What to pack for Europe's Christmas markets: the complete winter list

Traveling to the Christmas markets of Europe is a magical experience, but for anyone coming from Mexico, the United States, Costa Rica or Puerto Rico, the European cold can come as a surprise. This is our list of what to pack for the Christmas markets so you can enjoy every evening among the lights without getting cold: clothing, footwear, documents, money, tech, a first-aid kit and all the details you only learn after your first winter in Europe.

What the December weather is like in Central Europe

In the first half of December, the cities on our Christmas route have temperatures close to freezing and very short days:

The good news: the markets come alive precisely at night, when the lights come on. The important part: you'll spend several hours outdoors, so the right clothing makes all the difference.

"Ten days in December, when Europe lights up."— Viajeterapia

What being close to 0 °C means if you come from a warm climate

If you live in Monterrey, Miami, San Juan or San José, you have probably never spent an entire afternoon in below-freezing temperatures. The difference is not just the number on the thermometer: it is the time you spend outside. Going from your car to the office at 5 °C does not feel the same as standing for three hours in a square, walking slowly between stalls, with your hands busy holding a mug and your phone. Your body cools down little by little, starting with your feet, hands and ears.

That is why the golden rule is simple: dress more warmly than you think you need to and take off layers if you get too warm. It is always easier to stash a sweater in your daypack than to find one at nine at night in the middle of a market.

Humidity, wind and short days

Three factors make the December cold feel more intense. Humidity, especially near the rivers (the Vltava in Prague and the Danube in Vienna and Budapest), makes the cold "seep" into your clothes. The wind on bridges and in open squares lowers the wind chill. And the short days mean that much of your sightseeing happens after dark, when the temperature drops even further.

Before you pack: how much luggage to bring

Winter clothes take up a lot of space. A coat, a pair of boots and two sweaters can fill half a suitcase. That is why it is a good idea to plan your luggage before you start folding clothes.

Checked bag or carry-on only

For ten days in winter, the most comfortable option is usually a medium-sized checked suitcase and a daypack. If you travel with us on the Christmas markets group trip, keep in mind that the price includes a carry-on bag and a personal item, and that checked baggage is not included: if you want to bring a checked suitcase, we quote it separately. Traveling with a carry-on only is possible if you are very organized with your layers, but it leaves you little room to bring back purchases.

How many clothes to pack for ten days

The temptation is to bring a different outfit for each day, but in winter there is no need. Since the thermals go underneath and the coat on top, what shows in photos is mostly the coat, the scarf and the hat. A base that works well for ten days is this: two or three sets of thermals, two sweaters or fleeces, two or three pairs of pants, an outer coat, underwear and socks for each day, a pair of boots and a spare pair of shoes. With that, plus something comfortable for the hotel, you have everything covered.

If you want to travel lighter, consider doing a little laundry halfway through the trip. Synthetic and merino thermals can be hand-washed in the sink and are usually dry by the next morning thanks to the room's heating. Choose colors that go together (black, gray, navy, beige) so you can mix and match all your pieces.

A trick that always works: travel wearing your bulkiest items. The long coat and the boots go with you on the plane, not in your suitcase. That way you save space and you are also dressed warmly when you land.

Clothing: dressing in layers

Dressing in layers is the technique Europeans use to go from the cold outside to the warmth indoors without suffering. Every museum, café, shop, train and hotel is heated, sometimes very strongly. With layers you can adjust your clothing in seconds.

First layer: thermal underwear

A thermal top and bottoms (merino wool or synthetic thermal fabric) are the secret. They are thin, you wear them under your regular clothes and they are very warm. Bring two or three sets. Merino wool has the advantage of not holding odors, so you can wear it more than one day; synthetic dries faster if you wash it at the hotel.

Second layer: mid layer

A wool sweater, a fleece or a quilted vest. This is the layer you take off when you go into a museum, a café or the train, which are always heated. With two mid-layer pieces that go with everything, you have enough for ten days.

