Hi, We are leaving for Cologne and Paris in a couple of days. Based on weather.com it looks pretty mild, mid to low 60's. But I would like to ask somebody there what we will need in terms of jackets/coats taking into consideration that 3 of us will be just traveling with a carry-on each. Also my son hates wearing jackets, will he be fine with just a sweatshirt? Thanks!

Over day you will be fine with a sweatshirt, but the evenings will be chilly, and you can never be sure that it won't rain, so I'd pack a lightweight jacket too, just in case.

I am in Paris. Have been here for a month. I brought a coat, a scarf, too. What you do is wear it, not pack it.

Nights and mornings are cool. Layering is the way to go!

have a good trip.

1) How long is your trip? I don't trust weather forecast except for the next 2 days. They may say it'll be 60s next week, but you'll never know.

2) How cold-tolerant is your son? My husband loves cold weather and can wear a short-sleeve T-shirt when it's in the 60s outside. I am very sensitive to cold, and for me, 60s temperature translates to sweater and jacket and wool scarf. We have plenty of photos of both of us with my DH in a short-sleeve shirt, and me in 3 layers including wool scarf and wool gloves.

3) As for bringing a jacket & the carry-on issue, just wear the jacket onto the plane! If it's warm where you live, then drape the jacket on the arm and bring it on the plane. My experience has been that the cabin temperature can be a bit chilly and your son may find the jacket handy.

Thanks for the replies. I jsut hope it will not rain. My son is pretty cold tolerant - in fact it is a constant struggle to make him dress warmly in the cold Norther Indiana winters.

Checking the weather now is useless. Check it the day before you leave, and even then take what you read with a grain of salt.

I would never travel in the fall with just a sweatshirt, though. Do you know how miserable it is to be out sightseeing with a soaking sweatshirt? Or how dumb it would be to have to stay inside and miss out on things because you didn't pack appropriately?

Thanks hetismij, gracejoan and yk for the useful replies

You can be fairly sure it wil rain - at least mist or drizzle. You definitely need folding umbrellas, shoes that won;t soak up water and some sort of (at least)thin jacket.

Paris and Cologne are abuot on a line with Boston - if that provides any help.

You need rain jackets and/or umbrellas in Western and Central Europe all year round. General rule of thumb. Never travel without, no matter which season.

"Paris and Cologne are about on a line with Boston"

Ocean currents may make the weather sometimes similar between Boston and Paris but they are not on the same latitude.

Paris is at about 48 degrees north. Boston is only at 42 degrees. The north shore of Lake Superior is at about 48 degrees north. Prince Edward Island is almost that far north at 46 degrees N. This mainly plays out in the length of daylight hours. Days are getting shorter in Paris and Cologne much faster this time of year than in most the USA.

Regards, Gary

Jandee, we are also going to Europe, next week, Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. We're also in NE Indiana. Watching the weather reports from Europe carefully, hate to take too much but know the trick is layering. 2006 we were in France and wore a raincoat with liner, hat and gloves part of the time,lightweight jacket the rest of the time. It did rain in Normandy, but it never stopped us. Be prepared for anything. The experts on here always recommend layers.
Have a great trip.

Thanks all! Have a good trip Challiman!