Hopping on a flight and escaping to the snowy cities of Europe this winter? There’s nothing better than the strolling through the picturesque towns while the snowflakes fall gracefully upon your head, turning it into a Winter Wonderland. But wait wait wait… what in the heck do you actually pack? Don’t fret — I’ve got your back. Here’s the ultimate packing list for Europe in winter.

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While Europe is spectacular in the sweet sun-filled summer days, there’s nothing else like it in the winter season.

As the temperatures cool down, the cities light up.

Christmas Markets sprout up in every city, charming lights adorn the corners of beautiful buildings, vendors hand out soul-warming mulled wine, the Instagram-worthy cobblestone streets wear a blanket of fresh snow, and — even though the cold is all around — you feel a soft warmth blooming in your chest while walking amongst the fairytale cities of Europe in winter.

Sounds pretty good, eh? Almost as if it’s a dream.

Well, lemme just tell you…

Visiting Europe is winter is most definitely dreamlike.

Just imagine it…

Walking through the twinkling Christmas lights as snowflakes flutter down to land in the mug of blueberry mulled wine warming your hands.

And yet… you sip on it anyways.

A small smile spreads across your face as the taste of bursting blueberries lingers on your tastebuds (yes, mulled blueberry wine! It’s devine).

You don’t have a care in the world—you’re content. Europe in winter is everything you could’ve imagined… and more.

Ugh, now I’m yearning to hop on a plane and experience a European winter once again!

But while packing for summer months is easy, deciding on what the heck you need to be packing for Europe in the winter is a little harder, as the weather is unpredictable and you need to be practical with bag space.

To help you plan and pack, I’ve put together the ultimate winter travel packing list so you don’t forget a thing!

Less stress and hassle, more mulled wine and winter delights, amirite?

While you have the ultimate winter packing list for a European trip here in your hands, do you have a kick-ass bucket list to go with it? Click here to check out the ultimate Europe bucket list!

The Ultimate Packing List for Europe in Winter

Helpful Info About Winter in Europe

Region ›› For this winter clothing list and packing checklist, we’re going to focus on the region of Western Europe. This includes the countries of Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands and Switzerland.

Months ›› Typically, the winter season in Wester Europe lasts from about December to end of February. This is the same for Eastern Europe.

Temperature ›› Temperatures range from 32°F (0°C) to 41°F (5°C). Although, Eastern European countries like Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland have a very similar temperature range, albeit a bit colder, ranging from 21°F (-6°C) to 32°F (0°C).

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Europe in Winter Essentials

Warm, chunky scarf ›› Prepare for it to be cold. With that said, you’ll want to keep your neck warm from the snow and chill. Check out this cute, thick knitted scarf.

Knit hat ›› Going along with the prepare for it to be cold, you’ll also want to keep your head warm. Plus, who doesn’t love a cute knit hat? I like this one, which is made from man-made wool and is fleece-lined — perfect for winter! Check out the knit hat here.

Non-Slip Winter Boots ›› Whilst strolling through the picturesque Christmas Markets or through the snow-covered cobblestone streets, you don’t want to slip! That’s why I always make sure to pack some high quality, non-slip winter boots. No doubt, winter boots are the best shoes for traveling Europe in the cold, chilly months; leave the slip-ons at home! With that said, I like these vegan winter boots for casual walking and these boots if I’m preparing for a good amount of snow (like for skiing).

Cozy Socks ›› Don’t let those little toesies go cold! Make sure to bundle them up like any other part of your body. Because cold feet are never fun! P.S. Stay away from the wool socks and other wool products! (Learn why here). Instead, try these fuzzy socks.

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Outdoor Gear

Winter Jacket ›› This is something you can’t skimp on when traveling to Europe in winter! A warm coat that’s both durable and stylish is essential. I like the Columbia Mighty Lite Jacket; comfortable, good quality, vegan, and packs super easily.

Winter Gloves ›› Who else hates their hands getting cold? With a good pair of gloves, those fingertips can stay cozy and warm! And, if you want to be able to take photos with your smartphone, make sure to get gloves with the special touch fingertips.

And, as mentioned above, don’t forget your hat, scarf, and winter boots!

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Tops & Layering

Long-Sleeve T-Shirts ›› Make sure to pack enough long-sleeve t-shirts to stay warm! These are great for layering, which is essential for Europe during the winter. I personally love these fair trade cotton long-sleeve t-shirts. Additionally, Tentree (one of my favorite brands because they plant 10 trees for every product sold and they’re eco-friendly) has multiple long-sleeve shirts, which I love. I recommend bringing 1-2.

Tank Top ›› While a tank won’t do you much good on it’s own, remember, it’s all about layering! Tank tops are great for sticking under a long-sleeve or a thick t-shirt. I recommend bringing at least one. Additionally, I personally like this moisture-wicking, organic bamboo tank top.

T-Shirt ›› One or two t-shirts to stick under another warmer shirt will do! Plus, t-shirts are great if you need to remove a layer without having to go around in a tank top. You can find an eco-friendly, organic cotton t-shirt here.