Third layer: waterproof outer coat

A long, waterproof coat, ideally one that reaches your hips or thighs and has a hood. Wet snow and drizzle are common in December. A quilted down or synthetic-fill coat works very well if it is water-resistant. Check that it has zippered pockets: you'll use them for your phone, your card and your gloves.

Pants and underwear

Bring warm pants made of thick or lined fabric that you can wear over your thermals. Thermal leggings under regular pants are a great combination. If you bring jeans, always wear them with a thermal layer underneath and avoid them on snowy or rainy days: wet cotton takes a long time to dry and stops keeping you warm.

Must-have accessories

• Gloves, ideally touchscreen-compatible so you can use your phone without taking them off.
• A hat that covers your ears.
• A scarf or neck warmer.
• Thick wool socks, at least one pair per day.

If you get cold very easily, consider also bringing mittens to wear over your touchscreen gloves on the coldest nights: the US National Weather Service points out that mittens are warmer than gloves.

An example: how to dress for a market day

To give you an idea, here is what a typical day on the route looks like. In the morning, for visits to castles and palaces, you head out in thermals, a sweater, a coat, a hat and gloves. When you go into a museum you take off your coat and hat and keep your sweater on. At midday, in a café or restaurant, you put your scarf in your daypack. In mid-afternoon, when it gets dark and the market begins, you put everything back on, and if the night is very cold you add a second scarf or your mittens. On the heated train you travel in your thermals and sweater, with your coat on the luggage rack.

Clothes for the hotel, dinners and concerts

You don't need fancy clothes, but you do need something comfortable for the hotel and a slightly dressier outfit if you plan to go to an Advent concert or a special dinner. In Central Europe people go to concerts in regular clothes, and in winter nobody notices if you are wearing boots. A long-sleeved shirt or blouse and a nice sweater are more than enough.

Which materials to choose (and which to avoid)

Not all fabrics are equally warm. This table will help you go through what you already have in your closet before buying anything new:

Footwear: the most important thing in your suitcase

In the historic centers of Prague, Vienna and Budapest you'll be walking on cobblestones that may be wet or icy. Bring waterproof boots with non-slip rubber soles, already broken in before the trip to avoid blisters. Avoid canvas sneakers: they get wet and the cold goes right through.

Walking on ice also has its technique: short steps, your body weight over the foot you are stepping on and your hands out of your pockets for balance. Be especially careful on cobbled downhill slopes, on bridge stairways and at shop entrances, where melted snow leaves the floor slippery.

How to choose your boots

• Truly waterproof: check the label. "Water-resistant" doesn't always mean they will hold up to an afternoon of slush.
• Thick soles with a deep tread: a deep tread grips better on ice and cobblestones.
• Mid or high shaft: protects your ankles from the cold and from puddles.
• Half a size larger if you plan to wear thick wool socks. Try them on with those socks.
• Wear them before the trip: walk in them for at least a couple of weeks so they mold to your feet.

Socks and a second pair of shoes

Socks are as important as boots. Wool or thermal-blend socks keep your feet warm even if they get a little damp. Bring at least one pair per day plus a few extra. Add a second pair of comfortable, closed-toe shoes so your boots can dry overnight, and for the train or evenings at the hotel.

Documents and money

• A passport valid for at least three months after you leave Europe. Check the requirements for traveling to Europe.
• Travel insurance with medical coverage in Europe.
• A credit or debit card with no foreign transaction fees, with your bank notified of your trip. A multi-currency card helps you pay without surcharges: we explain how in our guide to eSIMs and the Global66 card.
• Cash in local currency for the stalls: Czech korunas in Prague, euros in Vienna and forints in Budapest.
• A digital copy of your passport saved in your email.

Which currency you need in each city

One quirk of the Prague–Vienna–Budapest route is that it uses three different currencies in ten days. You don't need to exchange much money: you can pay for almost everything by card, and cash is only for small stalls, tips and the occasional public restroom.

If an ATM or card terminal asks whether you want to pay in your own currency or in the local currency, almost always choose the local currency: the conversion they offer usually ends up costing more. To work out your full budget, see our guide to how much it costs to travel to Europe.

