I lost my bag twice on holiday – these are the very common packing mistakes I'll never make again

BAG BLUNDER I lost my bag twice on holiday – these are the very common packing mistakes I'll never make again
AS I WATCH an airport worker turn off the conveyor belt, my worst travel fear is realised - my suitcase hasn't arrived.
Let's be real, it's not the end of the world, bags get misplaced all the time. The real disaster was what I neglected to pack in my hand luggage.
Advertisement
4
I will never pack hand luggage in the same way again
Credit: Supplied
4
My recent trip to the USA was derailed by a missing cabin bag
Credit: Supplied
I had arrived in Syracuse for a week-long journey across New York State, my bag however, was still in Philadelphia.
After filling in a form about my missing suitcase and being told it 'happens all the time', I wearily trudged back to my hotel room.
Knowing that I didn't bother to put the basics in my hand luggage when I left for the airport almost 12 hours ago, I almost didn't want to open it.
Deodorant, hand sanitiser, Chapstick, a jumper, a book, my passport, purse and house keys were all I had.
Advertisement
Read More on Packing Tips
BARGAIN BUYS Our favourite gamechanger travel items under £1 for both adults and kids
Heading downstairs to the hotel reception, I explained the situation and they handed over some essentials - it seemed like I wasn't the first person on this day to have their bag misplaced.
Returning to the room, I was armed with a small plastic toothbrush, toothpaste sachets and makeup wipes.
I felt a bit better about the situation, until the following morning.
With a full day of exploring ahead of me and a packed schedule, I had no time to pick up anything at the local shops - including clothes and clean underwear.
Advertisement
It was a horrible feeling having to don the slouchy clothes I'd worn on my twelve-hour train and plane journey to the States for another whole day.
Luckily, I had group members come to my aid, some offered make-up and moisturiser, one lent me her tiny travel hairbrush which did the trick.
The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying hand luggage only
4
My suitcase had been left in Philadelphia - while I was in Syracuse
Credit: Supplied
In all my years of travelling, I'd never had a suitcase not turn up.
Advertisement
But then again, I had never taken a connecting flight before either.
In saying that, I've travelled long enough to know that without fail, you should pack your travel 'essentials' in your hand luggage - and to me, that's your passport, travel documents, purse and keys.
Now the word 'essentials' has a whole other meaning.
Always pack at least a day's worth of clothes, maybe more if you can fit them in.
Advertisement
For any make-up wearers, pack that in there too. Luckily most of them are travel size by default like mascara and concealer, as for foundation, that can be decanted into a smaller container.
Another essential is moisturiser, because we all know the air conditioning on the plane can be incredibly drying.
Any contact lens and glasses wearers should pack both of those as well as a hairbrush and toothbrush.
Also check if you can take a handbag as a personal item, if not fold one down and pop it inside along with your cards and cash if you want it.
Advertisement
You can argue I was being dramatic because my bag was delivered to the hotel at 6PM the following day and some remarked that it was the happiest reunion they'd ever seen.
Flying back home I wasn't too bothered about what was in my hand luggage knowing I'd be reunited with the rest of my belongings by the end of the day.
But still, disaster struck when I arrived in Heathrow and my suitcase had been delayed coming out of Chicago, talk about bad luck.
Luckily, two hours later I saw my black and red suitcase come around the carousel and one thought struck me, I'll never pack hand luggage in the same way again.
Advertisement
A travel expert has revealed a way of fitting even more in your suitcase this summer.
And Sun Travel reveals our favourite gamechanger travel items under £1 for both adults and kids.
Hand luggage rules for UK airlines
We've rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare.
Ryanair
One personal bag measuring no more than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
EasyJet
One personal bag measuring no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Jet2
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm weighing up to 10kg
TUI
One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg
British Airways
One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg
Virgin Atlantic
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scottish Sun

21 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

How we do Dubai for dirt cheap – £30-a-night rooms, lesser-known airports, £2 meals and free attractions

