No doubt you are eagerly looking forward to your holiday, but you may feel slightly nervous just before departure. Not surprisingly, because a certain amount of preparation is required, of course. What you take with you when travelling by plane is very personal. Some people prefer to bring as much as possible to anticipate unexpected circumstances, while others prefer to take as little as possible. To avoid forgetting important things, we have created a handy checklist for a holiday by plane. A packing list for a holiday by plane also depends on your destination, the length of your holiday and what you plan to do. We therefore recommend that you add to the holiday by plane checklist below yourself.
What should you bring when you go on holiday (by plane)?
Documents
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Passport (check the expiry date – many countries require at least a certain months' validity)
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Visa
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European driving licence
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International driving permit (for destinations outside the UK or EU, depending on local laws)
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Flight tickets
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Health insurance card / EHIC or GHIC card (for travel in the EU)
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Travel insurance policy/pass
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Vaccination certificate
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Flight/train/bus tickets
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Reservation confirmations (hotel, rental car, etc.)
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ICE contact details
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Important addresses
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Doctor's note (if carrying prescription medication)
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Copies of your most important documents (store separately or digitally)
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Bank cards and credit cards
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Local currency in cash
Hand luggage
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Documents (see above)
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Personal medication (with prescription)
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Alpine Flyfit earplugs (ideal for in-flight use)
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Sleep mask
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Neck/travel pillow
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Paper tissues
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Hygienic wipes
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Compression socks
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Extra cardigan or sweater
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Book/magazine
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Smartphone
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Refillable water bottle (fill up after security)
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Snacks
Personal care products
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Toothbrush
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Toothpaste
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Floss/toothpicks/soft picks/mouthwash
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Deodorant
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Contact lenses + lens solution
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Glasses
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Spare glasses/lenses
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Shampoo
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Conditioner
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Hairbrush
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Hair products
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Shaving equipment
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Soap/shower gel
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Body lotion
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Face cream
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Lip balm
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Sunscreen
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After sun cream
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Menstrual products
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Tweezers
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Makeup
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Cotton pads/buds
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Cleansing wipes
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Nail cutters + nail file
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Small mirror
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Hand towel(s)
Equipment
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Mobile phone
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Charger
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Powerbank
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Travel plug/international plug/ UK to destination travel adaptor.
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Headphones
Clothing and accessories
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Underwear
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Socks
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Sufficient clothing
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Sleepwear
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Shoes
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Slippers
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Extra cardigan
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Plastic bag for dirty clothes
Packing for activities
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Swimwear
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Bath towel
Travelling with children?
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Clothing and accessories for your child
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Personal care products for your child
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Toys
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Passport
Travelling with pets?
Check well in advance what rules apply to travelling with pets, both with the airline and in the destination country. Please note, for example, that the rules for intercontinental flights are usually different from those for European flights! By the way, you always pay a surcharge for transporting pets on the plane.
As for preparing your pet for the flight: in any case, make sure your animal is microchipped and has received the necessary vaccinations, and that you have the vaccination book and passport with you to prove it. Treat your pet preventively against fleas, worms and ticks. If your pet is not used to being confined, start training them well in advance - this will save your pet (and you!) a lot of stress during the flight. There are also many (natural) products available to help keep your pet calm.
You can then travel completely relaxed!
A few final tips:
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Travel insurance: check that your travel insurance provides adequate coverage for your destination, the length of your holiday and the activities you plan to undertake.
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Vaccinations: find out well in advance what vaccinations are required at your destination and get vaccinated in good time. Do not leave this until the last minute - sometimes you may feel unwell for a few days after a vaccination. Tip: check the NHS Fit for Travel website.
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Documents: keep copies of your documents in a safe place; together but separate from the originals.
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Money & payments: you may need to configure settings through your bank app to be able to use debit cards abroad. Cash in local currency is necessary if, for some reason, you cannot pay by PIN or withdraw cash.
Have a good trip!
This article provides information only and does not replace the advice of travel organisations and government bodies. No rights may be derived from this packing list. Make sure you have checked with local authorities what you may bring or need to arrange before your departure.
