What to pack for Netherlands in January

15 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.

Lows around 36°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.

Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.

The layer you'll wear more than any other.

Fingers go numb in sustained wind and cold within minutes.

Low sun angle bounces off wet pavement and water.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Slips on iced pavement are common when locals wear special boots.

This country runs on Type C or F. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Eight hours of daylight drain your phone before the day ends.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

Dark by 6:00pm. Every campsite chore after that is a two-hands job.

Museums and markets fill the 8.3 daylight hours; a daypack fits essentials.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

For the mornings and the nights.

The gap between coat and hat lets wind reach your neck.

Wet feet from 15 rain days in January freeze at 36°F.

Tap water is safe, so a bottle cuts plastic waste.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

International travel and urban crowds make bag tracking worthwhile.

Laundry happens weekly in shared guesthouses with limited space.

Fourteen rain days mean damp clothes need washing more often.

Lows around 36°F. One blanket that packs small covers the car, the campsite and the beach at sunset.

Eight hours of winter daylight means early dark and long evenings indoors.

Fifteen rain days mean salt spray and wet leather damage boots.

Public restrooms are frequent but soap isn't always available.

Humidity at 86 percent corrodes exposed metal connectors.

A few phrases go a long way. Ten minutes a day before you leave is plenty.

Border crossings to Belgium and Germany happen on short trips.

Train stations see thousands daily and luggage theft occurs.

Shared guesthouse bathrooms mean wet floors and limited counter space for your things.

Train compartments are narrow and pillows add neck support.