Packing list for Europe (in carry-on!)

(I updated this packing list for Europe post on May 8, 2026.)

Whether you saw my packing list for Europe series on Instagram Reels (here are parts one, two and three coming soon) and found your way here or a quick Google search led you to this post, I want to preface it with this: most of my posts are much more detailed and come after a travel experience.

That said, there was just way too much interest in all of the things I’m packing for my month-long trip to Switzerland and France this summer, so I wanted to get this info posted as quickly as possible while many of the items are still available in-store. Please keep in mind that I did feature a number of things that were already in my closet; in some cases, I was able to find a pretty good alternative that you could buy in its place. In other cases, consider shopping in your own closet to see what treasures you already have and save that money for tours and amazing food at your destination.

Here’s everything in order of appearance in my Reels…

Packing list for Europe: part 1

It’s all about the capsule wardrobe, forcing you to take less but mix-and-match more.

• COS RIBBED TANK TOP  — such a versatile tank that can be dressed down or dressed up; this is an older pattern but this is the current version
• lululemon T-shirt — I love that it works with my dress pants just as easily as a pair of leggings
• T-shirt 2 is an old Joe’s Jeans T from my closet
• COS RELAXED TRAPEZE T-SHIRT  
• lululemon Striped Black + White T-shirt — I got two of these T-shirts because the shape is cute, they pack down into nothing and they’re an athletic fabric so will work great for adventure days, wash and dry easily and I can wear them with everything else I’m bringing for both dressy and casual moments
• lululemon Light Ivory T-shirt — same as above!
• ZARA washed heavy cotton t-shirt — this was so cheap (CAD$22) but has a bit of an elevated silhouette for a T-shirt, making in perfect to wear during the day for city exploration but it also pairs well with dressy pants for nice dinners out; it’s no longer available but I also have this one and it’s a thinner but really nice alternative
• Yoga Jeans wide-leg travel denim — these legit feel like I’m wearing PJs! And if you can no longer get these, this pair is a great alternative
• lululemon Trousers, black
• The casual trousers are Pilcro cropped barrel-leg trousers; although mine are from a year or two ago, this current style is similar: The Izzie Relaxed Pull-On Barrel Pants by Pilcro 
• COS striped linen pants — although I just bought these in the spring, unfortunately they’re not a current style on the COS website and you’d have to find them in-store (the matching top’s product number is 123-17-55, which should hopefully help a sales associate find the pants for you. The sales associate I called was not able to find the pant’s number, sadly)
• Aritzia Denim Forum The ’80s Comfy Waist Denim Shirt — the weight of this shacket is so great for European travel in the summer, when days are super hot but evenings can get cool, especially if you’re doing something like a Seine river cruise or you’re up in the French or Swiss Alps
• The Tobie Button-Front Pleated Shirt Dress by Exquise — by far, the most requested link in my packing list for Europe series! I bought this dress because (a) the fabric is a cotton/poly blend, which means it’ll be wrinkle-resistant, (b) I love the shape on my body and (c) it has both pockets and buttons, which means I can wear it as a long vest with jeans
• 8-10 days’ worth of undergarments including
  • HUHA brief — HUHA is Canadian! The HUHA bras and undies are all mineral-lined and I’m excited to see how they perform when I’m sweaty and gross
  • HUHA long boxer  
  • HUHA triangle bra 
  • HUHA tata bra 
  • Siella No-Show High Waist Brief — Siella is Canadian! these are seamless undies and soooooo comfy; they’re amazing for travel because they’re super thin, weigh nothing and will wash and dry quickly on-the-go. Use my promo code “ANDREA15” for 15% off sitewide
• Left on Friday Weekender Suit — I have three drawers of bathing suits (we have a pool; please don’t judge me) and this is the only one I’ve reached for since I got it last winter. The fit, colour and sucky-inny fabric are all simply amazing 
• lululemon Vest — I chose this vest for its versatility and thin-but-mighty insulation; the hood can zip out for milder weather and less bulk
• Unbound Merino — I’m really excited about this merino gear because it’s thin, built for layering and designed with a woman’s shape in mind
  • Women’s Merino Ribbed Racer Tank
  • Women’s Merino Leggings
  • Women’s Long Sleeve Merino Crew
  • Women’s Merino Crew Neck T-Shirt
  • Women’s Merino Boxy Sweatshirt
  • I didn’t get them in time to take them, but I also love Unbound Merino’s PJ set
• I bought all of my merino wool socks years ago; my favourite brands include Feetures, Smartwool and Icebreaker
• lululemon Align Skirt 
• lululemon Love Tank Top
• BUFF Merino Lightweight Neckwear Solid Poppy — super versatile, a BUFF can be a neck gaitor, face warmer or even a beanie
• I’m taking an old pair of thin winter running gloves, which you can pick up at any good sporting store
• Mountain Warehouse Pakka Womens Waterproof Poncho — I went with a poncho instead of a rain jacket so that if I’m caught in the rain while I have a backpack on, I can completely cover and protect it
• Fit Flop F-MODE Knot Soft-Leather Flatform Back-Strap Sandals — these are sooooo comfy (the style is older now, but these are very similar)! Fit Flops are a dream to wear and the brand has really come a long way in terms of its styles
• On Cloudultra 2 W White trail running shoe — I will not be running but I didn’t want to take a bulky hiking boot, so this will ensure I stay grippy on trails in the Alps
• lululemon All Sport Wide-Brim Hat — water-resistant, built-in SPF and neck coverage
• ZARA animal print handkerchief — hardly just a “handkerchief,” this large, pashmina-like item is thin enough to tie up as a neck scarf but wide enough that it can be worn as a shawl
• Massimo Dutti Leather Cord Necklace — I was thrilled when I found this on my third visit to Massimo Dutti; it’s adjustable!
• lululemon water bottle (18L), which is the perfect size for the crossbody bag 
• lululemon Curved Crossbody bag — I love this bag so much and sadly they no longer sell it if you’re reading this post after its update. Sad face. Cute enough to work as a purse; big enough to carry everything around for a whole day; and it even has a zip-out pouch for a water bottle. See if you can find it in the re-sale market!

