10 top tips for packing light for your winter holiday in Europe /

Do you have a euro trip soon? Here are a few simple tips to teach you how to pack light for Europe.

Nothing beats spending a snowy winter holiday in one of the beautiful cities across Europe. It has a very different energy. But since you will experience Europe in colder temperatures, you need the right clothing.

How do you decide what to bring without taking your whole wardrobe with you – possibly paying extra for overweight luggage? Packing for a winter vacation doesn’t mean you can’t travel light.

Tip 1: Put everything on the floor

Before you even start packing – spread out each item on your bedroom floor or even on the bed. Don’t be overwhelmed; there is a method to this madness.

Now it’s time to examine – even critically – each item. Ask yourself (and be honest): Am I really going to wear this? What day or event do I see myself wearing this on?

And if you can’t justify it, then you know you’re just carrying the item around with you. It also takes up space in your suitcase. This method ensures that you only pack the essentials.

Tip 2: Start with a smaller suitcase

It’s obvious, but if you have less space to start with, you can make smarter use of it. So if you have smaller luggage at your disposal, start with that. When you have more space, it’s easy to want to automatically fill it with more clothes and items than you think you’ll need. Start with small forces, be selective – and eventually pack light.

Tip 3: Pack for the best case scenario

Instead of packing for the worst-case scenario, pack as if everything is going according to plan during your trip. If you really need additional items, you can always buy them. In most cases, packing the basics is more than enough to get you through your trip.

Tip 4: Use packing cubes

As well as making it easier to keep your suitcase organized, these handy little cubes really make a difference to the space in your bag. You can use them to divide your clothes into days (making it easier to only bring the right number of outfits). They also prevent you from packing extra items that you may not need since all of your outfits are pre-planned.

Tip 5: Invest in merino wool

If your goal is to pack light and make sure you still stay warm on your winter Euro trip, buy some clothing made from merino wool. It’s an all-around winner, as you can wear merino wool sweaters for a few days in a row without smelling bad.

Tip 6: Choose versatile items

Choose clothes, shoes and accessories that are versatile and can be worn with multiple outfits. For example, instead of packing two different pairs of boots, choose the pair of boots that goes with more of the other outfits you’re packing.

Tip 7: Always choose quality over quantity (especially footwear)

The truth is that you really only need one or two pairs of shoes that are warm, comfortable and water resistant. Shoes such as boots that dry quickly and are comfortable to walk or stand in for extended periods of time. If you’re making the most of your holiday in Europe, you’ll probably hit the streets to soak up some culture – and that requires a lot of walking. Make sure you’re comfortable – sore feet can quickly ruin your experience.

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Tip 8: Pack lots of layers and a really warm jacket

When traveling in winter, thermals are your friend (and layers). Make sure you have some decent warm underwear to wear under your everyday outfits and opt for a really warm, well made, water resistant jacket that will keep you from getting out in the cold!

Tip 9: Wear bulky items on the plane

You can save some extra space in your luggage by wearing your bulkiest jacket and pair of shoes on the day of your flight. You can always take the jacket off on the plane and store it in the overhead hold, and kick off your shoes to give your feet a break from the cabin pressure. This way you also don’t have to worry about these items taking up too much space in your checked baggage and staying under the weight limit.

Tip 10: Don’t fill your suitcase completely full

Pack light for your trip to Europe (and anywhere else) by not packing your suitcase 100% full. Fill it two-thirds full so you have plenty of extra room for souvenirs, or pack an empty lightweight bag to use as hand luggage for your return flight. Expandable compartments are really useful when you go home and your bag is full.

Essential garments to pack for your winter trip across Europe

Looking for a packing list for your Europe trip?

Let’s start with what to wear on the plane:

• Jeans
• shirt
• Vest
• Jacket
• Shoes
• shawl
• bag
• Sunglasses

What to pack

• 3 tops (if your trip is longer you can add a few to this list)
• 2 bottoms
• Socks (bring a pair for each day you are away and a spare pair)
• Underwear (bring an extra pair)
• sleepwear
• Towel (if you need one for the beach)
• Beachwear
• Gloves or hats (if needed)
• Flip flops
• Chargers
• Exhaust converters
• Camera
• A book (if you have time to read)
• water bottle
• power bank
• Toiletries
• Ziploc bags for smaller items

Following these few basic guidelines should be enough to save you a lot of trunk space before and during your upcoming trip to Europe this winter.

Happy and safe travels!

Efrat Sagi-Ofir is CRO and founder of Air Doctor. Air Doctor is a startup that connects travelers via a user-friendly app to a global network of 20,000 local doctors, so that they can receive appropriate medical care anywhere in the world.

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