12 Europe Trip Packing Mistakes to Avoid

Europe is one of the world’s most popular continents to visit, and for good reason. It’s home to 44 countries, each boasting their own culture, geography, language, geography, traditions, and cuisine. This cultural diversity, coupled with the fact that the continent is generally well connected and easy to travel around, is why a European trip is usually high on most people’s bucket lists. 

With so many cultures pressed up against each other, it can be difficult to figure out how to best prepare for a trip to the continent. As a travel writer from Rome, I’m used to seeing tourists make the same mistakes over and over again while visiting Italy and other European hot spots. While each European country is unique in its own way, there are a couple of universal faux pas to avoid making and being marked as a tourist. Think: wearing athleisure, relying solely on cash, and overpacking. To help you prepare for your next European adventure, I’ve compiled a list of the 12 things not to pack and the 12 things to bring instead. Don’t worry, prices start at a budget-friendly $15. Bon voyage!

Don’t Bring: Bulky Bags When Sightseeing 

Pack Instead: A Phone Crossbody Purse 

MyFriday Small Crossbody Cell Phone Bag

Aside from being uncomfortable, carrying large, bulky bags when sightseeing in Europe is a big no-no for two reasons: it makes you more vulnerable to pickpocketing and can prevent you from entering certain museums and archaeological sites. The Vatican Museums in Rome, for example, do not allow visitors to enter with large bags.

Travelers to Europe should consider a phone crossbody purse instead, like this compact but spacious one from Amazon. Available in more than 20 neutral and vibrant colors, the crossbody purse has received no shortage of rave reviews. One shopper said that they “used this bag for international travel” and were able to fit their “passports, boarding passes, all of our IDs, and money, and still have room for my chapstick, gum, and phone.” 

Don’t Bring: Sweatpants

Pack Instead: A Stylish Matching Set

Ugerlov 2-piece Sweater Set

For the most part, athleisure is still a new concept in Europe, and wearing sweats and leggings around will automatically mark you as a tourist. If you still want to stay comfortable while looking stylish, consider investing in a matching set like this one from Amazon. It features a knit short-sleeve top and loose loungewear-like pants that can be dressed up with a pair of strappy sandals and accessories such as jewelry. The comfy travel outfit is available in more than 10 colors, including black, white, and dark green, and is currently 22 percent off.

Don’t Bring: A Heavy Water Bottle

Pack Instead: A Reusable Water Filter Travel Bottle

LifeStraw Water Filter Bottle

A reusable water bottle is my best friend when I travel — it helps me stay hydrated when flying for prolonged periods of time. It’s not just great for the airport but also for traveling around Europe, the land of many free, public water fountains — there are more than 2,500 in Rome alone!

Instead of always purchasing plastic water bottles while out sightseeing, bring a reusable water bottle with you, like this one from LifeStraw. It has the added benefit of filtering water, so you can even drink from fountains and sinks in countries where it may not be advised. Investing in a lightweight, reusable water bottle for travel can help you cut down on environmental waste, stay hydrated, pack light, and save a few euros. If you want a more compact version, consider this collapsible one from Amazon. It can easily fold up into a personal item when not in use.

Don’t Bring: High-heel Shoes

Pack Instead: Comfortable, Versatile Shoes

Dr. Scholl’s Madison Lace-up Sneakers

Many of the streets in Europe are simply not conducive to wearing high heels. In Rome’s historic center, for example, they’ll get eaten up by the sampietrini, or cobblestones. Also, they’re simply banned at certain sites, including all of Greece’s ancient monuments, for preservation reasons. As a replacement, consider packing a pair of strappy sandals, velvet ballet flats, leather heeled booties, or a comfy pair of sneakers, like these podiatrist-approved and TikTok-famous Dr. Scholl’s. Not only are they sleek, but they’re also very supportive and perfect for walking 10,000 steps a day. The lightweight shoes feature anti-odor insole technology and a plush algae-infused sole for extra support and cushioning. They’re currently a whopping 51 percent off and just $49 — practically a steal.

Don’t Bring: A Small Personal Item

Pack Instead: A Carry-on Backpack

Matein Carry-on Backpack

When traveling to Europe, opt for a large, expandable personal item to further optimize your limited luggage real estate. Expandable backpacks, like this one from Amazon, are a great option for keeping all your valuables on you while also leaving extra room for a pair of shoes, a few more shirts, or any souvenirs you may purchase during your trip. This Matein backpack opens up and packs just like a suitcase; features a trolley pass-through sleeve for ease of use; offers plenty of organizational pockets for all of your belongings; and can easily fit beneath the seat in front of you. It’s available in large, extra-large, and 2XL.

Don’t Bring: More Than You Will Wear

Pack Instead: Compression Packing Cubes

Gonex 4-piece Compression Packing Cubes

Compression packing cubes are every traveler’s best friend. I use these Gonex ones every time I travel to Europe, and love how I can fit at least a week’s worth of bulky clothes in this pack of four small, medium, and large cubes. They’re easy to use and feel quite durable, even when packed to the brim, so they should be able to withstand the wear and tear of travel for years to come. Grab them while they’re still on sale for $19 with the on-site coupon.

