Going on holiday is exciting, but you have to admit the countdown until departure brings its own stresses. With so much to do and buy in preparation for your break away, youre bound to be sat on the plane and slap yourself across the forehead because you forgot something critical. Were going to save you the hassle of that foreboding feeling of forgetfulness and list all those things adults are likely to forget when preparing to go away.
1. Travel Insurance A lot of the time it feels like a nuisance. Yeah, its only a couple of quid, but it still feels like a waste when you inevitably make it through your holiday without so much as a scrape. But where would you be without it if something terrible did happen? Ensure youre covered and make sure you take up the appropriate policy for your chosen holiday activities and duration length.
2. Sun Cream You probably dont forget to pack sun cream. What you do probably forget is to buy a new one, instead opting for that bottle thats been sitting in the back of the cupboard for you dont know how long. Sun cream can maintain its SPF strength for up to three years, but if youre not sure when you bought it youre probably better off just buying a new bottle and keeping your skin well protected.
3. Parking In the time running up to your flight and following your return, you want the ease of slipping in and out of your car without hassle. When booking on Parking At Airports you can save up to 72% on a variety of parking options at airports all over the world. Choose from short and long stays, as well as premium and VIP parking for that extra special service.
4. Airport Transfers A lot of the time, depending on what travel company you book with, your coach or car from the airport to the hotel is already organised. If you happen to book your flights and hotel separately rather than as a package deal, though, its worth making sure this has been organised. After a stuffy flight, no one wants the prospect of a long walk with heavy luggage, or a hefty cost for on the day bookings hanging over them. Use companies like Hoppa and save up to 25% off your transfer.
5. Lounges This may seem like something not typically on everyones holiday tick list, but its worth considering the pros of airport lounges. Depending on which airport you go to and the deals you can get, benefit from free food and drink and save on the spend of 52 passengers are said to spend on average in airports and during flights.
6. Extra Memory Cards Bit of a camera buff? Like snapping photos and videos to savour those holiday memories? Make sure you have an extra empty memory card for in case you fill your current one. You wont miss a moment and you wont have to sacrifice other photos to make room.
7. Laundry Bag You dont want to mix your dirty laundry with your clean clothes. Not only might it infect all the clean stuff, but itll give you a far bigger job when you get home deciphering what does and doesnt need washing. That, or ending up cleaning it all, because now it all smells vaguely damp. Save yourself the hassle and take even a bin liner or plastic carrier bag just to keep things semi-organised.
8. Adaptor According to a study in 2009, forgetting to charge your phone is one of the top 25 things adult forget. Its likely, then, that an adaptor would fail to make its way onto your holiday packing list. Not only do you need your adaptor to keep your phone charged in case of holiday emergencies and also to simply keep in touch with family at home. You also may want to charge your camera or use a hair dryer or styling tools if a dryer doesnt come with your hotel room.
9. Dressing For the Airport Yes, we get it. Youre excited to go on holiday and, especially if youre going somewhere warm, looking forward to getting some sun. Keep in mind the airport youre departing from wont necessarily be warm, though, and neither will your air-conditioned plane. You want to make sure you wear something comfy that offers some warmth and the room to add and take over a layer when the climate changes.
10. Pet Care As clever as you may think they are, your animals cant fend for themselves. Make sure youve organised a sitter, booked a slot in a kennel or have somewhere else your pets can go whilst youre off enjoying yourself.
11. First Aid Kit Its always good to come prepared. Ensure youve got the basic items in a first aid kit, as well as pain relief just in case of headaches or bumps and scrapes.
12. Warm Layer Although you might be headed to a hot location, its good to bear in mind that the evenings can get cold and that a lot of warm countries are more likely to have air conditioning fitted into rooms. Taking a long sleeved T-shirt or even a hoodie is a good idea for the cooler parts of the day and so that you dont end up shivering in bed when you inevitably cant get the AC to shut off.
Were you likely to forget any of those things? Well, now you wont. From those key advance bookings like parking and transfers, to making sure your pet has somewhere to go whilst youre away, be sure to never forget one of these critical items when you next jet off.
Alice is a blogger for Parking At Airports . Writing about all things travel and money saving, in her spare time she likes to read and write for her own personal blog. An enthusiast of Young Adult fiction and feminist theory.