The ultimate European summer packing guide

When winter hits in Australia the only logical thing to do is jet off to where the weather is warmer – and for those lucky enough, a European summer is just that! Nothing beats a long-awaited sunny holiday filled with boat rides, beaches, gallery hopping, and of course eating your heart out on all the authentic bites. Sounds like a dream but with all this longing for sunnier days and holiday festivities, many of us forget the importance of packing ahead of time. That dream might turn into a nightmare when you land in a foreign country with no makeup or worse, no shoes other than the ones you’re wearing!

We’ve all been there (even the most seasoned travellers), there’s less than 24 hours before the flight and you’re in a frenzy trying to remember everything to pack. Luckily for you, here at Canberra Centre, we have compiled the ultimate European summer packing guide to cover all the bases from in-flight must-haves to wardrobe essentials. So, if you’re travelling to Europe this summer and don’t know what to pack, read on. The best part? Everything mentioned is readily available at Canberra Centre, so you needn’t travel far to find everything.

Airport essentials

This one is a no-brainer but the single most important airport essential is your passport and after that comes your flight booking confirmation and travel insurance documents. We recommend opting for a travel wallet or passport holder from Oroton or Kikki K so you can keep everything in one place. Next, you’ll want to pack some headphones, a neck pillow, and a good book to read during the long-haul flight. Then once you’ve landed at your first layover destination, it’s time to whip out a toiletry bag filled with goodies to refresh and reset – think eye masks, moisturiser, lip balm, baby wipes, and deodorant. Be sure to head to Sephora or Mecca Maxima for all your travel toiletries.

Wardrobe essentials

Now onto the fun part – fashion! There’s no better feeling than rocking some fresh new ‘fits when you’re on holiday but there’s also no need to purchase a whole new wardrobe. After all, you’ll want to save some pretty pennies for shopping on your trip. To make the most out of your clothing you’ll want to opt for pieces that mix and match well together. Be sure to check out Zara, Country Road or H&M for some of the best pieces! When it comes to accessories, you’ll need a pair of sunglasses from Sunglass Hut or Bailey Nelson, comfy sneakers and sandals from Wittner or Jo Mercer, a hat from Seed Heritage and a lightweight tote bag from Myer or David Jones for all your beach days. 

Toiletry essentials

One cosmetic bag is not going to cut it for a European summer because you’ll need everything from haircare to first aid. Here’s everything from Priceline Pharmacy or Sephora that we recommend:

• Everyday makeup
• Face cleaner
• Sun cream
• After sun
• Makeup remover
• Shower gel
• Face & body moisturiser
• Deodorant
• Fragrance
• Razor
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Dry shampoo
• Hairbrush
• Toothbrush and toothpaste

We’re sure there’s a whole lot more you can pack, but with luggage limits and necessary empty space needed for anything purchased on your trip, you’ll want to keep it to the essentials. As long as you use this trusty guide, you’ll have everything you need for your holiday. All that’s left to do is hit up Canberra Centre, stock up, and get packing. Safe travels!