Europe is a vast continent where more than 50 countries are located. Spanning over 10 million square meters (3.9 million square miles) from north to south and east to west, Europe is one of the most diverse regions in the world.
Europe is also one of the most popular continents for travelers to visit, attracting over 710 million international visitors in 2019, with France, Spain, and Italy leading the way.
But how do you plan for such a trip? There are so many places to see and things to do, and worst of all, how are you going to pack for a trip that can take you from the hot and dry countries like Spain and Italy to windy and cold countries like Britain and the Netherlands? Well, that is what this packing guide is all about.
With such diverse climates in Europe, it can be quite intimidating to start thinking about what to pack for the trip, but do not worry. I've been traveling in Europe for years, both in the summer and winter, and I have decided to write up this packing guide to help you pack and prepare for your epic Europe backpacking trip.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to help and prepare yourself for the once-in-a-lifetime journey with a comprehensive packing list of items for Europe. Without further ado, let's begin with the most important packing question of all: "What to wear in Europe?"
- What to Wear in Europe?
- What Backpack to Bring To Europe?
- Should I Get a Travel Insurance for Europe?
- What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To Europe?
- What Camera Gear to Bring To Europe?
- What Electronics to Bring To Europe?
- Toiletries Packing List:
- Further Reading for Europe
What to Wear in Europe?
Depending on when and where you are visiting in Europe, the climate can vary a bit, especially if you plan to travel from Southern Europe to Northern Europe between the months of July and October.
In the summer months of June to August, you can expect the weather to be quite pleasant all over Europe, with temperatures in Northern Europe and Western Europe hovering around 22-25°C (72-77°F). However, it can also get quite hot in Southern Europe and the Balkans, in places like Spain, Italy, and Albania, with temperatures hovering around 28-32°C (80-84°F).
That said, it will also depend on the area you are visiting and the elevation of the place you are visiting, but generally, it should be around 22-32°C (72-84°F) throughout the summer months across Europe.
During the shoulder seasons from April to May and September to October, the weather starts to cool down, with the average temperature around 12 - 24°C (54 - 75°F). Southern European countries lean towards the high end, while Northern Europeans and the land countries hover towards the low end.
In the winter months of November and March, you can expect the temperature to drop below zero, and sometimes even reach almost -20°C (-4°F) if the Siberian wind decides to visit Europe. Generally, the average temperature in the winter months in Europe should range from -5 to 10°C (23 to 50°F). In other words, it's going to be cold.
As you can see, the weather varies a lot in Europe from season to season and from region to region, and it is important for us travelers to pack enough gear to be able to handle everything Europe throws at us.
Here is a list of things to wear in Europe for both men and women. Keep in mind that this is only an example list of things you should pack for Europe, and I am only listing the essentials. So be sure to bring what you think is necessary for you as well and use this as a guideline to see what things you might have missed from your packing list.
Tank Tops (For Summer): If you are planning to visit Europe in the summer, whether it be Spain or Switzerland, there will be days when it can be unbearably hot. So, it is always a good idea to pack a tank top with you.
Tank tops are also great to wear at the beach, and there are plenty of them by the Southern seas of Europe, such as the Mediterranean, Ionian, and the Adriatic Sea. You can also buy one in countries like Spain and Italy for cheap in case you forgot them.
Shorts (For Summer): The same goes for shorts. You should pack shorts that you feel comfortable wearing in the summer climate of Europe. If you are visiting places like Spain, Italy, Greece, Albania, or Croatia during the summer months, you are going to find yourself wearing shorts a lot more than jeans, so be sure to pack a few.
Breathable Shirts: These are the basic first layers you can wear in the summer and even in the wintertime in Europe, so be sure to pack a few breathable shirts of various colors. Basically, anything that will wick away your sweat to help keep you sweat-free in the summer and allow the second layer to trap the heat in the winter.
Breathable Long Pants: Breathable long pants are great for the summer months in Europe, as the combination of temperature and dryness can make wearing jeans unbearable. Breathable long pants can also be used for hiking, and there are a ton of hiking trails to explore in Europe.
