Europe is one of the most popular continents to travel to. There is so much to see and do and something for everyone to enjoy. The last thing you want to worry about it packing, that’s why you need this ultimate European travel checklist to ensure you have all the essentials your going to need while there.
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Heading on a trip to Europe? If so you need this ultimate European travel checklist to make sure you pack everything you might need throughout your travels in Europe. Europe has 4 different seasons depending on where you are headed and it is important to pack accordingly.
This European travel checklist will help you strategically pack your bags for the best trip. The checklist goes over essential clothing you will need, must-have toiletries, important documents to bring, essential electronics, and more.
This Europen travel checklist will ensure you have everything you may need on your trip and will leave you to enjoy all the sightseeing and activities you have planned.
This post is all about the best European travel checklist.
Ultimate European Travel Checklist
Essential Documents and Travel Information
Passport and Visa Requirements
First and most important you need to make sure you have a valid passport with more than 6 months before expiry left. Some countries within Europe require you to have at least 6 months remaining on your current passport before you can enter. A great idea would be to scan or take a picture of your passport and have a digital copy on your phone. Also, another good idea is to email yourself a copy of your passport and travel documents so you can access them anywhere from any computer just in case.
Travel Insurance and Health Documents
It is very important to have travel insurance while traveling to Europe. You never know when you will need medical assistance while traveling. Healthcare in a lot of places is very expensive, especially for tourists. Having travel insurance also covers you for delayed flights, lost or delayed luggage, sometimes even car rentals, and so much more. So it is always a good idea to have travel insurance when you travel. Also, see if where you are traveling requires specific vaccinations you need before entry.
Accommodation and Travel Itinerary Copies
An important document to have with you is all of your accommodation information like hotels, Airbnbs, Hostels, etc. Another important document to have is your travel information like flights, buses, car rentals, etc. Having a hard paper copy and a digital copy is always a good idea, this way you have a backup if needed.
Clothing Essentials For Europe
Seasonal Packing Tips For Europe
Europe has all 4 seasons summer, fall, spring, and winter. There are places in Europe that do not get snow, there are places in Europe that get a lot of snow. There are also tropical places in Europe where all you need is a light jacket for the winter season and there are also places in northern Europe where you need a heavy warm jacket for the winter and warm boots. It is important to do research on where you are heading in Europe to see exactly what you need to pack. Layering clothing is the best option that way you can take layers off if it gets hot or add layers if it gets cold.
Footwear For Europe’s Diverse Terrains
Europe is known for walking. Almost everywhere you go you will walk. A lot of the streets in Europe are also made of cobblestones making the terrain difficult to walk in certain footwear. A good tip is to wear comfortable walking shoes, boots, or comfortable sandals with support. High heels are not ideal to wear in Europe unless you are going out at night. Also bring specific shoes if you are going hiking, or to the beach.
European Travel Checklist- Essential Clothing
This essential clothing list for Europe is based on mainly summer, spring, or fall weather. For winter weather you will need to add bulkier socks, winter jackets, gloves, scarfs, hats, clothing you can layer, but very similar essentials.
- shirts (short sleeves, long sleeves, nice blouses)
- Long Pants (nighttime or cooler days, travel days)
- Shorts/ Skirts (great to wear over a swimsuit, pair with tank for daytime, w/ dress shirt for night out)
- Dresses/ Rompers (for nighttime outings, for beach, for daytime adventure)
- Sweater (cooler days, nighttime, good to have for travel days)
- Swimwear (at least 2 pairs that way you have time to let them dry between days)
- Underwear/ Bras (at least a new pair of underwear for each day/ at least 2 bras for a week-long trip)
- Pajamas (cute shorts and tank, if you get cold then longer pjs are good too)
- Socks (a few pairs) (can be stored inside shoes to save space)
- Sandals (basic sandals or flip flops for beach or pool days, fancier sandals for days out and about)
- Shoes (comfortable shoes for daily walking)
- Workout Clothes (for working out or just for comfartable day to day clothing)
Whenever packing the key is to pack versatile capsule pieces that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Colors to mainly stick with include neutral colors like whites, beige colors, light coral colors, greys, and blacks. These neutral-tone colors can easily be mixed and matched with any outfit. It’s ok to also pack vibrant clothing, but the majority should be neutrals.
Travel Gear And Electronics
Electronics and Adapters
Europe has different outlets than the rest of the world so it is important to have a travel adapter with you. A travel adapter with a voltage converter is a great option since Europe’s voltage is 220V whereas North America’s is 110V. You need an adapter for certain electronics like portable steamers, irons, hair dryers, curling irons, or straighteners. Electronics like phones, laptops, tablets, and similar items will not need a voltage converter as they are suited to work with both voltages. Also, a good idea to bring a portable power bank with you.
