There are so many variables with holiday packing that it is difficult to write one definitive list of everything you will need. It depends where you are going, what you will be doing when you get there, how many people you are packing for, what the weather will do, and so on.
However, having mastered your hand luggage, I have pulled the key items into a suitcase packing list for your main luggage, on the assumption that it will be going into the hold.
This is the checklist for the case that goes in the hold: toiletries, a first aid kit, the practical bits like a sink plug and a Vanish bar, and clothes grouped by what the weather and the activities will ask of them. Do your hand luggage first, then work down this list and cross things off.
Try not to overpack, because you will never use half of what you take. One rule of thumb is to lay everything out on the bed and then halve it. It is not a bad strategy.
Somewhere sunny in the day, cold in the evening, and with activities such as cycling or kayaking that need specific kit. It all mounts up.
In a hot country you will spend most of your time in lightweight clothes or swimwear, which take up less space, so you can travel lighter, assuming you do not want a different outfit every evening.
You can hand a lot of the responsibility to them to pack their own bags, but keep an overview of what has gone in, because nothing is more annoying than a forgotten item at the destination.
Build your list from the twelve questions to answer before you write your packing list.
Broadly, there are three options; squashy duffle bags and soft suitcases, large rucksacks, and hard suitcases. Which you choose is a matter of preference and depends on the trip – backpacking, skiing, a villa holiday, a road trip. With the exception of rucksacks and some duffle bags, most luggage has wheels these days, which makes moving it around much easier. Long gone are the days of hunting for a trolley or struggling with a bag through an airport.
It sounds obvious, but before you travel check that all the zips work on your suitcase and that you can lock it, either with padlocks or with the locks built into the case (and remember the codes). Your case is going to get thrown around, and if the zips and fasteners are not secure it can open. That has happened to us; luckily we did not lose anything.
For some countries you may want to wrap your case in cellophane, if the airport offers it. And think about putting some identifiers on your luggage, particularly if it is navy blue or black from a common brand, because they all look the same on the carousel. We have views on this, having lost our suitcase stickers somewhere between Cancun and Heathrow.
So let us not put it off any longer. What should you pack in your main luggage?
Start thinking about toiletries in the run-up to the trip, so you can save bottles to decant your favourite products into, or buy a set of smaller bottles. A hanging toiletry bag is very useful when travelling. The key items:
Shower gel
Shampoo and conditioner
Hairbrush and styling product
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Razor and shaving foam or cream
Face routine: cleanser, toner, moisturiser, eye make-up remover
Feminine hygiene products, if required
Ideally travel light with make-up on holiday, so just the basics:
Tinted moisturiser
Waterproof mascara
Coloured lip balm or lip stain
Eyeliner and eyeshadow
Blusher or bronzer
For a full list of first aid items and why each one is useful, read our travel first aid kit checklist. Two additions depending on where you are going:
A malaria area: Mosquito spray (DEET) or a DEET-free lotion (Picaridin), long-sleeved tops and trousers, citronella.
Poor water quality: A water purifier such as a SteriPen, or purification tablets.
The following might come in useful along the way:
Laundry detergent: For when you need to do a wash on the go, otherwise you will pay for the launderette's powder or buy a whole box you will not use.
Vanish bar: A stain remover to attack stains before it is too late and you write off a favourite piece of clothing.
Travel washing line and pegs: Small, light, and useful more often than you would think.
Sink plug: Many countries do not put plugs in their sinks, which I have always found baffling, so I take one with me.
Zip-lock bags: To keep opened items in and prevent spillage in the case.
Needed whatever type of trip you are taking:
Underwear
Sleepwear
Day wear: choose items that can be worn more than once, dressed up or down, and that coordinate with each other so a small number of clothes gives you lots of outfits
Day shoes and socks: Walking trainers or sandals
A change of shoes for going out or smarter occasions
Flip flops: Good for the beach and they double as slippers
Sunglasses (though you may want these in your hand luggage)
Sun hat or baseball cap
Sun cream and aftersun
Swimming costume, bikini, trunks, UV rash vests
A cover-up
Beach towel
Beach bag, large enough to hold everything
Wet bag for damp kit
Water shoes
Binoculars
Waterproof camera or GoPro
Dry bag
Plastic phone case on a string, useful for cycling
Travel tripod, if you photograph the stars or night scenes
Head torch
Maps and sat nav
Running kit and sports bra
Hiking boots, which are best worn on the plane to save spac
Raincoat, poncho or umbrella
Puffer jacket, which squashes down small
Base layers and thermals
Woolly hat, gloves, scarf
Very warm socks
Beach bag: A large bag for beach items, which can double as a laundry bag.
A light fold-flat bag: In case you buy things while you are there and your allowance lets you bring back an extra bag. Again, it doubles as a laundry bag.
For me, that is Yorkshire teabags. What is yours? There is a line for it on the printable.
Now all you have to do is decide whether to fold or roll, and let the packing commence.
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Your step-by-step framework for stress-free, unforgettable trips — from first idea to final itinerary.
Your step-by-step framework for stress-free, unforgettable trips — from first idea to final itinerary.
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