Quick answer
Pack for 30–35°C days in Italy, Spain and Greece but cool evenings in the Alps and the UK: breathable cottons, one light jacket, a scarf to cover shoulders in churches and two pairs of broken-in walking shoes. Carry printed Schengen documents, a universal adapter, a refillable bottle and only dairy-free packaged snacks; ghee and milk sweets are not allowed into the EU.
Documents & money
- Passport and Schengen visa — Check the visa's dates and number of entries against your itinerary.
- Printed hotel vouchers, return ticket and itinerary — Immigration at your first Schengen airport can ask for them.
- Travel insurance certificate — Schengen rules require at least EUR 30,000 of medical cover for the whole stay.
- Forex card and one credit card
- Some euros in cash — RBI rules cap foreign currency notes at USD 3,000 per trip; small cafés and public toilets want coins.
- Rail passes and tickets downloaded
- Passport scans saved offline and emailed to yourself
- Indian driving licence and International Driving Permit (if driving)
Clothing & footwear
- Breathable cotton and linen tops
- Light trousers and one pair of shorts
- Midi skirt or dress below the knee
- Light scarf or stole — Covers shoulders at St Peter's Basilica and Italian cathedrals.
- Light windproof jacket — London, Amsterdam and Alpine evenings can drop to 12–15°C.
- Warm layer for mountain summits — Jungfraujoch and Titlis sit near freezing even in July.
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Swimwear — For lakes, beaches and hotel pools.
- Two pairs of broken-in walking shoes — 15,000–20,000 steps a day on cobblestones is normal.
- Sandals with a back strap
Health & toiletries
- Prescription medicines in original packs, with the prescription — Check with the embassy before carrying codeine- or tramadol-based drugs.
- Paracetamol, antacids, ORS and motion-sickness tablets
- Blister plasters
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 — Carry a 100 ml bottle in the cabin and buy a larger one locally.
- Spare spectacles or lenses, with the prescription
- Refillable water bottle — Rome's street fountains and Swiss village fountains give free drinking water.
- Hand sanitiser and tissues — Public toilets charge EUR 0.50–1 and not all have soap.
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and slippers — Many European hotels don't provide them.
Electronics
- Universal adapter — Type C/F in most of Europe, Type G in the UK and Ireland, Type J in Switzerland, Type L in Italy.
- Indian multi-socket extension strip — One adapter plus a strip charges the whole family's devices.
- Power bank, under 100 Wh — Cabin baggage only.
- Europe eSIM or roaming pack — A regional eSIM usually beats Indian roaming on trips over a week.
- Phone with offline maps and rail apps
- Earphones
- Camera with spare battery
Food & snacks
- Khakhra, mathri and namkeen — Dry, packaged vegetarian snacks are fine for personal use.
- Theplas for the first two or three days
- Dairy-free ready-to-eat meals — Dal, rajma or chhole packs; skip paneer-based ones.
- Instant poha or upma cups
- Tea bags and masala sachets
- Leave behind: ghee, paneer and milk sweets — The EU bars personal imports of meat and dairy from outside the EU.
- Leave behind: fresh fruit and vegetables — They need plant-health certificates to enter the EU.
Luggage & daypack
- Medium spinner suitcase, about 24 inches — You will lift it onto trains and up hotel stairs yourself.
- Anti-theft crossbody bag or daypack — Pickpockets work Rome, Paris and Barcelona's busiest spots.
- Luggage locks
- Packing cubes
- Foldable tote for shopping
- Laundry bag and detergent sheets
How hot does Europe get in summer?
June to August in Rome, Madrid, Seville or Athens means 30–35°C afternoons, and heatwaves now push past 40°C. Paris, Amsterdam and London sit nearer 20–26°C with passing showers, while Swiss and Austrian summits stay close to freezing. Pack breathable cottons and linens, one light jacket, a scarf, a hat and two pairs of broken-in walking shoes.
What should you wear to churches?
St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and most Italian and Spanish cathedrals expect shoulders and knees covered. A light scarf and loose trousers or a midi skirt in your daypack solves it, even in 35°C heat.
Baggage limits to plan around
Economy fares from India to Europe usually include 23–30 kg of checked baggage, sometimes as two pieces; check your ticket. Low-cost carriers inside Europe, such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, include only a small under-seat bag on basic fares. Trains and older hotels often mean carrying your case up stairs, so one 24-inch spinner per person beats a 28-inch giant.
Food and medicines at customs
The EU bars personal imports of meat and dairy from outside the EU, so ghee, paneer and milk sweets get confiscated. Packaged namkeen, khakhra, theplas and dairy-free vegetarian ready meals are fine; fresh fruit and vegetables are not. Keep medicines in original packs with a prescription, and check with the destination embassy before carrying codeine- or tramadol-based drugs.
What to buy there instead
Buy a large sunscreen and a cheap umbrella locally, and set up a Europe eSIM before you fly.
Start with the Schengen visa guide, make sure your travel insurance meets the EUR 30,000 rule, check Switzerland's summer weather if the Alps are on your route, and see other packing lists.
Frequently asked questions
Can I carry homemade Indian food to Europe?
What plug adapter do I need for Europe?
How much luggage can I take on flights within Europe?
What should I wear to the Vatican and Italian churches?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.