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Holiday checklist – Plan and prepare your holiday properly – The perfect holiday packing list

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A few days before their holiday, many people get excited. Finally, the well-deserved time off and the long-awaited change of scenery await. But it is not unusual for anticipation to turn into stress. Especially if you don’t start packing your suitcase in time, you risk forgetting important travel gadgets. It is, therefore, all the more important to think about what you want to take with you on holiday well in advance. This helps you avoid forgetting what is important. 

On top of that, a good strategy when packing your suitcase will prevent you from taking too much with you and possibly having to pay a surcharge for excess baggage. In our holiday checklist, we will show you how to plan and prepare for your holiday properly. 

What should you take with you on holiday?

We all make mistakes. Especially when things are a bit hectic, it is not surprising if you forget something. Of course, this can also happen when packing your suitcase. To prevent this from happening in the first place, you should prepare a checklist well in advance. Depending on the length of your holiday, this list can be quite long, so it is advisable to concentrate on the essentials. If you do miss something during your holiday, most things can be easily bought on-site. 

However, there are things you should never forget. These include important personal documents such as your passport and identity card. Depending on the destination country, you may also need a visa. To be able to check into your accommodation without any problems, you should also carry the booking documents for the hotel or guest-house with you. Furthermore, you should not forget your flight tickets or train tickets. 

Payment options are also very important. Therefore, be sure to have your EC and/or credit card with you. But it is also advisable to have some cash in the currency of your destination country. This way, you are prepared for the first taxi ride from the airport to the hotel. To ensure that you are also covered for your health, you should take the documents for your health insurance abroad as well as your insurance card with you. 

You should also think about your health by bringing a small first-aid kit. In particular, painkillers, antipyretics, plasters and remedies for gastrointestinal disorders are advisable. It is best to seek advice on this from your local pharmacy. If possible, you should not stow all these important documents in your suitcase. After all, it can always happen that your luggage gets lost, and you only receive it a few hours or days after arriving at your destination. So it’s better to stow them in your hand luggage.

What do you need for a 10-day holiday?

What you need for exactly ten days’ holiday depends not only on personal factors. The country you want to travel to and the local weather conditions also determine your packing list. One thing is certain: your important documents should always travel with you. How long you plan to stay on holiday is irrelevant. When it comes to clothing, you should also consider the local weather. If you expect a bright blue sky and a rain probability of almost 0%, then you don’t need to make room in your suitcase for a rain jacket.

If you even have the opportunity to wash your clothes on-site, you may be able to manage with hand luggage only. In this case, it is sufficient to pack enough clothes for two or three days. If this is not the case, simply pack ten days’ worth of clothes. If you want to be on the safe side, take clothes for eleven or twelve days.

After all, it is always possible that unforeseen circumstances will lead to a flight cancellation and the holiday will be unexpectedly longer. If, on the other hand, you expect arctic temperatures, you probably won’t be able to avoid a large suitcase. After all, experience shows that thick jumpers and anoraks take up a lot of space. You should also take care of a small first-aid kit. Fever reducers and plasters in particular are indispensable. If you are travelling to sunny areas, you should also remember to bring sunscreen.

How much clothing do you need for 10 days of holiday?

First and foremost, you should think about what clothes you need. Find out in advance what the weather outlook is for your holiday destination. Since experience shows that this can only be done somewhat reliably shortly before departure, it is best to draw up a checklist with three different weather options. 

Perhaps divide these into the categories of good, satisfactory and bad weather. Then, when packing is imminent, you can decide on one of the three categories. If rain or a sudden change in the weather does occur unexpectedly, this too is rarely a problem. If you are not travelling to a remote region, you can easily buy a suitable jacket or another missing item of clothing. 

What do people forget most?

When packing for a holiday, there are some classics that many holidaymakers tend to forget. But what do people forget when packing? An absolute classic is certainly sunscreen. Who hasn’t experienced this? Once you arrive at your holiday destination, the weather is suddenly warmer and better than expected. After the first short walk through the city, when you arrive at the hotel, you realise that your nose is already quite red. It is only at this moment that you realise you have forgotten the sunscreen. 

