The rise of budget airlines certainly means that we can fly more cheaply than ever, and many of us are using the budget carriers like EasyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 to cut the cost of the annual holiday. Although the fares might be cheaper, budget airlines often charge extra for luggage, or limit the amount of luggage you can take with you. If you’re flying off on holiday with a budget carrier it makes sense to keep what you’re taking with you to a minimum. So what are the real essentials for your holiday packing?

Know the Rules

Each airline has its own rules about what luggage you can check in, and the sizes of the luggage you can take on board the aircraft with you. If you are thinking of trying to cut costs by taking hand luggage only, check that your bag conforms to the airline’s rules, or you’ll be charged hefty fees at the airport for checking it into the hold. Remember also that there are strict rules about the quantities of liquid you can take in hand luggage, so hair products, perfume and toothpaste will have to be packed into bags which are checked in, or bought when you get to your destination.

Clothes

Think long and hard about what clothes you are packing for your holidays. Heavy items like jeans or jackets are bulky and will eat into your luggage allowance, so wear as many heavy items as you can. Try to cut down on the number of pairs of shoes you are carrying with you. Consider whether you’ll be able to wash clothes while you’re away – and even if you have to pay hotel laundry costs for a couple of items, this is still likely to be cheaper than paying for an extra bag of clean clothes.

Documents

There are some things you really do need to take with you, such as your passport and EHIC which will help you access healthcare in Europe at subsidised rates or free of charge. If you need to see a doctor or go to A&E in France or Italy you will need to be able to present both your EHIC and passport in order to access the state healthcare system. Reduce the load by taking photographs of other documents like your travel insurance policy or car hire details, or store the confirmation emails on your phone so you don’t have to take paper copies.

Keep the Essentials With You

Bags getting lost between check in and arrival aren’t as common as they used to be, but it’s worth being prepared for the worst case scenario. Keep your essential documents like your EHIC, passport and flight details with you in hand luggage, and consider packing a change of clothes to keep you going until your bag arrives at your destination.  If the worst happens and you need to seek urgent medical attention, having your EHIC to hand will allow you to access the system quickly, and will mean you will not run up expensive treatment bills if treated as a private patient.