Packing for Europe: 5 Costly Mistakes to Avoid

Common Travel Packing Mistakes to Avoid and What NOT to Pack for Europe. These are the packing mistakes you'll probably make your first time traveling to Europe, and packing tips to avoid them!

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Knowing what to pack for a trip to Europe can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be! We will cover Europe essentials, what not to wear in Europe, what you can't forget to pack and what you need to know before your flight. You'll find out exactly what to pack in a carry-on or checked suitcase for to save space, as well as what backpack, sling fanny pack or day bag you should bring. You'll also get pro packing tips and hacks so you do not make the same Europe packing mistakes I did. Stay tuned for little-known packing tips and advice on what not to pack on your next trip.

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00:00 Introduction
00:19 Travel Backpack for Europe
00:39 Pack a day bag
00:59 Sling or fanny pack
01:15 Weather in Europe
01:39 Do THIS before flight
02:21 Expensive packing mistake
03:05 Europe plug adapter
03:33 Pre-travel checklist
03:59 What not to wear
04:46 Athletic wear & leggings
05:26 Hack to NOT overpack
05:43 How to pack for Europe
06:22 Pack suitcase to save space

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// ABOUT

Welcome to Portable Professional, your go-to resource for stress-free travel.

Megan here, Hello! I've taken well over 300 flights and countless trips in the last decade. I have learned how to have seamless travel experiences without unnecessary stress and anxiety. I'm here to help you also feel confident about your travels while making the most of every trip.

Ready for stress-free travels? Subscribe and join us every Wednesday and Sunday for informative videos full of practical tips. You'll learn how to navigate airport security, pack like a pro, identify scams, and even uncover little-known hacks to take your travel to the next level. (these are my specialty!)

[jillf]

Packing with cubes was a life saver. I know you hate them, but I was gone for 2 weeks, and stayed in 4 different hotels. I used one for underwear/bras/sportsbra, 2- t-shirts and blouses 3-dresses, 4 Pajamas/travel pants/travel tops. (looser fitting jogger pants and top for the plane ride. As I reached each destination I hung up a few items, placed the Pj and underwear cube in a drawer and it was so easy to find and make outfits and I did not have search through clothes or unpack everything at each destination.

[brenda]

I always bring along a two gallon ziplock bag and a small packet of laundry detergent for those times I don’t have access to a washing machine. Add a bit of water, a little detergent and squish squish squish. Empty, add water to rinse and Bob’s your uncle. This works for camping too.
I have a small Eddie Bauer packable day pack - it folds up into its own little bag. One of my wisest investments!

[lisamerriman]

I have a packable backpack that I put inside my personal backpack, but, I keep it unpacked and pack it almost as a “liner” within my personal backpack. It takes next to no room in the bag when packed that way! Another great video with lots of good hints. Thank you!

[lesliefranklin]

Type G is a UK plug. It pops up here and there because of ... history. Sometimes hotels have a lost and found of forgotten adapters. Just something to try before heading to the store.

[geoffreyrothwell]

The weather is not just a European mistake! Most tourists coming to San Francisco think the weather is like LA. “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco” according to Mark Twain

[Pattiandphil]

When you're a senior, read the fine print on Credit Card travel insurance. Also, our personal health coverage has travel protection but only for 15 days. We bought extra for the remainder of our 20 day trip.

[isabelle]

There’s a subject that you might could talk about regarding Europe.. Let’s say, someone comes for a 3 months trip in one specific ’central’ place and think of doing short couple of days discovery flying other to european cities with the little suitcase that you can carry with you in the US...that would be a costly mistake as the measurements allowed for this are much smaller and diverse between each flying companies.

[EyeOfScrutiny]

One of the best items I bought for traveling is a Scotty travel vest.

[labtechsuperstar]

I feel your pain on being caught without appropriate gear. When I went to Portugal this past November, I had packed a trench coat...but it did NOTHING to protect me from the rain we had nearly every day. Luckily, I found a shop that actually had a raincoat on display in their window. And now it's a nice souvenir and I get compliments on it. Malta is absolutely on my bucket list! I have friends from there.

