The Ultimate Europe Winter Packing List… in Just a Carry-On!

Creating your own Europe winter packing list can seem daunting. And if you’re only bringing a carry-on… it seems impossible!

I’ll never forget my first trip to Europe in the winter. It was my first flight, my first time traveling without my parents, and my first time in Europe period. On January 9, 2012, I landed in Paris and took the train to Grenoble where I would live for 5 months while studying abroad.

I remember packing right up to midnight the night before my flight worried I’d forget something. Lo and behold, I ended up packing two large suitcases (one mostly full of heels- what a laugh!).

After dragging those things the length of France, I decided to learn how to pack in a carry-on. And now with Chris, that’s the way we travel a good chunk of the time!

Now that I’ve taken many trips to Europe in winter, I’ve learned a thing or two about packing for this time of year. That is why I want to help you do the same.

So whether you are journeying to the delightful Christmas markets in Europe or you want to visit Europe during its least busy time of year, here is the ultimate packing list for Europe in winter…in just a carry-on!

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Ultimate Europe Winter Packing List

Travel Essentials for Europe in Winter: Basics

Let’s start with the basics. No matter where you travel, you’ll need your undergarments, pajamas, etc. So let’s pack it up:

Women’s Basics Packing List Europe in Winter:

• 2 bras.
• 7 pairs of underwear. Or more just in case (aka you too have an irrational fear of crapping your pants daily while traveling).
• 7 pairs of socks. Not just any socks. Thick, wool socks. Thin socks won’t do much to keep your toes warm. I absolutely love these wool socks.
• 1 pair of pajamas. These would be nice and cozy for those chilly nights! And if you run hot, you could opt for a short pajama set instead.
• 1-2 white shirts to wear under sweaters.
• 1 bathing suit. I know this sounds weird, but if you’re going to a city like Budapest that has amazing heated baths (such as Rudas Baths) you’re going to want to pack a bathing suit! Or in general, I always pack a swimsuit just in case. Maybe you want to hit up a spa, there are bathhouses, etc.
• 1 pair of flip flops for visiting the bathhouses.
• 2-3 pairs of warm tights or long johns to wear under your jeans on chilly days. If you want to also be really warm and have sweat-wicking material, you could opt for Merino wool layers.
• 1 big coat that goes at least to your thighs. Y’all, I’m not kidding- it can be cold here! Luckily, living in Cleveland, I’ve used a Northface jacket for years and love it! It kept me warm around Europe too! I also love a wool coat.
• A good quality scarf.
• 1 pair of gloves (I love my Nike running gloves that let me still use my phone).
• Pair of earmuffs.
• Any jewelry you want! I packed a couple of necklaces and wore my wedding ring.
• 1 dirty laundry bag.

Men’s Basics Packing List for Europe in Winter:

• 7 pairs of underwear (or more-see irrational fear above).
• 7 pairs of nice wool socks.
• 1 pair of pajamas. Here is a shorts version if you run hot.
• 7 undershirts.
• 1 pair of swim trunks for the bathhouses in Budapest/just in case you go to a spa, etc.
• 1 pair of flip flops (for the bathhouses).
• 2-3 pairs of long johns to wear under jeans during the cold winter days. Alternatively, for sweat wicking warmth, you could opt for Merino wool layers.
• 1 nice and warm jacket. Chris wore his wool peacoat that was nice and cozy.
• 1 scarf that’ll keep you warm.
• A pair of running or regular gloves.
• 1 pair of earmuffs.
• Any jewelry you want. Chris had his watch and wedding band.
• 1 dirty laundry bag.

Best Boots for a European Winter

When it comes to what shoes to wear in Europe in winter, especially if you’re traveling carry-on only, boots kind of reign supreme. First of all, winter clothes aren’t exactly lightweight or store easily, meaning the space in your carry-on is pretty limited.

We always wear our bulkiest pair of shoes on the plane in order to combat this. And when it came time to pack for the Christmas markets, we opted to just wear our boots on the plane and throughout Europe!

I absolutely love my Timberland boots! They are super comfortable which is great for walking around all day, very warm, and waterproof so you can walk through snow and not get your feet wet. Seriously, these are some great quality boots for a winter vacation packing list!

Also, Dr. Martens boots are a great boot option!

Chris wore leather boots that are comfortable, water resistant, and good quality as well!

Now if you’re going to a very snowy place, like Lapland, you’re going to want snow boots. Regular boots are likely going to get destroyed if walking through constant snow and salt. That is where these snow boots will come in handy to keep your feet warm, and they are more durable for snow than regular boots. Here is a good option for men.

