Traveling to Europe in December is magical—think cozy cafés, festive Christmas markets, snowy strolls, and rich cultural stops. But traveling with just a carry-on during winter? It’s absolutely doable with the right strategy.
The key is packing warm, stylish layers that can mix and match, choosing multi-use items, and sticking to compact travel tools. From Paris to Prague, this list keeps you warm and fashionable without overpacking.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Europe in December (carry-on only). Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- London: 3°C to 9°C (37°F to 48°F)
- Berlin: -1°C to 5°C (30°F to 41°F)
- Paris: 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)
- Rome: 5°C to 13°C (41°F to 55°F)
- Cold, rain, snow, and chilly winds across Europe ❄️
What to Pack for Europe in December (Carry-On Only)
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Carry-on roller bag – max cabin size 🧳
- Personal item backpack or tote – fits under seat 🎒
- Packing cubes – save space & compress clothes 📦
- Shoe bag – limit to 2 pairs total 👟
- Toiletry bag – under 100ml liquids 🧴
- Document wallet – passport, tickets, ID 💼
- Travel laundry bag – for separates 🧺
- Compression bags – reduce puffy coats 🧊
- Neck pillow – inflates = saves space 🛌
- Sleep mask – rest on trains/planes 😴
👗 Clothes
- Thermal base layers (2 sets) – key to warmth ❄️
- Long sleeve tops (3–4) – layer-friendly 👕
- Knit sweater (2) – thick enough to rotate 🧶
- Black jeans or trousers (2) – versatile & warm 👖
- Midi skirt – wear with thermal tights 👗
- Winter coat – wear on plane, waterproof preferred 🧥
- Puffer jacket or blazer – packable layer 🧊
- Thermal tights (2) – under dresses or pants 🧦
- Sleepwear – compact set 🛌
- Swimsuit – hotel spas or saunas 👙
- Underwear (5) + bras (2) – mix of daily and sports 👙
- Wool socks (4–5) – stay dry & cozy 🧦
- Scarf, hat, gloves – must-haves for every day 🧣🧤🧢
💆 Skincare
- Travel cleanser – gentle and hydrating 🧼
- Mini toner – keep skin balanced 💧
- Moisturizer – cold weather protection 🧴
- SPF – yes, even in winter 🌥️
- Lip balm – multiple! 💋
- Micellar wipes – skip bulky liquids 🧽
- Face mist – refresh after flights 🧊
💄 Makeup
- Tinted moisturizer – makeup + SPF 💄
- Concealer stick – compact fix 👁️
- Cream blush – winter glow 🌸
- Mini mascara – travel size 👁️
- Neutral lip tint – chic & hydrating 💋
- Compact palette – eyes, cheeks, highlight 🎨
- Small brush set – or dual-ended 🖌️
💇 Hair Care
- Travel brush – compact & foldable 💇
- Mini shampoo/conditioner – solids save space 🚿
- Dry shampoo – refresh on the go 🌬️
- Hair ties + clips – for all weather styles 🌀
- Anti-frizz serum – dry air fix ✨
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Waterproof boots – wear them onboard 🥾
- Dressy sneakers or flats – stylish comfort 👟
- Thermal socks – layer daily 🧦
- Crossbody bag – anti-theft and compact 👜
- Umbrella – small and windproof ☔
- Sunglasses – low sun angle glare 🕶️
- Gloves, hat, scarf – wear or pack light 🧣🧤
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + backup copies 🛂
- Travel insurance – cold = delays 🧾
- EU COVID/passenger forms – if still required 📄
- Credit/debit cards + cash 💳
- Train/bus tickets – some need printouts 🎟️
- Offline maps & itinerary 🗺️
🚑 First Aid
- Painkillers – long walking = sore feet 🤕
- Plasters – for winter boots 🩹
- Allergy meds – indoor heating triggers 🌼
- Antibacterial wipes – flu season 🧻
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Toothbrush + toothpaste – travel duo 🪥
- Deodorant – solid stick preferred 🧼
- Razor – optional 🪒
- Feminine products – bring what you use 🩸
- Sanitizer – daily must 🧴
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone + charger 📱
- Power bank – for all-day exploring 🔋
- Plug adapter – EU (type C/E/F) 🌍
- Headphones – compact & noise-canceling 🎧
- Offline Google Maps & translator 📲
🎧 Entertainment
- Book or Kindle – long flights/train 📚
- Music/podcasts – offline options 🎧
- Notebook – travel notes & plans 📝
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – flights, trains, delays 🍫
- Reusable water bottle – refill after security 💧
- Shopping bag – European groceries = BYO 🛍️
🌍 Travel Tips
- Pack layers over bulk 🧥
- Use solid toiletries to save liquid space 🧼
- Bring gloves/hat in your coat pocket 🧤
- Plan laundry mid-trip if needed 🧺
🛂 Visa Tips
- Schengen visa may apply 🛂
- Print hotel reservations 📄
- Check entry rules by country 📆
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport 🛂
- Thermal layers ❄️
- Travel umbrella ☔
- Credit card + some Euros 💳
- Offline itinerary 🗺️
👍 Good-to-Have
- Mini steamer 👔
- Eye drops 👁️
- Reusable cutlery set 🍴
- Collapsible cup ☕
- Foot warmers 🔥
