{2026} The Ultimate Guide to Packing for 10+ Days in Europe

Wondering what to wear for 10 days in Europe? Never fear, your favorite Europe travel guide has rounded up all of the Europe travel essentials you won't want to forget.

(SPC)

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. ​Posted 2018. Updated March, 2025.

Packing for 10 Days in Europe?

Lucky you! Strolling along the Seine, sipping a spritz next to the Duomo, admiring The Crown Jewels in the Tower of London...

View of Les Invalides across the Seine (SPC)

Packing is one of the best ways to get excited for a long-awaited trip (that and reading excellent, helpful travel blogs!). I research the weather at my destination, try to get my itinerary nailed down, and think through the logistics of how many suitcases I can bring and whether we'll be moving hotels.

The goal of the packing process is to have enough outfits to look nice during my entire trip, all the way from the minute I step onto the plane, all the way throughout my experience trudging all around those winding, cobblestone streets. 

I've compiled all the tips and tricks I can possibly come up with, to help you pack perfectly for Europe. What to wear on the plane? Check. How to pack the perfect carry-on bag? Check. The best shoes for Europe? Got 'em. Make-up and hair styles? You betcha. 

​If this is your first trip to Europe, be sure to check out my First Timer's Guide to Europe, for everything from power adapters to where you'll find coffee.​

what I actually pack for Europe ->

After years of trial and error (and a lot of overpacking), I’ve simplified this into a small capsule wardrobe I use for every Europe trip, whether it's 10 days or even a quick 7. These are the pieces I rely on for long walking days, cobblestones, and outfits that actually work together.
You can shop everything I pack here →
Or read the full breakdown of how I build my Europe capsule wardrobe here →

Planning a trip to Europe? I send practical packing tips, seasonal updates, and outfit ideas to my newsletter subscribers twice a month.
​You can join here.

Finding the right luggage for a trip to Europe

FAQ: How many suitcases will I need for 10 days in Europe?

Suitcase (SPC)

To have enough clothes for your week and a half in Europe, you're likely going to need one large, checked bag along with your one purse/tote for the plane. Yes, you absolutely 'can' pack everything you need for 10 days in Europe in a carry-on, should you wish. But, remember, on a standard transatlantic flight on a non-budget airline, you can generally check 2 bags at no extra cost. You'll want to confirm this with your ticket, but, to me, it's worth just checking them. If you want more information about packing light for Europe, check out my guide to building your own {2026} Europe Travel Capsule Wardrobe!

FAQ: What is the best luggage for Europe?

The best tip I can give you about selecting luggage for a trip to Europe is to remember how tiny European hotel rooms are, even at nice hotels. Therefore, I'd suggest avoiding hard-shelled suitcases that unzip down the middle and flop open. Opt, instead for a more traditional style bag that unzips just at the top so you can get the contents out, like this.

​What to Wear on Long Haul Flights to Europe

A lot of people throw on clothes and run to the airport to hop on that transatlantic flight to Europe. This is the first, and perhaps the most critical, Europe *packing* mistake. You're missing an opportunity to transport clothes to Europe efficiently (on you!) and make yourself more comfortable during and after your long flight.

Say hello to your new home for 9 hours (SPC)

Your airplane outfit should

• be comfortable on the plane,  
• look nice enough that you'll feel comfortable arriving at your hotel wearing it. You're going to be wearing it during your first bit of time in the city you're so excited to visit.
• not wrinkle easily.
• include the heaviest shoes you want to have on the trip, in colder months. I generally wear booties if it's fall or winter.
• include socks! Even with TSA PreCheck and the updates to airport security, you really should wear socks. Your bare feet will be absolutely freezing at 2 AM over the Atlantic. It gets surprisingly chilly in the plane, especially near the walls.
• include layers, such as a light trench coat that you'll want to wear in the city where you're going, or, depending on the season, a lightweight, packable travel wrap. 

and they say the perfect travel wrap doesn't exist...

shop my look here!

FAQ: Can I wear a travel set on a Europe flight?

Yes! But remember you'll be wearing this set during some of your first day in Europe, so opt for a set that is more 'polished' and less athleisure. Here's my personal favorite (affordable!) travel set, for Europe travel and at home.

What NOT to Wear on Long Flights

• pants/shirt you’ll want to wear again because they’ll be airplane filthy and you won't even be able to look at them again,
• super-tight leggings, which can be uncomfortable over a long period. I love these crepe pants from Eileen Fisher- they're machine washable, don't wrinkle during the long flight, and have a comfortable waistband. They feel like leggings, but they don't squish you all over during a long flight. Here are a few of my favorite travel pants:

And don't forget to download something to listen to/watch on your flight! I always make sure my most recent audiobook is on my phone and ready to go. Check out my Best British Mystery Audiobooks to Download Right Now!

