Winter Europe Carry-on Packing Mistakes to Avoid

Even before moving to Paris last year, I visited Europe as often as possible, thanks in part to my standby perks from my dad’s job as an airline pilot and, later, to my job as a travel writer. I’ve camped in the Black Forest, brewed in Georgia, road-soloed from Lithuania to Estonia, and rode the rails from Serbia to Montenegro. I’ve visited every EU country (I’ve even lived in two of them), and on every trip I make within the continent, I always carry the same essentials in my carry-on bag.

Growing up with a flying stand on the need to fly with just a carry-on bag in me, I’ve often learned, through trial and error, which items are essential for Europe, and which items are just leaving space in my suitcase. For example, I always make room for a travel umbrella and packable jacket because you never know when a surprise rain shower might pop up. And, I’m all about making room for a few luxuries that keep me comfortable on the go. As for things i will not Keep scrolling to discover my top 16 packing mistakes for European travel and what to pack instead.

Mistake: Packing casual shoes with heels

Bring instead: Vieja Campo shoes

There was a time decades ago in Europe when tennis shoes weren’t the norm, but we’re living in the age of the sneaker, and everyone is happy and excited for it. You’ll see sneakers everywhere in Europe, even in fashion-forward capitals like Milan and Paris. I love Italian brand Diadora, which doesn’t skimp on cushioning, and its shoes are comfortable to walk on the cobbled, stylish streets of any European destination. Pick similarly styled brands, such as these Vija Campo shoes, which have a cushioned insole and a padded collar, or the ever-classic $70 Adidas Grand Court tennis shoes that go with everything you pack.

Mistake: Using a four-wheeled suitcase

Bring instead: the Travel Pro Maxline 5 Sophisticated Carry-On Bag

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

Mistake: Exaggerating your ability to sleep through anything

Pack instead: Travel earplugs

I’ll never forget the time my father snuck into a wonderful hotel room in Radisheim, only to discover that it was directly across from the town’s bell tower, which chimed every hour. Checking out nearby churches or bell towers before booking a hotel is a running gag in our family now (for everyone but my dad, who still doesn’t seem funny), but my real travel hack always has earplugs ready to go.

Mistake: Wearing a backpack around cities

Pack it instead: Travellon 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 of Travellin, on sale when you apply a coupon on the site, requires you to keep handy (ie, passports, credit cards, medications, etc.) and features an RFID-blocking card slot and an unlocking zipper pull to make it impossible to break.

Mistake: Bringing too many coats

Pack instead: Hoover wool coat

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

Mistake: Wearing heavy winter accessories

Pack Instead: Elevated, Packable Winter Essentials

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

Mistake: Wearing yoga pants everywhere

Pack this instead: Athleta Pinnacle High Rise Pants

In the world of global dress codes, there are generally three types of casual: business casual, smart casual, and American casual (ie, athleisure). It’s best to aim for the first two on this list when living in any European city. But dressing great doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort, and these high-rise pants from Athleta are my pick for the ultimate in comfort—and, bonus, they’re wrinkle-resistant, too!

Mistake: Tuning out the city with noisy earbuds

Pack instead: Loop switch 2 adjustable ear plugs

Noise-cancelling 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 canceling feature (like the Apple AirPods 4) so ​​you can change the level of noise cancellation to match your environment. However, I always reach for my Loop earplugs, so I’m not distracted by the music. I turn them to quiet mode while sleeping on the plane, set them to experiment while on the train or metro, and switch to quiet mode while walking around a city.

Error: fetching multipack adapter

Pack Instead: Epica Universal All-in-One Travel Adapter

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

Mistake: Using regular packing cubes

Pack Instead: Baggelli Compression Packing Cube Travel Set

I thought I was doing just that by rolling my stuff into a packing cube – that is, until I discovered Compression Packing cube. These zippered pouches keep the air out of the cube, so you can fit more in your suitcase, and I love the set from Baggellini because they’re also water-resistant.

Mistake: Bringing too many organizations

Pack Instead: Pretty Garden Sweater Top Matching Set

Instead of choosing individual outfits for each day, choose items that fit the color scheme. From these simple matches, you can create a travel capsule wardrobe with accessories like a few shirts, some bottoms, and a sweater that you can wear multiple ways. For example, this Etsy matching set is perfect for spring in Europe. Wear it together, or pair it with these casual, comfortable Midiville jeans and breezy trousers with this textured cardigan that makes a great layer or top on its own.

Mistake: Wearing twisted snow boots

Pack instead: waterproof Chelsea boots

Traveling on the metro or walking the rugged terrain of their historic cities, you see few Europeans wearing snow boots or shearling suede boots. Instead, they’ll most likely don a sleek pair of waterproof Chelsea boots that pass for everyday leather booties. This pair is my favorite everyday outfit because they look great with jeans, dress pants, skirts, etc., and there are so many. a lot Comfortable

Mistake: Not bringing an umbrella

Pack Instead: Copolon Mini Travel Umbrella

Even on a sunny day in Paris, I often leave the house with an umbrella because the weather can change so quickly (as it does 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 comes through.

Mistake: Bring only the 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, translations, tickets and so on. This power bank has never let me down, and it’s small enough to keep in my purse 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

I know that almost everyone who has ever brought their hair dryer and converter combo doesn’t use it for fear of blowing a fuse. Thankfully, most European hotels have hair dryers (pro tip: if they’re not in the room, ask at the front desk), but they won’t have curling irons or flat irons. I now travel with the wireless Flatiron. It’s also great because European outlets are rarely where you need them most (i.e. in front of the mirror), which makes this cordless straightener one of my favorite European travel hacks.

Error: Forgetting downtime content

Pack Instead: Thinking in Watercolor: A Daily Practice to Unlock Your Creativity and Discover Your Inner Artist

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

Want a great deal? Sign up for our T+L recommends newsletter And we’ll send you our favorite travel products every week.