The Ultimate Europe Winter Packing List for Women (to Fit in a Carry-On!)

Looking for the ultimate Europe winter packing list for women? From what to wear in Europe in winter, to those handy dandy essentials, here’s all the things to include on your packing list for Europe in winter – and make it all fit in a carry-on!

There’s much to love about winter in Europe – festive Christmas markets, snow-covered fairytale castles, cozy historic cafes, and vibrant cities.

One thing that I don’t love? Packing for Europe in winter…especially when you’re trying to make it all fit in a carry-on. 

My very first trip to Europe was in the winter, and I had absolutely no idea how to pack. As someone who has lived in California all her life, I didn’t really know how to pack for the cold. I also didn’t really do a great job of planning.

When trying to figure out what to pack for Europe in winter, I ended up with a random mismash of clothes that I *thought* would work, but didn’t at all. I brought too much stuff, a lot of which I never ended up wearing, and then I was still too cold anyways.

I’ve returned to Europe in winter several times since then (and have also taken a bunch of winter trips to other cold places, such as Quebec City, Montreal, and Leavenworth). And as I’ve traveled more in the winter, I’ve gotten much better at packing for the cold. I can even make it all fit in a carry-on now!

Packing for a winter trip in a carry-on can be challenging, but it’s definitely do-able! The key is to do a bit of advance planning and to be strategic about it.

Whether you’re visiting the Christmas Markets of Munich, exploring the landmarks of Paris, or strolling the charming streets of Prague, here’s all the things you should include on your Europe winter packing list!

**This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Pictures & Words is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you.

A Few Tips for What to Pack for Europe in Winter in a Carry-On

• The further north you go, the colder it gets: How cold it gets in Europe in winter varies greatly depending on where you go. Southern Europe (i.e. Spain or Portugal) is not that cold and basically felt like California winter (although I will say it was far colder in Porto than in Lisbon, for example). On the other end of the spectrum, if you go up to Finnish Lapland or Arctic Norway, you will likely encounter subzero temperatures. The areas of central Europe are somewhere in between, like cold enough to experience winter wonderland vibes, but not so cold that you’re freezing all the time.
  
• January is usually the coldest month: Regardless of where you’re headed, January tends to be the coldest month so pack accordingly.
  
• Layer, layer layer: The best way to figure out what to wear in Europe in winter is to dress in layers! This will allow you to stay warm outside in the cold, but you can easily peel them off when the heater is blasting inside. It will also allow your wardrobe to be much more versatile as well.
  
• Don’t forget the accessories: Not only do cute winter accessories add a bit of pop to your outfit, they also help keep you warm. Be sure to pack a warm scarf, hat, and gloves to keep your head, neck, and hands covered – you’ll be much more comfortable for it!
  
• Wear your heaviest items on the plane: The biggest hack for this carry-on packing list for Europe in winter – wear your heaviest layers on the plane! Throw on your coat, your heaviest sweater, thickest scarf, and your winter boots when you board the plane. You can always shed your layers once you’re on the plane (they also make great pillows and blankets), and you will save sooooo much space!

• Roll your clothes + use packing cubes: These are two other space-savers when packing for Europe in a carry-on in winter. I don’t know how I ever lived without packing cubes (these are the ones I use) because they help you pack up your clothes more efficiently, save space, and prevent messy piles of stuff. And, rolling your clothes tightly into them will help you save even more space!
  
• Plan your outfits ahead of time: Plan ahead for what to wear in Europe in winter! If you plan exactly what you’re going to wear, you’ll be able to pack pieces that work together to create multiple outfits, instead of a random hodgepodge of stuff. Be sure to take your planned activities when planning what to wear in Europe in winter. I will throw in one or two fun “wild card” pieces for a bit of variety (if I have space), but don’t go overboard here.
  
• A carry-on fits about a week’s worth of stuff: If you’re staying longer, plan on doing laundry at some point during your trip.

