Minimalist Packing List for Females Traveling to Europe
My introduction to traveling minimally started on my first backpacking trip to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary when I was just 17 years old. Truth be told, half of what I was carrying never got worn or used.
Since then, I’ve backpacked across 19 European countries (and traveled to over 40), and have been working on creating this minimalist packing list for females going abroad!
Of course, your packing list is going to vary immensely based on where in Europe you are traveling, what season it will be when you’re there, and how long you’re going for, but for the most part, the lists below are comprehensive and will ensure you have a successful trip!
Use the table of contents below to direct your search based on the length of your travel. Ultralight travel will include day trips to new cities, overnight travel focuses on weekend trips, and long-term travel will be for trips that are two weeks or longer.
I have also included some helpful minimalist packing tips at the end of this post and answered some questions to help you pack appropriately!
Minimalist Packing List for Females: Ultralight Travel
It’s always so exciting when visiting a new city! Paris, London, the countryside of Ireland, no matter where you’re going you can almost guarantee that you’re not going to need much if you’re only traveling for the day.
That’s why I created this ultralight travel packing list! I want to prevent you from having to go back to your hotel in the middle of sightseeing to grab something you couldn’t carry or from carrying far too much and ending up with an aching back.
Trust me, I’ve done both, and neither are fun and both end in frustration.
So, check out my ultralight travel packing list below and keep an eye out for my special links! If you see something you like that you might want to include on your next vacation, the link will bring you to the right spot (usually Amazon).
To start off this ultralight travel packing list, you’ll need a day backpack. I use the Osprey Fairview 40 and absolutely love it! It has two buckles, one for the chest and a padded one for the waist to keep the weight evenly distributed on your back and hips.
It has plenty of compartments and is large enough to hold everything I need for the day (I’ll tell you more about this below) without being too bulky. The back also has two security straps to deter pickpocketers.
Once you have a good day bag, you’re ready to start packing!
Even if you are only planning on traveling for the day, it’s important to be prepared. Nobody likes having to run back to their hotel room to get a jacket because it got cold outside.
So, follow this list carefully and ensure that whatever day bag you use has the capacity of carrying what you’ll need it to while still being comfortable.
One other thing I want to mention is what resource you get your water from… while many European countries do provide clean drinking water, there are also many who do not.
I love my LifeStraw Reusable Water Bottle because it filters any outside chemicals, bacteria, and other stuff you definitely shouldn’t be drinking. It allows me to omit buying single-use plastic water bottles and brings me ease of mind knowing I won’t get sick from filling up my bottle in a hotel sink if I need to.
Even if you aren’t traveling to Europe, this water bottle is great to have no matter where you are in the world!
Minimalist Packing List for Females: Overnight Travel
Have you ever decided to book a long weekend trip and then realized you only knew how to pack for either one day or one week? Me too!
I would either end up re-wearing the same clothes for two of the days or I would end up carrying 4 pairs of shoes for a 3-day trip. But, luckily, I have finally found the perfect in between overnight packing list for females that I’m sure you’ll find useful on your next weekend getaway!
The list below focuses on packing for a European destination in the spring, summer, or fall for a long weekend. Of course, you may need a warmer jacket in the fall than in the summer, but you’ll still need a jacket nevertheless.
Bear in mind when you will be traveling and check the weather before you leave for your trip.
Now, you may be thinking, “what about my hair styling tools?!”
Forget about them. Most hotels provide a hairdryer and you won’t need a hair straightener or a curling iron if you’re trying to pack minimally. They take up a lot of room in your bag, add a lot of weight to your back, and are often only used once or twice over the weekend. So, leave them at home!
Also, if you are traveling with any medical prescriptions, you may need to have a doctor’s note to accompany the bottle. In most cases, all of the information that TSA will need will be listed on the bottle itself, but for some, a doctor’s prescription and approval for travel will be required.
As for the battery pack, I use this Ultra Compact Portable Charger.
It’s lightweight, has a very long-lasting battery so you can charge while on-the-go without having to worry about it dying quickly, and has several charging ports so you can charge your phone and camera (if applicable) at the same time.
