It’s easy to take our belongings for granted – which is why so many of us struggle with the last minute scramble before we head to the airport. We don’t realise what we need until we don’t have it.
Going away shouldn’t have to be stressful though – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jet setter or a first-time flier; having a decent checklist handy is the best way to ensure that you won’t have to go a week without all the luxuries that you’re used to.
So with that said, let’s have a look at all your travel essentials!
First Aid Kit
First on our travel checklist is one of the easiest items to overlook, but accidents happen no matter where in the world you are.
If you plan on having a few late nights while abroad, then you’re going to want a few paracetomols. However, there’s more to a first aid kit than a couple of tablets – for instance, bandages could be a lifesaver – quite literally. You can also customise your first aid kit for the region that you’re visiting too.
Will you be hiking through a forest that’s teeming with poison ivy? Skin rash cream could save you hours of pain. And, if you’re visiting a more tropical climate, Aloe Vera gel will provide you with soothing relief from sunburns – or regular burns, if you’re likely to be doing your own cooking.
Keep in mind that it’s important to take a few precautionary steps before you even leave home – ensuring you have the right vaccinations for the country you’re visiting is as important as taking your passport with you to the airport.
You may be thinking that you’re already vaccinated, and you probably are; However, the NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule does not protect you from some of the nastier diseases that you might find abroad.
Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and Typhoid are a couple of the more common vaccinations that you might need if heading overseas; but be sure to check what vaccinations are required for the specific country that you’re visiting – because in many cases, you won’t be allowed to go without them!
Click here to find the location that you’re visiting, and the vaccines you’ll need to travel there!
Now, let’s move onto our travel checklist of more mundane items, the ones that you’re only likely to remember right as your plane leaves the runway.
Swimsuits and Shorts
It doesn’t matter if you’re off to the alps – taking a swimsuit with you is a good idea.
You might be surprised, but many ski resorts have hot tubs, and there may be a lake for you to take a dip in at the woodland getaway that you’ll be staying it.
Make a habit of packing your swim stuff; They don’t take up much room, and you don’t want to be sitting in your room while all your friends are lounging in a jacuzzi.
Electronics
Technology has revolutionised travel – gone are the days of hanging around airports for hours on end with nothing to do; Unless you forget your charge cable of course.
Mobile Device and Laptop Chargers
It’s easier for us to overlook these, especially if our chargers have been plugged into the same socket spot for years; you’ll quickly notice their absence though.
If you’ve got a long road ahead of you, then phone and laptops are invaluable – there’s so much you can do on them, such as listening to podcasts, playing games, and updating your friends and family on your travels.
Of course, you can find charges at many airports, but they’ll probably come with a hefty price tag – purely because of how often travellers forget them at home.
We recommend that you store an extra charger or two in your suitcase, but what about adaptors? We’ve got you covered;
This is one of our favourite chargers; Not only is it extremely affordable, but the real reason you want to pick this one up is that it allows you to visit over 150 countries, and not have to buy for an overpriced adaptor.
Plus, it’s compatible with four different devices, all of which you can charge simultaneously!
Sound Cancelling Headphones
These are insanely useful when travelling on a plane – the elderly lady sat next to you is unlikely to appreciate the blare of a Metallica dubstep remix while she’s trying to finish her crossword. It’s about more than courtesy to others though.
A good pair of headphones should block out all background noise – allowing you to become fully immersed in the music you’re listening to or the movie that you’re watching.
This pair of headphones is ideal if you’re on a budget, and should serve you well – however, it’s naturally not as likely to be quite as reliable as a pricier product.
This one, for instance, is a lot pricier. You get what you pay for though, and this pair of lightweight headphones are well worth the cost; Not only are they lightweight, but the sound quality is exceptional, they charge quickly, and even come with Alexa!
Toiletries
Many hotels will offer you cute little bottles of shampoo and shower gel, but we recommend you grab some from home just in case – Ideally, you don’t want to have to spend the first few hours of your vacation seasrching for a supermarket.
It can be a little tricky to know what to take, but some toiletries should take precedence over others. You might believe that forgetting the Colgate is no big deal, but when it’s day five, and your gums feel like they’re decaying, then you’ll likely regret your forgetfulness.
On the flip side, lack of shaving cream is unlikely to be an issue; you mind end up looking a little scraggly, but you probably won’t be judged too harshly for that – especially since you’re probably going on holiday with friends and family.
Conversely, deodorant is a must. You might think you’re good for a week or so, but people are hardly ever aware of how they smell to others.
Your Carry On Bag
The contents in your carry on bag is all that you’ll have for most of the journey; Here’s a brief list of what we recommend you have with you in the cabin;
- Earplugs/Eye Mask – sleeping on a plane is hard at the best of times, and no one wants to start their holidays sleep deprived and grouchy.
- Books – Even if you prefer movies, it’s nice to have something to break up the monotony on a particularly long flight.
- Cash – it’s a good idea to have some with you on board the flight, in case something from the snack trolley tickles your fancy – however, it’s also a good idea to have some money in the currency of the country that you’re visiting.
- A large, empty water bottle (Which you can fill once through security. It should save you tons on in-flight beverages.)
- Gum – although there are other ways to stop your ears from popping in an aeroplane, gum is a go-to for many fliers.
- Passport – This should seem self-explanatory, but flights have been missed due to forgotten passports.
Stick to our travel checklist, and you should have all that you need on your adventures – although be sure to revise it, as there be some unique items that you require.
