Europe 2026: What to Actually Pack for a Long Haul Trip from Australia
Flying to Europe from Australia is no small thing. You're looking at 20 plus hours in the air, at least one stopover, multiple flights and probably a few different countries once you get there. Things get shuffled. Bags get searched. Documents end up at the bottom of everything at the worst possible moment.
After doing this trip and thinking hard about what actually made it easier, here's what's genuinely worth packing.
A personalised passport holder
When you're moving through multiple airports and multiple countries, your passport is the one thing you cannot afford to lose or scramble for. A passport holder keeps it protected, easy to grab and easy to identify as yours in a sea of identical blue booklets.
At aroā we make ours in a range of colours with your name or initials embossed in gold or silver foil. Classic black. Rich brown. Nude pink. Baby blue. Green. They come beautifully packaged, too, which makes them one of the best travel gifts you can give before someone heads overseas.
A family travel wallet
If you're travelling with kids or a partner, the airport chaos is real. Everyone's passports, boarding passes, cards and travel documents all somehow end up in different places at the exact moment you need them.
The aroā Family Travel Wallet holds up to 4 passports, boarding passes, cards, cash and has a built-in AirTag slot so nothing gets lost in transit. It's personalised with your family name or initials and comes packaged beautifully enough to give as a gift before a big trip.
This is the one thing I genuinely wish I had on every long-haul flight.
A personalised toiletry bag
Liquid rules in European airports are strict, and getting stopped at security because your toiletry bag is a mess is not how you want to start a holiday. A good toiletry bag that hangs keeps everything accessible and off hotel bathroom counters.
This personalised toiletry bag from ElevateCreativesAU on Etsy is one worth looking at. Monogrammed, well-made, and the kind of thing that makes a hotel bathroom feel like yours within five minutes of arriving.
Shop personalised toiletry bags
Packing cubes
If you haven't used packing cubes before, Europe will convert you. When you're moving between cities every few days and living out of a carry-on, being able to pull out exactly what you need without unpacking everything is a genuine game-changer. Get a set with different sizes — one for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and socks. Your future self will thank you at every hotel.
A portable luggage scale
This is the most underrated travel item I've ever owned. Internal European flights have strict carry-on weight limits, and the last thing you want is to be repacking your bag at a check in counter because it's 2kg over. A portable luggage scale weighs your bag before you leave the hotel, so you know exactly where you stand. Small, light and worth every cent.
A portable charging bank
European outlets are different. Your phone will die at the worst time. A good charging bank with enough capacity for at least two full phone charges is non-negotiable for a long-haul trip. Get one that's airline approved so you're not having it confiscated at security.
A few other things worth mentioning
A physical copy of your travel insurance details and hotel bookings. A neck wallet if you're visiting busy tourist areas. A small day bag that packs flat. And comfortable shoes you've actually broken in before you leave. European cities involve a lot more walking than you expect.
Shipping and ordering
All aroā pieces ship internationally and are personalised before dispatch. Production takes 2 to 3 business days. If you're ordering before a trip, give yourself at least a week to be safe.
ElevateCreativesAU ships internationally from Sydney with fast processing times.