Packing list for Europe in summer: part 2

Being judicious with your toiletries, hair care and makeup choices will be the carry-on clincher. Be sure you check your country’s and/or airline’s specific regulations. I’m a Canadian who flies on Air Canada most of the time, so what I know works for me is not guaranteed to work for you.

In the skin care and beauty section:

• I normally travel with Monos accessories, but for this trip, I don’t have a Monos toiletry bag that was just the right size, so I’m using the Poppy & Peonies quilted cosmetic case, which I received as a free gift-with-purchase at Knix but you can find online in other colours here. Since I first wrote this post, I started travelling with The Dopp Kit and LOVE it when I need something really compact
• Change toothpaste tablets + a cheap travel toothbrush — I switched from toothpaste to toothpaste tablets when I travel more than a year ago and LOVE THEM. Fewer liquids to deal with and just as effective as regular toothpaste
• SPF products from Piz Buin and Naked Sundays (I’ve stopped wearing makeup thanks to the SPF50+ Collagen Glow 100% Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion, and also looooove the SPF50 Glow & Go Lip Oil in Watermelon and Cabana Glow SPF50 Mineral Glow Serum Drops Mini)
• L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream in the tiniest travel size
• Travel mascara I already owned
• A shampoo and conditioner travel-sized combo I got as samples in a beauty order last year
• Cheap razor (keep in mind most four-star hotels and above will have shaving kits available at the front desk or through housekeeping so you may be able to omit this, or if you’re worried it’s not allowed with your airline, just buy one at your destination)
• An old beauty pencil sharpener
• Egyptian Magic — this stuff is the bomb! I will be using it on this trip to keep my skin and cuticles hydrated, but it also works on cuts, burns and more. A little goes a LONG way, too
• Reversa multi-PEPtide concentrate — made in Canada! The is new product from Reversa and it’s a workhorse with 98 per cent natural ingredients; think peptides + hyaluronic acid + cica exosomes for hydration and healing. At home, I use a bunch of different serums day and night but this one is very multifunctional and if I can only choose one serum to stay under my liquids allotment, this is it!
• As a Canadian, I really don’t want to be promoting any U.S. brands right now but I will say that I’ve had a longtime love affair with the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and like it for travel because it’s not a liquid; however, I did not go out and purchase this specifically for my trip and if you’re a Canadian and want a Canadian alternative, petal, leaf, root. by Just the Goods is a great option (except it comes in a glass bottle, so keep that in mind)
• Cheap nail file (and I may swap this out in the end for a smaller, travel-sized one)
• skinfix Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream sample
• A pair of old Tweezerman Mini Slant Tweezers in a case; this set would be a close option that’s currently available
• I bought these little silicone travel containers on AliExpress last year and piled a bunch of my JONES ROAD BEAUTY Au Naturel Miracle Balm into one and shoved four samples of ILIA’s Multi-Stick colours for lips and cheeks into the other. Again, I didn’t go out and purchase new cosmetics; if you want to #BuyCanadian, please keep this in mind!
• An old Milk & Sass brush (no longer in business; this travel brush is a good alternative)
• Cheap hair elastics
• Travel perfume
• Additional makeup pencils
• Super Deodorant  — the best deodorant EVERRR. And in the most convenient travel-sized packaging, but the little tin will last you several months. Fragrance-free, this stuff is so good that I can often skip a day. Oh, and it’s Canadian!

