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London Calling: What to Pack
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items London is calling! If it is your first time traveling there or maybe you headed back, check out this extensive list of all the things we love to have when traveling to this amazing city. We have our favorite items for the long haul flight to our must haves wandering the city. Be prepared for your journey and your next adventure! We are London Travel Planners and go there often, so check out what we travel with!
Sections
6
For the Airplane
Traveling around the City
Must Haves
Traveling with Younger Kids
Travel with small kids transportation needs
Travel with babies and toddlers for the Hotel room.
For the Airplane
Helping make your long plane ride more comfortable!
I love these Earplanes for my kiddos when traveling on flights. I never know when the pressure will be hard for them or not and sometimes its depending on the flight, location, and their overall ear health at the time. So I pack these whenever we fly...
Original Children's EarPlanes by Cirrus Healthcare
These are great if you are sensative to cabin pressure on airplanes. You might not know if you are until it is too late. As sometimes I have flights with no issues and other times it really bothers me. Come prepared no matter what and oack Earplanes in your carry-on. This is a must have for us on all flights!
Earplanes - Amazon.com
I have tried many headphone, ear buds, ear plugs, etc. I always come back to Bose. They are pricey but worth every penny. I feel the over the head ones stay on better but you can get the little ear bud ones as well which are nice all around.
Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones
My mother-in-law bought me a silk eye mask and now I have a few. I love this brand and have the blush pink. Comes with a cute little carry case and I always have it in my carryon for those long haul flights and those hotel rooms or Airbnb that seem n...
Blissy Silk Sleep Masks - 100% Mulberry 22-Momme 6A Grade Silk
On any long flight you want a great travel pillow. There are different styles. Paul likes one that attaches to the back of his eat. I personal like the one that velcros around my neck. Don't forget to pack your pillow as sitting in a seat upright can hurt your neck and you don't want to start your trip off with neck pain!
Amazon Best Sellers: Best Travel Pillows
Airplanes are dryer then the desert and imagine being in one for a whole day! With those long flights especially lip balm is essential. If you find one with SPF that is even double helpful if you manage to get some sunny days!
Chapstick products at Target
Just like chapstick, those hands can get painfully dry with travel. So I highly suggest a travel size hand cream to carry with you in your carry-on bag and then you have it for during your hotel stay as well.
Travel Size Hand Cream - Amazon.com
Travel size hand creams, shampoos, soaps, wipes… all useful when traveling on the flight and traveling abroad. Don't bring fullsize bottles but rather travel size.
Hands : Mini & Travel Size Products - Target
Earplugs are a must for any plane ride you hope to get some rest on. The airlines sometimes offers ear plugs on some flights depending on airline and class of service. I personally don't like the squishy ones and find they don't stay in my ears well or they don't work that well. I much prefer to have one that looks like a screw. I find them more effective at blocking out the loud noise of airplanes and those around you.
Ear Plugs For Sleeping - Amazon.com
Boise makes my favorite earbuds and headphones for noise canceling of all the different brands I have tried and have. I find they truly knock out the noise and for me they fit my ears best.
Shop Noise Cancelling Earbuds - Bose
I find a travel blanket is great to have on the long haul flights or any flight really. If you are someone that can get cold easily then I suggest bringing a blanket on your flight. Airlines off a very light one but it often never feels like enough. I also find it nice then to have a little extra blanket in the hotel if I find I am chilly.
I also sleep with a pillow between my knees and this doubles as that when in the hotel room.
I also sleep with a pillow between my knees and this doubles as that when in the hotel room.
Airplane Blanket - Amazon.com
If your going to stay up on a flight and have that screen in front of you, you may want to wear some blue light blocking glasses. This way your not stimulating your nervous system as much when really your trying to wind down to get to sleep soon.
livho High Tech Blue Light Glasses
Consider a small four wheel carry-on that can fit under the seat in front of you. Especially if you are shorter. It is nice to have everything right there on a long flight rather then in the overhead. In addition as a shorter person, I like being able to pull it out mid flight and have it be an extra foot rest for my fit.
