HOLIDAY PACKING LIST – PACK SMART FOR THE TRIP

Are you the one who’s completely done with your packing several days before departure, or the one who quickly throws together what lays around the night before? Either way, you’ll for sure get something with you on your trip. But is it the holiday essentials? With a bit of planning your packing will be spot on, which will give you more time to research nice restaurants, museums and activities for the destination. And it will also help you bringing the essential travel items that you need for your trip. To help you a bit on the way, we’ve compiled a holiday packing list – for all types of vacations. Let’s have a look!  

HAND LUGGAGE ESSENTIALS – 12 TIPS  

What to pack in the hand luggage? Here we’ve listed 12 tips for packing hand luggage. First of all, think about how much you need to bring with you on the holiday. It’s not necessarily the length of your stay that determines how much you need to bring. For a short city weekend you might need more changes than for a long, sun vacation. Regardless of whether you can fit all the packing in the hand luggage or not, it’s important to include the most crucial things in your hand luggage. If your checked in luggage gets delayed at the destination, you don’t need to buy new necessities the first thing you do.  

HAND LUGGAGE CHECKLIST  

• Passport (or national ID card) even if you travel within Schengen 
• Tickets (printed or electronic). 
• Visa (if required). 
• Wallet with valid VISA or MasterCard card, EU insurance card (for travel within the EU) and insurance certificate. 
• Phone charger. 
• Address of the first stop on the trip. 
• Necessary medicines and hygiene items. 
• Headphones .
• Adapter (if needed) 

  
If you still have room in your hand luggage, it’s smart to pack:  

• A book. 
• A change of clothes (if your checked in luggage would get lost)
• A scarf (nice to have as a blanket, pillow or blindfold on your journey)

PACKING CHECKLIST FOR CABIN BAG 

If you’re planning to go with just a hand luggage, you can pack smartly in a cabin bag. Check with the airline before if you’re allowed to bring one small hand luggage and one cabin bag. If you’re traveling by boat, train or bus, it’s most likely ok. Here you’ll find some tips on how to think so you manage to bring all your travel necessities in your cabin bag: 
 

• Check the weather at the destination before you pack so you bring the right types of clothes. 
• Only pack for clothes that you usually wear at home. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you’ll change your style – most often at least! 
• Plan your outfits: Bring trousers that fit to many different tops, a warm sweater that can be paired with both trousers, skirt and a dress etc. 
• Always bring one pair of extra shoes. Long days by foot can make even your most comfortable shoes hurt. 
• Socks and underwear doesn’t take up any space – bring some extra pairs. 

WHAT ARE YOU ALLOWED TO BRING IN THE HAND LUGGAGE?  

You are probably aware of the fact that you can’t bring anything in your hand luggage when flying. What you can’t bring in your hand luggage you simply must pack in your checked in luggage.  
  
This is what you’re actually allowed to bring in your hand luggage:   

• Tweezers 
• Razors 
• Nail scissors 
• Umbrellas 
    

This is what you’re not allowed to bring in your hand luggage:   

• Liquid, cream and gel in packaging of more than 100 ml  
• Golf clubs, ice hockey clubs and baseball bats 
• Corkscrew  
• Razor blade Scissors and knife with a blade over 6 cm 

SMART HOLIDAY CHECKLIST – 23 TIPS 

Even if you are traveling with checked in luggage, we can advise you to think in the same way as for hand luggage. So to pack clothes that work for many outfits. In the suitcase, however, you can fit a little more, as well as carry with you liquid and creams in larger packages than 100 ml per container. You can also advantageously leave room for the shopping that will most likely take place on the trip.

For a good holiday checklist, we would like to include:  

• More socks, tights and underwear than you think you need. 
• Extras shoes. 
• Nightwear. 
• Swimwear / workout clothes / ski clothes (what's on the agenda). 
• Towel. 
• Pillowcase (can be used as a dust bag, shoe cover, extra pillow etc.). 
• Jacket. 
• Warm sweater. 
• Shorts. 
• Trousers. 
• Skirts. 
• Dresses.
• Sunglasses. 
• A Cap. 
• A pair of Slippers. 

HOLIDAY TOILETRIES LIST 

• Sun protection. 
• Moisturizer. 
• Band-aid. 
• Nail clipper.
• Medications. 
• Hairbrush. 
• Shampoo & conditioner.
• Shower cream.
• Deodorant.
• Make-up.
• Lighter. 

6 GENERAL PACKING TIPS 

• To avoid wrinkles and get more space, you can roll up your clothes instead of folding them.
• Pack the heaviest things at the bottom and the lightest at the top by the handle
• Fill your shoes with socks and underwear to save space.
• Put plastic film under the lid on cans and tubes so that they do not leak from the cabin pressure.
• Use cloth bags (or pillowcases) for delicate garments.
• Are you going to visit holy places? Bring comfortable clothes that cover shoulders and knees.  

WHICH SUITCASE TO CHOOSE? 

  
The range of suitcases is wide today, so wide that it can be difficult to know which suitcase to choose. If you are traveling around a lot on site, a backpack is preferred. Opt for one with many compartments (also secret compartments for valuables) and straps so you can adjust and fasten your backpack properly. Otherwise, it can be heavy to carry. 
  
If you want to avoid carrying, you can choose a suitcase with wheels. Suitcases with large, 360° wheels are simple and easy to pull on uneven surfaces such as snow, grass and gravel, but they take up more space as a cabin bag. 
  
Hard suitcases are somewhat safer than soft suitcases in fabric because they are more difficult to cut. If you are traveling with very valuable items, it’s good to choose a suitcase with hard shell and code lock. If you would rather be able to squeeze a lot of things, it’s easier to do so in a soft suitcase. Remember to always label your bag and fill in the address note – the suitcase might get lost. 

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