Asking for your Holiday/ Traveller Tips.

[whocanbebothered]

I am in my 30s and in two weeks I am off on my first "real" holiday abroad. Going for a week in the sun with my DP (Turkey, incase it's relevant to anyone's advice). I haven't ever been abroad without my parents so I am SO excited!

I know the basics; clothes, suncream (but how much do I take?!), paracetamol!

I'd appreciate your pearls of wisdom for what you pack for holidays, what things are invaluable, what entertains you on the plane (we have 5 hrs in the sky), any little things that aren't really "necessary" but makes life easier whilst there etc. Any massive do's and don't when you are travelling? Go on, give me your combined knowledge please MN

When you get through security buy a meal deal from boots. There's much more choice you're sure get something you like there's a drink with it so you've got something for the plane.
If you take an empty bottle through security you can fill it free airside in most airports

We are a household of people with tech - Fitbits, tablets, phones etc and we bring it all with us (not people who go for unplugged holidays!). I bought a USB travel adaptor - doesn’t matter how many sockets there are in the room, you only need to bring USB cables and not multiple adapters.

Like this: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QMVB2WK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ce9DDbH8R2HTS?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Turkey is generally cheap but Dalaman Airport (not sure about the other Turkish airports) is very very expensive so try to avoid having to eat or drink there on the way home. Glass of wine, £2 in resort £7 in airport
Most medication can be bought OTC at pharmacists there so if you forget anything or run out you can usually get what you need.
Don't book trips out through your travel agent. Most trips are excellent and not expensive if booked direct EG £10 for a day on a boat inc lunch. £30 for a scuba diving experience - full day on boat, lunch and 2 supervised 20 mins dive (not very deep)
If you are on facebook there are lots of groups for different areas of Turkey where you can get great advice.
Turkey is my favourite place in the world and I try to go every year.
Lots of hair salons and nail bars that are much cheaper than at home.
If it's the olu deniz, hisaronu, ovacik area you are going to I can give you more specific advice

Check, double check, and google your luggage rules for your airline and ticket type, to avoid unpleasant surprises at the airport with check in costs

Depending where you’re flying from, check whether you can pay for fast track security/passport control. At Manchester it’s either £5 or £7 (can’t recall) and saves fine and stress

Take a photo of your passport, if it gets lost or stolen it is easier if you have all the info. I email a copy of my travel insurance to my brother. Put the emergancy contact details for your travel insurance into your phone and take a photo of the policy number and basic info.

Oh and if you're going to the airport in your car and leaving it, put a jumper or jacket in it to put on when you pick the car up. Trust me, you will be cold.
We usually go away in autumn and spring abroad and i always put a pair of leggings and a small fleece in my hand luggage then change into them just before the planes seatbelt sign comes on.
I get off the plane ready for the cold and laugh at those who are gibbering in shorts and t.shirts.
Common sense should tell you that the UK temps are nothing like the temp in your holiday resort.

Read the Foreign Office's online guidance for the country you are going to.

When you get back, sort out your luggage into 3 piles.

1. Things you used.
2. Things you would have used if circumstances, e.g the weather, had been different.
3. Everything else

Next time, leave pile 3 at home.

We got fed up with going on fully organised packages with loads of luggage, so our last 2 hols, both one week each in Spain, we booked cheap flights to Malaga with hand luggage only, used public transport, which is good in Spain, and booked an apartment. Having a low luggage allowance really makes you cut back on what to take, and we have had 2 of the best hols we have had for years. Organised trips abroad are good fun, and you do get to mix with other holidaymakers, but using local buses is usually very cheap and a bit of fun, and often gets you away from the obvious tourist spots.

Make sure you go online and get your visa for Turkey. Double check that you are buying it from the official government website.

Take a photo of your passport on your phone so if you lose it you have all the details to get a replacement quickly
Travel insurance

And as a treat, think about booking an airport lounge.
You can eat and drink as much as you like in there until you are ready to board.
Very relaxing.
We were delayed for an hour when we last travelled to Turkey and being in the lounge made it more bearable.

Once you’ve packed. Take half of it out you won’t need it.

Enjoy yourself.

