What to Pack for Europe in the Fall – The Ideal List
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Have a big trip coming up and wondering what to pack for Europe in the Fall?
We’ve just returned from a fabulous September European jaunt. We were gone for 30 days and crossed into 4 different countries, each with their own weather patterns! We travelled by plane, train, automobile, boat, and foot, so we needed to fit a lot into one suitcase each.
My itineraries are available on my site, (or will be when I write them!) We flew from San Francisco and spent 2 days in London, 6 days in Ireland, 6 days in Scotland, 11 days in Portugal, and 4 days in New York City before returning home.
Everything went really well and one of the questions I get asked most is: What did you pack?
I have to say, I’m really proud of the packing job I did because I literally wore everything I brought and was super happy with the choices I made. I want to share the info because I think these items are great for Fall in Europe, but also in Winter, Spring – and some of the items are great for a European summer. Light weight, easy to pack items were key!
In this post, I’ll give you a list of what I packed in detail, both clothes and miscellaneous must-haves, and I’ll highlight a few of my most favorite and successful items.
Packing for a trip to Europe this Fall
Here’s how I approached my trip prep and pre-trip shopping:
- I always like a capsule wardrobe, because obvi, it makes sense when traveling, but also because most of my clothes tend to be within the same color palette anyway.
- I started with shoes because the amount of walking I planned for on the trip was huge! The walking would be in both rain and sun, and on cobblestone, trails, city streets, and sand. (Also, I have a history of some foot issues, so good shoes are imperative!)
- I focused on temperature in each location to be sure I had the right jacket or sweater. Check the forecast, but we experienced a range of 60 – 80 degrees fahrenheit. We had intermittent rain and mist. ( we used our hoods and hats instead of carrying an umbrella).
- I made sure my outfits could be day/night appropriate for times when we’d be touring all day and might not have an opportunity to change before an evening activity.
- I was determined to keep the suitcase under 44 lbs to be in compliance with the short, RyanAir flights in Europe. We use this luggage scale to test (click to see).
- We fit everything into our Travelpro suitcases (click to see), which we’ve had for years and love. They’ve been through a lot and the wheels and zippers are still great!
Travel Day Outfit
You might not relate to this, but I have certain airplane items I like to wear, especially on a long trip, so those things have to be included in the overall packing plan. Of course, they’ll have to fit in the suitcase when it’s not an airplane day. Here’s my standard travel day outfit:
Basic joggers with zipper pockets (click to see) for easy access to phone & ID/ passport. A Tshirt and a comfy sports bra. I always carry a very lightweight cotton scarf for airplane chill and neck comfort. ( This scarf doubles as a wrap on a warm evening when I need to spiff up an outfit for a nicer restaurant.)
I never travel without my trusty Lululemon jacket (click to see). It has zipper pockets, is cozy, and I know it will get worn on airplane days as well as many others. This is a MUST HAVE in my book.
I wear the heaviest shoes I’m bringing on the plane, so that I don’t have to pack them. These are the Sorel Waterproof Sneakers (click to see). They are ALL the things -very comfortable, have great support, are super cute, and they’re waterproof!!! Honestly, I don’t know how I would have survived without them.
The Best Shoes for Europe
This could be the most important part of your packing plan. Europe in the Fall will mean that you have to be prepared for all kinds of terrain – from smooth sidewalks to cobblestones to rocky trails and some wet surfaces too.
I have a history of some real foot issues, so please trust me when I say that these shoe choices are tried and true for me. They’re all really great quality, look good, last forever, and can tolerate all those uneven European surfaces.
Pro Tip – be sure to wear your trip shoes for a couple of weeks before the trip to make sure they are the most comfortable thing in the world. Nothing worse than having blisters and unhappy feet on a trip!!!
Sorel Waterproof Sneakers (click to see) – Who knew that there was such a thing as a waterproof suede sneaker that has really great arch support, ankle support, and a thick solid sole? They could not have been more perfect for the rainy days in Ireland and Scotland.
Vionic Loafers (click to see) – They come in suede and leather and look good with everything. They fold flat into a suitcase and don’t need socks after they’re broken in!
Munro Sandals (click to see) – I always get a new pair of these before a big summer or Fall trip. They have excellent arch support and a good sole for cobblestones. They look good with pants and any dress up item you pack. The elastic straps stay firm for about a year, which is why I get a new pair when the new styles come out.
Vionic Flipflops (click to see) – I always travel with these for wearing at the beach, or by a pool, or just in the hotel room or lobby for breakfast. I’m on my 3rd pair of these over the past decade.
