Packing List: 6 months in Europe (2023)

I can’t believe I am about to spend 6 more months in Europe – I feel incredibly lucky! While this packing won’t look all that different to the one I used in 2016, I wanted to share the most up to date version of what I take while traveling. The length of trip matters less since there’s virtually no difference in what I would take for a 2 week trip vs a 12 month trip; you just do a lot more laundry!

Once again I am using my 35L Tortuga Setout backpack. They don’t sell the exact backpack I have anymore, but here is their latest & greatest! Can’t recommend their bags more. I have used a Tortuga backpack on each of my longterm trips!

Overall tips:

Use packing cubes!
Make sure that every top works with every bottom and works with every shoes. Use a capsule wardrobe as inspiration.
Less is more!

Packing List For Europe:

Clothes

Two pairs of Lululemon Fast & Free Crop’s – I’m trying to make it easy to workout while on the road this time around.
One pair of Lululemon Align pants – can be used for working out/walking around town or I can dress it up.
One pair of black structured shorts (from Everlane)
2 dresses (one sundress, one dressier)
1 Romper
1 Jumpsuit (Madewell) – I’m obsessed with this jumpsuit. Hopefully it holds up well through the backpacker lifestyle.
5 Cute shirts
2 sports bras
2 athletic shirts (for running + sleeping in). One is from Vuori & one is from Lululemon
Booty shorts (to sleep in)
5 pairs of underwear
5 pairs of socks
one nude bra, one black bralette
Running shoes
Steve Madden white sneakers
Birkenstock’s – A classic backpacker shoe; comfy & cute
Light Patagonia puffer – good for chilly planes/busses & for when I visit countries that are a little cooler, even in the summer. It also smushes down fairly small so it’s a great backpacker jacket. I’ve also used it as a pillow in a pinch.
1 Jean Jacket for when it’s a little cooler but I still want to look cute
1 Swimsuit
Sunglasses (Warby Parker)
Rain coat (Patagonia; you can pack it up into it’s pocket so I can easily attach it to the outside of my bag via a carabiner)
Tortuga Daypack (they don’t sell it anymore sadly). This acts as my personal item for flights and I can use it for adventures during the day.
Small purse (I put it into my daypack on travel days)
Running band
1 winter scarf + winter coat (dropping these off at a friend’s house when I arrive in Europe and will pick them up in Nov when the weather turns)

Electronics

Computer + Charger
iPad
iPhone + Charger
AirPod Pro’s
Headphones (Bose; noise-cancelling for travel days)
Plug adapter
Portable charger

Toiletries (I use a bunch of little toiletry bags to keep these all organized)

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Flosser
Any medication you take
Retainer
Deodorant
Makeup
Eye makeup remover
Razor
Conditioner
Shampoo
Brush
Sunscreen
Chapstick
Ibuprofen
Hair ties and bobby pins
Moleskin
Bandaids
Cough drops
Topical steroid cream for bed bug bites or regular bug bites to help with itchiness

Miscellaneous

Folder of itinerary print outs (I don’t do this anymore, and instead make folders within my inbox to keep track of everything)
Extra Passport photos
Thumb drive with all documentation
Handbag (for personal item on planes as well as day-to-day use)
Travel Towel
Sarong/beach blanket- My roommate got this for me! Perfect for any countries where I need to cover up more as well as the beach or to dry off from a swim. It may be redundant with the travel towel but I brought both so time will tell 🙂
Water Bottle
Ear Plug
Eye Mask
Lock (for staying in hostels or locking my bag.) Get the combo lock so you don’t have to worry about tiny keys.
Passport
ID
Travel Credit Card (no foreign transaction fee; I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve (hello lounge access!)+ Capital One Venture Card)
Debit Card (Charles Schwab has the best one because it reimburses ATM fees from any ATM in the world 🙂 )
3 carabiners – I just attach them to my backpack and over the course of the trip they will hold everything from my water bottle, shoes, rain jacket and more. You will not regret having a few on hand.

Here is everything spread out on a table!