Travel can be stressful, especially if you are planning a trip that will fall during this summer's peak holiday season. While a week at the beach in August may sound like heaven, it is also the worst month to fly, with busy airports and long lines often making you a more relaxed holiday than you would have hoped for. But there's nothing worse than arriving at the airport. You just find yourself forgetting to pack your swimsuits and books to keep your fun on the flight.
Packing your lights and sticking to your baggage is one way to remember your holiday essentials, and while there are many tips when it comes to making the most of your suitcase, there are a few items you might think you might not be able to save you from disaster. Generally, it is recommended to store essentials like medicines, such as baggage, so that they can be accessed immediately, but there are some items that travel experts have encouraged Britons to store them there as well.
It is always important to prepare to avoid major accidents, as delays, loss of luggage, or even unexpected illnesses can disrupt the holidays. Dawn Morwood, co-director of cheap deals, shares five important items that everyone should pack in their baggage, ensuring they are “comfortable, safe and stress-free during summer adventures.”
5 essential hand luggage items to pack
1. Portable charger
It's essential to fully charge your phone while traveling, especially as many of us use it to carry boarding passes. Dawn recommends buying one with a capacity of 10,000mAh to prevent your phone from running out of battery.
“Always pack a portable power bank that's always charged,” Dawn says. “Airport charging points are often occupied or broken. The last thing you want is a cell phone that died while navigating foreign airports or trying to contact a hotel.”
2. clothes
With thousands of passengers losing suitcases every summer, if you check your luggage, it's also a good idea to swap clothes for your baggage. “If your suitcase decides to detour to another continent, you'll appreciate the fresh clothes,” Dawn says.
3. Documents folder
Many of us maintain important documents such as boarding passes and hotel confirmations on your phone or tablet, but it's important to have a backup in case something is lost. Dawn recommends making copies of your passport, travel insurance, booking confirmation, and emergency contact number and keeping it in a folder.
4. Tracking Devices
Popping an Apple Airtag or similar device into your baggage means knowing exactly where it is always. Save you from “waiting helplessly in the baggage carousel” in case it doesn't show up. It costs £30, but it's a small amount to pay for “satisfaction” when traveling through busy airports.
5. Wellness Kit
While many of us put medicines on our medication baggage, Dawn also advises packing a complete kit with hand sanitizers, painkillers, tissues, lip balms, moisturizers, and even eye masks to make travel more comfortable.
“Long flights and airport delays can hurt your body and mood. A small comfortable kit can make unpleasant situations much easier, especially in the case of unexpected delays.”
Preparing means you are likely to enjoy a proper break without hiccups, and these items take up minimal space in your baggage.