What to Pack for Europe in the Winter: The Ultimate Guide

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Need an idea of what to pack for Europe in winter? In my solo trip to Cancun vlog, I claimed to “never visit anywhere cold during the winter season again,” but I spent a little over a week there back in 2018.

I’ve wanted to visit London and Paris for the longest and honestly couldn’t beat the under $400 nonstop, round-trip flight price from NYC to London and Rome to NYC. Let’s not forget that I packed for ten days with a carry-on and a personal item.

You don’t have to be a “packing expert,” but I’m sharing some tips for packing light for a week-long winter trip in Europe. This post is long overdue, so if you’re new to winter travel, here is a complete guide for visiting Europe in the winter and an ultimate packing list.

London in the Winter — On the Tower Bridge in London

Tips for Visiting Europe in the Winter on a Budget

If you’re a budget traveler, the best time to visit Europe during the winter months is after the holidays and before Easter. Flight deals on budget and major airlines from the US are around $200-500, and booking accommodations for hotels and Airbnb costs less. There are also fewer crowds and shorter wait times for getting into major attractions.

If you’re visiting Europe during Christmas, the Holidays, or even the ski seasons, make sure to plan and book early. For traveling from city to city, compare prices for flights, trains, and buses.

As with all trip planning, I recommend doing research before flying out. The European continent comprises 50 countries, so the weather varies depending on the country’s location. Knowing the average temperature will help you pack the most important items.

The further north you are, the colder it is, while destinations in southern Europe are warmer. After dealing with the snow and wind in London and Paris, I received a nice weather break in Rome which was 70 degrees and sunny.

How to Pack Light for Winter in Europe

Packing light for a week in Europe may be difficult for beginners, but it is not impossible. I usually roll my clothes to minimize wrinkles and use packing cubes for most of my shirts, night clothes, and undergarments in my carry-on. I also utilize a travel backpack or medium—to large-sized travel tote as a personal item.

What to Pack for Europe in the Winter

When planning a winter trip to Europe, it is important to pack the right items to ensure you stay warm and comfortable. Check weather trends and average temperatures for your destination during the month (or months) you visit.

Since temperatures can get pretty cold, bring enough clothes and undergarments for layering. If you’re visiting popular ski destinations or areas in Northern Europe, consider thermal leggings, HeatTech products from Uniqlo, or extra layers of shirts, as I did.

From clothing to travel essentials, here’s everything you need for a winter vacation in Europe, whether you’re exploring the Christmas markets of Germany or hunting for the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Clothing

Layering is the key to staying warm in Europe’s winter. Start with a base layer like thermal leggings and merino wool long-sleeve shirts to retain body heat. Add extra layers such as sweaters and cardigans, and top it off with an outer layer like a warm coat or a waterproof jacket, especially if you plan to visit Western Europe or Eastern Europe, where the weather can be unpredictable.

Warm Accessories: To protect against the cold, remember a warm hat, gloves, and scarf. Wool socks are also a great idea to keep your feet warm.
Footwear: Waterproof boots are the best shoes for keeping your feet dry and warm. If you’re visiting regions with heavy snow, winter boots are also a good idea.
Extra Layers: Bring many layers to adjust to varying indoor and outdoor temperatures. Tank tops can be worn under sweaters for added warmth.
Casual Wear: Pack a pair of jeans or leggings for everyday wear. Comfortable shoes are essential for walking around train stations or exploring cities.

Here are the items I brought along during my trip:

1 Peacoat – I wore my Via Spiga peacoat for most of the trip, not including the two beautiful days in Rome.
6 short sleeved shirts – Most of the short-sleeved shirts I wore underneath my long-sleeved shirts and sweaters. Depending on the length of your trip, you can bring a few more or less
3 long sleeved shirts – I brought along three long-sleeved shirts for layering and
5 Sweaters – Sweaters took up a lot of space in my luggage, and I was able to pack five
2 Cardigans – On cooler days I added a cardigan as a third layer over long-sleeved and short sleeved shirts.
3 pairs of leggings – Leggings were a must for cold day trips to London City, Greenwich, and Paris.
3 pairs of jeans – Besides sweaters, jeans took up a lot of space when packing for Europe. Not including the jeans I wore traveling to London, I packed 3 pairs of jeans to wear throughout the week over my leggings.
20 pairs of underwear – I always bring 2-3 times more pairs of underwear than I need for the week, just in case.
2 bras
8 pairs of socks – One pair of socks for each day I stayed.
Something to sleep in – My sleepwear of choice is usually shorts and a large T-shirt from a trade show or expo.

Unless I rent a house or have access while staying with family, I do not do laundry when traveling. My packing cube set comes with a laundry bag to make separating clothes easier.

If you wish, you can bring along an eco-friendly or plastic bag for dirty clothes. I did not bring one dress, but if you like to wear dresses when traveling, pack a dress that can be layered over jeans or leggings, like a shift dress, maxi dress, or midi sweater dress.

Hair Essentials & Toiletries

I generally pack the same travel toiletries and beauty products wherever I go. This time around, I included some sheet masks and facial mist to keep my face hydrated after flying so much throughout the week.

I also wore a menstrual cup during the flight to London and brought along extra panty liners for the week. Since my carry-on was packed with clothes, I stuffed my travel toiletry bag in my boots.

Shower gel
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant
Lotion
Moisturizer with SPF
Lip balm
Facial Mist
3 Sheet Masks
Satin scarf & hair bonnet
Hair butter
Leave-in Spray

Accessories

Here are some other things to pack for Europe in the winter that might come in handy.

Scarf – For the other days when it was windy and cold.
Umbrella – I didn’t think to pack an umbrella during my trip, but I sure needed one in Paris. I purchased one for 12 Euros in a gift shop, and it has since become my travel umbrella.
Gloves – For keeping your fingers warm
Satin Lined Cap – Grace Eleyae has satin lined caps (SLAPS) that are great for natural hair.

Travel Essentials for a Winter Trip

Apart from clothing and accessories, other items should be on your Europe packing list. These include:

Power Bank: Cold weather can drain your phone battery quickly, so a power bank is necessary.
Travel Insurance: Winter travel can be unpredictable, with delays and cancellations. Travel insurance is the best way to protect your trip.
Day Pack: A small travel backpack is useful for carrying your daily essentials, such as a water bottle, lip balm, and a camera.
First Aid Kit: Include essentials like band-aids, pain relievers, and any personal medications.
Sim Card: Consider purchasing a local sim card for reliable cell phone service, especially if you plan to travel between different European countries.
Camera & Lenses – I took over 1500 photos during my European trip with Sony a6000.
Plug adapter – Paris and Rome use European-style plugs, while the UK uses its own. I purchased a travel adapter from Amazon to address my needs

Winter in Europe requires careful planning and the right gear. By following this packing guide, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy the best places, activities, and sights without worrying about being cold. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a seasoned traveler, having the right items packed can make all the difference.

Remember, the most important thing is to stay warm and comfortable to fully enjoy your European travel experience.