Summertime is coming and with it your planned and long-awaited trip to Europe. If you read this, I guess you decided to travel with a carry-on only. Good for you! Travelling with a carry-on can be a really freeing experience – no unnecessary clothes, no problem what to wear, because you have only have your favorite pieces. Foremost, it is freeing experience, because you don’t have to worry how to transport a huge suitcase on the narrow and steep streets of Lisbon or calculate how to get it to your 4th floor airbnb in Paris without an elevator. Of course, it can be also a challenge, not to give up your style and pack everything. With this packing list for Europe you will create your ultimate carry-on stylish wardrobe, be able to pack everything and fully enjoy your European vacation.
As a European in a long-distance relationship (sometimes I feel that Athens airport is my second home) I needed to master carry-on packing on weekly basis. Through different seasons, different countries and various occasions I created my ultimate packing list where I always have something to wear and don’t need to worry I forgot essential documents.
Packing list for a carry-on
Decide on the luggage type
8kg/10kg baggage – a backpack or a suitcase is a good option. There is no wrong answer, unless your intinerary is filled with several different countries, stairs, steepy streets that a car cannot reach. Then the backpack is the only answer.
Small luggage (personal item) – I highly recommend a backpack. No tote bags. There are cute, they seem spacious, maybe you use it once while sightseeing, although I highly doubt that. During the walks you will thank me.
I need to mention here how my life changed after buying this viral Amazon travel backpack. Do you need this backpack to travel comfortably? I can answer honestly – No, you don’t. I am far away from buying random travel gadgets that are so popular on TikTok. Although as frequent travels became my reality and the 10kg suitcase in low-cost European airlines is not included, I master packing this one backpack as my only luggage. Two weeks during summer in Greece? Done. Week in Barcelona during winter? Not a problem. It is really spacey and most importantly – everything is well organized, so you are able to reach anything you need.
If you travel between European countries with low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizzair or Easy Jet – 10kg suitcase/bigger backpack is not included. You need to pay extra for anything that is not a small backpack.
Maybe you decided to go to Europe only with one backpack? I got you. It is a challange, but with a packing list definitely feasible (and I am a fan of this solution!). So let’s start packing.
Essentials
Starting with the most important part -all the essential documents such as: passport, visa, boarding pass, insurance. Those are the only things I triple check before the flight, as I know that I will survive without sunglasses, but not my Passport/ID. In this list there is of course wallet and credit card/debit card.
It is also a time to pack your medications: prescribed ones and pain reliever, cold medicine, vitamin c. If you know that you also use birth control, allergy medication – pack them. Even a simple cold can be troublesome when we don’t have basic medicines. Usually the names in the pharmacies are different across the countries, so it is better to be prepared.
Toiletries&make up
Toiletries are always the biggest issue, as in the carry on you can only have max 10 containers with 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. If you have booked a hotel room, you can expect shower gel and shampoo to be included, in a hostel sometimes it can be a problem. Usually I have a packing list of 14 things that are my must-have. I either share some of them with my travel-buddy, because we do not need two separate toothpastes or shower gel. If I travel solo, I usually pack what I need during the flight, things that are more expensive (like perfumes) or I use only a specific brand. The rest I just buy when I land or after a security check.
- sunscreen
- cleanser
- moisturising cream
- foundation/ CC cream
- face serum
- perfumes
- shampoo
- conditioner
- contact lens solution
- deodorant
- toothpaste
- shower gel
- hair oil*
- hand cream
*I have wavy hair and any sometimes it goes crazy depending on the climate, country, water. This is why I always pack hair oil. Obviously, for you it does not have to be the same. It is a reminder, that your skin/hair can act differently in different countries.
When it comes to makeup, it depends on your needs. It is better to keep it down, especially when you travel during hot summer. My makeup bag packing list usually contains:
- mascara
- eyeliner
- contouring kit
- make-up brushes
- brow gel
- lipgloss
- toothbrush
- make-up wipes
Things that we usually forget, while packing:
- tweezers
- nail scissors
- nail file
- hair brush
- hair clips
- contact lenses
- razors
Clothes – capsule wardrobe
In my article How to build a capsule wardrobe (no shopping!) you will find tips how to create sets for different seasons but also for trips. You can adapt it to build your travel capsule wardrobe for Europe. While creating packing list for international travel, the most important is to choose the clothes that you wear often and you like. Stop the urge to pack this one dress that is in your closet for 3 years and you wore it once, but maybe in Italy it will be second time. I can tell you right now – It won’t be. Depending on the number of countries and the itinerary, the list will change (summer in Copenhagen during the day it is super hot, during the night you will need a cardigan. In Rome, the cardigan will stay in the suitcase the whole time). Although the basic list would include:
- linen pants x1
- skirts x2
- shorts x3
- tops x6
- dresses x2
- workout outfit
- bikini x3
- underwear
- long sleeve x1
- linen shirt x1
- flip-flops x1
- sandals x1
- jewellery
- hats/cap
- airport outfit +sneakers
- sunglasses
- handbag
When you pack for a summer time and want to be a minimalist, it is always easy to underestimate the clothes. We can rewear our outfits, right? Yes, I agree, although it is so important to take into consideration the weather and amount of time you will spend on the beach, walking, sightseeing. I guarantee you, that for a late dinner in Barcelona you won’t wear the same shorts and top after the whole day of strolling. You will dream about taking the shower and wearing clean cute dress. If you have know you will have opportunity to wash your clothes, take that into consideration while packing as well.
Electronics
The list needs to be tailored to you – I do not use an iPad, so it is not on my list. Lots of time I work remotely, so laptop is a must for me, although if you travel for vacation, do you need it? If you do not use camera often and it is heavy, probably you will use it only once during the trip and it is not worth the space.
- Phone + charger
- Kindle
- Laptop + charger
- iPad + charger
- Headphones
- Second phone
- Adapter
- Camera + charger
- Power bank
Miscellaneous
The most often forget part, and also crucial in some situations. There is a long flight ahead of you and you need to feel comfortable. You don’t need all the gadgets that TikTok tries to you convinced to buy.
What you will need though?
- hand sanitizing wipes (I usually buy gel hand sanitizer when I land to not to bring extra liquid)
- gum/mints
- tampons/pads
- chopstick
- tissues
- hair tie
- canvas tote bag
- reusable water bottle
- plastic bag
- snacks
- Journal + pen (or a small notebook)
- Microfiber towel
- socks/slippers
The canvas tote bag can be used as a shopping bag, beach bag and it does not take much space. Plastic bag is a life saver when it comes to wet clothes or to separate the laundry. I also always pack old fashioned wired earphones (don’t trust myself when it comes to charging my headphones) and an eye mask. Things that I have on my optional list are:
- neck pillow
- scarf (although I usually have a cardigan/hoodie during the flight and that is enough)
If your headphones are not noise-cancelling, it is good consider ear plugs. 😉
Final summer in Europe packing list template (free):
Organize your luggage
I know, this packing list seems overwhelming, although the key here is organization. I can assure you, that you will have some space for the souvenirs with two backpacks. With one – maybe not that much. 😉
So how to organize it? Packing cubes and pouches are your best friends.
The small backpack is the one that you can reach at any time and you have there any important things or ones that you will need during a long flight: electronics, all the miscellaneous items, toiletries. In the main suitcase pack all the clothes, shoes. Long flights are exhausting and it is so important to be well-prepared.
Last but not least is a crossbody bag. Crucial at the airport, with the most important documents/stuff you need to reach for frequently. To minimize the luggage I am considering buying an elegant, leather one that I can use a purse, although for now I have been using the regular one and it did great throughout my trips.
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