FAQ: What should I do with my coat on a flight to Europe?

Bringing your big winter coat onto the plane may see like a great idea, but it’s a giant pain. Unless you're in First Class, you have to put the coat under the seat in front of you, or in the overhead bin, and holding a coat through all of the customs lines is a bother.

Unless you're going somewhere with really cold weather where you'll need that coat upon arrival, pack your coat in your checked bag. If it's so cold where you live that you must have a winter coat during your time to and from your home/airport, then put it into the checked bag before you check the bag at the airport.

​Worried you'll be cold on the plane? Bring. That. Classy Wrap.

Now is a good time to double check...do you need a thick winter coat at all? I have hauled coats across the Atlantic Ocean several times, only to have them sit in my suitcase for the entire 10-day trip. If you're heading to Spain, for example, the chances you'll actually wear a bulky winter coat are pretty slim.

FAQ: What personal item/bag should I bring with me on my long flight?

I bring a small tote bag with me as my personal item on the transatlantic flight. You're not going to use the tote bag while you're actually walking around in Europe, but I find it helpful for all of the airport necessities. I use my Louis Vuitton Neverfull, or another leather option that I don't mind jamming under the seat in front of me. I use my small crossbody as my wallet (strap in carry-on), and then it becomes my daily travel purse in Europe.

FAQ: How do I pack the perfect carry-on for a flight to Europe?

Losing your luggage is always stressful, and it’s that much worse when you’ve just arrived in a foreign country, sweaty, and have to show-up at the hotel and ask them where you can buy a toothbrush. So if you're checking a bag, do what my husband and I do and put essentials in a shared carry-on bag.

With knowledge of packing restrictions for liquids, sharp objects, etc., to me, this translates into:

• one shirt,
• one pair of pants,
• two pairs of underwear,
• two pairs of socks that work with the shoes I wore on the plane,
• some form of jacket that's suitable for rain (if I didn't bring one onto the plane), 
• toiletry bag. 

Pro tip: Include an *empty* reusable water bottle in your tote for the trip. Once you're through airport security, you can start using it in the airport to cut down on plastic waste, not to mention save a fortune in small water bottle purchases during your travels! There are many places to refill a water bottle, including the quaint public fountains scattered throughout Rome.

FAQ: How should I do my hair for an overnight flight

Styling my hair for a flight to Europe took a few instances of trial and error. I *hated* getting off the plane and having just the greasiest looking hair upon arrival at my hotel. But, I didn't want to wear anything too elaborate because I also had to try to sleep on the plane.

So, a compromise: I shower right before going to the airport for the flight, dry and curl/style my hair, and pin the front up with bobby pins. I wear this "do" until the plane lands and then take the pins out. My hair doesn't look greasy since I'm prevented from touching it by the bobby pins, and is still reasonably "done" since I had styled it not too terribly long before.

FAQ: Should I wear make-up for overnight flights?

I wear extremely light, if any, make-up on an overnight flight. Even the longest-lasting eye make-up often ends up in my eyes by the end of a long travel day. If you want to wear it during the flight itself, I'd recommend something light, such as a tinted moisturizer and eye brow pencil, but I'd hold off on the mascara until arrival at your destination, so you don't end up with a mess after weird airplane half-sleep.

That said, I do tend to drop a few small, airplane-appropriate make-up essentials in my purse, so that I can pop on some quick make-up to arrive at the hotel looking my best.

{2026} What to Pack for 10 Days in Europe

​​My secret weapon to packing for a trip to Europe is a set of handy, budget-friendly packing cubes, to keep my luggage more organized over a long trip.

Packing cubes in action

Perfect Color Palettes and How to Build a European-Style Outfit

They key to packing the perfect line-up of outfits for over a week in Europe? Keep it simple with neutral colors and items that are easily interchangeable and wearable with multiple other pieces. The goal is to be able to create different outfits, and to be able to shake things up if, say, a waiter drops a tray full of red wine on you at a serene cafe on the Seine in Paris. Don't waste what limited space you have in your small suitcase jamming it full of outfits you can't mix-and-match.

Think realistically through the different activities you'll actually be doing while you're 'across the pond.' If you're a dedicated enough runner that you're actually going to hit the gym, then great, pack workout gear. For the rest of us? Leave the gym clothes at home. 

FAQ: Will my European hotel room have a washing machine?

It is unlikely that your hotel will have a washing machine for guest use. An apartment rental or hostel may have a washing machine, but do you really want to spend your time using it and likely even paying for the privilege? I've never done laundry in Europe on a 10-day trip.

