with you during your travels will allow for easy access to picnics no matter where you might be! These beach blankets are a very useful investment and a great souvenir to bring home.

5 Omio App

Another useful app for travelling through Europe is Omio, which compares trains, buses, flights and ferries in one search, including budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet and coach companies like FlixBus. It shows journey times and prices side by side, so you can quickly see whether the night bus or the morning train makes more sense. Omio adds a booking fee, so once you’ve found the best option, compare the price on the operator’s own site before you buy. For longer rail trips, see our best Interrail routes and the most scenic train journeys in Europe.

📷: @Andrea Maschio

6 Money Belt

A lot of major European cities can unfortunately be a hotspot for pickpockets, especially on busy metros and around the big sights, so a money belt is a cheap way to protect your cards, cash and passport. Most are worn around your waist under your shirt. They’re not the most fashionable thing to wear in Europe, but you’ll know your money is safer than in your pockets. Keep your phone in a front or zipped pocket, and read our guide to hostel safety for how to keep things secure where you sleep.

7 Quick Drying Towel

A quick drying towel is a lifesaver while travelling, and this should be a nonnegotiable when packing for Europe. Although they can feel a tad odd against your skin after a shower, they absorb a lot more water than a regular towel and will air dry super quickly compared to a regular towel. A quick drying towel is also a good option because they’re not as bulky in your backpack as carrying a regular towel. If you’ve got long hair you might consider bringing two of these with you, one for your body and the other for your hair. Some hostels include towels, many charge to rent one and some don’t offer them at all, so check our hostel packing list for what your bed usually comes with.

8 Reusable Water Bottle

Tap water is safe to drink in many European cities, so a reusable water bottle saves you money every day and cuts down on plastic. Some cities make it easy: Rome has more than 2,500 free drinking fountains, called nasoni, which run on the same supply as the city’s homes. Signs saying “acqua non potabile” on decorative fountains mean the water isn’t drinkable. A reusable bottle should be one of the first items you add to your packing list for Europe.

📷: @Heidi Sandstrom

9 Sunscreen

Doesn’t matter what time of year you choose to travel to Europe, travelling with sunscreen is always a good option. In summer, sunscreen is a nonnegotiable, but even in the spring and fall the sun in certain European countries can be intense and have high levels of UV. You don’t need to go crazy with the amount of sunscreen you bring; there are plenty of travel-sized sunscreens available for purchase from drugstores and supermarkets.

10 Headphones

Stuck on a long train and the person next to you is snoring? Yep, we’ve all been there. Or what about when that weirdo won’t stop talking to you? Ah. There’s a simple solution, headphones! In all seriousness, I wouldn’t ever travel without them. One of the best feelings in the world is just taking some time for yourself, relaxing and listening to some of your favourite music. This shouldn’t be any different when you’re travelling, if anything, it’s more important! While travelling we’re exposed to different people, cultures, foods and languages. It can be quite overwhelming and a bit daunting at times, but exciting nevertheless! Taking some time at the end of the day, to reflect and unwind is important for your mental health and well-being and one of the best ways to do this is to find a quiet spot and listen to some music. Sit on a park bench, lie on your hostel bed or go for a walk, whatever you decide to do, having a pair of headphones while you travel is a great idea!

11 Eye Mask and Ear Plugs

No matter where in the world you are, people can be loud and annoying. Picking up a basic sleeping eye mask and earplug combination is usually super cheap, and you should be able to get one from any drug store or supermarket. No matter what hostel you’re in, people will be coming in and out of the room during the night or in the mornings. Having access to an eye mask can make the world of difference.

12 Laundry Bag

When you’re living out of a backpack, things can quite quickly get disorganised and messy. It’s been a long day of travelling, and those socks you’ve been wearing all day are really starting to smell. That pair of underwear that you’ve already worn twice, once normally and once inside out (yes, you know the one) are definitely ready for a wash. Keeping your dirty clothes far away from your clean clothes is essential while living out of a backpack, and the best way to do this is by always travelling with a laundry bag, to help separate your clothes. It’s also super handy when it’s time to do your washing, as you can just grab your laundry bag and head to the washing machine. This one is essential, not just for your sake but for everyone else!

