11 Items You Always Forget to Pack for a Getaway
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It doesn’t matter how many lists you write, shops you visit, or times you pack, there is always something missing in your suitcase once you arrive at a holiday destination.
While some products can be easily picked up from a local store, others might be harder to get, especially if you’re visiting a remote location.
If you want to avoid stress once you touch down or are eager to make your upcoming trip a complete breeze, it’s time to start packing wisely. Here are 11 items you might always forget to pack for a getaway.
1. Travel Adapters
Packing your smartphone, tablet, or laptop is likely at the top of your packing list, as might be your chargers. However, you might have failed to consider a plug adapter during the packing process.
As you are likely aware, different countries will use different outlets than the UK, which can make it difficult to charge your devices without the appropriate travel adapters.
It cannot only lead to considerable frustration, but it might cut you off from your loved ones when on holiday, which isn’t ideal if you need to check in with family back home.
If you travel frequently or want to avoid making mistakes, we recommend purchasing a universal travel adapter. It will complement plug types internationally, and they often include USB ports to simultaneously charge your devices, such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a portable speaker.
Shop on Amazon: Tessan Universal Travel Adapter – A compact 5-in-1 travel adapter with four USB charging ports
2. A Power Bank
Your smartphone likely serves multiple purposes during a getaway. It is not only for your connection to friends and family at home, but you will also need it for its camera, local translation, a map, and in case of an emergency.
As it will be frequently used throughout the day, you might suddenly find your battery is out of juice during a day of sightseeing or relaxation. The battery could even drain at an airport, stopping you from scanning a digital boarding pass.
For this reason, it’s wise to keep a power bank handy to quickly charge your smartphone and secure a connection to the rest of the world.
It will provide peace of mind that your loved ones or emergency services are a call away, and you can step onto a plane without issue.
Shop on Amazon: 10000mAh Wireless Portable Charger – a lightweight power bank that allows you to use your phone as it charges.
3. AirTag 4-Pack
An AirTag is one item you might regret taking with you on a getaway. Most of us worry about losing our luggage during a trip, and some may have even experienced it, which is why it’s wise to protect against it.
An AirTag is a great solution should the problem strike. It will allow you to track your suitcase in real-time via Find My App.
Once you touch down, you can quickly check the app to see if the bags have arrived with you. It could help you identify if your bag is missing before the airline does.
The vital data can also help staff track the bag more easily, ensuring it is returned to you as soon as possible.
Of course, if you’re travelling with family, invest in a four-pack of AirTags to add one to each of your suitcases for peace of mind. They can even be used to track your keys and wallets on holiday, too!
Shop on Amazon: AirTag 4 Pack – four handy trackers for monitoring your luggage, keys, wallet, backpack, and much more.
4. A Laundry Bag
How many times have you wished you had a separate bag for your dirty laundry on holiday? If the answer is too many, it might be time to consider taking a travel laundry bag with you on an upcoming getaway.
A lightweight bag is a great way to separate your clean clothes from your dirty ones. It’s ideal for those who don’t like to unpack or when you’re travelling home from a destination.
Some laundry bags even feature vacuum compression to save valuable space in a suitcase. It’s an ideal choice if holidaying with family.
Shop on Amazon: CANBOX Travel Laundry Bag – a lightweight, smell-proof, and waterproof laundry bag with vacuum compression.
5. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones can be a blessing when on a loud plane. If you hate the sound of other travellers’ snoring or chatting loudly, a high-quality pair of headphones will be worth every penny.
It will allow you to escape the noise and listen to your favourite band, catch up on your favourite TV show, or listen to an audiobook without interruption. Also, a good-quality pair doesn’t need to cost you a small fortune, as many affordable options are available. Don’t go away without them!
Shop on Amazon: Wentronic Y03 Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones – active noise cancelling wireless headphones with 48 hours of playtime and soft ear cushioning.
6. Pain Relief
The last thing you will want is to remember a getaway for the wrong reasons. As much as you might plan for a trip to be smooth-sailing, health issues can arise during a break away. If so, you’ll wish you’d have packed some pain relief in your suitcase.