Want to cut to simplify this? ->

If you don't want to pull all of this together yourself, you can shop everything I pack here →
Or read the full breakdown of how I build my Europe capsule wardrobe here →

Packing outerwear for Europe

We tend to travel in Fall/Spring, so often all anyone sees of me on a daily basis while touring are my shoes and my light, waterproof jacket. Europeans tend to wear more layers than Americans, so I like to fit in, as best I can. In general, I'd suggest a light jacket or "topper" that can go with all of the outfits you'll be bringing.In the U.K., you can’t go wrong with a Barbour waxed jacket, or, throughout Europe, with a classic trench. If you're going to be doing a fair amount of evening activities, and are cooler than me, you could also throw in a leather jacket.

The right shirts for exploring Europe

I'd include several pretty basic, long-sleeved shirts (or short-sleeved shirts for summer) for winter/spring/fall. Don't do anything too fancy for everyday walking around. Regardless of the time of year, I'd leave the silk blouse, tank tops, and shirts with writing on them at home.

Finding the Perfect Pants for Europe

For everyday wear, 2 pairs of dark wash jeans or black joggers that look like slacks should be fine. I generally wear jeans during the day, and don't waste my limited space on pants I can only wear once before they wrinkle.

If you'll be visiting in the height of summer, shorts are acceptable for everyday touring, BUT I wouldn't wear anything too short, athletic shorts, or cut-off jeans. 

A note on dress codes in Europe...

Be mindful of dress codes at nicer restaurants and religious sites. I would not wear shorts out to dinner in Paris at night, and in Italy and Spain, some of the churches ask that you cover shoulders, or even don't wear shorts or flip flops.

wear jeans in Europe like this ->

shop this Paris travel outfit here!

Finding the ideal walking shoes for your Europe trip

If there’s one thing you don’t want to skimp on for a trip to Europe, it’s shoes. Comfortable shoes as a must. If you haven't started breaking in the shoes you intend to wear in Europe, go put them on right now.

My personal approach to packing shoes for my trips to Europe:

• one pair of ankle boots;
• one pair of neutral sneakers for everyday;
• [optional] one pair of flats (I adore these classics from Sam Edelman. I've had several pairs over the years);
• [optional] one pair of sandals, if it's summer, for popping out for coffee and letting my feet catch a breather from my other shoes. Leave the beach flip flops at home.

FAQ: Can I wear sneakers in Europe?

Sneakers are undoubtedly in style right now. While, you will see Europeans/Brits in sneakers going about their everyday lives (even Kate Middleton wears them), you will not see them wearing "workout shoes" unless they're on their way to the gym. So keep them clean, low-profile, and with limited logos. Like these!

Additionally, there are dress code restrictions at theaters and nice restaurants that disallow "trainers." So be sure you have some loafers as well as that trusty pair of tennis shoes.

Finding the ideal purse for a trip to Europe

The purse you'll use in Europe should be light-weight and able to close fully. Don't bring anything heavy - you'll regret it immediately. If you need to bring a travel backpack, remember, you will have to check a backpack at almost every major museum, which is a huge hassle and will take up valuable touring time.

Your Europe travel bag must close fully. No ifs, ands, or butts about it. In touristy areas, there are going to be pickpockets. A leather cross-body bag that zips is the perfect protection - they can't get in and they can't snatch the purse out of your hand. I don't want to make you paranoid, but trust me, you'd rather not deal with it. Not to mention, you want your hands free to shop, etc., not carrying a bag around.

​A few years ago, I'd have said "the days of the fanny pack are over, " and yet, fanny packs are very much back. If you want to wear one as a crossbody, please feel free. I'd opt for leather rather than nylon.

FAQ: What should I keep in my purse on a daily basis in Europe?

Bring only the absolute essentials in your purse for an average day spent exploring Europe. This could include a couple credit cards, your ID, and some local currency. Be sure to get your cash converted in the US before you go. Currency change stations in airports or tourist areas often charge exorbinant fees. And don't forget to tell your bank you're traveling so they don't freeze your credit cards.​

{2026} What to Pack for Europe
​(country-by-country)

Paris, France (SPC)

• What to Wear in Paris
• What to Wear in Scotland
• What to Wear in Italy
• What to Wear in London
• What to Wear in Spain

if you want the easiest version of this ->

If you don't want to pull all of this together yourself, you can shop everything I pack here →
Or read the full breakdown of how I build my Europe capsule wardrobe here →

Thanks for stopping by!

There's nothing I love more than helping Americans plan their vacations across the pond. I hope you'll take a minute to check out the many free resources I've created over my many years of travel. And please consider signing up for my blog newsletter, for Europe travel tips delivered straight to your inbox. Bon voyage!

{2026} Europe Travel Essentials

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