Packing tips for your holiday
Whether you’re going on your first big holiday for a few years or you’re a frequent traveller, packing your case can be a stressful task. It’s worth spending some time thinking about what to pack.
Even if you’ve been abroad recently, luggage blunders are common. Who hasn’t come back from a holiday and found half of what you packed was never worn? Or arrived at your hotel and realised you’ve got to buy a jumper as it’s way too chilly for just a t-shirt in the evening?
To take the stress out of what does and doesn’t go in your suitcase, these are our top holiday packing tips:
- Check the weather
Before you start throwing all the shorts and sundresses into your case, check what the weather’s like where you’re going. Does the temperature plummet in the evening? And is there a chance of rain or strong winds?
- Be creative
One tip to streamline your packing is to write a list, then take at least a third off. To do this, think about which are your favourite clothes and how you could get lots of wear out of them. Smarten up some beach shorts with a long-sleeved shirt for the evening or add some heels and accessories to take a sundress from day to night.
- Wash and go
You can guarantee that everything from ice cream to sun cream will end up on your clothes, especially if you’re going on holiday with the kids. Packing some travel laundry detergent and a washing line will make it easier to hand wash clothes and get a second or third wear out of them.
- Get some packing cubes
Packing cubes are smaller fabric containers, which are great for organising your clothes without taking up extra space in your suitcase. If you’re packing for a family holiday, simply have a cube for each person’s clothes and you’ll avoid having to root through everything to find that perfect t-shirt or favourite bikini.
- Travel light
Many of the items you’ll want to take on holiday can be swapped for lightweight ones. For example, gym shorts and leggings are a great alternative to cotton shorts, especially as they’re easy to wash and dry, while a microfibre towel is just as effective as a normal towel and much less bulky. Save space in your washbag too by decanting toiletries into smaller pots or taking a multiuse product such as a shampoo and shower bar.
- Share suitcases
If you’re travelling with other people, split belongings across all of your cases. This way if one of them gets lost or delayed you’ll all still have something to wear.
- Be prepared
Although things are less unpredictable these days, the last couple of years have taught us to expect the unexpected. If you’re on medication, make sure you take extra in case your return is delayed.
- Take out travel insurance
Travel insurance is another essential for your packing. It’s important to check you have the right cover before you go. As an example, Co-op Travel Insurance offers cashless medical expenses so there’s no need to pay medical expenses and wait to claim them back.*
Packing smart for your holiday makes travelling easier and your time away more relaxing. A Co-op Travel Insurance policy can help too. Visit our website to find out more about our cover and to get a quote.
*Available in selected destinations. Important limitations, restrictions & excesses apply.
Travel Insurance is arranged by IES Limited and administered by Insure & Go Insurance Services Limited
