Guide
Europe trip packing list
Europe punishes overpackers. Trains have narrow aisles, hotel elevators are tiny, budget airlines weigh your bag, and the cobblestones kill wheeled luggage. Pack small, layer smart, and skip the "just in case" pile.
Bag strategy
A 40L backpack or a 55cm soft-sided roller gets you onto regional trains without lifting it overhead and clears most European carry-on limits. If you're flying budget within Europe, verify size and weight the day before — limits differ by airline and change often.
Clothing for multi-city trips
Pick a base palette and build layers. One warm piece (merino sweater, packable puffer), one rain shell, and a scarf. For summer: two pairs of bottoms, four tops, one dress or dressier option. Shoulder season: add a base layer and a knit hat. Winter: thermal base layer, warm jacket, gloves.
If you're hitting a warm city (Seville) and a cold one (Edinburgh) on the same trip, Stow shows weather per city so you pack once for both.
Practical essentials
A universal adapter (Type C and Type G for UK), a crossbody anti-theft bag for cities with pickpocketing, a reusable water bottle (most European cities have drinkable tap water), a small daypack that folds flat, and a printed copy of your train tickets as a backup to the app.
Get a per-city packing list
Add each European city as a separate leg. Stow pulls live weather for each one, builds a list that covers every climate, and stays within carry-on limits. One bag, every city.
Build my packing list →Common questions
- What are carry-on size limits in Europe?
- Tighter than the U.S. Ryanair and Wizz Air cap free carry-on at a small personal item (about 40×25×20cm). A paid cabin bag is typically 55×40×20cm and 10kg. Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM allow 55×40×23cm at around 8kg. Weigh your bag at home.
- How do I pack for changing weather across European cities?
- Layers, not bulk. One warm layer (merino sweater or packable puffer), one rain shell, and a scarf that doubles as a blanket on trains. Base layers matter more than a heavy coat for shoulder-season travel.
- Do I need different shoes for European cities?
- Skip heels unless you have a dressy plan — cobblestones in Rome, Lisbon, and Prague eat them. One pair of cushioned walking shoes you can wear to dinner is the answer. A second pair of lightweight flats or sandals for warmer stops.