Packing Guide

🎒 Bags & Organization

• Backpack Diaper Bag/Backpack with things you need if you can go without the diaper bag.
  Hands-free and train-friendly. Easier in tight gondolas, cities, and on hikes.

• Packing Cubes
  Color-code by family member or category (clothes, swim, sleep). They saved us in tiny rooms and quick unpacking situations.

• Wet Bag + Stain Remover
  Yes to both! Toddlers + cheese fondue = laundry. We used our wet bag almost daily and were so glad we brought stain remover.

• Collapsible Tote or Laundry Bag
  For dirty clothes, groceries, or beach gear — super helpful mid-trip.

🧥 Clothing Essentials (Even in Summer)

The Alps are known for unpredictable weather, but we didn’t need heavy winter gear. Here’s what we did use:

• ✅ Sunhats for the kids

• ✅ Light fleece or sweatshirt layer

• ✅ Packable puffy jacket for chillier mornings/evenings or in the canyons where it's a lot chillier

• ❌ We brought no gloves or warm hats and didn’t need them — even on mountaintops in June (but check the weather for your trip, you might need them!)

• ✅ Comfortable walking shoes

• ✅ Swimwear for lake days or hotel pools
  👶 We packed footie pajamas for the baby, which worked great for cool mountain nights.

👶 Baby & Toddler Gear That Worked

• Double Stroller
  Yes, we brought the big one! It worked fine — trains, sidewalks, and even some trails handled it. It worked well for us, but a compact stroller could also be nice as we didn't really take the stroller on gondolas or up hiking with us in the mountains- we brought our carriers!

• Backpack Hiking Carrier (for our 1-year-old)
  Essential for trails and mountain towns where the stroller didn’t work.

• Soft Shell Carrier (for our 4-year-old when tired)
  Saved us more than once — especially during longer days where we were walking/hiking a bunch and didn't bring the stroller.

• ❌ Highchair Harness? Didn’t need it.
  Almost every restaurant we went to had highchairs, even in smaller towns.

• Silicone Bib + Toddler Utensils
  We used these every day — at restaurants, on trains, and at picnics.

🍎 Snacks & Food

• Bring your own snacks:

  • Pouches, crackers, granola bars, formula- if they LOVE certain things at home, bring some for comfort!

  • Swiss grocery stores are great (Coop, Migros), but not always stocked with familiar brands. But you can definitely find what you need and the grocery stores are much more affordable than restaurants!

🧼 Toiletries & Diapering

• ✅ Diapers and wipes are available at grocery stores (but pricier)

• ✅ Stain remover = lifesaver

• ✅ Small changing mat for trains, benches, and public restrooms

• ✅ Travel-size laundry detergent for Airbnb laundry days

• ✅ Toddler meds, sunscreen, diaper cream, and thermometer

🔌 Other Essentials

• Universal adapter (Switzerland = Type J plug)

• Portable phone charger

• Reusable water bottles — fountains are everywhere and safe to drink

• Sunglasses for everyone

• Flashlight or nightlight for bedtime in unfamiliar places

• Ziploc bags for snacks, soiled clothes, or tiny toy storage