Growing up, I always looked forward to spending time with loved ones around Christmas time. When I learned about the European Christmas Markets, I knew it was something I had to experience and check off of my bucket list.
They say the Christmas Markets are magical. This is true for many, especially at night. Some markets felt like I was in a hallmark movie, while others I have no desire to return.
Creating a packing list for a winter trip to Europe, particularly for a first-time visit, presents a more challenging task compared to other seasons. The items essential for winter in Europe are typically bulkier and heavier than those required for summer (obviously).
For individuals who come from warmer climates or milder winters, figuring out precisely what is necessary to stay warm in European winter involves a bit of trial and error. It can be even more challenging if you’re trying to pack everything in just a carry-on.
From our time in Switzerland, France, and Germany, we gained a better insight into what packing gear is needed. Learn from our experience so that you travel prepared and have an enjoyable visit to the beautiful towns and Christmas Markets.
Table of Contents
- Packing Tips for Visiting Europe in Winter
- The Essentials for Visiting Europe in Winter
- Travel Gear You Should Pack for Winter in Europe
- Packing List for Europe: Winter Wardrobe for Men & Women
Packing Tips for Visiting Europe in Winter
Traveling to Europe? Are you visiting in winter? I love Europe, but something about traveling during colder weather just makes things harder.
Between the temperature extremes and extra clothing, you have to plan a little more for the unknowns and to expect the unexpected.
Before we begin with our packing list, take a look at these 6 packing tips to get you started on your packing journey!
- Layering is Key: Europe’s winter weather can vary, so pack layers to easily adjust to different temperatures.
- Versatile Accessories: Bring a scarf, hat, and gloves for warmth, but also to add versatility to your outfits. They take up little space and can make a big difference in comfort.
- Comfortable Footwear: Expect to do a lot of walking, so pack comfortable, waterproof boots. Ensure they are suitable for various terrains and weather conditions.
- Adapt to Indoor Heating: European buildings can be well-heated, so include lighter layers for indoor activities. You may want to remove your heavy coat once inside.
- Electrical Adapters: Pack the appropriate electrical adapters for your devices.
- Backpack for Day Trips: Bring a compact backpack for day trips.
Remember, the key is to strike a balance between staying warm and comfortable. LAYERING IS KEY!
The Essentials (Must-Haves) For Visiting Europe in Winter
You’ll have to pack a few essentials for your winter trip to Europe! Also, remember to gear up for the lengthy flight (our return journey from Dusseldorf lasted a challenging 18 hours).
We’ve detailed our top recommendations for long-haul flight essentials in a dedicated post, along with helpful tips to make your flight more comfortable.
- Passport: Need I say more? Don’t forget it!
- Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend purchasing traveling insurance, especially when it comes to international travel. We purchased travel insurance from IMG for our Christmas Market trip. It was easy and user-friendly.
- Visa (If Needed): Irrespective of your nationality, always double-check entry requirements before heading to the airport to fly to any European country (or any country that is not your own).
- Carry-On Luggage: Packing light is helpful when visiting Europe, considering the numerous walkable cities and smaller lodging accommodations. It will also be helpful if you plan on using the public transportation system. If you lean towards backpacks, Coowoz is comfortable and spacious – our bag of choice! We wrote a review of the best travel bags here.
- Local Currency in Cash: This is debatable. We like to carry the local currency with us when we travel. Some businesses accept credit cards, while others only accept cash. There are also ATMs where you can withdrawal cash as needed. If anything, try to have some small coins/dollars available for using the restroom!
Travel Gear You Should Pack for Winter in Europe
Certain essentials are a must when traveling in Europe!
If you’re traveling on a Christmas Market river boat (like we did), certain items will be taken care of for you. The boat will have a safe for your belongings and may even provide re-usable water bottles.
Never less, this travel water bottle is a great alternative.
Some other items that you’ll want to include on your packing list:
- Travel Adaptors for Europe: For those arriving from outside Europe, acquiring adapters for your electronic devices is a necessity. While it’s a personal preference, I prefer these adapters (though slightly bulkier) because they are more versatile and can be used in different plug configurations around the world.
- Anti-Theft Day Bag: You’ll want a bag that can keep your personal belongings safe! We love the Travelon products that are designed with travel in mind!
- Portable USB Charger: The cold weather that depletes your camera batteries will also affect your phone. Make sure to be well-prepared by bringing along a portable USB charger!
- Packing Cubes: Over time, this trend has grown on me… especially for a longer vacation. Packing cubes do save some serious space by helping you compress your clothes neatly in a confined space!
- Clear Bag for Carry-On Liquids: These items are essential for ensuring the clearance of your liquids/toiletries through airport security. Investing in a durable bag is a smart choice that can spare you from the hassle of relying on numerous small Ziploc bags.
