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Are you wondering what to pack for Europe in winter? Here are ten essential items to keep you warm and comfortable while exploring Prague, Vienna, and Zurich!
Ten Essentials for Winter in Prague, Vienna, and Zurich
Comfortable, warm, breathable shoes
Prague, Vienna, and Zurich are full of beautiful sites, most of which you’ll want to check out on foot, even if it’s snowing. Walking in snow can be tricky but with the right shoes, your walking tours won’t just be comfortable but also memorable!
When planning what to pack for Europe in winter, make sure you choose shoes that have traction, just in case you encounter heavy snowfall or black ice. And, as always, you’ll want a shoe that supports you where you need it.
Find out our top five women’s waterproof boots for travel!
Warm Socks & Tights
With great shoes, a great pair of socks are a necessity. I like to wear socks that are made of wool to maximize warmth.
I also bring along a thick pair of tights as an additional layer of warmth underneath jeans. Tights are extremely versatile in cold weather; they’re a great way to warm up any dresses you bring.
Want to look your best when traveling but still be comfortable and warm. Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
Layers
In addition to layering your pants, layering tops is also crucial to maintaining a comfortable temperature in cold weather.
When I traveled to Prague, Vienna, and Zurich, I made the mistake of wearing a heavy winter coat, which I had to immediately take off as soon as I walked into a heated room. I’ve learned to layer different lightweight tops with pockets, such as a vest underneath a technical jacket, in order to quickly remove or add layers.
Check out these tips on how to stay warm in cold weather, without looking like a snowman.
Gloves
Gloves are a necessity in cold temperatures. Leather, fleece-lined gloves maximize the warmth by locking in the heat without sacrificing style. This is an essential you don’t want to forget when considering what to pack for Europe in winter.
You can still pack light even when you travel in cold weather by using packing cubes to compress your clothing as shown in this video!
Sleeping Bag Liner
Europe is famous for its trains – it’s so convenient to get from one place to another on an overnight trip with lay-flat beds. A sleeping bag liner is a great way to add an extra layer of warmth while keeping germs and bugs out.
Find out other benefits of traveling with a sleeping bag liner.
Thick Fleece Scarf
A scarf is a versatile accessory that keeps your neck warm while you’re walking around Prague, Vienna, and Zurich. It also doubles as a mini-blanket when you’re on a bus or train and need a little extra warmth.
Hat/Beanie
Something to cover your head and ears is essential when it gets cold. Make sure to bring a beanie but don’t be surprised if you pick another one up in Prague, because they have a cute and fashionable selection of faux fur hats.
Portable Charger
When you’re travelling around via train, bus, and foot, you never know when your device will need a charge. A portable charger is a handy way to ensure that you don’t miss any important photos during the trip; you’ll be visiting a lot of historic places and want to take pictures of everything you see and experience.
Carry-all Bag
Zurich, Vienna, and Prague are all fairly safe cities with a lot of culture. You’ll probably buy a souvenir along the way, whether its chocolates or crystal pieces.
A carry-all bag (I prefer something crossbody) is the perfect way to transport the little things you pick up in these historic cities.
Read out why TFG loves crossbody purses for travel.
Monopod/ “Selfie Stick”
Although it sounds vain to carry a monopod, this will change the way you take pictures. A “selfie stick” lets you take as many photos as you want without having to inconvenience a stranger. You’ll never have to wonder why none of your travel pictures have you in it!
What are your tips on what to pack for Europe in winter?
For more tips on what to pack for Europe in winter, please read:
- What to Wear in Europe: Packing Lists for Every Destination
- Backpacking Europe in Winter
- Are these the Perfect Travel Shoes for Europe
- Ultimate Packing List for Backpacking in Europe
Suggested travel resources:
Hope you liked these tips on what to pack for Europe in winter. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Regarding taking photos: Something I discovered as a tourist in my own country (trip to Lucerne in December) with my iPhone as a camera: When it’s cold, phone batteries can run out faster. So keep you phone warm (inside pocket) when you don’t use it and only take it out to take a picture.
In case the phone should die: mine recovered after we had a lunch break in a warm restaurant.
good tip! airplane mode also helps