Europe in winter is no joke. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to visit Poland, the Baltics, and Scandinavia in January for 3 months, and boy, I wish I were more prepared.
Europe covers a massive area with more than 50 countries under its wings. The continent is extremely diverse, with 33 majority ethnic groups and over 54 ethnic minorities. Each ethnic group has its own language, culture, and tradition. You never really know what to expect when you visit these countries on your own.
One thing that you can expect in Europe, though, is its crazy cold weather during the winter months of November to March. If you are planning to visit Europe during this period, maybe to go skiing or to their famous Christmas market, you will have to be extra prepared for what is to come.
Based on my experience visiting Europe in winter, heck, I even visited Murmansk, a Russian city in the Arctic Circle in winter for the Northern Lights, I have decided to write up this packing guide to help you pack and prepare for an incredible trip in Europe during wintertime.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to help and prepare yourself for the journey with a comprehensive packing list for Europe in winter. Without further ado, let's begin with the most important packing question of all: "What to wear in Europe in winter?"
- What to Wear in Europe in Winter?
- What Backpack to Bring To Europe in Winter?
- Should I Get a Travel Insurance for Europe in Winter?
- What Other Travel Essentials to Bring To Europe in Winter?
- What Camera Gear to Bring To Europe in Winter?
- What Electronics to Bring To Europe in Winter?
- Toiletries Packing List:
- Further Reading for Europe
What to Wear in Europe in Winter?
Doesn't matter where you are visiting in Europe, during the months of November to March, you can expect the temperature to be between -5 to 5°C (23 - 41°F) on average, with Northern, Western, and Eastern Europe being on the low end and Southern Europe being on the high end.
In the midst of winter, the temperature in Europe can drop below freezing point, and sometimes even reach almost -20°C (-4°F) if the wind from Siberia decides to visit Europe while you are there. Simply put, winter in Europe is no joke, and it is better to be prepared for it.
Here is a list of things to wear in Europe in winter 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.
Thermal Shirts: This is the first base layer that will help wick your sweat away to be insulated by the second layer of your clothes when it is cold outside. It is also great to wear around heaters when you are indoors.
Since you will be wearing these shirts every day, make sure to pack a few thermal shirts of various colors just in case. The shirts don't have to be the prettiest, as you will be wearing at least two more layers on top once you are outside. So, if you are looking for photogenic clothes to wear in winter Europe, focus on picking the best one for your outer layer instead.
Thermal Long Pants: If it gets really cold outside, it can also help to have thermal long pants underneath another layer like jeans or trousers to keep your legs warm. For women, leggings are perfect for this as you can wear them with dresses or even go hiking with them.
Jeans: Jeans are great in cool weather. They are tough, durable, and look great on anyone. I highly recommend getting Levi jeans. They last forever and can keep you quite warm in winter.
Waterproof Rain Pants: If it is raining outside or it heavily snowed the day before and you do not want to get your jeans wet (jeans can take a while to dry, especially in wintertime), I highly recommend you pack lightweight waterproof rain pants that you can easily put on over your jeans anytime you need to keep your pants dry.
Fleece Jacket: This is the second layer that you can wear on top of the thermal shirt. The fleece jacket will act as insulation to help maintain your body heat and keep you warm during the winter months in Europe. I highly recommend you pack one or two of these for your trip to Europe.
Waterproof Outer Shell Jacket: It can get quite drizzly in Europe during the wintertime, and I highly recommend you pack a waterproof outer shell to be worn on top as your outer layer to keep you dry and protect you from strong winds.
I highly recommend that 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 will have a lightweight hiking setup that will keep you warm and allow you to swap around as you like.
Down Jacket: The down jacket is going to be the third layer that goes over the fleece jacket. This is going to be the layer that will protect you from the cold the most, so make sure you pack one that is warm enough for a temperature of -5°C (23°F).
Down jackets can be extremely massive and hard to pack, but fortunately, they are pretty lightweight. You can save your bag's space if you compress it with a compression bag into a smaller size, making it easier to pack.
Travel Shoes: Since you will be walking a lot in Europe, considering the numerous tourist attractions, especially in the old towns, you will need to pack a good, comfortable shoe 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 in 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.
Wool Socks: 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: 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: Your ears are also one of the places on your body that will easily get cold, so be sure to pack a wool beanie. This way, you can wear it outside while you're exploring Europe in winter.
Neck Gaiter: 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.
Swimwear: Swimwear? In Europe in winter? Really? Yes! It is always a good idea to pack swimwear just in case, especially if you are planning to visit countries like Finland, Iceland, and Hungary in winter, where going to saunas and thermal baths is part of the local experience. So be sure to pack one for your trip, just in case.
What Backpack to Bring To Europe in Winter?
A Large Backpack: If you are planning to visit Europe in winter 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 go with your trip, get the Herschel Supply Little America backpack.
Should I Get a Travel Insurance for Europe in Winter?
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 in Winter?
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, where you can travel around Europe freely by train as many times as you like for the entire period 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 life-saver 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 had been looking for, but couldn't find it until 3 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 it. 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 to saunas in Finland or thermal baths in Hungary.
Water Bottle: It is always important to keep yourself hydrated when you go travel, and you would do Mother Nature a great favor if you bring 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 it is safe to drink. Tap water is okay to drink in Western Europe, but elsewhere it is hard to know what the water has gone 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 in Winter?
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 lens 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. 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. This allows 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: If you plan to go skiing in Europe during winter, having an action camera like the GoPro Hero 9 will allow you to capture some really cool skiing shots. 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 in Winter?
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, and you are going to need to keep your phone and other electronics juiced up with a power bank.
Plus, the lithium batteries used in your cameras and phones can be drained much faster in cold weather, so having a power bank should help keep these devices juiced up for when you need them. 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 be saving 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 of 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 Months Itinerary for Europe.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- 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 is full of important European history for you to learn about. Visit my 2-week backpacking itinerary for Poland for more info.
- 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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