Packing for an almost 3 month stay (March-June)

I usually pick one color to coordinate off of (typically black) so that everything goes well together. For instance, I’d do one black flat loafer (I like Rothys for example), black hiking boots, one flat black sandal and maybe one black dressier shoe for nights out, but maybe the sandal could double.

I would do a couple pairs of jeans, black pants, and a few basic black dresses. And for tops, mostly black with a few pops of color or favorites. Then some accessories like a scarf or two and a couple necklaces to change the looks.

I usually take a black long champ bag as a carry on and then use it as my day time bag once I’m there and then I bring along a smaller black bag for dinners out etc. Coats I’d do one warm coat in black and a then one light small tench style that looks good dressed up or down.

Packing for three months should be similar to packing for two or three weeks. I have done it several times with vastly different climates. You will be in similar climates. I always have taken a 22” suitcase and a small back pack or tote.
Think about what events you need to consider- hiking, city dinners out. Mix and match. It is not hard to do. Forget thinking of three months which seems to have overwhelmed you.

First I'd rethink the hiking boots. Unless you are doing some really rugged tough hikes you will be fine in the kind of athletic shoe that would also be used for just walking around (and be much lighter and smaller for packing).

Second you will need to think in terms of layers. Especially you should think about getting "silk under garments". This can make a pair of pants that will work OK in cold climates as well as (with out the under garments) warmer times. Heattech is wonderful - It is also able to be washed by hand in a sink and will dry overnight. https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/women/heattech-collection?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1dWp34nj5wIViZ-zCh38cA_MEAAYASABEgJnp_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Third - use things like scarves and jewelry to dress up and make for different looks out of rather plain looking pieces.

I haven’t been away for much longer than a month at a time and we usually take a large checked bag weighing around 20 kgs. I’m not sure of the size, but it’s bigger than 26 inches. Often the issue with hand luggage is the weight as much as the size.

Wear your heaviest, bulkiest clothes on the plane and take layers. Take your medication as hand luggage.

I did 8 weeks (and 3 Rick Steves tours back to back, lol) a few years ago. At that time I was using Rick's 22" convertible backpack. That trip made me switch over to a rollaboard because whew, it was very heavy when I ended my trip. With the clothes I had I could have stayed much longer as well. I went to UK, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France for an idea of what climates I passed through.

I do sink wash so everything including my jeans were cotton/poly blend. I had every shirt match every pants match every cardie. By the end I had "somehow" acquired EIGHT scarves, lol.

I love The Vivienne Files for ideas about capsule wardrobe colors. www.theviviennefiles.com Her clothing choices tend to be too dressy and too expensive for my lifestyle but the colors I can work with. I also use one of the tee shirts she uses as a basic - the Lands End cotton/modal tee. It's dressier than a plain tee as it's shaped a bit and has nicer fabric. I used to start out with a black cardie and either a print or colored cardie with matching tees to give a polished look. I've decided the cardies are heavy to pack so have switched it up but that style might work for you. (sucking in my breath because I had not looked at her blog post today - I love her colors today - a navy and gray basic wardrobe with pops of brick and peach - wow, so pretty!!)

Will you be doing heavy duty hiking in the Alps? I've spend a few days in Switzerland and admittedly did easier trails but regular athletic shoes were fine.

Even with this amount of time I'd only take 4-5 SS tees, 1 LS tee, 3 bottoms - 2 long pants and a pr of capris if you will be there when it's hot. If you add 2 cardies that match everything you could be set if that kind of clothing appeals to you.

BTW, my "travel" wardrobe is my regular wardrobe. I don't have travel pants - just use my regular jeans and I wear those tee shirts every day.

I ALWAYS take a waterproof jacket with a hood. I've needed it every trip from UK to Italy. If you are cold natured you might want a puffy vest to layer under it in the early part of your trip. Maybe some light glove liners for Switzerland.

I travel for 4-1/2 months at a time but not before early April (and that was Andalucía) or after September, so I don't have to worry about really cold weather. My pills weigh at least 6 lb. when I head out, and I never have time to fully consolidate my travel information, so there's always considerable paper weight accompanying me. This forces me to keep clothes to a minimum. The only shoes I take are the ones on my feet (good quality athletic shoes, as close to solid black as I can get).

I use a set of long johns under summer-weight clothes when I need extra warmth. My warm layer is a black fleece jacket. If I'm really worried about cold I throw a packable down jacket in the bag; it scrunches up really small. I wouldn't take two warm garments that couldn't be layered (so not 2 sweaters just because they're different colors).

