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The more I travel, the more I find myself relying on a specific group of items each time I pack up to head out! Of course, this list isn't just created haphazardly; it's composed of the items that have come to Europe with me on every trip (once I discovered them!!), that I've certainly never left behind, and that I always buy replacements for if they wear out.

​Let's pack for Europe! And don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter and receive my free, downloadable carry-on packing guide for Europe!

Europe Trip Packing Essentials:
Long-Haul Flight Must-Haves

A cozy wrap

Staying comfortable on a plane, temperature-wise is always a bit of a struggle. International flights can get *chilly* when you're up at those super-high altitudes.

I love folding up a great wrap and tossing it in my bag. I can put it on in the middle of the flight and take it off when we get back to normal temperatures. I recently splurged on two J McLaughlin wraps that I cannot live without. Amazon also offers some great cashmere options.

Doing your best: Anti-bacterial wipes

For the airplane and the hotel room, I always pack some inexpensive anti-bacterial wipes. On the plane, I wipe off the tray table- I feel like they're so dirty lately - and the arm rests quickly when I sit down. In the hotel, I usually only do the TV remote and the nightstands, but if you want to do more, you'll have the tools!

Keeping your possessions together

We received a pack of tiles as a Christmas gift and ever since, I've loved keeping track of our possessions with them while traveling. It's so comforting to be able to check the app and know that all your stuff is somewhere over Greenland, along with you! Just slip the little tile into/onto whatever items you want to track, download and enable the app, and relax with peace of mind!

Stay charged: the right phone charger and power adapters

Most long-haul planes, and international hotels, in an effort to overcome the wide range of international plug sizes, have USB holes to plug in your phone/other items, so you'll want to be sure to have a USB cord. Before buying a new cord, check the plug you're currently using - if you gently pull the cord from the plug portion, you likely will find that you already have a USB end. You'll probably also want converters for the country/region you're visiting, just to be safe and to plug in other items. 

Keep yourself entertained: Headphones

To watch movies on the plane, you'll need to either bring your "old school" corded headphones, or get them from the attendants on your trip.

The newest addition to this list is noise-cancelling headphones. Best part - good pairs can do bluetooth AND come with a cord, which you can plug into the in-flight entertainment.

I also always bring my airpods to connect to my phone. They're more comfortable on the plane if you're trying to sleep without cords/big headphones all over the place, and, most importantly, they can function as pseudo-ear plugs in the hotel.

Fallback entertainment

As spoiled as we all are by the TV and phone options on long flights, remember - sometimes the TV system doesn't work or you may just get tired of staring at your phone! I always pack a book and magazine just in case! I have been on several flights where the TV system went down for a bit. Remember, though, during overnight East-West flights (aka flights to Europe from the US), the overhead lights will turn off so that people can sleep overnight, so keep that in mind! For a few of my favorite cozy, British audiobooks, check out the full list! 

Eco-friendly: a reusable cup

While they're making strides to improve, air travel, on the whole is hard on the environment. Add on the disposable items used on any flight, particularly long haul flights, and the toll mounts. So why not try to do your part and bring a reusable cup?

A grim reality: a small plastic bag.

Alas, there's no way around it. There are time on a plane when you might need a plastic bag. Let's pretend it's going to be for bits of trash.

Masks

Given the state of affairs, marks are a part of our modern reality. A pack of disposable masks is a must-have.

Europe Trip Packing Essentials:
Organizational Tools

The right suitcase

Finding the right suitcase for a trip to Europe can be difficult. You'll want good carry-on and checked baggage (if you're bringing both) that are easy to carry and the right fit for small, European hotel rooms.

Check out the full post on suitcases for Europe for all of my thoughts.

Nice and organized: the best packing cubes

When you're going on a long trip, not only is fitting all of your items in your bags sometimes an issue, but keeping everything organized once you arrived can be a struggle! This is why I love these packing cubes - lightweight, inexpensive, and sturdy, you can use them to keep your suitcase under control throughout your trip, and to keep your drawers organized when you're abroad! Additionally, they're small enough that at the end of your trip, you can just zip them into each other and jam them into your suitcase without having to make everything fit back neatly.

Looking crisp upon arrival: clothes steamer

No matter how carefully you pack, being folded up will take its toll on your freshly cleaned clothes! I bring a clothes steamer to give some of my better items a quick brush-up! This version is small, light-weight, and surprisingly effective. Be sure to pull lightly on the bottom of the clothes as you steam - and, after you're almost done, lie them flat on the ground and press flat to get the final wrinkles out.

Portable perfume

When I first started traveling, I thought bringing perfume was unnecessary, dangerous for my other possessions, and probably going to cause some sort of issue with airport security. That said, on longer trips, I missed it! Problem solved with portable spray perfume bottles. They don't leak and they're reusable. I always put these in my checked bag, rather than my carry-on.

Staying organized in your hotel room 

One of the hardest parts of a trip to Europe is staying organized in a tiny hotel room. My husband recently bought us a matching set of valet trays - and these are collapsible. They lie flat while you travel, and then when you get there, snap up their corners and pop this fun little tool onto the dresser and you've got a handy little holder for your coins, phone, cufflinks, whatever!

Europe Packing Essentials: Miscellaneous

Staying powered: Adapters

As we've discussed, planes and high-end hotels are increasingly moving to "international" USB portal into which many chargeable devices can be plugged after the removal of their country-specific plugs. Alas, not all places you'll be will have this handy function, so you'll definitely need at least one power adapter. Check out A First Timer's Guide to Europe for more on adapters.

You'll thank me later: tissues

As well-stocked as I have generally found many bathrooms in Europe, in major tourist destinations, the staff often can't keep up with running the place and stocking the restrooms. Particularly in small restaurants, train stations, & outdoor/pop-up restroom facilities, you may find yourself facing an empty toilet tissue dispenser. Come prepared and share the international love with other (less-well-prepared!) ladies!

Navigating unfamiliar roads: a compass

I'll admit that this one sounds a bit out there. My husband first started brining a compass on our trips as a bit of a joke, but we realized on our trip to Italy that it was actually extremely helpful, especially in cities where it's easy to get turned around! 

Europe Trip Packing Essentials:
All the right clothes for Europe

No matter where I'm going, there are a few items that always make it into my bag:

Stretchy, washable pants

It's hard to stay comfortable when traveling, while also looking crisp and avoiding wrinkles. I couldn't be happier with the easiest pants I've ever purchased, from Eileen Fisher. Comfortable, stretchy, and with only a waistband (no zipper or buttons), they could not be more convenient for travel, especially if you over-indulge while sampling some local cuisine. And - the best part? They don't wrinkle after 9 hours of sitting on an airplane!

Waterproof boots

I always pack my Blondo waterproof boots. They're surprisingly comfortable, and a lot more stylish for big city travels than rain boots. One thing to keep in mind - they are slightly less breathable than leather boots, so your feet may get a bit toastier than you're expecting. Totally worth it to me, though, if they're dry! And if you're heading to London, you'll need these - read up on: What to Wear in London.

A purse that *closes*

There's no perfect way to evade pickpockets, unfortunately, especially in highly-trafficked areas. But, you don't need to help them snag your possessions. Be thoughtful before relying on backpacks to carry your possessions - they can be a pickpocket's dream, especially if it's so big that you can't feel someone rummaging around in there.

Get a purse that *closes* firmly - preferably one that zips. This is more of an issue in certain cities than in others, but be mindful. I recently carried this crossbody bag from Nordstrom in Barcelona (worst pickpocketing in Europe), and felt pretty secure! Amazon also offers some anti-theft purses, though I've never personally rocked one.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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