PACKING LIST FOR LONDON (AND THE U.K.)
Making a list of EVERYTHING you need to pack for your trip to London and the United Kingdom is always useful. Your packing will be much easier and faster, and you won’t risk forgetting your essential personal items.
WHAT TO WEAR IN LONDON: CLOTHES TO PACK
When travelling to London and the UK, especially if on holiday, you need to dress for the weather, activity and environment – make sure you’re comfortable. In the spring and summer in London and southern England the weather is changeable, and there can sometimes be 4 seasons in a day, so always pack layers.
Try to choose clothes with neutral colours that can go with everything else that you are taking, and that you can use both during the day and in the evenings: a black top, a white t-shirt, a grey long-sleeved t-shirt you can wear underneath a sweater, and if it gets too warm, you just take the sweater off.
Bring two pairs of comfortable trousers and one pair of black jeans that you can wear both during the day and in the evening. A jumper and a cashmere sweater. A jean jacket. A big lightweight scarf always comes handy. Warm clothes are a must if you are travelling in winter and don’t forget hats, gloves and scarves.
A WATERPROOF JACKET IN LONDON IS A MUST!
A hooded, waterproof jacket and a raincoat will turn out to be handy. This will also avoid the hassle of opening and closing your umbrella in and out of the tube/bus.
AN UMBRELLA: LONDONERS MAY NOT CARRY IT BUT YOU MAY NEED IT!
Don’t forget to take a small collapsible umbrella with you. You will surely need it regardless of the season.
A SHOULDER BAG
Bring something neutral and not cumbersome, suitable also for your evenings out.
A MONEY BELT
A money belt, to be hidden under your clothes is a must. Pick-pockets are everywhere, even in the UK, so keep your money, credit cards and valuable safe when travelling around London.
A SMALL HAIRDRIER
Take a small hairdryer with you just in case the B&B, hotel or hostel where you are staying in London doesn’t have one.
COMFORTABLE SHOES
Comfortable shoes or boots that are season-appropriate and rigorously waterproof. Wear one pair of sturdy walking shoes and pack one pair of equally comfy shoes. Leave high heels and party shoes at home. London is a city where you are likely to walk miles. Don’t forget a pair of slippers. Swimming pool shoes come in handy in case of shared showers, like in many hostels: it’s wise to keep something on your feet when you use them.
A COMPACT PORTABLE CHARGER
Remember your travel adapter charger. However, if you are travelling with two devices, such as your Smartphone and your Tablet, bring with you a good quality mobile powerbank. Here’s what I have with me all the time when I travel.
LONDON GUIDES AND MAPS
Lonely Planet London and England guides and a good London A-Z, London’s street atlas. It’s a digital world but this book map may come handy, in case your smartphone dies.
THE RIGHT SIZED CARRY-ON BAG/TROLLEY
Most of Europe’s budget airlines have this carry-on bag allowance: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
CABIN MAX will be perfect for the purpose. This is a rucksack that you can easily use as hand luggage on your flight, and carry around with you during your UK travel. Available in different models, including versions which allow you to carry your laptop/iPad in all safety! Check them out!
Please bear in mind that, regardless of where you choose to sleep, the average room in London is quite small. If possible, I would recommend you travel light and avoid bulky luggage. This is why CABIN MAX is perfect for your trip to London. It’s compact, practical and can be used as hand luggage.
Just remember to take both your essential and valuable items on the plane with you in your CABIN MAX, just in case your luggage gets lost.
MEDICINES
Bring with you your own medicines and painkillers. Finding the equivalent in a British pharmacy can be a nightmare.
CAMERA & SMARTPHONE
Take your camera + battery + charger. However, a good camera phone will allow you to reduce to the maximum the number of items you will need to carry with you and will perfectly serve the purpose.
Looking for some suggestions for a good purchase?
The best 2015 Smartphone Camera is the iPhone 6s Plus which has a 12-megapixel shooter with 1.22-micron pixels: it snaps bright, colourful pictures with high contrast and clear details.
If Android is more your thing and you have a more restricted budget, you may want to go for the Nexus 6P, which performs particularly well at night; it’s one of the very few Android cameras able to produce impressive night shots. London at night is something fascinating to capture on picture.
PLASTIC BAGS
Pack a couple of spare plastic/souvenir bags. You will need them.
PASSPORT
Don’t forget your passport. Make two spare copies of your passport. Leave one at home and pack the second one in your bag with you. You can also scan/photograph a copy and store it in a place where you can retrieve it easily, like your gmail account, or in the picture gallery of your smartphone.
COPY OF YOUR HOTEL AND FLIGHT BOOKING
Print-outs of your hotel and flight bookings are handy. It’s true everything can be accessed through smartphones, including tickets, but if your smartphone dies or you lose it, at least you have a printed copy.
DRIVING LICENCE
Your driving license, in case you’re planning to rent a car.
YOUR CHANGE IN GBP
Don’t forget to bring with you any British coins you may have accumulated from a previous trip to the UK.
CREDIT CARD
Remember to bring with you the telephone number to block it in the eventuality of loss.
YOUR OYSTER CARD
Remember your Standard Oyster card with you if you’ve got it already from a previous trip to the UK. You may also purchase a VISITORS OYSTER CARD prior to arrival.
Bon Voyage!
NEED TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN LONDON?
Check the following links!
Leave a Reply