I haven't been on a plane in a decade

[WhiteCircles]

And I haven't been on a resort holiday in the Med for about 30 years.

I've booked a long weekend with friends on a Mediterranean Island. They're the kind of people who often pop off for a short break in Europe, they book flights like I put petrol in the car.

I've booked the tickets, I haven't booked a seat (no one has) because we don't care and we haven't booked luggage because we're only going for a few days.

Tell me what I need to know so I'm not completely out of my depth.

Ehat sort of bag do I need? I know there are restrictions on what liquids you can take, so what do you do about toiletries? What about food and drink? What do I need to take for a few days in a fairly posh hotel in the Capital on a Spanish Island? We're in our 50s if that makes a difference and the group loves food, drink and dancing 🙂

If you go on your airline website, they will give you the dimensions of the bag you're allowed to take onboard, it will also tell you about liquids etc.

It sounds really fun though, you're gonna have a great time!

You will need to be very strict with luggage all co-ordinating clothes and shoes.

lucky you it’s been 11 years for me and l am going to France in Oct.

Presumably Travellers Cheques aren't a thing anymore and you pay for everything by credit card? Do I need cash too?

You can just use the ATM with your debit card and pay in shops and restaurants too. Check with your bank that you can use it abroad.

Oh, and don't forget to take out travel insurance.

You can wear some extra clothes to get on the plane if you are short of room.

You don't always get free food and drink on planes anymore😟

Yes. But tell your bank. I've had credit cards stopped before now. I take emergency cash.

You need to check the luggage rules for whichever airline you have booked to see what your allowance is - on some airlines “no luggage” means literally that, and if you’re going to a posh hotel presumably you’re not intending to wear the same outfit every day?

For all airlines, liquids in hand luggage - each item should be 100 ml or less and they must fit in a resealable plastic bag to go through security.

You need to check what Covid-related paperwork you need.

Tbh if your friends are always “popping off” for short breaks in Europe, I’m not sure why you’re not asking them these questions rather than a load of strangers on the internet (particularly as you haven’t said who you’re flying with or where you’re going, which makes giving accurate advice rather difficult).

Travel insurance

Covid passport check what that country requires

Passport

Instructions of where you are staying incase you need to get a taxi, bus, car or free transfers

Mobile phone travel plug charger & lead. Your mobile phone provider may charge you huge prices, so use the WiFi of hotels, bars cafes for free

No or mini liquids only through airport security

Look on the airline website for luggage size rules, they all vary. Be aware that the included bag on Ryanair or Easyjet is very small (eg rucksack or large handbag) so unlikely to be sufficient for all your clothes etc. It can be cost effective to add speedy boarding, as this buys more hand luggage allowance. Or pay for one hold case for the group, which has the advantage of being able to take whatever toiletries/suncream you want to.

Other airlines like Jet2 allow you to take a decent sized trolley case onboard as well as the smaller bag, so could be enough for a short trip.

For toiletries, if there's a Boots after security at the airport that's good for toiletries and suncream, but don't go overboard on anything above 100 ml as you won't be able to bring anything back if you're hand luggage only. You can buy travel bottles in places like Ikea, Primark, Boots etc, so good for decanting your usual products.

For travel money, the cheapest/easiest way is to use the right debit or credit card, eg Starling or Halifax Clarity, good for paying and cash withdrawals, although last time I was in Spain, it was quite hard to find a cash machine that allowed free cash withdrawals, even bank machines charged.

The wrong way is to use what MSE calls the 'debit card from hell' that charges a fee and commission for every transaction, which will get very expensive if you use your card to pay for every last coffee, round of drinks, ice cream etc.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/destinations/

Also have a look at your mobile phone, some providers have started charging overseas, now we're no longer protected by EU rules.

Depending on what airline you use, my advice would be to have exceptionally low expectations of the in-flight experience.
For instance, on RyanAir, they have now removed the net pouch on the seat infront of you, so you have to hold your bottle of water and book for the entire flight.
It's all pretty grim and like catching a bus that you can't get off!
You'll have a great time when you're there though!

I've paid £40 return, my expectations are very low!

I haven't asked friends because I don't want to look completely clueless 😆

Or you put your bottle of water in your bag. My book, well kindle, is usually in my hand anyway, or between my thigh and the edge of the seat.

I never buy anything on a plane and am quite happy for the experience to be basic as long as I get there safely and reasonably on time. Unless you're paying many multiples more for business class, it's all much of a muchness anyway.

How exciting! DH and I fly out to Majorca tomorrow for a long weekend 😁

• check liquids, 20cm x 20cm bag for these. EasyJet allow up to 1000ml in one bag. I’ve brought my own clear bag but you get these for free at the airport.
• Masks still on most routes and in airports
• wear bulkier items which will save room in your cabin luggage
• Check in and get boarding passes before you get there
• covid vaccination pass

have a fab time!

Well you will look completely clueless if you arrive at the airport and have to pay for luggage which you haven’t booked beforehand - they really hit you with charges then!

Stop being ridiculous and just ask your friends!

I’m travelling with Ryanair soon. Their luggage allowance (if you don’t pay extra) is one small bag about the size of an average handbag - will all your stuff for your trip fit in your handbag?

You really need to Google baggage allowance for whoever you're flying with. The days of small suitcases are long gone. I travelled with EasyJet recently and was allowed a rucksack as a free carry on. Wizz air was the same but have different dimensions. We ended up flying with EasyJet because the rucksack I own was 3cm too tall for wizz air.