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 use the shampoo, conditioner and soap provided wherever I'm staying - for me and washing any clothes that need it. Am I the only one?

Micro fibre towel

I pack a colour scheme so I know everything will go with everything!
Eg all neutrals and pink.
Also I make sure my sandals/flip-flops go with multiple outfits - there's no point taking a pair that you love but only wear once.

I hate these. They never work for my hair or skin. DH is using them all the time though. I may be ok for an overnight stay but not for a long holiday.

I worked with a company who does these toiletries. There are huge differences in quality, especially the ones they now only offer in dispenser. I may use the ones which are branded, we were once given samples of their 5-6* range and they were amazing though. They are the same brand/products the hotel spas use for the treatments so that the whole concept is different to the little bar of soap you get in the Premier Inn.

If we are going short haul for a few days we wouldn’t be checking in 80kg of luggage for 4 of us, especially not on a budget airline where it can cost £60 each way to check a bag in.

I wouldn’t be buying products at a resort either - so expensive and depending on where you are you might not get the choice of brands you want.

That said I would never decant products into smaller jars - that feels inefficient to me.

To the OP, I always take my own tea bags and I also have a comfy rucksack with side pockets as a PP mentioned. I travel a lot.

For short haul with hand luggage I always decant…I like specific moisturiser, cleansing balm & conditioner and can’t always rely on getting what I want when I’m away. I take full size for longer trips. I’m not fussy about shower gel so will buy at resort or use what’s been provided.

I always take insect repellent - sure you can buy at the resort but I’ve forgotten on the first day too many times and ended up bitten.

If we are flying & self catering I have a ziploc bag with little tubs of herbs and spices. I also take an apron & a sharp knife and some of those clips to keep things fresh.

Apart from that the usual eyemask, earplugs, folding hat, big scarf, microfibre towel, universal adapter.

If I am travelling alone for work I take a door wedge.

A pack of cards & a power bank in case of delays.

And yes to spreading the packing in case a bag goes missing!

How big are your pants???

I certainly leave guide books behind at the end (still like a paper one!). And in pre kindle days would leave novels behind too.

Actually, kindles are possibly the biggest game changer!

Dont think I have much in the way of clothes I'd be happy to wear on holiday but also happy to throw out. Not that I wear fancy clothes on holiday, but I do want to wear them again!

I used to buy special small containers of contact lense fluid for travelling. Which was a ridiculous waste of money as they were overpriced and I always have tonnes of spare fluid anyway as it comes with my lenses. These days for short trips I prefill a few contact lense cases with fluid. Plus take a couple of spare contact lense pairs.

As little as possible, honestly, everyone overpacks! I take travel washing liquid and rinse out clothes if necessary. I’m away now with 7kg of luggage for a month.

do take medication including just in case things like Imodium, antihistamines, bug cream etc. carrier bags are great to organise your case, don’t need anything fancier

Yes tea bags are crucial. We do tend to take our own home made granola and/or muesli for breakfast too. I'm afraid we're a bit fussy like that. All other food and drink we just buy there!

If you aren't decanting products into smaller jars, are you buying travel size? That feels more inefficient! My preferred products don't come in travel size. And the ones that do work out very expensive that way!

It's a bit fiddly but if you have the right kind of containers it's not too bad.

A lot of people just travel with hand luggage so there’s the 100ml thing

Yes! Particularly good for baggage reclaim when your bag hasn't yet turned up on the carousel. I've named mine Gary, and knowing that Gary is just outside and waiting his turn to appear on the carousel is always reassuring!

Some brown paper and a small roll of sellotape. Still have nightmares about a hotel with a big window between the bathroom and bedroom 😵‍💫

Vacuum roll bag: I don't agree with the Which test, I've used a vacuum roll bag for clothes for years and it vastly reduces the amount of space clothes take up. Yes, it creates a large rectangular brick but I pack round it. Roll clothes up so they crease less.

A capsule wardrobe: it sounds wanky but a small amount of clothes that all go together cuts down on the packing space.

