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!

I’ve never had any issue with this. They just go through the scanner in the tray (empty and refilled the other side).

Ciub are great. I’ve had them a few years & use them lots

https://share.google/vDxRVUdnwmNuWNdbx

Yes, I also do that. Maybe it depends on how many clothes you like to take, and whether you’re going to a remote resort? On our last one week holiday, my suitcase was still 24 kg even with small decanted toiletries.

I use mini fillable lipgloss tubes from Amazon. I buy the squeezable ones with screw caps that come in sets of 20 or 30. They’re 10 ml, but are perfect for a night/long weekend or even a week for some products that you only need a small amount of.

that's a great idea @Fluffypuppy1 & I've got some of those tubes in my basket

No problem if it's empty, then fill airside.

Someone mentioned silicone refillable travel bottles upthread. I bought some from Tiger. I get pulled over for hand luggage inspection every time at my local airport. They are much better designed but a pain in the bum at security. I’ve gone through without problems at other airports so I guess it depends on the scanning equipment.

Going out of (?all, not sure) UK airports now you can take larger bottles in your hand baggage. Coming back it might not be the same, of course).

😊 I love them. They’re the only things I have found that never leak. I do always use the push in part too though, especially when travelling. I have now donated all of my previously bought travel bottles, and just have them and a permanent marker to write on the tubes what’s in them.

A few food bag clips. Great even if in a hotel room for crisps etc

not so much easier but for peace of mind and in case it doesn't arrive at your destination, an air tag (or equivalent) in your hold bag.

@Fluffypuppy1 and @RobinEllacotStrike

Those tubes sound brilliant but I saw on A***.that there are several types. Which do you recommend? TIA

Not all terminals at the same UK airport necessarily have the scanners which mean you don't have to unpack everything! Much easier when they do though.

A pair of flip flops for hotel floors. Also for pool, beach, and if a bit embellished out and about too. Weigh nothing and take up virtually no luggage space. I put mine in handluggage so can wear them straight away on arrival.😃(Don't wear them on the plane though - they are considered unsafe there).

You can use a translation app on your phone to translate things like this using the phone camera.

A travel makeup mirror - the magnifying sort with a light. Fantastic when your room has shit lighting (as it usually does).

With the silicone bottles it’s not the size that causes tge problem. It’s to do with their density. They get flagged as problematic. 🤷‍♀️

I bought paracetamol in Vietnam and they were a combination of paracetamol and piriton. I wondered why I felt so sleepy. Since then I have always used the translation app on my phone camera. Also in Vietnam, when I asked for paracetamol for a headache, I was offered dihydrocodeine and/or tramadol - both OTC medications there.

@Apprenante

These are the ones I usually buy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/40Pcs-10ml-Refillable-Container%EF%BC%8CSoft-Box%EF%BC%8CShampoo-Samples/dp/B084Q5H18W

I put one in my car too, after having once lost it in a Dubai mall car park, and being idiotically unable to find it in the pouring rain in a uk car airport car park at 4 am. Obviously I’ve never actually needed the air tag since 🙄

Someone told me recently about putting aside your pants, socks and other clothes that are on the verge of wearing out, then taking them on holiday, wearing them one last time and binning them before you come home, to save luggage space for souvenirs (and everything else that mysteriously takes far more space in the case coming home than it did going out).

I've lived for 40+ years, brought up two children and never thought of this, I think it's going to be a game-changer.

Mitchum deodorant can get flagged up going through the hand luggage x-ray machines - as explained to me by one of the security staff as he rummaged through my bag.

This is exactly what I came here to say!

Wouldn't you want your nicest pants and socks for holiday?

Not usually, they're only going to get sweaty!