If you’re planning your first Europe holiday, one of the biggest doubts is “what to pack for Europe trip?” The weather changes from country to country, airlines have strict baggage rules, and many things are more expensive in euros.

This guide combines tips from popular European packing lists and Indian travel blogs to give you a practical, experience-based checklist for what to pack for Europe trip from India.

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Quick Answer: What to Pack for Europe Trip?

Here’s a short summary before we go deep:

• Valid passport, visas, travel insurance and copies
• Debit/credit cards, forex card, some euros in cash
• Layered clothing: T-shirts, jeans, light sweater, weather-specific jacket
• 2–3 pairs of comfortable walking shoes
• Travel-size toiletries and basic medicines from India
• Universal travel adapter, power bank and phone essentials
• Daypack, crossbody bag, locks and packing cubes
• Special items for Indians: spices/snacks (within rules), forex, photocopies, Indian medicines

Now let’s go step by step.

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Step 1: Understand Your Trip Before You Pack

Before deciding what to pack for Europe trip, you must understand your route, season and airline rules. Europe is huge, and the same month can feel very different in Spain, Norway or Switzerland. Most good packing lists first divide items by region and season so you don’t overpack

1. Check your destinations and season

• Northern & Central Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Scandinavia) can be cool even in summer and very cold in winter.
• Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal) is warmer but can still have chilly evenings and strong sun.

Look up average temperatures and rain chances for your exact travel dates. This decides whether your Europe packing list needs a heavy coat or just a light jacket and umbrella.

2. Trip length & travel style

A two-week backpacking trip across 5 countries needs different packing compared to a 7-day relaxing tour in one country. Many experienced travellers use a 40–50L backpack or one medium suitcase and wash clothes midway instead of packing daily outfits for the full trip.

Ask yourself:

• How many days will I be in Europe?
• Will I travel by budget airlines or trains?
• Am I okay doing laundry once during the trip?

If yes, you can pack less and travel lighter.

3. Airline baggage rules from India

When you think about what to pack for Europe trip from India, always start with your airline’s baggage.

• Most full-service airlines allow 1 check-in bag (23–30 kg) plus 1 cabin bag (7–10 kg).
• Many low-cost European carriers charge extra for check-in bags and have strict cabin size limits.

Check both your international and internal Europe flights. If internal flights only allow cabin bags, keep your luggage within that limit so you don’t pay extra later.

4. Make a master packing checklist

All top travel sites suggest using a checklist divided into categories: documents, money, clothes, shoes, toiletries, gadgets and extras.

Write or print your own list and keep it handy. As you decide what to pack for Europe trip, tick items off one by one. This reduces last-minute panic and helps you avoid overpacking.

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Step 2: Documents & Money – The Non-Negotiables

When people ask what to pack for Europe trip?, the most important section is documents and money. Without these, the rest is useless.

1. Must-have travel documents

Keep original documents in a waterproof folder and digital copies in your email/phone.

• Passport with at least 6 months’ validity
• Schengen visa / UK visa / other country visas (as needed)
• Return flight tickets and hotel bookings (printed or PDF)
• Travel insurance policy – many European countries require it
• International driving permit (if you plan to rent a car)

Make 2–3 photocopies of each important document. Keep one set in your check-in bag and one in your daypack. Share digital copies with a trusted family member in India.

2. Money & payment options

For what to pack for Europe trip from India, smart money planning can save you a lot. Indian travel experts suggest carrying a mix of:

• Forex card loaded with euros
• International debit and credit cards (enable international usage with your bank before leaving)
• €150–300 cash in small notes for local transport, snacks and public toilets
• A bit of INR in case you need it at Indian airports

Avoid carrying huge amounts of cash. Use cards where possible and keep your money in different places: wallet, money belt and one small emergency stash in your bag.

3. Phone, SIM and connectivity

• Check if your Indian mobile plan offers affordable international roaming for Europe.
• Many travellers now use eSIMs or buy local SIM cards on arrival.
• Save offline maps (Google Maps offline), hotel addresses and important numbers before you go.

Packing a Europe-ready phone setup is as important as clothes. It helps with navigation, payments and translations.