Teva sandals. My god they're comfortable and I've walked up a mountain in mine!

As many things as non-liquids as possible: baby wipes rather than cleanser, laundry powder/leaves rather than liquid (I pack light and hand wash if I need to), stick deodorant etc. Also, I've often done what PPs have suggested which is to order from Boots at the airport - make sure it's AFTER security and if you're transiting get them to put your stuff in a sealed security bag. Some UK airports have ditched the 100ml rule now but some haven't, never mind ones abroad. If you want to bring remaining liquid stuff back with you, take some empty travel bottles.

Noise cancelling headphones and eye mask. Not just useful for the flight but noisy hotel rooms too or ones that have too much light. Background noise downloaded on to a phone/iPad is also useful!

Microfibre travel towel.

Multiway charger. Check the adapter you need and take a spare. Power banks are also helpful.

Vicks First Defence spray. Yes, it's like sluicing your sinuses with battery acid but it's good for fending off all the bugs you'll have breathed in on a long flight.

A door wedge or one of those safety door locks that prevent your door being unlocked from the outside if you're staying on your own.

AirTags - invaluable if your bag goes missing and if you're travelling on public transport you can make sure no-one 'accidentally' walks off with your luggage.

A packing list, cut down to the minimum. Double up on stuff where you can (shampoo also doubles as shower gel etc) and don't take anything you don't actually need, while making sure you've got the stuff you do.

Pack a days worth of clothes in hand luggage, so if your hold luggage doesn't show you still have a swim suit and change of clothes available. You may get compensation from insurance, but would have to spend time going shopping to try and find something, or stuck with inflated hotel shop prices.

Battery pack (although I think airlines are stopping their use on board flights right now due to fire risk from cheap ones). Still really handy when in your destination or to keep charged in airport before your flight.

Look at what the locals use for bugs, if thats an issue. This can be an item best bought locally if mozzies etc are a problem at your destination.

Multiplug already been mentioned lots, so only one/less adapters needed.

Check before flying if the airports you are using need liquids and electronics removed from your hand luggage, it varies now, some do and some you can just leave in your bags so that saves time and packing energy! But may be different on the way back, so check both ways.

Pack a scarf/wrap/something similar for the flight as sometimes find it can get quite cold on board planes so nice to use as a blanket when needed

Really enjoying this thread OP and so useful as we’re off to Berlin later this year … first time flying for a few years and first time DD has ever had to be consider hand luggage only. Her face when we told her 😂 (she’s 17) “WHAAAAT? But where will I put my shopping that I’ll buy?!!!”. She’s come down from the ceiling now but any hacks are gratefully received!

potatoe can I ask how you get on with these? I’ve read a few reviews on boots saying they don’t always get through a security? Thanks

No it doesnt sound wanky 😂

Yep.Me or my adult dcs all do that.
But we’re talking about travelling alone. And the dcs often travel as light as possible (to avoid checking baggage!).

Yes it exfoliates and is better than just slathering on lots of slimy gel..

@Overwhelmedandtired , I never take more than 1 week worth of clothes. If I am away for longer, I take some of those washing sheets - theres always a way to do a full wash somewhere

Yes we were told by security staff to ditch the dark coloured silicone bottles especially, they always get flagged when DD flies.

Just to ask anyone......I used to travel a lot but havent now been abroad for ages. What's the situation with having things like painkillers etc in your handbag. I know it's probably a dumb question but with all the smuggling that goes on these days I've started to wonder if in some countries they could get funny about any kind of medication in your bag.

I'm a permanent decanter of products. For the gym, short work trips, holidays and all trips away. Why wouldn't I want to lighten the load?

For sunshine holidays I take a handbag sized cool bag for the poolside, to save buying expensive drinks at the pool bar, and to keep suncream cool too.

One good tote with zips and pockets does multiple duty as flight bag/ beach bag/strolling and shopping bag.

Hawaiian Tropic aftersun in the tub from B&M. Heavenly.

Keep prescription meds in the packet with your name on, I've never had a problem.