16 Things to Never Pack in a Carry-on for Europe—and What an American Living Abroad Says to Bring Instead

Even before moving to Paris last year, I visited Europe as often as possible, thanks in part to my standby privileges from my dad’s job as an airline pilot and, later on, to my job as a travel writer. I’ve camped in the Black Forest, made wine in Georgia, road-tripped solo from Lithuania to Estonia, and rode the rails from Serbia to Montenegro. I’ve visited every country in the European Union (I’ve even lived in two of them), and on every trip I take within the continent, I always carry the same essentials with me in my carry-on bags. 

Growing up flying stand-by engrained in me a need to fly with carry-on bags only, and over the years, I’ve learned, often through trial and error, which items are necessary for Europe, and which ones are going to be left wasting space in my suitcase. For instance, I always make space for a travel umbrella and a packable jacket because you never know when a surprise rain shower may pop up. And, I’m all about making space for a few luxuries that keep me comfortable on the go. As for the things I won’t bring with me, keep scrolling to discover my top 16 packing mistakes for European travels and what to pack instead. 

Mistake: Packing casual shoes with heels

Bring instead: Veja Campo Sneakers 

There was a time in Europe decades ago when tennis shoes weren’t the norm, but we are living in the age of the sneaker, and everyone is happier—and comfier—for it. You’ll see sneakers everywhere in Europe, even in fashion-forward capitals like Milan and Paris. I love the Italian brand Diadora, which doesn’t skimp on the cushioning, and its sneakers are comfortable for cruising the cobblestoned, stylish streets of any European destination. Pick up similarly styled brands, like these Veja Campo shoes, which have a cushioned insole and a padded collar, or the always-classic $70 Adidas Grand Court Tennis Shoes that go with everything you packed.

Mistake: Using a four-wheeled suitcase

Bring instead: Travelpro Maxline 5 Softside Carry-on Bag

Four wheels may be fine for smooth terrain, but even with direct transfers from hotels to airports, the chances you’ll be wheeling your luggage on some ancient pathways or bumpy roads are pretty high while in Europe. And nothing handles bumps like this two-wheeled rollaboard. I’ve traveled with this bag to 55 countries now, and it’s my absolute favorite for its ability to hold the most gear and handle any travel situation (i.e., rain, uneven sidewalks, etc.).

Mistake: Overestimating your ability to sleep through anything

Pack instead: Travel Earplugs

I’ll never forget the time my dad got a steal on an amazing hotel room in Rüdesheim, only to find out it was because it was directly across from the town’s bell tower, which rang every hour on the hour. It’s a running joke now in our family (for everyone but my dad, who still does not find it funny) to check for any nearby churches or bell towers before booking a hotel, but my real travel hack is always having a set of earplugs ready to go. 

Mistake: Wearing a backpack around cities

Pack instead: Travelon Anti-theft Convertible Crossbody

A backpack works great for air travel, but nothing compares to the security and ease of navigating a European city with a crossbody. This anti-theft version from Travelon, on sale when you apply the on-site coupon, holds everything you need to keep handy (i.e., passports, credit cards, medicines, etc.) and has an RFID-blocking card slot and interlocking zipper pulls to make it nearly impossible to break into. 

Mistake: Bringing too many coats  

Pack instead: Hooever Wool Coat

Of course, you’ll want something heftier if you’re headed somewhere frigid, but otherwise, a simple wool coat can be the secret to having a jacket that’s appropriate for every situation. This Amazon-favorite style is one of the most versatile pieces of outerwear that you can pack; wear it during the day for popping in and out of museums, or wear it with a dress for a chic and sophisticated night look. For extra warmth, make sure you have a quality base layer like this top-seller from Amazon; the turtleneck feels very European.

Mistake: Wearing bulky winter accessories

Pack instead: Elevated, packable winter accessories

When temperatures drop, you may be tempted to reach for your biggest scarf, that adorable wool beanie with the big pom-pom or your warmest mittens. Instead, take a cue from Europeans, who have mastered the art of minimalist winter accessorizing with genius essentials like ear muffs, wool balaclavas, and leather gloves. Not only are these chic, but they’re highly functional and packable, so they won’t slow you down on your travel day—or make you stand out like a tourist.

Mistake: Wearing yoga pants everywhere

Pack instead: Athleta Pinnacle High-rise Trousers

In the world of global dress codes, there are generally three categories of casual: business casual, smart casual, and American casual (i.e., athleisure). It’s best to aim for the first two on that list while in any European city. But dressing nicer doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort, and these stretchy high-rise trousers from Athleta are my pick for classy comfort—and, bonus, they’re wrinkle-resistant, too!