13 Basic First Aid Kit

Now, I don’t want to sound like your nagging grandmother and preach safety, but it is always a smart idea to travel with a basic first aid kit, as accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere! Some useful items to include in your basic first aid kit should include:

~ Band Aids

~ Paracetamol

~ Prescription medication you might be taking

~ Small pair of scissors

~ Motion sickness tablets (if you suffer from this)

~ Basic bandages

~ Allergy tablets if you suffer from hay fever

~ Gauze swabs

~ Tweezers

~ Antiseptic wipes

~ Condoms (staying sexually safe)

~ Tampons (feminine hygiene)

14 Keychain Flashlight

This one is important and easily clips onto your backpack, making it super convenient while you travel. As a community of travellers, we understand that sometimes you need to get up early to make that flight, get to the train station or see the sunrise, and nobody likes it when you switch on the light in the dorm room. Having a flashlight in these situations will make you much more popular with other travellers. Another great use for a flashlight is late at night walking home. In some European cities, especially in the quieter suburban streets, can be quite dark, so having a flashlight can help make you feel safer, but also help you navigate your way through the dark.

📷: @Javier M

15 Padlock

Some hostels rent or sell padlocks at reception, but many expect you to bring your own, so a padlock is always a smart thing to pack for Europe. In cities known for pickpockets, like Rome, Barcelona and Paris, I always use mine to lock the zips on my daypack while I’m out. In a hostel you’ll usually have a locker for your valuables, and a combination lock means there’s no key to lose, which is good for peace of mind.

16 Photocopies of important documents

For anyone that has ever had to deal with losing a passport or visa document, you’ll know the importance of having photocopies of important travel documents with you! Luckily this has never happened to me (touch wood) but it has happened to close friends of mine while travelling, and all of a sudden your whole trip can turn into a disaster. Having a backup of your passport, travel insurance, important ID cards and other documents is a smart idea. You can either travel with a hard copy of these documents that have been printed off, or have digital access to them as an email. Although this might take a little bit of organisation before you embark on your trip, if the worst was to happen, you’ll be glad you went to the added effort!

Check your passport before anything else. For the Schengen area, a non-EU passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. Since 10 April 2026, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully running at Schengen borders, so non-EU visitors have their fingerprints and a photo taken the first time they cross instead of getting a passport stamp. ETIAS, the online travel authorisation for visa-free visitors, has not started yet and has no confirmed launch date, so check the official Travel to Europe site a few weeks before you fly.

17 Outlet Plug Adaptor

Keeping your phone and power bank charged is a necessity, and Europe doesn’t use one single plug. Most of mainland Europe uses two-pin Type C and Type F sockets, but the UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus use the three-pin Type G plug, Switzerland has its own Type J sockets and Italy also uses Type L. Type C plugs fit most Swiss and Italian sockets, but an adaptor sold as a “Europe adaptor” won’t fit a UK or Irish socket. If you’re crossing several countries or coming from outside Europe, a universal adaptor with USB ports covers everything in one.

18 Travel Insurance

Sometimes things are completely out of our control and you might need to change or cancel your plans at the last minute. We get it! We definitely recommend you get yourself some travel insurance for the duration of your European adventure! This will help cover your travel gear, flights, medical emergencies and other useful things. There are plenty of great travel insurance options out there, so spend some time finding out which one is the best fit for you. Getting stuck in a sticky situation overseas can be a nightmare, and an expensive nightmare at that. Always travel with the comfort of travel insurance.

From the UK? Get a free GHIC (or use a valid UK EHIC) for state healthcare in EU countries, and EU residents can use their EHIC. Neither replaces travel insurance: the NHS says the GHIC doesn’t cover private treatment, ski or mountain rescue, or a flight home.

19 Hostelworld App

Hostelworld is a popular app for backpackers looking for affordable places to stay in Europe. With Hostelworld, you can book dorms and private rooms in 16,500 hostels in 180 countries, as well as budget hotels and B&Bs, and read reviews from over 13 million travellers. The social features help most when you’re travelling solo: City Chats connect you with travellers staying at any hostel in the same city, and you can join Linkups like walking tours, bar crawls and group dinners from 14 days before check-in. Not booked yet? A Social Pass opens up the chats and community events for a week, a month, three months or a year, and the Events pages show what’s on in each city.

📷: @Tom Grimbert

How to fit it all in a carry-on backpack

Most of this list fits into a 40 litre backpack, and that matters in Europe because budget airlines charge for anything bigger than a small bag. Ryanair’s free bag has to fit under the seat and measure no more than 40 x 30 x 20 cm, while easyJet allows a free under-seat bag of 45 x 36 x 20 cm. A bigger 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin bag usually costs extra on both, so check your fare before you pack. A 40 litre pack also fits most hostel lockers.

