Essential Documents & Money for Europe (Indian Travellers)
Before you even think about clothes, get your documents organized. Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for most European countries (€80 or ₹7,200), or separate visas for UK (₹10,500) and Ireland.
Documents Checklist
- Passport with minimum 6 months validity and 2 blank pages
- Visa sticker/approval - carry printouts even if it's in your passport
- Travel insurance printout (mandatory for Schengen, minimum €30,000 coverage, costs ₹500-1,500 per person for 15 days)
- Flight tickets (Delhi-London-Delhi costs ₹45,000-75,000, Mumbai-Paris ₹50,000-80,000)
- Hotel confirmations for entire trip
- International driving permit if planning to rent a car (₹1,000 from RTO)
- Vaccination certificate (carry your COVID-19 vaccination certificate)
- Photocopies of all documents in separate bag
- Scanned copies emailed to yourself
- Forex card or international debit/credit card - inform your bank before travel
- Some EUR/GBP cash (₹15,000-20,000 worth for emergencies)
Money Matters
Carry a combination: Forex card (BookMyForex, Thomas Cook offer best rates at ₹88-92 per EUR), one Visa/Mastercard credit card with zero forex markup (HDFC Regalia, Axis Magnus), and emergency cash. Keep ₹500 in small Euro denominations (€1, €2, €5 coins and notes) for public toilets which charge €0.50-1.00.
Find cheap flights to Europe
Compare flights on Skyscanner →Clothing Guide by Season
Europe's weather varies dramatically. Pack layers, not bulky items.
Summer (June-August): 15°C-30°C
- 4-5 t-shirts and tops (cotton/linen breathable fabric)
- 2 pairs of jeans/trousers
- 1 pair of shorts
- 2 dresses or ethnic kurtas (comfortable for long walks)
- 1 light jacket or cardigan for evenings (essential - it gets cold after sunset)
- 1 modest outfit for church visits (covered shoulders, below-knee length)
- Undergarments for 7 days (plan to wash clothes)
- 4-5 pairs of socks
- 1 swimsuit if visiting beaches or hotel pools
- Walking shoes (broken-in, comfortable for 15,000+ steps daily)
- 1 pair of sandals
- Light rain jacket (UK and Netherlands especially)
Winter (November-February): -5°C to 10°C
- 2-3 thermal innerwear sets (Jockey, Lux Inferno - ₹800-1,500 per set)
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - 3-4 full-sleeve tops/sweaters
- 2 pairs warm trousers/jeans
- 1 heavy winter jacket (waterproof, -10°C rated, ₹3,000-8,000)
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Warm socks (wool blend, 5-6 pairs)
- 1 muffler/scarf
- 1 woolen cap/beanie
- 1 pair of gloves
- Sturdy waterproof boots with grip
- Extra warm shawl (doubles as blanket in flights)
Spring/Autumn (March-May, September-October): 8°C-20°C
- Mix of summer and light winter clothes
- Definitely carry a windcheater/light jacket
- Layering is key - mornings cold, afternoons warm
Pro tip for Indian travellers: European hotel rooms are often heated/cooled well, so you need fewer clothes than expected. Plan to do laundry once mid-trip. Most Airbnbs have washing machines. Laundromats cost €5-8 per load.
Electronics & Adapters
Europe uses Type C/Type F plugs (220V). Indian devices work with voltage but need plug adapters.
Electronics Packing List
- Universal adapter (₹400-800, buy before leaving India) - European type C/F essential
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Power bank (20,000mAh or less for flight safety, ₹1,500-3,000)
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Phone charger with USB cable
- Camera with charger and extra SD card (64GB minimum)
- Laptop/tablet if needed for work
- Headphones/earphones
- Portable wifi device or international SIM - Airalo eSIM costs ₹800-2,000 for 15 days Europe data, or buy local SIM at airport (Vodafone, Orange offer €30/20GB tourist plans)
- Extension cord with 3-4 sockets (one adapter can power multiple devices)
- E-reader for long journeys
Most European trains, airports, and cafes have charging points, but carry your adapter always.
Toiletries & Medical Kit
Europe has pharmacies everywhere, but Indian-specific items are hard to find and expensive.
Toiletries for Indian Travellers
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap (hotels may not provide these unlike in India)
- Shampoo, conditioner in travel-size bottles (max 100ml each for cabin baggage)
- Face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen SPF 50+ (sun is strong despite cold weather)
- Deodorant (roll-on to avoid aerosol restrictions)
- Razor/trimmer
- Feminine hygiene products (sufficient for entire trip)
- Hair oil in small bottle (if you use regularly)
- Comb and hair ties
- Small towel (budget hotels sometimes charge extra)
- Nail cutter, tweezers
- Hand sanitizer and tissues
- Lip balm (essential for cold weather)
Medical Kit Essentials
- Prescription medicines with doctor's prescription copy
- Paracetamol/Dolo 650 (Crocin) for fever, headache
- Digene/antacids (European food can cause acidity)
- Anti-diarrheal tablets (Lomotil/Eldoper)
- Motion sickness tablets (Avomin) for long drives
- Band-aids and antiseptic cream (Betadine)
- Cold and cough medicine (Vicks Vaporub, Strepsils)
- Antihistamine for allergies (Allegra/Cetrizine)
- Muscle pain spray/ointment (Volini) for walking fatigue
- Vitamin C tablets
- ORS packets (Electral) for dehydration
Important: Carry medicines in original packaging with prescription. European customs can be strict about unlabeled medicines.