4. Safety items for documents & money

To keep everything safe while sightseeing:

• Money belt or neck wallet (wear inside clothes)
• RFID-blocking wallet or card holder
• Small anti-theft backpack or crossbody bag
• Tiny padlocks for zippers

When finalising what to pack for Europe trip, never skip these security items. Pickpocketing can happen in crowded tourist spots, train stations and metros.

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Step 3: Clothes & Shoes – Dress Smart, Pack Light

Clothes are where people overthink what to pack for Europe trip? Remember: Europeans dress smart-casual, and you’ll walk a lot. Focus on layering, comfort and mix-and-match outfits instead of packing heavy ethnic sets and multiple jeans.

1. Basic clothing checklist (unisex – adjust numbers to your trip)

• 5–7 T-shirts / tops (quick-dry if possible)
• 2–3 jeans or trousers
• 2–3 shorts or skirts (for warmer places)
• 1–2 dresses or smart shirts for nicer dinners or photos
• 1 light sweater or hoodie
• 1 weather-appropriate jacket
• 7–10 sets of underwear and socks
• 1–2 night suits

If you’ll travel in winter, add: thermal innerwear, woollen cap, gloves and thicker socks.

2. Layering for different European seasons

• Summer (June–August): light cotton T-shirts, shorts, a breathable dress or kurta, sun hat and a light jacket for evenings. Southern Europe can be very hot, so avoid heavy jeans every day.
• Spring & Autumn: focus on layers – T-shirt + shirt + light sweater + rain jacket. Weather changes quickly, especially in northern countries.
• Winter (Nov–Feb): thermal layers, sweaters and a good waterproof jacket are essential. Pack one really warm coat instead of many light ones. Wear the heaviest jacket and shoes on the flight to save luggage space.

3. Shoes – your most important packing decision

For what to pack for Europe trip from India, shoes can make or break your holiday. Cobblestone streets, stairs and walking tours are common.

Carry:

• 1 pair comfortable walking shoes / sneakers (wear these on the plane)
• 1 lighter pair – loafers, ballerinas or sandals for evenings
• Flip-flops only for beach, hostel bathrooms or pools

Most experts say to leave high heels and bulky boots at home unless your itinerary clearly needs them.

4. Cultural sensitivity & photo-ready outfits

Europe is generally relaxed, but many churches and religious places have dress codes (covered shoulders and knees). Pack at least one scarf or stole and some modest outfits. They’re also useful for chilly flights and buses.

Choose a simple colour palette (black, white, navy, beige) so almost every top matches every bottom. This makes what to pack for Europe trip lighter and more stylish.

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Step 4: Toiletries, Skincare & Medicines

Next on the list of what to pack for Europe trip? – the bathroom stuff. Toiletries and medicines are easy to forget, but many Indian brands may be hard to find or more expensive in Europe.

1. Travel-size toiletries

Pack liquids in 100 ml bottles for cabin baggage and keep them in a transparent zip pouch. Typical list:

• Toothbrush, mini toothpaste, floss
• Face wash, moisturiser, lip balm
• Shampoo, conditioner (solid bars save space)
• Deodorant
• Razor and shaving cream
• Comb / hairbrush, basic hair ties
• Sunscreen (very important, even in cooler climates)

You can buy big bottles later in Europe if needed, but it’s easier to start your trip with small Indian-brand bottles you already like.

2. Medicines to carry from India

Indian travellers are strongly advised to carry their regular medicines plus a small first-aid kit, because buying prescription medicines abroad can be costly and confusing.

Include:

• Prescription medicines (with doctor’s prescription slips)
• Pain and fever tablets
• Motion sickness tablets
• Basic cold and cough medicines
• Stomach upset / acidity tablets
• Band-aids, antiseptic cream
• Any allergy medicines you personally need

Keep medicines in original strips with names visible. If you carry controlled medicines, keep a doctor’s note and prescription handy in case customs checks your bag.

3. Special skincare & hygiene items

Water and weather in Europe can be very different from India, which may affect your skin and hair. When planning what to pack for Europe trip from India, add:

• Strong moisturiser and lip balm for dry European winters
• Sunblock for face and body (SPF 30 or higher)
• Menstrual products (pads, tampons, menstrual cup) – you can buy them there but styles/sizes may be different
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes

4. Toiletries you can skip

To avoid overpacking:

• Skip full-size shampoo and body wash – buy locally if you run out.
• Avoid taking many makeup items. A basic kit (BB cream, kajal/eyeliner, lipstick, compact) is enough for most photos.
• Most hotels and Airbnbs in Europe provide soap and sometimes shampoo, so check your booking details before packing.

