Europe Fall Packing List: Clothes, Shoes, and Carry On Essentials

After too many trips spent digging around in my suitcase like a raccoon in a trash bin, I finally landed on a packing system that actually works, and this recent two-week trip to Paris, Barcelona, and Bath proved it.

September brought a little of everything: drizzle and champagne in Paris, warm drizzle + sunshine in Barcelona, and cozy sweater weather in Bath.

Here’s what I packed, what I actually used, and what I’d tweak next time.

I used a 26-inch checked bag (my beloved Vera Bradley paisley suitcase… talk about easy to spot on the luggage return carousel) plus a personal-item backpack that lived under the seat. The combo worked well for trains, planes, and cobblestones.

However I decided that next trip, I’m upgrading to a rolling carry-on. I’ve been a backpack traveler since my twenties, but at 58, carrying 20 pounds on my back through Heathrow Airport was… less fun than I remembered.

Takeaway: Invest in a good rolling carry-on. Your shoulders and mood will thank you. I saw this bag over and over at the airports recently and it looks perfect, with the easy access compartments in the front for your computer, magazines, books etc.

What I Packed in My Carry-On for Europe in September:

I take into account what I'll want to have while on the plane, important items I don't want to lose, and stuff I'd need if my checked luggage (God forbid) got lost.

Plane Essentials

• AirTag
• Compression socks (wear on plane)
• Book /Notebook
• Water bottle
• Pen (for customs forms)
• Snacks (Protein bars)
• Pashmina scarf (doubles as your own blanket)
• Earplugs
• Trtl sleep support pillow

Toiletries

Stored in a Packing Cube so it's easy to grab and take to the bathroom.

• Sanitizing wipes for surfaces
• Hand sanitizer
• Lip balm
• Small hand lotion
• Small deodorant
• Makeup remover towelette
• Hair brush
• Mascara and Lipstick
• Toothpaste – small tube
• Toothbrush with cover
• Dental floss
• Contact Lens case (pre-filled with saline for the overnight flight)
• Contact Lens rewetting drops
• Glasses
• Extra pairs of contact lenses
• Travel sized face mist (hey, you're on vacation! Pamper yourself! And this one is unscented so you don't annoy your fellow passengers)

Medication

• RX
• Tylenol
• Pepto-Bismol/Immodium
• Dramamine
• Alka Seltzer
• Benadryl

Official Stuff

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Printed trip itinerary
• Photocopy of passport, Drivers License, credit cards, insurance card, emergency contacts and embassy numbers. (Keep photos of these on your phone also in a secure cloud folder)
• Currency for first location (or get this at an ATM once you arrive)
• Credit cards and debit/ATM card in RFID-blocking wallet I loved this wallet with its chain to attach to my purse hardware. I felt very secure from pickpockets.

Electronics

• iPhone and charger
• Computer and charger
• Airpods and charger
• Portable Charger Power Bank – I was really impressed with this charger with its build in cords to charge “Type C and iOS devices”. So I could charge my iPhone and my Airpods at the same time!

If my Checked-In Suitcase gets lost

• CPAP and charger
• Adapter
• Change of clothes (in ziplock bag or small packing cube)
• Dental Mouth Guard

Checked Luggage (26”)

Shoes

I actually brought 4 pairs of shoes on this trip but realized I would have been fine with these three pairs. The 4th pair I brought was a black ballet flat, but it was too similar to the Mary Janes and not as comfortable.

• White Leather Sneakers
• Black Stretchy Mary Jane flats
• Brown Walking Sandals

Clothes

I laid out my clothes to make sure I could that each top could go with multiple bottoms. I also tried everything on to make sure it still fit and I still liked it. (Lesson learned from my last trip.)

I packed:

• 5 short sleeved tops (1 worn on the plane)
• 4 long sleeved tops
• 2 pairs of jeans (1 worn on the plane)
• 1 pair of black pants (only wore once for the Opera)
• 1 pair of tan/khaki pants
• 1 pair of white shorts (for Barcelona)
• 1 black cardigan
• 1 navy blue blazer (worn on the plane)

Takeaway: My choices for this trip worked pretty well. It was great to have all of the options for different top/bottom combinations. Focusing on a few basic colors really helped: blue, black, and white; with a couple of alternates: red and tan.

Bringing a blazer for Paris and Bath in the Fall felt like a real win. I felt put together, and warm enough but not too hot. I was glad I brought the black cardigan also for those more casual days.

Misc.

• Hat – I got this new bucket hat for the potential rain (and sun) on this trip. It came in really handy for both. I love how it packs into itself to form a flat 3″ circle.

I hope this help if you are planning your own September in Europe. Keep your colors simple, shoes practical, and your sense of humor handy.

Click here to see my post on packing for a 4 week summer trip to 3 different climates in Europe: