Useful travel items that make short and long haul holidays easier

[Missohnoyoubetterdont]

Does anyone have any tips for really useful things to take away with them when travelling. It’s just a short haul trip bit long haul too? Things that have made life easier. I have just discovered packing cubes…but late to the game but have really organised my suitcase!

A 4 way extension lead meaning you only need 1 adapter to plug in multiple things

A universal adapter like this

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BNB7F2FJ?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Silicon small travel bottles for shampoo etc , cheaper than keep buying mini products.
And tiny tupperware pots for face creams.

I always take a ziploc bag with a few doses of all medications I can think of !
paracetamol, anti sickness, constipation tablets, Diarrhea tablets, rehydration sachets, antihistamine tablets, antiseptic wipes.
Ive been in too many precarious situations without medication so I’d rather not risk it now.

I also take a small microfibre towel rolled up - comes in handy for excursions rather than lugging a big thick beach towel around.

An insulated water flask so I don’t end up stuck with warm, plastic bottle water.

A universal adaptor and a small extension lead so I can charge or use multiple electrical items at once.

Depending on the type of trip, maybe a fire stick or similar for the tv. We had one all- inclusive where the evening entertainment was dreadful and you couldn’t really hide from it so we’d retire to the room with a drink to watch an episode of a good series before bed.

A wide brim straw hat that can be rolled up into suitcase.

Finally, I always travel with a rucksack with side pockets for a water bottle and sun cream - much more practical than a tote bag imo

Oh and I always take a few mint tea bags and cappuccino type sachets as I don’t like black coffee.

Do people still do this? I just chuck full sized in use products in my case or buy on resort.

Between us as a family od 4 we can check in 80kg of luggage. That's a huge amount so it can't be cause of saving weight/space?

• "Medicine bag" with common ailment meds (rehydration sachets, diarrhoea tablets, travel sickness tabs, pain killers, bite cream ect) - saves dicking about with finding a pharmacy on holiday unless essential.

• Swimwear/flip flops/mini suncream/microfiber towel in your hand luggage if your arriving before check in time.

• Pop up/foldable laundry basket

• Backpack for excursions

• Handful of pegs

• Packing cube with a change of clothes in your hand luggage (in case your main stuff goes awol! Once bitten twice shy!)

• Extension lead

I definitely don’t. Between myself and two DDs (DH sorts his own toiletries) I would need two full size bottles of shampoo/conditioner/body wash at a minimum and often need to stock up on another bottle while we’re away.

One thing I do bring minis of - DH most years wife Christmas will buy me some clarins and I save the little bottles that come it like the micellear water and moisturisers. There’s usually enough to last the two weeks as they throw piles in with the main gift

https://amzn.eu/d/0aI1LQSq

I boughtthese drinks carriers a few years ago and it’s fantastic. No more struggling back from the bar of everyone fancies a drink. I get asked every single holiday where I got it.

I also use a travel plug that can adapt to all phases and has 6 usb slots so only need to pack rye one plug for multiple devices

I use those small plastic bottles for shampoo, conditioner, cleanser etc and just chuck them out at the end of the holiday. I like to pack lots of clothes so don’t need the extra weight of the full size bottles. Or the cost of buying in resort then wasting most of the products.

Why would you not buy in resort and just take home what's left?

If we go somewhere warm we shower twice a day, we need at least a full bottle of shampoo/shower gel per person.

The same with suncream, we take between 4-5 full bottles.

The best things we bought were these large clips to secure a beachtowel at the sun lounger.

A small medical kit is standard to bring. Couple of small tupper ware containers for snacks. We had an ant infestation one year in a s/c villa - they were everywhere in the food packages.

• Definitely packing cubes, and compression ones keep things organised and fits more clothes
• easily accessible toothbrush and face wipes for the plane - if you have a late/ early flight these make you feel refreshed
• these foldable backpacks for travel - always come in handy when you need a few things for a day trip/ plane etc. without packing extra bags that take up more space
• For long haul (even short to be honest) a 3D eye mask and wax ear plugs - actually comfortable and maybe you can sleep
• a little plastic bag of just in case medicines
• foldable, reusable water bottle
• universal travel adapter - buy a good one with usb slots and plug and you’ll never have to buy another (not the ones with multiple attachments you have to keep track of) https://www.tribefeel.com/products/best-usb-c-travel-adapter-uk

38ml of shampoo lasts me around 2 weeks, I think I stretched it to 17 days once, so I wouldn't bother taking whole bottles with me. I actually wish I could find even smaller bottles for my shorter breaks!

Because plenty of people fly hand luggage/overhead luggage only and can't take bottles bigger than 100ml. If you buy in resort it just means you waste whatevers left.

Try shampoo bars - you can cut a small sliver off.

Great thread OP!
I take soap when travelling abroad - smaller and easier to pack than a bottle of shower gel.

Besides all the toiletries/meds mentioned take books (prefer to kindle), a large scarf (planes are cold), backpack as hand luggage (doubles up for sightseeing and as a beach bag). Reusable shopping bags - so useful when you get there and for extras coming home. Adapters and charging leads/plug. Mozzie repellant and loads of suncream. A foldable hat. I take a swimsuit and spare undies and dress in hand luggage in case my luggage goes missing.

A laundry bag. We have a large drawstring one made of some synthetic material. It fits 2 weeks of washing for 3 people, and we just put it in the biggest case on the way back and empty straight into the washing machine when home.

I also have one of those plug in mini power banks for my phone that fits snugly onto the bottom of the phone and lets you walk around with it. Mine is iWalk but there are several brands.

Champagne stopper and tiny pump for the lilo ☺️

Shampoo/conditioner/body wash bars in reusable tins/case. Small to pack and no risk of spills.
I’ve also got a nice after sun balm for my face.

I will buy toiletries out there if needed but never have room in my case for bottles or shampoo etc

I save miniatures from my monthly beauty box too. Washbag with a hook as there’s never any where to put toiletries in the shower.

Dock and Bay towel in a bag dries so quickly. I take two, one for the room and another for the pool.

Compression packing cubes. I got mine from TikTok shop.

Towel clips for the sun bed or hanging costumes up to dry.

We also split our luggage so no-one is left with no clothes if one case goes missing.

Instead of towel clips I bought towel bands and they are much nicer to use and take up less space.

It certainly is because of weight, not all flights are the same.
Also, there's no guarantee that any suitable products will be available either in an hotel or a nearby shop - even if there is a nearby shop !

We take soap into of liquid shower gel and also shampoo bars, we also take 1 bottle of sun cream between us to share and also after sun.
An extension lead with 4 sockets as majority of hotels only have 1 socket. Also a torch incase there’s no street lights. I always wear a hoodie on the plane and put it on back to front and cover my face so I can sleep 🤣 the one time I didn’t take one I had a dreadful flight as I didn’t sleep!!

I wouldn't be without my cross body wallet/shoulder bag.

Takes passport, phone, keys, credit cards, GHIC, Navigo card etc and means I can't accidentally leave these things anywhere.