After 4 years of traveling around Europe, there are a few things that we’ve learned to always pack in our suitcase. If you’re traveling here for the first time, we’ve put your mind at ease and list exactly what to pack for Europe. Make sure these 6 things are in your suitcase on each visit.
What to Pack for Europe:
1. Washcloths – Most European hotels and apartments don’t provide washcloths. The exception is the UK where we’ve found them more often than not – but not always. My most recent hotel in London didn’t have them, so it was a good thing I packed my own.
Baby washcloths are perfect for travel. They’re thin so don’t they take up a lot of space or weight plus they dry quickly. A package is also fairly inexpensive, so you can just throw them away if necessary. Lucy recently went on a school exchange trip to France. I sent a few with her and told her not to bring them home.
2. Reusable shopping bag(s) that fit in your purse or backpack. You’ll need these in grocery stores and markets. Otherwise you’ll have to purchase a plastic one. While the cost isn’t huge, save $ and hassle by bringing your own.
Larger plastic bags with the city name and icons make great gifts or souvenirs but aren’t practical for carrying around all day – unless you’ve been doing a lot of shopping 🙂 We like bags similar to these foldable shopping bags. If you forget, you can usually pick one up at a store such as Monoprix at checkout.
3. Adaptors are a must and will cost you more money at your destination than if you order online prior to leaving home. It also saves time and hassle not having to stop in a store to purchase an adapter or two.
I prefer adaptors that can converted for the different outlet plugs of several countries. For instance, the UK and Italy need different adaptors. We travel with a universal adaptor which is a block or we bring a world travel adaptor and only pack the outlet changes we need. If you’re not headed to the UK, we recently purchased this European travel adaptor for Lucy as an extra. If you need a converter (if want to being your hair straighter) get a converter travel adaptor. This is important so you don’t fry anything! Please note – if heading off on a European cruise, you can’t use adaptors with converters on the ship.
Before you purchase an adaptor, consider what you need for charging your specific electronics such as phones and iPads. Do you need USB C? Make sure that’s included. I’ve found it super convenient to just pack our charging cords and use adaptors that have built in USB and USB C ports.
4. Keychain flash light or other small flashlights are perfect for traveling. Use them to help insert a key into the door of your rental at night or to find something when everyone else is asleep in the hotel room.
We’ve also found flashlights to be great for the kids. Particularly when looking for the bathroom at night. We stayed in one apartment where the kids had to step down from their bedroom, walk to the kitchen, step down again, take 2 steps and step up to the bathroom. Only to have to step down and back up before getting to the toilet. Not easy when it’s dark and you’re unfamiliar with the layout!! Sometimes keeping a light on isn’t practical and can be too bright for sleeping.
5. Travel cork screw – Open a bottle of wine anywhere. Drink your own bottle at the hotel, be prepared for a picnic lunch or even at the apartment rental where you’ve searched every drawer and still can’t find a wine opener. It even happened to us in France of all places!
6. Stain wipes or travel detergent are also handy. It’s pretty inevitable something will get on your clothes during the trip. Ever heard the saying “I’ve never eaten a meal I haven’t worn”. Maybe not because I just made it up. But you get the point. Even more true with kids (and my husband). And you don’t want that stain to set for a week before you try to clean it. I always have Shout wipes in my purse, in our backpack and extra’s in the suitcase.
I also suggest reading our guide to managing money in Europe. We put together a list of tips and tricks for using foreign currency & saving money.
Also a good idea to have:
:: Wet ones and/or hand sanitizer – I carry both and use them constantly.
:: Tissue packets – sometimes you need to blow your nose or have your own toilet paper handy. Yep, we’ve needed tissues for TP more than once.
:: Hanging toiletry bag – solves the problem of limited counter space in the bathroom. I LOVE mine and can’t believe I waited so long to purchase.
:: Plastic silverware – I can’t say how many times I’ve needed a knife or spoon in a hotel room or on the train. Cutting a baguette, maybe we brought dessert back to the hotel room….
:: Compact umbrella or lightweight raincoat – You don’t want to be soaked trying to explore.
:: Baggies – We always keep quart and gallon size bags in the front of our suitcases. They’re great for multiple uses.
:: Ice cube trays – If you’ve ever traveled to Europe, you’ll know ice really isn’t a big thing. Even if you’re out to eat, you may only get a cube or two in your drink. Generally, apartments won’t have ice makers or trays either. You can also pick up some at the Dollar Store and leave them in the airbnb or wherever you stay.
Any other ideas on what to pack for Europe?
I travel with a clear travel size umbrella.
I can see the sights and sidewalk traffic very easily unlike with fabric options. Game changer. For laundry I pack eco-friendly square sheets to use in machines or in sinks (cut in half)…they require zero packing space and no chance of leaks. Yes, folding nylon rites are a must for groceries or souvenirs shopping as well as packing cheap or disposable wash cloths. Amazon.
I buy the children’s themed compressed wash cloths at the dollar tree and toss a few in my suitcase. They are thin but functional and cheap . I don’t care if the cloth has a princess or superman print on it. I can leave them behind and not out of much money. Don’t forget a small folding umbrella or windbreaker type jacket if in Europe. I take a small amount of powdered laundry soap in a pill bottle to do wash in the sink for emergency.
That’s a great idea!
Instead of ice cube trays, ice cube bags would take take up less space and are disposable.
Great idea!
Get a hair towel and learn to let your hair airdry. It saves time and effort.
Thank you for the arrival great information.
I always pack a small medical kit. Think by getting out of your box. Your going camping what do you need? How about a needle and thread also.
I always travel with a medical kit as well. Some bandages and basic meds always come in handy.
I highly recommend a PStyle or GogoGirl for women. Sometimes European water closets can be challenging for us ladies. 😉
I told my husband that a couple of times when I had to stand over a hole and try to pee 🙂
Can I ask where?!?!
I’m European and travel around Europe A LOT. The only place I’ve EVER seen a hole was on a recent visit to the Meteora monasteries in Greece. Otherwise never seen one in Europe and I’m in my 60’s.
I found they were common in Turkey & no toilet paper either
Russia! Walked around the hole for 20 min trying to decide on a strategy.
I use the hole-in-the-ground style in northern Italy near the border with Switzerland.
We also went to a pizza place out in the country near Milan with the hole in the floor.
Ha! Always a good time with the hole in the floor. But I’m sure the pizza was amazing
Oh wow. Had to look it up. Has lived all my life in Europe, never heard about them, never had need for one 😲
I always pack an ice cube tray or 2. Ice is used much more sparingly in Europe. I also use artificial sweetener in my coffee and prefer my US brand over the European choices’. Zip-lock plastic bags are always a good idea to take.
Ah, yes. Ice cube trays need to go on my list. I’ve gotten used to not having ice, but my mom said she was adding that to her packing list for next time. Artificial sweetener is a good idea as well. Some of those types of products can be different.
FYI The only place to buy ziplock bags in Italy is IKEA
Thanks for letting us know about Italy. We were able to find similar bags to Ziploc in France and other cities.
I bought great vacuum bags in London and we packed the coats in them. Great space saver.
Great article.
Traveling through Europe it’s important to carry toilet tissue hand sanitizer and toilet cover. Too many times I went to use the bathroom and I was thankful I had this on me. Plus change for public toilets.
Yes! You never know of the bathrooms will have TP. We usually just use tissues but it’s a must to have those. I’ve even been on a train that didn’t have toilet paper in the bathrooms. Thanks for the reminder about making sure you have change for the public toilets.
Yes! Especially in France you have to pay in most public toilets. Spare change is a must!