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If you’re traveling in a city where you’ll be out all day, what you’re carrying with you will make a difference. Finding the balance of being prepared but also not having a heavy backpack is key. It’s also important to be able to fit everything in one spot, so you can have free hands while walking around. Here is what I take and recommend specifically when traveling around Europe.
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Airplane Essentials
- Sleeping Mask – The ability to sleep while on a red-eye (overnight) flight can help you adjust to the time zone quicker and eliminating wasting your first day when you can be out exploring.
- Headrest – I wasn’t sure about this, but when you’re flying in economy and can’t lean your seat back enough? This headrest secures your head and avoids nodding off and waking up. Sleeperhold was an absolute game changer on our last flight.
- Face masks – After the dinner is served on a red-eye flight, my husband and I both go brush our teeth, wash our faces, sit back down. Once seated, we both but this face mask on before putting on our sleeping masks and headrest. This face masks helps protect from the dry air in the plane and helps you wake feeling refreshed.
- Footrest – I like having my feet slightly elevated with this footrest, whether it’s a two hour flight or ten hour flight. This is something I bring on all my flights I board.
- Compression Socks – Compression socks can help with blood flow – they say it can help prevent blood clots as well. I like wearing these on my long flights when I’m sitting and sleeping for long periods of time.
- Water bottle – I personally don’t like to buy plastic water bottles anywhere, especially in the airport. You can bring an empty water bottle (I prefer reusable like a yeti, owala, stanley, etc.) through airport security and you will find filtered water fountains at the airport to refill for free. Particularly on red-eye flights, there’s never enough water given out and not only will you have more water, but you can help the environment and now have a water bottle to bring on your long days of exploring through Europe.
- Hydration packets – I’ve brushed on the fact that the aircraft air will be extremely dry, and flying for a long period of time can cause dehydration. Drinking a hydration packet on your flight or on your big exploring days can help you stay hydrated and have you prepared for your long days ahead.
- Away bookbag – While I’m still on the hunt for the very best personal item bookbag for 2025 – the Away Convertible Bookbag (25L) has accompanied me on several large travels in 2024 and has withstood the test as I fill my personal item to the brim.
Safety Essentials
- Apple airtags for all bags – I explain this under tips.
- Door lock -This is for peace of mind. This allows me to sleep while traveling solo in a foreign country as a female.
- Crossbody / belt bag / fanny pack – I don’t recommend carrying a large purse around over your shoulder that can easily be stolen. If you insist on a purse, wearing it across your body can keep it secure.
- Fake wedding band – there’s no need to risk losing valuable items while abroad. I’ve seen online a lot of people are starting to wear fake jewelry while abroad, but I opt in for a silicon band and call it a day!
Daily Essentials
- Outlet converters – The UK outlets are different than mainland Europe. A best practice would be to google and confirm the type of outlets in the country you’re spending the most time and order two of those.
- Portable chargers – I encourage capturing as many pictures and videos of your trip as you can. When you travel alone, you’re solely responsible for capturing your trip. This can be to share with others back home, or even reminiscing when your trip is over. A dead phone battery is not what you want, if not for content than at least for safety.
- Linen outfits – A personal favorite of mine is to bring a staple wardrobe to create many outfits with limited items.
- Comfortable shoes – I used to stress about only wearing sneakers on my travels, but really Europeans wear sneakers everywhere too. Your feet will thank you later.
- Leather day bag – When I explore a city, I am out for hours. I like to pack water, snacks, and my tripod when wandering around. I find that a leather bag can look more casual than a book bag and helps you blend in.
- Canon Rebel Camera – As much as I’ve tried to use my iPhone, I still love the quality that a digital camera brings to a photograph.
- Tripod – A tripod and a timer is sometimes all you need to bring a moment to life.
Hot Take: Do you or do you not carry your passport around with you? I personally do not, and here’s why: The more places you take it, the more places you have to misplace it. I keep it in my carryon that can lock or if there’s a safe in the hotel room. If I get carded, my state license normally passes the test just fine. I personally have made enough travel mistakes that having to keep track of my passport is not worth the anxiety. I know others say to keep it on you, so ultimately it’s up to personal preference.
There you have it!, the must-have items for European adventures. You really don’t want to take more than is necessary and weigh down the bag that’s on your back. Anything you think I missed? Comment below!
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