Start the list three weeks before
Most packing mistakes happen when the list is written the night before. Start our free family holiday packing list three weeks out. As you think of things throughout the week, add them. By packing day, the list is comprehensive.
The documents check is the most important
Passports: check every expiry date six months before travelling. Many countries require six months validity beyond your travel dates. GHIC cards for Europe (replaced EHIC post-Brexit). Travel insurance documents. Print boarding passes at home — airport printing queues are miserable.
Children add complexity, not just items
Plan for car/plane entertainment: one new small toy or activity per two hours of travel. Snacks are non-negotiable. A full change of clothes in hand luggage is essential, not optional. A child who vomits on a plane with no change of clothes makes for a memorable holiday for the wrong reasons.
Our picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Family luggage set hard shell 4-piece | Family luggage | Check price → |
| Kids bag | Children's backpack cabin approved | Kids hand luggage | Check price → |
| Organiser | Packing cubes set 6-piece | Organised packing | Check price → |
| Entertainment | Kids travel activity set | Travel entertainment | Check price → |
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