31 First Time Flying Tips: Your Guide to a Stress-Free Flight
Packing List For Europe: Winter Wardrobe for Men & Women
Choosing your winter wardrobe in Europe will depend largely on your destination. If you’re seeking a winter wardrobe for a female traveler with a focus on Christmas Markets (and maybe a visit to the Swiss Alps), look no further!
Base Layer
If you’ll be visiting the Swiss Alps or northern Europe, you’ll be thankful for packing thermal tops and thermal leggings as the temperature can be very cold!
The goal is not only to retain warmth, but also to prevent overheating when transitioning from the freezing outdoors to a toasty warm building. Don’t make my mistake and come unprepared!
Yes, I had thermal leggings and thermal tops… but the material does matter. Merino wool was a lifesaver. After my Godmother purchased some merino wool base layers for me in Switzerland, I became a believer.
Merino wool helps with temperature regulation. It is also anti-bacterial, meaning you won’t develop any unpleasant odors!
Even if you’re not visiting the Swiss Alps or northern Europe, I’d still pack a pair of merino wool thermals as the weather can change unexpectedly and quickly.
Tops
Opt for thin, easily layered sweaters and cute tops for your European winter vacation. While a chunky sweater adds variety, limit it to one if you’re mindful of luggage space.
- Sweaters: Layer, layer, layer! Sweaters are a great way for additional warmth. They’re also cute and stylish (when you take your coat off, that is!) We tried to avoid chunky sweaters due to packing restraints. I brought several sweaters like this. Josh enjoyed wearing his quarter zip pull-over as seen here.
- Long-sleeve shirts: I brought several long-sleeve shirts to wear underneath the sweaters (or independently), depending on the weather. Josh loves flannel shirts, so he brought several like this.
- Jacket: Your jacket is so important, so choose wisely! Not only is it responsible for keeping you warm, it’s going to be seen in 99% of the photos you take. I’m a huge Costco fan and had purchased my jacket a year prior to our trip. It was lightweight and knee-length. It was similar to this. Josh’s coat also came from Costco. His looked like this; however, if you’re more cold-natured, you may want to invest in a warmer (packable) jacket, such as this. Whatever coat you choose, make sure to get one with a hood! The hood helps keep your head warm during both cold and rainy weather.
Bottoms
- Jeans/Jeggings: I also brought a pair of skinny jeggings to mix up my outfits. Skinny jeggings are great because they don’t require a belt, can fit snuggly inside a boot, and add a stylish flair.
- Lined Leggings: Thick lined leggings are an essential packing item. Not only are they cute, but they also are easy to pack when limited on space. I brought 2 pairs of fleece-lined leggings and wore them almost daily!
- Leggings (with pockets): For those warmer days (it can happen), bring a comfortable pair of leggings. Worst case scenario, they’re great lounge wear for the flight – that’s where I wore them!
- Cargo Pants: These are great for men because they are comfortable and a little easier to pack. Josh lives in these even when not traveling! You can snag ones that are lightweight or fleece-lined, depending on your preference and temperature needs. Plus, they have several pockets for carrying essentials.
Footwear
- Waterproof Boots: Invest in comfortable, functional, and stylish waterproof boots. I purchased these boots and was impressed with the quality and comfort. I added Dr. Scholls inserts due to my high arches.
- Tennis Shoes: You’ll be doing a ton of walking. Bring an extra pair of supportive shoes (with good traction) for those days where the weather isn’t as cold. I like to switch up my shoes when doing lots of walking. Some good brands are: Asics, Saucony, and Brooks. I love Allbirds for traveling too!
- Warm Socks: Pack some moisture-wicking wool socks. I did not pack the appropriate socks for warmth and so I ended up purchasing some Merino-Wool Socks. I was also gifted with these tights for those extra cold days!!
Accessories
- Warm hat: A toasty hat is an absolute must for the chilly European winter. It also serves as a super cute accessory! Opt for a hat that securely stays on your head and keeps your ears warm. Personally, I like hats with a poof on top, like this or this. Josh prefers a hat like this one. There are plenty of hat stands at the Christmas Markets where you can grab a hat as a souvenir – just make sure it is authentic (some are made in China… just check the label!)
- Scarf: Bring 1-2 scarves as they’ll be an important fashion piece in your photos. They’ll also be important in keeping you warm. Scarves with pockets are becoming popular and can come in handy when traveling.
- Gloves: Another important staple to your European winter packing list is gloves. I brought gloves that with touchscreen fingers. This made it so I didn’t have to take my gloves off every time I wanted to take a photo.
- Hand warmers: If you have Raynaud’s Syndrome or your hands just get cold easily, these are a great accessory for those cold days. Some days I would just put the hand warmers in my pocket and go gloveless!
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I hope you enjoyed our winter packing list for Europe!
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions re: traveling Europe in winter! Happy travels! 🙂
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