The suitcase is open, the holiday is approaching – but what comes in when colorful foliage dances outside, fog lies over the fields and the wind slowly blows fresher? An autumn holiday has its own requirements: Sometimes the sun shows off its golden side, sometimes a rain shower sweeps through the country – and of course you want to be prepared for everything. This is exactly what these Packing list for the autumn holiday: your red thread for packing suitcases between cuddle socks and rain jacket.
Whether you stroll through winding old town alleys, wander over crackling foliage or just listen to the autumn rain over a good book – the Packing list for the autumn holiday Helps you take exactly what you really need. From the weatherproof outfit to the warm favorite sweater, from practical everyday helpers to small extras for leisurely hours – here you will find everything that makes your autumn luggage complete. So you travel not only stylishly, but also relaxed through the most beautiful transition period of the year.
Table of contents
Packing list Autumn holidays: download PDF here for free
For maximum convenience, you can use our complete Packing list for the autumn holiday as PDFDownload or print and tick document. So you keep an overview when packing your suitcase and do not forget anything important.
Here is the packing list with the most important things first:
Money and Finance
- EC card and at least one credit card (if you want to play it safe, then a second card is recommended)
- Cash in customary currency (about 100-200 euros as reserve)
- Small change for public toilets or parking machines
- Emergency reserve money hidden in luggage
- Copies of all major cards (digital and physical)
- Proof of travel insurance
Hygiene
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shower gel, shampoo and conditioner
- Facial care (cleaner, moisturizer with LSF)
- Deodorant/antiperspirant
- Lip care pen with LSF (especially important in wind)
- Hand cream (for rough autumn hands)
- Shaving utensils
- Hairbrush/comb
- Hair dryer (if not available in the accommodation)
- Towels and washcloths
- Contact lens accessories or spectacle cases
- Nail care kit
- Wet wipes
- Women's products when needed
- Environmentally friendly laundry bags for dirty linen
Clothing
- T-shirts as a base layer
- Long sleeve shirts for cooler days
- Lightweight sweaters for the layer system
- Warm knit sweaters for colder days
- 2-3 trousers (at least one warmer)
- 1-2 jeans or sturdy pants
- 1 comfortable jogging pants for accommodation
- Weatherproof jacket with hood
- Warm winter jacket for particularly cold regions
- Lightweight quilt jacket as intermediate layer
- Fleece jacket for additional heat
- Underwear and socks for every day plus reserve
- Warm wool socks for cold evenings
- Pajamas/nightwear
- Hat, scarf and gloves
- Swimming suit/bathwear (for wellness, sauna or indoor pool)
- Weatherproof cap or hat
- Sunglasses (also important in autumn)
Medications / Pharmacy
- Personal Prescription Medications
- Pain relievers (ibuprofen, paracetamol)
- Medications for cold and flu
- Throat tablets
- Nasal spray
- Cough juice or sweets
- Plasters of different sizes
- Bladder patches (especially when walking)
- Disinfectants
- Small scissors and tweezers
- Wound care (garbage bandages, sterile compresses)
- Antihistamines for allergies
- Sunscreen products (also relevant in autumn)
- Mosquito and tick protection
- Anti-diarrhea agents
- Electrolyte solution at dehydrogenation
- Fever thermometers
- Emergency cold pack
Papers and documents
- Identity card or passport
- Driving licence
- Vaccination certificate (especially when travelling abroad)
- Health insurance card and, if applicable, foreign health insurance (protection)
- Accommodation booking confirmations
- Proof of reservation for transport (flight, train, rental car)
- Tickets for planned activities
- Guidebook or printed information
- Emergency contacts (digital and printed)
- Small notebook with pen
Backpacks and bags
- Daypack for excursions (about 20-30 liters)
- Main luggage (large backpack or suitcase)
- Folding shopping bag for spontaneous errands
- Watertight bags for electronic devices
- Chest bag or belt bag for valuables
- Cosmetic bag for hygiene articles
- Laundry bags for dirty linen
Footwear
- Comfortable, waterproof hiking boots or trekking boots
- Light casual shoes for milder days
- Slippers or warm socks for accommodation
- Rainproof boots for wet days
- Sports shoes for active activities
- Leather footwear
Other
- Travel umbrella or compact rain jacket
- Reusable water bottle
- Thermos for hot drinks on the go
- Small binoculars for nature observations
- Maps and compass (also as a backup for digital navigation)
- Safety equipment as required (headlamp, signal whistle)
- Hand-washing travel detergents
- Games, books or other entertainment for rainy days
- Multifunction pocket knives
- Small sewing set for emergencies
- Clothes pegs and thin clothes line
- Seat cushion for outdoor activities
- Small flashlight or headlamp
- Sunglasses and spectacle cases
Technical equipment
- Smartphone
- Charging cables for all devices
- Digital camera with sufficient memory cards
- Powerbank on the go
- Headphones
- Tablet or e-reader
- Adapters for international sockets (for international travel)
- Weatherproof envelope for electronic devices
- Wi-Fi amplifiers on the go
- Smartwatch or fitness tracker
- Mini Bluetooth speakers
- Cable tie or cable organizer
- Waterproof mobile phone case for rainy days
If your autumn holiday takes you to a city full of culture, cuisine and cobblestones, then have a look at our Packing List City Trip – Printing Checklist – ideally adapted to urban adventures.