I was really pleased at how well my new PrAna 97% nylon slacks worked in both hot weather and (with long johns) cold weather. They did a decent job of shedding water (I stayed dry on a couple of very wet long john days), they're light to pack and they dry quickly after washing. I plan to take two pairs on my next trip. There are other brands using similar fabric. Columbia uses 96% nylon, and their pants are lighter in weight but seem to wrinkle more. I suspect they wouldn't be as warm in chilly, breezy weather.

I am not a fashion plate at home, so I know it's different for others, but: I do get bored with the limited selection of clothes I have with me (3 bottoms and 5 tops, more or less), but I don't give even one thought to what I'm wearing after I've gotten dressed and left the hotel (unless I'm cold). It's only when I contemplate what I'm going to put on that I think, "black and white again". I don't do scarves, but they are an excellent idea.

I take at least one compression cube and use if for things that I don't mind wrinkling. That doesn't help with weight, obviously.

It's fine to wear heavy clothes on the plane if you're worried about exceeding the airline's weight limit, but don't forget that those clothes will be in your suitcase if you change locations on a hot day. They need to fit.

You can save a lot of weight by not over-packing toiletries. Calculate how much you use per week or month and only take as much as you'll need. Use hotel soap and shampoo if you're not picky. If you're not willing to do that, consider packing enough for a month and trying luxurious local products when you run out. Use solid products rather than liquids whenever possible. I've seen US brands of toothpaste all over Europe. I have not found travel-size solid anti-perspirant, so I now take three with me.

You should start a list of non-packing-related things you need to do before departure. There's a lot: insurance payments, property tax payments, arranging for someone to pick up your mail, auto-payments for any monthly or quarterly bills coming in, auto-payments for your credit cards, travel notifications to your bank and credit card companies, extra prescription drugs in case you somehow don't leave Europe on schedule, scheduling medical check-ups that will be due right after your return, etc. You don't want to suddenly remember something important on the day before departure. Also, check to be sure the outer jacket you plan to wear to the airport is actually hanging in your closet before you're ready to head out the door. Mine wasn't. I still don't know where I left it.

If you haven't already done so, check with your bank and all credit-card issuers about international-usage fees so you know what will be the least expensive way for you to pay for things in Europe.

We’ve lived in Italy for the past year and a half and have done many trips (20) ranging from a couple days to three weeks. We might change up what we pack based on season, but fit everything into a 22” roller, a 20” roller, 1 backpack, and panniers for our dog (to help carry his dog food). And a small convertible shoulder bag/backpack as my purse. We take about 5-6 days of clothes, including what we are wearing, and do laundry along the way. Cold weather clothes can be worn multiple times (but take more space) compared to warm weather clothes (take up less space so add few more shirts)

In May we leave our abode in Italy to travel for three months before moving back to US. We will ship the majority of our belongings (3 large bags), to The UK, then take the QM2 from England back to the US. And we will set off on our 3 month travels with the same bags as our 5-21 day trips. We pack for function and comfort, not fashion.

One other thing: It will probably take considerably longer to count out (and re-count) 95 days' worth of multiple pills than you expect. Try to get that task out of the way early. But for heaven's sake, don't forget those pills. I'm so anal about packing as light as I can manage that I make sure everything is in a bottle of just the right size. That means I normally have several different sizes with me. As I use up pills, I discard the largest bottle and consolidate, where practical. Over the course of the trip, the pill bag gets both lighter and smaller.

As MMKBoston said—black. I’ve gone a few times from December to July, so had to take everything from a wool jacket ‘n gloves to summer t-shirts. Chicos black Traveler pants and matching jacket were fine for all seasons; I added a couple of sweaters, t-shirts, raincoat, scarves, leather shoes for the city and layered. It’s a bit of a puzzle to figure out, but less is better. If you need something, even though you say you won’t be shopping, there are street markets with clothes, chain stores like H & M, and boutiques with racks on the sidewalk outside. A lot of your suitcase will be taken up by all the other stuff that is too difficult to replace.

I'm not a huge fan of the 26" suitcase. It's great when you can check it but after the flight I find it a nuisance on the train, bus or subway. You've gotten many good suggestions about reducing the amount of clothes you bring. I'd like to add that I put outfits in those compression bags - they're like ziplocks but with one way air valves so you squeeze the air out.

I do think you could bring your hiking boots. I know it's a nuisance through security, but I wear mine to the airport and put a small pair of slippers in my hand luggage to wear while trying to sleep on the plane. If you're traveling from one town to another you'll probably be wearing those boots again (because they don't fit in a suitcase).