The Ultimate Europe Winter Packing List

What to Wear in Europe in Winter

Outerwear

Warm winter coat: This is probably the most important item on your packing list for Europe in winter! Your coat is going to help you stay warm, and chances are you will be wearing it most of the time you’re outdoors. I highly recommend something that covers your butt for the most warmth. You also want something that’s water resistant to help protect you from snow and rain.

My winter coat was $40 on sale on Black Friday and is similar to this coat. It’s kept me nice and warm on all my winter trips to Europe! If you’re wanting to keep it classy because you’re visiting somewhere like Paris, you might also want to get something like a wool trench coat.

Packable down jacket: Depending on where you’re headed (and the weather), this might be the only piece of outerwear you need. Otherwise, this is a good layering piece for extra warmth under your coat. Look for something lightweight but warm. I recommend a packable version so it fits nice and compact in your luggage. 

I swear by my Patagonia NanoPuff jacket – it’s expensive, but it’s super lightweight, very warm, and very well made. You can sometimes find deals on REI Outlet (that’s how I got mine!). If you’re on a budget, the Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Parkas are a good alternative.

Underwear + Base Layers

3 base layers: Having a few good base layers is absolutely key! These will help you keep the heat in when you need it, but also keep you cool when you don’t.

I’ve been wearing the Uniqlo Heattech shirts for YEARS now and highly recommend them! They’re affordable, lightweight, warm, and moisture-wicking. They even have extra warm and ultra warm versions too, if you’re going somewhere extra cold.

2-3 thermal tights or underwear: Like base layers for wearing under your bottoms. I personally love the Uniqlo Heattech thermal tights and they are an essential on my winter packing list for Europe. You can also opt to wear thermal underwear/Long Johns as well. 

3 bras: This can be a mix of regular bras and sports bras. Honestly, I prefer wearing wireless bras or sports bras (I love the ones from the Crz Yoga brand on Amazon and have a bunch of them) because they’re more comfortable.

7 pairs of underwear: Or basically one pair for every day of your trip.

Tops

2-3 sweaters: Your sweaters are going to be the layer in between your base layer and outerwear. When figuring out what to wear in Europe in winter, choose them wisely, as they’re meant to add warmth but this is also where you’ll want to look cute!

Also don’t overpack sweaters! Since you’re going to be wearing a base layer beneath your sweater, you can just wear them multiple times. Don’t pack super thick ones, either – I pick one chunkier sweater (that I wear on the plane), and the rest are lighter-weight sweaters.

I like to pack a cute white sweater that can go over any colored bottoms, something chunky for extra coziness (this is a nice solid color cable knit sweater, and I wore this color blocked one in Germany, and i also love a good tunic sweater), and something with a print (like this colorful striped one I always get compliments on, or a polka dot one) for a fun touch.

Turtleneck: I think turtlenecks look so classy, and are such a great layering piece. I love this Uniqlo Heattech one, which is thicker than a regular T-shirt material, but not as thick as a sweater. It’s also got the Heattech technology, so it will act as a base layer, but you can wear it like a sweater too.

Sweater Dress: I love a good sweater dress for when you want to be a bit dressier, yet stay cozy and warm. Wear thermal tights or fleece leggings underneath.

Cardigan: A cardigan is a fantastic layering piece that you can throw over a base layer or turtleneck. They’re versatile, easy to get on and off, and are nice and cozy.

Flannel button-down: I love wearing a soft flannel button-down in the winter. It’s super comfortable and is a great layering piece that you can wear over your base layer, or under sweaters and cardigans! 

Bottoms

1-2 pairs of jeans or pants: I’m a Millennial, so I’m partial to skinny jeans (my favorites come from Uniqlo or Old Navy). They also help the warmth stay in too. Make sure they aren’t super tights, because you want your tights or thermal underwear to fit underneath them.  