Travellers like to report a very similar experience with sunglasses. Fortunately, both items can be easily purchased. The same applies to other drug-store items such as shower gel, toothpaste and deodorant. Many people are advised not to put such items in their suitcases for a longer stay. Instead, when you arrive at your holiday destination, you can simply go to a supermarket to buy the missing items. 

Before departure: The holiday checklist for the start of the journey

The evening before departing for the sandy beach usually gives you butterflies. Often it is not just pure anticipation. For many, there is also uncertainty. They wonder whether they have everything in their suitcase and hand luggage. We have compiled a small checklist for you for the last few hours before departure.

  • Identity cards (note the expiry date!)
  • Passports (note the expiry date!)
  • EC and credit cards
  • Documents for international insurance
  • Visa

It is not only the contents of your suitcase and rucksack that you should pay attention to. You should also make sure you have the right vaccinations early on, if necessary. You should also organise transport to the airport in good time. You should also leave your home in a safe condition. This means turning off the water and heating and turning off the refrigerator. It is best to take the food that is still in the fridge with you on the way to the airport. To protect yourself from unpleasant odour surprises, you should also take out the rubbish. You should also close windows and doors after a final home check.

Packing list for your holiday

A packing list is essential so that you do not experience any unpleasant surprises on holiday. We advise you to make this travel checklist as clear as possible. This means that you list and categorise the individual items in bullet point form if possible. Popular categories into which a list can be divided are documents, clothing, travel utensils and first-aid kit. If you group your suitcases in this way, they can be packed more systematically, which is particularly useful for longer holidays with correspondingly more luggage. 

Checklist for a holiday with a child – what to pack in your suitcase

A checklist for a holiday with a child looks even more complicated. It is best to add a category with things for the child to your packing list. What you should take for your child depends above all on its age. For babies, you should also take food in the form of porridge and/or powdered milk, depending on the holiday destination. Here you should allow for a sufficient buffer so that your offspring can be supplied with the usual food without any problems even if the flight is cancelled. With small children, on the other hand, the situation is somewhat less complicated. You don’t have to worry about food here. However, you should take enough entertainment with you in the form of small card games, books or a tablet. This is a good way to bridge waiting times.  

Checklist for a holiday with a baby – what to bring in your suitcase

Taking a flight with a baby is naturally rather exciting. Especially, the first flight with the young addition to the family comes with many unknowns. For example, you don’t know whether your offspring will sleep peacefully or entertain the entire aircraft. To keep the excitement as low as possible, at least in the run-up, you should tackle a holiday with a baby checklist early on. Among other things, we advise you to pack enough porridge and, if necessary, powdered milk in case of an emergency. Also, find out whether the right food for your baby is available at your destination. If not, make sure you take enough with you. 

Holiday checklist – a few weeks before departure:

While you can now buy clothes, medicines and cosmetics anywhere in the world, if you forget them, you should never leave important documents at home. Pay particular attention to the validity of identity documents. Ideally, you should take a quick look at them a few weeks before departure. Then you can quickly apply for a new identity card. 

The following documents are important:

  • Identity card and passport
  • International insurance
  • Vaccination certificate (if required by entry regulations)
  • Visa (if required by entry regulations)
  • EC and credit card

Holiday checklist – a few days before departure:

If there are only a few days left between departure and the start of your trip, you should start thinking about what you want to pack in your suitcase. To avoid chaos when packing your suitcase, it is advisable to make a suitcase packing list. You should also take a look at your medicine cabinet. If essential medicines are missing, it is advisable to restock your first-aid kit. 