DEAL-BAI How we do Dubai for dirt cheap – £30-a-night rooms, lesser-known airports, £2 meals and free attractions DUBAI is a bucket list destination for Brits, thanks to its five-star hotels, year-round sunshine and celebrity fans, but all this also makes it harmful on the wallet. So we've tried and tested some of the best ways to slash the cost of a holiday to the desert city. 11 We've tried and tested some of the best ways to slash the cost of a holiday to Dubai Credit: Getty 11 Editor of The Sun's Fab Daily, Joel Cooper, has worked out how to do Dubai on a budget Credit: JOEL COOPER Editor of The Sun's Fab Daily, Joel Cooper thought Dubai was out of his price range, until he started looking into money saving hacks. He said: "I always wanted to go, but news stories about luxury hotels, £10,000-a-night suites and the premium bar and restaurant scene put me off. "However, when I started doing some research, I discovered there is a way to do Dubai on a budget - it's just no one talks about it." Joel's genius tips start before you've even left the UK. He said: "Rather than booking flights to Dubai directly, it is often much cheaper to fly to Abu Dhabi instead. "In fact, my flights were half the price - saving £250 before I'd even left home. "Most of the hotels in Dubai are located between Dubai airport and Abu Dhabi airport - admittedly they are closer to Dubai but getting from Abu Dhabi is easy. "There is a coach for around £7 that takes you directly from Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai, dropping off at the Ibn Battuta Mall, which is in the centre of town. "They run every hour and the journey takes one hour to get to Dubai. "Before going, I didn't know anything about Abu Dhabi, but it's so close to Dubai, you could be forgiven for thinking it's the same place." Dubai hotel with world's largest waterpark 11 The Premier Inn Dubai is a bargain find Credit: Premier Inn Dubai / Hoteliers supplied image 11 Despite the budget price tag, there is an impressive rooftop pool Credit: Premier Inn Dubai / Hoteliers supplied image Stay for less Accommodation is known for being high-end and pricey in Dubai, but one British chain has been making in-roads with incredibly affordable hotel rooms - Premier Inn. Writer Scott Campbell told The Sun that the Premier Inn brand in the Emirates has taken things to the next level. He said: "The hotels are surprisingly cool and I've booked rooms from just £30. They have rooftop pools, 24-hour gyms, shuttle buses to the beach and suave terrace bars. "The best Premier Inn in Dubai can be found in Barsha Heights. '"It's around 15 minutes by taxi from the glitz and glamour of Dubai Marina and an even shorter journey to The Palm with its trendy all-inclusive beach clubs." Similarly, holidaymakers can save hundreds by swapping taxis for the Metro. Scott said: "The Dubai Metro is very safe and efficient and serves all the main tourist areas in the city. "Although hailing a cab is quite wallet-friendly, coming in at around £7 for a trip to the Marina from the Premier Inn, the city's Metro line is only ten minutes away on foot. "Fares start at just 65p for a ride, or £1.20 in the quieter 'gold' carriage — because where else would have a first- class metro carriage other than Dubai?" If it is too hot outside, there is even a free bus to take guests to the station from the budget hotel. 11 Skyline and Dubai Metro, modern elevated metro system, opened in 2010. Credit: Getty 11 Kite Beach is a great spot in Dubai Credit: Getty It's also worth checking if the hotel you stay at offers a shuttle bus to the beach. This can save you money in taxis there and back, especially if you plan on going a few times during your trip. Scott added: "The Premier Inn hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to Al Sufouh, known as the Secret Beach by locals, due to it being lesser known and less crowded as the famous Kite Beach." Al Sufouh and Kite Beach are both public beaches and not owned by the exclusive hotel resorts and so they are free to use. This is perfect for doing Dubai on a budget because pop-up stalls and food trucks line the beach path. You can pick up homemade empanadas for £7 or an excellent and sizeable burrito for £11 from La Patrona, without the excessive service charges and extras required at a posh hotel. 11 Food trucks are becoming really popular in Dubai Credit: Getty 11 The Burj Al Arab hotel is a premium location Credit: Getty Find a budget brunch Boozy brunches in Dubai are one of the most popular pastimes for the under 30s. But, extravagant spots like Burj Al Arab and The Palm can become very pricy indeed, with some starting at £80 before you add alcohol on. However, budget travelers to Dubai can still indulge in the boozy, boujee pastime with a more cost-effective brunch in a less exclusive location. Scott said: "The Premier Inn has its own bar, Mr Toad's, where a Saturday 'drunch' offers unlimited drinks for three hours for £25. 'With a pint in Dubai usually costing around £9 on average, after only three drinks you'll easily make back the cost.' Meanwhile, Finance manager, Kristina Williams used to live in Dubai and has a list of cheap things to do that she shares with family and friends who came to visit. 11 Dubai can be done on a budget, according to locals like Kristina Williams Credit: Kristina Williams 11 The Dubai Fountain is the world's tallest performing water feature - and it's free to watch Credit: Getty She said: "One of the most popular sights in Dubai has to be the fountain show in Downtown Dubai. "The Dubai Fountain, which is outside the Dubai Mall, is the tallest dancing fountain in the world and totally free to watch, so it's ideal for families. "The famous Aquarium is also located at the Dubai Mall. "If you don't want to pay to spend a whole day there, I recommend taking the kids to see the largest part of the aquarium completely free of charge. "The enormous glass tank actually makes up a huge wall inside the shopping centre." Not everything in Dubai has to cost money. Kristina says there are lots of beautiful outdoor spaces that are free to use. She said: "AL Qudra, the desert area, has a free cycling track and running track. It's popular in the early evening when the sun starts to go down. "You can just go and soak up the atmosphere, spot camels and go bird watching. 11 Not everything in Dubai has to cost money. There are lots of beautiful outdoor spaces that are free to use Credit: Getty "There is also a free walking path on the Palm. It's great for a casual stroll, with lots of affordable cafes and shady spots along the way. "This is my favourite, as it looks out to sea and you can see the famous Atlantis hotel and get the obligatory selfie outside." Being a former local, Kristina knows where to eat too. "We always go to the Deira area, which is Dubai's old town, for a cheap dinner - you can get a curry for £2 and they are always so good. "We spend less there as the area isn't known for its alcohol, so it's always more affordable than the Dubai hotels that cater to tourists."