Get a Monzo or starling card.

• I take wireless noise cancelling headphones for the flight - love them;
• I recently got some wireless earbuds for sunbathing by the pool - love them too;
• I have films on my iPad for long flights;
• Wrap toiletries in clingfilm to prevent leakages;
• I always take a corkscrew, just in case and a basic first aid kit;
• Don’t forget adaptors;
• Luggage scales, I take them with me too, for the return journey;
• Try to make particularly bland suitcases stand out using multi coloured tags, ribbons and coloured adhesive tape;
• Once suitcases are packed, locked and tagged, I take a couple of photographs of each from different angles just in case they go missing. When our luggage went missing the airport staff wanted descriptions as well as the bag receipts. It’s much easier to show the photos than describe.

If you forget anything don’t worry, Turkey has everything you could need.

Have a fabulous time (and don’t forget sunglasses) 😎

What to take

Passport
Travel insurance
Info about where you are staying
Plane tickets printed off or on mobile phone app
Money
You can buy the visa to enter Turkey at the Turkish airport, it's about £20 each (don't buy on line before you travel, lots of scams)

Turkey is NOT in the EU, so if you use your mobile phone for calls or texts, it will cost more. Secondly, if you use the internet, you will need to connect to WiFi, to stop running up huge bills !

To stop getting sunburn, wear hat & loose clothes, lots of suncream, drink bottled water

Don't pack your full weight of luggage when you go. Pack less, so that you can shop for some bargains & bring them back

Hope you have a lovely time, been a few years since I was last in Turkey but I love it there.
I hate flying, so always looking at ways to be more comfortable when traveling.

I always bring a water bottle to carry on, keep it empty through security and then refill once you are on the other side. Lots of airports have water fountains now so it’s getting easier and easier (and cheaper) to fill your water up.
Bring some nice comfy socks and Once in your seat take off your shoes and put them on.
Moisturizer or face spritz to battle the dry airplane air.
Neck support and eye mask if you plan on a little nap
Comfy layered clothes
Bring a spare top in your bag in case you have an accident
Don’t try and fit too much in, enjoy yourself and take your time, you can always come back on another holiday to see all the things you didn’t have time for this time.

Thanks all, loads of brilliant advice in there. I hadn't thought about travel plugs and photocopying passports so that's handy info to have!

Are you checking luggage in or taking hand luggage only?

If you’re only taking hand luggage then buy toothpaste, shower gel and shampoo after security in the airport. Otherwise, pack it into your checked in luggage.

I have a travel wallet that I keep passports, travel insurance details, hotel address and any other bits in.

Have a little first aid kit of insect bite cream, plasters, pain killers

If you have Netflix then you can download a film onto your phone or tablet to watch on your flight. Take a book too.

Have a fab time!

Canesten cream and bonjella. Can't tell you the amount of times I've been away and needed either or both. I always automatically have these now just incase

Did you apply for a visa?

Also, your own brand sanpro if you don't like switching brands.

Lightweight long sleeve top rolled up in hand luggage plus light weight soft scarf and socks for flight home.
Wear flip flops to airport, change into trainers before checking in suitcase.

We had a night flight home from Greece last week and it was chilly onboard.
Lot's of people got on the plane in their shorts, vest tops and flip flops.
There were goosebumps!

Seeing as you're going to turkey, don't forget to carry your passport and paper visa with you at all times, no exceptions. Police checks are frequent and widespread, so don't get caught out and run the risk of a hefty fine

@AubergineMini Why is that? I think I would be too worried about losing my passport to take it out with me all the time! I am a "loser" of things!

We have done our Visas for Turkey I got the website via the Gov.uk website so all seems kosher.

I have herd rumours that you need to have an English £10 note to pass over at the Turkish customs. Is that true or urban myth?

Because it's the law! Admittedly, it's a little worrisome at first, carrying such a valuable document, but you get used to it and if you treat it with the same care as you would with your credit cards or mobile etc. you'll be fine.

Imodium and Anusol HC. Take it from one who knows...

@whocanbebothered yes, last time I went to Turkey (admittedly about 8 years ago), you had to hand over a tenner in your passport.