Holiday packing checklist
The best checklist depends on where you are going, how long you will be away and what you plan to do. A city break needs different footwear from a beach holiday, while a walking trip may require specialist clothing and first-aid supplies. Check the weather forecast and the rules set by your airline or transport provider before you pack.
| Category | Useful items to check |
|---|---|
| Documents | Passport or ID, tickets, booking details, travel insurance and any required visas |
| Money and devices | Payment cards, local currency, phone, charging cables, adaptor and power bank |
| Health | Regular medication, prescriptions where required, basic first aid and travel-specific supplies |
| Clothing | Outfits suited to the weather, comfortable shoes, underwear, nightwear and a light extra layer |
| Beauty and hygiene | Sun protection, cleanser, moisturiser, deodorant, dental care, haircare and personal hygiene products |
Keep digital copies of important booking details, but do not rely on your phone alone. A printed address for your accommodation and your insurer's contact details can be useful if a device is lost or has no signal.
Travel toiletries and skincare
Holiday skincare does not need to be complicated. A gentle cleanser, moisturiser and suitable broad-spectrum sun protection cover the core routine for many people. Add treatment products only if your skin already tolerates them. Travel is rarely the best time to introduce several strong new formulas.
Simple holiday skincare routine
- Morning: cleanse if needed, moisturise and apply sun protection generously.
- During the day: reapply sun protection according to the product directions, especially after swimming, sweating or towelling.
- Evening: remove makeup and sun protection, cleanse gently and moisturise.
- Body care: include sun protection for exposed areas, plus a body moisturiser if heat, sea water or air conditioning leaves skin feeling dry.
Decant only products that remain stable and easy to identify. Label every travel container; do not mix formulas or transfer sunscreen into an unlabelled pot because you may lose important use and expiry information. Browse travel-size beauty products if you prefer original, labelled packaging.
Toiletries people often forget
- toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss;
- deodorant and personal hygiene products;
- razor or other usual grooming tools;
- hairbrush, comb, hair ties and clips;
- contact-lens supplies or spare glasses;
- lip balm and hand cream;
- after-sun or a familiar soothing moisturiser, if useful.
Holiday makeup and haircare
Choose products that work in more than one way. A tinted base with the finish you like, concealer, mascara, one cheek product and a lip colour may be enough for a compact makeup bag. Powder or setting spray can be added if you already use it successfully in warm or humid weather.
For hair, pack around your normal wash routine rather than every styling option. Shampoo, conditioner and one styling product usually take less space than a collection of single-use products. If you will swim, rinse hair with fresh water afterwards and use a conditioner suited to your hair type. Our Haircare Guide can help you match products to your hair's needs.
What to put in hand luggage
Airline security rules and baggage allowances vary, so always check the current rules for your departure airport and carrier. As a practical principle, keep essential medication, documents, valuables and anything needed for the first day with you rather than in checked luggage.
- documents, wallet, phone and chargers;
- medication and any supporting documents;
- a small dental and hygiene kit within current liquid rules;
- lip balm, hand cream and travel-size moisturiser if useful;
- a spare top and underwear for longer journeys;
- glasses, contact-lens supplies and other hard-to-replace personal items.
How to pack lighter
- Make outfits, not piles. Choose pieces that combine in several ways.
- Use a colour palette. Coordinating clothes and makeup reduces duplicates.
- Check what is provided. Your accommodation may supply towels, a hairdryer or basic toiletries.
- Take realistic quantities. Estimate how many washes or applications you will actually need.
- Leave some space. A tightly packed case is harder to organise and leaves no room for purchases.