The Sun

21 hours ago

• The Sun

How we do Dubai for dirt cheap – £30-a-night rooms, lesser-known airports, £2 meals and free attractions

DUBAI is a bucket list destination for Brits, thanks to its five-star hotels, year-round sunshine and celebrity fans, but all this also makes it harmful on the wallet. So we've tried and tested some of the best ways to slash the cost of a holiday to the desert city. 11 Editor of The Sun's Fab Daily, Joel Cooper thought Dubai was out of his price range, until he started looking into money saving hacks. He said: "I always wanted to go, but news stories about luxury hotels, £10,000-a-night suites and the premium bar and restaurant scene put me off. "However, when I started doing some research, I discovered there is a way to do Dubai on a budget - it's just no one talks about it." Joel's genius tips start before you've even left the UK. He said: "Rather than booking flights to Dubai directly, it is often much cheaper to fly to Abu Dhabi instead. "In fact, my flights were half the price - saving £250 before I'd even left home. "Most of the hotels in Dubai are located between Dubai airport and Abu Dhabi airport - admittedly they are closer to Dubai but getting from Abu Dhabi is easy. "There is a coach for around £7 that takes you directly from Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai, dropping off at the Ibn Battuta Mall, which is in the centre of town. "They run every hour and the journey takes one hour to get to Dubai. "Before going, I didn't know anything about Abu Dhabi, but it's so close to Dubai, you could be forgiven for thinking it's the same place." Dubai hotel with world's largest waterpark 11 Stay for less Accommodation is known for being high-end and pricey in Dubai, but one British chain has been making in-roads with incredibly affordable hotel rooms - Premier Inn. Writer Scott Campbell told The Sun that the Premier Inn brand in the Emirates has taken things to the next level. He said: "The hotels are surprisingly cool and I've booked rooms from just £30. They have rooftop pools, 24-hour gyms, shuttle buses to the beach and suave terrace bars. "The best Premier Inn in Dubai can be found in Barsha Heights. '"It's around 15 minutes by taxi from the glitz and glamour of Dubai Marina and an even shorter journey to The Palm with its trendy all-inclusive beach clubs." Similarly, holidaymakers can save hundreds by swapping taxis for the Metro. Scott said: "The Dubai Metro is very safe and efficient and serves all the main tourist areas in the city. "Although hailing a cab is quite wallet-friendly, coming in at around £7 for a trip to the Marina from the Premier Inn, the city's Metro line is only ten minutes away on foot. "Fares start at just 65p for a ride, or £1.20 in the quieter 'gold' carriage — because where else would have a first- class metro carriage other than Dubai?" If it is too hot outside, there is even a free bus to take guests to the station from the budget hotel. 11 It's also worth checking if the hotel you stay at offers a shuttle bus to the beach. This can save you money in taxis there and back, especially if you plan on going a few times during your trip. Scott added: "The Premier Inn hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to Al Sufouh, known as the Secret Beach by locals, due to it being lesser known and less crowded as the famous Kite Beach." Al Sufouh and Kite Beach are both public beaches and not owned by the exclusive hotel resorts and so they are free to use. This is perfect for doing Dubai on a budget because pop-up stalls and food trucks line the beach path. You can pick up homemade empanadas for £7 or an excellent and sizeable burrito for £11 from La Patrona, without the excessive service charges and extras required at a posh hotel. 11 Find a budget brunch Boozy brunches in Dubai are one of the most popular pastimes for the under 30s. But, extravagant spots like Burj Al Arab and The Palm can become very pricy indeed, with some starting at £80 before you add alcohol on. However, budget travelers to Dubai can still indulge in the boozy, boujee pastime with a more cost-effective brunch in a less exclusive location. Scott said: "The Premier Inn has its own bar, Mr Toad's, where a Saturday 'drunch' offers unlimited drinks for three hours for £25. 'With a pint in Dubai usually costing around £9 on average, after only three drinks you'll easily make back the cost.' Meanwhile, Finance manager, Kristina Williams used to live in Dubai and has a list of cheap things to do that she shares with family and friends who came to visit. 11 11 She said: "One of the most popular sights in Dubai has to be the fountain show in Downtown Dubai. "The Dubai Fountain, which is outside the Dubai Mall, is the tallest dancing fountain in the world and totally free to watch, so it's ideal for families. "The famous Aquarium is also located at the Dubai Mall. "If you don't want to pay to spend a whole day there, I recommend taking the kids to see the largest part of the aquarium completely free of charge. "The enormous glass tank actually makes up a huge wall inside the shopping centre." Not everything in Dubai has to cost money. Kristina says there are lots of beautiful outdoor spaces that are free to use. She said: " AL Qudra, the desert area, has a free cycling track and running track. It's popular in the early evening when the sun starts to go down. "You can just go and soak up the atmosphere, spot camels and go bird watching. 11 "There is also a free walking path on the Palm. It's great for a casual stroll, with lots of affordable cafes and shady spots along the way. "This is my favourite, as it looks out to sea and you can see the famous Atlantis hotel and get the obligatory selfie outside." Being a former local, Kristina knows where to eat too. "We always go to the Deira area, which is Dubai's old town, for a cheap dinner - you can get a curry for £2 and they are always so good. "We spend less there as the area isn't known for its alcohol, so it's always more affordable than the Dubai hotels that cater to tourists." A VIP liaison's guide to Dubai Romika Fazeli runs a VIP concierge company called Emirates World Club, providing millionaire clients with everything from luxury hotel bookings to shopping trips or restaurant recommendations. Here are her top tips. "When it comes to private beaches, Jumeirah Beach Hotel is pure luxury and there are no crowds, or the beach at Al Qasr Hotel has beach club events most weekends with resident DJs, amazing cuisine and great beach side service. "The city has some of the best shopping in the world with over 50 malls and even a month long shopping festival. " The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates are the two most popular shopping destinations in the city centre, housing high-street, boutique and luxury designers, from Louis Vuitton to Balenciaga. "Other great places for shopping are Dubai Festival City Mall, City Walk, Dubai Marina Mall and Dubai Outlet Mall." Or if you want to be seen with the 'in' crowd, the hottest places in the city right now are Ce La Vi, Lucky Fish, the restaurants at West Palm Beach, and Sal at Burj Al Arab.

