Packing list for your city break: all the essentials, no overpacking

A packing list for a city break needs to be well thought out. What do I need for my travels to the destination? How should I pack for busy days in an unfamiliar city? What do I need to take with me in case the weather changes? City breaks are doubly tricky because you’re often working with a small piece of hand luggage, making it all the more worthwhile to have a packing list that takes this into account. We’ve put together a few tips and recommendations for your travel checklist.

Selecting the right piece of luggage

The first question you should ask yourself is ‘What kind of luggage is right for my city break?’. 

Hand luggage is often sufficient for short getaways. If you’re travelling by plane, check your airline’s cabin baggage regulations. A larger suitcase can come in handy for longer stays: you might even be able to save room for a souvenir. A backpack or duffel bag is a practical, handy choice.

The choice is yours. Backpacks and duffel bags have many advantages: they keep your hands free and, when empty, often weigh less than a suitcase. You might also need a backpack for excursions at your destination. In that case, you can leave your clothing and toilet bag at the accommodation, freeing up space to take snacks and drinks with you.

A suitcase, on the other hand, is easier on your back. That said, pulling it along will quickly become more of a hindrance than a help if the roads and paths at your destination are poor or made of cobblestone. It can also be rather cumbersome if you’re staying in old-town accommodation with flight after flight of stairs.

Regardless of the piece of luggage you choose, packsacks keep things tidy and make packing easier. And thanks to their compression, they also help you save space.

It’s also worth taking a bum bag for any essentials you need to have at hand quickly, such as your wallet or tickets. You can get bum bags designed to be worn under your clothes to provide extra protection for valuables.

A document pouch can also be very handy: these are an ideal (and waterproof) way to transport smartphones, documents or money.

Clothing for different weather conditions

You’ll likely need different clothing depending on the destination and the temperature there. But your packing list should always include the following:

• Rain gear: a rain jacket is a must for every trip. A rain cover for your backpack might also come in handy.

• Sun protection: sunglasses, sun hat, sun cream

• Layers: an insulated jacket or a windbreaker will keep you warm. A fleece or jumper can be rolled up and used as a cushion during a train trip or flight.

Comfortable shoes for long distances 

You’ll often cover a good few kilometres on a city break, so comfortable shoes are a must-pack. Open-toed shoes such as sandals or flip-flops are a lot more comfortable in warm weather, but they’re not so good for long days on your feet. It’s best if you can also bring breathable shoes that can be worn on lengthy walks.

These gadgets will make your city break even better

• Map/guidebook: even though you can find lots of information online, it may be useful to have an offline way of finding your way around the city – especially if you’re doing a digital detox. You can often get free maps, which usually detail the local sights, from the city’s tourist office or information centre.

• Mobile phone and accessories: charging cable, power bank (remember this needs to go in your hand luggage on the plane), headphones and, depending on the country, an adapters. Be sure to read your mobile contract in advance to check the roaming conditions for your destination country.

• Travel safely: it can be helpful to secure your luggage with a bag lock to ensure nothing goes astray during your trip. You can also use a snap lock to secure your luggage to a table leg, for example, so you can enjoy a relaxed coffee or dinner.

• Set of cards and small games: for an enjoyable journey to your destination or to pass the time once you’re there. Small games that fit in any bag are the perfect source of entertainment and are a must on your packing list.

Travel documents and money

Even though you can pay by card in most places, you should always take some cash with you. Before your trip, it’s good to make sure you have all your travel documents, too, and ensuring they’re still up-to-date – in some countries, your passport or ID card needs to be valid for at least six months when you enter the country. To keep these documents safe, you can also carry them around with you in a document pouch. They include your:

• Passport/ID card

• Money/foreign currency

• EC/credit cards

• Visa if required

• Health insurance card

• Copy important documents / store them in the cloud

• Personal medication, toiletries and all sorts of things that are easily forgotten: you can find the bumper packing list for your adventures here.