The Must Have Jackets for Europe in the Fall
Athleta Utility Rain Jacket (click to see) – This jacket (along with the Athleta pants and the Sorel sneakers) was the crown jewel of the trip! I think I wore it every single day in Ireland and Scotland. It’s super lightweight, has a hood, and fits so easily in the suitcase, or backpack. Somehow it keeps you warm and dry, while still looking great! I feel like I totally lucked out with this purchase!
Lululemon jacket (click to see) – As I’ve mentioned, I haven’t travelled without this jacket in forever. It’s perfect for so many moments on a trip.
The Ideal Pants for Europe in the Fall
I’m not a big dress or skirt gal, so if you want pics with flowing linen dresses on the Cliffs of Moher, that’s not me. While I do travel with a basic, stretchy cotton, Eileen Fisher dress, I only wore it on some warm evenings in Portugal. I mostly wore pants, and an occasional pair of shorts.
Athleta Endless Pant (click to see) – I brought 2 pair, one black, one brown. They have zipper pockets, are high rise, super stretchy and comfortable, never wrinkle and can look good for casual or a little nicer for an evening restaurant. They are super easy to hand wash and dry very quickly. These pants are genius! Perfect for traveling.
Madewell Jeans (click to see) – I brought a nicer pair of Madewell off-white jeans that look good for photos and are perfect for the warmer and more sunny days.
And, of course, bring along your favorite pair of blue jeans (mine are from Zara) and a lightweight pair of linen pants (mine are from Old Navy).
The Perfect Tops for Europe in the Fall
First check out what do you already have in your drawer and closet. White, black, green, brown, and blue T shirts from Old Navy, Madewell, or wherever. All the shirts should go with all the pants and can be short sleeve which makes them easy on a warm day and easy to add a sweater.
Bring one long sleeve shirt and a “shacket” a button down shirt that can double as a light jacket. Fall in Europe is not cold, maybe just a bit cool in the evenings.
Bring a basic white, cotton, oversized pullover sweater. It will be perfect for wearing on a cooler morning and you can throw it in the backpack or over your shoulders too.
Don’t Leave Home Without These Things List
This is the space you leave in your suitcase for all the under garments, socks, a belt, a swimsuit, toiletries etc. My other must-haves are below – everything is available here in my Amazon Store.
Lululemon Crossbody Bag (click to see) – I’m sure you have this already, but if not – GET ONE. I use this at home daily and love it for travel. It keeps my valuables safe, easily accessible, and close to my heart. Literally.
Lululemon Backpack (click to see) – This is my under the seat carry on as well as our day pack while touring around. What can I say? It’s perfection.
Lululemon hat (click to see) – Obviously, good for sunny days as well as rainy ones! I always travel with my lulu hat.
Packing Cubes (click to see) – Hard to believe there was a time when I didn’t use these!
Portable charger (click to see) – This has saved me sooo many times.
Plug adapters (click to see) – Check what you need for the countries you’re going to and make sure this will work.
Packets of hand wash soap (click to see) – Critical for a longer trip!
Pro Tip – Bring an extra lightweight canvas bag that you can use for gifts that don’t fit in your suitcase, or for dirty laundry, or for buying some groceries along the way. OR buy one with the name of your favorite city along the way!
Are You Photo Ready?
The priority is dressing for comfort on a trip, but let’s be honest, when you look at pics, you don’t want to be in the same outfit in all 3000 photos! Maybe you want to post a few on social media or send to family back home – So, be sure to bring a few items to mix up the photos.
Perhaps, a couple of blue shirts to explore the blue tile work in Portugal, a sage green for the glens of Ireland, or some deep reds or browns for the Scottish highlands. If your neutral pallet, capsule wardrobe is working, then all these items will fit in well.
Are you ready to pack for Europe in the Fall?
In a nutshell…
Packing for Europe in the fall doesn’t have to mean overpacking or overspending. With a little planning, a neutral color palette, and a few quality pieces that layer well, you can be ready for everything from misty mornings in Ireland to sunny afternoons in Portugal.
After a month of trains, planes, cobblestones, and café stops, I was genuinely proud that I wore every single thing I brought — and nothing felt unnecessary. The key is comfort, versatility, and packing items that make you feel good while still fitting in one suitcase.
Travel light, travel smart, and spend your energy on making memories, not managing stuff. Europe is waiting — Bring your favorite shoes, a great jacket, and your sense of adventure!
xx,
Carrie
