European summer road trip packing list: complete checklist for driving in Europe this summer

Planning a summer road trip across Europe means crossing multiple Schengen borders, each with its own rules. This European summer road trip packing list covers everything from essential documents to your car’s emergency kit, plug adapters, smart packing, and country-specific recommendations (like tolls in France or low-emission zones in Germany). Use this checklist to avoid last-minute stress: every task is designed to be imported into Foco and managed alongside your other projects.

In Foco, create a work called "Europe Road Trip" and assign each task a realisation date (when to prepare it) and a due date (when it must be ready, like your departure day). Use tags like #documents, #luggage, or #car to filter tasks, and mark urgent items (like car insurance or adapters). If travelling with others, invite them to the work to assign tasks like "buy snacks" or "check tyre pressure".

What this road trip checklist for Europe includes

Mandatory Schengen documents (and non-EU requirements), personal luggage (clothing, footwear, and summer essentials), car emergency kit (including country-specific items), plug adapters for each destination, and practical tips like toll apps or cashless fuel payments. You’ll also find reminders to check your car before departure and what to verify if renting a vehicle (e.g., insurance coverage in Croatia or Slovenia).

• Check driving licence and passport validity (minimum 6 months for non-EU residents)
• Print and save a digital copy of car insurance (green card if travelling outside the EU, e.g., Switzerland or UK)
• Verify travel insurance coverage (roadside assistance and vehicle repatriation if renting)
• Download and set up toll apps (e.g., Liber-t for France, Telepass for Italy) and buy vignettes online (Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia)
• Bring a credit card with no foreign transaction fees (and notify your bank of travel plans)
• Prepare car emergency kit: reflective vest, warning triangles, spare bulbs, and spare tyre (or puncture repair kit)
• Include country-specific emergency items: fire extinguisher in Belgium, first-aid kit in Germany, snow chains for alpine areas (even in summer)
• Check tyre pressure, oil levels, and coolant before departure (and carry a 5L spare container)
• Buy plug adapters for each country (type C/F for Spain, France, Germany; type G for UK; type J for Switzerland)
• Pack a power bank and multi-port USB car charger (for phones, tablets, and GPS)
• Prepare personal luggage: lightweight clothing with layers for cooler nights, comfortable walking shoes, hat, and SPF 50+ sunscreen
• Include in luggage: microfibre towel, reusable water bottle, toiletries with basic meds (antihistamines, painkillers, plasters)
• Pack non-perishable snacks (nuts, energy bars) and a cooler for drinks and fresh food
• Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) and mark cheap petrol stations (apps like GasBuddy)
• Install real-time traffic apps (Waze or ViaMichelin) and check driving restrictions (e.g., ZTL in Italy, Umweltzone in Germany)
• Carry cash in local currency for non-euro countries (Switzerland, Hungary, Czech Republic) and small tolls/parking
• Save emergency contacts: your country’s embassy/consulate in each destination, roadside assistance, and local numbers (112 in the EU)
• Backup photos and documents to the cloud (Google Drive or iCloud) in case of lost phone/luggage
• Review country-specific traffic rules: blood alcohol limits (0.0% in Hungary, 0.05% in France), daytime running lights (mandatory in Sweden, Denmark)
• Check if your rental car has an environmental sticker (required for cities like Paris, Madrid, or Berlin)