Guides

The winter city break packing list

Staying warm on cold streets without packing a suitcase of sweaters.

A winter city trip means long days outside and warm rooms inside. Layers do the work: three thin ones beat one heavy coat you have to carry through every museum.

Layers that do the work

• A base layer top and bottom that can be worn under everyday clothes
• Two or three sweaters or fleece tops that go with everything
• A warm, packable coat, worn on the plane
• Hat, gloves that work with a phone, and a scarf

Shoes

One pair of waterproof boots with good grip, already broken in, covers wet and icy streets. Add a lighter pair only if you plan evenings out.

Easy to forget

• Lip balm and hand cream, since cold air and heated rooms are both drying
• A small umbrella
• Wool socks, one pair per two days
• A power bank, since phone batteries drain faster in the cold

Check before you go

Daylight is short in winter in much of the northern hemisphere, and some sights keep shorter winter hours or close for the season. Check each place's own hours for your dates, and plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day.

Put it into practice

Choose cold weather in the planner, and the packing list adds warm layers. Pick an indoor interest too, and the plan offers an indoor swap for outdoor days.