What do you pack for two weeks in Europe? I traveled to Barcelona, Southern France, and Switzerland this summer before heading to Copenhagen to study abroad. Here’s my packing list.
I got the Osprey Porter 46 Travel Pack. I picked this one because it is carry-on size for flying and it has nice pockets, including a laptop sleeve, a large main compartment, and smaller pockets on the front. Because it is a travel pack, it unzips to load it from the front like a suitcase rather than the top like a backpacking backpack, which helps it stay organized. My only complaint is that the back panel wasn’t super stiff and so it would bend and sit weird on my lower back, not sure if it’s my fault and I need to pack it differently or it’s just a fault of the design. All in all, love the backpack and it fit everything well! Also, having a backpack not a suitcase in Europe is so nice with the cobblestones and stairs.
I also brought a Jansport backpack that I wore on my front. I wish I would’ve brought a smaller backpack or even a big purse because it was just too big and awkward.
What’s In Your Backpack?
First, and definitely most importantly, is my sketching stuff! I brought watercolors and inkpens, a pocket sketchbook, a watercolor sketchbook (not pictured), and a travel journal to write about my trip.
I also brought a Danish phrasebook. While it wasn’t much help in France, it was fun to start learning some Danish on the trains and once I got to Denmark, it was really helpful, especially for decoding menus when you don’t have wifi!
I brought my camera, of course, with the kit lens as well as an 85mm lens and a new 14mm lens.
I also brought my Instax camera and have been collecting a polaroid from each city I go to! It has been so fun.
Don’t forget the cables and converters! Phone charger, battery, and camera charger plus an extension cord for hostels just in case the outlet isn’t conveniently located.
Travel Essentials:
It’s pretty much impossible to travel, especially on an overnight flight, without a neck pillow and headphones! I just wish I would’ve brought my “regular” headphones and dongle (thanks a lot Apple) because I couldn’t plug my headphones in to watch movies on the airplane.
Another thing it’s impossible to travel without: your passport! I have one of those necklace passport holders, dorky and awkward but it keeps it safe. I brought my phone and wallet too, of course (not pictured).
Are Packing Cubes Worth it?
I’m not sure if I’m sold on packing cubes yet. They are helpful for organizing your stuff but as you wear stuff and it migrates into the dirty laundry bag, it gets harder and harder to repack your backpack.
Anyways, in the big packing cube I packed three pairs of shorts, one pair of leggings, two dresses, one long sleeve shirt, one cardigan, and my swimsuit. In the small and medium packing cubes, I packed my socks and underwear. In the clear packing cube, I packed nine long sleeve shirts. I also had a jacket and umbrella (not pictured) in my backpack.
Not pictured: two pairs of shoes. I wore my Keene’s and packed my Saltwater sandals.
I had a travel towel from REI which packed really small which was great! It was so nice to have when hostels either didn’t have towels or had really small, scratchy towels. It is really soft and my only complaint is that it takes a while to dry, so don’t shower right before you have to pack up. I also packed my toiletries (not pictured) in a typical toiletry bag. Don’t forget to put your liquids in a plastic bag if you aren’t checking your backpack!
Finally, I packed some fun American treats to give my host family when I got to Denmark!
I mailed the rest of what I would (winter clothes and school stuff) to my host family in Denmark and it worked out perfectly!
The lighting quality of the ceiling was just incredible. Even on a slightly overcast day like this, it was well lit inside. On short winter days when services are before sunrise, they have to rely on artificial light but aside from that it works very well.
