Packing List for Women
For many years, Rick Steves has included his packing list in his budget European travel skills book, Europe Through the Back Door. After many women wrote in to say his list didn't consider their travel needs, ETBD Tour Diva Joan Robinson created this packing list for women. Joan teaches one of our most popular travel classes, "Packing Light 101."
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- Compare the Women's Packing List with Rick's Packing List
Clothing
1 pair of walking/comfortable
shoes
1 pair of sandals (weather
permitting)
1 rainproof jacket
2-4 pairs of shorts/capris/skorts
2 pairs of pants (one
dressy, one casual), 1 belt
1 swimsuit (packed in
a plastic bag)
5 pairs of socks (cotton
blend)
5 pairs of underwear
(silk, lace, or micro-fiber dries quickest)
1 extra bra
4-6 shirts (long/short-sleeved,
various colors)
1-2 light cardigans
for layering
1-2 skirts (wrinkle-resistant)
2 dresses (optional)
1 hat
scarves (to wear with
clothing or hat)
2 vests (optional)
1 pair of pajamas (or
long shirt to get you to the bathroom down the hall if necessary)
Toiletries/Medicine
Body soap/puff (washcloth);
most European hotels do not supply washcloths
Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
Shampoo/conditioner
Brush/comb
Lotion
Vaseline (for feet)
Razor (non-electric)/shaving
cream or soap
Sunscreen, insect repellent
Prescription drugs (in
original container with your name and your doctor's name, write down generic
name)
First aid kit/moleskin/blister
kit
Feminine hygiene products
Deodorant
Nail clippers/file/tweezers
Spare glasses and/or
prescription, mini-eyeglass repair kit, or contact lenses and supplies
Hand sanitizer
Vitamins
OTC remedies (whatever
works for you): Pepto, decongestants, etc.
Clothesline, sink stopper,
soap
Baby powder (dry shampoo
for hair)
Money and Security
Moneybelt: Passport,
plane ticket, debit card, credit cards, traveler's checks, railpass, driver's
license (if you're renting a car)
Security: Bury copies
of your passport, plane ticket, and prescriptions in the bottom of your
luggage
Necessities for Hosteling
Pack towel
Sleep sheet
Packing Essentials
• Pack light, wash frequently, buy it if you need it.
• Your pack should weigh about 20% of your body weight, preferably no more than 20 pounds.
• Limit yourself to one carry-on size bag: 9" x 21" x 13".
• A week before your trip, pack your bag with everything you think you want to take, and carry it around for a day. Is it comfortable? Too heavy? Better to know now than later!
For more information on Joan Robinson's Packing Light 101 classes, please visit our Classes page. For lots more tips, check out our best-selling Europe Through the Back Door travel skills guidebook.