Best Travel Towel for Europe: What Australian Travellers Should Know Before They Pack
Every Australian heading to Europe seems to have the same packing dilemma.
You spend weeks deciding which suitcase to take, how many pairs of shoes you really need and whether you can survive with carry-on luggage alone. Packing cubes are organised, adapters are purchased and flights are booked.
Then, at the last minute, many travellers throw a full-sized cotton towel into their bag without giving it much thought.
The problem is that traditional towels are bulky, surprisingly heavy and often take a long time to dry. When you're travelling for several weeks, moving between cities or trying to pack efficiently, those things start to matter.
For many Australians travelling through Europe, a lightweight travel towel can save space, reduce luggage weight and prove useful far more often than expected.
Do You Actually Need a Travel Towel in Europe?
The honest answer is no, not everyone does.
If you're staying exclusively in hotels, travelling with large suitcases and don't mind carrying a little extra weight, you may never need a travel towel at all.
Cruise passengers generally have little need for one. Cruise cabins provide towels, beach towels are usually available when required and luggage space is often less of a concern.
However, many Australian travellers find a travel towel useful in situations they hadn't originally considered.
A travel towel becomes particularly valuable if you're:
- Backpacking through Europe
- Staying in hostels
- Travelling carry-on only
- Visiting beaches in Greece, Croatia, Spain, Portugal or Italy
- Taking overnight trains or ferries
- Moving frequently between accommodation
- Touring by campervan or motorhome
- Looking to minimise luggage weight and bulk
In these situations, a lightweight towel that dries quickly can be far more practical than carrying a traditional cotton towel.
What Makes a Good Travel Towel?
Not all travel towels are created equal.
The best travel towels tend to share four characteristics.
Packs Small
Luggage space is one of the most valuable commodities on a European holiday.
Whether you're living out of a backpack, trying to avoid checked baggage fees or simply wanting more room for souvenirs, a towel that folds down compactly is a significant advantage.
A bulky towel might seem insignificant at home, but after carrying it between airports, train stations and hotels for several weeks, most travellers begin to appreciate every centimetre of space they can save.
Dries Quickly
Europe often involves frequent movement.
You might use a towel in the morning, pack your bag an hour later and be on a train to another city.
Traditional cotton towels can remain damp for hours, which means packing a wet towel into luggage. Besides being unpleasant, damp towels can leave clothing and other items feeling musty.
Quick-drying microfibre towels are designed to dry much faster, making them particularly useful when you're travelling regularly or staying in accommodation with limited drying space.
Lightweight
A towel doesn't just occupy space; it adds weight.
This becomes particularly important for travellers trying to stay within airline baggage limits or those carrying their luggage between destinations.
Lightweight travel towels can provide full-sized coverage while adding surprisingly little weight to your luggage.
Versatile
The most useful travel items are versatile.
A good travel towel should work at the beach, in a hostel, at a campsite, after a swim, in a hotel room or even during a long transit day.
The fewer specialised items you need to pack, the simpler travelling becomes.
Cotton vs Microfibre Travel Towels
When comparing travel towels, most travellers are choosing between traditional cotton and modern microfibre.
Cotton towels are familiar and comfortable, but they were never designed with travel in mind.
Microfibre towels were.
| Feature | Cotton Towel | Microfibre Travel Towel |
|---|---|---|
| Packing Size | Bulky | Compact |
| Weight | Heavy | Lightweight |
| Drying Speed | Slow | Fast |
| Travel Convenience | Moderate | Excellent |
| Beach Use | Good | Excellent |
| Carry-On Friendly | Less Suitable | Very Suitable |
This doesn't mean cotton towels are bad. At home, many people still prefer them.
But for travel, especially when space and drying time matter, microfibre has some clear advantages.
If you're still deciding between a travel towel and a traditional beach towel, our guide on Travel Towel vs Beach Towel explains the key differences.
Common Europe Travel Scenarios
Backpacking
When you're carrying everything you own on your back, every gram matters.
A lightweight towel that dries quickly is generally more practical than a bulky cotton alternative.
Hostels
While many hostels provide towels, some charge extra or have limited availability.
Having your own towel provides flexibility and convenience.
Greek Islands, Croatia and Beach Destinations
Many Australians spend part of their European holiday near the water.
A travel towel that works equally well at the beach and back at your accommodation can eliminate the need to carry multiple towels.
Carry-On Travel
Travelling with carry-on luggage only has become increasingly popular.
A compact travel towel helps maximise valuable luggage space without sacrificing comfort.
Campervans and Road Trips
Whether you're touring France, driving through Spain or exploring the Scottish Highlands, drying space can sometimes be limited.
Quick-drying towels are particularly useful in these situations.
What Size Travel Towel Should You Pack?
For most travellers, a full-sized travel towel offers the best balance between comfort and packability.
A towel around 140 × 70 cm provides enough coverage for beach, bath and general travel use while remaining lightweight and easy to pack.
Many travellers also pack a smaller hand towel for gym visits, day trips or situations where a full-sized towel isn't required.
The ideal choice depends on your travel style, but most Australians find that one lightweight full-sized towel handles the majority of situations they encounter throughout Europe.
Not sure whether you need a compact, standard or oversized towel? Our Travel Towel Size Guide can help.
Common Packing Mistakes Travellers Make
Packing a Towel That's Too Large
Many travellers simply grab a towel from home without considering how much space it consumes.
Underestimating Drying Time
A towel that remains damp for half a day can quickly become frustrating when you're moving between destinations.
Taking Multiple Towels
In most cases, one quality travel towel can replace several specialised towels.
Focusing Only on Weight
Weight matters, but packing volume is often just as important.
A towel that packs down compactly can free up valuable luggage space throughout your trip.
Our Recommendation
For most Australians travelling through Europe, a lightweight microfibre travel towel offers the best combination of comfort, convenience and packing efficiency.
The ability to pack small, dry quickly and handle everything from beach days to hotel stays makes it a practical addition to almost any itinerary.
Whether you're backpacking through hostels, island hopping through Greece, exploring Croatia's coastline or simply trying to travel lighter, choosing the right towel can make life on the road that little bit easier.
Before you leave, explore our range of lightweight travel towels designed for beach, bath and travel use.
Looking for a travel towel? Explore our Travel Towels Collection.
