What to Pack for Europe in 2025 (The Weird, The Wise, The Why-Didn’t-I-Think-of-That)

Updated for visa rules, cultural chaos, and WiFi wars.

01. Travel Docs That Won’t Get You Detained

We love spontaneity. Border security doesn’t.

• 📄 Passport with 6+ months validity
• 📑 ETIAS waiver — delayed till late 2025/2026, but check latest updates just in case
• 💳 Proof of funds & return flight
• 🧾 Travel insurance (some Schengen countries require it!)
• 🚗 International Driver’s Permit for some rentals (especially Italy/France)
• 🖨️ Paper + digital copies of bookings

02. Tech That’ll Save Your Trip

• 🔌 Universal travel adapter (Type C for EU, Type G for UK)
• 📱 eSIM ready to activate on arrival (psst, try Simify)
• 🔋 Power bank — European train apps chew battery like gum
• 🗺️ Offline Google Maps (especially for countryside or no-WiFi Airbnbs)

"The one time I didn’t bring a power bank, I ended up charging my phone behind a cheese counter in Marseille. Never again." — Someone with regrets

03. Clothing You’ll Thank Yourself For

• 👟 Good walking shoes — cobblestones show no mercy
• 🧣 Scarf or pashmina — useful for churches, chilly trains, and plane naps
• 🩲 Swimwear — hotel saunas sneak up on you
• 🧼 Travel laundry kit (plug + laundry sheets = magic)

If you think you’ve packed light, take 3 things out. Then you're close.

04. The Weird & Wonderful Extras

• 🧻 Tissues — not all toilets offer paper (or seats... France, we’re looking at you)
• 🧴 BYO shampoo — “gel douche” is not your friend
• 🛍️ Reusable tote bag — for groceries, beach days, last-minute wine
• 🩹 Mini med kit (painkillers, Imodium, antihistamines, electrolytes)
• ✍️ A pen (for customs forms, scribbling directions, or journalling)

05. Cultural Curveballs (Brace Yourself)

• 🇩🇪 Germans stare. It’s not rude, it’s observational.
• 🇪🇸 Spaniards eat dinner at 10pm. Plan your snacks accordingly.
• 🇭🇷 Croatians smoke... everywhere.
• 🇳🇱 The Dutch are blunt. They’re not being mean. They’re being Dutch.
• 🇮🇹 In Italy, pay first, then order coffee. Break the rule, get judged.

“Try not to act surprised when a wasp joins your Aperol Spritz. It lives there now.”

06. Language Cheat Sheet

Fluent? No. Friendly? Always. A few words go a long way:

• French: Bonjour / Merci / Pardon
• Spanish: Hola / Gracias / ¿Dónde está el baño?
• Italian: Ciao / Per favore / Parla inglese?
• Croatian: Bok / Hvala / Gdje je…?

“Ugh” and an eye-roll also translate across all borders — especially with teens.

07. Final Tips (That No One Tells You)

• 🚨 Don’t joke about bombs at airports. Ever.
• 📍 Double check you're getting off at the *right* Berlin. There are several.
• 🧠 If your gut says "wear this 3 days in a row" — you're probably right.
• 📞 Tell your bank you’re overseas or your card might ghost you in Montenegro.

Final Word? Forget perfect. Pack smart. Embrace the chaos.

You’re about to make some of the best memories of your life.

🧡 The Simify Team