Mistake: Tuning out the city with noise-canceling earbuds   

Pack instead: Loop Switch 2 Adjustable Ear Plugs 

Noise-canceling earbuds are great for airplanes, but they’re not the safest choice for situational awareness while navigating a new place. I like earbuds that have an adjustable noise-cancellation feature (like the Apple AirPods 4) so you can switch the level of noise reduction to match your environment. However, I always reach for my Loop earplugs, so I’m not distracted by music. I turn them on Quiet Mode while sleeping on an airplane, set it to Experience Mode while on a train or metro, and switch to Engage Mode while walking around a city. 

Mistake: Bringing multipack adapters

Pack instead: Epicka Universal All-in-one Travel Adapter

Not all European countries take the two-pronged approach to electronics, gasp, but you can save yourself the space and headache of losing loose converters and adapters by investing in an all-in-one travel adapter. I like an adapter with multiple USB ports, like this one that can handle multiple devices, and I love that I never have to worry if I have the right adapter for the country.

Mistake: Using regular packing cubes 

Pack instead: Baggallini Compression Packing Cubes Travel Set

I thought I was doing it right by rolling my belongings into packing cubes—that is, until I discovered compression packing cubes. These zippered pouches remove the air from the cube, so you’re able to fit more in your suitcase, and I love the set from Baggallini because they’re also water-resistant. 

Mistake: Bringing too many outfits

Pack instead: PrettyGarden Sweater Top Matching Set

Instead of picking out individual outfits for each day, pick out items that fit into a color scheme. From those easy-to-match items, you can create a travel capsule wardrobe with essentials like a few shirts, a few bottoms, and a sweater you can wear in multiple ways. This Etcyy Matching Set, for example, is perfect for springtime in Europe; wear it together, or pair the top with these comfy, relaxed Madewell jeans and the breezy trousers with this textured cardigan that makes a great layer or top on its own. 

Mistake: Wearing clunky snow boots 

Pack instead: Waterproof Chelsea boots

You’ll see few Europeans wearing clunky snow boots or shearling-suede booties while commuting on the metro or walking the uneven terrain of their historic cities. Instead, they’ll most likely be donning a sleek pair of waterproof Chelsea boots that pass for everyday leather booties. This pair is my favorite daily wear since they look great with jeans, dress pants, skirts, etc., and are very, very comfortable.

Mistake: Not bringing an umbrella 

Pack instead: Copulan Mini Travel Umbrella

Even on a sunny day in Paris, I often leave home with an umbrella because the weather can change so quickly (as is the case in many parts of Northwestern Europe). I love this travel umbrella because it fits in my jacket pocket or purse and keeps me ready when a surprise rain shower or flurry passes through. 

Mistake: Only bringing a charging cable 

Pack instead: Anker Power Bank

I never travel without a power bank, especially in Europe, where I often use my phone for navigation, reservations, translation, tickets, and so on—all of which drain my battery quicker than normal. This power bank has never let me down, and it’s small enough to keep in my purse for when I need a quick charge.  

Mistake: Bringing a hair dryer 

Pack instead: Vgr Dual-voltage 2-in-1 Curling Iron and Flat Iron

Ghd Unplugged Hair Styler

Almost everyone I know who has ever brought their own hairdryer and converter combo never ends up using it for fear of blowing a fuse. Thankfully, most European hotels have hair dryers (pro tip: if they’re not in the room, ask the front desk), but they won’t have curling irons or flat irons. I travel now with a cordless flatiron—this ghd Unplugged Styler—that I even use to iron my clothes in a pinch. It’s also great because European outlets are rarely where you need them most (i.e., in front of a mirror), which makes this cordless straightener one of my favorite European travel hacks. 

Mistake: Forgetting downtime material 

Pack instead: Thinking in Watercolor: A Daily Practice to Unlock Your Creativity & Discover Your Inner Artist

It’s entirely possible to speed through Europe without taking so much as a moment to pause and soak in the experience, which would be a shame, because many of the best aspects of the continent were designed with pausing in mind. Sketching, journaling, or painting are all great ways to slow down and observe European life from a museum bench or a bistro chair, and I love this beginner-friendly book that has become my travel companion for opening my eyes in new ways to the intricacies of a new destination.  

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