Do I need to pack a towel?

I wouldn’t necessarily agree that accommodations in Europe are generally mediocre compared to the U.S. You can opt for American-style hotels, including American brands, most anywhere in Europe if that’s what you prefer. I think most of the travelers on this forum prefer the small hotels and B&Bs found in the center of most villages/towns/cities. They’re different than the big hotels to be sure, but they’re better by almost any measure in my opinion. Unless you’re planning a stay in a hostel, you’re not going to need to bring a bath towel. I’ve never stayed in a place that didn’t offer bath towels. There are lots of things you could bring just in case, but your carry-on might become checked luggage. Just my two cents…have a great trip!

I have never needed to pack a towel,, but then I stay in budget to moderate hotels,( 60-130 euros per night usually) , you know, the kind with mini bars, a/c and safes,, even real beds,, but then if one is staying at hostels, the amenties supplied I am sure are different , and likely vary from hostel to hostel.

Hotels in Europe have towels and soap the same way hotels in the US have towels and soap. You absolutely do not need to bring these things. Many also have shampoo, etc. I've also never not had a blow drier. Hotel rooms are often smaller in European cities but "lackluster" is not correct. There is a wide variety just as the US has dumpy roadside motels to 4 star hotels.

Depends on where you stay, but most hotels do provide a towel in Europe.

But most do not provide a wash cloth or hand towel. I usually bring one of each.

Yes, take one just in case. Get one of those micronet towels, they do a great job, dry fast and they pack light. It will come in handy.

The Rick Steves travel store and other places have them.
Micronet Towel

Cheers,
Maggie
http://www.maggiewilliamswanderer.com/

Europeans, at least Germans, traditionally have considered a washcloth and soap to be personal items, something you brought with you. Hotels did not supply them. I understand that in Japan, the hotel provides a toothbrush. They must consider accommodations here to be rather "lackluster" by comparison.

Sometimes a washcloth and soap are not included, but today, more often than not, they are. Nevertheless, I bring mine with me. I've never had a room in Germany that did not have towels.

Actually, I think the Europeans, again at least the Germans, have a higher standard than we do in their accommodations. Over there, I would never be hesitant to book a €20 room. Although it might be small, it will be clean, comfortable, and well maintained. What would you get for $30 a night in this country. In Germany, the included breakfast might not be "reichhaltiges", but it would be adequate; it would certainly be more than a piece of coffee cake and a cup of coffee in a paper cup.

In my experience, hotel and B&B accommodations in Europe have always come with towels, so no need to take one with you. As for the toiletries, take what you can, but don't compromise your carry-on and it is rather fun to purchase them in the local stores there (like finding out back at your Paris hotel room that your least favorite toothpaste flavor is anise [licorice]). Also, I always take with me solid shampoo, which can be found at this website: http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/hair/solid-shampoos. It is space-efficient, meets security guidelines, and is environmentally friendly.

David,
Last month I was in Ireland. I stayed mostly in B&Bs with one night in a hostel and one night at the Doonbeg Golf Resort. They all provided towels. However, I always carry a microfiber one also. If you don't need it for your body, you will to help dry laundry.

I usually take a thin beach towel with me not use to after showering but to laydown in the park or lay on the beach. But all the budget hotels that I've stayed at provided me with a towel. I always take a small microfiber with me.

And ya, it's true about Japanese hotels (even at 2,3 star), providing toothbrush with toothpaste and razor, comb, q-tips, shampoo and bar soap. Gotta love the electric toilet LoL

Again thank you all for the advice on towels.

Yes, this is my first trip, and I was doing some reading on trip advisor for some more budget places and some revies mentioned there were no towels. I also talked to a friend who just got back from Greece, and he did not have towels in the room, when he asked for a set (face and such) all he got was a large body towel, hence my questioning.

The Ibis Hotels or Arcor, or Novotel, or Motel One are all chains and I have found them to be excellent for the price.

There are some places that do not provide soap and shampoo, but have never heard of a place that did not provide towels. Plus if you need more than one towel, they are usually happy to give you more.

What they don't like to do is change your towels and sheets every day if you are staying there multiple days. There will usually be cards in your room asking you to throw towels on the floor if you want new ones, other wise just hang them up and they will bring fresh ones every few days. Each hotel is different when it comes to this. There will be some that change sheets once a week, and still others that may do it every day, but they usually do tell you what their policy is so it isn't a surprise.

Thank you for asking your questions David.

I carry one bag only and it never weighs more than 18 lbs (including packed snacks), when needed it's easy for me to reduce to 15 lbs (usually by taking out the snacks).

I pack one travel towel. The towel I'm currently packing is microfiber and about the size of a "gym" towel. I purchased it at Costco as part of a car wash kit that included microfiber car wash mits and towels. It's the best towel I've had, far better than several "travel" towels I purchased - more absorbant and dries quickly with no lingering mildew smells. It was also a bargain.

I use pensions, b&b's, hostels, budget hotels, business hotels and occasionally nice hotels. Once upon a time you needed to bring a towel to hostels but that doesn't seem to be true anymore. I still pack it for a picnic blanket, a trip to the beach or park or those days when I sweat enough walking around to need a second shower. Although budget accomodations provide a towel (usually only one) it's not normally heavy-weight or new and one use a day is about all I can comfortably get from one. I consider it poor form to take the hotel's towel out, so bringing my own is guilt-free.

I also pack a chamois. I use this mainly to wring a small load of laundry each day. It could also work as a travel towel in a pinch but I don't use it for that.

I pack the chamois because it takes more water out of wet clothes and wrings drier than anything else I've tried (including microfiber travel towels and synthetic chamois).

I also highly recommend bringing a synthetic chamois. It is fantastic for wringing out your clothes (much better than a soggy towel), and is lightweight.

Sometimes the "towels" provided are so terrible that they might as well not have bothered. I'd pack one just in case! Think really thin, stiff towels that reek of vinegar and aren't very absorbent. Sure, they provided something, but it's like trying to dry off with the newspaper or something. I don't remember where that was. I try not to hold grudges against places and just chalk it up to experience.

I travel so light that it's crazy! I don't bring blow dryers, Chi flat irons, etc. I would never travel with a towel in my one backpack. The way I see it, this is temporary inconvenience. I put up with the "withouts."
It's a part of traveling, we may not get everything we want. But I do want to say, I do respect people that feel differently than I. This is just me.