The Ultimate Guide to Packing for 10 Days in Europe (2024)

In my humble opinion, packing is one of the best ways to get excited for a trip (that, andof course, 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 is to have enough polished 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. If you're here looking for tips on how to "pack light" I might not be your girl. I also don't overpack - I try, like Goldilocks, to find that perfect sweet spot!​

In order to have enough clothes for your week and a half in Europe, you're likely going to need one large, checked back, one carry-on bag, and one purse/tote for the plane.The reality is, you're likely going to need one large, checked back, one carry-on bag, and one purse/tote for the plane.

The best tip I can give you about selecting luggage for a trip to Europe is to remember how small European hotel rooms are, even at nice hotels. If at all possible, avoid suitcases that unzip down the middle and flop open, in favor of the more traditional style, where a flap unzips to reveal the contents. These are significantly easier to open in tight quarters. On a standard transatlantic flight on a non-budget airline, you can check 2 bags at no extra cost. (You'll want to confirm this with your ticket).

My husband generally does not bring a carry-on, so we combine all of our things into one carry-on, so he is able to help manage getting all the bags into cabs and through the train station.

First things first. A lot of people just throw on clothes and run to the airport to hop on that transatlantic flight to Europe. Honestly, this is the first, and perhaps the most critical, Europe *packing* mistake.

By not thinking through what you wear on the flight to Europe, you're absolutely missing an opportunity get your clothes to Europe efficiently and make yourself feel more comfortable during and after your long haul flight!

You shouldabsolutelyplan your airplane outfit when you are packing and lay it out along with everything else. This way, you won't get into a rush and end up making a bad, last-minute clothing decision.​

• be comfortable on the plane,
• look nice enough that you'll feel comfortable arriving at your hotel wearing it. I think people often forget that this outfit isn't just for the plane; 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 theheaviestshoes you want to have on the trip that you feel comfortable wearing on the plane. I generally wear booties if it's fall or winter.
• include socks! Even if you have TSA Precheck and aren't worried about taking off your shoes in airport security, be sure to wear socks. I promise, 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 alight cashmere wrap.

• pants/shirt you’ll want to wearagainbecause they’ll beairplane filthyand you won't even be able to look at them again,
• super-tight leggings, which can be uncomfortable over a long period. Personally, I love thesecrepe 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. For a more budget-friendly option, tryjoggers, from Athleta.

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

Unless you're going somewhere with really cold weather where you'll need that coat upon arrival,just 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.

If you’re lucky enough to be in First Class, go for it and bring whatever coat you want!! They'll even hang up your coat for you so you don't have to deal with it during the flight.

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. For example, if you're heading to Spain, I promise the chances you'll actually wear a large winter coat are pretty slim. Want to know more, check out:What to Wear in Spain in Winter.

Depending on your packing approach, remember,anything you want to access on the plane needs to be in your purse or your carry-on. BUT, your carry-on might get stowed under the plane if it's big or if they run out of overhead space.

I'd recommend bringing a small tote bag to accompany you on the trip. 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.

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 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!

I wearextremely light,if any, make-up. 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 make-up essentials in my purse (as long as they're small enough to come with me on the plane), so that I can pop on some quick make-up to arrive at the hotel looking fresh!

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.

Similarly, think 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. With such limited space, it's best to stick to the basics.

Losing your luggage is always stressful, and it’s that much worse when you’ve just arrived in a foreign country, super sweaty, and have to show-up at the hotel and ask them where you can buy a toothbrush.

The way I approach the carry-on packing is to ensure that, should I lose my bag, I can shower and put on a reasonable outfit, and then backfill for anything else I need until my bag arrives, which could be a while.

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.

For other essentials to include in your carry-on and your purse, check out myTravel Essentials.

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.I find that 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 aBarbourwaxed jacket. Relaxed and casual, but definitely makes a statement! And, of course, those lovely, giant pockets that mean you don't have to carry a purse in places where you aren't worried about pickpockets.

In France, I'd suggest a classictrench coatfor any season aside from the height of summer.

If you're going to be doing a fair amount of evening activities, I'd also throw in a leather jacket.

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 "booties"/ankle boots;
• one pair of stylish sneakers for everyday
• two pairs of flats (I adore these classics fromSamEdelman. I've had several pairs over the years);
• 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.

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 and the reality is, you don't need most of the stuff you're contemplating carrying around all day. If you really feel that you need to bring a travel backpack, there are many to choose from. But 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.

Second, your purse 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 rock one as a crossbody, please feel free!

• 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

I hope you have a phenomenal trip to Europe! Please check out my many others posts on Europe, from more style tips inHow to Look Chic While Traveling in Europe.

If you're a first timer and worried about that long haul flight, check out How to Enjoy a Long Haul Flight.
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Happy Travels! xx