Daily Mirror

a day ago

• Daily Mirror

Stephen Mulhern confirms he's been dropped by Butlin's amid disaster career woes

Former Dancing On Ice presenter Stephen Mulhern has been dealt another career blow as he has now lost his lucrative deal with iconic British holiday firm Butlin's Stephen Mulhern has been dropped from his lucrative deal with Butlin's - capping off a round of bad luck for the star. The 48-year-old presenter had been the face of the family-friendly holiday resort chain in the UK - to the tune of a reported £1 million. But now the star's magic has run out and his contract reportedly won't be renewed. Stephen enjoyed early success in his career as a Redcooat at the iconic holiday chain. And he returned to the stage at centres in Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness as part of his now defunct deal. ‌ A report has claimed the ITV star will no longer perform once the summer season is over - and that his contract won't be renewed. A spokesperson for the star confirmed that the collaboration between the brand and the TV star had indeed ended. ‌ However, they added that host had enjoyed his time working with the chain. The spokesperson told The Mirror: "Stephen has absolutely loved being part of the Butlin's family - performing his stage shows in front of thousands of holiday makers across the country and the relationship with Butlin's remains hugely positive. "This change allows Stephen to explore new opportunities in the family holiday space – something he's incredibly passionate about." A spokesperson for Butlin's said they had nothing to add when asked about the reports Stephen had been dropped as the face of the company. The Sun broke news of Stephen's loss of work, with a source saying: 'Stephen has been a massive hit with holidaymakers. He began his career as a Redcoat and has kept families brilliantly entertained.' However, this is just the latest incident in a line of bad news for Stephen - both professionally and personally. The long-running ITV winter sport reality show Dancing On Ice was axed earlier this year - with the show being cancelled after ratings tanked after he came on board to co-host it alongside Holly Willoughby in 2024. Stephen replaced Phillip Schofield who saw his contract with ITV go up in flames in 2023 after he admitted having an office affair behind-the-scenes of This Morning with a much younger employee and then lying about it. ‌ Last year, Stephen's other TV show, In For A Penny, was cancelled after six seasons - but it was teased that the show could be revived in the future. A source previously told The Sun: "So don't put your pennies away just yet as the team could be popping up in your local town, to challenge even more members of the public to take part in their unique and madcap games in the future." ‌ Meanwhile, fans of Stephen were worried last year when he had a health scare - as he collapsed in a Pizza Express after undergoing surgery for a health issue. He also suffered a devastating bereavement last year when his father passed away. Stephen paid tribute to his late father in a touching moment after his Royal Variety Performance act last December. As the audience applauded his magic tricks, he said: "That was for you dad." In happier news, some of Stephen's other TV projects are continuing - including Deal or No Deal which was revived in 2023 with Stephen as the host.