Your ultimate summer holiday packing list

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:

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• 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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