Jeans: Jeans are great in moderate-to-cool weather. They are tough, durable, and look great on anyone. I highly recommend you get Levi jeans. They last forever and can keep you warm in winter.
Travel Shoes: Since you will be walking a lot in Europe, you will need to pack good comfortable shoes that you don't mind wearing and walking/hiking with for 3 to 6 hours a day.
I highly recommend this Timberland shoe for guys or this walking shoe for women if you are looking to buy a new one on this trip. Make sure to break into your shoes before getting on that plane. You do not want to be stuck with shoes that give you blisters when you are on your trip.
Flip-flops: There will be days when you just want to break out your flip-flops, let your toes out in the open air, and just walk around, especially if you are near the Mediterranean Sea. So, be sure to pack a pair of flip-flops as well.
Fleece Jacket: The weather can get rather cold in Europe, even in the summer months, so be sure to bring a warm fleece jacket with you as well. With a breathable shirt as your first layer, the fleece jacket will act as insulation to help maintain your body heat and keep you warm as a second layer, so packing a fleece jacket is a no-brainer.
Waterproof Outer Shell Jacket: If you plan to go hiking in places like the Matterhorn, Switzerland and Chamonix, France, you are going to have to pack a waterproof outer shell for your third layer to protect you from the strong mountain gust and keep you warm, even in the summer months.
I highly recommend you get this orange Columbia Watertight Jacket which is lightweight, waterproof, and will protect you from strong winds. Combine this with a breathable shirt as your first layer and a fleece jacket as your second layer, and you have quite a lightweight hiking setup that will keep you warm and allow you to swap around as you like.
Hiking Socks: When I travel, I always pack hiking socks instead of regular socks because they are often lightweight, extra soft, and have moisture control, which helps reduce odor when you spend hours a day walking in them.
Swimwear: If you are visiting Southern Europe in the summer, trust me, you are going to jump into those clear, beautiful waters of the Southern Seas. So, don't forget to pack swimwear.
Even if you are visiting during the winter months, it is always a good idea to pack swimwear just in case. Who knows, you might be visiting countries like 9 Best Things To Do In Helsinki, Iceland, and Hungary where going to a sauna and thermal baths is part of the experience, so be sure to pack one for your trip.
Down Jacket (For Winter): Now, the three layers I mentioned may seem like they are warm enough, but from my personal experience, if you are planning to visit Europe in winter, you are going to need a warmer outer layer.
Enters the Down Jacket, a third layer you should definitely pack to help keep you warm when the temperature goes below freezing point, which can happen if you visit Europe between December and February. Down Jackets are big, but fortunately, they are pretty lightweight, so it is always a good idea to pack one.
To save more space, you can also get a compression bag to compress your down jacket into a smaller size, making it easy to pack it in your backpack.
Wool Socks (For Winter): When it is cold outside, your body heat will often escape from your extremities first, and the best material to prevent that from happening is wool. To keep your feet warm during winter in Europe, I highly recommend you pack some wool socks to wear outside when the temperature goes below freezing point.
Wool Gloves (For Winter): Again, to keep your hands warm, get wool gloves to prevent the heat from escaping from your extremities in the winter months of Europe.
Wool Beanie (For Winter): Your ears are also one of the places on your body that will easily get cold, so be sure to pack a wool beanie so you can wear it outside when you are out exploring Europe in winter.
Neck Gaiter (For Winter): Last but not least is a wool scarf. With long pants, a wool beanie, socks, and gloves, the only area left where your body heat can escape is through your neck, so get a wool scarf and wear it when it's cold outside.
With this setup, you should only have your face exposed to the elements, and all the other parts of your body should be kept nice and warm under layers and wool when you are outside during the winter months in Europe.
What Backpack to Bring To Europe?
A Large Backpack: If you are planning to visit Europe for more than a week, I highly recommend carrying at least a 40L backpack to carry all the travel essentials while you are on the move.
I highly recommend Osprey backpacks. They are durable, very light, and have a lifetime guarantee. Get the Osprey Atmos AG Backpack for men and the Osprey Aura AG Backpack for women if you are looking for a high-quality backpack that will last you a lifetime. I have the Osprey Atmos myself, and I love it!
