Some people hate packing for a holiday. I am not one of these people.
Call it frequent flyer arrogance, call it Big Virgo Energy, call it plain annoying, but I start making my list around two weeks before departure. I then begin foraging around for the essentials one week before – you just know that passport is wedged in the bottom of a drawer somewhere – making sure I leave two or three buffer days before the journey to allow for picking up last-minute essentials.
It’s an art form, I adore it, and I pride myself on being the person doling out plug adapters and charger cables to those who have not made their own nifty list.
Read more on summer holidays:
- Swap Paris for Nancy: I’ve spent a year travelling around France, and you’re going to all the wrong places
- Best family holiday destinations for 2024 that kids of all ages will love
- Beat the heat: the ‘cool’ European destinations to visit in summer 2024
Everyone has individual needs, wants and little luxuries for a summer holiday – clothing being a whole personal list of your own – but the core items will always remain the same. I haven’t included a laptop or any work paraphernalia, because I sincerely hope you’ll be able to switch off this summer. Here are the must-haves:
Everything you’ll (probably) need for a beach holiday this summer
- Passport(s)
- Boarding pass(es) or train/ferry tickets
- SPF/sun cream. Factor 30 and above is recommended; SPF50 for kids
- Sun hat(s)
- Sunglasses
- Phone charger (I always like to bring a back-up cable as they can be a nightmare to find if they conk out)
- Plug adapter(s)
- Swimsuit/bikini/trunks
- Flip flops
- Comfy shoes or trainers
- Toothbrush/electric toothbrush and charger
- Toothpaste
- Headphones
- Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel if you’re self-catering
- After sun or gentle moisturiser
- A beach towel if you you’re in a hotel that doesn’t provide them
- Face wipes or make-up remover
- Make-up bag for those who wear it
- Hairbrush or comb (longer-haired folks and mums swear by the Tangle Teezer)
- Plenty of hair ties for long hair
- A nail file
- Lip balm
- Shorts
- Sundresses and light shirts
- Glasses or contacts if you wear them
- Enough underwear for the week/fortnight
- Gym gear if you plan to exercise
- Backpack for exploring and/or smaller evening bag
- A tote or beach bag
- Emergency medical kit: plasters, antihistamine/bite cream, painkillers, stomach-settling remedies
- Any essential medication of your own
- Goggles/snorkel, face mask and fins if you have them
- A couple of light jackets and jumpers for colder nights or higher altitudes
- Entertainment for the plane: pre-downloaded streaming shows, podcasts or a good old fashioned magazine
- A camera or smartphone with plenty of space for new snaps (plus camera charger if needed)
- Books or Kindle: a summer read (or four) is an essential for many
- A Bluetooth speaker for the room or apartment
- A slim canvas bag or spare tote to use as a laundry bag
- Snacks. While these should always be nearby in an airport or local shop, having a cereal bar or two on hand can save the day during unexpected long waits
- Travel wash – if you’ll be there long enough to want to refresh any clothing
- Cash in local currency or travel money card: an ‘emergency cab amount’ of cash is a good rule of thumb
- An offline copy or screenshot of your hotel’s address and any transfer details – in case of roaming issues
- An offline copy or print-out of your travel insurance details
- An offline copy or printed scan of your passport, in case you lose it
- ID or driving licence if needed
- A reusable water bottle
- Hand sanitiser
- Face masks for destinations that still require them
- Eye mask or neck pillow if needed for flight
- Your house keys – and put them somewhere easily reached for your return!
Things you’re most likely to forget, so double check
- Correct plug adapter. This is a useful catch-all guide to different types
- Medical kit. Hopefully you won’t need it, but boy does it help avoid hours of gesticulating at the pharmacy
- Toothbrush charger if yours is electronic
- Jackets and jumpers – even the Med gets the odd chilly evening
- Enough entertainment for your journey – if flying, allow for double your airport and flight time, just in case of delays
- The liquid limit: Keep liquids to under 100ml (and labelled as such) and able to fit in a zip-lock bag in hand luggage, with larger items in hold luggage. Even though some UK airports have scrapped the liquid limit, not all of them have – and there’s no guarantee your return airport will have also axed the rule.
And one more tip...
Want to become a packing pro? Take note of anything you realise you’ve forgotten or wish you’d packed while on holiday, and add it to a rolling list in your phone’s Notes app. Next time you’ll be equipped for anything.
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