Winter Europe Packing List: Cold Weather Travel Essentials
Everything you need to pack for a winter trip across Europe, from thermal base layers and waterproof boots to Schengen travel documents and EU-compatible electronics.
Last updated:
0 of 31 completed0%
Copied!
Clothing Base & Mid Layers
Merino wool base layer tops (2-3)
Merino wool at 150-200 gsm weight regulates temperature and resists odor for 3-4 days between washes. Pack one lightweight and one midweight top to mix based on the day's forecast.
Thermal leggings or base layer bottoms (2)
A 200 gsm merino or synthetic blend fits under jeans or trousers without adding bulk. Wearing these under regular pants keeps you warm down to about -10°C without needing snow pants in cities.
Insulating mid layer (fleece or down jacket)
A 200-weight fleece or packable down jacket with 600+ fill power weighs under 400g and compresses to the size of a water bottle. Layer it under your outer shell on days below 0°C.
Long-sleeve shirts and sweaters (3-4)
Wool-blend sweaters work for both daytime sightseeing and evening dinners at restaurants. Three sweaters rotated with your base layers cover a 10-14 day trip easily.
Jeans or warm trousers (2 pairs)
Fleece-lined jeans or wool-blend trousers handle temperatures down to -5°C comfortably on their own. Dark colors hide stains from rainy cobblestone streets.
Outerwear & Footwear
Waterproof insulated winter coat
Look for a coat rated to at least -15°C with sealed seams and a water resistance rating of 10,000mm or higher. A hip-length cut blocks wind better than waist-length when walking 10-15 km per day.
Waterproof insulated boots
Boots with 200g of insulation and a rubber lug sole handle icy cobblestones and slushy sidewalks. Break them in for at least 2 weeks before your trip to avoid blisters.
Wool or cashmere scarf
A 180cm x 60cm scarf doubles as a blanket on long train rides between cities. Wool blocks wind around your neck far better than synthetic fleece gaiters.
Insulated gloves or mittens
Touchscreen-compatible gloves let you use your phone for maps without exposing your hands. Mittens are 10-15% warmer than gloves at the same insulation weight because your fingers share heat.
Warm hat or beanie
You lose significant heat through your head in cold weather. A merino wool beanie weighing just 50-80g packs flat and keeps you warm down to -20°C.
Compact umbrella
European winters are often wet rather than snowy, especially in Western Europe. A windproof umbrella under 300g fits in a day bag and handles gusts up to 50 km/h.
Toiletries & Health
Heavy moisturizer and lip balm with SPF
Cold, dry air and indoor heating strip moisture from your skin fast. A balm with SPF 15+ protects your lips from UV reflection off snow, which can be 80% stronger than off grass.
Cold and flu medication
Pack a 5-day supply of decongestant and ibuprofen in original packaging. Pharmacy hours vary across Europe — many close by 18:00 and stay shut on Sundays.
Hand cream and cuticle oil
Frequent handwashing and cold air crack skin within 2-3 days. A 50ml tube of hand cream with shea butter or glycerin applied twice daily prevents painful splits.
Travel-size toiletry kit (100ml bottles)
EU carry-on rules allow liquids in containers of 100ml or less, all fitting in a single 1-liter clear bag. Fill reusable silicone bottles to avoid buying overpriced travel sizes.
Vitamins and any prescription medications
Carry prescriptions in their original labeled containers to avoid issues at border crossings. Pack a 3-day surplus in case of travel delays or lost luggage.
Electronics & Adapters
EU Type C/F power adapter (2-3)
Most of continental Europe uses Type C (round 2-pin) plugs at 230V. The UK and Ireland use Type G (3-pin), so pack one of each if your itinerary crosses the Channel.
Portable power bank (10,000+ mAh)
A 10,000 mAh power bank charges a typical smartphone 2-3 times and weighs about 200g. Cold weather drains phone batteries 20-30% faster than normal, so keep the power bank in an inside pocket close to your body.
