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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for a holiday checklist for dummies

109 replies

Justyou · 31/07/2018 18:28

Hi, I’ve just booked our 1st family holiday abroad (me,dh, 3dc) we’ve never flown since we were young and kids haven’t flown ever.
It’s to Cyprus in 2 weeks Shock it was a combination of never having passports until now , big b day coming up & desperately needing one/wanting one before teenagers don’t wanna come away anymore that led to it being a last minute thing.
Please please could anyone help with any advice that may help, packing lists, airport advice/tips anything at all.
We really are totally clueless - I have been googling but to be honest my head is ready to explode with just researching/booking the holiday, can’t believe how stressful it was having to factor in so much stuff.

I am asking as I know that there will be really obvious things I would never even have thought to pack.
Thank you in hopeful advance!!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
whattimeislove · 31/07/2018 21:23

Take an empty water bottle through security and then fill it up air side

happypoobum · 31/07/2018 21:24

Tickets
Money
Passport
EHIC cards
Travel Insurance
Plug convertor thingies
Medication

Everything else you can get at airport or destination.

I would pay for luggage to go in hold if going for a week or more with DC. As PP said, cross pack so if one case goes missing/only one survives, you have something for everyone in one case.

happypoobum · 31/07/2018 21:24

And have a fabulous time Flowers

whattimeislove · 31/07/2018 21:25

Anything you forget toiletry wise you can pick up at boots once you're through security.

GreenTulips · 31/07/2018 21:26

Beg or borrow cases - they're quite expensive really and only sit in lofts

happypoobum · 31/07/2018 21:29

This reply has been deleted

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buttermilkwaffles · 31/07/2018 21:37

You probably already know this, but check in online and print boarding passes (or use their mobile apps) if flying Ryanair/Easyjet.

Whoever you are flying, they will have luggage restrictions (size, weight) and lots of other info on the FAQ section of their website.

A Monzo or Starling debit card (bank account) is useful for spending to avoid foreign exchange charges/fees and to withdraw cash, download the app/s and apply through that, takes 5 mins and you should get the card in the post in time before you go.

WineIsMyMainVice · 31/07/2018 21:39

Take a nappy with you for on the beach. If you wrap phone/keys/purse in it if you want to all go down to the sea, no one will steal that!

Original poster
Justyou · 31/07/2018 21:45

Fab tip!

OP posts:
PurpleCrazyHorse · 31/07/2018 21:47

Lots of great info above.

Try to relax and enjoy your holiday. Anything you've forgotten you will be able to buy there (possibly with the exception of specialist medication) so don't worry if you forget pants/toothbrushes/swimsuit etc.

We use Trello for packing. I can share the packing list with DH via our phones and we tick off as we pack. We use it for weekends away as well as bigger holidays. It also means that the same old regular basics are always on there so we don't often forget things now (I just tick the list and untick it, over and over again!). I would suggest starting a list somewhere now and add to it during the days before you go rather than trying to do it all a few days before. I often remember stuff as I mull on it.

I have a plastic popper wallet that I keep all our passports, EHIC cards and boarding passes in. Keeps everything together in one place. Also take a photo of your passports in case they get lost (could help get an emergency replacement if you have your old passport details to hand).

Check your mobile phone costs abroad and ensure you turn off roaming if necessary, especially on kids phones. You don't want to come back to a nasty phone bill. Also ensure your phone will work abroad (I had to request this from my provider) in case you need to use it, or need to receive a call from home. Same with letting credit/debit card companies know you're going abroad. Mine both noted my holiday dates and destination.

Note the weather in Cyprus. Wear layers so you can be warmer this end and cooler the other. Have a decent sized hand luggage bag to stash your removed jumper in Grin

Finally, note the info and dates/times for online check-in, if you have that facility. Obviously depends on who you're flying with, but you can usually select your seats.

Icequeen01 · 31/07/2018 21:54

We are off to Cyprus in the morning! We went last year and enjoyed it so much we decided to go back. You can definitely take aerosols on the plane (in your luggage) not sure about hand luggage though. Trust me, it will be very hot whilst you are there and I found I didn't wear half the stuff I took with me last year! Make sure you take hats for the DC, the sun is relentless. I take only 30+ sunscreen due to the heat. Whereabouts in Cyprus are you going @Justyou. Are you going north or south?

Original poster
Justyou · 31/07/2018 21:54

I selected seats at travel agent and they said to go in 2 weeks before and they will check us in and send a medication letter to someone can’t remember who tho

OP posts:
SailingDay · 31/07/2018 21:56

Don't forget suncream and sunhats!

Original poster
Justyou · 31/07/2018 22:00

Icequeen01 we are going to south. I had no idea where to go, the travel agent said it ticked all the boxes for us so fingers crossed

OP posts:
Icequeen01 · 31/07/2018 22:23

We go to the south too. Are you staying near Paphos?. We have a villa up in the hills about 30 mins from Paphos.

Original poster
Justyou · 31/07/2018 22:35

I think it’s near maybe a place called Limassol?

OP posts:
Icequeen01 · 31/07/2018 22:51

We didn't visit Limassol so can't tell you what it's like but I'm sure you will have a fab time. Well worth getting a car for at least part of the time to visit places like Laatchi. We hired our own boat from there for half a day and went snorkelling. It was a really lovely afternoon and our 17 year old DS loved being able to drive the boat and we plan to do it again on this holiday. Have fun!

Original poster
Justyou · 01/08/2018 11:44

Stupid question but are you allowed in pools with dyed hair - like bright pink? Or can you not incase in dyes the pool?

OP posts:
Kneesbendarmstretchrarara · 01/08/2018 11:49

Not RTFT so apologies if repeating.

I don’t think Cyprus is a different electrical currency to the UK so no adaptors needed? Pls correct if wrong.

Pack shoes in carrier bags - then load dirty laundry in bags as you go throughout your holiday.

Copies of paspsorts.

Don’t put your home address in luggage tags. Instead, we put our destination address inside the case.

Tell your mobile phone provider you’ll need access from overseas.

Timer lights inside your home?

Arrange for neighbours to deal with bins?

Original poster
Justyou · 01/08/2018 11:53

Good tips about shoes, thanks. Someone is staying at home for us to look after pets so at least that’s one less worry

OP posts:
JellyBaby666 · 01/08/2018 11:56

I've taken deodarant on a plane in hand luggage, never been an issue. If you're putting your washbag in your checked luggage, the 100mls thing isn't an issue. If you are, pack them seperately, and then you can easily pop them into the clear bag at the airport!

You can't take drinks through, but you can buy them once in departures.

Loads of good advice on this thread!

Original poster
Justyou · 01/08/2018 12:13

What happens when u arrive there on the plane - how do u know which bus is yours to take you to hotel & what happens there? Do you have a meeting or straight to rooms?
We don’t arrive until about 9 at night

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 01/08/2018 12:16

The coaches are clearly sign posted and the drivers have a list of names so very unlikely you'll get on the wrong one!

Go straight to your rooms - don't think they do meeting now unless they want to sell you time share.

Icequeen01 · 01/08/2018 12:29

Currently at the airport waiting for our flight to Cyprus. I'm not sure what airport you are flying from or what airline you are using but for the first time in years we turned up to queues of about 300 people waiting to check-in/drop off their bags. We would have been there for hours! In the end we paid for priority luggage (£14 per person) and I'm now sipping a prosecco to calm my nerves!