The Perfect Backpacking Europe Packing List for Female Travelers

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Last Updated on July 24, 2024 by sydabroad

Here is the ultimate backpacking Europe packing list for females! You’ll def want to save this post to refer back to for your trip. 

It’s about time for a European summer backpacking list! I’m traveling around Europe for 4 months and have really pinned down what to bring on a European backpacking trip. I’ve traveled around Europe a couple of times before but this is my longest trip.

Although I’m not technically backpacking right now (my back can’t take the backpacks anymore lol), I have a carry-on suitcase with only the essentials. In this guide, I’m sharing what you need to bring to have the perfect European backpacking trip! 

I’ve also included a section with some “nice to have” items, not essential by any means but some things that will make you feel much better especially when you’re traveling for long periods. I do like to consider myself a minimalist traveler (I hate lugging around extra crap I don’t need), but I do enjoy the small things that make life on the go much more enjoyable. 

Okay, let’s get into this perfectly curated backpacking Europe packing list! 

Backpacking Europe Packing Tips 

First, let’s cover some basic tips when traveling around Europe. I’ve learned many of these along the way and trust me, this will save you stress during your travels. 

Packing light

If you’re backpacking anywhere you want to pack light. And this can be hard in Europe because you’ll want some nicer outfits. People dress so well over here! Ditch all the athleisure and bring some closet staples. 

I have a post here all about how to pack light and fashionable for Europe. This post includes my top tips that will help you make the most out of your limited space!  

Toiletries 

Here are a couple of tips when packing toiletries, firstly, ditch the liquids if you can. Use solid shampoo and conditioner, lotion, etc. The solids won’t spill and I swear all of my liquid toiletries end up exploding at some point in my bag. 

Secondly, limit your toiletries. You are going to Europe! I promise you will find just what you need over here as you would at home. You don’t need a full-size bottle of shampoo, even if you are traveling for 5 months. You can buy more during the trip. 

Limit the Denim 

If you’ll be traveling in the dead of summer, ditch the denim and leave it at home. It is too hot and will take up too much space. However, if you are traveling during the spring or fall, simply limit your denim. Bring one pair of jeans that you can wear with any outfit that way you’ll get plenty of use out of it. 

Backpack or Suitcase?

I’ve done both, I don’t think that one is necessarily better than the other. It depends on your preference, especially for Europe. If I were to do Southeast Asia or Central and South America I’d probably go the backpack route but for Europe, it doesn’t matter. 

I would certainly avoid a large checked luggage but as long as it is carry-on sized and you can lift it, the wheels are fine. I’ve done Europe with both a backpack and a carry-on suitcase and currently, I’m loving my suitcase. The wheels are a lifesaver. Nonetheless, dragging your stuff around hot cities is not fun regardless. 

I do have a post here about the best bags for traveling that you can check out. But I’ll also list and link a few of my favorite travel bags below: 

• Beis carry-on roller 
• Osprey Fairview 55
• Topo Designs backpack 
• Amazon Backpack
• Uniqlo belt bag
• Lulu belt bag 
• Samsonite carry-on 
• This hanging toiletry bag by Dezi I swear by!!

Pro-Tip: Okay, you’ve seen the cheap Ryan Air flights, but they get you with the bags. From my experience, many budget airlines have strict weight limits with carry-on bags so most of the time they will need to be checked if they are over 20 lbs. I’ve gotten away with using my backpack and suitcase as a carry-on but sometimes I’m not so lucky. Just keep this in mind when flying around Europe. 

The Perfect Backpacking Europe Packing List

Now let’s get into what to pack to travel around Europe! 

Bags 

• Laundry bag
• Packing cubes: They really do keep you so organized! I love these compression packing cubes.
• Tote Bag: Totes have so many uses.
• Small night-out bag 
• Belt bag 
• Dry bag: I love the Scrubba that is a wash bag but doubles as a dry bag. I bring this with me on every trip.  
• Main bag for traveling (Backpack or carry-on suitcase) 
• Main backpack: Currently loving my Amazon backpack. 

Clothing | Focus on a Capsule Wardrobe

Whether you are traveling for 2 weeks or 2 months you can pack minimally. Bring laundry detergent sheets with you and do laundry every so often. 

