Carry-On Packing List for Studying Abroad in Europe

So I’m leaving for my semester abroad at Oxford TOMORROW!

It’s crazy to think about, but at least my nervousness has died down quite a bit since I’ve finished packing.

Packing for Europe was difficult, and I had to change my list a few times. This is mostly because I’ll be traveling all over the continent from August to November, which means that I had to pack for multiple climates and seasons.

By the end of it, I just decided to bring carry-on bags- with my 50L backpack as the carry-on and a medium-sized crossbody purse as the personal item. I think this will make things cheaper and easier while traveling (extra room in the budget for weekend trips!) .

Even so, I suspect that I miiiiiiight have packed too much. Especially after reading packing lists of seasoned travelers that say things like: “three t-shirts and a small towel is all you need!!!1!!”

Whether it’s too much or too little, I guess we’ll find out! If I discover any critical flaws in my list along the way, I’ll be sure to update it accordingly, so don’t be scared 🙂

Here’s my Official Carry-On Packing List for
Studying Abroad in Europe ™:

(not actually trademarked don’t sue)

(revised in December, 2019 to cross off items I didn’t end up using! I’ve left them in as a testament to what I’ve learned from long-term travel 🙂 )

Clothes:

• Dresses x 2
• Solid colored tank tops x 4
• Patterned shirts x 2
• Quarter/long sleeved shirts x 5
• Solid colored cotton tee (for pajamas) x 1
• Jumper x 1
• G̶r̶a̶y̶ ̶C̶a̶r̶d̶i̶g̶a̶n̶ ̶x̶ ̶1̶
• Beige cardigan x 1 (wearing on the plane)
• Rain jacket x 1
• Patagonia fleece x 1 (wearing on the plane)
• Blue jeans x 1
• Black jeans x 1
• Black skirt x 1
• Black tights x 1
• S̶t̶r̶i̶p̶e̶d̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶r̶t̶s̶ ̶x̶ ̶1̶
• D̶e̶n̶i̶m̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶r̶t̶s̶ ̶x̶ ̶1̶
• Running shorts x 1 (for pajamas)
• Black leggings x 1 (wearing on the plane and for pajamas)

• Swimsuit x 1
• Underwear x 14
• Socks x 14
• Bralettes (black and white) x 2
• Sports bra x 1

Shoes:

• Waterproof black booties (wearing on the plane)
• Black wedges
• Chacos
• Brown sandals

Toiletries:

*liquids* (all in 3oz containers to be TSA compliant)

• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Shaving cream
• Sunscreen (I’m gonna have to buy more when I get there bc I’m so pale you guys)
• Concealer
• Mascara
• Red nail polish
• Lip balm
• Hand sanitizer

*non-liquids*

• Toothbrush
• Hairbrush
• Hair ties and Scrunchies x 10
• Bobby pins x 10
• Cotey face powder
• Nail clippers
• Razor
• Soap bar
• Deodorant
• O.B. tampons
• Earrings
• Retainer + case
• Small pack of tissues

First Aid:

• Naproxen (painkiller/fever reducer)
• Peptobismol (for stomach aches)
• Bandaids

Electronics:

• Phone
• Laptop
• Phone charger
• Laptop charger
• Portable charger
• International adapter

Documents and Money:

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Photocopies of passport and drivers license
• Paper copies of boarding passes/ booking documents
• Acceptance letter for the school you’re studying at (this may help you get through customs)
• Folder for documents
• Euros/British Pounds
• Credit + debit cards
• ISA card (gets you several student discounts around the world)

Miscellaneous Items:

• Belt
• Sunglasses + case
• Small umbrella
• Journal
• Pencils/Pens x 3
• Nalgene (32oz reusable plastic water bottle)
• Metal straw
• Mints/gum
• Crossbody purse
• Waterproof phone case + lanyard

BONUS: On-Hand Items!

This is what I’m keeping in my purse so that they’ll be close by during the flight:

• Wallet with credit, debit, ISA cards; money; insurance info; paper boarding passes
• Gum/mints
• Sunglasses + case
• Deodorant
• Tampons
• Phone
• Portable charger
• Hand sanitizer
• Lip balm
• Tissues
• Metal straw

Anddddd that’s all for my Carry-On Packing List for Studying Abroad in Europe! I hope you like it but if you hate it, that’s okay too.

See you across the Atlantic! 🙂

~WTB