A Daypack: You are also going to need a daypack to carry all your travel essentials for the day, such as a water bottle, camera gear, jackets, etc. Depending on how much you want to carry, I found 25L to be a good capacity for a daypack.
I personally use Herschel Supply's Little America bag as my daypack, and I love it. It is pretty affordable, very comfortable to wear, and stylish as hell. If you are looking for a stylish daypack to accompany your trip, get the Herschel Supply Little America backpack.
Should I Get a Travel Insurance for Europe?
Yes! Sometimes, they even force you to get one before you can enter the country. That is definitely the case for us third-world passport holders where we won't get our entry visa if we didn't provide proof of travel insurance for the entire duration of our stay in Europe.
Travel insurance is not expensive, and if things go wrong, which is often the case when you travel, at least you will have the insurance to cover the costs that may arise. If you are looking for travel insurance providers, consider browsing through HeyMondo for regular trips or World Nomads for adventure trips and find the right travel insurance that fits the trip you are planning.
Disclaimer: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To Europe?
A Rail Pass: If you plan to travel around Europe far and wide without selling your kidneys, the best way to do it is with a Rail Pass. With a Rail Pass, you can freely travel around Europe by train as many times as you like for the entire duration of your visit.
Eurail Pass is hands down the best European Rail Pass to get for your trip. You can plan your trip, map your destination, and pick the pass that best fits your itinerary.
If you are like me and do not have any plans, you can go with their Global Pass, which allows you to travel to over 33 countries with one pass for only 185 EUR. Getting the Eurail Pass in Europe is a no-brainer, and it will save you a ton of money in the long run, so be sure to get one prior to your backpacking trip in Europe.
Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are a lifesaver for backpackers and light travelers out there. I used to travel without one, and it was often a mess in my backpack. I would frequently find something I was looking for months later, after returning from a trip.
With packing cubes, that is no longer a problem as everything is nicely organized into its own cubes, and I can take things in and out of my backpack without messing up other things in my backpack. I highly recommend you buy 4 packing cubes for your trip.
Microfiber Towel: It is easy to dry, lightweight, and small enough to pack in your daypack. It is great to pack for when you plan to go swimming in places like Lake Lugano in Switzerland or in the Ionian Sea in Albania.
Water Bottle: The weather in Europe can be surprisingly hot, especially in the South, and it is important to keep yourself hydrated when you are out and about. You would do the environment a great favor if you brought your own water bottle instead of buying a plastic water bottle every time you are thirsty.
I highly recommend the Lifestraw Filter Bottle, which will also help filter the water for you to ensure that the water is safe to drink. Tap water is okay in Western Europe, but elsewhere, it is hard to know what the water has to go through to reach you. Therefore, it is better to be safe than sorry and filter your drinking water with the Lifestraw Filter Bottle.
Padlock: If you are planning to stay in hostels in Europe, you will be sharing a space with other travelers, and you are going to need a padlock to secure your belongings in a locker at a hostel when you are out and about. Most of the time, the hostel will provide a locker for free if you have your own padlock, so it is best to pack one just in case. I highly recommend Master Lock Padlock.
What Camera Gear to Bring To Europe?
Sony a6600: This camera is what I carry for most of my trips around the world. The Sony a6600 is very compact and light, while the capabilities are more than enough to take excellent photos and videos for my travels. Combine that with the lenses I use below, and you have one hell of a capable yet lightweight camera gear you can carry anywhere with you.
Sony 16-55mm F2.8 Lens: This lens stays on my Sony a6600 camera 90% of the time. The focal length of 16mm and 55mm allows me to capture wide shots for landscapes, as well as up-close street shots of the local people, respectively. If you are looking for one lens to rule them all, this is it.
Sony 10-18mm F4 Lens: This is also another lens I often carry on my trips. The 10mm minimum focal length gives me an ultra-wide field of view, which allows me to take some really nice photos of the interiors of churches in Europe. If you want nice pictures of architecture around Europe, this lens is the one to get.
