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Home » The ultimate Europe packing list, according to travel experts
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The ultimate Europe packing list, according to travel experts

BLMS MEDIABy BLMS MEDIAJune 1, 2025No Comments14 Mins Read
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This article is a part of CNN Underscored’s Summer Travel Week, a weeklong focus on how to travel smarter and save money during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

Whether you’re heading to France, Lisbon, Sicily or Spain, crafting your European vacation packing list can be daunting. Besides a comfortable airport outfit ahead of your long-haul flight, you’ll want to bring the clothes you’re suited to exploring, the right tech gadgets so you can stay powered up and, of course, luggage and bags that are easy to carry as you move from city to city.

To help your packing started, we rounded up everything from an international plug adapter that lets you charge your devices no matter the outlet, to an ultra-functional toiletry kit for bringing along all of your essentials. We even tapped packing and travel experts for their insights into how to best prepare for your European adventure.

A photo of a white Foval European Travel Plug Adapter and its three included country adapters

The wall outlets in Europe are different from those at home in the US. This makes bringing an international travel adapter along on your trip a requirement if you want to charge your phone, laptop, power bank and other devices. This power adapter from Foval is small, which makes it ideal for packing away in your carry-on bag. It has three AC outlets, four USB-A ports and a USB-C port, so you can charge all your devices.

Read our review

Screenshot 2023-10-10 at 3.56.18 AM.png

This universal phone mount is a must-have for long flights, especially those across the pond. With it, you can insert your phone and then seamlessly mount the device on the back of the airplane seat in front of you. While in our experience, we used it to hook our phone to the tray table in-flight, you can also clip it to your armrest or any other secure item nearby.

Read our review

4.png

Your flight across the pond is going to be a long one, but this device makes it go by quickly. The Twelve South AirFly Pro lets you wirelessly transmit audio from in-flight entertainment systems to your favorite set of Bluetooth headphones with ease. It has a 25+ hour battery life and conveniently recharges with an included USB-C cable.

inui-portable-charger-supplied.jpg

If you want to hit the ground running and see as much as you can every day of your European getaway, you’ll want a way to charge your devices on the go. This slim power bank from Iniu is a great pick, since it’s small enough to fit in a travel belt or a small bag but packs a powerful enough punch to charge multiple devices.

Read our review

go pro hero 2 black camera

Whether you’re planning to snorkel off the coast of Croatia or the Greek Islands, or your European trip includes hiking the Swiss Alps or the Italian Dolomites, you’ll want to bring the GoPro Hero 12 Black to capture every moment. This action camera shoots in high-definition 5.3K and has built-in image stabilization, and there are dozens of mounts available so you can capture footage hands-free. Even better, it doubles as a webcam when you’re not traveling.

Read our review

Birdies The Starling Shoe

These podiatrist-backed travel shoes look chic and feel comfortable on your feet while you’re traversing European streets. They come in neutral tones that make them easy to style, though you can also find some fun patterns if you want to switch it up. Wear them with a long skirt, trousers or shorts depending on the time of year and your personal taste.

Wellow Compression Socks.jpg

“On long flights to Europe, these compression socks help reduce swelling and increase circulation,” Julie Schieferstein, Rick Steves’ Europe packing expert and lead buyer, said. “They are also soft and cozy, which could help with capturing shut-eye, getting you ready to hit the ground running when you land.”

Skechers Moreno Canvas Oxford

These Oxford-style shoes from Skechers are a great pair of travel shoes because they’re easy to style and keep your feet comfortable while you’re touring around. The sneakers come in a few different neutral hues, so you can find what blends well with your usual travel wardrobe.

bluffworks gramercy blazer in classic black

Packing men’s formal clothing can be a chore since items can wrinkle during storage and transport. But in our experience, the Gramercy Blazer stays wrinkle-free even without a garment bag. This travel blazer is also moisture-wicking, and it has 10 different pockets to securely store cash, a passport, keys and more. It’s also machine-washable, so you can wear it in the European summer heat and quickly wash it to wear over and over again.

underscored europepacking UnderGents Men's Boxer Brief

Comfort is key when you’re planning long travel days, and that’s even more true when you’re sightseeing in the summer heat. This pair of men’s boxer briefs is made for hot European summers due to its moisture-wicking and cooling properties and overall lack of compression. Built-in CloudSoft technology aims to keep you cool and fresh all day and night no matter where your travel day takes you. UnderGents comes in six different sizes and 12 different colors and designs.

reebok womens low top sneakers white

Senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus wore these sneakers around Europe last summer. She was a fan of the European look they created when she styled them with trousers and a T-shirt. The Ortholite soles were a “game-changer” for Kraus, who said these kicks were comfortable throughout her tour.

allbirds women's soft merino tee in green

A sweat-wicking T-shirt is essential for staying comfortable on any summer trip. This merino wool shirt from Allbirds is a great pick since it’s breathable and has a classic crewneck fit that pairs well with any pair of shorts, jeans or leggings. It comes in men’s sizes, too.

