Ultimate Carry-On Packing List for Summer in Switzerland

An itinerary during the summer in Switzerland will typically take you from the highest mountain peaks to idyllic alpine lakes to cozy medieval towns. This variety in destinations and climate requires a diverse array of clothing and supply options. With the prevalence of train travel in Switzerland, you also want to keep your packing light and stick to carry-on only if possible. It’s no fun running between train platforms while dragging along multiple luggage items!

For additional help planning your trip to Switzerland, see:

Jungfrau Region in 3 Days: Switzerland’s Most Spectacular Scenery

One Amazing Day in Zermatt, Switzerland: The Best of the Matterhorn Village

Below, you will find a carry-on packing list for summer in Switzerland that balances carrying minimal luggage with including everything you need to enjoy your trip!

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Luggage

• Suitcase – This should be carry-on size, which varies slightly by airline. Make sure to double-check the airline-specific guidelines, especially if you are using a European carrier (they are more strict)! Not long ago, I ordered about 15 different carry-ons to test, and for me, the winner was this version from Quince! It had all the features I wanted (expandable, 360-degree spinner wheels, and a telescoping handle), while being well priced and cute! This carry-on was a runner-up – the color and price can’t be beat, but it was just a bit smaller than I wanted.
  • TIP: If you are looking to decrease your luggage weight further and don’t mind sacrificing a little durability, try a soft carry-on. This Travelpro was my favorite that I tried, but in the end I decided to stick with the structure of a hardside carry-on.

Backpack or other personal item – this one is attractive, durable, waterproof, and meets airline guidelines! I have used this cute quilted backpack for a few years now, and absolutely love it – it has a great hidden pocket for travel documents, is anti-theft, and has held up through 7 countries and counting!

Fanny Pack or small crossbody bag (love this Uniqlo dupe) – this is like a bonus personal item. I love these for storing essentials that I want to have handy at all times going through the airport or on the plane (passport, money, credit cards, lip balm). When the gate agents get extra zealous, make sure you can shove it in your backpack if needed!

Day Bag (Optional) – For hiking in the Alps, you will need a bag that can hold water, extra layers (it gets much colder as you gain altitude), snacks, cameras, and even telescoping hiking poles! This packable, lightweight day bag is perfect. If you are bringing a smaller backpack for your personal item, that may work as well.

• TIP:  If you know you will be shopping for plenty of Swiss chocolate or other items, bring a Packable duffel bag for the return trip. I love bringing wine home, as well as specialty liquors, olive/truffle oil, and other liquids (which must be checked). These Wine Angel bubble wrap bags have been invaluable!

Clothing

Packing is all about balancing style and function while keeping things as lightweight as possible. One of the best things you can do before your trip is watch the forecast—I start checking about two weeks out. With climate change, the range of possible temps and conditions is wider than ever.

The easiest way to pack light and look great in photos against that gorgeous Swiss scenery is to choose a color palette and stick with it. It doesn’t have to be all neutrals—just pick shades that work well together. For our recent summer trip to Switzerland, I used black, white, brown, beige, blue, and olive.

Compression Bags – Start with compression bags to fit your clothes into your carry-on easily. I use two different types depending on the clothing. For items like sweaters, puffers, or winter gear, use a compression bag that self-seals (no pump needed). I have been using these for several years, trip after trip! For everything else, roll it up and put it in these bags – they are tiny, but it’s amazing how much you can pack in!

Outerwear – As you check your weather forecast, keep in mind that the temperature in the valley is about 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than at the top of the mountain! Layers will be your friend. In mid-June, I was comfortable on the mountaintop in a tank top, long-sleeved shirt, and puffer vest. As we hiked down, I was soon wearing just the tank top! Look for packable puffer vests or, if your forecast is cooler, this packable puffer jacket with a hood – they compress to almost nothing! A baseball cap did double duty, keeping my head warm and my eyes shaded.

Shoes – You will want some sturdy hiking shoes. I tried a few and ended up with these, made by Altra. They needed no breaking-in period and were nothing but comfortable the entire time! They felt more lightweight than some others I tried. These Merrell Moabs were my runners-up and are very well reviewed at a good price point. I also brought some walking sandals by Keen (love these!). They can be dressed up or down!

Tops – It can be challenging to build a wardrobe that takes you from mountain hikes to nice dinners by the lake, but the following worked for me!

• 2-3 button-up tops (I went with long-sleeved black linen from Old Navy, a chambray shirt from Quince, and short-sleeved white cotton gauze). The chambray was a workhorse – great for the plane there and back, and it was my hiking outerwear. I used the white top twice primarily by itself with my linen pants or skirt, and the black linen as a cover-up during some cool mountain evenings.
• 2 wicking tops for hiking. I brought a long-sleeved UV shirt and a gray tank.
• 4 nicer tops for city touring and dinners. Choose natural fabrics that are breathable and coordinate with any outerwear, button-up tops, and bottoms.

Bottoms – I think 3 is the magic number here.

• hiking pants (leggings, joggers, or hiking pants) – I wore these Yogalicious leggings.
• pants that work for meals and city touring – something lightweight (no jeans), think linen or cotton gauze. I wore an ivory cotton gauze skirt from Old Navy that is no longer in stock, but this one is similar! You would be fine to go with a skirt here as well, just make sure it is versatile!
• something fun, like shorts or a skirt.

