Packing for a trip to Europe can be overwhelming, especially when you’re headed to a place that you have never been before. I’ve put together the perfect list of what to pack for your next international adventure!
1. International Outlets and Adapters
2. A Secure Day Bag
3. Walking Shoes
4. Portable Phone Charger
5. Layers
6. Face Masks
1. Outlets and Adapters
European outlets are typically C, F, E, and L. If you have a C outlet, you should be able to plug in anywhere in Europe. I recommend purchasing the pack linked below from Vintar. These outlets are fantastic for traveling because you can plug multiple things in at a time. With these, you will save space as you will only need to pack one or two outlets for the trip.
These adapters are great because the voltage coming out of the European outlets is much higher than the voltage we receive in the USA, so they will protect your items. I have had countless hairdryers, hair straighteners, and curling irons, blow out in Europe even with the adapters. The adapters linked above have solved this problem for my hair tools in most situations!
If you plan on staying in hostels, I recommend purchasing an outlet that isn’t so bulky, because you will be sharing outlets with the other guests staying in your room.
It’s convenient to have at least one of these small outlets if you need to plug in at a coffee shop or a hostel, but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have one.
2. A Secure Day Bag
When you’re spending a whole day wandering around your new favorite European city, you’ll want a backpack or day bag for all of the things you’ll need that day. I typically try to go for something a little more stylish since it will be in ALL of the pictures I’m in for the trip ;). Due to the unfortunate high-risk of pickpocketing in Europe, you’ll want to make sure that your bag has either a zipper or a buckle, especially if it will be on your back. You’ll find that the magnetic closure bags are not secure enough.
I purchased the backpack pictured below at an ALDO in Madrid a few years ago, but over time I’ve really fallen in love with the Longchamp bags for travel. They’re secure, packable, and super easy to clean!
Vogelle Shoulder Bag
When I go out for the day, I always wear my Vogelle shoulder bag. Yes I am the designer, so of course I wear them, but they really are perfect for traveling. I designed these bags to be completely hands-free and to be as secure as possible.
Shoulder bags are popular in Europe because they eliminate the chances of pickpocketing almost entirely. I bring my phone, card holder, chapstick, apartment keys, cash, airpods, and more with me and never have to worry about something being stolen.
If you look at the photo above of me in Paris, that small zipper pocket on the back of my backpack was not secure at all. Someone could have come up behind me at any moment and opened that pocket without me noticing. I never used that pocket for that reason and would not use a backpack with that feature again for traveling.
Click HERE to shop the Vogelle collections online! Available in black, camel, green, white, and more.
3. Walking Shoes!
European cities require A TON of walking. You will be walking miles a day on uneven cobblestone streets and/or strolling through museums on marble floors for hours at a time. It is SO important to have a pair of comfortable walking shoes!
I have tried many different popular sneaker brands to find the right pair that didn’t give me blisters and didn’t tear or get too stained during my trip. White sneakers are the best because they go with everything and they will look fabulous with your new European tan! 🙂
I have personally used each of the shoes listed above for 2+ months in Europe and all three were perfect for me. My favorite is the Adidas Stan Smith Sneaker because it provides the most airflow and still has that thick sole. I find my feet getting pretty warm in the Nike Air Force Ones sometimes but if you’re traveling in the winter months, those would be your best option. A lot of people like wearing Converse and while they are popular in Europe, but I never liked wearing them for weeks or months at a time. The soles of the Converse are so thin that they didn’t provide much protection, comfort, or arch support on the cobblestone streets.
The shoes listed above are perfect for women of all ages as well! My mom wore her Adidas Stan Smith Sneakers when she visited me in Madrid and loved them!
4. Portable Phone Charger
My Mophie portable phone charger is my lifeline when I am traveling, especially on solo trips. The LAST thing you want is to be lost in a city that you aren’t familiar with no way to get home because your phone is dead.
I felt safer when I had my Mophie with me, especially when I was on my own. I use my phone a ton for navigation, pulling up digital tickets, taking photos, and more. If you’re planning a solo trip, this would be my top recommendation as a safety measure and for convenience. I have tried multiple different brands of portable phone chargers and Mophie blows them all out of the water.
The Mophie linked above is the exact one that I have and have been using for the past few years. It even comes with a small cord which is SO convenient because I would plug my phone in and tuck both items into my purse to allow my phone to charge for an hour or two. It eliminates the need to bring an entire phone charging cord with you during the day as well. This Mophie holds multiple charges and is super easy to use. You’ll use this over and over again and you will be beyond thankful that you have it
5. Pack Layers
No matter what season you’re visiting in, it never hurts to have some layers. It can be very hot during the day in places like Rome and Madrid, but once the sun sets and it starts to cool down, you’ll be reaching for your thin jacket!
I recommend packing a thin cardigan, a black leather jacket, and a denim jacket, depending on your length of stay and time of year. If you’re going in the dead of the summer, maybe just pack a denim jacket. If you are traveling in the shoulder seasons (April-May & September & October) pack two or three of the layers I listed. Below are a few of my tried & true favorites!
Most cities in Europe have amazing vintage shops! A lot of times I’ll pop into one and find a really unique denim or leather jacket for only about 10-15 euros. That’s always an option as well if you forget a jacket or don’t want to pack one.
6. Face Masks
Updated: October 2021
This is a recent addition to this list and is an absolute necessity while traveling. Masks are required at the airport, on all forms of public transport, and inside all shops, cafes, and museums.
I’ve linked my go-to face masks below. I have probably repurchased these about six or seven times this year. They are basic and very breathable for long flights or train rides.
When I boarded my flight from Denver to Paris in October of 2021, they did not allow cloth face masks. Every passenger was required to wear surgical masks or N95 masks. The masks linked below were allowed on that flight.
Until Next Time!
Laura xx
