Packing list

Europe Packing List & Travel Checklist

Paris runs from 3 °C (38 °F) nights in January to 28 °C (82 °F) days in July, and January is the wettest month, with about 11 days of rain. For your own dates, trip length and group, use the packing list generator.

What should you pack for Europe?

Counts are per person for a 7-day trip. Weather gear depends on the month, so it is in the table below the list; the download adds it, marked with the months that need it.

Documents & Money

  • Check in online and save your boarding passes offline

  • Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline

  • Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet

  • Get EUR cash / a no-forex-fee card

  • Check visa requirements for France

  • Check visa requirements for Italy

  • Check visa requirements for Spain

  • See a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before for vaccines

  • Before you go: lock up, unplug appliances, arrange pet and plant care, hold the mail, leave a spare key with someone

  • Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)

  • Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees

  • Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home

  • Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)

  • Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)

  • Wallet with ID, driver's licence, health insurance card and payment cards

  • House and car keys, in your carry-on

  • Transit card: Navigo Easy · Paris

  • Transit card: Metrebus Roma · Rome

  • Transit card: T-mobilitat · Barcelona

  • Pen for arrival forms

  • Money belt or hidden pouch for passport and spare cash

Clothing

  • Underwear ×8

    Per person

  • Socks ×8

    Per person

  • Everyday outfits (tops and bottoms) ×5

    Per person

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered)

    Churches in Italy turn away bare shoulders and knees.

  • Sleepwear

  • Light layer (sweater or hoodie)

  • One smart outfit and shoes for a dinner out

  • Change of clothes in your carry-on

  • Flip-flops or shower sandals

  • Swimsuit

  • Compression socks

  • Belt

  • Workout clothes and shoes (if you exercise on the road)

  • Light scarf, shawl or travel blanket for cold planes and buses

Tech & Accessories

  • Set up an eSIM or roaming plan for data

  • Install local apps: SNCF Connect, Bonjour RATP, G7 Taxi, TheFork, Trenitalia, Italo, FREENOW, Cabify, Renfe

  • Save your two-factor backup codes in case you lose your phone

  • Download an offline map & language pack for France

  • Download an offline map & language pack for Italy

  • Download an offline map & language pack for Spain

  • Phone charger, with USB-C and USB-A cables

  • Power bank, in your carry-on (never in a checked bag)

  • Headphones or earbuds (noise-canceling for flights)

  • Laptop or tablet and charger (if you bring one)

  • Travel adapter

    France uses Type C/E sockets.

  • French phrasebook

  • Italian phrasebook

  • Spanish phrasebook

  • Wired earbuds or a Bluetooth transmitter for the seatback screen

  • Multi-port USB charger or short extension cord

  • Camera with a spare battery and memory card

  • Luggage tracker (AirTag or similar) in checked bags

Health & Safety

  • List your medications by generic name, with a doctor's note

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss

  • Toiletry bag: deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, razor

  • Clear quart bag for carry-on liquids (100 ml / 3.4 oz each)

  • Prescription medication and daily vitamins (with a copy of the prescription)

  • Glasses or contacts, solution, eye drops and a spare pair (if you wear them)

  • Hairbrush or comb, and hair products

  • Face wash and moisturizer

  • Makeup and makeup remover (if you wear it)

  • Basic meds: pain relief, antidiarrheal, antacid, antihistamine, cold medicine

  • Small first-aid kit

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Travel wet wipes

  • Earplugs

  • Sleep eye mask

  • Lip balm with SPF

  • Nail clippers, nail file and tweezers

  • Period products (if you need them)

  • Blister plasters and anti-chafe balm

  • Pocket tissues or a small roll of toilet paper

  • Electrolyte powder packets

  • Perfume or cologne (if you wear it)

  • Motion-sickness tablets or bands

  • Face mask for the plane

Gear & Activity

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Daypack

  • Zip bags in a few sizes

  • Packable tote or shopping bag

  • Laundry bag for dirty clothes

  • Luggage tags with your phone and email

  • Luggage lock

  • Anti-theft crossbody bag

  • Mini sewing kit and safety pins

  • Small flashlight or headlamp

Extras

  • Travel neck pillow

  • Snacks and gum for the journey

  • Book or e-reader

  • Notebook or travel journal

Download or print this list

Weather gear by month

A tick means at least one city on this route meets that weather in that month: 8 or more rainy days (snow in a month below freezing on average is not rain), nights at 8 °C (46 °F) or colder, or days at 24 °C (75 °F) or warmer; sun protection also marks every month in a city 2,500 m up or higher. Bug protection marks a month that is both hot and rainy, or every month where malaria or dengue is a risk.