BAGSMART 16-inch Underseat Carry On Luggage
Traveling around the City
Items that help make the most of the city travel!
There are two different sunscreens that I love and this is one of them. I actually like the scented versions but I buy mineral sunscreens.
Unscented or Scented Sunscreen - Native
You will need Sunnies as the Aussies say. Once I had Maui Jim sunglasses, I can't use any others. I love my Maui Jims and I often travel with two pairs. They are by far the best and worth the investment.
PolarizedPlus2® Sunglasses | Maui Jim®
If you want a more fashionable hat that looks great in both city and country and packs well, I love this one!
Women's Global Adventure™ Packable Hat III
If you are traveling to Australia with kids, I highly suggest checking out our Essentials when traveling with kids list!
Travel Essentials When Traveling with Children
We pack one some umbrella for every member of the family. It is London and you can have light rain at any point. Compact means it fits in the side of our backpack or inside our purse when we don't need it but it is at the ready when we do!
Mini Umbrella - Amazon.com
I love my baggallini bags. I own a backpack that is small enough to enter into venues and not check and large enough to put waterbottles on the side and an umbrella.
I also have a cross body purse as well when I want to travel a little lighter.
I also have a cross body purse as well when I want to travel a little lighter.
backpack purses & convertible backpacks for women - Baggallini
If you wear glasses and your in a country where it can rain regularly it is essential to have a microfiber cloth to wipe your glasses.
This is also handy when you have sunny days and want to clean your sunglasses.
This is also handy when you have sunny days and want to clean your sunglasses.
MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, 6 Pack
Pashminas are great to have on the airplane or during your trip for the times the weather is a little cooler.
Pashmina Shawls - Amazon.com
I normally use stainless steel waterbottles at home but when traveling I will live with light reusable water bottles that are not as heavy to carry in my back pack.
Consider the silicone ones that squeeze and pack up when they don't have water.
Consider the silicone ones that squeeze and pack up when they don't have water.
Lightweight Reusable Water Bottle - Amazon.com
We always travel with hand sanitizer and use it right before we eat if we are unable to get to a bathroom and easily wash our hands. I personally love the little ones that you can clip on to a bag.
Purell : Mini & Travel Size Products
For wiping down the table before eating, these are handy and come in a small easy to carry container.
Wet Ones
We don't always like the alcohol in hand sanitizer, especially for our kids. We also have a kid who prefers the foam to the gel. So this is the sanitizer we use for our kids and ourselves if we are not personally using the Purell.
Babyganics Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer Bundle - 4 Items
Must Haves
These are a must have if you are traveling to London!
I suggest a back pack or a sling bag. It kind of depends on preference. My husband normally carries the backpack with all the kids stuff. I like to have w smaller wing type bag that I can access my stuff easily. Australia is a pretty safe place over...
Securtex Anti-Theft Daytripper Sling - Baggallini
RIFD Passport cover with air tag holder. I have been lucky enough to not lose a passport but its important to keep your passport safe with the RIFD protection and then the added benefit of putting an air tag in! I love holders that have extra little pockets for a few added things as well.
Airtag Passport Holder RFID Leather Wallet
This is the actual wallet I own and love. I have had a few different ones over the years. I love how my cards RFID protected and I have a separate area for coins.
APHISON RFID Leather Credit Card Holder Wallet
This is the other more condensed RFID blocking wallet. This one is a little nicer for travel if you don't intend on carrying so many cards. I also loved having one with the ability to have my photo ID in a pocket on the outside but did not have the separate coin area. This was my actual wallet before moving to the larger one I suggest.
FurArt RFID Blocking Credit Card Wallet
If you want something more compact that protects your cards, these are some great options.
Mens RFID Wallet
When I travel I much prefer to travel with my shampoo, conditioner, facial soap, creams, etc. So I always have them in travel size to take less space! I like the ones that come in a little bag as extra protection in case of any sort of spillage.
Travel Shampoo Bottles - Amazon.com
I always travel with zip lock bags. I find them useful when packing things that may leak or if I want to have snacks to pack for the day. They just come in handy.