Minimalist Packing List for Females: One Week Travel
Many of my trips started out around 4 days (2 days per city) and then gradually grew over time to one week, and I have found that this has been the easiest to pack for.
One week trips became the most common for me as I started traveling abroad more and more, so this is where I found myself almost always having the right items with me. I got really good at estimating exactly what I would need for the trip and figuring out how long I could go without doing laundry… but still have clean clothes.
If that doesn’t make sense to you yet, don’t worry, it will! The more trips you go on, the more this will make sense.
I’m excited to offer you this list since I have been editing it for years and it is finally ready to be shared! Keep in mind, you’ll still need to pay attention to your destination, the season, and the weather before packing.
Also, if you enjoy buying clothing as souvenirs when you’re on the road, be sure to keep some space open for things that you buy.
For example, if I know I’ll be traveling for about 2 weeks and will need 5 or 6 t-shirts, I’ll only pack 4 and then buy one while traveling.
This not only gives you an excuse to buy an awesome souvenir but also ensures that you’ll have the room available to bring it back with you!
Similar to the overnight travel packing list, this week-long travel packing list doesn’t include any hair styling items.
If you absolutely need them, try to choose just one and remember that most hotels have hairdryers in the room. If you are traveling with someone else who also uses the item or product, ask if they would be willing to share it with you so you don’t end up traveling with two of the same thing.
The items above are what I would bring along for a week-long trip to Europe in the shoulder season months. But, if you’re traveling in the dead of summer, you will probably want another bathing suit and you can omit one of the sweaters (not both!)
Minimalist Packing List for Females: Long Term Travel
When I first started my long haul backpacking trips, I was carrying a 65-liter Osprey Backpack on my back that nearly ended my trip early… I truly thought I needed everything in my wardrobe and I couldn’t survive without “the essentials”.
Don’t get me wrong, I truly love that backpack for hiking and shorter trips (one-week trips were perfect!), but carrying it for weeks on end was not enjoyable.
Not to mention, it never fit above my head or under the seat on trains or buses, so I always had to keep it on my lap. Not exactly how I pictured my trip going…
If this sounds familiar to you, I’m sure you’re wondering what you should **actually** include in your minimalist packing list for females.
Check out the list below and cross-check what I’ve mentioned and what you have. I’ve made it super simple and included links for company-specific items that have changed my traveling for the better, and that I think will do the same for you!
The packing list above has been created for trips taking 2 weeks or longer. Now, you’re probably starting to realize that it’s not super different from the one-week packing list, and that’s because it would be impossible to carry 14+ different outfits with you while traveling.
If you’re trying to pack minimally, chances are you won’t be checking a bag on your flights. So, in order to do that, you won’t be able to pack enough different clothing for 2+ weeks of traveling anyway!
Instead, you’ll need to find accommodations that have laundry services available.
Trust me when I say that spending the few extra dollars it will cost you to do laundry is far better of an option than carrying around two weeks worth of belongings everywhere you go!
Other Items To Consider Bringing With You
Depending on how long you plan on traveling for and if you plan on doing some backpacking (solo or with someone else), there are some other useful items that I can recommend to you!
- A Diva Cup – BPA-free reusable menstrual cup (saves a ton of room and money!)
- Travel-Sized First Aid Kit – fits easily in any bag or purse and is good for on-the-go first aid
- Hanging Toiletry Bag – is stylish and keeps everything up off the floor or counters (perfect for when staying places that may not be so clean)
- Himawari Backpack – I LOVE this backpack. It’s simple, affordable, stylish, durable, and has a built-in charging station for my phone on the inside. It also has plenty of compartments that can hold my laptop and important travel documents. If you’re looking for a high-quality, affordable day bag then this is it!
- A Safety Lock – an extra line of security to deter pickpockets and to lock up a locker or door when traveling solo
Minimalist Packing Tips
Whether this is your first time attempting to pack minimally or your hundredth, there are a few tips I want to share with you that might make your packing experience go a little bit easier.
✔️ First off, use packing cubes.
I personally love my Veken ones since they come in fun colors and are a bit more durable than other brands. They also provide a shoe bag to prevent your dirty shoes from touching your clean clothes!