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Step 5: Gadgets, Adapters & Travel Accessories

Electronics are a big part of what to pack for Europe trip? You’ll use your phone for tickets, maps, payments and photos. European plug points are different from Indian ones, so packing the right adapters is critical.

1. Must-have electronics

• Smartphone + charger
• Power bank (check airline rules; usually must be in cabin bag)
• Universal travel adapter – Europe mostly uses Type C, E and F plugs; UK and Ireland use Type G, so a truly universal adapter is best
• Earphones or headphones
• Camera + memory card + charger (optional, if you care about high-quality photos)
• Laptop or tablet if you plan to work or stream a lot

Pack all electronics and chargers in your cabin luggage so they don’t get damaged or stolen in check-in bags.

2. Smart packing accessories

When experts explain what to pack for Europe trip, they almost always recommend a few clever accessories that make travel easier.

• Packing cubes to organise clothes
• Compression bags for winter jackets
• Lightweight daypack for daily sightseeing
• Refillable water bottle (many European cities have clean public drinking water)
• Travel umbrella or compact raincoat
• Sleep mask and travel pillow for long flights and trains

3. Security & convenience items

• Small combination locks for zippers and hostel lockers
• Luggage tags with your name and Indian contact number
• Mini sewing kit and safety pins
• Foldable tote bag for groceries or extra shopping
• Ziplock bags to separate wet or dirty clothes

These items don’t take much space but solve many common problems on a Europe trip.

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Step 6: Special Tips – What to Pack for Europe Trip from India

Now let’s focus specifically on what to pack for Europe trip from India. Indian travellers have a few unique needs – food preferences, currency issues and climate change from hot India to cooler Europe.

1. Food and snacks

Indian travel blogs and forex experts suggest carrying some familiar food, especially for the first few days while you adjust and find vegetarian options.

You can consider:

• Ready-to-eat packets (check airline and customs rules for the country)
• Instant noodles or poha packets
• Small masala box or spice sachets
• Dry snacks: thepla, khakra, biscuits, nuts

Avoid carrying food items with strong smells or liquids in large quantities. Always check what is allowed in the countries you’re visiting.

2. Weather protection

Coming from India, even European summers can feel cool at night. Packing wisely helps your body adjust:

• Light scarf or stole – works as sun shield, warmth layer and style accessory
• Compact umbrella and/or rain jacket (very useful in UK, Ireland, northern Europe)
• For winter trips: thermals, woollen cap, gloves and a good waterproof jacket

3. Forex and financial planning

From India, plan your money as part of what to pack for Europe trip:

• Convert some INR to euros before you leave, when rates are better.
• Take at least one backup card (different bank) in case your primary card is blocked.
• Inform your bank that you’re travelling to Europe, so they don’t flag your transactions as fraud.

4. Things you should NOT pack

Many lists about what to pack for Europe trip? also clearly explain what to leave behind.

Skip:

• Bulky suitcases if you’ll travel by trains and budget airlines
• Heavy water bottles – you can refill lighter ones easily
• Many pairs of fancy shoes and handbags
• Very expensive jewellery
• Large bottles of liquids that can leak

Travelling light helps you move easily between airports, metro stations and cobblestone streets.

5. Final pre-departure checklist

The night before your flight from India, run through this quick list:

• All documents packed and photocopies made
• Forex card loaded, cards enabled for international use
• Medicines and prescriptions in cabin bag
• Bags within airline weight and size limits
• Phone fully charged, power bank ready, adapters packed

If you can confidently say “yes” to each point, you’ve already solved most of the confusion around what to pack for Europe trip from India.

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FAQs About What to Pack for Europe Trip

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Final Thoughts

Planning what to pack for Europe trip? doesn’t have to be stressful. Start with the basics – documents, money, clothes, toiletries, gadgets – and then customise your list based on season, country and travel style. For what to pack for Europe trip from India, give extra attention to visas, forex, medicines and a few comfort foods that make you feel at home.

Use this article as your personal checklist. Save it, print it or copy it into your notes app. As you tick each item off, you’ll feel more confident and ready to enjoy your European adventure instead of worrying about what you forgot to pack. Bon voyage!