Your legs might be tired from many days of sightseeing, you could experience an unpleasant headache after too much sun and/or alcohol, or you may even struggle with a toothache.
For this reason, it is wise to pack pain relief in your luggage to banish any aches and pains at a fast pace. For example, always carry ibuprofen and paracetamol in your luggage and carry-on. However, always read the packaging instructions and guidance before taking any medications.
Shop on Amazon: Nuromol Dual Action Ibuprofen Paracetamol Tablets – a 16-count of strong painkillers for powerful pain relief.
7. Stomach Relief
Many people have experienced stomach issues at some point on holiday. It is often caused by water bacteria, trying new spices, or dietary changes that can cause various digestive issues.
While a pharmacy might be a stone’s throw away from your destination, the issues could strike in the middle of the night after a big meal, and you’ll wish you’d packed some stomach relief tablets in your suitcase.
Many options are available, but Imodium Dual Action Relief tablets are a flexible choice, as they can quickly ease various digestive problems when they strike, such as painful cramps, diarrhoea, wind, and bloating.
Shop on Amazon: Imodium Dual Action Relief – offers six tablets to alleviate four symptoms and restore your gut’s natural rhythm.
8. A Pen
There are many reasons why you might need a pen on holiday. For example, you might need to fill in immigration or customs forms, complete a crossword on a flight, or jot down the name of your room number or a local taxi firm at your hotel.
Carrying a simple ballpoint pen or two in your bag will ensure you don’t need to buy an expensive option at an airport or request one from a flight attendant. It’s one item you will not regret slipping into your carry-on.
Shop on Amazon: Paper Mate Flexgrip Ultra Retractable Ballpoint Pens – five black pens with a medium point, offering smooth writing and a comfort grip.
9. Liquid IV Sachets
Dehydration is a common problem during travel, as air cabins reportedly have less than 20% humidity once the plane is in the air. To put this into perspective, the air is drier than the Sahara Desert.
It might also surprise you to learn that the average traveller loses approximately one pound of water during a five-hour flight. As a result, it is often a culprit for jet lag, brain fog, and headaches once you step off a plane.
If you are headed on a short- or long-haul flight, it’s wise to pack some liquid IV packets in your carry-on or drink a sachet before you board.
While you might think plenty of water will suffice, it lacks the electrolytes you need to efficiently hydrate your body on a flight.
Liquid IV packets will feature Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) that quickly pulls water into your bloodstream, making you feel energised and helping avoid jet lag.
It’s also a must-have if you plan to treat yourself to a couple of cocktails or beers by the pool each day, as it could prevent a dreaded hangover.
Shop on Amazon: Liquid IV Electrolyte Sachets (Lemon & Lime) – one pack contains 16 vegan-friendly sticks and includes seven vitamins and minerals.
10. A Long HDMI Cable
The last thing you want is to be restricted to foreign TV channels on holiday. As hotel HDMI cables are often short or non-existent, you might have struggled to connect your laptop, tablet, or Amazon Fire TV Stick to a TV during a break and wished you’d brought an HDMI cable with you.
If so, we recommend buying a long HDMI cable, which will allow you to easily connect the TV to a mobile device from anywhere in your hotel room. It will ensure the wire stretches all the way from the TV to your bed or a desk, allowing you to watch Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+ with ease.
Shop on Amazon: Jorenca 4K HMDI Cable – a 10-metre ultra-high-speed HDMI with gold-plated connectors, and offers transmission stability.
11. Mini First Aid Kit
Various accidents can happen during a getaway. You or a loved one could develop blisters on your feet due to many hours of sightseeing, experience painful sunburn, or have a nasty fall by the pool.
Carrying a mini first aid kit in your suitcase will provide peace of mind that you’ll have access to basic medical supplies should you need them. Look for a compact first aid kit that’s perfect for travel, which may include bandages, eyewash, plasters, an emergency blanket, saline solution, and more.
Shop on Amazon: it’s Smart Premium First Aid Kit – includes 110 pieces perfect for travel, hiking, camping, the car, and your home.
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