Phone, camera, and charging cables
Download offline maps for each city before you leave — they use about 100-300 MB per city. Offline maps work without data and save you from roaming charges outside the EU.
Noise-canceling headphones or earbuds
European train journeys between major cities average 2-5 hours. Over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation block train noise by 20-30 dB, turning a loud carriage into near silence.
Travel Documents & Money
Passport (valid 6+ months beyond travel dates)
Schengen zone countries require your passport to be valid for at least 3 months past your planned departure date, but many airlines enforce a 6-month rule. Check your passport expiration at least 8 weeks before departure since renewals can take 6-8 weeks.
Photocopy of passport stored separately from original
Digital scan saved to cloud storage
Schengen visa (if required for your nationality)
Schengen visas allow stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across 27 European countries. Apply at the embassy of the country where you'll spend the most nights — processing takes 15-45 days.
Travel insurance documentation
The Schengen visa requires medical coverage of at least €30,000. Even without a visa requirement, a hospital stay in Western Europe can cost €1,000-5,000 per day without insurance.
Credit/debit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Carry at least 2 cards on different networks (Visa and Mastercard) since some European merchants only accept one. ATM withdrawals of €200-300 at a time minimize per-transaction fees while keeping cash on hand.
Printed hotel and transport confirmations
Some budget airlines and European train conductors require printed boarding passes or tickets. Print confirmations for your first 2-3 days at minimum in case your phone dies or loses signal.
Day Bag & Accessories
Packable daypack (15-25L)
A 20L daypack that folds into its own pocket weighs about 150g and fits inside your main luggage. It holds a water bottle, camera, extra layer, and snacks for a full day of walking.
Reusable water bottle (insulated)
An insulated 500ml bottle keeps drinks warm for 6-8 hours in cold weather. Tap water is safe to drink in almost all Western and Northern European countries, saving you €2-4 per bottle daily.
Packing cubes (set of 3-4)
Compression packing cubes reduce clothing volume by 30-40% and keep your suitcase organized across multiple hotel stops. Assign one cube per clothing type: tops, bottoms, undergarments.
Anti-theft crossbody bag for city days
Pickpocketing hotspots include metro systems in Paris, Barcelona, Rome, and Prague. A crossbody bag with RFID-blocking pockets and lockable zippers worn under your coat stops 95% of theft attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many layers do I need for winter travel?
Three layers form the standard system: a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid layer (fleece or down), and a waterproof/windproof outer shell. Merino wool base layers outperform synthetic for odor control across multi-day trips. Avoid cotton as a base layer since it holds moisture and accelerates heat loss when wet.
Do I need to pack snow boots or can I buy them there?
Bring broken-in waterproof boots from home since new boots cause blisters within hours of walking on snow and ice. Look for boots rated to -20F/-29C with insulation of at least 200g Thinsulate for European winter cities. Vibram or similar rubber soles with deep lugs prevent slipping on icy sidewalks and cobblestones.
How do I keep my phone battery alive in cold weather?
Lithium-ion batteries lose 20-40% capacity below 0C/32F. Keep your phone in an inner pocket close to body heat rather than an outer jacket pocket. A 10,000 mAh power bank provides 2-3 full charges and should also be kept warm. Cold-weather phone shutdowns are temporary and the phone recovers once warmed up.
What is the best fabric for cold weather travel?
Merino wool regulates temperature in both cold and mild conditions and resists odor for 3-5 days of wear. Down jackets offer the highest warmth-to-weight ratio and pack into a tiny stuff sack for flights. Gore-Tex or equivalent membranes in your outer shell keep rain and wet snow out while allowing sweat vapor to escape.
Should I bring hand warmers?
Disposable hand warmers cost $1-2 per pair, generate heat for 8-10 hours, and fit inside gloves, boots, or pockets. They are indispensable for outdoor activities below -5C/23F. Rechargeable hand warmers ($15-25) double as emergency phone chargers and are more cost-effective for trips longer than 3-4 days.