Print this page

Stress-free travel: Packing checklist

• Passport (and visa if needed)

• Tickets and booking references for any hotels, hire cars or airport parking you have booked. If you’re planning to hire a car, remember your international driving licence

• EHIC card – European Health Insurance Card - find out more here. Pack it if you are travelling within Europe

• Travel insurance – make sure it’s valid and sufficient for the activities you’ll be doing. Take your policy number and the company’s emergency number. Compare prices on insurance policies 

• Bank cards and foreign currency – checking the exchange rate is always a good idea. Tell your bank or building society you’re going abroad so they don’t think your card’s been stolen

• Basic first aid kit – plasters, antiseptic cream, pain-killers, travel sickness and hay fever remedies etc

• Prescription medicine and any accompanying doctor’s notes or documentation

• Phone and charger

• Camera and its kit – film and batteries or memory cards and charger

• Adapter plugs – so easy to forget…

• Sunscreen and insect repellent – remember, any liquids you take on a plane need to carried in a clear plastic bag – bring your own to avoid the indignity of paying a quid for an empty bag

• Contact lenses, cleaning fluid and spare glasses

• Luggage tags with your name and number (but not your full address)

Next: How to travel in style >>