underscored europepacking Bestena Slip Shorts

These spandex slip shorts are essential for summer trips when you might want to wear a skirt or a dress. Not only do they prevent chafing as you walk an endless number of steps each day, but they keep your thighs sweat-free and help you avoid panty lines along the way. Throw a few pairs of slip shorts in your luggage this summer, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Athleta Presidio Traveler Maxi Dress

This stylist-recommended travel dress is a comfortable addition to your European outfit lineup. You can belt it for some shape, add a cardigan (Kraus recommends this one from Quince) or shawl for covering your shoulders or wear it on its own for a flowy and breezy look. It comes in three neutral colors and even has pockets.

underscored europepacking Darn Tough Lightweight Hiking Socks

These performance-fit hiking socks are ideal for a range of activities during a European getaway, whether your plans include hiking the Alps, climbing up the Sherpa stairs of Norway or taking scenic walks through a German forest. Made of merino wool and spandex, these socks naturally stay cool and dry while remaining lightweight and breathable throughout the day. They’re available for men, too.

Luggage, bags and backpacks for your next Europe trip

briggs and riley domestic expandable luggage

“If it’s time to purchase a new carry-on, be sure to invest in a quality bag,” Anne McAlpin, travel packing expert and founder of Pack It Up, said. Be sure to check your airline’s size guide for carry-on luggage, but this pick from Briggs & Riley should do the trick — McAlpin notes that the brand offers a lifetime warranty. Spinner wheels make it a breeze to fly through airport terminals, and extra expandability comes in handy for souvenir shopping. Meanwhile, the exterior-mounted handle creates a flat packing surface inside the suitcase, resulting in less wrinkles.

Coowoz Large Travel Backpack in black

This budget-friendly travel backpack has been a CNN Underscored team favorite for a while now. It can act as a carry-on luggage replacement for short trips thanks to its large interior compartment that makes it easy to pack a few days’ worth of clothes. It also has a laptop compartment and several pockets to keep chargers and other travel essentials organized.

baggallini expandable laptop tote and wristlet

“Baggallini’s Overnight Tote makes an ideal personal bag because it fits nicely under the seat in front of you to keep valuables within reach — and stays upright — making it easy to find anything you might need in flight,” McAlpin said. “Its large size makes it the perfect bag to utilize every inch of allowable space by packing a smaller cross-body handbag inside, and filling up extra space with additional items.”

eagle creek pack it starter kit packing cubes

“I’ve been organizing my suitcase with Eagle Creek folders and cubes for over 25 years!” McAlpin said. “This three-piece starter set, which keeps everything organized using a packing folder to minimize wrinkles in shirts and pants, plus two cubes[is], perfect for packing any type of bag: from duffels and backpacks to wheeled luggage.”

mark and graham travel jewelry wallet cnnu.jpg

CNN Underscored’s home and gifts editor Amina Lake Patel packed this travel jewelry case for her European honeymoon. “I was tired of how bulky and square my old travel jewelry case was. I’m excited that this one is basically flat for stuffing into an already full suitcase,” she said. It’s shaped more like a wallet, which makes it easy to throw in your personal item if you’re hoping to keep your valuables on hand while flying.

baggallini modern everywhere slim crossbody bag in red

“The Everywhere Bag size is ideal — not too big and not too small — just enough room for a day of sightseeing: small water bottle, sunglasses/sunscreen and a zipped pocket to keep my smartphone easily accessible for photo opportunities,” McAlpin said. She uses the RFID-protected wristlet for her euros and coins, easily accessible while walking around and shopping. “I like the design and functionality of this bag so much, I use it as my everyday bag at home, changing out a dark color in winter for a neutral color for spring and summer travel.”

A photo of a person carrying a blue Yeti Crossroads 60L Duffel Bag

You’ll want to have durable bags to carry all your belongings when you’re getting in and out of trains and taxis. If you’re looking for a duffel bag, this 60-liter option from Yeti is a great pick. It comes with a structured wall that keeps it from collapsing, as well as hidden interior pockets and divider panels that help you pack your clothing and other items in an organized way. And since it’s a duffel bag, you can avoid the struggle of rolling a wheeled suitcase down Europe’s famed cobbled roads.

best hardshell carryon luggage_samsonite freeform carryon spinner_product offer card_cnnu.jpg

If you’d rather bring a traditional carry-on bag on your European adventure, the Samsonite Freeform Spinner is an excellent choice. We like this bag because of its sleek design, smooth-rolling wheels and budget-friendly price. Plus, it’s backed by Samsonite’s 10-year global warranty if any defects pop up.

A photo of an open L.L.Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag

A toiletry bag helps to neatly organize your soaps, shampoos, makeup and other personal care items so you can securely store them together in your bag. This hanging bag makes keeping your stuff organized a breeze during your trip, since you can unzip it at the front and hang it in your hotel or vacation rental bathroom for easy access.