Smartphone and Essential Travel Apps
Having a smartphone while you travel to Europe can make your life so much easier. With a smartphone you can easily get directions, find recommendations for anything, book reservations or tickets online, translate anything, find money conversions, and so much more. A good idea is to download offline maps through Google Maps for all the different locations you will be that way you can access them even when you don’t have data or an internet connection. Use Google Translate to help you translate any European language into English. Uber is commonly used in Europe and is great to prevent getting scammed by taxi drivers. Also buying a SIM card at the airport in Europe will be a lot cheaper than using your current phone plan. Another great app to download is Airalo, this app is used for eSIMs worldwide. If you have a newer phone you don’t even need to buy a physical SIM card and can just buy the eSIM and connect it directly on your phone.
European Travel Checklist- Must-Have Electronics
- Phone (must be a smartphone, great for travel directions, work, entertainment, and much more)
- Travel Adapter (a must for anyone traveling from other continents to Europe)
- Portable Charger (great when you don’t have access to a power outlet) (includes all connectors)
- GoPro (great for action shots/ or vlogging your travels)
- Portable Speaker (good to have in a hotel or even on the beach or by the pool) (waterproof)
- Extra Batteries (AA and AAA)
- Headphones (wireless, long battery life, easy to carry, great sound quality)
- Amazon Kindle (great for reading while traveling or before bed)
- Tablet/ iPad (great for watching shows and movies before bed or while traveling)
- All Chargers And Cables For All Devices
Toiletries and Health Essentials
Travel-Friendly Toiletries
When packing toiletries for your trip you should always try and get small or compact toiletry items. A great idea is to buy eco-friendly and refillable bottles and just fill them. This is a much cheaper option than buying small items. These little containers are great for moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. Also make sure that you have TSA-approved containers for liquids when flying. The maximum is 30z or 100ml for liquids in your carry-on. Always pack extra Ziploc bags to use for these liquid items and other things as well.
Health Essentials and Emergency Kit
Make sure you have all of your prescriptions with you or your carry-on with the correct container and label when you travel that is most important. Also for vitamins get a pill case so it is easier to carry. Always a great idea to bring, pain relievers, motion sickness pills, melatonin, etc. A first-aid kit with antiseptic wipes, alcohol wipes, and bandaids is great to have for minor scrapes and cuts.
European Travel Checklist – Essential Toiletries
- Toiletry Bag (hanging waterproof bag with multiple compartments)
- Shampoo/ Conditioner (can be put into mini travel containers)
- Body Wash (liquid or bar)
- Mini Travel Containers for easy transport
- Face Essentials (Face wash, Face lotion, serums, sunscreen, toners, etc.)
- Body Lotion (best body lotion for dry skin, contains aloe vera for sunburns)
- Sunscreen (30 SPF)
- Toothbrush/ Toothpaste (great toothbrush cover)
- Makeup Remover/ Face Wipes (best individual face wipes, great for using on the go)
- Wet Wipes (great to have on hand)
- Razor/ Shaving Cream
- Makeup – Check out this Makeup Bag Essentials List
- Hairbrush/ Hair Products/ Hair Accessories/ Hair Ties (won’t cause hair damage)
- Deodorant
- Chapstick (with SPF)
Safety and Security Tips For Europe
Anti-Theft Travel Gear
Traveling safe and secure is super important. Europe is known for its pickpocketers in crowded tourist areas so you have to be super careful. To start make sure your luggage has a built in lock and if not then make sure you buy little TSA-approved locks to make sure all your luggage is secure during transport. When carrying a backpack there a backpacks that are antitheft and they can help keep all your valuables safe. This Anti-Theft Backpack is the best one for keeping eveything safe. The backpack is very large, has a built in lock, and even has a charging port. This backpack is great to use for a carry-on or even day trips when traveling. Also a great idea is to have a money belt to keep all of your money, cards, passport, and small valuables safe and close to you. This money belt is super compact and wont be seen under clothing. If you are carrying a purse always have it zipped up and in front of you and make sure not to have anything in your backpockets when out and about.
Must-Have Extras For A European Vacation
When traveling throughout Europe it is super convenient to have a backpack or large purse with you so you are prepared. Important things to bring with you when you are out throughout the day is a portable charger, some money, identificcation, credit card, hand sanitizer, hand wipes, hand cream, unbrella depending on weather, headphones, basic medication, camera plus camera equipment, GoPro, water bottle, maybe little snacks. If I have a purse I like to bring a foldable backpack with me as well to use for any clothing or sovenirs that I purchase, it is much easier to carry in a backpack.
Another great idea is to bring a Travel Journal on your trip to Europe. This way you can document your day to day adventures and be able to show everyone where you have been and what you have done. Europe is full of fascinating history and adventure and you dont want to miss out any details of your travels. Great to look back at when you are in the mood to travel.
If you are only heading to a tropical place is Europe this blog post is a must-read for you “YOUR ULTIMATE SUMMER VACATIOB PACKING LIST YOU NEED“.
If you are hoping to only pack a carry on for your trip to Europe then this blog post will help you “HOW TO PACK FOR 2 WEEKS IN A CARRY ON“.
Wondering where to travel in Europe? Here is a blog post on “THE ULTIMATE 6 WEEKS EUROPE TRAVEL ITINERARY YOU’LL LOVE“.
This post was all about the ultimate European travel checklist.
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