Important medicines for any holiday are:

  • Antipyretics
  • Painkillers
  • Gastrointestinal medicine
  • Plasters

Holiday checklist – Immediately before departure:

With only a few hours to go until the plane takes off, anticipation is already high. But nervousness is also on the rise. After all, you don’t want to forget anything. Shortly before departure, you should take another look at your checklist and check whether everything has been ticked off. It can also be worthwhile to check your travel documents once again. It is best to keep them in your hand luggage together with other important documents such as your passport and visa in a place that is easily accessible. 

In addition, you should check the flight guidelines once again. After all, you want to prevent long waiting times at the security checkpoint. Once all this has been done, you should make a final check of your flat. Turn off the water and heating. Empty the fridge and the rubbish. Last but not least, it may be worthwhile to take a look at the internet. Check once again whether the flight will take off on schedule.

  • Turn off the water and heating
  • Empty the fridge and rubbish
  • Check travel documents
  • Check flight regulations

Have you experienced a flight delay/cancellation?

According to the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, the amount of compensation is calculated according to the flight route (distance):

Short distance up to 1500 kmMedium distance up to 3500 kmLong distance from 3500 km
e.g. London – Edinburghe.g. London – Athense.g. London – Tokyo
250€400€600€

Our holiday checklist briefly summarised for you 

Since some people find it difficult to create an individual checklist, we have taken action for you. We have compiled various checklists for you below. In addition to a checklist for hand luggage, we have created a checklist for holidays with children, a checklist for holidays with babies, a holiday checklist for summer and a holiday checklist for winter.

#1. Holiday checklist: The perfect packing list for your holiday

Packing your suitcase in advance of a trip is probably the favourite activity of very few people. This makes it all the more sensible to create a luggage checklist for your holiday. Especially if you are travelling with children, many questions come up. What is important when travelling with children? What belongs in the hand luggage when travelling by plane? Answers to these and other questions about packing can be found in the following checklist, which the Flightright experts have compiled for you.

Holiday checklist: Hand luggageChecklist holiday with childChecklist Holiday with Baby
Travel insurance documents (insurance policy, GCIs)
Travel documents and ticketsIdentity cards for all fellow travellers
Identity cards for pets travelling with you
Visa
Mobile phone
Emergency numbers
Allergy and vaccination passport
House key
Glasses, reading glasses, sunglasses
Contact lenses and care products
Cash
Credit card, EC card, traveller’s chequesCamera and memory cards
Travel guide
Headphones
Book and magazines
Hand cream
Lip balm
Neck pillow
Medication (e.g. for travel sickness)
Handkerchiefs
Travel provisions
Thick socks
Jewellery (not insured in checked baggage)
Toothbrush and spare clothes
Pram with footmuff & rain cover
Cap, sun hat, Floaties, floaty tyres Travel cot Sling
Baby phone
Children’s clothing (also in hand luggage)
Children’s tableware/drinking bottle
Sleeping bag
Cuddly toy
Toys, painting materials, sand toys
Pacifier
Bottle warmer
Bottles
BibsClinical thermometer
Medicines for fever, cold, diarrhoeaToothbrush and toothpaste
Bath additive/shower gel and shampoo
Skin care cream
Sun creamWind and weather cream
Nursing wipes
Baby food
Potty/toilet seat
Nappies
Ointment/Toilet seat
Paracetamol suppositories
Clinical thermometer 
Antipyretic
Nose drops 
Medicines
Cough syrup for colds
Wound and healing ointment 
Bandages Insect repellent
Children’s sun cream 
Cooling gel
Baby oil
Nappies
Wet wipes
Flannel
Nail scissors
Toothbrush
Baby soap pyjamas, scarves 
Baby cot including blanket 
Wound cream 
Underwear 
T-shirts, jumpers
Warm shoe jacket, scarf
Swimwear
Flannel
Sunglasses
Sun hat 
Bibs and spoons
Sand and water toys
Diaper bag

#2. Holiday checklist: the perfect packing list for your holiday

One factor that has a particularly strong influence on a holiday packing list is the local weather. That is why we have created a holiday checklist for summer, a holiday checklist for winter and also a holiday checklist for autumn. These lists answer questions like “What clothes should I not forget in summer?” or “What extra clothes do I need in winter?”. You may also be asking yourself in general, “What could be useful when travelling?”. It is worth taking a look at our checklist.