There's a whole section of this website devoted to traveling light. I haven't gone as far as cutting the handle off my toothbrush, but I have taken a blouse with slightly frayed cuffs and thrown it away near the end of the trip to make room for souvenirs. And I'm probably in the minority here but I find using European launderettes to be an enjoyable experience, great for people watching, journaling, writing postcards, etc. Lately though I've been cheating and dropping my clothes off at places that will wash them the same day (your hotel can suggest one).

It sounds like you're off on a grand adventure!

Thank you all! Lots of great ideas, which to be honest, is making me rethink the size of my luggage. Good point about once checked, you gotta lug that baby along.

Anyway, I tend to take my toiletries with me when traveling, because I have severe allergies to different chemicals used in shampoo, body lotion, moisturizers etc., so mine are all allergy free (as advised by my allergist), and this part has me in a bit of meltdown mode, as I think of how to pack those heavier items for 3 months! Two weeks is fine, but that's a longer period. I don't know if there is an allergy free line in France, but then again, I was advised to buy particular products over here, and would have to check every label, to be sure it's safe. Anyone else with a similar need? I am carrying four EPI pens, and hoping I won't have to use them all. Not sure if that's something that could be a problem for me (getting another prescription in France), or if I should try to fill another 2 before leaving?

I use hiking boots, which honestly, I don't think are that heavy, but more bulky, because of ankle problems. It just helps so much more than smaller type of athletic shoes. I could wear on the plane and trains, for sure.

Oh, I just want to say that it's true, I sort of panicked at the thought of 3 months, when I should really try to focus on making each piece count, and work to make several outfits out of a smaller amount of clothes. I'll try to go through some of the old posts, and read the a few about packing light.

I have allergies to toiletries but not as severe as yours. It may be that your departure date is too near but I would take just a bit over the bare minimum you think you’ll need.

How little shampoo can you get by with? I know that 3oz of shampoo and 2 oz of conditioner will last me for a month. I have short hair and shampoo daily. I realized if I changed my technique I could use less product, so after my hair is thoroughly wet I use a bit more that a pea size dab of shampoo, rub my hands to create lather then apply one soapy hand to my front hairline and the other to my nape and work toward the crown of my head. If you have long or thick hair this may not work for you.

If you have time before you travel you might want to look at Eucerin products. These are widely available in France and Germany as well as the US since it’s a German company. I can use some of their moisturizer/lotion products but not sure if they would be suitable for your needs or not.

I hope you’ll do a Trip Report when you come back from this fabulous trip! How things worked for you may be helpful to others down the line.

Pam, I will do a report.
I leave in a month's time, so I will definitely check some products online, if I know the brands to look for. Thanks.

Eucerin products will be available in your local Walgreens, etc but may have different ingredients for the US market still, it’s a place to start.

If you are going to be in one place for a an extended stay as some of your previous posts indicate, consider contacting your landlord/school contact and see if they can receive/hold mail for you while you are there. Then pack up several "care packages" of critical items to be sent on to you at monthly intervals from home. You can even try shipping a small package to yourself before you leave to make sure it arrives. You will then have needed extra critical items there when you arrive.

Shipping liquid toiletries from the US to Europe is likely to be shockingly expensive. Postage rates can be checked on the USPS website. Commercial shippers will be even costlier.

While not something drawing rave reviews on fashion runways, full-fledged hiking boots are essential for me, and if they fit, provide stability and support, offer waterproof protection from the elements and traction on rugged surfaces, they’re beautiful, even if some would judge them clunky and unstylish. They don’t have to live in my shoes (or boots) so what works for me is what counts.

Because of bulk, I’ve packed my smaller footwear, and often worn those boots thru the airport and on flights. No one’s giving fashion awards onboard, and I’m not there to impress security screeners with my stylish footwear (which I have to remove anyway), so they go on my feet on the way to the airport, and come off once I’m in my seat. For some trips, i’ve also tied the laces together, and dangled them as a sort-of accessory, while wearing other shoes. Not in a suitcase taking up space, nor being worn, and also not seen as a separate piece of luggage. They can be tucked under a seat, or even in the overhead bin, if space is available. Just make sure you wouldn’t forget your unattached boots when you get off the plane!

A collection of scarves takes up very little space in my 22” carry-on, and a scarf amazingly turns a casual outfit into something much more elegant/formal. Everything goes with Black. If you can do laundry on a regular basis, you don’t need so much clothing, just the ability to mix and match. You may get tired of the “same” few clothes after a while, but you should be enjoying your time so much it won’t be a problem.

A pharmacy will carry hypoallergenic toiletries. EU law on chemical additives is stricter than US law.

For what it's worth, I've had no luck finding fragrance-free soap, shampoo, chapstick, laundry soap, sunscreen, or hand lotion looking in many, many pharmacies, giant modern stores, healthfood shops, and grocery stores in Italy. With someone who speaks very good Italian. Even products that say they are hypoallergenic always had perfume in them. Even hypoallergenic baby products. I still look on every trip, but I bring my own products. Yes, even the laundry detergent.

That's what I wondered about, Nancy! I am allergic to the "fragrance", which is not just the scent, but the chemicals which make up this word in beauty products. I generally take whatever I need, rather than having to deal with major rashes and internal issues, from being allergic to something. I think that I will be biting the bullet, and finding a way to take these items with me, and use them SPARINGLY!

Cyn, that's a great idea. I like how you think about hiking boots. I may do just that! I ordered a pair of Naturalizer "shoes" which were described as comfortable, looks like ballerina flats, but with support, and not the extremely flat type. Many women raved about being in them all day, and not having foot pain, so I will take them along (packed), as my nicer pair of shoes and for shorter walks/car rides etc.

Bets, I had checked in Germany, briefly, but still came across a few chemicals I am allergic to. Even the pharmacist there, cautioned me about taking a chance on some hand lotion I was tempted to buy. I have an entire folder of every chemical I am allergic to, with red writing in the margins, from my allergist, to stay away from them at all costs.

Nivea ?? The cream made in Germany is much thicker than the Mexican-manufactured cream sold in the U.S.

We just did nearly three months of travel in Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Malta, Vienna, plus a river cruise, Berlin and Paris. We took what we would take for a ten day trip in terms of clothes. We did have to buy sweaters and heavier gloves in Vienna as it was so much colder than the earlier part of our trip. Our two concerns as older travelers are our medications and being able to handle our bags...which was a bit of a fail on this trip. So, we tend to pack meds and other necessities first before we get into the fashion side of packing in order to keep the weight down. I stuck with my usual black leggings with four dresses and one skirt with a three colored tops. (As a petite person my dresses don’t take up a lot of room.) I will admit that I was a little sick of some of my clothes by the time we reached Berlin. A few things got shed along the way! We go back and forth between hotel laundry when it is inexpensive (Morocco and Malta) and local launderettes. This trip we booked apartments with washer/dryers in Spain, Vienna, Berlin and Paris...and my, that was a joy. The only issue is that European dryers are generally inefficient compared to what we use at home. We buy as little in the souvenir category as possible although dear hubby did end up lugging a Moroccan rug around in his suitcase...funny how that worked out! Unusually for us, we took 26 inch bags...first and probably last time. While it was nice to have room for the rug and our extra winter layers, it made train travel impossible. We ended up booking private drivers instead and ...oops...flying rather than training from Berlin to Paris. One great find was our new very small roll-aboards. They were life-savers at every airport as we didn’t have to lug bags on our shoulders. Good luck with your trip! Three months is an awesome length of time to be in Europe!

What brand of small roll-aboard did you find? Was that on the trip, or when you got back? And that rug! haha
Reminds me of the time I bought a basket in Mexico and had to find a way to bring it back! It was quite big and cumbersome. Nowadays, I stick to maybe a piece of jewelry or scarf, and some edibles.

Ginger, I just finished packing for 3weeks of 80-90 degree temperature, combined with another 3 weeks of 40-60 degree temperature. I had to use a 24" suitcase and a small carry on to accommodate two different sets of clothes. There's a tiny bit of crossover, using some of the same pieces in 60-degree and 80- degree temperatures. I'm taking only a raincoat but with wool sweaters underneath and scarf and gloves. Leggings and t-shirts for sleeping, or for working out, or for extra warmth under other clothes. If you want the list, send a pm.

For toiletries look at Amazon.de for options. I’m able to order Aveda hair products and other items we have needed that we either can’t find, or don’t know what it’s called locally. You can log in using your US Amazon user I’d and password. Amazon Germany has an “English” button.

Since our dog goes through 12 KG of dog food every 3 weeks and is very sensitive with the type of dog food,, we need to plan ahead for his dog food shipments. It’s best if you can have any shipments delivered to a hotel where there is a manned front desk for delivery before you arrive. Delivery to an apartment might require waiting around all day for a delivery. (At least that is the case in Italy). In the second line of the address field I add “guest dd-mm-yy)