Before you go: Packing

It's all too tempting to treat a suitcase like a temporary cupboard, but don't. Lugging heavy gear up and down airport escalators, into and out of cars, buses or taxis and up stairs to a hotel room is no joke.

THE BASICS

What to pack

• Make list of every item you need and tick them off as you pack
• Take clothes that won't crease easily
• Colour coordinate clothes to save space
• Start packing well before departure
• Double-check your list before you zip/lock your luggage

How to pack

• Roll clothes to reduce wrinkles
• Wrap clothes in plastic or tissue to help reduce wrinkling
• Don't put easily crushed clothes at the bottom of a bag
• Put items you don't mind creasing into shoes and other nooks and crannies
• Check how heavy your luggage is as you go along
• Leave room in your hand luggage for extras
• Wrap shoes in plastic bags to stop clothes getting dirty
• Seal the lids of toiletries and sun creams with tape

For the plane

• Contact lens equipment (excluding solution) and feminine hygiene supplies to last the journey, if necessary
• A warm jumper, to double as a pillow or jacket, and socks
• A change of clothes, in case your hold luggage is delayed on arrival

NEVER FORGET

• Rail/bus/airline/boat tickets
• Passport if travelling out of Britain
• Itinerary
• Wallet
• Travellers' cheques/foreign currency/credit cards
• A separate record of the serial numbers on travellers' cheques and credit card numbers/hotlines
• Driver's licence, for ID and car hire
• Travel insurance documents

LONGER HOLIDAYS

• Remember that many goods can often be bought more cheaply abroad
• Travel with more cash, rather than more luggage
• Note the generic names of prescription drugs if you need them, as brand names vary
• Pack an empty holdall in your luggage for clothes and gifts bought abroad

ACTIVITY BREAKS

Always check what gear you'll need and what the sleeping arrangements will be.

Useful items

• Thermal T-shirt/shorts
• Fleece
• First aid kit, with plasters and antiseptic cream
• Old trousers, tops or a tracksuit

BABIES AND CHILDREN

There's no need to take separate luggage for your baby. Many infant products can be bought abroad, so stick to the "travel light" rule. For beach breaks, pack extra T-shirts and tops for older children and at least one spare bathing suit each.

Always take

• Your child's passport
• A front carrier/nappies/changing mat/cold water sterilising tablets/socks/hat for babies
• Baby formula milk for the trip if you don't breastfeed
• Plastic rubbish bags
• A few toys and nibbles for the trip
• High-protection sun cream
• A personal stereo, reading/puzzle books or quiet computer games for older children
• A small daypack
• A pair of your child's sandals in your hand luggage, for arrival in hot countries