UsefulHoliday checklist summerHoliday Checklist Winter
Sewing kit
Batteries, rechargeable batteries, chargers
Binoculars
Mosquito net
Clothesline and pegs
Umbrella
Shoe polish
Dictionary
Games
Kettle
Notebook and pens
Sports licences (diving, sailing, etc.)
Backpack, bag (for day trips)
Lighter
Scissors
Travel detergent
Towels
Handkerchiefs
Travel adapter
Bottle and can opener
Neck pouch/fanny pack
Small handbag
Swimming trunks/suit/bikini
Beach sheet
Frisbee disc
Water gun
Sandals
Air mattress
Bathing slippers
Kite
Beach mat
Parasol, windbreak
Beach bag
Cooler bag, cool packs
Air mattress, inflatable boat, water ball
Air pump/bellows
Bathing shoes
Diving goggles, snorkel and fins
Volleyball, football, ping pong, badminton, frisbee




Cap/headband
Snow chains
Gloves
Rescue blanket
Pocket warmer
Lip protection
JumperSki bag
Ski jacket, ski trousers/ski suit
Ski underwear
Ski socks
Beach bag
Hat, scarf, glovesThick jacket
Winter boots
Ski, ski boots, ski poles
Snowboard, snowboard boots
Ski/snowboard bag
Helmet
Headlamp
Thermos flask

#3. Holiday checklist: The perfect holiday packing list

When packing, make sure you sort the individual items well. Do not throw everything into the suitcase in an unstructured way. This creates chaos and prevents you from finding everything at once on holiday. For example, a toiletry bag for cosmetics and a small zip pouch for the first-aid kit are useful. But what do I pack in the toiletry bag and the first-aid kit?

ClothingToilet bagFirst-aid kit
Headgear
Scarf
Jacket, mackintosh
Shorts
Long trousers
Long trousers
Dresses and skirts
Shirts / Blouses
Jumpers and long tops
T-shirts, tops
Sportswear
Pyjamas
Underwear
Socks, tights
Shoes
Luggage insurance
Sports shoes
Slippers
Belt
Swimming trunks/bikini/swimming costume
Bathrobe
Bathing shoes




Shower gel and shampoo
SoapBody lotion
Face cream
Hand cream
Deodorant
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Mouthwash, dental flossLip care
Make-up accessories
Make-up remover
Cotton pads
Cotton buds
Perfume / Aftershave
Razor and shaving foam
Sun cream
After-sun creamComb / brush
Hair dryer, curling iron
Mirror
Nail scissors, nail file
Earplugs
Tampons/pads
Contraceptives
Contact lens accessories
Clinical thermometer
Plaster
Tweezers
Gauze bandages, elastic bandages
Medicines against allergies
Medicines against nausea
Medicines for diarrhoea and constipation
Medicines for colds
Travel health insurance
Painkillers
Ointment for burns and sunburn
Mosquito repellent
Mosquito bite ointment
Disposable gloves
Disinfectant
Birth control pill
Destination specific medicines





How can Flightright help you?

You are stuck at the airport because of a flight delay? Your flight has been canceled, or you have been removed from the passenger list? In each of the situations described, you have a right to compensation as an air passenger.

Tip: Flightright helps you enforce your air passenger rights! With us, you can check your claims free of charge in two minutes. ✔️Easy, ✔️fast & without ✔️risk

According to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation, overbooking, or missed connection. You can claim up to 600 euros of compensation per person (minus commission fee). This compensation is independent of the ticket price. Flightright enforces your right for you. If necessary also in court.

As experts on the subject of air passenger rights, we enforce your right to compensation against the airline! Flightright’s air passenger rights experts are also happy to help you with ticket reimbursements

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