In the personal item and tech section:

• lululemon Curved Crossbody bag 
• lululemon water bottle 
• My personalized passport holder from Grams28, which I wrote about in this leather gifts for men post
• KF-94 mask (I never fly without one handy, just in case someone nearby starts coughing)
• Massimo Dutti Leather Cord Necklace 
• An old Power Bank
• An old iPhone security crossbody strap (which will obviously be attached to my iPhone when it’s not busy shooting a video)
• Charging cords
• Charging block
• Journey SWIV 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station 
• Apple Watch
• AirPods Pro 2 in a non-branded silicone case to protect them from falls

In the health section:

• An old over-the-counter pill keeper
• Prescription meds (keep these in their original bottles and make sure your destination allows them)
• Kleenex travel pack
• An old tube of this amazing anti-itch cream called Eurax, given to me in The Philippines by an Australian
• Tide stain stick
• Cheap ear plugs, just in case
• Bandages
• Santizing gel sample packs
• A cold + flu drink satchet
• Egyptian Magic sample

What to pack when traveling to Europe: part 3

You’ll see that I only use a single packing cube with this packing list for Europe and that’s because in my experience they don’t actually save much space. They are, however, great for organizing and I’m using a small one to keep all of my undergarments and my swimsuit in one place. You’ll also see in part three of my video series that I only rolled two tank tops — and that was purely because it would help them fit into a little nook.

And the rest of my packing video demonstrates what I call “flat packing,” which is the method I use whether I’m packing for a tropical vacation, ski holiday or a city escape. Fold your clothes flat and work them in an overlapping fashion, tucking edges into the sides of your carry-on bag and then taking your next piece of clothing and doing the same. This, by far, is the best method I’ve found to pack efficiently. Be sure to watch part three to see it in action!

Also featured in part three of my packing list for Europe in carry-on series:

• lululemon 2-in-1 Travel Duffle Backpack 45L — I bought this either last year or the year before for a trip to NYC and as soon as we booked our trip to Europe, I knew this would be the carry-on bag I’d use. Even though I have an ongoing love affair with my Monos Luggage, wheeled suitcases and cobblestone do not mix. Plus, I’ll be getting on and off so many trains in Switzerland, that I just wanted to have something on my back
• On Speed Pack 18L Lite day pack, which I will pack inside my carry-on en route to Europe because it means I can bring back enough to fill it on the way home (I’ll use this as my personal item instead and pack the smaller crossbody bag)
• I also forgot to include my trusty voltage converter/adapter that I’ve been taking to Europe for 25 years when I showed off tech in part 2; you can find these online and in travel-related stores. Just keep in mind that not all adapters are converters, which means you may be able to use the foreign plug but the voltage may not be correct for your device or tool
• KLIPSTA clip for my sunhat — this clip is awesome! I plan to shift it to my crossbody purse or day pack to keep my hat handy at all times while I’m in Europe. (Hint: it works for more than just hats!!)

I hope you save this packing list for Europe somewhere handy and adapt it for your own trip. For example, you may not be heading into the chilly Alps in the middle of the summer like I am, which means you can forego all of the merino items and make more room for additional casual wear or dresses or even a third pair of shoes. Or keep it open for shopping! Or, perhaps you’re a person who prefers more dresses — just swap out a pair of pants for another dress.

There’s no need to copy exactly what I did; your packing list for Europe may have more pops of colour or different kinds of shoes depending on your personal itinerary. At the end of the day, think of this as a template and do your own thing.

Stay tuned for my travel itineraries from this trip and be sure to sign up for my email list, follow me on social media and bookmark all of your favourite content for later. And, in the meantime, here are some other packing lists you might be interested in:

• Packing list for a cruise to Alaska
• Packing list for Ireland in spring
• A carry-on-only packing list for the tropics
• Ski trip packing checklist

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Some of the featured items were gifted but under no obligation to use in content. I spent a lot of money over the years and included a lot of my own stuff in this post. I’ve only featured things I legitimately packed for Europe. Some of these are affiliate links, which will not add to your cost in any way if you make a purchase but will help me keep this site ad-free. Happy travels!