What to Pack for a European Summer in 2025

Packing for Summer in Europe? Read on.

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I love fashion and styling in a practical way which is perfect when planning a trip to Europe in Summer. I try really hard to travel with a carry on and personal item – even for nearly 3 weeks! It’s just so much easier when traveling with kids and honestly I don’t want to waste time waiting for luggage, or risk losing luggage. We typically do a mix of hotels and airbnb so we can do laundry at least once or twice on our trip.

Tips for Packing for Europe in Summer 2025

Valid Passport

If you don’t have a passport, check out the US State Department for helping information. It includes all the information you will need to apply, length of time, how to expedite and how to pay. If you do have a passport, make sure it meets the “six-month validity rule”. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into their country. This rule is often in place to ensure that your passport remains valid throughout your stay.

Make Copies of Everything

Ok this may not be very 2025, but I make copies of everything. Hotel and flight reservations, passports, tours. And yes I travel with all that paper. I’ve never had to use it but I feel better knowing I have it.

Get a travel credit card

I won’t pretend to be a savvy credit card user (or hacker) but I do appreciate not paying international fees when traveling, so for that reason, I recommend a card like Chase Sapphire Preferred where you don’t pay for international travel fees and you collect points. There is an annual fee but it pays for itself.

Expedited Travel: TSA Pre Check + Clear + Global Entry

TSA Pre Check is a no brainer and will pay for itself in no time. It will save you time in line and also the hassle of removing liquids, shoes, electronics from your bags. And if saving time is your jam, consider Clear and Global Entry. Clear is a paid membership that uses biometric scanning. After scanning, you are escorted to the front of security and skip security line. This automatically includes TSA Pre Check. Global Entry expedites the entry process for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United States from international destinations. It allows members to bypass regular passport control and customs inspection lines using automated kiosks.  Mobile Passport Control is great if you didn’t have time, or don’t qualify, for Global Entry. You will still be processed by border control but you will be directed to a shorter line (since not everyone knows about this option).

Pack Neutrals

My number one tip is to pack neutrals, neutrals and more neutrals! This gives you so much flexibility in mixing and matching. I also avoid logos or graphics so that we all look cohesive and pulled together when taking photos. It makes for beautiful pictures up on the gallery later!

Packing Cubes

I was late to the packing cube game but I can’t imagine traveling without them now! I prefer to pack by category in each cube. For example, shirts go in one one, shorts in another, dresses in another, intimates and pajamas in another. They are especially useful when traveling with kids. Combined with a neutral wardrobe, they make getting dressed so quick and easy! We have four sets of these affordable ones from Amazon, one color for each family member to stay even more organized.

Wear Layers on the Plane

I always pack a pair of sneakers and light jacket regardless of weather. I wear those on the plane to save luggage space. I will generally pack a denim jacket as that also is easy to wear with multiple outifts. There are many options but I like the this classic cropped version from Madewell to wear over dresses or with trousers.

Spacious Personal Item

In order to get away with only a carry on for a longer trip, I have this Calpak personal item which fits so much! I love it so much, that I also purchased one for my husband and kids for our most recent trip to Italy. For smaller European airlines with strict size and weight requirements, I purchased this TravelPro since my Rimowa exceeded dimensions. My husband took his Rimowa and had no issue so depends on how comfortable you are with having to check your luggage. The kids have the Monos Carry On and the dimensions also meet requirements.

Since we’re on the subject of luggage, I love this toiletry bag from Calpak. It’s pretty and helps to easily see everything. I have the small and it fits so much! I also have the medium and use for road trips where I am not as worried on bottle size.

Pack an Extra Bag

If you are like and like to shop, I recommend packing a lightweight duffle bag you can check on your return. While I am all for packing light on the way to my destination, I don’t have the same rule for my return, because of course, shopping!

Cross Body Bag

I am not a fan of crossbody bags under normal circumstances but when it comes to traveling, I am the biggest fan! You can be hands-free, especially important when traveling with littles, and it’s closer to the body keeping your things safe from pick-pocketers. I have, and love, this Clare V one. It’s spacious and feels a bit more elevated. I can shorten the strap and wear it as a shoulder bag to dinners. For a less expensive and more casual option, you cannot go wrong with this Uniqlo one. Also very spacious, lightweight and easy to pack and easy to clean.

Capsule Wardrobe

So I mentioned my number one tip is to pack neutrals. Along those lines, I highly recommend packing in a capsule wardrobe fashion. I found it to be to easy to get dressed without spending too much time thinking about outfits. Its also helpful for children to just pick a top out of the “tops cube” and a bottom out of the “bottoms cube”. With that being said, for two weeks, I would recommend:

• 2 dresses: I always pack a white dress and linen jumper or dress that I can dress up or down.
• 4-5 bottoms: This includes linen shorts, linen pants and a pair of denim shorts. Madewell always has good options on linen bottoms. Uniqlo also has many options of neutrals and linen.
• 6-7 tops: I would pack about 5 t-shirts or tank tops in neutral colors of black, white, grey and a striped option. A button down that can also be worn as a beach cover up is an essential. A blouse or ‘dressier’ option to be worn to a dinner with linen shorts or pants is nice. I like AYR for button down or t-shirts, Sezane button downs are also great, Everlane t-shirts are also a good option and I like Madewell for the high neck tank tops.
• 1-2 layers: A denim jacket is a staple and a cotton sweater or cardigan is a good idea. The beauty of a cardigan is that you can throw it over your shoulders to stay warm without committing to a jacket.
• 3 shoes: Sneakers, comfortable sandals and “dresser”, but still comfortable, sandals. Kaanas are great sandals. I have a pair that I wore all through Portugal and bought a second pair for Italy. They are so comfortable!
• 1 Bathing Suit
• Accessories: Hat, sunglasses and crossbody bag. Lack of Color always has great hats and Clare V Grande Fanny is my favorite bag for traveling.
• I pretty much shop at Zara and Mango for the kids. They love Teva Univeral Sandals and they travel with a pair of their favorite sneakers – which right now are Nike.

Pack Comfortable Shoes

Comfortable shoes are a must with all the walking and the cobblestone streets. I like these Nike or these Adidas Samba. Both are great with shorts or dresses and are very comfortable. I also like Kanaas shoes which tend to be very comfortable and stylish. I wore them all over Portugal and have no complaints. Kids both wear Teva sandals and they are the best option in my opinion. They look cute with dresses, shorts, dressier pants. They dry quickly if they get wet. They are comfortable and perfect for hot summer months. Both kids wore them without any issues. My son also wears Native shoes. My daughter says they aren’t as comfortable but my son never complained so they might be a little more specific.

Air Tags

We throw them in all our luggage, personal items and kid’s pockets. Basically in anything we want to find if we lost.

Laundry Sheets

This is pretty specific but travel sheets are essential if you are planning to do laundry while you travel. We do a mix of hotels and apartments and tend to do laundry at least once or twice.

Travel Steamer

With all that linen you are packing, a travel steamer is a must.

Pack the Right Tech

Check out this site to determine what adaptor you will need. This is a good option. I also recommend a portable charger for your iphone. If you are traveling with a camera, an extra USB is a good idea.