I pack a mixture of gallon and quart size.
I pack a mixture of gallon and quart size.
Ziploc products at Target
Electronic cords or bits and bobs can be organized.
Organizer Bag - Amazon.com
I love organizing cubes. Everyone in the family has their own color and set. They also keep your clothes organized at the hotel in the drawers if you don't want to fully unpack.
BAGAIL 8 Set Packing Cubes Luggage Organizers
If you are trying to travel with less bags but still struggle to get it all in, consider vacum pack bags. We have these and use them sometimes instead of our packing cubes or we pack our cubes along with them. It was really helpful when we are trying to squeeze our kids stuff in a carry-on size bag to check.
They come with a rechargable vacum sealer. The one we have has additional attachments and can reverse and so we have used it to blow up air mattresses as well. Super useful.
They come with a rechargable vacum sealer. The one we have has additional attachments and can reverse and so we have used it to blow up air mattresses as well. Super useful.
Vacuum Bags For Traveling - Amazon.com
We always travel with a power bank charger and remember to check with your airline but most powerbanks need to be in your carry-on luggage.
We find these super helpful for long days out when you are unable to charge your phone.
We find these super helpful for long days out when you are unable to charge your phone.
Best Cell Phone Portable Power Banks
Make sure to pack your US to UK adapters and to pack enough of them. I also love having ones for long cords and that allow me to plug in more then one device.
For safety reason I never use the USB plugs that are available in a hotel. I always plug in my adapter into the power supply and then plug in my item.
For safety reason I never use the USB plugs that are available in a hotel. I always plug in my adapter into the power supply and then plug in my item.
Us To Uk Plug Adapter
Mobile Phone theft is a real thing that is happening in London. So to keep your phone safe when traveling, using various apps, and taking photos, make sure to have it on a lanyard.
You may think it is overkill but I personally have seen a women have her phone snatched right from her hand as she stood near the intersection waiting for a light to change.
Someone on a scooter bike came by and snatched it.
So I highly suggest having one and always using two hands when on your phone.
You may think it is overkill but I personally have seen a women have her phone snatched right from her hand as she stood near the intersection waiting for a light to change.
Someone on a scooter bike came by and snatched it.
So I highly suggest having one and always using two hands when on your phone.
Iphone Lanyard
Traveling with Younger Kids
Have littles? These are are favorites for traveling to London with Kids!
My child was given this as a gift before the flight to Disney World and they have been a hit since. We always have this in our little travel bag of toys. Just the right size for travel and the adults enjoy it as well.
BAOXUE 6 Pack Kids Watercolor Paint Sets
I like to have one of these in each bag for the kids to go with the small little paint sets. It takes little space and can be useful to have anyways for a variety of other reasons. There are a heap of various options out there and some have cool clips and cords to attach it to something. I just have a small simple one.
Deke Home 2 Pack Silicone Collapsible Travel Cups
I really love these sticker by number books when traveling with kids. Even as an adult I find them relaxing. It is all together in a spiral bound book and it is easy to take out anywhere and give the kiddos or adult some downtime.
Brain Games Sticker By Number
Yoto mini player came highly recommended and it was such a hit with our kiddos we had to buy a second so each kid could have their own, and honestly, I am tempted myself to have. It is a great screen free device that allows your child to listen to music or audio stories. You can get cards but as long as you have the app, you can pair the cards to the app and then as long as you have your phone, you can control the Yotos of your kids. We not only travel with these, we keep them in each kids room and they use them at night as well. They have a variety of cards/stories/music you can purchase for a range of ages! We love our YOTO!
Yoto products at Target
Ladybird are some of our favorite Yoto Cards! I feel like any ladybird is a hit and educational as well.
Yoto Ladybird Audio Adventures: Volume 1 Audio Card Collection (5 ...
Lots of amazing cards to select for your Yoto! Harry Potter, Disney Stories, Daniel Tiger, Magic Treehouse, Classic Stories, Music cards, and more.
Yoto Cards
Great case to carry your mini yoto, headphones, cord, and some cards if you desire.
