{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. ​
​Originally posted 2018. Updated September, 2026.

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 to Pack for 10 Days
​in Europe

For a typical 10-day trip to Europe, I generally recommend packing:

• 5–6 tops that can be mixed and matched
• 2–3 pairs of pants or jeans
• 1–2 dresses or nicer outfits, depending on your plans
• 1–2 sweaters or cardigans
• 1 jacket or coat appropriate for the season
• 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes
• 1 optional pair of nicer shoes for dinners
• 1 leather crossbody purse
• Pajamas
• Underwear and socks for the duration
• A scarf
• A very small umbrella
• Toiletries, medications, and basic makeup
• Chargers and a European plug adapter

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Finding the right luggage for a trip to 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.

​Choosing suitcases for your trip depends largely on your itinerary and if/how you’ll be traveling around once you arrive. If you’ll be taking trains, changing hotels frequently, or navigating smaller European cities, make sure you can comfortably handle your suitcase yourself. You may encounter stairs, cobblestones, small (or a complete lack of) elevators, and plenty of moments when there is no one around to help with your bag.

I generally prefer to check a suitcase for a 10-day trip to Europe rather than trying to fit everything into a carry-on. I know carry-on-only travel is popular, but it isn’t necessary for everyone. I've found a reasonably sized checked suitcase to be manageable, as we generally stay in 2 hotels max during our time across the pond.

Whatever size suitcase you choose, resist the temptation to fill every available inch. A huge, overstuffed suitcase becomes a real nuisance when you’re getting on and off trains or hauling it through a hotel. It also leaves you no room for anything you pick up along the way.

I’m also a big fan of packing cubes for European trips. They keep everything organized, make it much easier to unpack and repack as you move between hotels, and help me see how much I’m actually bringing. I like to organize my clothes by category so I can find what I need without digging through my entire suitcase.

Before you leave, check your airline’s current baggage allowance and size and weight restrictions. These vary by airline and fare, particularly if you’ll be taking flights within Europe or using budget airlines.

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​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. For more detail on one of my favorite topics, check out What to Wear on a Flight to Europe.

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! 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. 

​What NOT to Wear on Long Haul Flights to Europe

• 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. 
• your winter coat. It's too bulky to comfortably accommodate in your seat and they often won't let you put it in the overhead bin. Now that we're talking about it, now's a good time to do some destination-specific research. Do you need that winter coat at all? It's often warmer in Europe than in the US.

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 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 travel. 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.

Packing the perfect carry-on for a long haul flight...my secret

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. 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 security, you can start using it in the airport. There are many places to refill a water bottle, including the quaint public fountains scattered throughout Rome.

{2026} What to Pack for 10 Days in Europe

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

The 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. 

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.

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.

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 are 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.

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, you may encounter dress code restrictions at theaters and especially high-end 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 close fully. Don't bring anything heavy - you'll regret it. If you need to bring a travel backpack, remember, you may have to check a backpack at museums, which can be a hassle.

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.

What should I carry in my purse during my Europe trip?

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 exorbitant 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

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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