Your ultimate holiday packing list to cover all bases from plane to pool

We’ve all been there: sorting our holiday packing list with less than 12 hours before we’re meant to be boarding the flight itself. It’s always a panicked frenzy, underwear flying across the room as you attempt to figure out how many bikinis are too many, before inevitably employing a fellow family member to sit on your suitcase as you wrestle it shut. Now, after almost two years with next to no holidays abroad, the time to spread our wings and jet off to some exotic holiday resort has come and, while we’re ready for the sun, sand and sea, the stress of packing? Yeah, we haven’t missed that. 

Lucky for you, here at team GLAMOUR we anticipated that the pause on our summers across the pond might have left you stymied as to what to pack, so we got ahead of the curve. Whether you’re headed on an 18-hour flight to Singapore (lucky you), or you’ve booked yourself a luscious Airbnb in Majorca, we’ve got your holiday packing list covered and, yes, we’ve even included Spanx. 

So let’s get into it… (we based our list on a seven-day holiday, so you might need to adjust accordingly if you’re travelling for longer or less)

Clothes, footwear and accessories

Underwear

• Two pairs of pants per day of the holiday + a couple of spares just in case
• One t-shirt bra and one day bra (bralette/halter bra/wireless – whatever support you need and find comfy!)
• Evening bras as necessary to suit your outfits (strapless, multiway etc.)
• (For couples/those planning to meet people abroad) A handful of lingerie options
• One pair of socks per day of the holiday
• One pair of short pyjamas
• Optional: Cosy socks for long haul flights
• Optional: One sports bra if you plan to work out
• Optional: One pair of tummy control shapewear
• Optional: Running socks if you plan to work out

For the days

For the evenings

• Three dresses
• Two pairs of high-waisted and/or wide-leg trousers
• One maxi skirt (perhaps satin or with a thigh split for a more evening-y feel)
• Three cropped/strappy/blouse tops

For the beach or pool

Shoes

Accessories

For the plane

• One pair of jeans
• A relaxed and light top, t-shirt or blouse
• One cosy jumper, zip-up hoodie or cardigan
• If it’s chilly in the UK when you set off, wear one of the aforementioned jackets while travelling (it’ll save you space in your luggage, too)

Toiletries/first aid kit

Face

Body

Hair

Hands and feet

First-aid 

• Two packs of painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen etc.)
• Plasters and blister plasters
• Any daily medication you take or need (the contraceptive pill, mental health medication, EpiPen etc.)
• Hayfever tablets
• Insect repellent
• Insect bite relief cream
• Optional: Condoms
• Optional: Travel sickness pills
• Optional: Imodium for countries where water isn’t safe to drink
• Optional: Buscopan for tummy aches and bloating
• Optional: Hydration salts (e.g. Dioralyte) for girls holidays/hen dos to stave off the worst of the hangover

Misc

Miscellaneous

• Passport
• Boarding pass
• Face mask for the plane
• Any VISAs/ESTAs/travel insurance documents you might need
• Covid travel forms and proof of vaccination
• Driving licence
• House keys
• Wallet , credit cards, debit cardsand any foreign currency
• Phone
• Phone charger
• Travel plug adapter
• Portable charger/power bank
• Clear plastic 1L sandwich bag for liquids at the airport
• Headphones
• iPad/tablet/Kindle
• Ear plugs for long haul flights
• Eye mask
• Neck pillow
• Pack of tissues
• Wet wipes
• A good book
• Waterproof or disposable camera
• Reusable water bottle
• A couple of plastic bags for any swimwear that doesn’t dry before your flight home
• Beach towel
• Swimming goggles
• Beach blanket
• Portable speaker
• Beach games – cards, beach ball volleyball
• Lilo/rubber ring

If you’re driving to your destination

After more packing checklists? Head this way for our festival checklist, over here for our round up of the best festival tents and, if you’re after more beach holiday inspiration, check out these AirbnbLuxe stays. We’ve also got treehouse Airbnbs, Lake District Airbnbs and Airbnbs in the Cotswolds – perfect for family holidays and couples alike.

For more from GLAMOUR UK Commerce Writer Lucy Smith, follow her on Instagram @luceeeeesmith.

Scroll for our top travel essentials to buy for your getaway in 2022