I’ve started and failed to write this post several times and I finally figured out what the problem was…. I wasn’t actually travelling at the time! That’s this post about hand luggage essentials was written while I was waiting to board a plane.
Does anyone else find that they can’t write travel content unless they are travelling and therefore find the answers to their post during their experience or is that just me? Now the photos, on the other hand, they’ll be done when the writing is which means they may be done when I get home from this trip, they may be taken when I get to one of my hotels or I might find stock images which fit the post. If you’re reading this you can try and figure out how lazy I’ve actually been.
Hand Luggage Essentials – All of them
The following is the definitive list of items that I always pack when travelling (especially flying) but I do tend to have these items handy during a long car journey as well.
Technology
I can’t call myself a blogger and not pack my tech for a trip. On this one, I’ve got my kindle, iPad, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, Phone, battery pack and all the associated charger cables and adaptors. Most of the aforementioned list has been crammed into my hand Knomo organiser. This was bought on a London trip a few years ago and I use it every time I travel now. Oh and I’ve got two euro adapters with USB slots for charging when abroad (although I did manage to fit them into my suitcase with some shoving).
Hygiene/Health Essentials
For flying this is basically my liquids bag but I usually have the same items in my handbag no matter where I’m travelling. Today my stash is of varying painkillers (never knowingly under-medicated), some hand sanitiser, tissues, cotton buds, hand cream, a heat wrap for my back and an inhaler. Basically all the essentials I need to keep me going until I reach my destination.
Print-outs and tickets
If I can pre-print a ticket or anything that will be useful then that is what will definitely happen. I hate having to try and have a QR code on my phone to scan – I’d rather have a piece of paper as it’s lighter to carry and means I can make sure my phone is safely stashed away. I also make sure I have an Oyster for London travel – yes I know I can use my bank card – but again I like having this with a low balance so that if I was to lose it I wouldn’t be too upset. This trip has also included an extra purse with some Euros in cash as I’m travelling into mainland Europe as well as within the UK.
Assorted bits and bobs
Honestly, this post is verging on an old-fashioned what’s in my handbag post and I’m not mad about it. The last one of those I wrote was years ago so this is a nice 2022 (just) update. These are the handbag items that I know I’ll need at some point (hopefully) or will definitely need and can’t leave the house without.
- Purse
- Phone
- House keys
- Sunflower lanyard
- Tissues
- Mittens (my hands feel the cold the worst)
- Sunglasses
- AirPods