Note: If you’re going to a place like Lapland or the Arctic in winter, you’re going to want to skip the jeans and other winter outfits below and opt for more of the ski apparel mentioned below! I also have a whole guide on packing for Lapland in winter here! This also may be more challenging to do carry-on only.

Packing List for Europe in Winter: Clothes

When it comes to packing for winter in Europe, clothes are easily the most important thing. You want to be warm and comfortable if you plan to explore cities all day in the winter. However, you want to actually look put together. And as you may have seen in my packing for Paris article, athletic gear isn’t really the height of fashion in Europe.

Also, you need to be mindful of the amount of space each item takes up. That’s why I recommend only packing a week’s worth of clothing that you can mix and match and do laundry each week. If your trip is only a week long then perfect! But if it is longer like our winter in Europe trip was, then a laundry run helps in order to pack carry-on only (or, in our case, we had an Airbnb with laundry!).

From cozy sweaters to stylish jeans, these are the best winter travel clothes for Europe!

Women’s Europe in Winter Packing List for Clothes:

• 1 pair of leggings. Honestly, this is mostly for the plane to be comfortable.
• 3 pairs of jeans. I packed a pair of black jeans, denim jeans, and a pair of olive green pants. These were all great colors to mix and match with my tops!
• 1 cardigan. Again, this is great for staying warm on the plane. I layered mine over my white t-shirt and leggings, and was super cozy.
• 3 sweaters. These are lovely sweaters. I also love this adorable pom-pom sweater that I wore a lot.
• 1 lightweight long sleeve top. This is great for a not as chilly day.

Yes, this list looks pretty small, but I made sure that my sweaters and jeans could be mixed and matched. This is essential as both jeans and sweaters take up a lot of space in a carry-on backpack! It worked out really well!

Men’s Europe Winter Packing List for Clothes:

• 3 pairs of jeans.
• 2-3 button-down long-sleeve shirts.
• 2-3 sweaters to layer over long-sleeve shirts.

Again, making these mix and match is key to saving space in your carry-on.

Pro-Tip: Always pack a small umbrella for days that it is rainy or really snowy!

Packing List for Winter Travel in Europe: Toiletries

Now that you know what to wear in the winter in Europe, let’s talk about toiletries you can’t forget on your trip!

• Shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Forget this if staying in hotels (although conditioner can be a rarity).
• Face wash and face lotion.
• Razor.
• Deodorant.
• Brush.
• Hair products (be sure it’s under 100 ml)!
• Makeup or face products. Again, make sure it is carry-on sized.
• Teeth stuff: floss, toothpaste, and toothbrush.
• Sleeping mask.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Face masks. Look, I know it is no longer 2020. But after getting a cold a whopping 3 times in 3 months from flying one winter, I take no chances. When everyone is hacking on the flight, I’m wearing that mask. Nobody wants to be sick on vacation. It is literally the worst.
• A quick-dry towel that packs up easily like this one for the bathhouses if you’re going.

In addition, I also pack my travel-safe straightener with me as well as period products. You don’t want to spend time on your trip searching for pads and tampons. Make sure all your liquids are carry-on sized!

First Aid for a Winter Trip to Europe

Yes, a first-aid kit is a good idea. Now some things you can skip/add depending on your needs, and you don’t need to bring a lot (just a small amount)! Here are some ideas of things to bring! *None of this is medical advice!

• Prescribed medications: always be sure to pack your prescribed medications and have the prescription with you!
• Any vitamins you take.
• OTC pain reliever/fever reducer.
• Cold medicine.
• Antacid.
• Anti-diarrheal.
• Laxative.
• Allergy medicine.
• Motion sickness medicine.
• Cough drops.
• Emergen-C tablets or other immune supplements.
• Bandages.
• Hydrocortisone cream.
• Antiseptic wipes.
• Tweezers.

Don’t forget, winter in Europe is also cold and flu season so packing things to help with that is a good idea. I got a nasty cold at the end of our Christmas market trip and was so thankful to have medicine already on me.

While the first-aid kit sounds like a lot of stuff, I usually have it packed away in a small makeup bag (again, you don’t need a lot of it).

Winter Packing List for Europe: Gadgets and Packs!

It’s time to talk gadgets and packs for your trip! From the perfect backpack to other things you’re probably forgetting, these are essential for packing light for Europe in winter.

