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

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

1. Guidebooks and Maps

I research trips using a combination of travel guides, travel blogs, and Tripadvisor.

For Scandinavia, I recommend Fodor’s Essential Scandinavia for a broad overview of all the possibilities of Scandinavia. It covers Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.

Our trip to Scandinavia was a road trip. Therefore, I brought maps for Southern Sweden and Norway and Denmark. Yes, 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.

📍Get your Scandinavia Guidebook by clicking here!

2. Overnight Flight Sleep Essentials

A flight from the United States to Scandinavia is going to involve an overnight flight. You want to be comfortable and increase the chance that you get some sleep.

Sleep Essentials

✅Sleeping mask: A good sleeping mask is a must. This mask is raised over your eyes so that you can still get good REM sleep and it blocks out all of the light.

✅Travel pillow: This memory foam travel pillow is perfect! You can roll up to fit in your luggage, or hang it from your bag. It has good form to keep your head propped up just right for sleep.

✅Travel blanket: I love this travel blanket! It takes up no space in your luggage because it is thin. I bring this travel blanket on every trip because it also comes in handy as a towel or as an extra blanket in a cold hotel room.

😴Get your eye mask for a good night sleep by clicking here!

3. Travel Adapter

Buy a universal travel power adapter for each member of your group. These adapters have 2 USB-A & 3 USB-C ports and because of their design can be used 200+ countries. The adapter has enough plugs that it should meet most of your charging needs.

🔌Get your travel adapter by clicking here!

4. A Shopping Bag and a 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.

🎒Get your stowaway packable daypack by clicking here!

5. Sink Laundry Supplies

I have done several road trips that involve flying to our destination and staying 5, 8, and 10 days and try to just use carry-on luggage. This means I always pack supplies to do a bit of laundry in the sink.

Sink Laundry Supplies

✅Travel clothesline: I use this travel clothesline for sink laundry and to hang up swimming gear.

✅Laundry soap sheets: Laundry soap sheets take up very little space and easy to use on a trip.

✅Universal stopper plug cover: If you plan to do sink laundry, you will need a universal stopper plug cover.

✅Microfiber towel: I love this microfiber towel! I take it on every vacation because you never know when you need an extra towel. It can be used as a blanket in a pinch and comes in handy for a surprise stop at a beach.

💧Get your microfiber towel by clicking here!

6. A Collapsible Cooler

For road trips, 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 refrigerator, 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 souvenirs than will fit in your luggage.

✅Get your collapsible cooler by clicking here!

7. Carry-On Luggage

I try not to check luggage. Plus, I tend to plan road trip vacations even if it involves flying somewhere and then starting the road trip. Therefore, I don’t want big bulky luggage.

Further, European elevators are smaller and your vehicle may be smaller than you are used to. You need luggage that is easy to use.

I did a lot of research to find the perfect carry-on suitcase. My pick is the Travelpro Maxlite.

🧳Get your perfect carry-on luggage by clicking here!

8. Sunscreen

I traveled to Scandinavia during July. The highs were in the 70s and it cooled down at night. It was easy to forget to apply sunscreen. Because the weather was moderate, my arms and legs were usually covered by clothes.

🌞Buy sunscreen by clicking here!

9. Merino Wool Clothing

A Scandinavian packing list could not be complete without merino wool clothing. I was skeptical because of the price, but one of my best travel gear purchases was a Smartwool t-shirt.

Merino wool resists odors and keeps you dry. You can wear and rewear it without washing it for the duration of your trip.

I am also allergic to everything and I had no problem wearing merino wool. Be sure to also pick up merino wool socks for your trip.

👚Buy your new favorite travel t-shirt by clicking here!

10. A European SIM Card

You can pay for an international plan on your cell phone. But, that is expensive with some providers. Instead, buy a European SIM card before you travel.

You will need an unlocked smartphone to use it and you need to wait to activate it at your destination.

📱Buy your European SIM card by clicking here!

Read More About Our Scandinavian Road Trip

Top 5 Day Trips from Copenhagen

8-Day Scandinavian Road Trip and Ferry to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden

Why We Went to Scandinavia Instead of South Dakota

Why You Don’t Need Cash in Scandinavia

8 Budget-Friendly Hotels in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden

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