Packing always reminds me of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
You don’t want to pack too much, since lugging a heavy bag around while traveling is no fun. But you also don’t want to pack too little. It’s hard to decide what to bring and what to leave behind. And when you’re heading abroad for three months to places with vastly different climates (as was the case for us in March), it gets even harder.
Below is a complete list of what we decided was worth bringing along for our first three-month trip overseas. I’d like to say we got it just right, but there were a couple things I wish we’d thought to bring. And though we packed pretty light (one carry-on bag for each of us) there were a few things we actually ended up ditching during our travels (more about those items below).
OUR EUROTRIP PACKING LIST
Length of Trip: 3 months
Known Destinations: Stord, Norway + Berlin, Germany
| DIANA’S PACKING LIST | IAN’S PACKING LIST |
| Baggage | Baggage |
| High Sierra Wheeled Carry-On Suitcase | F-Stop Kenti Camera Bag |
| Nashbar Bike Bag | Nashbar Bike Bag |
| _ | |
| Jackets | Jackets |
| Columbia Ski Jacket (waterproof) | Helly Hansen Ski Jacket (waterproof) |
| North Face Thermoball Jacket | Lightweight Marmot Jacket |
| _ | |
| Shoes | Shoes |
| Merrell Pace Glove 2 Shoes | Vivobarefoot Boots |
| Waterproof Merrell Winter Boots | Vivobarefoot Shoes* |
| _ | _ |
| Underwear | Underwear |
| ExOfficio Give-N-Go String Bikini – 3 | ExOfficio Give-N-Go Boxer Brief – 5 |
| ExOfficio Give-N-Go Lacy Thong – 2 | |
| Sports Bra | |
| Comfy Bra | |
| Smartwool Crew Socks (lightweight and cushion) | Socks – 5 pairs |
| Smartwool Ankle Socks | |
| Long Underwear + Undershirt – 2 each | Long Underwear + Undershirt – 2 |
| Bottoms | Bottoms |
| Jeans | Jeans |
| Sierra Designs Microlight Rain Pants | Convertible Hiking Pants |
| Leggings | Metal-Free Plastic belt |
| _ | _ |
| Tops | Tops |
| Thermal | Thermal |
| Sweater | Flannel – 2 |
| Camis – 2 | Henley |
| V-neck tees – 2 | Quick Dry T-shirt |
| _ | _ |
| Swim | Swim |
| Swimsuit | Swim shorts |
| _ | _ |
| Accessories | Accessories |
| Sunglasses | Sunglasses |
| Baseball Cap | Emergency Poncho |
| Emergency Poncho | Winter Hat |
| Umbrella | Winter Gloves |
| Winter Hat | Balaclava |
| Swany Winter Mittens | |
| Winter Earband | |
| Turtle Fur Balaclava | |
| _ | _ |
| Camera | Camera |
| Canon EOS-M | Fuji X-T1 |
| Pedco Ultrapod | Carbon Fiber Tripod |
| 22mm Lens | 14mm Lens, 23mm Lens, 35mm Lens |
| _ | _ |
| Computer | Computer |
| Macbook – 13″ + charger | Macbook – 15″ + case + charger |
| Razer Orochi Mouse | Razer Orochi Mouse |
| 2TB WD My Passport External Hard Drive | |
| _ | _ |
| Extras | Extras |
| Passport/ID | Passport/ID |
| Wallet/Purse | Wallet |
| Nexus 7 Tablet | Kindle |
| Cell Phone + Charger | Cell Phone + Charger |
| Necklace & Pair of Earrings | Space Pen |
| Plug Adapters – 2 | Plug Adapters – 2 |
| Inflatable Neck Pillow | Inflatable Neck Pillow |
| Folding Europe-friendly hair dryer | |
| _ | _ |
| Toiletries | Toiletries |
| Glasses | Perfect Stubble Facial Hair Trimmer |
| Contacts & Solution | Toothbrush |
| Toothbrush | Toothpaste |
| MK Day SPF 35 | Nail Clipper |
| Razor + Extra Blade | |
| Tweezer | Saddle Bag |
| MK Medium Coverage Foundation | Extra Bike Tube |
| Dark Brown Eyeliner | Patch Kit |
| Maybelline Mascara | Multitool |
| Lipstick | Allen Tool |
| Chapstik | Tire Irons |
| Medicine | Handpump |
| _ | _ |
| Bike Bag | Bike Bag |
| Bike | Bike |
| Bern Helmet | Bern Helmet |
| Bike Lock + Key | Bike Lock + Key |
| Bike Gloves | Bike Gloves |
| Bike Lights and Charger | Bike Lights |
*After over a year of wear, Ian replaced these shoes with an even better alternative.
Things I wish we’d packed
- More sunscreen (or I wish I’d bought some in Berlin before heading to Milan where it’s €20+ for some reason)
Things we bid farewell to during our trip
- My long sleeved thermal shirt (ditched after the Norway part of the trip)
- Both of our bikes, plus bike bags, locks, lights, and repair kit (sold at the end of the Berlin part of the trip)
- Both of our winter coats (my brother took these back for us after visiting us mid-trip)
- The legs of my jeans (now converted to comfy cut-offs)
- My Macbook power adapter (I accidentally left this at our friend’s place in Berlin. Whoops!)
As you can see, the list of things we ditched is much longer than the stuff we missed. My recommendation to anyone packing for a trip that involves moving around at all is to pack as light as possible.
My new rule of thumb for packing: If I’m not absolutely positive I will use it, I don’t take it!