Before traveling abroad, it is inevitable to pack your luggage. The most headache-inducing question at this point is deciding what to bring and what not to bring. Experts say that there are certain things you should avoid bringing when traveling to Europe, as they may not be necessary and could even have a negative impact.
According to the Huffington Post, when packing your luggage, it is crucial to ignore items that you think you might need but actually don’t. Several travel experts recommend against bringing certain items when traveling to Europe. Here are a few examples:
Liam Dunch, European product manager at the U.S. travel company Abercrombie & Kent, states, “The best way to explore Europe is on foot, so comfortable, stylish walking shoes are essential. High heels, especially stilettos, are not suitable for cobblestone streets as they can cause ankle injuries.”
Gray Grandy, a travel consultant at Fora Travel, agrees, saying, “Don’t waste time wearing high heels. A cute pair of strappy sandals paired with a flowy summer dress is perfect.”
Melanie Fish, a travel expert at Expedia, suggests leaving the fancy shoes at home and opting for comfortable and stylish sneakers instead.
Bryan Lewis, founder of Tenon Tours, advises, “Credit cards are accepted everywhere in Europe and the UK. If you must bring cash, carry small denominations for tipping convenience.”
Dunch mentions that even destinations like Italy and Greece, where cash transactions were more common in the past, now offer non-cash payment options. If they do accept cash, they prefer local currency. Therefore, avoid bringing excess cash and U.S. dollar bills.
Jonathan Alder, founder of Jonathan’s Travels, recommends avoiding bringing overly flashy or expensive-looking items, as pickpocketing is rampant in many European cities, especially near popular tourist attractions.
Tiffany Funk, a travel expert, advises against bringing wallets without zippers. Insecurely fastened bags can attract pickpockets looking for easy targets.
Travel blogger Tomiko Harvey suggests avoiding bulky suitcases, as they can be cumbersome when climbing cobblestone hills, navigating narrow alleys, and entering small hotel rooms without elevators.
She recommends travelers opt for medium-sized suitcases to avoid dragging around luggage larger than a rental car, which can hinder experiences like train rides, ferry trips, and walking tours in Europe.
Katy Nastro, spokesperson for the booking company Going, adds that it is essential to consider the type of trip you are embarking on and whether your luggage is suitable for that journey.
She suggests that if your luggage is too large for European budget airline carry-on size restrictions (which typically only allow small carry-ons), using a smaller carry-on or backpack not only saves you annoying checked luggage fees but also facilitates ground transportation.
Gabby Beckford, founder of the travel website Packs Light, advises, “Don’t waste luggage space on new clothes or outfits you think you’ll wear. If you enjoy shopping, only pack basics – underwear, socks, your go-to walking shoes – and buy other items after landing. Shopping in Europe itself is a fun experience.”
She points out that prices in Europe may be similar to those in the US, allowing you to ensure you purchase clothing based on actual weather and temperatures, rather than guesswork. Additionally, clothes make great travel souvenirs, authentically documenting your travel experiences and memories.
Nastro reminds people that there’s time to do laundry while traveling. She says, “We often feel the need to pack dozens of outfits to meet various imagined occasions, but unless you’re attending a wedding or a special event, you’ll be surprised to find that many clothes you end up repeatedly wearing.”
Gabrielle Brechner, a travel consultant at Fora Travel, suggests not bringing a hairdryer. She says, “It’s virtually unusable, even with a converter, and you’ll have to lug it around! I learned my lesson the hard way.”
Rather than taking up more space and weight in your suitcase, consider using the hairdryers provided by hotels, booking a blowout at a salon, or purchasing a hair tool locally.
La Carmina, a travel journalist, mentions that after washing her hair, she uses a small amount of hair serum to keep it smooth, then towel dries her hair. She also learned to wrap her hair around a long rope overnight to achieve natural, curly hair the next day without using heat, eliminating the need to bring a curling iron.
Jesse Neugarten, founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club, points out that you don’t need to bring a bunch of plugs; a reliable universal adapter is sufficient.
With USB interfaces becoming increasingly common, you don’t need to overthink it.
Sarah Silbert, executive editor of Points Path (a browser extension that displays cash prices and reward flight prices), advises, “Don’t carry bulky plug adapters or voltage converters. Most modern smartphones and laptops are dual voltage and can be charged with a USB charger or travel power bank.”
Also, avoid bringing electronic products that can only be used under North American standard voltage, as this will only add weight to your luggage without necessarily being useful.