What to pack in your carry-on

Some things should never go in your checked suitcase: your passport, cards, cash, medications, portable charger, chargers and any fragile or valuable item. Add a set of thermals and a pair of socks in case your suitcase is delayed: that way you can get through the first day warmly dressed even if your luggage arrives later. And remember that in winter your coat and boots also travel with you, on you.

Tech and gadgets

• A type C/F plug adapter (230 V).
• Portable charger: the cold drains your phone much faster. Always carry it in your carry-on.
• An eSIM or data SIM card so you have maps and internet from the moment you land.
• A long charging cable for the hotels.

Austria and Hungary use type C and F plugs, with 230 V, 50 Hz current. The voltage is different from the Americas, so check the label on your chargers: most phone and laptop chargers accept 230 V, but devices like hair straighteners or hair dryers may not. If in doubt, leave them at home or ask ahead whether the hotel has a hair dryer.

How to protect your phone in the cold

• Keep it in an inside pocket, close to your body, when you're not using it.
• If it shuts off because of the cold, don't panic: it usually turns back on once it warms up.
• When you go into a heated place, the lens fogs up. Wait a few minutes or wipe it with a soft cloth.
• Download maps of all three cities so you can use them offline.

First-aid kit and personal care

The European winter is dry outside and in: cold on the street and heating indoors. Your skin, lips and throat feel it.

• Your regular medications in their original packaging, with the prescription if you need one, and in your carry-on.
• Something for colds and headaches that you already know and that your doctor has recommended.
• Moisturizer and lip balm with SPF.
• Tissues and hand sanitizer.
• Blister bandages: even with broken-in boots, you'll walk a lot.
• Sunscreen if there is snow: the glare can catch you off guard on clear days.

What to bring to Budapest's thermal baths

One of the most special experiences of the trip is soaking in hot water outdoors in the middle of December, at the Széchenyi thermal baths. To enjoy them hassle-free, bring:

• A swimsuit, which you can wear under your clothes that day.
• Flip-flops: the floor between the pools and the locker rooms is cold and wet.
• A microfiber towel or whatever you are told to bring; it takes up little space and dries quickly.
• A waterproof bag for your wet swimsuit.
• A wool hat if you want to keep your head warm out of the water.
• A comb, lotion and a change of dry underwear for afterward.

A practical tip: that day, wear clothes that are easy to take off and put on, and save your makeup for later. The steam from the hot water and the cold air together create a beautiful mist for photos, but they dampen everything nearby, so keep your phone in a small waterproof pouch if you want to bring it.

The coldest moment is not in the water but when you get out: keep your towel and flip-flops handy and walk quickly to the locker room.

Your evening daypack: what to bring to the market

Every afternoon, before heading out to the markets, check that your daypack has the following:

1. Gloves, hat and scarf (even if you don't need them when you leave the hotel).
2. Portable charger and cable.
3. Some cash in the city's currency and a card.
4. Lip balm and tissues.
5. A foldable shopping bag.
6. The hotel address written down or saved on your phone.
7. A cloth to wipe your phone or camera lens.

Wear your daypack on your front when it is crowded: the markets fill up, especially on weekends, and it is the best way to keep your belongings in sight.

What to pack depending on where you're traveling from

From Mexico

In the north of the country and in high-altitude cities like Mexico City or Toluca there is a wider selection of winter clothing, but in general it is a good idea to buy your thermals and boots ahead of time, at sporting goods or outdoor stores, or online. Don't leave your shopping for the last week: the closer you get to the date, the harder it can be to find your size.

From the United States and Puerto Rico

If you live in a state with winter, you already have almost everything. If you are coming from Florida, Texas or Puerto Rico, the situation is similar to Central America: you'll need to buy a coat, thermals and boots. In the United States it is easy to find winter clothing at sporting goods stores and online, and there are usually good deals during the season.

From Costa Rica

This is the most common case of "I have nothing for the cold." Look in outdoor or sporting goods stores, ask friends who have traveled to Europe or the United States in winter (many have coats stored away) and prioritize three things: waterproof boots, a long coat and thermal underwear. Everything else can be improvised with layers.

