Travelling can be incredibly stressful, particularly when you’ve booked a trip during the busiest holiday periods this summer. While a week lounging by the seaside in August might seem idyllic, it’s also the most challenging month for air travel, with packed airports and endless queues often creating a far from relaxing beginning to your getaway.

However, nothing beats the sinking feeling of reaching the airport only to discover you’ve forgotten to pack essential swimwear or reading material for your flight. Travelling light with just hand luggage can be ideal, but there are likely several items you haven’t considered packing that could prevent potential disasters.

Although it’s typically recommended to keep vital items like medicines in your carry-on for easy access, a travel specialist has highlighted several additional essentials that Britons should include.

Flight delays, misplaced baggage, or unexpected health issues can completely derail a holiday, making preparation absolutely crucial to prevent major setbacks.

Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away, has revealed the five must-have items every traveller should pack in their hand luggage to guarantee they remain “comfortable, safe and stress-free during their summer adventures”.

Five crucial hand luggage essentials to pack

1. Powerbank

Ensuring your phone remains charged during travel is crucial, particularly as it often doubles as a digital wallet and boarding pass holder. Dawn advises investing in a power bank with at least 10,000mAh capacity to avoid running out of juice.

“Always pack a fully charged portable power bank,” Dawn suggests. “Airport charging points are often occupied or broken, and the last thing you want is a dead phone when you’re trying to navigate a foreign airport or contact your hotel.”

2. Clothes

The nightmare of lost luggage is all too common, so if you’re checking in bags, Dawn recommends stashing a spare set of clothes in your carry-on. “You’ll be grateful for fresh clothes if your suitcase decides to take a detour to a different continent,” she remarks.

3. Documents folder

Despite our reliance on digital devices for storing boarding passes and hotel confirmations, having physical backups is wise. Dawn urges travellers to photocopy their passport, travel insurance, booking confirmations, and emergency contacts, keeping them in an organised folder.

4. Tracking device

Inserting an Apple AirTag or a similar tracker into your hand luggage can save you from the anxiety of lost baggage. Dawn notes that for about £30, this gadget offers “peace of mind” by allowing you to track your belongings, avoiding the despair of “waiting helplessly at the baggage carousel”.

5. Wellness kit

Many travellers wisely choose to keep medication in their hand luggage, but Dawn recommends going a step further by assembling a comprehensive kit for added comfort during your journey.

This kit should include hand sanitiser, painkillers, tissues, lip balm, moisturiser, and even an eye mask to enhance the travel experience.

“Long flights and airport delays can take a toll on your body and mood. A small comfort kit can make uncomfortable situations much more bearable, especially in the case of unexpected delays,” she says. 

Being well-prepared can significantly increase the chances of enjoying a hassle-free holiday, and these essential items occupy only a small amount of space in your carry-on bag.