The Ultimate Summer Holiday Packing List (for over-packers)

Packing for your trip doesn’t have to be a chore. With this ultimate summer holiday packing list, you’ll be sure to remember all of your essential (and usually forgotten) handy items.

If you’re a bit of an over-packer like us, you’ll normally take a few things that aren’t essential but definitely make your getaway a little more stress-free. If that’s the case, this packing list is just for you!

Before You Start Packing for your Summer Holiday

Ahead of packing your suitcase, there are a few things that need taking care of. Some of these can be prepared just a few days beforehand, whereas others may require some advanced planning.

• Passport – make sure you have it! Some countries require that it remains in date for a certain period of time. Are there enough blank pages to cover your entire trip? Take a digital copy on your phone and paper copies to carry around with you if needed for ID.

• Driving Licence – if you plan on renting a vehicle ensure your license is in date and valid in the country you are traveling in. Check to see whether you may need to apply for an international driving license.

• Foreign Travel Advice – before you plan your holiday check government advice on whether it is safe to travel. Use a website like GOV.UK which will give you information on safety, security, health, natural disasters, and visa requirements. If you go against any official advice this may invalidate your travel insurance.

• Contact Numbers – make sure you have all the numbers needed for your holiday. Include the contact number of the Embassy for your destination as well as the 24-hour Emergency number for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office +442070081500 (just in case you or someone else gets in a pickle!)

• Flights – are all of your flights booked? Have you checked your emails to ensure flight times have not changed? Do you need a copy of your boarding pass? Make sure you have copies if you are required to provide proof of a return flight. The price of tickets generally increases the later you leave them, check for the best flight prices using a site like Skyscanner. Don’t forget airport parking!

• Hotels – book your hotels as far in advance as you can and keep an eye on prices, Booking.com offers free cancellation if you find a better price elsewhere. Log the addresses and telephone numbers on your itinerary.

• Itinerary – if you have planned your own itinerary then make sure you have an electronic AND paper copy – do not rely on phones as these can be lost or damaged! Write down the dates and times of flights, transfers, and addresses/telephone numbers of hotels. You may also want to provide a copy to family or friends.

• Visas – check whether one is required for your destination. Some countries require an application in advance of your arrival. Check the GOV.UK website for details.

• Travel Insurance – better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it! Do you need any specialist cover such as skiing, diving, extreme sports, or natural disasters? Make sure you check your policy documents as not all cover is the same. If budget allows, look for a 5-star rated provider on TravelInsurance.com

• Vaccinations – check to see whether you will need any vaccinations for your destination. Drop into your GP or health nurse to check that you are up to date.

• Prescriptions – ensure you have all required medication for the duration of your holiday. Check the laws regarding certain medicine and take a copy of the prescription with you to avoid any issues through customs.

• Allergy Card – if you have any serious allergies or certain foods that you cannot eat, make sure you have a translation that you can show to the restaurant and food vendors. Select Wisely offers downloadable cards in a variety of languages. Equally – you could just make your own!

• Credit and Debit Cards – check that they don’t expire during your trip. You might want to give your bank a call to inform them of your travel plans so that they don’t flag them as a fraud risk.

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Summer Holiday Packing List

In Your Handbag or Rucksack:

• Passport
• Wallet
• Money
• Credit and debit cards
• Foreign currency
• Keys
• Phone
• Phone charger
• Phone power bank
• Earphones
• Ear Plugs
• Camera
• Memory Card
• Lip balm
• Neck pillow
• Eye mask
• Flight compression socks
• Sun/glasses and glasses case
• Contact lenses and case
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues
• Books and magazines
• Sweets and snacks
• Medication (prescription, paracetamol, night nurse)
• Any other valuable items (that you cannot afford to go missing with your suitcase!)

READ: Want to know how to do Affordable Luxury Travel? 11 Top Tips Here…

In Your Checked Luggage

Toiletries/Beauty: 

Clothes/Accessories:

READ: 14 Incredibly Affordable Luxury Water Villas – Maldives

Pharmaceutical:

Extras:

BONUS TIP: sort all of your liquids (under 100ml) into a clear bag at home and save time (and stress) through airport security.

Wrapping up our Summer Holiday Packing List

And there you have it, a summer holiday packing list for pros. Let us know if there is anything we have forgotten in the comments box below!

One last thing to do…check-in and have fun!

Further Reads:

• Safari Packing List MUST-HAVES
• Ski Holiday Packing List
• 11 Tips on Affordable Luxury Travel