Looking forward to your summer holiday is a great feeling, but before you get to your next destination there are a number of essential items to pack to ensure a smooth journey and enjoyable trip. 

We want you to have an amazing holiday and help you avoid any unfortunate events (such as forgetting your essential reading materials!) so we’ve put together this handy holiday checklist to help get your break off to the best possible starts. 

Before you go…

• Passport: it may seem the most obvious thing to remember, but it is probably the most important. Remember to check the expiry date as some destinations require at least 6 months to be left on your passport before travelling.
• European Health Insurance Card: if you’re traveling to Europe, the EHIC gives you the right to state-provided healthcare, but remember that it is not a substitute for travel insurance.
• Medication: If you’re currently taking medication then remember to pack it, but check with your GP and airline as you may require a note to take it on the flight with you.
• Insurance: book your travel insurance as soon as possible to cover yourself against unexpected cancellations. Remember to declare any pre-existing medical conditions and any activities you might choose to do while overseas. We can help if you have any queries.
• Money and cards: it’s always useful to take some currency with you (you may need a taxi, a bus fare or even a drink as soon as you land) but whether you take cash, travellers cheques, a prepaid card is of course up to you.

Hand luggage…

• Valuables: we’d advise packing your camera, mobile phone, tablet and anything else valuable on the plane with you to reduce the risk of damage in your main case.
• Something to read: movies can be great if you’re going long haul, but there’s nothing like getting stuck into your book of choice, so remember your favourite novel or load up your e-reader to help the hours pass by.
• Toiletries: fit what you can in your main case, but if you do need to carry toiletries in your hand luggage (may be useful for freshening up on a long flight), remember they need to be in 100ml containers and sealed in a clear plastic bag. 

Main suitcase...

• Clothes: not something you’re likely to forget, remember to roll them up to save space and remember to pack the right footwear, kit and swimwear depending on the kind of holiday you’re going on. Don’t forget to check the temperature too – a cardigan or light jacket may be useful as temperatures sometimes dip on an evening. 
• Toiletries: not the end of the world if you do forget your toothbrush, but it’s always nice to avoid having to dash to a shop as soon as you arrive. Wrap your liquids securely to prevent leaks in your case - not a nice first job when you land on holiday.
• Chargers: running out of battery on holiday could be a nightmare so remember to pack your chargers for mobile phones, tablets, e-readers etc – that way you can call home to let your family know you’ve landed safely!

We know there's so much more to remember, but hopefully this will have been useful; you can also take a look at The Telegraph’s 61 travel essentials for your next trip, or try this interactive packing list wizard which will help you pack for your holiday by asking a few simple questions. 

Going on holiday soon? 

Call our UK call centre on 0800 294 2969 for a quote for your travel insurance, or if you have any queries in relation to what kind of cover you need.

Alternatively you can get a quote online, but either way remember to quote NW17 to get a 10% discount. 

Happy holidays!