Chunky Sweater ›› Need I say more? A chunky sweater will not only keep you cozy and warm, it’ll come in handy for a long plane ride because of it’s undeniable comfiness. Made with organic cotton and recycled cotton blend, this eco-friendly sweater is a great choice.

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Bottoms

Sustainable Jeans ›› I suggest bringing a pair of both black jeans and light, denim jeans. Both are super versatile and can be paired with a variety of outfits! Plus, jeans tend to be pretty durable — great for walking outdoors.

Fleece-Lined Pants or Leggings ›› I absolutely adore fleece-lined pants and leggings! And not only are fleece-lined leggings super duper comfy, they go great with a nice sweater dress (or just a long sweater in general). The perfect addition to a Europe winter packing list.

Active Leggings ›› Just in case you’ll be doing any outdoor activities while in Europe! You never know; skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc. Active leggings will help keep you dry and warm.

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Shoes

Winter Boots ›› As mentioned earlier, non-slip winter boots are an essential item to pack for winter in Europe. This is definitely a non-negotiable thing, as it’ll be chilly and snowy! Additionally, these winter boots are great for heavier winter activities, like skiing, while these winter boots are great for just strolling through cities.

Tennis Shoes ›› If you’re like me, you prefer to wear lightweight tennis shoes when flying. Thus, I always make sure to pack a pair of comfortable tennis shoes wherever I go. For my high arched feet, I prefer the Saucony tennis shoes, which are super easy to pack, lightweight, and supportive.

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Undergarments

Moisture-Wicking Underwear ›› It’s time to let go of those cheap underwear from Victoria’s Secret that cost more than their value! Instead, switch to high-quality, moisture-wicking underwear that are perfect for travel. My favorite underwear is the ExOfficio brand; antimicrobial, easy to pack, super fast drying, and durable fabric. Check it out here.

Bralette ›› One of my all-time favorite things to travel with is a comfy bralette. If you don’t know what a bralette is, it’s pretty much a bra but without all the uncomfortable wire and tightness. It’s like a dreamy hammock for your boobs. Also, it’s not the same as a sports bra because it’s most definitely not for exercising in! It’s just for ultimate comfort and relaxation. Try this prAna bralette — cute but also more supportive (and eco-friendly!).

Padded Bra ›› If you like a little bit more support, a padded bra is the way to go. I think one padded bra would do just fine for a winter trip to Europe! Keep those girls supported. (Though if you can get away with a more sports bra-type padded bra, this is my favorite!)

Warm (Not Wool) Socks ›› Would you consider socks an undergarment? I think so… Anyhow, as mentioned above, cozy and warm socks are one of the travel essentials for Europe in the winter. Don’t let your little toes go cold! Try these fuzzy socks.

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Miscellaneous Europe Travel Essentials

In addition to the items mentioned above, there are a few non-clothing travel essentials you need to pack for Europe. So you don’t forget anything you need for your awesome winter adventure.

Travel Adapter ›› An absolute essential for any abroad trip, a travel adapter allows you to change over the European plugs into your home plug, such as the USA or UK. Check out this affordable travel adapter, which has a universal plug-in for most major countries, as well as smart USB plugs.

Packing Cubes ›› Who else loves a beautifully organized bag, where you can find everything you need in a jiffy? Packing cubes most definitely make this possible. You can have a cube for your tops, bottoms, undergarments, and miscellaneous items! They’re absolutely brilliant and one of the few things I never travel without. Check out some great packing cubes here.

High-Quality Camera ›› Need I say more? You’re going to the snowy fairytale land of Europe! Thus, you need a high-quality camera to capture all of the beauty. While a cell phone is great, it doesn’t do so well in low lighting, like at a Christmas Market. That’s why I always recommend the camera I personally use, the Sony a7 (or what my BF uses, the Sony a6000, which is a model down of what I have).

Power Bank ›› If you’re traveling around Europe by train, or just like to have your things charged, a power bank is necessary. A lot of trains in Europe still lack power outlets, so having a packed power bank keeps all your things fueled and ready to go. I, for one, always forget to have my camera charged, so I find myself needing a power bank all the dang time! Here’s one I recommend.

SIM Card ›› Wifi is abundant but not everywhere. This is why I recommend you get a SIM Card when you arrive to Europe! Not only are they more than affordable, you can find stores selling them throughout any major city. Although, you can find one on Amazon here. Read the reviews though — there are a few directions on how to use it from other customers! Additionally, check out this Rick Steves article on buying a SIM card.

Quick Drying Towel ›› If you plan on staying in hostels or more affordable hotels, they might not always have towels! That’s why you should always pack one — just in case!. A quick drying one is not only smaller to pack but dries in no time. I personally use this one.

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So, there you have it folks! The ultimate packing list for Europe in winter. Trust me, you’re going to want to bring everything on this list, granted your bag has enough space!

Additionally, keep in mind this list can be modified and revised, depending on how long your trip is and what you plan on doing.

Are you planning a Europe winter vacation? Do you have any questions or concerns about what you should plan or what you should bring? Let me know in the comments to see if I can help!

Sophie xx

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