1-2 pairs of fleece-lined leggings: These are my go-to pairs, which are super comfy and warm thanks to the fleece (they also have pockets!). Wear thermal tights underneath for extra warmth. Honestly, I much prefer wearing leggings these days (they also take up less space) so I’d pack 2 pairs of leggings and 1 pair of jeans, but you can go the other way around if you prefer.

1 skirt: To switch it up and be a bit dressy, and to look cute in photos! Wear your leggings or tights underneath to stay warm. I love a pleated chiffon skirt, a tulle midi skir, or even a chiffon maxi skirt (I own multiples of these because they’re great for photos and easy to throw on top of your pants/leggings!). 

Footwear

1 pair of boots: This is another essential item on your winter packing list for Europe! You’ll want to invest in a pair that’s waterproof that you can walk through the snow in, that are also sturdy and comfortable. My pair is from Columbia and I walked 30,000 steps every day for a week in them! They’ve sadly been discontinued, but here is a similar pair of boots, also from Columbia.

Depending on where you’re going and if there’s a lot of snow, you can also choose to wear a pair of tall leather boots. I’ve done this for a few European winter trips, although I wouldn’t wear them if there was going to be a lot of snow. I have a pair from Timberland that I LOVE and have worn for years, but have sadly been discontinued. This pair from Naturalizer is similar (and Naturalizer shoes tend to be super comfortable).

1 other pair of shoes (Optional): Sometimes, you just want options or maybe you want to switch it up to give your feet a break. In that case, you can pack an extra pair of shoes – or if you don’t have room, skip it (just make sure your main pair are comfortable!)

Maybe you want to bring a pair of ankle boots (these suede ones are a wardrobe staple for me), a dressier pair of flats (Rothy’s makes my favorites!), or a pair of comfy sneakers (Allbirds makes my go-to travel sneakers!).

1 pair of flip-flops: For those times you don’t want to throw on your boots, like if you’re going down the hall to the ice machine, or something.

Winter Accessories

1-2 warm scarves: A scarf is one of my favorite accessories, because not only does it keep your upper body warm, it always adds a nice touch to your outfit. I love a good infinity scarf, and I love this blanket scarf as well.

1-2 winter hats: I love wearing pom-pom beanies in the winter, because they’re cute in photos and they keep your head warm (which we sometimes forget about!)

Knitted headband: Also to keep your head warm, but to switch it up from a beanie (and it’s easier to wear them under the hood of your jacket).

7 pairs of wool socks: Not just regular pairs of socks – you want wool socks to keep your feet warm! They make all of the difference, trust me!

Leg warmers: Not only do they look cute over your leggings or with a skirt, they add an extra layer of warmth as well.

Warm gloves: Get a pair that also lets you use your touchscreen devices without taking them off. 

Other Clothing for Your Europe Winter Packing List

1 pair of Pajamas: Honestly, I just wear sweatpants and a random oversized T-shirt as pajamas, but maybe you’ll want to get a cute PJ set.

Bathing suit: I know, I know, it’s going to be cold, so why would you need a bathing suit for your Europe winter travel packing list? If you’re going someplace with thermal baths (i.e. Budapest), you’ll definitely want to pack a bathing suit. Or maybe you’ll want to soak in the jacuzzi or hot tub, wherever you go,

Packing Essentials for Your Winter Trip to Europe

Carry-on luggage: If you’re packing for Europe in winter in a carry-on, well, you’ll need an actual carry-on to throw all your stuff in! Be sure to pay attention to airline size and weight limits to ensure that you aren’t subject to any additional fees (which add up!). If you don’t want to roll around your luggage in snowy cobblestone streets, you can consider traveling with a 

Packing cubes: Packing cubes are key in order to pack efficiently, save space, and to stay organized! They are an absolute must when packing for Europe in winter in a carry-on. These are the ones I have and I literally use them on every trip (winter or not!).

Personal item: I like to use my personal item as additional space to pack all my stuff. I always pack 1-2 changes of clothes, my toiletries, electronics, and anything else important in my personal item. 