Packing list for autumn holiday with children
- Age-appropriate clothing (more change clothes than for adults)
- Rainproof overalls for smaller children
- Warmer pajamas and possibly. Sleeping bag
- Snuggle or familiar sleep aids
- Paediatric medicines and patches
- Favorite toys and new surprises for long journeys
- Painting and working materials for rainy days
- Digital entertainment with headphones
- Children's snacks and drinking bottle
- Wet wipes and disinfectants
- Watertight gloves and spare gloves
- Slush trousers
- Children's sunscreen (also important in autumn)
- Children's cutlery and utensils on the go
- Small backpack for children's belongings
- Hot water bottle for particularly cold nights
- Reflectors for clothing and backpack at early twilight
An autumn holiday with the whole family needs good planning. Ours Packing list for holidays with children + checklist for babies Helps you think of everything from the stuffed animal to the wet wipe reserve.
Packing list for the autumn holiday on the North Sea
- Especially wind-resistant jacket
- Saltwater resistant care products
- Wadder walking sticks
- Binoculars for bird watching
- Beach bag for mussels and beach finds
- Robust rubber boots (ideally up to the knee)
- Watt carrier or tidal calendar
- Warm wool cap for ship excursions
- Skin cream resistant to wind and salt water
- UV protection (reflection on water enhances UV radiation)
- Thermal cups for hot drinks on the beach
- Windproof lighter for beach camp fires (where allowed)
- Pocket knives for picnics
- Lighthouse visit list
- Seat support for beach stays
- Waterproof bags for valuables on the beach
Autumn on the North Sea means: Experience the weather! So that you forget nothing, take a look at our Packing list North Sea 2025: must-haves for beach, weather and co.– for wind, wattage and heat from head to foot.
Packing list for autumn holiday on the Baltic Sea
- Amber search set (small sieve, container)
- Bathrobe for sauna visits in wellness hotels
- Sand toys for mild days
- Light and medium weight jackets for changeable weather
- Beach shell or windscreen
- Maritime Books for Rain Days
- Insect protection for forest migrations in the hinterland
- Snorkeling equipment for the brave (depending on water temperature)
- Coastal guides
- Camera with polar filter for better water and sky shots
- Picnic ceiling with water-repellent underside
- Lightweight beach chair
- Thermo bottle for hot tea on the beach
- Seasickness products for boat trips
The Baltic Sea is a real classic in autumn. With our Packing list Baltic Sea: Perfectly prepared for a holiday on the Baltic Sea You are well prepared for changing weather, coastal adventures and cozy evenings by the sea.
Packing list for autumn holiday in the mountains
- High altitude hiking boots with good profile
- Walking sticks for steep rises
- Hiking backpack with rain protection
- Waterproof mountain clothing in the layer system
- Functional underwear
- Sun protection (at altitudes also important in autumn)
- Warm hat and gloves
- Thermal clothing for cold heights
- First aid kit with bladder patches
- Mountain guides and maps
- altimeter or corresponding app
- Emergency signal whistle
- High energy snacks (nuts, dried fruits, cereal bars)
- Thermos for warm drinks
- Early twilight headlamp
- Small seat base
- Rain poncho in addition to the rain jacket
- Gaiters in snowfall
- Light down jacket for cold evenings
- Sun hat and sunglasses with UV protection
Packing list for the autumn holiday with hiking
- High quality walking shoes (run in!)
- Functional sockets without pressing seams
- Hiking map and compass as backup to GPS
- Hiking rucksack with raincoat (25-35 liters for day trips)
- Walking sticks for joint relief
- Bladder patches and tape
- Magnesium against muscle spasms
- Multiple pairs of function socks for changing
- Functional underwear for layering
- Rain poncho for heavy downpours
- Rest cushions
- Light wandering leggings against wet undergrowth
- Waterproof bags for smartphones and documents
- Hiking Guide or App with Offline Maps
- Energy-rich snacks and enough water
- Emergency pipe and small emergency pharmacies
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- GPS device or smartphone with offline maps
- Sun and weather protection even in a covered sky
- Camera for the autumn color splendor
- Lightweight binoculars for animal and landscape observations
Autumn time is hiking time? Then it is worth our Packing List Hiking Holidays: Printing Checklist – perfect if you want to pack in addition to the autumn basic equipment for longer tours in the area.
Frequently asked questions about the packing list for the autumn holiday
How many layers of clothing should I plan for the autumn holiday?
For the autumn holiday, the proven three-layer principle is recommended: a moisture-transporting base layer (e.g. functional underwear or merino shirts), an insulating middle layer (fleece or light down jacket) and a wind- and water-tight outer layer.
Which shoes are indispensable for an autumn holiday?
For an autumn holiday, waterproof, robust shoes with a good profile are indispensable. Ideally, pack a pair of ankle-high hiking shoes or trekking shoes for excursions and wet weather as well as a pair of lighter casual shoes for milder days and city tours.
What technology should I take with me for changing autumn weather?
For changeable autumn weather, it is advisable to use a weather app with reliable local forecasts and charge the smartphone accordingly. A power bank is essential because the battery life is often shorter in the cold.
How do I prepare for sudden weather changes in autumn?
In order to be prepared for sudden weather changes in autumn, you should always have a compact umbrella or a foldable rain jacket at hand. Pack your daytime gear in waterproof bags inside your backpack and dress on the onion principle so you can add layers or take off.