Weather gear needed in Europe, by month
MonthRain gearWarm layersSun protectionBug protection
Jan✓✓··
Feb✓✓··
Mar✓✓··
Apr·✓··
May✓·✓✓
Jun✓·✓✓
Jul··✓·
Aug··✓·
Sep✓·✓✓
Oct✓···
Nov✓✓··
Dec✓✓··

Rain gear

  • Packable rain jacket or travel umbrella

Warm layers

  • Warm insulated jacket
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Thermal base layer

Sun protection

  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
  • Sunglasses
  • Wide-brimmed sun hat
  • After-sun or aloe gel
  • Handheld fan or cooling towel

Bug protection

  • Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
  • Bite relief cream

What should you wear in Europe?

By the average daytime high in Paris.

Jun–Sep: highs 73–82°F (23–28°C)

Short sleeves by day, a light long-sleeve or thin layer for air-conditioning and evenings.

Apr–May, Oct: highs 64–69°F (18–21°C)

Layers: long sleeves or a light sweater, and a light jacket for the evening.

Nov–Mar: highs 47–56°F (8–14°C)

A warm sweater and a mid-weight jacket; closed shoes.

Europe weather by month

Average daily high and low, and days with rain or snow per month (a snowflake marks snow). Source: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0.

Paris

Average weather in Paris by month
MonthHighLowRainy days
Jan47°F / 8°C (cold)38°F / 3°C (cold)11
Feb50°F / 10°C38°F / 4°C (cold)10
Mar56°F / 14°C41°F / 5°C (cold)9
Apr64°F / 18°C44°F / 7°C (cold)8
May69°F / 21°C50°F / 10°C10
Jun77°F / 25°C58°F / 14°C9
Jul82°F / 28°C61°F / 16°C6
Aug80°F / 27°C60°F / 16°C7
Sep73°F / 23°C55°F / 13°C7
Oct64°F / 18°C50°F / 10°C9
Nov54°F / 12°C44°F / 6°C (cold)9
Dec49°F / 10°C40°F / 5°C (cold)10
Rome
Average weather in Rome by month
MonthHighLowRainy days
Jan55°F / 13°C39°F / 4°C (cold)9
Feb58°F / 15°C42°F / 6°C (cold)9
Mar62°F / 17°C44°F / 7°C (cold)9
Apr69°F / 20°C50°F / 10°C7
May76°F / 24°C57°F / 14°C8
Jun86°F / 30°C (hot)65°F / 18°C4
Jul91°F / 33°C (hot)70°F / 21°C3
Aug91°F / 33°C (hot)70°F / 21°C3
Sep83°F / 28°C63°F / 17°C7
Oct74°F / 23°C56°F / 13°C8
Nov64°F / 18°C49°F / 10°C12
Dec58°F / 14°C42°F / 6°C (cold)8
Barcelona
Average weather in Barcelona by month
MonthHighLowRainy days
Jan58°F / 14°C42°F / 5°C (cold)4
Feb60°F / 15°C44°F / 6°C (cold)5
Mar63°F / 17°C46°F / 8°C (cold)7
Apr66°F / 19°C49°F / 10°C7
May73°F / 23°C56°F / 13°C6
Jun81°F / 27°C64°F / 18°C4
Jul86°F / 30°C (hot)69°F / 21°C3
Aug86°F / 30°C (hot)69°F / 21°C6
Sep80°F / 27°C64°F / 18°C9
Oct73°F / 23°C58°F / 14°C8
Nov64°F / 18°C49°F / 9°C7
Dec60°F / 15°C44°F / 7°C (cold)3

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes in May–Jun, Sep–Mar: in those months at least one of the cities here averages 8 or more days with rain. Outside them a compact umbrella is enough.

In Nov–Apr, yes: nights average 8 °C (46 °F) or colder somewhere on this route, so pack an insulated jacket, hat and gloves.

In May–Jun, Sep, yes: those months are hot and wet somewhere on this route, which is mosquito season. Pack a DEET or picaridin repellent and bite cream.

France uses type C/E plugs at 230 V; Italy uses type C/F/L plugs at 230 V; Spain uses type C/F plugs at 230 V. Check your chargers say 100-240 V before plugging in.

SNCF Connect, Bonjour RATP, G7 Taxi, TheFork, Trenitalia, Italo, FREENOW, Cabify, Renfe.

Next: the trip itself

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More packing lists

Weather: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Updated October 15, 2026.