Packing Guide - What to Pack for traveling to Vienna, Austria in Every Season of the Year

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Preparing a list of what you will pack for your travel can be quite frustrating. To save you some time and distress here is a little guide of what people normally stuff into their backpacks and suitcases when embarking on a trip to the central parts of Europe.

What to consider when packing:

• the weather: depending on the current season be prepared for heat, cold and heavy rains
• practicality: have a functional approach to your clothes and gear, make sure you can combine them and use them in multiple ways
• convenience: you most likely want to have a good time and feel comfortable in your attire, especially, when it comes to shoes and backpacks

Let's see what you should pack into your luggage, broken down by categories. This is a general recommendation, based on your specific needs you may add some new items and ignore some others.

1. Luggage:

• Rolling luggage or a bigger backpack to contain the bulk of your stuff
• Light, smaller backpack for sightseeing throughout the day

2. Toiletries, first aid items, laundry:

• travel toiletry set (shower bath / body wash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, travel toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic cup)
• hanging toiletry bag
• comb / mini hair brush
• wet wipes
• travel toilet paper
• paper tissues
• contact lens, glasses
• scissors, swiss army knife, nail polisher, nail clipper
• deodorant, mini parfume (eau de toilette)
• sunscreens
• make-up kit, skin care kit, lip balm
• shaving kit for men
• travel or camping utensils
• toothpicks
• microwavable plastic cup with slid on it
• mini salt, mini sugar, mini honey, mini lemon (you can get these at fast food restaurants for free)
• some snacks (muesli bars, granola bars, fruit bars)
• sewing kit
• lighter
• mini duct tape
• 1 big size quick drying towel (for showers)
• 1 smaller size quick drying towel (for washing your hair, it's especially handy if you have long hair)
• laundry bag or plastic bags for storing your laundry
• travel laundry kit (clothesline, clothespins, sink stopper, laundry detergents, stain remover)
• camping wash bag for washing your clothes
• 3 to 5 ziploc bags in different sizes
• first aid items: band aids, pain killers, motion sickness pills, anti-diarrhea medicines, antiseptic spray / disinfectants, gauze pack
• bandages for blister on your feet
• prescription drugs (that you take daily, or regularly)
• vitamines (that you take regulary)

3. Clothing:

Consider including some wrinkle-resistant, quick drying, low mainttenance items, that are easy to combine with each other.

3.1. Basic items for 1 week and beyond:

• foldable raincoat and a mini travel umbrella
• 1 pair of waterproof trekking shoes or boots
• 5 to 7 pieces of underwear (panties and bras for ladies, underpants for men)
• 3 t-shirts
• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 sweater / hoodie / cardigan
• 1 light scarf as a fashion accessorie to 'level up' your look (for ladies mainly, but these days metropolitan men like their scarves, just as much)
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 dress / non-casual trouser for going out to a fancier place
• 1 "festive" looking blouse or shirt for going out to a fancier place
• 1 pair of plastic / beach slippers for taking showers (for hygienic reasons!)

3.2. Spring / Autumn gear:

(When you travel in spring or autumn, add items from this list to those from the above list of basic items.)

• 7 pairs of "ordinary" socks
• 1 or 2 pairs of jeans or trousers
• 4 shirts or blouses (short or long-sleeve)
• 1 legging or thermal underwear (just in case)
• 1 light sweater / cardigan / hoodie
• 1 softshell jacket (preferably a 2-in-1 style functional jacket)
• 1 pair of replacement shoes
• 5 to 7 camisoles / undershirts
• scarf
• hat, cap

3.3. Summer gear:

(When you travel in the summer, add items from this list to those from the above list of basic items.)

• 5 pairs of summer socks and 2 pairs of "ordinary" socks
• 1 pair of light jeans / linen trousers / chino trousers
• 4 tank tops / short sleeve blouses / short sleeve shirts
• 1 denim jacket / seasonal jacket
• 3 skirts or shorts
• 1 pair of sandals (preferably by a sports brand)
• beach attire of your choice (bikinis, bermudas, swimming suit, beach towel, etc)

3.4. Winter gear:

(When you travel in winter, add items from this list to those from the above list of basic items.)

• 7 pairs of warm, winter socks
• 2 leggings or thermal underwear
• 1 winter jacket (waterproof or water-repellent)
• 1 pair of winter boots or trekking boots (as replacement shoes)
• 2 pairs of jeans or warm trousers
• 4 shirts or blouses (short or long-sleeve)
• 2 warm sweaters / cardigans / hoodies
• 5 to 7 camisoles / undershirts
• long-sleeve underwear (optional)
• winter scarf
• warm hat
• gloves

4. Electronics:

• phone, smart phone
• tablet (or laptop)
• digital camera
• foldable headphones
• travel power strip (surge protector and charger)
• portable battery charger
• phone chargers
• outlet plug adapter (if you come from countries that have a different plug, and so do your electronic devices)
• travel hairdryer (optional, most hotels offer hairdryer use for free)
• USB flash drive
• memory card (for phones, laptops, tablets, digital cameras)

5. Travel accessories:

• sunglasses
• inflatable travel pillow
• packing cubes / packing sleeves / plastic bags for organizing your clothes and travel gear
• mini keychain flashlight
• ear plugs
• note book
• travel guide book, phrase book or a book to read on the road
• water bottle (collapsible water bottles take up less place)
• passport pouch
• padlock / retractable cable lock
• digital luggage scale
• money belt
• foldable travel bag (just in case)

6. Papers, money, documents:

Some of the things on this list you might have in a digital format stored on your phone or on another portable device.

• passport, ID cards, EU social security / health care ID card (for EU citizens, optional)
• travel insurance policy
• plane tickets / train tickets / bus tickets
• public transport tickets, passes, city cards
• money (cash, both in banknotes and coins)
• bank cards
• purse
• copy of your documents
• accommodation info
• travel route plan
• address of your country's embassy
• emergency contacts' names
• important telephone numbers stored additionally (outside your phone)
• toll-free emergency numbers in the country you are visiting
• pre-booked tickets to museums, venues, events
• maps