Does anyone have tips on travelling light/hand luggage only - to Poland in Feb!

[MrsMeow]

I'm going to Poland in February and it's going to be a wee bit chilly. Travelling hand luggage only which is great for ease but am worrying about fitting everything in. I'm planning on wearing a couple of layers of tops on the plane, along with jeans and boots and coat but would like to be able to pack something to wear in the evenings and will need my make up etc. Could probably buy shampoo and shower gel etc out there to save room.

We're going for 3 nights and my case is a normal hand luggage size.

Any seasoned travellers out there with tips? I'm a notorious over-packer!!

Thanks :)

ps. can you take a handbag as well as hand luggage or is it classed as extra?

Poland? Get yourself to Inglot too for makeup

NicknameUsed...mine would rather shop for makeup than well...anything really! But she's a hard worker and doing well in life so I'll let her off. Plus I get to pinch her stuff and it doesn't cost me anything

Hollinhurst84 an Inglot too? Oh my days! I might just send her off whilst I do the salt mines!

Its a fair bit cheaper there. Lots of girls recently flying there to stock up!

It's very cold but gorgeous at the minute - sunny, no wind. Agree with the comment about the dry cold. I suffer more from the cold in the UK than I do in Poland- the cold wind and wet gets to me more.

Kraków is a lovely city, I studied there for 5 years. Hope you have a fab time.

Lots of good advice above, would just stress the importance of having warm feet in that kind of climate. And take with you an oil based face cream, even if it's a cheepo Nivea in blue tube. In -15 cold water based creams/ moisturisers dont feel very comfortable as the water turns into ice on your face. Enjoy your trip!

It's a very cold winter this year. Last year, there was no snow and temperatures were around 5C

Just seen on the news that it is much colder than usual right now.

Was in Poland earlier this week and regularly do city breaks.
I would agree bag rather then wheelie case, but that is assuming you are ok to carry a shoulder bag or rucksack a fair distance through airports as passport control is usually a 5-10 minute walk from plane.
We found Poland cold this week - yes to hat with ears and a scarf, lightweight wool would work as scarf in day abd wrap in evening . Think about the type of gloves you need- ie working camera /phone might involve taking them off and on lots. Definitely layers - thermal top or vest under a wool jumpe or cardigan, cashmere or merino. Tights (woolmix from M&S ?) worked for me especially when we went out walking around.

One other thing that works for me is to have a bag packed inside my luggage with book, purse, passport, tablet and headache pills that I can remove as I get on plane so handy OR can be removed from the luggage if I am one of the lucky ones who is not allowed to take luggage on board (think only first 50-60 in queue are guaranteed bag on board with RyanAir and with Easyjet it is linked to bag size , as they say see website(s) for details.

Thanks again guys, will definitely layer up and invest in a hat. Good tip about putting handbag in hand luggage, I think I'll do that to save any mither. Going to invest in a travel wallet too.

A friend has lent me a down jacket and I'm going to get some base layers and will also wear my (hated on MN!) Uggs and try and squeeze a plain black leather pair in my case for evenings.

V excited now!

I wouldn't wear uggs. If it rains or snows your feet will get soaked and frozen

No, not Uggs! You need proper, waterproof snow boots.

Uggs are the leather ones, do you think they'll still be no good?

Oh, I am going to Krakow too in Feb! And a few days skiing in Zakopane.

People tell me I am mad , but am so looking forward to it

Really? Skiing isn't for me but can't wait for Krakow! When do you go?

I was in Krakow in November and it snowed the whole time and was freezing. I thought I'd just need a warm coat and be fine with 'normal' clothes once inside pubs etc but you definitely need a few extra layers - every time the pub doors opened with people going in and out, there were cold draughts and it was chilly by the windows in establishments too.

My quite basic tip for packing is to really think through your actual outfits - don't just think a couple of jeans, few tops, etc because you inevitably end up with extras and something that doesn't really match anything else. Think Friday day I'll wear X, evening Y, Saturday day Z, etc. And be realistic about things you can re-wear, e.g. jeans. It really helps to get it down to the bare minimum and if you cover yourself in red wine on night 1, there are plenty of shops in Krakow!

I was coming on to say that Poland is fucking cold, but I see that's been mentioned .

Just wanted to add after reading some of the comments that I didn't see a single pair of 'heels' or a 'body on dress' out in the evenings - it's really not that sort of place - jeans, jumpers, walking boots...yes.

Cool, we are all bringing walking boots, ski socks, thermals etc

I think layering is a good idea.

Not going to bring a single dress/smart shoe.

We are going for half term btw!

Leather Uggs would be fine - I have the Simmens and they're very warm (fleece-lined) and waterproof.

You need boots that will give you a bit of grip on icy, slippery cobbles. Although I remember in Warsaw in the 1980s, when I was in my yoof, we used to slither across the cobbles in our stilettos. Couldn't do it now.

God I would NEVER subject Poland to the sight of me in a body con dress and/or heels. They'd have me sent straight back to UK haha!

Actually, the non dressy up thing makes it easier for me. I.m just going to pack some layers, black tops etc and a few scarves. I reckon I can make a pair of jeans last 3 days.

More space in my case to bring goodies back :) :)

RubyWinterstorm we're there the week before half term. Hope you have an amazing time!

Dafspunk maybe where you went-
But bits of Poland are really glam and dressy. Some of the nighttime venues were incredibly fashionable- think ultra modern bars with Scandi furnishings, ice blue lighting etc etc.
Restaurants too. I had great fun, dressed up to the nines drinking cocktails with my daughters (cheaply!). It's not all horses and carts in Poland these days people !
Take your heels, hiking boots won't cut it