[jimfromburbankca]

Brilliant - as always.
I use the 3-1-1 strategy for packing. First - I have a ONE complete set of comfortable (yet stylish) clothes that I wear on the plane. Second - I have ONE complete change of clothes in my carry-on bag just in case the airline loses my bag. Finally - I have THREE complete set of clothes in my checked bag, along with toiletries, etc. 3-1-1 (get it). Then, when I get to my hotel, I purchase a little bottle of dishwashing soap from the local convenience store/bodega, and I hand wash all of my clothes in the hotel sink. I wear one set, I wash one set, and one set is always drying. This way, I always have clean clothes, clothes that are being washed, and something that is drip drying.
Forget the hotel washing machines. They are always broken or being used by others. Not worth the hassle. Bring a few clips and wire hangers from home to help with the drip-drying.
Finally - please get rid of the "leggings". The Europeans are laughing at us. A true Jet-Setter has style.

Jim.

[vanedabul]

Besides checking the weather app, I like to watch a traffic camera to see how people are dressed. Sometimes 20 degrees Celsius is warm, sometimes it’s cold…

[sweetsimpleslowlife]

The adapter story made me chuckle, because I left the country with what I thought was an amazing adapter, which I’ve had for decades from previous travels, suitable for every country on every continent, only to find out that it’s completely outdated once we reached our first destination 😂 Lucky for us, we were able to buy new adapters within the first couple of days before our electronics died. As for leggings and other comfortable clothes or shoes, all rules went out the window when we were packing and we couldn’t care less about who is wearing what as long as it suits our needs. 😉

[davidh.]

I pack more than most people probably do but I like to be prepared. I pack a large checked bag for Europe and make sure I have everything on my list. For everyday clothes I agree, I have 2 or 3 pairs of travel pants ... basically like khaki pants made from polyester and a little spandex that are very light, comfortable, and easily hand washed. Similar polo style shirts made from similar material. These pants also have zippered pockets for security. Since most of my trips to Europe are bicycle tours, I do take separate riding outfits for each day because I choose not to wash my "toxic waste" multi layers of sweat riding outfits. I have not always had access to a washing machine on my trips unless the hotel has laundry service for a fee. Again I hand wash my other essentials. Some might look in my bag and say I overpack but I have a happier time if I'm prepared. I'm not going to fret over a couple of extra pounds in my checked bag so long as I keep it safely under the 50 lb. limit.

[mamanothing]

Great video as always Megan. Have you ever considered setting up an Amazon storefront with all the items you show and use? Blessings!

[andrewkosmowski]

I traveled with wilderness soap this trip, and I am glad I did! I knew I needed two weeks worth of clothes, so I packed a little more. When my laundry was not picked up, the sink became my washer and the closet my dryer!

I also use a messenger back, keeping my more valuable items in the compartment nears my body and less valuable items farther away.

[pamelacox]

We only pack carryon and for our last trip to England we found a laundry service (we dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon). Also one of our hotels did our laundry. We were happy to pay as spending precious time in a laundromat needing coins we didn’t have would have been sad.

[lindab]

Great points, especially about what to wear. I always find it funny when people state what people 'do and do not wear' in Europe. Europe is a big place, and there are many cultural differences. Wear what is respectful, but also what makes you comfortable!!!

[melhenline]

I like to use a small cross-body purse when I arrive at my destination so I fill it full of smaller toiletry items (razor, make-up, toothbrush, etc) and pack it in my suitcase. That way it pulls double-duty. 🙂

[treefrog]

Backpack + Fanny Pack ("bum bag" in the UK) is my favorite duo. Fanny pack contains all the important stuff that I cannot leave home without (money, documents, inhaler, phone), some small items that are essential (keys, hair ties, etc) and is also a great small item to carry small mementos and trinkets I find.
-Backpack for the bigger items I need but can live a little bit without (water, snacks, charger, travel adapter, extra socks and undies) and room for bigger things I pick up along the way.
-Bonus: I usually can put my fanny pack in my backpack

Edit: 10/10 reccomend packing 2pair of underwear per day (until you get to a washing machine) -Hot Days and Wet Undies from Sweat = No Fun.

[kitkat]

Thank you for your view about dressing in what makes you comfortable. While I’m not going to be a slob or inappropriate, I’m not springing for a whole new wardrobe for Europe.