Liquids are the other thing to plan for. The 100ml rule for hand luggage still applies at most European airports, though some airports with new scanners now allow bigger containers, so check your departure airport’s rules before you fly. Our guides to budget airline carry-on rules, travelling carry-on only and the best travel backpack go into more detail.

What to pack for Europe in summer

Summer in southern Europe is hot, so pack light, breathable clothes and buy anything you forget once you reach the coast in Greece, Croatia or Lisbon. These are the items worth packing:

• Bathers: Keep it simple, 1 or 2 pairs max! You’ll be in a lot of fantastic summery destinations with options to buy more if you need to.
• Flip Flops: It’s too hot to be wearing shoes all day right? Flip flops are great shoe options for summer destinations or days spent at the beach, and it’s always nice to have access to them if you’re using a public shower.
• Underwear: It’s always a good idea to over pack underwear than to under pack. As a general rule you’ll want enough to last you an entire week, as you wont want to spend too much time doing your laundry. You’ll want to consider a range of underwear options as well, with a mixture of practical, comfortable and sexy. Any underwear that is breathable and dries very quickly should be favoured.
• Shorts/Skirts: Shorts/skirts are a great way of being fashionable while still staying relatively cool during those warm summer days in Europe. They also don’t take up too much space in the backpack.
• Deodorant: Its summer and it’s hot. We all sweat more during the summer, and carrying a good deodorant with you is just good hygiene.
• Hat: We all want to make sure we’re being sun smart during the summer months. Having a hat can be a saving grace, especially if you’re going to be spending extended hours lounging on a beach. A good hat will provide some much needed shade when there is none, and is a great way of avoiding heat stroke.

What to wear in Europe in winter

Travelling through Europe in winter can get very cold, and the weather is less predictable, so it takes a little more planning. If you’re heading off in the colder months, see where to go in Europe in January and Europe in February. While it depends on which region you’re travelling through, here are the winter essentials to bring:

• Rain Jacket: Although they can be a tad on the bulky side, travelling with a good rain jacket during winter is vital. The weather during winter is likely to be cold for the entire duration of your trip, so you’ll more than likely be wearing your rain jacket on travel days anyway, so you wont need to worry about fitting it into your backpack.
• Scarf: A scarf is a staple of any Europeans wardrobes and is a stylish and versatile accessory to travel with. They will keep you warm during your travels, along with completing that wintry look.
• Waterproof boots: The best shoes for winter travel in Europe, for women and men, are waterproof walking boots or ankle boots with a grippy sole. There’s bound to be snow, sleet and rain (especially in Eastern Europe), and cobbled old towns get slippery. Break them in before you go, and wear them on travel days so they don’t take up space in your bag. If you do decide to go on a hike, you’ll have the boots with you.
• Thermal Underwear: It can get bloody freezing at night during winter in Europe, and if you’re anything like me, I hate being cold while trying to get to sleep. Thermal underwear is literally a lifesaver and makes a world of different. Trust us on this one.
• Gloves: Gloves are a great way of keeping your hands warm while out exploring a foreign city during the winter months while in Europe.
• Thick socks: For the same reason you’ll want to bring hiking boots, having warm, thick socks can make the world of difference in ensuring your feet stay warm during the winter months. They really make a difference, and if you haven’t experienced winter in a cold climate (looking at you Aussies) you’ll regret not bringing them with you.
• Warm Pyjamas: Having something warm to sleep in during winter is a must.

 

Gift ideas for someone travelling to Europe

Buying a present for someone who’s about to go travelling? Most of this list makes a useful gift that won’t sit in a drawer: a quick-drying towel, a good padlock, a universal plug adaptor, a reusable water bottle or a money belt. For more ideas, see our list of gifts every backpacker will love.

Pack a week of clothes and plan a laundry stop

Whatever the season, pack about a week’s worth of clothes and plan to do laundry once a week. Lay everything out a few days before you leave, cut anything you’re packing just in case, and run through our backpacking checklist and backpacking tips one last time. If you’re travelling between June and September, book your first few nights in hostels in Europe weeks ahead.

About the author: My name is Louis Cuthbert; I have been travelling the globe for the last two and a half years documenting my adventures. Follow my journey on Instagram @one_globe_travels.

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Check out these great articles for more Europe tips

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