I use my REI daypack as my personal item these days, which has tons of space and lots of compartments. You might want to use something that also doubles as a bag for carrying your stuff once you get to your destination, in which case you might prefer something more stylish like this (it also has anti-theft features).

Tote: I always pack a tote bag with me, because they fold up nicely and they’re always nice to have. I sometimes end up using it to carry around all my stuff for the day (just be sure to hold it securely so no one steals your stuff). You can pack a foldable grocery tote (Baggu makes my favorites), or just use any cute tote you have on hand.

Fanny pack or small crossbody bag: You can hide these under your layers when boarding your plane, to hold your boarding pass, phone etc. I also like to carry important stuff in this while walking around town. They also fit nicely under your outerwear so it’s harder for pickpockets to steal your stuff.

Air Tag: This is especially important if you’re checking luggage, but I think it’s still helpful if you’re traveling carry-on only. Even if you don’t plan to check a bag, there’s a chance you may have to gate-check your bag. This is especially important if you have a layover – I’ve had my bags get gate-checked and then not make it on my connecting flight! It will also give you peace of mind in case you somehow misplace your bags or they go missing.

Luggage locks: Prevent your stuff from getting stolen by using a TSA approved luggage lock. If you’re traveling by train, also get a bike lock in order to chain your stuff to the luggage racks.

Toiletries and Health Items

Hanging toiletries bag: This is what I use to keep all my makeup, toiletries, and health stuff organized. I also love that it hangs, because sink space can be quite limited in Europe.

Travel sized containers: These are another hack for your Europe winter packing list in a carry-on! You’ll be able to take along your favorite toiletries, skin care products, etc. but without lugging around all the full-sized bottles. 

Shampoo, conditioner, soap/shower gel: Honestly, I don’t pack these anymore if I’m staying in a hotel, but bring them along if you’ve staying in other accommodations.

Sunscreen: The sun is strong, even in winter so slather on the SPF! This sunscreen is my favorite (and this is the perfect top-off for your face).

Lotion: Winter weather tends to dry out your skin, so be sure to pack your favorite lotion!

Lip balm: Yes, that means your lips will get chapped, too! This is my favorite lip balm that I’ve been using since high school.

Makeup: Do yourself a favor and whittle down your makeup to the products you absolutely need. You’ll save so much space that way!

Face wash + Makeup remover: This is my favorite face wash, and it comes in a travel size as well. I also never travel without makeup remover wipes.  

Moisturizer: Again, the cold dries out your skin so keep it moisturized. This is my favorite moisturizer that I’ve been using for years, which is also available in a travel size. 

Deodorant

Hair brush: Pack a compact travel sized one to save space

Hair ties: You can never have enough hair ties, so pack a few extras.

Hair styler: Look, I don’t even bother styling my hair in Europe in winter, because I end up with crazy hat hair anyway. But if you insist on doing your hair, I recommend a 2-in-1 hair styler like this for versatility. 

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss: I like bringing along a Quip toothbrush for travel because it’s battery operated and compact.

Prescription meds: If you’re on any prescribed medications, be sure to bring them with you. Make sure you have the bottle with the label showing, or the prescription,

OTC meds: No one wants to wake up not feeling well, and then have to head to the pharmacy and deal with a language barrier. Bring some basic over the counter medications for you, like Advil or Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, etc.

First Aid Kit: It’s never a bad idea to have some basic first aid items on you. You can get a travel sized first aid kit, which has all the basics in a little compact case. 

Hand sanitizer: Keep those germs away.

Face masks: Look, I know that we’ve moved past the pandemic era, but I don’t think it hurts to keep a few masks on hand. No one wants to end up sick because they were sitting near someone on the plane who wouldn’t stop coughing. I always travel with a few of these masks on hand.