Dress – not required, but I love to dress up a little for dinner and usually bring 2!

Accessories – When you are repeating clothing so you can pack light, accessories make a huge impact in adding variation to your look. Silk scarves, jewelry, and hats can completely transform an outfit! You can also purchase along the way, they make great souvenirs!

Underwear/bras/socks – I usually go with 2 bras and 5 pairs of underwear for every trip, no matter how long. I handwash as needed in the hotel room – it’s super easy! These laundry sheets take up no space, and you really reduce the load you are carrying. For the socks, you will want a couple of pairs of hiking socks that are nice and cushy!

Pajamas – 2 pairs of warm weather pajamas or t-shirts. As far as I could tell, Swiss hotels don’t have AC, so you want to be able to keep cool at night!

Jewelry – I love this flat travel case for transporting my jewelry and keeping necklaces untangled.

Toiletries/Personal Items

Toiletry Bag – if you don’t have a hanging toiletry bag, it’s time to get one! European bathrooms are not known for their spaciousness, after all! This small hanging bag has been invaluable for keeping me organized during travel. I love that it just hangs in the bathroom and doesn’t take up counter space. It can hold your makeup as well! If you are more of a maximalist when it comes to skincare and makeup, this one is a good choice!

Sunscreen – Don’t skimp on sunscreen, even when it’s not that hot! The higher your altitude, the more vulnerable you are to the sun’s damaging rays. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is ideal for your face, and I always grab a few of these for body sunscreen before a trip!

TSA approved reusable bottles – These are cute and carry plenty for a 7-10 day trip. And I love having the same hair and face products I’m used to using at home! To further minimize my volume, I use these awesome stackable tiny jars. If you feel like more of a splurge, these Cadence containers have been on my list for a while!

Combo travel curling iron/straightener – I’ve tried several, and while a bit pricy, the Chi mini flight iron and curling iron set is the best I’ve found! This set now includes the hair dryer, which I think is unnecessary since you can just use the hotel’s. You can also just take is the flat iron!

Prescription medication – you know what you need!

OTC medication – I take Tums, Prilosec, Imodium, Pepto, Dramamine, (you will be eating a lot of unfamiliar foods), ibuprofen, and a small amount of cold medicine just in case! I like this kit with single dose pills that can easily be packed trip after trip!

General Essential Travel Items

PASSPORT!!! – check, double-check, and triple-check you have this before you leave! Then check again on the way to the airport. I am neurotic about our passports! Keep things organized with this travel organizer.

Universal Travel Adapter and Voltage Converter– check the requirements of the country or countries you are visiting. This is a good option that takes care of both!

Portable Charger – the lipstick size chargers are super convenient. For more power and multiple cord options, this is a great one!

Electronics chargers – phone, smart watch, tablet, etc. Plugs are at a premium in European hotel rooms – we use this compact power strip (which includes USB plugs) to get everything charged up at once for the next day!

Phone Tether – I used this on a trip to Europe last year, and I will never be without it moving forward! I felt secure knowing my phone was that much harder for would-be pickpocketers to snag. The main benefit, though, was the ease of taking quick pictures or glancing at my map without holding my phone in my hand the whole time! I used this one, but got this one for my husband!

Printed documents – this is only for the worry-warts: bring a paper copy of any tickets you purchased ahead, travel confirmation numbers, and a copy of your passport.

Local Currency – Although you can get this once you arrive (be sure to use an ATM associated with a real bank to avoid excessive fees), I prefer having at least a small amount on hand when I land. You also need at least one credit card with no foreign fees! If you are an Amex or Discover card user, also bring a backup card since they are not accepted everywhere.

For the Plane/Train

Travel Pillow – I hope you are better at sleeping on overnight flights than I am! I’ve tried many, many different travel pillows. This one is extremely compact for travel, which is a big plus for something you need once then will be carrying around the rest of the trip. I had some success with the Trtl brand pillow despite the price tag being higher than I wanted. I’m excited to try this one that attaches to the seat back on my next long-haul flight! It includes the eye mask.

Eye mask – like this one by NodPod or this one with wireless headphones built in!

Headphones – I bring both my airpods and Bose noise cancelling headphones. Some museums have audio guides and the airpods come in handy there!

Electrolyte tablets/powder – these tablets are made specifically for plane travel, but Liquid IV works well too (the tangerine flavor is my favorite!)

For the Guys

Your travel companion wants to be well-dressed and comfortable on the trip as well! Below are some items my husband swears by.

• Hiking Pants and Shorts: These hiking pants did double duty for dinners out as well as outdoor time. The zippered pockets held everything he needed, from airpods to sunglasses. These hiking shorts worked for warmer days, and both the pants and shorts can be used on the golf course once you get home!
• Hiking Shoes: He also went with these Altra hiking shoes – they are lightweight and have plenty of room in the footbed, so no blisters on your toes!

Time to Book That Trip!

Now you have all the information you need to be fully prepared for your next trip to Switzerland in the summertime! Feel free to drop me a line with any questions or comments!