Packing cubes make it super simple to keep your clothes and shoes neat and orderly. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I haven’t used packing cubes and my clothes ended up in a jumbled mess on the floor of a hotel room…
✔️ Next tip, roll your clothes before putting them in your packing cubes.
This saves space and prevents them from getting wrinkled.
✔️ Also, try to plan out your outfits ahead of time.
You might be asking yourself, “how am I supposed to know what I’ll want to wear each day?”, and the good news is you don’t have to! Simply create the outfits ahead of time, then mix and match when you get there.
Keep in mind that if you’re traveling for 7 days, you won’t need 7 pairs of pants. Simply choose 2 or 3 pairs that work well with your tops.
This will help you to prevent overpacking and will save you time when getting ready each day.
✔️ Also, pack your toiletries in these TSA-approved reusable bottles.
They’re refillable, easy to clean, and you can always guarantee they’re not going to get thrown away at security for being over the ounce limit.
✔️ I also use one of these clear TSA-approved travel bags so I don’t have to waste a quart-sized plastic bag whenever I travel.
✔️ If you must pack a pair of larger hiking boots or a winter jacket, wear them on the plane.
Yes, it will be a pain to take everything on and off going through security, but it will save you loads of room in your bag and can even save you from getting charged for your bag being over the weight limit.
✔️ Lastly, simplify your lifestyle.
I know that is easier said than done, but you don’t need two different types of shampoo, several different brands of mascara, or several different hair brushes for styling.
These things may be convenient and enjoyable to use at home, but I promise they will only add to the weight on your back and will likely end up getting forgotten about when they fall to the bottom of your bag.
Instead, focus on the adventures that lie ahead and don’t get caught up in always looking your best while traveling because, to be frank, other travelers truly don’t care what you look like!
FAQ
What Should a Girl Have in Her Toiletry Bag?
Alright, ladies… you can’t bring 3 different mascaras because they “help your lashes” if you’re trying to pack minimally.
This minimalist packing list for females is intended to be just that. MINIMAL. When it comes to toiletries, only back the basics…
This means shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, chapstick, moisturizer, a razor, some dental floss, face wash, and body wash. You could even go as far as just using the hotel soap as body wash to save your bag even more room.
If you feel like you would really like to have some makeup with you, I get it. I do too! But, only bring along some mascara and maybe one lipstick. Just enough to tie your outfits together and make you look like you didn’t just drag two suitcases off a plane (am I right?)
Don’t go overboard with palettes of eye shadow, foundation, etc. The truth is you won’t need it, and chances are they’re going to get broken up from all the moving around and spill all over your other products. Been there, done that. Instead, opt to pack minimally!
How Do You Become a Minimalist Packing Queen?
When it comes to being the king or queen of packing minimally, it’s imperative that you actually follow this minimalist packing list for females (boys, you too)!
You need to really think about your priority items and make room for them right off the bat. Then, lay out everything else that you might bring and decide if you actually need, or just want the items.
If you can’t think of a definite situation that is guaranteed to happen where you’ll need the item, then don’t pack it. Once you have everything you actually need sorted, then take a look at how much room you have left in your bag.
If you have room leftover, you can consider packing one or two items that you wanted to bring originally or leave the room available for souvenirs, etc.
If you have no room left, then you may want to consider taking out an item or two so you have room for anything you may want to buy while you’re traveling.
It’s a long, drawn-out, “unpack and repack” process, but you’ll be grateful that you didn’t overpack!
What is the 5 4 3 Rule for Packing?
This comes down to basic math – if you pack 5 tops, 4 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes, you’ll be able to create 60 different outfit combinations! This is a fantastic way to look at your suitcase when you feel like you don’t have enough outfit options.
Personally, I never bring 3 pairs of shoes anywhere since I usually only travel with a backpack and occasionally a camera bag, so I keep this room open for souvenirs. But, if you do end up just bringing a suitcase and feel like you have plenty of room after rolling your clothes up, then by all means go for it!
And if you made any purchases through the links I have provided, thank you! I may make a small commission off of these purchases, but there will never be any extra cost to you.
I only recommend items on this minimalist packing list for females that I personally use and have enjoyed along my travels, so don’t worry, I wouldn’t try to sell you anything not worth buying.