Electronics for your Packing List for Europe in Winter

Camera + Lenses + Memory Cards: While, yes, you can totally use your phone to take pictures, I always find that I end up loving my camera photos more. I usually shoot with the Sony a6000 (which is hard to find these days, so I suggest getting the upgraded Sony a6400 instead). It’s a mirrorless camera so it’s relatively lightweight but takes dSLR quality images, so it’s perfect for travel. My go-to lens is the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 lens, which covers a nice range and the f2.8 is great for low light. And don’t forget the memory cards! (bring some extra too)

Camera charger: Don’t forget your charger too!

Tripod + Remote: if you want to take your own photos of yourself. I recommend something sturdy yet lightweight (this is the one I travel with). While you can use the camera app to use your phone as a remote, I find it kind of wonky so I recommend getting this remote. You can also get a tripod for your phone (I carry this one everywhere). 

Portable phone charger: Your phone drains battery quicker in the cold, so I highly recommend carrying a portable charger to keep them charged. I never leave home without this charger.

Power Adapter: Note that Europe uses 230 V Type E plugs. If you’re coming from elsewhere (like the United States), you’ll need a power adapter to plug in your devices. Here’s the power adapter I travel with, which has lasted me for years. 

Kindle: Look, I’m a physical book person through and through, but it’s annoying (and bulky!) to carry around physical books when you travel. I highly recommend the Kindle Paperwhite. (I also recommend a Kindle Unlimited subscription to keep it loaded with good books – you can get a 30 day free trial here!)

Don’t Forget the Important Stuff!

Passport: If you forget your passport…well, good luck trying to get into Europe. Also be sure that your passport has at least 6 months validity from your trip.

Visas: Be sure to get the appropriate visas, if they are required for your country of citizenship. PS: Starting in early 2025, it will be required for travelers to get an ETIAS travel authorization from previously visa-free countries. If your trip is in 2025, be sure to keep informed on the latest requirements! 

Travel insurance: Travel insurance is a must, because you never know what will happen and you need to be prepared just in case! Lately, I’ve been a big fan of SafetyWing. Their policies are catered towards digital nomads so the minimum duration is 4 weeks, but you don’t need to be a nomad to use it. I found that the pricing is still comparable to shorter policies from other companies. 

Copies of passport, ID, confirmations, travel insurance, etc: These are all a good idea to have!

Travel Credit Card: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is my go-to. You get 3x points for travel and dining purchases, with 2x points for everything else. You also get a 25% bonus when you go to redeem your points. There are also no foreign transaction fees, and the annual fee is a very reasonable $99. Use this link to get up to 75,000 bonus points when you are approved for the card.

Cash: You’ll want to have a little bit of cash on hand, especially if you plan to go to Christmas Markets. I like to take cash out from an airport ATM upon arrival, rather than use a currency exchange counter, which has unfavorable rates.

Travel document holder: Keep all of the above organized and readily available,

More Handy Items for Your Winter Packing List for Europe

Ice grips: Depending on where you go, these may come in very handy! If you’re headed somewhere where there’s a lot of ice, strapping a pair of ice grips over your boots will help you from slipping and sliding all over the icy streets.

Hand Warmers: I never thought to pack hand warmers, but then I was gifted some, and they were definitely useful! You can get the regular single-use ones, or even rechargeable ones.

Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while on the go! Also note that Europe doesn’t have free tap water in restaurants, so I recommend carrying your own.

 Liquid IV: It’s important to stay hydrated, and these help you do so! Also helpful for when you *ahem* have too much gluhwein at the Christmas Markets.

Quick dry travel towel: These are super handy to have!

Have you ever been to Europe in winter? What are the must-haves on your winter packing list for Europe?

You might also like:
Magical Things to Do in Munich in Winter
Best Christmas Markets in Munich: A Complete Guide
A Complete Guide to Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in Winter
Dreamy Things to Do in Prague in Winter

Liked this post? Save this packing list for Europe in winter to Pinterest for later!