Packing for This Trip
This is a 20-day trip across 5 cities covering city sightseeing, a graduation ceremony, a family visit, a beach stay, and a pilgrimage. You'll be walking significant distances on cobblestones in warm weather, attending a formal graduation event, visiting churches (dress code applies), and spending time on a Baltic beach. Packing light but smart is the goal.
π‘ Pack carry-on only if possible. You'll be on trains between cities β a carry-on-size bag is far easier on cobblestone streets, train platforms, and narrow stairwells in older buildings than a large checked bag.
Clothing
π Tops
- 5β6 lightweight breathable t-shirts or short-sleeve tops
- 2 smart casual shirts/blouses (for graduation, nicer restaurants, church visits)
- 1 long-sleeve layer (evenings, air-conditioned trains, Wieliczka Salt Mine which is 14Β°C underground)
- 1 thin cardigan or light knit sweater
π Bottoms
- 2 pairs of lightweight trousers or chinos β versatile for sightseeing and smart occasions
- 1β2 pairs of shorts (warm days, Sopot beach)
- 1 smart outfit for Jakub's Graduation (July 3) β this is the one formal occasion on the trip
- Swimsuit/swim shorts for the Baltic (Sopot, July 9β10)
π§₯ Outerwear
- 1 light waterproof jacket β essential for afternoon thunderstorms across all cities. Packable is ideal
- 1 medium jacket or fleece specifically for the Baltic coast (Sopot evenings are cool with the sea breeze)
- A scarf or light wrap β useful for cooler evenings and required for some church visits (cover shoulders)
π Shoes β The Most Important Decision of the Trip
- Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes with rubber soles β your single most important packing decision. Cobblestones in Prague, WrocΕaw, and KrakΓ³w are unforgiving on hard-soled shoes, leather soles, or sandals with no grip. Wear these before the trip to break them in
- 1 pair of casual shoes or sandals for rest days and evenings
- 1 smarter pair for the graduation ceremony and nicer dinners
- Flip-flops for the beach/hotel (Sopot)
- Do not pack heels β cobblestones make them genuinely dangerous
Church & Religious Site Dress Code
You'll be visiting multiple churches and cathedrals across the trip β including the Loreta (Mass, June 27), the Church of Our Lady Victorious (June 28), St. Vitus Cathedral (June 29), Divine Mercy Sanctuary (July 5), and Wawel Cathedral (July 7). Most require:
- Covered shoulders for both men and women β a scarf, cardigan, or shirt works
- No shorts in most major cathedrals β lightweight trousers are better. Some churches provide coverings at the door but don't rely on this
- Quiet, respectful dress β you'll be attending actual Masses, not just tourist visits
A thin scarf or lightweight wrap doubles as both a church cover and an evening layer β one of the most versatile items you can pack for this trip.
Documents & Travel Essentials
- Passport β valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Poland and Czech Republic are both Schengen zone β US citizens get 90 days automatically, no visa needed
- Travel insurance documents β print a copy and keep one digital
- Copies of all train bookings (KOLEO app tickets, Czech Railways confirmation emails)
- Hotel/accommodation confirmation printouts or screenshots saved offline
- Emergency contact list β US Embassy in Warsaw (+48 22 504 2000) Β· US Embassy in Prague (+420 257 022 000)
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if applicable β US citizens should ensure travel insurance covers medical evacuation
- Small crossbody bag or day pack β pickpocketing exists in tourist areas of Prague and KrakΓ³w. Keep valuables in a front-facing bag
Tech & Electronics
- European power adapter β Type E/F plug (round two-pin). Poland and Czech Republic use the same plug. One universal adapter per couple is sufficient
- Portable power bank β long days of navigation and photos will drain phones. A 10,000β20,000 mAh power bank is ideal
- Charging cable for each device β trains have USB outlets (EIP Pendolino has power sockets at every seat)
- Earphones β for long train journeys (KrakΓ³w β Sopot is 4.5 hours)
- Download offline maps for all five cities in Google Maps or Maps.me before leaving β you won't always have signal
Health & Personal
- Sunscreen SPF 50 β UV Index 6β7 throughout. Apply daily even on overcast days. Czech/Polish pharmacies stock it but it's expensive; bring your own
- Insect repellent β evening outdoor dining and the Sopot pier can attract mosquitoes in July
- Blister plasters (Compeed) β cobblestones are hard on feet. Bring 6β10 plasters regardless of how comfortable your shoes are
- Basic first aid: ibuprofen, antihistamines, antidiarrheal, plasters, hand sanitiser
- Prescription medications in original labelled containers with a doctor's note for anything controlled
- Small umbrella β compact enough for a day bag, essential for the afternoon thunderstorm season
Beach Extras (Sopot, July 9β10)
- Swimsuit β Baltic Sea water temperature is ~18β19Β°C (65Β°F) in early July, cool but swimmable for the keen
- Beach towel β quick-dry travel towels are ideal; pack in checked luggage
- Flip-flops for the beach
- Sunglasses β the Baltic glare off the water and sand is intense
What Not to Pack
- Heels or hard-soled dress shoes for daily use β cobblestones make them painful and dangerous
- Heavy luggage β you'll be lifting bags onto trains, through narrow hotel doorways, and across cobblestone streets. Every extra kilo matters
- Formal cocktail wear β the trip's one formal occasion (graduation) is smart-casual, not black tie
- Lots of cash β Poland uses PLN (zΕoty) and Czech Republic uses CZK (koruna); cards are accepted almost everywhere and ATMs are plentiful. Carry some cash for small purchases and church offerings