Dr Mobeus
Your Holiday Starts at Home – Not at the Airport Shop
The average UK family spends £127 on “holiday essentials” before they fly. Sun cream, adapters, beach towels, swimwear – it all adds up fast. But here is the thing: most of what you need is already sitting in your house.
This is not about cutting corners or having a rubbish holiday. It is about packing smarter so you have more money to spend on the things that actually matter – like a nice meal out or an extra day trip. Here are 25 things you probably already own that will save you a small fortune.
Toiletries and Health – Save £30-50
1. Sun cream from last year (probably still fine)
Most sun cream lasts 12 months after opening – check the PAO symbol (the little open jar icon). If it is within date, use what you have. A new bottle of factor 30 costs £8-12 at the airport versus £3-5 at home.
2. Your regular shampoo and shower gel
Decant your everyday products into small travel bottles (pound shops sell packs of 5 for £1) rather than buying travel-sized versions. A travel shampoo at Boots is £2.50 for 100ml. Your regular shampoo costs about 50p for the same amount.
3. Basic first aid from your bathroom cabinet
Paracetamol, plasters, antiseptic cream – you probably have all of this. A travel first aid kit at the pharmacy costs £6-10. The stuff in your cabinet is free.
4. Insect repellent from the garage
If you bought it for last year’s holiday, it is almost certainly still effective. Most repellents last 3+ years unopened.
5. After sun from the medicine drawer
Aloe vera gel from last summer works just as well this summer. Check it has not separated, but most after sun products last 2-3 years.
Clothing and Beach – Save £40-60
6. Beach towels you already own
A “holiday beach towel” at the airport costs £12-20. The towels in your airing cupboard cost nothing. Pack them in your case and save the markup.
7. Last year’s swimwear
Swimwear does not expire. If it still fits and is not falling apart, wear it again. Nobody cares if your bikini is from 2024.
8. A sarong or pashmina as a cover-up
Beach cover-ups in resort shops cost £15-30. That sarong you bought two holidays ago? Still a cover-up. That oversized shirt in your wardrobe? Also a cover-up.
9. Flip-flops from the shoe rack
Flip-flops cost £8-15 in airport shops. The pair by your back door costs nothing. Pack them.
10. A light rain jacket instead of buying a “holiday jacket”
UK summers can be wet, and so can plenty of holiday destinations. Your existing lightweight rain jacket is exactly what you need – do not buy a new one labelled “packable travel raincoat” for £35.
Electronics and Tech – Save £20-40
11. Your existing phone charger
Travel chargers at the airport cost £15-25. Your regular charger plus a £1 plug adapter does exactly the same job. Just remember to pack it.
12. A plug adapter (not a whole travel adapter set)
Most of Europe uses the same two-pin socket. One plug adapter costs £1-2 on Amazon or in pound shops. A “universal travel adapter” at the airport costs £15-20. They do the same thing.
13. Your phone as an e-reader
The Kindle app is free. You do not need a £90 e-reader for a week away. Download your books before you go and read on your phone.
14. A power bank you already own
If you have a power bank for daily use, bring it. Buying one at the airport costs £20-35. The one in your drawer costs nothing.
15. Earphones from your phone box
The earphones that came with your phone (or the pair you bought six months ago) work just fine for the beach, the plane and the pool. You do not need £30 “travel earbuds”.
Travel and Comfort – Save £15-30
16. A refillable water bottle
Airport water costs £3-4 a bottle. A reusable bottle from home costs nothing to fill at the water fountain past security. Most airports have them now.
17. Your own travel pillow (if you already own one)
Neck pillows at the airport cost £12-18. If you have one in the loft, bring it. If not, a rolled-up jumper works just as well for free.
18. A canvas tote bag as your beach bag
Beach bags in resort shops are £15-30. The canvas bag you got free with a magazine subscription or that promotional tote from an event? Same job, zero cost.
19. Snacks from your kitchen cupboard
A packet of crisps at the airport: £2.50. The same crisps from your kitchen: 60p. Pack snacks for the journey – it is perfectly legal through security as long as they are dry goods.
20. Sunglasses you already own
Unless your prescription changed, last year’s sunglasses still block UV rays just fine. Do not be tempted by the £25 airport pair when you have perfectly good ones at home.
Entertainment and Kids – Save £20-40
21. Books from your shelf (or the library)
A holiday read at the airport costs £8-10. The unread book on your shelf costs nothing. The library costs nothing. Download your library’s app for free e-books.
22. Card games and small toys from home
If you are travelling with kids, pack a few small toys and games from home rather than buying new “travel” versions. A pack of cards from home is the same as a pack of cards from the airport – just £3 cheaper.
23. Downloaded films and shows
Download Netflix, iPlayer or Disney+ content before you go. You do not need to pay for in-flight entertainment or resort WiFi when you have hours of content on your phone or tablet already.
24. A notebook and pen from your desk drawer
Travel journals cost £6-12. The notebook you got for Christmas and never used costs nothing. Same goes for pens.
25. A downloaded offline map
Google Maps lets you download entire areas for offline use. You do not need a £10 paper map or expensive data roaming. Download before you go.
The Pre-Holiday Checklist That Saves You £100+
Before you go, do a quick sweep of your house. Check these spots:
- Bathroom cabinet – sun cream, after sun, insect repellent, basic medicines
- Kitchen drawer – plug adapters, resealable bags for liquids
- Wardrobe – last year’s swimwear, flip-flops, light layers
- Cupboard under the stairs – beach towels, travel pillow, tote bags
- Desk – notebooks, pens, phone chargers, power bank
- Loft – suitcase, travel adaptor set, holiday reading
The money you save by packing what you own can go towards the things that actually make your holiday special – a nice dinner, an extra excursion, or just having more in your pocket when you get home.
What Is Actually Worth Buying Before You Go
Not everything should be improvised. A few things genuinely are worth buying fresh:
- New sun cream – only if yours is expired or you need a higher SPF
- Plug adapter – if you are going somewhere with a different socket type
- Travel insurance – always buy this, never skip it. Compare prices online and save on travel costs
- EHIC/GHIC card – free from the NHS, replaces the old EHIC for post-Brexit travel
Everything else? You probably already own it. Pack smart, spend less, and have a brilliant holiday.
