Everything I’m Packing for 2 Weeks in Europe (with just a carry-on)

I’m headed to central Europe in June for about 2-weeks and I’ll be traveling with one carry-on and personal item bag. 

My itinerary includes sightseeing in Budapest, a train to the Wachau Valley (an Austrian wine region with fairy tale towns on the banks of the Danube River), and then renting a car to explore castles and Medieval towns in Czechia before our last few days in Prague. 

I wrote a more general post about how to pack for any 2-week trip to Europe with just a carry-on setup, so in this post I’m sharing exactly what I’m personally bringing in case you’re planning a similar trip.

*update* – we’re back from this trip and it was incredible! You can read the full travel itinerary blog post here!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase I may make a small commission. I only share information about things I know, love and trust!

Luggage & Bags

• Carry-On: Monos Carry-On
• Personal Item: Away Everywhere Bag (fits under the seat)
• Day Bag: Packable crossbody bag (fits inside personal item when flying)
• Toiletry Bag: Hanging Toiletry Bag
• Packing Cubes: my favorite are from Tripped Travel Gear

👉 Here’s another post with more options for carry-on luggage for Europe.

Clothing (54321 Method)

If you don’t like joggers (pictured above), these pants from Gap are another favorite! They’re a lightweight, thin material and can be dressed up or down.

💡Tip: Stick to a neutral color palette so everything mixes and matches easily.

Shoes

• 1 Pair Comfortable Walking Shoes
• 1 Pair Sandals
• 1 Pair Lightweight Flats or other sandals (if room allows)
• Travel Slippers

Toiletries (TSA-Approved Sizes)

• Travel shampoo, conditioner or bars
• Leave-in conditioner/detangler
• Dry shampoo powder
• Contact lens solution + case
• Face wash or Olay Cleansing Melts
• Micellar water or makeup remover
• Toothbrush, holder, toothpaste tablets + floss
• Timeless Vitamin C serum (or the pouches – better for travel)
• Retinol
• Face Moisturizer with SPF
• Night moisturizer
• Sunscreen
• Sunscreen stick
• Mini deodorant (crystal or Native is good)
• Razor
• Bar of soap + soap bag
• Mascara, brow pomade
• Lipstick
  • I use the color ‘savant’
• Q-tips
• Cotton rounds
• Pimple patches
• Travel bidet
• Pasties, Panty liners
• Hair ties
• Claw clip
• Laundry detergent sheets
• Suction hooks
• Liquid pouches (fill with any of the above liquids)
• Toiletry skins (for leakproofing)

Hair

• Dual-voltage hair dryer brush
• Heatless Hair Curling rod
  • I put it in overnight & wake up with curls – so easy for travel
• Comb

Supplements/Meds/First-Aid

• Magnesium glycinate + citrate
• Bye Bloat Supplement
  • Lifesaver for long flights
• Self heating patches
  • Great for menstrual cramps or sore back/muscles from walking
• Ibuprofen
• Pepto Bismol (pill form)
• Blister patches
• Bandaids
• Cork lacrosse ball
  • for rolling out back/feet

Tech Gear & Gadgets

• eSIM
  • I like Saily, make sure to use code ALYSMALLS for a discount
• Phone + charger
• Phone wrist strap
• Long + short USB-C cord
• Flat plug
• Power adapter or Dual voltage adapter
• Portable power bank
• AirTags (for suitcase + personal item)
• Optional: Kindle or compact tablet

Flight Essentials

• Headphones or earbuds
• Airfly (bluetooth connector)
• Phone holder
• Refillable water bottle
• Compression socks
• Eye mask + earplugs
• Scarf or wrap
• Snacks + protein bar
• Travel pillow
• Optional: foot hammock
• Single use toothbrushes, body wipes
• Fresh socks
• Fresh t-shirt
• Panty liners

Miscellaneous

• Passport
• Travel documents + copies
• Travel insurance info
• Small laundry bag
• Reusable shopping bag (nano bag)
• Handheld fan
• Mini first-aid kit + meds

👉 Get access to the full customizable packing checklist here!

Other Europe Essentials:

Money

I use Wise to easily spend and convert multiple currencies while traveling.

You save on conversion fees and can withdraw from many ATMs for free.

Car Rental

I book all my car rentals through DiscoverCars.

For this trip, we booked a one-way car rental from Vienna to Prague (since we’ll be traveling through Czechia before landing in Prague).

Travel Insurance

I like SafetyWing or Insubuy