Whether you are going on a weekend road trip or fortnight long luxury holiday, whether you are taking just a carry on or big suitcases, there are some things that you must always pack. In this guide I will list them under the following headings: Essential documents, Toiletries, Clothing and Electronics.
I would assume the very first thing you’ll be packing and the very first essential is your passport. This should be a given unless you’re me (I forgot my passport on the first holiday with my wife until I got in the car (she remembered)). In the past you may also have needed to pack flight details with you, but these days all you need is your passport and they’ll pull up the flight details at the desk for you. If you’ve checked in beforehand, you’ll need the boarding pass too. For some countries you may also need a printed visa with you.
This is something that will be dependant on what your hotel offers. You will need to check with them on that. Most if not all hotels provide shower gel, shampoo and body cream. So, you probably won’t need to pack them unless you have some sensitivities or a specific taste. From experience, most hotels I’ve been to do not provide toothpaste or a toothbrush. So, it’d be a good shout to pack them with you. Towels are usually provided, but just read the reviews on the hotel as if they are not clean or worrying, then previous travellers will tend to mention it in their reviews. If you are going to a sunny destination, of course make sure you take your sunscreen. Also, I think medication would come under this category? Take your typical essentials here: painkillers, upset stomach saviours and anything else you need.
A lot of what you pack here is going to depend on the weather of your destination of course. But I want to mention things you’ll be packing regardless of where you are going. Underwear and socks and make sure you pack a sufficient amount. I would also pack a nice thin rain jacket, just in case it does rain in the hot destination you are going to. The Uniqlo rain jacket is perfect as it rolls into a really small packable bag thing. In terms of accessories, a backpack will be useful to carry your essentials with you while out and about. A water bottle is another good shout. A watch is also something that will be useful for you when you are out and about.
Even though these new phones can take amazing photos, nothing beats a good quality camera. So, my camera is the first electronic item I am packing whenever I go on holiday. Depending on how long you’re going away for and whether you need it or not, you may need to take your laptop too. Then chargers are a given too. Make sure you take phone, camera and laptop chargers with you. On this note, a portable charger will be a lifesaver, so this is a must pack! Finally, don’t forget any adaptors that you may need – this’ll depend on the country you are going to and also what kind of plugs your hotel room has.
…most hotels I've been to do not provide toothpaste or a toothbrush.
So, that was my list of essential items that I think you need to pack regardless of what type of holiday you are going on. Did I miss anything? Is there something you cannot travel without that?