The same advice applies in every case: do a test run at home before you travel. Put on all your layers together, plus your boots with thick socks, and walk around for a while. If something is tight, itchy or keeps you from moving your arms, you still have time to change it.

How to bring your purchases home without breaking them

At the markets you'll find Bohemian crystal, blown-glass ornaments, ceramics and wooden figures. To get them home in one piece:

• Ask the stall to wrap them well, in paper or in a box.
• Pack them between your clothes: thick socks, scarves and sweaters make perfect padding.
• Travel with the most fragile items in your carry-on.
• Leave free space in your suitcase from the outbound trip, or bring an extra foldable bag for the return.
• If you buy a lot of heavy items, ask about shipping at the larger shops before lugging it all around.

Signs that the cold is getting the better of you

Enjoying winter is easy if you listen to your body. The US National Weather Service sums up its cold-weather advice in a few words: dress in layers, cover exposed skin, wear a hat and change out of wet clothes immediately.

"Dress in layers."— US National Weather Service

The same source lists some warning signs: redness or pain in an area of skin, white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels firm or waxy, or numbness. If you feel very cold, clumsy or have trouble thinking clearly, go into a heated place, have a hot non-alcoholic drink and let your companion or the guide know. On a normal city trip, with the right clothing and breaks in cafés, it is very rare to reach that point.

Common mistakes when packing for the European winter

1. Bringing new shoes. Boots that haven't been broken in cause blisters on the first day.
2. Relying on a single very thick coat. A good outer layer with several layers underneath is better than a huge coat over a cotton T-shirt.
3. Forgetting touchscreen gloves. You'll want to take photos all the time.
4. Filling your suitcase on the way there. With no free space, bringing back gifts becomes a problem.
5. Leaving your portable charger in your checked bag. It must go in your carry-on.
6. Exchanging all your money into cash. With three different currencies, you'll end up with leftover bills in one of them.
7. Forgetting your swimsuit. Without it you miss out on Budapest's thermal baths.

Extras and a quick printable checklist

Extras that will make your life easier

• Lip balm and hand cream: the dry cold dries out your skin.
• A small daypack with room for your market purchases.
• A swimsuit and flip-flops if you are going to Budapest: the Széchenyi thermal baths are outdoors and the water is hot.
• A foldable bag for bringing gifts home.
• Free space in your suitcase: you will definitely end up buying glass ornaments and wooden handicrafts.
• Disposable hand warmers for the coldest nights, if you can find them in your country.
• A small thermos if you like to carry hot tea or coffee on daytime walks.

Quick printable checklist

Still choosing a destination? Check out our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe or see the best time to travel to Europe. And if after Europe another continent is calling you, here is our list of what to pack for a trip to Asia too.

How we handle it on a group trip

One of the advantages of traveling in a group is that you don't arrive blind. Before the Christmas markets trip you receive a travel handbook with practical information about each city, and during the trip the Spanish-speaking guide lets you know which day is thermal-baths day, which night will be coldest or when it is a good idea to bring cash. Trains, hotels and transfers are already coordinated, so your only job is to bundle up.

"You won't have to figure anything out on your own."— Viajeterapia

If this is your first trip without a travel companion, you might like to read what it's like traveling solo but never alone on a group trip, and if you want to see all our routes, take a look at our group trips to Europe.

In summary

To enjoy the Christmas markets without getting cold, think of three words: layers, boots and space. Layers of thermal underwear, a mid layer and a waterproof jacket; broken-in waterproof, non-slip boots; and free space in your suitcase for your purchases. Add touchscreen gloves, a hat, a scarf, a portable charger, a little cash in each currency and a swimsuit for Budapest, and you'll be ready for ten nights among the lights.

And if you'd like someone to help you with everything else, the group trip to Prague, Vienna and Budapest departs in December with a Spanish-speaking guide and international flights included.

Frequently asked questions about what to pack for Europe in winter

Sources consulted