Skip to content
TravelGearly home

Europe · International

Europe: weather and travel essentials

Multi-country trips mean long walking days, changeable weather and trains with limited luggage space — pack light and in layers.

Build my Europe packing list

Key facts

Best time to visit
May to September for warmth; December for winter markets
Terrain
city, countryside, mountain
Plugs
Mostly C, E and F (230 V); G in the UK and Ireland; J in Switzerland (accepts C)
Currency
Euro (€) in most countries; others include GBP and CHF

Europe weather by month

General seasonal patterns to help you pack — not a forecast. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.

Europe typical weather by month
MonthConditionsWhat to expect
January Cold SnowCold; snow in the north and Alps
February Cold SnowCold
March Cool ColdCold to cool
April CoolCool spring, changeable
May Mild CoolMild
June MildWarm, long days
July Mild HotWarm; heatwaves possible in the south
August Mild HotWarm; heatwaves possible in the south
September MildMild
October CoolCool, rain more likely
November Cool ColdCool to cold, short days
December Cold SnowCold, festive season

Europe travel essentials by season

On top of your usual basics, these are the items our packing rules add for Europe in each part of the year.

January

Cold; snow in the north and Alps

  • Passport (check validity for your destination)
  • Visa or e-visa printout and approval email
  • Travel insurance policy details
  • Forex card or international debit/credit card + some local cash
  • 2–4 passport-size photos
  • One outfit covering shoulders and knees (temples, religious sites)
  • Thermal innerwear (top and bottom)
  • Insulated / down jacket

Gear to consider: adapters, travel pillows, power banks

Full list for January

April

Cool spring, changeable

  • Passport (check validity for your destination)
  • Visa or e-visa printout and approval email
  • Travel insurance policy details
  • Forex card or international debit/credit card + some local cash
  • 2–4 passport-size photos
  • One outfit covering shoulders and knees (temples, religious sites)
  • Sweaters or fleece mid-layers
  • Scarf or stole (sun, dust, AC, temples)

Gear to consider: adapters, travel pillows, power banks

Full list for April

July

Warm; heatwaves possible in the south

  • Passport (check validity for your destination)
  • Visa or e-visa printout and approval email
  • Travel insurance policy details
  • Forex card or international debit/credit card + some local cash
  • 2–4 passport-size photos
  • Sandals or flip-flops
  • Shorts
  • Loose, breathable cotton or linen clothes

Gear to consider: adapters, travel pillows, power banks

Full list for July

October

Cool, rain more likely

  • Passport (check validity for your destination)
  • Visa or e-visa printout and approval email
  • Travel insurance policy details
  • Forex card or international debit/credit card + some local cash
  • 2–4 passport-size photos
  • One outfit covering shoulders and knees (temples, religious sites)
  • Sweaters or fleece mid-layers
  • Scarf or stole (sun, dust, AC, temples)

Gear to consider: adapters, travel pillows, power banks

Full list for October

Getting to Europe from India

The packing list generator only offers the ways of travelling that actually reach Europe.

  • FlightDirectDirect or one-stop flights from major Indian cities to most European hubs.
  • TrainNot possibleNot reachable by train from India.
  • CarNot possibleNot reachable by road from India.
  • BusNot possibleNot reachable by bus from India.
  • CruiseNot possibleNo regular passenger cruise service from India.

Before you go

  • Indian passport holders need a visa for the Schengen area. Travel insurance with at least €30,000 medical cover is a standard Schengen visa requirement.
  • The UK and Switzerland have different plugs and currencies from most of the continent.
  • Trains often have limited luggage racks; a bag you can lift overhead makes life easier.

Travelling to more than one country? Use the international trip checklist for visas, adapters and currencies across your route.

Guides for Europe

More destinations

UAE

Dubai

Best: November to March

Thailand

Thailand

Best: November to February

Japan

Japan

Best: March to May and October to November