• 1-2 tank tops 
• Long-sleeve top (for winter and spring) 
• Lightweight sweater (for layering) 
• 1 graphic tee 
• 1-2 plain tees 
• 1-2 skirts
• 1 pair of jeans 
• 1 -2 flowy pants 
• 2 pairs of shorts 
• 1 dress
• 1 pair of PJs
• 1 pair of leggings 
• 1 biker short set 
• Socks, undies, bralettes, sports bras, a swimsuit 
• 1 scarf (cover shoulders in churches and mosques) 
• Optional: sweatpants for travel days and lounging around 

Jackets 

• Rain jacket 
• Leather jacket or blazer (for chilly evenings) 
• Hoodie or sweatshirt for flights 

Shoes 

• Rubber flip-flops (double as shower shoes for hostels) 
• Good sneaker, I love my New Balance 530 shoes, I can wear them with a cute outfit for sightseeing or wear them to the gym. 
• Sandals, I love these from Steve Madden.
• Optional: A nicer sandal or loafer for going out.

Pro-tip: leave the heels at home, you won’t want to walk around the cobblestone streets in them.

Accessories 

• Tote bag, as mentioned above, so many uses for a tote
• Small belt bag or cross-body. I love my purse from Anthropology it goes with everything and holds so much. I also love the Uniqlo belt bag. 
• Sunglasses. Amazon sunnies for the win 
• 1 hat 
• Jewelry 
• Hair ties 
• Headbands 

Toiletries 

Only bring travel-sized products so you do not have to carry extra weight. You can always buy more. 

• Shampoo and conditioner bars
• Body wash and mini loofa 
• Shaving cream and razor 
• toothbrush and toothpaste 
• floss
• Skincare products 
• SPF (important!!) I love my Cotz
• Makeup remover balm or wipes 
• Lip balm 
• Mini hairbrush
• Tampons 
• Leave in conditioner 
• Dry shampoo 
• Deodorant 
• Qtips 
• Lotion 
• Nail clippers + file 
• Travel first aid kit 
• Tweezers
• Contact solution if you need it 

Beauty Products 

• Concealer 
• SPF CC Cream 
• I love this makeup brush it’s a 4 in 1 brush! 
• Ilia Multi-Stick: So many uses! 
• Bronzer stick by Milk Makeup 
• Perfume 
• Brow gel (and I love this travel-sized hair gel from Amazon that doubles as a brow touch-up.) 
• Mini face powder, Charlotte Tilbury is my fav 
• Lash curler and mascara 
• Eyeliner 

For staying healthy on the go 

• Beekeepers Naturals throat spray and vitamin C (I swear by these products!) 
• Armra colostrum travel packs. I’ve been taking this for a while now and it helps my immunity so much.
• Probiotic 
• LMNT electrolytes 
• Activated charcoal for soaking up toxins in the body. I always have this stuff with me.

Pro-tip: Drink lots of water and get in a little movement in the morning whether that’s a walk outside or a stretch/workout in your room. 

Electronics & Travel Gadgets 

• Portable charger: This one from Amazon is THE best. It charges all of my electronics.
• Kindle 
• Portable speaker (optional)
• Noise-canceling headphones 
• Camera, I love my Fujifilm XT-4
• Travel adapter 
• Tripod (I have this one for my phone and this for my camera) 
• Padlock
• LaCie hard drive
• Waterproof phone pouch 
• Extra batteries and SD Cards
• Apple air tag (put one in your luggage!!!) 
• Selfie light (optional) 

Other essentials 

• Laundry detergent sheets 
• Travel towel: I like bringing 2, one for the beach and one for the shower. I love my Dock & Bay towel and Turkish towels. 
• Zip-loc bags 
• Dryer sheets 
• Refresh spray: This stuff is amazing!! 
• Reusable water bottle: essential! I love the Owala 
• Snacks 
• Cards 
• Travel journal and pen 
• Wet wipes 
• Sleep mask for the plane 
• Small umbrella: optional but I always end up buying one on a trip. 
• Portable cutlery and collapsible Tupperware 

Check out my hostel packing list here!

Documents

• Passport 
• Visa (if needed) 
• ID 
• Travel insurance (I always use Safety Wing) 
• Tickets and itinerary 
• Accommodation reservation
• Cash 
• Debit and credit cards 
• Emergency contact info 
• Photocopies of important documents 

Pro-tip: I do like to have some of this stuff printed but I always have an “Important” album in my photos on my phone to add all my important travel info in so I can quickly access screenshots of reservations and documents. 

Nice to Have

• Gel nail polish + portable light 
• Satin pillowcase 
• Under eye patches 
• Workout band 
• Hair mask 
• Journal supplies (journal, pens, washy tape, etc..) 
• Light up travel mirror 
• Curler and straightener in one 
• Travel pillow that doubles as a blanket

And that’s a wrap on the perfect backpacking Europe packing list! If you have any questions about traveling to Europe feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram!