Study Abroad Packing Essentials You’ll Actually Use (From Someone Who’s Been There)
When I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, I learned quickly that what you pack can make or break your experience. I made every mistake in the book from overpacking, to forgetting key items, and scrambling to replace things I could’ve easily brought from home.
Later, when I worked as a tour guide for Florence study abroad students, I watched hundreds of students go through the same thing. It’s easy to underestimate how different daily life is in Europe; smaller apartments, limited outlets, cobblestone streets, and last-minute weekend trips all play a role in what becomes essential.
So after years of traveling, living, and working abroad, I’ve created the ultimate study abroad packing list! The things you’ll actually use and be grateful you brought from home. These are the items that make adjusting to life in Europe easier, travel days smoother, and your entire semester more enjoyable. I’ll also go over the items that you don’t need to bring from home, which will make your packing more efficient.
All of the products I recommend can be found in my curated Study Abroad Essentials Amazon List, because you shouldn’t have to spend hours searching for the perfect things to pack.
Luggage & Packing Essentials
Whether you’re heading to Florence, Paris, or Barcelona, the right luggage setup will make travel days so much easier. Think lightweight, organized, and durable.
Carry-On Suitcase
European budget airlines have strict size limits, and cobblestone streets don’t mix well with heavy luggage. If you’re looking to avoid fighting with your suitcase, my personal favorite from Osprey is perfect. You can switch the bag between a wheeled carry-on or a backpack depending on what you need at the moment, and it’s large enough to fit everything you need while fitting easily into the overhead. Osprey is a super durable brand that travelers all over the world choose for their most demanding trips, and I promise it doesn’t look like the dorky roller backpack you had in middle school.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are the key to staying sane while living out of a suitcase. When I first moved to Florence, I started using them to separate outfits and laundry, total game-changer. I don’t fully understand how, but I can fit almost double the clothes in my bag if I roll them into packing cubes.
Hanging Toiletry Organizer
European bathrooms are tiny, this keeps your essentials off the counter and easy to access. It’s great for travel weekends, too.
Weekender Backpack
For short getaways, try to keep your packing contained to a backpack. They can slide right under your plane, train, or bus seat and make your life easier when moving through destinations quickly. I use this backpack from amazon and it’s held up shockingly well for how much I’ve put it through.
You can find my favorite luggage and packing essentials in my Study Abroad Travel Gear Collection.
Electronics & Adapters
When you’re abroad, your phone is your lifeline. From navigating Florence’s side streets to staying in touch with family back home, trying to do anything with a dead battery is a nightmare.
Universal Adapter
Europe’s plugs and voltages are different, and you’ll visit more than one country. A universal adapter with multiple USB ports will save you space and headaches. I also purchased a specific adapter for my mac and was so thankful I did.
Portable Charger
Between long travel days, Google Maps, and taking endless photos, your phone battery won’t survive. Plus I swear my phone dies faster in other countries even if I’m not using it. A slim portable charger is non-negotiable, I used mine constantly when exploring new cities on day trips from Florence. I also always have a larger portable charger in my carry-on or tote bag to make sure I’m never left stranded.
Extension Cord
European apartments often have one poorly placed outlet. A compact extension cord helps you charge everything at once (laptop, phone, camera, etc.) especially if you’re living in shared housing.
Shop all of my top tech picks in the Electronics Abroad section of my Amazon storefront.
Health & Wellness Essentials
Adjusting to life abroad means new routines, new food, and sometimes new challenges. These essentials help you stay healthy and comfortable.
Filtered Water Bottle
Not every city’s tap water is drinkable (especially in older Italian apartments). Even if it is safe to drink, it often tastes kinda funky. A filtered water bottle keeps you hydrated while saving money and plastic waste.
Mini First Aid/Pharmacy Kit
Bring your own if you have brands or certain types that you like. European pharmacies don’t always carry the same brands or dosages. For me, Excedrin was the big one, nothing like it exists in Italy for headaches. Include painkillers, cold medicine, and motion sickness tablets for travel days. I’m also sure to bring extras of any prescriptions I take and keep them all organized in a mini pharmacy case that comes on every trip with me.
Electrolytes
You’ll walk more than you think and probably enjoy a few Aperol spritzes along the way. Electrolyte drops are great for recovery and long sightseeing days. I prefer drops over powders, they’re super easy to throw in your bag and flavorless so they can be added to anything.
You can find all of my health must-haves in the Study Abroad Wellness section of my Amazon list.
Study & Organization Essentials
Studying abroad isn’t all aperitivo and weekend trips. You’ll still have classes, essays, and deadlines. Staying organized helps you enjoy your free time guilt-free.
Laptop Case
A lightweight, water-resistant case is perfect for carrying your laptop to class and on trips. Choose one that can fit easily into a tote bag or backpack.
Travel Planner or Journal
I always tell students abroad to document everything. Whether you use a travel planner to budget and plan trips, or a journal to record memories, you’ll be so glad you did. A friend of mine did this by scrapbooking her semester abroad and I wish I’d done the same from the beginning.
Reusable Tote
Grocery stores in Italy charge for bags, and when you’re out and about all day having a larger bag to carry everything you need is a necessity. A large tote is a lifesaver for shopping, beach trips, or laundry.
Everyday Travel & Safety Essentials
Florence is safe, but like any European city, pickpocketing can happen. A few smart accessories can save you stress later.
Crossbody or Belt Bag
You’ll use this every day. A crossbody bag keeps your phone and wallet close, and keeps all of your things protected while navigating crowded streets.
Portable Lock
Perfect for hostels or shared housing, I always bring one for securing my bags during travel days. While hostels these days are generally safe, having your own lock gives you an extra layer of security.
Compact Umbrella
In Italy, it rains more than you expect (especially in the fall). A small umbrella fits in your bag and saves you from showing up to class drenched. There are vendors around town that sell them but as you can imagine, they triple the price when the weather turns
Alarms and Trackers
While the majority of Europe if safe, it never hurts to be careful. I keep a small alarm with me in my bag and put airtags into all of my luggage.
Study Abroad Outfits: Dressing for Europe
Let’s be honest, half the fun of studying abroad in Italy is the fashion. But packing for several months in Europe can be tricky. You want to blend in with the local style while still being comfortable.
Versatile Layers
The weather in Florence can swing from warm afternoons to chilly evenings. Pack light sweaters, denim, and flowy tops that can be layered easily. Check the weather for the months you’ll be in town. This sounds like common sense but you’d be amazed at how many people forget this step.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
You’ll walk miles every day, from cobblestone streets to museum tours. Bring one pair of white sneakers, a pair of boots, and one casual sandal; that’s all you need. These everyday sneakers from Doctor Scholls’s are my go-to, they allow you to walk around comfortably everyday while still being cute.
Neutral Basics
Europeans dress simply but stylishly. Think classic neutrals you can mix and match to create new looks. For efficient packing I tend to stick to neutrals for almost all of my clothing items and bring accessories to spice up my outfits. This way all of your clothes match and can be mixed up to create endless combos.
You can find my favorite study abroad outfits and travel wardrobe staples in the Style for Study Abroad section of my Amazon storefront.
Travel Apps & Digital Tools
Studying abroad in Italy taught me that a few good apps can make all the difference.
–Google Maps Offline: Download maps for when Wi-Fi is spotty. In my experience, Apple maps and Waze can be unreliable in Europe.
–WhatsApp: It’s what everyone in Europe uses to communicate.
–Omio: Helps you compare bus, train, and flight options for weekend trips.
–Get Your Guide: I use this app/ website everywhere I go to find the best tours and activities.
Weekend Travel Must-Haves
Part of studying abroad is exploring beyond your host city. These must-haves make weekend getaways smoother and more enjoyable:
–Portable Luggage Scale: Avoid surprise airline fees.
–Neck Pillow: A lifesaver on long bus rides.
–Passport Holder: Keeps your documents organized.
–Compact Camera & Tripod: Capture moments without relying on strangers for photos. I have 2 cameras, the Cannon G7X II and the Olympus TG7. I love them both but for different reasons. The G7X can make anyone look like a photographer, the pictures are phenomenal straight out of the camera. The Olympus TG6 has slightly lower image quality, but it’s waterproof and shockproof, making it a perfect travel camera.
All my favorite travel accessories are in the Weekend Trip Essentials section of my Amazon list.
What you DON’T need to pack
When going to a new country for the first time it’s easy to worry you won’t be able to find anything you need, which definitely isn’t the case. Here are the top things I see people waste packing space on that are absolutely not needed.
–Sheets and towels: No matter where you’re studying, I can guarantee they have bed sheets and bath towels there. Leave yours at home unless your program specifically says to bring your own.
–A ton of shoes: I know it’s tempting, but try to limit the shoes you bring as much as possible. They use up a ton of space, are heavy, and I promise you don’t really need more than 3 pairs. (everyday sneakers, going out booties, and sandals for the beach/ shower)
–Toiletries: You can find all the essentials at the grocery store or pharmacy. Don’t make your life harder lugging around bottles of shampoo and bodywash. That said, bring your own deodorant… I learned the hard way that the european brands don’t work well.
Final Thoughts: What You Actually Need for Study Abroad Italy
Whether you’re heading to Florence, Prague, or London, packing smart is the key to a smooth transition abroad. You don’t need everything, just the things that make daily life easier, keep you organized, and help you feel confident exploring your new home.
This list is built from years of experience living, working, and guiding students through the study abroad Italy experience. These are the exact products that make travel days smoother, dorm life cozier, and adventures stress-free.
Shop everything mentioned in this post here:
👉 My Study Abroad Essentials Amazon List
Pin It!
