Here’s what I pack for a fall jaunt in Western Europe.

Autumn in Western Europe is my favorite time of year to travel. That being said, early fall is hard to pack for due to the fluctuating temperatures and rainfall. The mornings and evenings can be chilly, but the middle of the day can be toasty! This can make choosing footwear tricky, too. Layers, like usual, come in handy.

Helpful preparation: Check the upcoming weather (and averages from previous years) before you start to pack/make a packing list. Make a list of activities you expect and plan to do. Browse the internet or social media to get a feel for what people wear at your destination.

Musts

• Passport
• visa (if needed)
• wallet
• phone (+ charger, 6’ cable, adapter)

Okay, onto the list!

This is what I packed for a month in Europe in a 32L backpack.

Tops

• 1x Black wool tank
• 1x Dark gray wool shirt
• 2x Lightweight cotton tees (1x white, 1x blue)
• 1x White linen button up (doubles as a swim cover up)
• 1x Navy blue linen button up

Bottoms

• 1x Black skort
• 1x Quick dry active joggers
• 1x Black wide leg pants (thick, denim-like cotton)
• 1x Blue corduroy straight leg pants

Under Layers

• 2x Unders
• 3x Bras (1x nude, 1x black, 1x merino sport)
• 2x Wool socks (1x crew, 1x quarter crew)
• 2x Tights/pantyhose
• 1x Set of pasties
• 1x Black belt
• 1x Bike shorts with pockets

Swim

I always pack a swimsuit. On this trip I knew I would be in a beach town for a week, but you never know when a quick dip or sauna trip might occur!

• 2x Bikinis
• 1x Sarong (totally optional, but I prefer it to a towel if I have the space)

Dresses and/or Jumpsuits

• 1x Black jumpsuit
• 1x Floral jumpsuit
• 1x Black t-shirt dress (daytime, beach coverup, evening)

Warm Layers

• 1x Black merino wool long sleeve thermal
• 1x Black button up cardigan
• 1x Tan alpaca wool crewneck sweater
• 1x Light blue Jean jacket

Weather

• 1x Puffer jacket
• 1x Rain jacket
• Travel umbrella

Footwear

• 1x Pair of chacos (💖 from hiking to dinner out, these are great sandals)
• 1x Pair of stylish but functional sneakers
• 1x Pair of booties (a dressier option. I lived in them mid-late October)

Accessories

• Silk scarf (I build my capsule wardrobe around the colors of my scarf)
• Cute straw hat
• Baseball cap
• Jewelry (2x chains with detachable pendants/charms, one pair of earrings, 4x rings. I use the charms on the earrings and necklaces for variety)

Miscellaneous

• 2x Sunglasses (1x daily/dressy, 1x sporty, UV protection is a must)
• 1x Baseball cap or bucket hat (the sun is no joke!)
• 1x Bandana (sun protection, headband, board game)

• Sleep kit: eye mask, ear plugs
• 1x Packable shopping bag
• 1x Kula cloth (for those who squat to pee. Better than tp!)
• 1x 1 Liter collapsible water bottle

• 1x Phone strap/lanyard
• Various ziplocks

• 1x travel towel (The best of the best. Not all are made equally!)
• 1x travel headband “pillow” (great for car rides and flights)

• 1x International Driver’s Permit (if you plan to rent or drive a car)
• 1x mini pen (with duct tape wrapped around it. Works for lights and mosquito net holes)

• 1x 10L dry bag (great for water activities, I use it as a packing cube)
• 1x Medium lingerie bag (I use it as my dirty laundry bag so I always have something to wash my delicate clothing in)
• Laundry kit: Downy wrinkle spray, Tide to Go mini pen, detergent sheets in a ziplock (for machine washes), mini sewing kit (or a needle with a long thread attached to it in a baggie), 9′ of paracord (DIY laundry line)

Toiletries

(decant your liquids, and opt for solid toiletries when possible)

• UL toothbrush (or a more reasonable Travel toothbrush)
• 1x Bite guard 
• Toothpaste tabs (or tiny airplane tubes)
• 4x Tooth flossers (clean and reuse)

• SPF 50 Face moisturizer (decanted into a lip gloss tube)
• Tinted sunscreen in a 1 oz tin or smaller (for my face)
• Sunscreen stick (for everywhere else)

• Baking soda deodorant (decanted into a small tin)
• Diva cup 
• Travel Razor
• Solid conditioner bar in matador case (they also make solid shampoo)
• Dr Bronners soap in a matador case (soap for body, hair, & clothes)

• Hair Kit: hair brush, 1x hair clip, 2x hair ties (great for thick hair!)
• Makeup kit: SPF lip balm/blush, mascara, tinted brow gel, liquid eyeliner, makeup remover wipes in a ziplock baggie
• Lanolin lip balm (The best for chapped lips. Ignore the packaging in the link. I buy this one and decant it into lip gloss tubes)

Electronics

• 1x 30w charger that’s EU compliant (save yourself the bulk of a big adapter: buy the little adapters and put them on a US charger.)
• 1x 6’ charging cable (plugs are in the weirdest spots in older buildings)
• Headphones
• External battery bank
• 1x USB-C to USB-A adapter (not all public ports have upgraded to USB-C)

First Aid

(I am not a doctor, these are suggestions)

• 4x Bandaids (different sizes)
• 1x “Swiss army knife” (never had an issue with TSA or EU equivalent)
• assorted meds in a 1 oz. tin or tiny zipped baggies
  • Imodium, gas x, Pepto, Tums, Tagamet (for sensitive travel-bellies)
  • ibuprofen, Excedrin, melatonin
• 1’ of anti-blister tape (wrapped around a q tip) or Compeed (if needed)
• 1x Contact lens container with hydrocortisone cream and bug balm
• Electrolyte chewable tablets 
• Hand sanitizer
• 1x Pack of hand soap flakes (bathrooms tend to lack soap)

Baggage

It’s important to keep your valuables close. For my daily carry, I either bring a sling or my Travelon convertible backpack. If I plan to do a lot of hiking, I opt for the sling and bring a very packable backpack (here’s a fave of mine—look at how small it packs down to!). For evenings, I use a wristlet.

I love my 32L Cragsmith from Patagonia. It fits everything I need, looks streamlined, opens fully from the back panel, and opens from the top. It has a little stash pocket in the lid for quick grabs, a hip belt, and water bottle pockets on the sides.

eSIM

I use Airalo when I travel abroad because it’s easy, works well, and the price is right. This is a data only eSIM. Through experience I’ve learned that I only need a data plan, and that it’s much cheaper than upgrading my domestic cellphone plan. Use referral code GWACO8480 to receive $3.00 off your next eSIM with Airalo!

I hope this list helps you pack lighter on your next trip. Remember, less is more!

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