Sigma 56mm F1.4 Lens: When I travel, I often like to do street photography and take photos of the locals, and one of my favorite lenses to use for travel portraits is the Sigma 56mm F1.4 lens, which comes with a wide aperture of F1.4, allowing me to shoot some really beautiful people with stunning bokeh. I love this lens, and I highly recommend you get it if you like taking photos of people.
DJI Mavic Mini 2: For a travel drone that is lightweight and highly capable, you just can't beat the DJI Mavic Mini 2. It weighs only 249 grams and is smaller than an iPhone when collapsed. If you are looking for a travel drone to carry with you in Europe, you will love the DJI Mavic Mini 2.
GoPro Hero 9 Black: Since you will likely be participating in activities around water, especially in Southern Europe, like swimming and kayaking, having an action camera like the GoPro Hero 9 will allow you to capture some cool moments in places where it might not be a great idea to bring an expensive camera, so be sure to pack one with you.
What Electronics to Bring To Europe?
Macbook Air: If you are looking for a laptop to travel with that is lightweight but highly capable, I highly recommend getting the new Macbook Air with the powerful M1 chip. It is not too expensive, extremely compact and light, and you can do everything from browsing the web to photo editing all on one machine.
Just don't go around sitting in front of a McDonald's in a place like a train station in Cologne and leaving your bag out of sight for 1 second; otherwise, you are going to have a bad time, as I did 🥲🥲.
Power Bank: In this day and age, you will most likely be relying on your phone a lot more than you think when you travel, from navigation to booking accommodations. You are going to need to keep your phone and other electronics juiced up with a power bank. I highly recommend the Anker PowerCore 20,000 mAh power bank for your trip here, which should be enough to keep all your electronics charged throughout the day.
Travel Adapter: No matter where you are from, you are going to need a travel adapter that will allow you to adapt your electronics to the power outlets in Europe. I highly recommend the Unidapt 61W Universal Travel Adapter, which should cover most types of power outlets out there.
iPhone 12 Pro Max: If you do not want to carry a camera around while you travel and are looking for a phone that has the best camera you can get, buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The phone is extremely powerful, and you can do everything on it from navigation to taking excellent photos with its 3-camera setup. You just can't beat the iPhone when it comes to phone cameras.
Toiletries Packing List:
Do not forget to pack all the toiletries you need for your trip. Most of the time, you can buy them in convenience stores in Europe for cheap, but things like sunblock can be quite pricey here, so you will probably save more by buying them beforehand.
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Sunblock
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hand Sanitizer (very important during this COVID time)
- Wet Wipes
- Nail Cutter
- Travel Medical Kit (pain killers, band airs, etc.)
- For Men: Shaver
- For Women: Make-up, menstrual cup, and other lotion if you need.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Europe
I hope you found this Europe travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Europe, I have a ton more articles you might like:
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3-Month Itinerary for Europe.
- Spain is a great place to start your European journey. If you are looking for a complete travel guide and itinerary for Spain, check out our 10-day itinerary for Spain.
- France is a big country that requires great planning if you wish to maximize the things you see with limited time. Here's a complete itinerary and a travel guide for spending 2 weeks in France.
- Switzerland may be expensive, but hiking is free and camping is often cheap. Check out my Switzerland travel guide page for complete travel and hiking guides in Switzerland.
- Germany is not all about beers and Schuhplattler dance. It is so much more than Bavaria, and you will need a good travel guide to see Germany in its true self. Check out my 2 - 3 weeks backpacking itinerary for Germany here.
- Poland has it all: beautiful architecture, a cheap cost of travel, and a wealth of important European history for you to learn about. Visit my 2-week backpacking itinerary for Poland for more information.
- The Baltic Countries are often forgotten when it comes to traveling in Europe, but that makes it even better to visit. There are more untouched places waiting to be explored, considerably fewer tourists, and they remain cheap. If you are heading north, be sure to check out my one-week itinerary for the Baltic Countries.
- There is a ton more to do in Northern Europe, all can be done in a week, such as 9 Best Things To Do In Helsinki, 3 days exploring Stockholm, and 10 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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