Travel

I wrote this backpacking Europe packing list because packing for travel can often be very difficult — especially for beginners. Many first time travelers make the mistake of bringing way too much gear so travel quickly becomes tiresome. It can also make you a bigger target for thieves because you’re not able to keep track of your belongings as well. This packing guide for Europe will help you know what type of clothes and gear you should bring, but I also give tips for packing light.

ARE YOU FEMALE? Check out our new Women s Packing List for Backpacking Europe  — it is a similar guide to this one but the suggestions are geared toward women .

First, I suggest limiting yourself to 20-22lbs  worth of gear (including your backpack). If you exceed 22lbs (10kg) you start running the risk of exceeding the carry-on weight limit for budget airlines (Ryanair). Even if you don’t plan on taking planes, I still suggest keeping your weight around 20lbs.

Cut The Clothing:  Pretty much all of the weight in your backpack comes from your clothes. Most inexperienced travelers bring way too much. There isn’t really any difference between packing for 6 weeks or 6 months, because you’ll just do laundry about every week.

• You’re only going to have a few shirts/pants so make sure they all match each other. Choose dark and neutral colors (dark colors hide dirt/stains better than light colors). Most Europeans tend to wear more subdued clothing anyways.
• If it is going to be cold, you should dress in layers. A big bulky coat isn’t going to be practical (unless you’re going to somewhere extremely cold). A thermal base layer, long-sleeve t-shirt, sweater and fleece jacket combo is much more practical than a big coat. You can always add/subtract layers if needed. Click here for the Savvy Backpacker guide to keeping warm in the winter.

Cut The Toiletries. Liquid/gels/etc. weigh a lot. Limit yourself to the very basics.

Lose The Bulky Guidebook. Guidebooks are great, but they can be heavy. Cut out the pages that are of interest to you. You’ll lose most of the bulk this way.

You want to look good in Europe, I understand. Europeans are known for being super fashionable and you want to be the same. It just isn’t practical to wear really nice clothes as a backpacker.  You have limited space in your bag, so it doesn’t make sense to pack an outfit that you’re only going to wear once. This doesn’t mean you have to look like a slob. It is really simple to look presentable as long as you pack items that look good when worn with each other. I ve put together an article with some general European fashion advice. Ok, on to the packing list.

This is one area that many beginner travelers don t consider, but experienced travelers know how important quality socks and underwear are. If you think about it, socks and underwear are worn close to your skin so they can be the difference between being comfortable or not. I highly suggest spending a little extra money to buy quality items because you ll be much more comfortable.

High quality socks are essential. Unfortunately, nice socks can be expensive and a lot of people don’t want to spend the money on something as unsexy as socks. But, I suggest you spend a little extra money to get a few nice pairs (plus, nice socks will last for years so you can still wear them when you are home). Most experienced travelers recommend quality wool socks—you can get lightweight wool socks for the summer and they ll actually keep your feet cool and dry. Obviously you ll want heavier-weight socks if you are traveling in the winter. Trust me about nice socks. I can t even wear crappy cotton socks anymore. Look for socks that are:

• Moisture-Wicking  – Your feet will sweat a lot (especially since you’ll be doing a lot of walking) so you want a sock that draws moisture away from your feet. Dry feet help eliminate odor and stops the formation of painful blisters.
• Quick Drying  – It is pretty easy to wash your socks in the sink so you want a pair that will dry overnight (about 6 hours).
• Odor Eliminating  – Some synthetic socks have special anti-bacterial features that help eliminate odor. Light-weight wool socks will also do this naturally (light-weight wool can also work well in the summer).
• Avoid Cotton!  – Cotton socks soak up moisture and won’t dry well once wet. They will start to smell very quickly.

A nice pair of socks can be worn 2-3 times before they start to stink (although you’ll want to rotate the days you wear each pair).

Recommended Sock Brands:

• SmartWool Socks  (also via Amazon.co.uk )  I love my SmartWool socks. I wear them all the time. They have a wide range of socks (from light to heavy weight).
• Darn Tough Socks  (also via Amazon.co.uk )  Made in Vermont, this brand of really nice socks will last for years. They get great reviews.
• Wigwam Soccks   Worth checking out.
• Thorlo   Thorlo makes quality socks that aren t too expensive.

For a more in-depth article about the wonderful world of socks check out our favorite socks for travel . 

I like to bring a few pairs of underwear. You can probably get away with whatever you normally wear, but I really like Exofficio Travel Underwear  (here is the link for women s ). This underwear fits well, reduces chafing, wicks sweat, and fights odor. Many travelers rave about these because you can get away with wearing them for a few days before needing to wash them. They are also ideal because they dry quickly, so you can easily wash them in the sink. Exofficios are a bit pricey, but a lot of travelers say these are must-have items. Many people also like Under Armour underwear .

For a more in-depth article about travel underwear check out our favorite travel underwear!