Yoto Mini Case
Headphones to go with the Yoto are a must!
Yoto Headphones for Kids - Volume Limiting & Adjustable Headband
Just to be safe and to help identify whose Yoto is whose, we bought each kid a silicone cover for their Yoto!
Yoto Mini Case
We carry with us some Whoa Dough. It is gluten free and sensory wise my kids prefer it over Playdo. We really love the little 8-Pack as it comes in a nice container for traveling. It is also reasonable priced enough that if at any point it gets dried out or they want to create little characters and let them dry you, you can buy more for the next trip!
Chuckle & Roar Whoa Dough - Air Dry Clay
These are great fun for little ones and they don't make a mess.
Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow!
We actually got this game to help with learning math in a fun way, but quickly found it was such a fun and quick game for everyone, packs light, and can be taken anywhere!
Sleeping Queens Card Game for Kids & Families
These are not only great for travel and organizing the games and activities you travel with, but they are great overall with lots of uses at home as well. I love these little bags especially when traveling. Each child has them to organize their things, I can carry one for important receipts and documents, and they make a great pencil pouch as well.
Mesh Pouch
Clickable Washable Markers are great anywhere but especially when traveling. As the last think you want to do is find the cover that was dropped on the airplane or rolled around in the car!
Crayola Clicks Retractable Tip Markers 10ct
Sticker books and coloring books are a great activity to have while traveling. What I really like about these are that they are all in one and spiral bound. You don't need a separate sticker book and a separate coloring book. In addition you can fold it over for tighter space and not have the traditional bound book that requires to be open wide with two pages.
CUPKIN: Sticker and Coloring Books
Some kids and adults prefer to color with colored pencils. Twistables are the best so you don't need to bring a sharpener, as lets be real, they can too easily get lost!
Twistable Colored Pencils
For your Crayon lovers I prefer the Twistables so you are not needing to pack a sharpener!
Twistables Crayons
You never know how the pressure on the ears will go with little ones. Prior to kids I would use these personally and then after kids I always make sure to have a few sets of these for the kids. They can be easily dropped by a child so I love to have a few on hand just in case!
Original Children's EarPlanes by Cirrus Healthcare
We personally don't have too much motion sickness in our household. One of my child can not read in the car but otherwise is fine. But these have come personally recommended from family members who do have kiddos that get motion sickness.
Sea Band - Child Wrist Band
These have been great water bottles for our kids. These are their bedside water bottles or crib water bottle as they just don't leak and they are easy to grab and drink in the night. So we also always travel with at least one for each kid. I am excited they have finally come out with many new designs. Just a reminder it is important to have a water bottle that does not have straw for on the plane, as with air pressure this is nothing like getting a good quirt in the face with water when you open the cap to sip some water out of the straw. Another reason these are a great buy!
12 oz Classic Kid's Sippy Bottle
We love these little bags at our house and by far our favorite resuable bags of ALL the different ones we have or have tried over the years. Some of them have the clear back but the ones we have do not. I love the zipper as I know it is sealed well. We use these DAILY and we travel with them as well. We have different ones for different family members so everyone knows who sandwich or snack is theirs!
green sprouts Reusable Insulated Sandwich Bags (2 Pack)
We have the stainless steel kids lunch box with the attached lid as we try to avoid some plastic. Even those can be heavier (we can always get the plastic version) for travel we actually travel with these for a few reasons. 1. We love that the kids can easily put this on a tray on the airplane, hold in their laps, or even hold it in their laps in the car. 2. Our kids have dietary restrictions and this allows us to bring a really nice full lunch or dinner and for some reason they are always excited to eat the food from it, maybe the novelty. They are easy wash and they stack well in the fridge. 3. They fit really well in the Bentgo Lunch bags, we can fit other things OR we can just bring one lunch bag with two boxes in it. We actually have two of the first image shown.
Bentgo Lunch Boxes
Great having a Bentgo lunch bag to put your Bentgo lunch container in. We love how there is space for two containers, or you can have space to put your other reusable snack bags in or an ice pack, etc. Something else that is great about this bag is we find the handle on the top of the bag easily slides over the handles of a rolling luggage bag. So when are kids are pulling their little rolling luggage bags (or we are) the lunch bag is treated like their personal item and it slides right no the suitcase for transport!