Compare hotels in Europe
Search hotels on Booking.com →Food Items from India
European vegetarian food can be bland and expensive (€12-20 per meal). These items save money and satisfy cravings:
- Instant noodles/Maggi packets (10-15 packets, European hotels have kettles)
- Ready-to-eat Indian curries (MTR, Gits - 5-7 packets, pack in checked luggage)
- Khakhra, thepla, mathri (homemade snacks travel well)
- Dry fruits and nuts (almonds, cashews in ziplock bags)
- Instant coffee/tea bags (Nescafe sachets, Wagh Bakri tea)
- Pickle in small plastic container (not glass)
- Chutney powder (small quantity)
- Protein/energy bars (expensive in Europe at €3-5 each)
Customs note: Avoid carrying meat, dairy, or fresh produce. Packaged vegetarian food is allowed but declare if asked.
Bags & Luggage Strategy
Most European budget airlines (Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air) charge €25-60 for checked baggage. Pack smart to save costs.
Luggage Recommendations
- Cabin bag (55x40x20cm) - VIP, Skybags, Safari brands (₹2,500-5,000) that fits European budget airline size
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Checked luggage 23kg limit for international flights (check-in Indian snacks and liquids here)
- Small backpack/sling bag for daily sightseeing (anti-theft designs recommended, ₹1,500-3,000)
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Packing cubes (₹500-1,000 set of 4) - compress clothes, stay organized
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Ziplock bags multiple sizes for liquids, electronics, wet clothes
- Luggage locks (TSA-approved, ₹300-500)
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Luggage tags with contact details
Weight Distribution Strategy
Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket during flight to save luggage weight. Keep one full change of clothes, medicines, and valuables in cabin bag in case checked luggage is delayed.
Miscellaneous Essentials
Must-Have Items
- Reusable water bottle (European tap water is safe, save €2-3 per bottle)
- Travel pillow for long flights and bus journeys
- Eye mask and ear plugs for flights and hostel stays
- Umbrella (compact, lightweight)
- Sunglasses and hat
- Notebook and pen (for immigration forms, journaling)
- Reusable shopping bag (Europe charges €0.20-0.50 for plastic bags)
- Safety pins, rubber bands
- Sewing kit (small)
- Clothes line (hang-dry clothes in hotel)
- Travel guide book or downloaded maps (Google Maps offline works well)
Safety Items
- Money belt or hidden pouch (₹300-600) for passport and cash under clothes
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Door stop alarm for hotel security (₹400-800)
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Photocopy of important documents stored separately
- Emergency contact list including Indian embassy numbers in each country
Top-rated tours in Europe
Browse experiences on Viator →What NOT to Pack (Common Indian Traveller Mistakes)
- Too many clothes - you'll wear 50% of what you pack
- Heavy books - use Kindle or phone
- Full-size toiletries - buy there or decant into 50ml bottles
- Expensive jewelry - unnecessary risk
- Hair dryer - most hotels provide them
- Large towels - hotels provide, or buy microfiber travel towel (₹400)
Recommended travel gear
Shop travel essentials on Amazon → - Too many pairs of shoes - 2 pairs maximum
- Indian formal wear - unless attending specific event
- Glass bottles - will break, use plastic containers
Packing Tips for Different Europe Trip Types
Budget Backpacking (Hostels, EasyJet/Ryanair flights)
Pack everything in cabin bag only to save €25-60 per flight on checked baggage. Use packing cubes, wear layers, plan to wash clothes every 3-4 days. Carry padlock for hostel lockers.
Luxury Hotels & Comfort Travel
You can pack more variety as checked baggage is usually included. Still pack one formal outfit maximum - Europe is casual even at nice restaurants (except Michelin-starred ones).
Winter Sports Trip
Rent ski equipment there (€30-50 per day) instead of carrying. Pack thermal layers, waterproof gear, and good winter boots. Lip balm and moisturizer essential for mountain dryness.
Summer Beach Holiday (Greece, Spain, Portugal)
Pack light cottons, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+, after-sun lotion, beach bag, flip-flops, and hat. Evening temperatures drop, so carry one light jacket.
Final Pre-Departure Checklist
One week before departure:
- ✓ Reconfirm all flight bookings
- ✓ Web check-in 24 hours before (select seats together for family)
- ✓ Inform credit/debit card companies about international travel
- ✓ Download offline maps for all cities
- ✓ Check weather forecast and adjust packing
- ✓ Arrange airport transfers in advance
- ✓ Keep ₹5,000 cash for Indian airport expenses
- ✓ Print all hotel vouchers and keep in folder
- ✓ Share detailed itinerary with family in India
- ✓ Check baggage weight on home scale (cabin max 7-8kg, checked max 23kg)
Final weight check: Indian airports are strict. Keep 2kg buffer from maximum limit. Wear heavy items during check-in if overweight, then remove after security.
Country-Specific Packing Notes
UK: Always carry umbrella and rain jacket regardless of season. Weather changes hourly.
Switzerland: Extremely expensive country - carry more instant food from India. Tap water is best quality, always refill bottle.
Italy: Modest clothing essential for Vatican and churches. Many don't allow shorts or sleeveless tops.
Eastern Europe: Less English spoken, download Google Translate offline. Carry more cash, cards less accepted in small shops.
Scandinavia: Expensive region. Pack maximum allowed food items. Even water costs €3-4 per bottle.
By following this comprehensive packing list tailored for Indian travellers, you'll be fully prepared for your European adventure. Pack smart, travel light, and have an amazing trip!