Amazon Basics 4-Piece Packing Travel Organizer Cubes Set

Packing cubes help you pack more in your bags while allowing you to keep your items organized and wrinkle-free. This set from Amazon Basics is inexpensive and remarkably functional, with a mesh top panel that makes it easy to see what’s inside each cube. You can rest assured it’s a solid pick with a 4.7-star rating from over 45,000 Amazon reviews.

poete travel sized clothing spray

“Wearing clothing multiple times from your pre-organized wardrobe helps travelers pack light,” Schieferstein said. “Wrinkle release spray with a light fragrance can freshen up yesterday’s clothes to wear on a future day. This brand has great scents offered in a small, travel-friendly spray tube.”

underscored europepacking Gorilla Grip Compact Travel Umbrella

Weather can be unpredictable, which is why you should carry a small, portable travel umbrella with you at all times. This compact travel umbrella from Gorilla Grip is ideal for international trips since it’s lightweight and folds down to 11.5 inches to easily fit in a travel backpack. This particular umbrella is also made to withstand wind gusts of 23 miles per hour, and it protects against harmful UV rays up to 20 UPF on sunny European days.

underscored europepacking Riveda Portable Clothesline

You’re in luck if your European vacation rental has a washing machine, but it’s incredibly unlikely you’ll find a rental with a dryer. Either way, you can keep your clothing fresh and pack fewer items overall by bringing a portable clothesline with you. This ensures you always have a place to dry your shirts, pants and undergarments, whether they got a full machine wash or you hand-washed your clothes in the sink.

cincha travel belt

When you’re traveling with rolling luggage, backpacks and totes from place to place, you’ll want to keep your bags secured while alsp preventing theft. This travel belt from Cincha lets you securely attach a tote bag or backpack to the top of your rolling luggage so it doesn’t fall off or get stolen while you move through airports, town centers and train stations. Not only is the belt adjustable, but it also offers an extra snug fit and a quick-release buckle to remove it with ease when needed.

underscored europepacking Lanney Travel Money Belt

Some European hotspots are also hot areas for pickpocketing and other types of theft, so you’ll want to have a plan to keep your cash and documents safe and out of sight. A money belt does exactly that by providing space to store your cash, hotel room key and passport conveniently around your waist. This money belt from Lanney also features RFID-blocking technology that prevents thieves from stealing your credit card numbers and other sensitive information.

Screenshot 2023-10-10 at 8.32.29 AM.png

If you’re worried about all the surfaces you’ll touch on airplanes, trains, buses and other transit, it never hurts to bring your own hand sanitizer along. This hydrating hand sanitizer from Touchland comes in a travel-friendly size packed with 500 sprays per bottle, and it’s available in 13 fresh scents. The formula used for this sanitizer makes it smooth and not sticky, and the ethyl alcohol kills 99.99% of the most common disease-causing germs.

Screenshot 2023-11-07 at 2.16.59 PM.png

When you’re planning to check a bag on an international trip, you’ll want to make sure you’re keeping your liquid toiletry items secure and separate from clothing and other belongings. These bottle covers do exactly that by creating a waterproof barrier that fits tightly over your hair care and skin care items, bottles of sunscreen and more.

Passport

Wallet

Carry-on luggage

Handbag

Toiletries

Lightweight clothing

Comfortable sneakers and shoes

Sunglasses

Sun hat

Outlet adapter

Camera

Chargers

Portable power bank

The following FAQs have been answered by packing expert and lead buyer Julie Schieferstein.

What type of clothes are the best when packing for Europe?


“To maximize packing space, plan a capsule wardrobe with plenty of basics to mix and match for a variety of outfits with limited items,” Schieferstein said. “Add colorful accessories like a silk scarf or necklace to add fun and variety. Shoe choices are crucial when traveling, especially in Europe, so bring pairs comfortable enough to wear all day, walking or standing.” She recommends breaking your shoes in ahead of your trip to spare yourself discomfort and potential blisters, as well as wearing your bulkiest pair on the plane. That way, you’ll have more space in your suitcase.

Are there any item restrictions in Europe for travel items?


The best way to determine if there are any item restrictions ahead of your trip is to consult the TSA website and your airline’s regulations. “Certain airlines do not allow travel power banks/portable chargers in checked luggage,” Schieferstein said. Her team strongly recommends packing in a carry-on, but if you decide to check your bag, she offers a reminder to make sure your portable power bank is in your carry-on or personal item.

What is the best luggage to pack for a European vacation?


“Carry-on size bags are best for maneuvering on train platforms and stairs. Pair it with a backpack as a personal item and a small crossbody purse that tucks inside the backpack for airline boarding,” Schieferstein said. She notes Rick Steves himself still travels with a backpack suitcase, but said a bag that’s lightweight and sturdy, and preferably one with wheels, can help you navigate European streets and large airports.

For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.

CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.

For this article, writers from the CNN Underscored team sifted through editor favorite travel gadgets, best-tested products and spoke with experts to craft a master list to reference while you pack for your next trip to Europe.



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