14 Must Haves for a Scandinavian Packing List: Denmark, Norway, and Sweden

Planning a Scandinavian roadtrip is quite the undertaking! Here’s a list of 14 must have items for a Scandinavian packing list that involves a roadtrip to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden from the United States.

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Guidebooks and Maps

A roadmap for Southern Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, a guidebook for Scandinavia, and a phrasebook for Scandinavia — Maps, Guide Books, and Travel Phrase Book for Scandinavia

I like to start planning a trip using travel guidebooks from my public library and then end up buying one. For Scandinavia, I want a book that I could bring with me because we were going on an adventure unlike anything we had done before. I like Fodor’s Essential Scandinavia because it covered the three countries we were visiting (Denmark, Sweden, and Norway). I often start with a guidebook and then go to travel bloggers and Tripadvisor to finalize our plans.

Because we were driving, I also bought a Southern Sweden and Norway map and a Denmark map. Yes, I know, you can get maps on your phone and download maps for offline use, but phones and gps do not always work.

I also brought along a phrasebook for Scandinavia. I was fairly confident that most people would know enough English that we would manage, and I was correct.

Overnight Flight Supplies

A flight from the United States to Scandinavia is going to involve an overnight flight. I can sleep on planes pretty easily. However, for this overnight flight we wanted to start exploring shortly after arrival. Therefore, it was imperative that we took steps to sleep as well as I could in economy seating.

We each used a sleeping mask, a memory foam travel pillow, and a travel blanket. I really like this travel pillow because it packs up very nicely. I also like having a travel blanket. It is thin, but is enough to trick the mind, it comes in handy if you end up in a hotel that is colder than expected, and it takes up very little space in a carry-on.

Travel Adapter

A universal travel adapater next to its case — A Universal Travel Power Adapter

I bought a universal travel power adapter for each member of my group. These adapters have 4 USB-A and 1 USB-C ports and because of their design can be used in a wide-range of destinations. The adapter has enough plugs that it should meet most of your charging needs. However, there is a newer model that is likely a better choice because it has 3 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports.

Whatever you decide, buy an adapter for each member of your group. While you might all be able to share, I find it far easier if everyone is responsible for their own cables and charging.

A Shopping Bag and Day Bag

There are many cities in the world that charge for a plastic or a paper bag. So it is a good idea to bring along one or two reusable shopping bags.

We also always use day bags, and I can usually fit at least some purchases in our day bag. However, having a bag on hand is useful for when your day bag is already full. A reusable shopping bag can also be used as a snack bag for a roadtrip.

Sink Laundry Supplies

A sink stopper, laundry line, and sink detergent — Laundry Supplies for the Sink

I have done several roadtrips that involve flying to our destination and staying 5, 8, and 10 days. Unless we fly Southwest, we try not to check luggage — even for longer trips. Even if you can check luggage without extra fees, you do not want to have to drag large suitcases in and out of your car when you change destinations. Further, the luggage that you can carryon is also small and light enough that older children and teenagers can manage taking it through the airport, up stairs at a hotel, and so on.

I say all this to tell you that I do sink-laundry on roadtrips. I travel with a travel clothesline, laundry soap sheets, a universal stopper plug cover, and a microfiber towel.

The travel clothesline is also handy if your trip involves swimming. You can hang up your swimgear to dry on the porch without worrying about it blowing away. The plug covery is necessary because not all hotel sinks can be plugged.

A Collapsible Cooler

For our roadtrips, I bring a collapsible cooler. Depending on where you travel, you may or may not be able to get much ice. But, if your hotel has a refridgerator, you can chill beverages overnight and they will stay cool enough in your cooler. And if you do find ice, your beverages will stay cold in the melted ice for awhile.

A collapsible cooler can also serve as an extra bag on your return flight if you bought more souveniers than will fit in your luggage.