• Camera, lenses, charger, and memory cards. Everyone has their own preference for a camera and some just use their phone.
• Tripod for taking photos. We love our phone tripod. This is optional and if it fits.
• GoPro, charger, and memory cards- this is optional. We brought ours to film our family trip as Chris’s family joined us!
• Phone and charger- Camera phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max are so great for taking photos!
• Kindle and charger.
• Chargeable hand warmers. If your hands get really cold or it’s a really chilly day, these chargeable hand warmers can definitely come in handy!
• Travel adapters.
• RIFD blocking wallet.
• An over the shoulder bag to be handsfree while traveling around and keep stuff close at hand.
• Lock for your backpack if you choose to pack a backpack.
• Packing cubes to stay organized. These compress your things!
• Osprey carry-on backpack (men’s version)
• Personal item. I typically use my Longchamp bag, and I put my purse inside of it.

Packing For Europe in Winter: Documents

You know what to wear in Europe in winter as well as other important items to bring, but these are definitely super important to remember to pack along with you in your travels!

• Passport. Make sure this has at least 6 months validity on it from the date you plan to return.
• Visas. This is if you need it. Be sure to check both your government’s travel website as well as the countries you’re going to.
• ETA and/or ETIAS: If you’re traveling to the UK, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before your trip. Most visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the US, need one unless they qualify for an exemption. Check if you need a UK ETA and apply here! The EU’s equivalent is called ETIAS. It’s expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026, but applications aren’t open yet. Check the official ETIAS website for updates! This isn’t necessarily something to print and bring with you, but something you’ll want to check to do before your trip!
• Travel insurance. We typically travel with World Nomads.
• Copies of Passport, ID, travel insurance, tickets and confirmations, and itinerary.

Europe Winter Packing List for Skiing:

Now if you are planning to come to Europe to hit the slopes and still want to travel carry-on only, then I recommend replacing the winter coat with a ski jacket (here is a men’s ski jacket) and also purchasing some snow gloves and ski goggles.

You’ll need to provide your own snow pants (here is a men’s pair). One pair should be fine. I would recommend packing a few more pairs of leggings/long john’s/Merino wool layers to wear under your snow pants as well as some sweat-wicking long-sleeve shirts (here are shirts for men) that you can layer. Be sure to bring your scarf to the slopes too! The remainder you can rent at a ski resort: skis, boots, ski poles, helmet, etc.

While this may be hard to fit into a carry-on, I would switch out the sweaters and a couple of jeans for these items, especially if the main focus is to ski most of the time. I would also swap out at least one bra for a sports bra or two.

If you’re visiting the Arctic, I’d skip jeans and cute sweaters altogether and maybe pack 1 pair of snow pants and bring a few pairs of Merino wool layers and/or fleece leggings to wear underneath for warmth. Thermal shirts are good to have too (and a sweatshirt). Layers will be key for this kind of trip. The ski jacket, snow gloves, scarf, ear muffs, snow boots (mentioned above), etc. will also be essential.

The resorts may provide extra layers and/or jackets for warmth, but check with them first to see what you’ll need to bring in addition!

I visited the arctic in Finland last winter and have a full packing guide here as this is far trickier than a regular city hopping packing list. This may be more challenging to pack in a carry-on, though, so you may want to consider checking a bag for a winter trip to the arctic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to your frequently asked questions about packing for Europe in winter!

1. What should I pack for a winter trip to Europe?

Essentially, layers. Waterproof/water resistant boots for cities, sweaters, a thick jacket, and potentially wool under layers for cold days!

2. How do you pack for winter in Europe with only a carry-on?

It’s a challenge, I won’t lie! We did this on our big trip to the Christmas markets, and I even re-tested this list last year to make sure everything fits in a carry-on + personal item. It did! But to make it work, you’ll want to only pack for 1 week, do some laundry if going longer than a week, wear your bulkier items on the plane (boots, jacket, etc.), and bring things to mix and match.

3. What should I wear to the Christmas markets in Europe?

Warm layers! Bring a thick jacket, gloves, scarf, ear muffs, sweater, boots, and potentially wool under layers. You’ll be outside walking around a lot, so layers are key to stay warm!

4. What shoes should I pack for Europe in Winter?

Boots are best, particularly waterproof/water-resistant boots that will keep your feet dry and warm! I love these boots and wear them on my winter trips to Europe!

5. How do I stay warm while sightseeing in Europe in winter?

Being prepared and packing for the weather always helps. Check the weather forecast ahead of time, and be sure to bring plenty of layers. And be sure to spend some time indoors too in order to warm up in between Christmas markets, long strolls outside, etc. There are museums, cafes, attractions, and more inside to warm up!

Europe in the winter is one of my favorite times to visit. From the dazzling Christmas markets to delicious winter comfort food, the winter is truly lovely! Plus, January and February are some of the quietest times of year with far fewer people traveling than in summer in Europe.

I can’t recommend visiting in the winter enough!