This post is all about packing essentials for work trips to Europe.
I recently got back from a 6 week remote work trip to Spain, which was a huge learning experience in so many ways. One way was packing (read: overpacking). This was my first trip longer than a month and I learned a lot about what not to pack, and also what I couldn’t have lived without.
I am super fortunate to have a fully remote job and a boss that supports and encourages travelling, so I decided to take advantage and work abroad. I obviously made a huge packing list in Notion which had a lot of unnecessary things on it. Read all about the things I regret packing here!
This post is all about packing essentials for a work trip in Europe.
Packing Essentials for Working Remote in Europe
1. Portable monitor
I never knew this existed before my trip and it’s such a cool product! Being able to travel without sacrificing your wok setup is such a luxury. This portable monitor packs down flat to fit in a bag, and is just big enough to give the dual screens you need.
2. Adapters
Never leave for Europe without the right adapter! I bought one this adapter that served as a hub for charging everything I needed. What I found though was that I needed some individual adapters for things outside my room to charge my computer. These individual adapters are perfect for it.
HOT TIP: adapters are not the same thing as converters! Most but NOT ALL electronic support dual voltage so pay careful attention. For some reason it was impossible to find much information about this. Long story short: if you aren’t sure if your device supports dual voltage, make sure to use a power block that does convert the voltage.
3. Travel wallet for cash (and change!!)
I bought a nice leather wallet from Winners that was perfect and a total game changer. In the past I was using a small zipped pouch that a gift card came in, and that was fine to make-do for short trips but it was a hassle. I find with euros it’s particularly annoying since the bills are all different sizes so it was hard to find what I was looking for. Since I was also using cash, the change would just sit at the bottom making it hard to see and use.
Since this was a longer trip, I decided to splurge and get a new wallet that would better fit my needs. It has a large section for bills that also fit my passport, 8 card slots (turns out the exact number I needed), and a zippered section for change. This made it so much easier to find what I was looking for and keep things organized. So worth it in my opinion!
4. Laundry bags
I don’t know why it’s taken me 27 years to think to bring bags with me to carry laundry! These bags were the perfect size. I brought two with me, one for activewear and one for normal clothing and it was such a game changer for keeping track of clean vs dirty laundry.
5. Electric cord organizers
With the litany of things that need charging I had a pouch with every cord I thought I might need. These organizers were great to keep things from becoming a tangled mess.
6. Wireless mouse
I don’t know about you, but the trackpad on my work computer is about useful as a rock. A wireless mouse is such a game changer. I went through three purchase and return cycles before I finally found this one, so you know it works well!
7. AirTags
Keep track of all your essentials with some AirTags! I got two AirTags from Amazon for my checked bags, but once you reach your destination you can take them out and attach them to keys and anything else you want to keep track of. This sturdy keychain is a great option to keep it with you!
8. Packing cubes
A classic for keeping everything organized! I used a few of my packing cubes to keep my work electronics together like work computer chargers, and cords for the somehow endless things that need to be plugged in.
9. Noise cancelling headphones
Working remotely means you can take meetings not only abroad, but also in cafes in whatever lovely place you decide to escape to. Noise cancelling headphones are key to being able to block out your surroundings and focus!
10. Power bank
A power bank is such an essential for long days out of the house. Being caught with a dead phone sucks under normal circumstances, but especially sucks if it happens in a foreign country. I got a power bank from Anker on Amazon and it didn’t disappoint!
11. Notebook/agenda and pens
Somehow it is so easy to forget the classic pen and paper! Keep track of all of your tasks or meeting notes the old fashioned way.
Liked this post? Read about the biggest packing mistakes I made here!
