Packing Like a Pro: What to Bring & What to Leave Behind
To preface this blog post, I am studying abroad in Prague during the spring semester, which means the semester started off pretty cold and will end with very nice weather. I brought one large checked bag, one carry-on bag, and one travel backpack. Now that I’m abroad, I realize what I should have packed and what I didn’t need.
Clothes are much cheaper in Europe, Zara being my favorite, so if you are thinking of buying clothes before leaving, I would save it for abroad instead.
Essentials Items
Passport + copies
Student visa (if required)
Credit/debit cards (check for foreign transaction fees)
Travel insurance + health insurance card
Laptop + charger
Headphones
Power bank (useful for long days & travel)
Power adapter
Travel Backpack
Phone cell plan (check with provider or get a sim abroad)
These are my non-negotiables that I bring or use every single day while abroad. I can’t emphasize enough how important a portable charger is. Even if you are on top of your stuff 24/7, without a portable charger, your phone will die during the day or night.
Realistically, you are never really in your dorm, so having one of these is essential. I also wrote a blog about my travel credit card and the best options out there, as I did a bunch of research before I left on which one to get. I also bought a travel backpack that fit the size requirements of most airlines abroad, as they are very strict with their requirements here.
Winter Clothing (January – March)
1 heavy winter coat
1 lightweight jacket
1 rain jacket
1 long underwear
2-3 sweaters or hoodies
2-3 long-sleeve tops
2-3 jeans or warm pants - lined if possible
1-2 joggers or sweatpants - you don’t wear these out ever
2 pair of sneakers - 1 going out, 1 everyday
2-3 warm socks
5-6 regular socks
1 pairs of gloves
1 beanies
Winter in Prague can be very cold, and one of the things I needed in the first few weeks was long underwear. Granted, I am from California but study in Boston, and my legs were pretty cold with just a pair of jeans.
You will also need a very heavy jacket or layers to protect you from the cold wind that occasionally occurs. Realistically, you are going to be wearing the same pair of jeans most days for class and walking around, so finding a good pair, preferably with an inner lining, is a huge lifesaver.
For going out at night, I would just accept that I would be cold until getting inside, where a normal going-out outfit would be khakis, jeans, or chinos with a T-shirt and a bomber or hoodie. Occasionally, I would add one more layer if it was really cold, as we take the tram into town at night as well.
Definitely bring a pair of beater shoes that you are willing to get destroyed at the bar or club. I have my daily drivers, which are just white Converse that take a beating but work with most outfits for casual wear and going out.
Spring Clothing (April – May)
1 light jacket
1-2 cardigans or light sweaters
3-5 short-sleeve tops or t-shirts
1-2 long-sleeve tops
2-3 jeans or lightweight pants
2-3 chinos or nicer pants
1 pair of comfortable sneakers
1 pair of loafers or casual shoes
3-4 pairs of regular socks
1 pair of sandals or flats
1 sets of lightweight pajamas
Spring is much easier to dress for, as it can just be jeans and a T-shirt with maybe a hoodie. On the warmer days, you can even wear shorts, but I haven’t seen many people in shorts yet.
I would also plan to bring some beach clothes, as beach trips are super fun to take while abroad. This means some nice light linens and fun beachy dress tops.
Miscellaneous + Extra
2 semi-formal outfit (linens or blazer)
1 pair of comfortable athletic shoes
3-4 workout outfits
2 swimsuits
I highly recommend joining a gym abroad to keep your health in line with all the food and drinks you consume. I brought four workout outfits, but this all depends on what your schedule will look like and if you have the time to go to the gym.
Swimsuits are more for weekend trips, and I don’t use them here.
Toiletries
1 toothbrush
1 tube of toothpaste
1 pack of floss
1 bottle of shampoo (travel-size for arrival)
1 bottle of conditioner (travel-size for arrival)
1 body wash or bar soap
1 razor + extra blades
1 bottle of shaving cream or gel
1 moisturizer (cold winters can dry skin)
1 lip balm (for winter chapped lips)
1 stick of deodorant
1 pair of nail clippers
I want to heavily emphasize that I bought almost all of this stuff within the first few days of coming abroad. I highly recommend you do this as well to save tons of space while packing and also to avoid the hassle of having to pack all liquids in your checked bag.
If you have specific toiletries you use, then of course bring those, but for the most part, shaving cream, lotion, floss, shampoo, conditioner, and similar items are much cheaper out here anyway and are an easy trip to the corner store.
One thing I would say you should bring is moisturizer, as my skin dried out quickly in the cold winter.
Things that can be Bought Abroad
1 tube of toothpaste
1 pack of floss
1 bottle of shampoo (travel-size for arrival)
1 bottle of conditioner (travel-size for arrival)
1 body wash or bar soap
1 bottle of shaving cream or gel
1 moisturizer (cold winters can dry skin)
Linens
Sneakers
Going out outfits
Casual wear
These are a few of the things I have found very easily while abroad, and you can save some packing space by buying them after you arrive. Luckily, they are also cheaper here, which is a huge plus.
