How I Packed for a Month in Europe (Without Overpacking)

Spending a whole month in Europe sounds dreamy, until you try to fit your life into one suitcase. I recently did just that, and guess what? I managed it with only a carry-on and a backpack. Here’s exactly how I packed for Europe for a month, plus my favorite hacks to help you travel light and smart.

Step 1: Planning My Wardrobe Like a Capsule Closet

I started by building a travel capsule wardrobe. This means fewer items, but everything mixes and matches. Think of it like your closet playing Tetris.

My Clothing List:

• 3 short-sleeve tops

• 2 long-sleeve tops

• 2 tank tops

• 2 dresses (one casual, one nicer for dinner)

• 2 pairs of shorts

• 2 pairs of pants (one comfy, one structured)

• 1 pair of leggings

• 1 lightweight sweater

• 1 rain jacket (Europe will surprise you with rain)

• 1 swimsuit

• 1 set of pajamas

• 5 pairs of underwear

• 2 bras

• 5 pairs of socks

HACK: I packed mostly neutral colors like black, white, tan, and denim so most of my items could be mixed and worn together.

Step 2: Limiting Shoes (Painful but Worth It)

I brought only three pairs:

• White sneakers for walking miles a day

• Sandals for beach days and casual dinners

• Flats nice enough for museums, restaurants, or a casual night out

HACK: Wear the bulkiest shoes on the plane. Always.

Step 3: Toiletries — Travel Size Only!

I used a hanging toiletry bag and brought:

• Refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

• A razor, mini deodorant, and sunscreen stick

• Solid shampoo bar for longer stays

• Travel-sized skincare

• A mini first aid kit with bandaids, ibuprofen, and other essentials

HACK: Use contact lens cases to pack just a few days’ worth of product like foundation or moisturizer. Great space saver!

Step 4: Tech and Essentials

Here’s what went in my backpack, which counted as my personal item:

• Phone and charger

• Power bank

• Universal adapter (a must)

• iPad with keyboard case instead of a laptop

• Camera and SD card

• Copies of my passport and itinerary

• Reusable water bottle

• Snacks for long train rides

HACK: Bring a power strip. Hotels and hostels often have limited outlets.

Step 5: Laundry on the Go

When you're gone for a month, you will need to do laundry.

HACKS:

• I packed a few detergent sheets that are super lightweight and TSA-approved

• I used the hotel sink or laundry machines once a week

• I brought a foldable travel laundry bag to separate clean and dirty clothes

Bonus Travel Tips

• Packing Cubes Are Life-Changing: I used three cubes. One for tops, one for bottoms, and one for everything else.

• Roll, Don’t Fold: Rolling my clothes saved space and kept things less wrinkled.

• Wear Layers on the Plane: I wore leggings, a tee, my sweater, and rain jacket. That freed up a ton of space in my bag.

• Go Digital: I scanned my passport, reservations, and insurance and uploaded them to Google Drive in case I lost anything.

Final Thoughts

Packing for a month in Europe doesn't mean bringing your entire closet. With a little planning and some clever travel hacks, you can live out of a carry-on and still look cute, stay comfortable, and avoid those crazy baggage fees.

Check out my blog for more tips like these!

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