Essential Holiday Checklist

The Summer holidays are here and many of you are off on your holidays in the coming weeks! To help you on your way and to make sure you don’t forget to pack the essential items, I’ve written a holiday checklist for you below. It’s by no means exhaustive so please contact me if you think of anything else to add!

HOLIDAY CHECKLIST:

1) Passport !/ Visas /Driving licence – Essential if you want to travel to any destination outside of the UK! Visas may be required depending on where you are travelling to and how long for – check with your Holiday Holiday travel agent before leaving. A driving licence will be needed if you intend to hire a car but is also another useful form of identification. Make sure you scan a copy of your passport and driving licence and send it to your email or print the copies out, take a copy with you and also leave a copy at home.

2) Flight/Holiday tickets and details of the hotel – You will need these to check in at the airport and hotel. Most package holidays will send you a booklet and travel wallet in which to keep your travel tickets. Some companies will allow you to check in online, but make sure you still have the booking reference number with you in case needed. Make a copy of these documents and then leave with a relative at home also.

3) Travel Insurance – If you travel often, the cheapest insurance can be an annual travel insurance. You can buy these from many places, your travel agent, online or even from your Bank. Just make sure before you go that if you plan on doing any sports or anything particularly dangerous ( e.g. bungee jumping) that your policy covers you. Make a copy of your insurance policy details and take them with you plus the number they have given you in the case of an emergency/claim.

4) Holiday Money/Currency – You can buy your holiday money at the airport but you’d be much better advised to buy it beforehand to get a better rate of exchange. High street travel companies and online currency providers will often give a more competitive rate.

5) Address book including emergency numbers - Most holidays go without problems but in case anything occurs where you need help, make sure you have any telephone numbers of relatives you may need or who may need to be contacted.  If you’re taking a phone with you, add ‘ICE’ (stands for ‘in case of emergency’) next to the close relative in your phone contacts list you’d want someone to contact should they need to if there was an emergency.  You should also make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card to entitle you to free or reduced treatment whilst abroad in the EU, if needed. (ehic.org.uk)

6) Maps/Guidebooks – Essential if you’re going sightseeing!! If you’re planning a lot of visiting make a note of all the places you want to see and where they are in relation to each other.  Most hire car companies will give you a map but these can sometimes be basic so make sure you’re prepared.  Most hotels have internet access available now (at varying charge rates) so you can also plan it online whilst there if you prefer to.

7) Sun cream / Aftersun / Insect repellant - For those hot days, too long in the sun days and annoying mosquito days!

8 ) First Aid pack - Basics such as plasters, savlon, nail scissors and perhaps nurofen and alka seltzer!

9) Suitcase, luggage tags and lock - Package holiday companies will usually send luggage tags as part of your confimation. You can use these or buy your own, although many suitcases come with them also.  With regards to a suitcase, the hard ones are great but bear in mind how much they will add to the weight of your luggage.  A good lock is always worthwhile, even as a deterrent.

10) Camera – Plus charger and download lead if you are taking a laptop and/or are staying abroad for a while.

11) Sunglasses – a Summer sun essential!  If you wear glasses there are many prescription sunglasses also available now.

12) Phone and charger – Essential if you want to keep in touch but just bear in mind how much more texts/calls can cost you when abroad.  Many phone companies offer holiday packages now so check before you go to ensure you don’t pay more than you need to.

13) Books/Games/Laptop – To keep you occupied whilst travelling or great if you have young kids and want to keep them calm.  If taking a laptop make sure there is a safe in the room or/and that it is insured.

14) Toiletries – Everything you use at home and need to take with you.  For shampoo and conditioners, rather than packing large bottles into your toiletries bag, why not decant what you need into plastic bottles (readily available from boots and other chemists).

15) Toothbrush!

I hope you found this list helpful, if you can think of anything else to add please comment!