Packing last-minute for a holiday? We’ve all been there, but it’s important to make sure you remember everything you’ll need for the trip. From your favourite t-shirt to your toothbrush, one missing piece can be noticeable straight away once you arrive.
Whether you need some help with prioritising or you’ve no idea where to start, it’s always worth double-checking a foolproof list for a summer holiday.
Knowing to pack for a holiday: What can’t you go without?
One of the most important things is to remember when you’re packing for a holiday is those things that you can’t go without. Whether for emotional support, medical reasons, personal hygiene, or anything else, what you pack – or forget to pack – could make a significant difference to the quality of your holiday.
One of the first steps in packing is to think of and make a list of your essentials. After that, you can start to get busy with anything else that might fit in your suitcase.
Packing the essentials
Everyday essentials will vary depending on your personal requirements and preferences. However, as a rough guide for the most important things to have with you while you’re on the move, we’d recommend including:
- Your passport
Official photographic identification is required to cross an international border. While ID cards from certain countries are accepted, your safest option is to bring your passport. The document details will be linked to your flight information and boarding pass, so it makes sense to use it as your ID too.
- Plug adapter
Unless you buy an adapter, you won’t be able to use any mains-powered electronic devices or chargers that you put in your suitcase. Before you pack, make sure you’ve checked which type of sockets to expect at your holiday destination. Most European countries use the same style plug, but there are a few exceptions.
- Medication
Any daily or prescription medicine that you usually take needs to be packed too. It’s wise to add several types of medicine in a small first aid kit. Travel-specific medications like bite creams, nausea medicines, and insect repellent could be vital. If you’re unsure on which travel sickness tablets to buy, speak to a pharmacist for help with understanding your needs.
- Travel tickets and passes
Obviously, you’ll need the documentation that proves your booking onto transfers, flights, and accommodation. Keep physical and digital copies of these safely stored in your luggage, or an offline version on your phone too.
- Chargers
There’s nothing worse than forgetting your mobile phone or camera charger. Keep a list of the devices you’re likely to take with you and make sure you have enough wall units and cables to charge everything separately. A portable charger could be extremely useful for long travel days too.
- Bank cards
You need to be able to access your money when you’re abroad. Whether you’re not used to carrying cash or taking payment cards just for emergencies, it’s always worth carrying a few with you. Digital banks like Monzo and Starling offer fee-free international transactions and accessible cash withdrawals abroad.
- Toiletries
Shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, and your toothbrush and toothpaste are essential. You might be able to buy them abroad, but they’re not guaranteed to be brands you like. Just remember that some airlines require liquids to be stored in clear bags, in containers of no more than 100ml each.
- Clothes and shoes
Lastly, as easy as it is to overpack on the clothes front, you should try keep things minimal. Plan your outfits for each day you’ll be away, making sure to add separate clothes for the beach, smart outfits for evening dinnertimes, and your favourite swimwear. Only pack one or two pairs of shoes since these can become bulky and weigh down your luggage.
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