I’ll never forget my first visit to London. I was a 19-year-old college student spending my spring semester at the University of London as part of a study abroad program. Arriving in London felt like being transported back to the 1940s with the iconic black taxi cabs, historic buildings that almost seemed black from pollution, and a flat with orange-rust colored stairs that was quite in vogue, I’m sure, in the 70s, but by 1989 had seen better days and was very much out of favor in the world of home décor. (I also lived with 5 other girls and we shared 1 bathroom, but that’s probably a story of another blog post!)
A lot has changed in London since that first visit. The pollution has improved tremendously, and my old flat has gotten such a very posh makeover it’s hard to believe college kids were once allowed to live there.
I arrived in London that January with two 30-inch suitcases with the pull strap. Remember those? (I won’t date myself by sharing what year it was!) Let’s just say, I packed more than enough for my 5 months in London!
Thankfully, I’ve learned a few things about traveling in the several decades since my first visit abroad and my subsequent trips Across the Pond. If you’re headed to London, or elsewhere in Europe, here’s some advice that has served me well over the years.
Learn to Pack Light(er)
When I head to Europe for 2 weeks, I usually check my 26-inch suitcase, and bring a small carry-on bag with wheels and a backpack (AKA “rucksack” as the Brits call it) on board. Is that too much luggage? Maybe. But for the most part, I haven’t had any trouble managing my luggage. (Sure, there was that time in Paris when I had to carry all my luggage up 4 flights of stairs because I forgot that in Europe the ground floor isn’t considered the first floor. So the third floor is actually the fourth floor. And there was no elevator. Lesson learned).
If I really had to, I could probably get everything into a 20-inch suitcase and carry-on bag and never check my luggage. It’s a goal I aspire to. But my message to you is this: be sure you can carry your own luggage – no matter what you size luggage you decide to bring.
My wardrobe usually consists of 2-3 pairs of pants/jeans, 2-3 long sleeve t-shirts, and a cardigan. In summer, I might also bring a dress (or jumpsuit. In winter (although I haven’t to Europe in winter since I was a student), I might add a more substantial sweater or two. The best advice I received about what to pack and how to dress was from a manicurist I met in London. “Be like an onion,” she said. Meaning, wear layers that you can take off. Especially in the UK, you really can experience all four seasons in one day (I think Sting wrote a song about that!) and you want to be prepared. I also always pack at least one scarf. You’ll be amazed at how warm it can keep you, all year round.
When it comes to shoes, don’t pack more than 3 pairs, make sure one is waterproof and be sure to break them in before you leave. A few years ago, I spent a month in the UK, and one my shoe choices were a huge mistake! I wound up with bleeding blisters because I hadn’t broken in the shoes I planned to walk around in most. That led me to wear sandals when it was 60-degrees (in May). I caught a cold and sniffled my way through London for the next 3 weeks. On the plus side, I did purchase a pair of comfy Chelsea boots on sale at Clark’s, so there was a silver lining to my very rookie mistake.
Worship Packing Cubes
Finding creative ways to get all your clothes into your suitcase will make you become a staunch devotee of packing cubes. Seriously, they’ve changed how I travel and I’m always amazed at how much you can get into your suitcase when you use them. You can find dozens of brands on Amazon. I like the Amazon Basics line. (This isn’t a sponsored post, I just really use and like them!) Compression cubes are also great to use. They do tend to wrinkle your clothes a bit, so I like to use them for sweaters and jeans.
For that, there’s Downey Wrinkle Release, which is one item that’s always in my 3-1-1 bag wherever I go. I use it for wrinkles or to refresh anything I might re-wear throughout my trip. I’m still a work in progress in the toiletries department. I’ve paired down my routine quite a bit when I travel, but I still like to bring the products I’m used to. That said, I also love trying new brands, so consider purchasing many of your toiletries at your destination and/or using what is offered at your hotel. In all likelihood, there’s a pharmacy nearby (look for the Green Cross or ask the folks at front desk of your hotel), and you can get affordable trial sizes. You might find your new favorite brand. One quick note if you love aerosols (like hairspray)… they’re not as easy to find in the UK and throughout Europe, so if you can live without them (just me?), be sure to find a 3 ounce one before you depart.
One other note, the U.K and Europe have different rules regarding what liquids you can take in your carry-on bag (or “hand luggage” as its referred to in Europe). When I traveled by air from Dublin to London a few years ago, I had to take all the items in my 3-1-1 bag and put it into a specially designated plastic zip bag that the airport (or Customs) provided for free. It was slightly smaller than what we use in the U.S. Read more about U.K. regulations here
Get into STEP
Watching the evacuation of Afghanistan has reminded me of the importance of the State Department’s STEP program. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service of the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. Through the STEP program, you register your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy. This way, you can learn about important safety conditions in the countries your traveling to. More importantly, if there’s an emergency, whether natural disaster, terrorist attack, or if your family back home needs to reach you, being registered can help the nearest Embassy contact you. I register each overseas trip because, in the world we live in, I think having my government know where I am so they can help rescue me is a benefit. You can read more about the program and register https://step.state.gov. It’s also a good idea to know the address and phone number of the U.S. Embassy in whatever country you’ll be traveling. I keep those in the Notes section of my iPhone and share it with family in addition to my travel documents.
Keep Your Docs Close
Passport, Driver’s license, credit cards… these are all important documents no one wants to lose or have stolen when traveling. And should there be an issue, you want to be able to resolve it quickly. Before you leave, be sure to make copies of your important documents (be sure to include front and back of your license and credit card, and while you’re at it, don’t forget your COVID Vax card!), then either upload to Dropbox or Google Docs or email them to yourself (or both!). This way, even if something happens to your cell phone, you can access the information readily. It’s also a good idea to leave this info with someone back home, along with your travel itinerary. And check in regularly so your family knows your safe.
Learn the Lingo
While there are many similarities between the U.S. and the UK (and Europe), not everything translates the same way. For instance, in the U.S., if you’re rushed to the hospital, it’s called an Emergency Room (or Department). In the U.K., you go to the A & E (Accidents & Emergencies). In America, 9-1-1 is the number to call if there’s an accident, crime, fire, etc. In the UK and in European Union countries, you need to dial (or tell someone to dial) 9-9-9. In the Republic of Ireland, you can dial 1-1-2 in addition to 9-9-9.
If you’re in Dublin and you pass a building called “Garda”, that’s a police station. Officers also usually wear jackets emblazoned with the word. It’s short for Garda Síochána, or “Guardians of the Peace of Ireland” in Gaeilge (AKA Irish, which is different from Gaelic. If you want to know more click here). Wherever you’re headed, it’s worth doing a little research to learn how to say emergency phrases in the native language. Knowing how to say “hello”, “please” and “thank you” will go a long way too.
Where ever your travels take you, I hope these tips are helpful.
What tips would you add? Be sure to comment and share below.