Don’t Bring: Your Passport Without Protection

Pack Instead: A Secure, RFID-blocking Passport Case 

Zero Grid RFID-blocking Passport Wallet

Savvy travelers know it pays to be prepared, which is why you should take extra care with storing your passport. While it may sound obvious, having your passport stored carelessly in your personal item while out sightseeing can still be dangerous. To keep all your belongings safe in one easy-to-reach space, consider investing in a wallet that can do it all, like this travel-size one from Zero Grid. 

Crafted out of a water-resistant and durable ripstop nylon material, it’s designed with RFID-blocking technology and is small enough to fit into a crossbody bag or jacket pocket. Not only can it hold your wallet, but it can also fit four to 10 credit cards, tickets, additional forms of identification, plus bills and loose change. It also comes with a micro-travel pen to fill out customs forms. If you want a more stylish option, consider this leather version from Leatherology.

Don’t Bring: A Checked Bag

Pack Instead: A Larger Carry-on 

Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Carry-on

With airlines raising their checked luggage fees to near-astronomical levels, it’s never been a better time to travel with just a carry-on. While checked luggage lets you pack more clothing options, they can be quite bulky to travel with, especially on the winding, narrow roads many European countries are famous for. Not to mention that many of the streets in Europe are pedestrian-only, so if you’re hailing a taxi from the airport to your accommodation, you might need to walk a stretch to reach it. 

Consider investing in an expandable carry-on suitcase, like this Samsonite hardside spinner suitcase, to maximize your luggage real estate. It features TSA-approved locks, an internal compression strap, and a microdiamond polycarbonate exterior that’s durable and scratch-resistant — all of which can be yours for $130, or 24 percent off its regular price of $170. If that’s not enough to convince you, consider that the carry-on has more than 21,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.

Don’t bring: A Phone Without Wi-Fi

Pack instead: A Portable Hotspot

Netgear Nighthawk M1 4G Mobile Hotspot

If you need service to stay in touch with friends and family or to navigate the city you’re visiting, I recommend investing in a portable hotspot. Netgear is one of T+L’s favorite portable hotspots that we’ve tested for a couple of reasons: it’s compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon in the U.S., and it works in more than 125 countries when swapping in a new SIM card, supporting both 5G and Wi-Fi 6E. This M1 version lets you connect up to 20 devices simultaneously.

Phone plans are generally much cheaper in Europe than in the United States, and depending on the company, you can purchase temporary SIM cards with up to 100 gigabytes of data for less than $40. Portable SIM card hotspots are therefore one of the most reliable and affordable ways to guarantee connectivity while on the go.While good portable hotspots aren’t known for being cheap, you can snag this one for 50 percent off its regular price of $350.

Don’t Bring: A Purse That Doesn’t Zip

Pack Instead: A Secure, Anti-theft Bag

Baggallini Small Securtex Anti-theft Crossbody

Unfortunately, pickpocketing happens quite frequently in major European cities such as Paris and Barcelona, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to avoid it. Investing in a secure, anti-theft bag is just one way you can keep your belongings safe while on the go. This crossbody bag from Travel + Leisure-loved brand Baggallini is a great choice. It features RFID-blocking technology, an anti-theft zipper pull sleeve, a cut-resistant strap, locking zippers, and interior slash-resistant panels.

Don’t Bring: Inappropriate Clothing for Sacred Sites

Pack Instead: A Lightweight Shawl

Jeelow Lightweight Shawl

While it may sound obvious, you’d be surprised at how many tourists I’ve seen be yelled at and kicked out of churches in Italy for entering with inappropriate clothing. This means either exposing the shoulders or too much leg above the knees, or simply wearing clothing with crude or inappropriate imagery. 

As many countries in Europe are home to very important and hundreds-year-old sacred sites, most of which boast stunning pieces of art and architecture, it’s always best to dress respectfully when entering. That’s why I always recommend packing a compact, lightweight shawl to cover up with, especially when it’s too hot in the summer to wear much more than shorts, dresses, and tank tops. This simple one from Amazon is made from a soft cotton and can easily fold up into a purse. Oh, and it’s currently on sale for $15.

Don’t Bring: Only Credit Cards

Pack Instead: Secure Wallet With Cash

Falan Mule Small Wallet

Cash is still king in many European countries. While credit cards and contactless payments are becoming more and more common, it’s always best practice to have some cash on hand, including a few bank notes and euro coins. These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant. That’s why ahead of your European travels, it’s important to invest in a wallet with a designated coin purse, as coins are used much more frequently in Europe than in the United States. 

This compact RFID-blocking wallet from Amazon, which is available in a number of vibrant shades including light green, antique yellow, and bright red, is a great choice thanks to its large capacity. It features 14 credit card slots, four clear ID windows, two cash compartments, and a zippered coin pocket. If that’s not enough to convince you, consider that it’s nearly 20 percent off with the on-site coupon and has 7,000 five-star ratings.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.