Bentgo Lunch Bag/Boxes for Kids
These have been our favorite bibs over the years. We love how large they are and the area they cover. They are light and pack well.
Toppy Toddler Large Waterproof Bibs
We don't always like the alcohol in hand sanitizer, especially for our kids. We also have a kid who prefers the foam to the gel. So this is the sanitizer we use for our kids and ourselves if we are not personally using the Purell.
Babyganics Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer Bundle - 4 Items
We always travel with hand sanitizer and use it right before we eat if we are unable to get to a bathroom and easily wash our hands. I personally love the little ones that you can clip on to a bag.
Purell : Mini & Travel Size Products
For wiping down the table before eating, these are handy and come in a small easy to carry container.
Wet Ones
Waterwipes are not just great for kids but for everyone of all ages if you need something to wipe your hands or table. We prefer these for the lack of chemicals if wiping faces and hands.
WaterWipes
Travel with small kids transportation needs
To be honest this item is one we are wanting to buy. We have a friend who has a child older then us and this came highly recommended for those travel trips where you might be jumping in a taxi, or taking an Uber and you don't need or want to travel with your large car seats. This purchase is coming in ...
Ride Safer Travel Vest
These are our stroller bags. We first purchased the larger one for our larger jogger stroller. We have liked this brand and it has held up well that when our child got older and we only needed a umbrella stroller bag we bought the same brand. We also like how they fold up into a little travel size and the travel bag is built into the design so...
V VOLKGO Large Stroller Bag for Airplane
Being a traveling family, we knew we needed a lighter car seat that was FAA approved. We researched and ended up buying the contender and it has been a fabulous choice. When you are hauling around a car seat at the airport you want it to be light. The contender is a great option!
Contender™ Slim Convertible Car Seat
This Graco is another great option if you really want or need a few more inches in the airplane seat. It is a few inches narrower then the Graco Contender but you will have a few more pounds of weight. It is important to always check with the airline directly about the size of their seats. Some airlines may need you to have a more narrow seat in which case this could be a real winner!
SlimFit3™ LX 3-in-1 Car Seat
We love our Chicco Umbrella stroller and now we are down to one kid in a stroller, this is the one we carry with us. We had a different brand before but just did not stand up like the Chicco has!
Shop Lightweight Strollers: Compact & Umbrella Strollers
I picked up a water shield cover for my stroller when my youngest was just an infant and it was a great investment. We went to rainy Washington and used it everyday. It is great stroller accessory to have to pretty much any destination.
Weather Shields: Baby Products
We picked up one of these to allow us extra storage places when using an umbrella stroller as we missed having all the places to put things that you often can on a larger stroller.
J.L. Childress Cups 'N Cargo Stroller Organizer
Travel with babies and toddlers for the Hotel room.
Hands down the best pack n play we have had. This thing has traveled the world with us. It is compact. It sits on the ground so if you are having to lie next to the crib to get a fussy baby to sleep you can be right there holding their hand.
Lotus Everywhere Travel Crib - Guava Family
We always traveling with two of these organic sheets for our travel crib!
Lotus Crib Organic Cotton Fitted Sheet - Guava Family
We love this sounds machine. You can attach it to a infant car seat, your diaper bag, and packs small. We actual have two of them. We bought one to leave with my parents and one we always keep in diaper bag. It is such a lovely sound machine I have discovered my father has taken it to his room!
Hushh® Compact Sound Machine
We love this toddler pillow not just for home but also will pack it for travel, as accommodations while traveling don't have toddler pillows. It also doubles as a great travel pillow for kids or adults. Please follow your pediatrician guidelines and the manufactures guidelines in regards to child pillow use. Never give a pillow to a child under 2-years old according to the American Academy of Pediatrics!
Mini Toddler Pillow With Pillowcase
A Hushh case for your sound machine, makes storage of cord with the machine together!
Travel Case for Hushh Sound Machine