I always stress that you should only pack one pair of shoes because shoes are bulky and heavy. But it is understandable if you want to bring two pairs. You’re going to be on your feet a lot while in Europe, so you really  want a sturdy pair of comfortable shoes for sightseeing. Guys can get away with a pair of nice leather sneakers that are comfortable during the day and look nice enough for going out at night. Some people opt for sturdier “hiking” shoes. They’re usually waterproof and have an all-terrain sole. They’re not super stylish, but they are usually pretty comfortable. If you plan on traveling during a rainy time of year then I would suggest this option. While we re talking about hiking, I suggest leaving the hiking boots at home unless you plan on doing some hardcore winter hiking. Throw in a cheap pair of rubber flip-flop sandals if you re going to stay in a hostel. You ll want them for the showers. Trust me. I highly  recommend that you leave dress shoes at home. While sneakers would probably prevent you from entering any super  swanky  nightclubs, I doubt most budget backpackers can afford those places anyways.

Note:  Americans seem to have a love affair with white sneakers/athletic shoes. Don’t wear white shoes if you don’t want to be instantly recognized as an American tourist. But if you don t care then feel free to wear them.

For a more in-depth guide to finding the best shoes check out our guide to fashionable and comfortable travel shoes .

I think long-sleeve button-up shirts are the best option when it comes to shirts (Be sure to check out my guide on fashion in Europe for a more in-depth guide on being fashionable while traveling in Europe). When looking for a shirt you should keep the following things in mind:

• Versatile — Don t bring fancy dress shirts but a nice casual button up will work well during the day and at night. Basically, pick something that will look fine in a church/museum, in a cafe and at a bar.
• Non-wrinkle — It is hard to keep clothes unwrinkled while traveling so non-wrinkle fabrics are a nice option.
• Easy to wash — Stay away from things you can t easily wash or are high maintenance.
• Dark colors — Dark colors do a better job at hiding stains. Plus, most Europeans tend to wear darker colors so you ll blend in better with the locals.

Lightweight sweaters are nice for dressing up or for cool nights. For maximum versatility, make your sweaters and button-up shirts all look good together because you can wear them together. If you’re traveling in the summer it might be wise to save space by not bring a sweater. It is up to you.

While I prefer wearing mostly button-up shirts, I still like the option of wearing a t-shirt. They are good for around the hostel, sleeping, wearing under other shirts and sometimes around town. I usually pack a about four solid color shirts.

I like to bring a pair of dark slim fit jeans. Dark jeans can be dressed up, completely casual, and they match everything. You can wear jeans for months  without washing them and they still won’t stink. Plus, jeans are a staple in every European’s wardrobe (I lived in Paris and most locals wore jeans all the time).  Some hardcore travelers don’t wear jeans because they are fairly heavy and take forever to dry. While they’re right, I still think jeans are the best way to go in Europe. Also bring a pair of  well-fitting neutral/dark color chinos (light-weight cotton). These look nice if you want to dress it up a bit. Please don’t wear those travel pants that zip-off and turn into shorts — they are just way too dorky. I personally think a pair of jeans and a pair of chinos is all you need, but some feel more comfortable with an extra pair of pants.

Shorts  Most European adults don t wear shorts. You ll probably be pegged as a tourist if you decide to wear them so just keep that in mind if you plan on bringing them. But just stay away from khaki cargo shorts because that is the stereotypical American tourist outfit.

Swimwear   If you go to the beach then you ll need something to wear.

Obviously, whether you take a jacket or not will depend of when and where you travel.

Fleece Jacket A nice fleece jacket is a great because it is very lightweight and it provides a lot of warmth. I suggest getting a black fleece jacket just because it will be the most versatile. The Patagonia Synchilla Fleece is an amazing option.

Rain Jacket A rain jacket is one of those things that take up a lot of space and are rarely used. Therefore, I d say this would be optional. You probably don t need one if you re only visiting cities (just bring an umbrella). If you plan on doing a lot of hiking/being in the wilderness then you might consider it.

Softshell Jacket A softshell jacket is a nice combination between a fleece and a rain jacket. It won t be quite as warm as a fleece, but it will be fairly waterproof. The Marmot Precip  is an extremely popular jacket and the Marmot Minimalist jacket is a nice and sleek option.

Sun Glasses - Rayban sunglasses are very popular at the moment.

Scarf Both men and women wear scarfs in the summer and winter.

Hat and Gloves 

A small backpack you wear while exploring the city. It should be just big enough to carry a few thing (journal, souvenirs, small umbrella/light rain jacket, those cute mini-bottles of alcohol, etc). Ideally, you want to be able to pack it into your main backpack without it taking up a ton of space. We ve compiled a list of our favorite daypacks here .

Packing cubes are great for keeping all your clothes organized — which is important when you live out of a backpack. There are many companies that make packing cubes, but I like the eBags cubes  and the Eagle Creek packing sleeves. If you want more information about how to use packing cubes (or how to properly pack your backpack) check out our guide to properly packing your backpack .

A quick drying towel  is one of my favorite travel accessories. To be honest, I hate the feel of these towels, but they do an amazing job. They absorb a ton of liquid and they dry in a few hours. Normal towels take hours and hours to dry and they will really make your backpack stink. This is a must-buy. Some advice: These towels are much smaller than a normal towel. I suggest buying the large or XL size—especially if you have long hair.