If you’re planning a summer break overseas, it’s essential to pack smart to avoid stress or last-minute problems once you arrive. City breaks are a little different to beach holidays when it comes to packing successfully, as you need to spend more time thinking about function and comfort as well as style. Read on to find out how to approach the packing process if you’re escaping overseas this summer.
Keep clothing stylish but functional
When you’re enjoying a summer city break, you’ll often spend lots of time walking long distances and using public transport. You’ll also need to think about how you’ll transition from the daytime to the evening. This means your clothing needs to be light, breathable and versatile.
For a short city break, pack four or five lightweight tops or T-shirts in breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. It’s a good idea to choose neutral colours or simple patterns as it’s easy to mix and match these.
You’ll also need to take two or three pairs of bottoms. You’ll be served well by a pair of comfortable walking shorts, a pair of casual bottoms or a floaty skirt if applicable. Anything that’s too tight or manufactured from heavy fabric can quickly become uncomfortable and compromise your enjoyment of your holiday.
If you’re packing dresses, opt for a couple of midi or knee-length ones as these are great for sightseeing and spending time in cafes as well as evenings out. Wrinkle-resistant ones can help you avoid problems with keeping your clothing looking great whilst you’re away.
Lightweight jackets are great options, especially for when the temperature drops at night. Jackets can add an extra dash of class to your outfit and are also great for layering. You could also consider a cardigan or light sweater for colder evenings or if you’re planning any trips to places that might have high levels of air conditioning like museums or art galleries.
When it comes to underwear and socks, pack a set for each day of the trip or half of them if you’re planning on doing any laundry. Moisture-wicking socks can be very effective if you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Lightweight sleepwear is best if you’re heading somewhere warm and want to enjoy a good night’s rest.
Comfortable Footwear is Essential
During a city break, it’s likely that you’ll partake in a lot of walking. Blisters and sore feet can seriously compromise the enjoyment of your trip, so make sure you pack at least one pair of breathable walking shoes that come with arch support. We also recommend that you bring day-to-night sandals that will work just as well at lunch as they do at dinner.
If you’ll be heading anywhere particularly elegant in the evening, don’t forget to pack a pair of more luxurious shoes or flats. If the place you’re staying has a pool, consider taking flip-flops with you.
Blend Function and Fashion with Accessories
Accessories play a number of roles including boosting comfort and making your outfit look better. Sunglasses are essential for city breaks in the summer as they keep your eyes protected and add a touch of style to your outfit.
A hat or cap is great during sightseeing as it protects you from the sun whilst helping you achieve a stylish look. You could also use a scarf or shawl to send your outfit to the next level and keep you warm on chilly evenings. When it comes to jewellery, it’s best to take just a few versatile pieces that will work well with multiple outfits.
A foldable tote will help you carry any purchases or essential items with ease, though you could also consider a crossbody bag with zipped compartments.
Keep Yourself Fresh and Protected with Toiletries
There’s no need to take the entire contents of your bathroom cabinet when packing for a city break. Keep to small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant and toothpaste as well as a mini toothbrush. All this will help you lighten your load and help you avoid messy leaks.
Moisturiser with SPF and a body sunblock can keep your skin safe whilst you’re exploring the city in the sun. Wet wipes, a compact mirror and hand sanitiser can also help with personal hygiene. If you’re taking make-up, it’s best to stick to a few essential items like mascara, lip balm and gloss.
Accidents and illnesses can happen during city breaks. A small first aid kit containing plasters, painkillers, antihistamines and your usual medication should be part of your luggage.
Essential Tech to Take with You
You don’t need to take a hoard of tech items with you, but some are essential for city breaks. These include your smartphone, a portable power bank to charge your device or devices when you’re away from a plug socket, a travel adapter for overseas plug sockets, a camera if you don’t want to rely on the one built into your phone and earbuds or headphones for when you want to relax to a playlist or podcast.
Managing Travel Documents and Money
Keeping all your essential documents and money in one place can help you avoid a lot of stress. Make sure your passport and ID are still valid and take digital and physical copies of your travel insurance documents.
Print a hard copy of your boarding pass and booking confirmation if possible, and save any digital versions to your phone so you can show them even without an internet connection. Although we live in an increasingly cashless society, it’s useful to keep a small amount of cash on you for emergencies, tips and outlets that might not accept your card.
When it comes to cards, try to use ones which don’t charge international fees if you can. Pack a list of essential contact details including numbers for the local emergency services, the embassy and a primary contact back at home.
Other City Break Essentials
A reusable water bottle will help you keep hydrated and reduce your plastic use. Snacks like nuts, cereal bars and dried fruit will give you an energy boost whilst you’re on the move. You might also want to pack a travel guide so you can access important information without an internet connection. A laundry bag will help you separate dirty garments from clean ones. You should also take a mini umbrella and rain jacket if there’s a chance a sudden downpour could break out during your city break.
Key packing tips
Packing cubes have become increasingly popular recently as they make it easier for you to organise your outfits and unpack. Rolling rather than folding clothes will save space and keep wrinkles to a minimum. If you plan your outfits in advance, this will help you avoid overpacking.
How Cabin Max Under-Seat Cabin Bags Can Help
Once you’ve decided what you’re packing for your city break, you’ll need to decide how you’re packing it. Travelling light yet smart can help you ensure that your break is a successful one. Cabin Max under-seat cabin bags are ideal for those who want to keep things simple and comfortable.
These bags have been specially designed to comply with the under-seat bag policies of various budget airlines. They can help you avoid expensive baggage fees and dealing with overhead lockers. These sturdy, durable options are amongst the best lightweight solutions on the market and come with internal and external pockets that make organisation simple. With Cabin Max under-seat cabin bags, keeping clothes, toiletries and tech items is easy.
There are various colours and style options available, and these include wheeled options, backpacks and hybrids. These bags are ideal not just for flights but also for train travel, weekend trips and even the daily commute.
Some of the biggest–selling options in our range of under-seat cabin bags include:
Metz 20L Underseat Cabin Bag ♻️ – Designed for Ryanair’s free under-seat allowance, this eco-friendly backpack fits 20L of kit into a 500g frame, with spacious packing, a suitcase-style opening, and padded straps for all-day comfort.
Travel Hack 20L Hand Luggage Bag – A compact and stylish backpack with laptop storage, 3D packing pockets, and a showerproof shell. Built to fit Ryanair’s under-seat rules and perfect for weekend breaks or daily travel.
Anode 30L Underseat Small Suitcase – Ideal for EasyJet’s free carry-on size. This hard-shell case has spinner wheels, zip dividers and a roomy interior — all while staying under 2.2kg for effortless cabin travel.
With these popular carrying options, you can comply with carry-on rules with less compromise. They can also make boarding quicker and simpler whilst helping you avoid unnecessary fuss.
Summer city breaks are about exploration, relaxation and pampering yourself. Heavy bags, poor packing and sore feet can get in the way of this, but stylish and practical luggage solutions can ensure you’re prepared, comfortable and content.
Contact us
We want you to be totally happy with your purchase, so feel free to get in touch at any time if you do have any queries about our under-seat cabin bags or any of the other luggage products in our range.
You can reach us today by sending a message to info@cabinmax.com or by using the live chat facility on our site. We will get back to you as quickly as possible. Ready to travel lighter? Explore our range today and find your perfect city break companion.