We all know that Brits love their tea, but they really can’t seem to go anywhere without their beloved tea bags and kettle.
The odd items UK tourists pack in their suitcases have been revealed, with 47 per cent of those surveyed saying they have packed food and drinks such as tea bags, a bag of crisps and even baked beans that cannot be shop at your destination.
The study was commissioned by online retailer Next, which surveyed 2,000 British travelers about their holiday packing habits.
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And tea bags and baked beans are just a few of the quirky things they love to pack.
The study also found that one in 20 UK travelers packed kettles, baking trays and even toasters despite spending their holiday in self-catering accommodation.
And it doesn’t end there. Kitchen items such as cutlery, glasses, plates and bowls are also high on their packing list, as are towels and bedding, with a third of Britons admitting they were guilty of this act.
Meanwhile, 15 percent of those surveyed admitted to taking some type of cleaning product, from household gloves to bathroom spray, the Mirror informed.
Perhaps the only act most travelers are guilty of is wearing too much underwear, and the survey reveals that 32 percent of travelers pack too much underwear.
In second place are shoes at 28 per cent, followed by toiletries and socks at 18 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.
And it was 25 to 34-year-olds who were the worst overpackers, with 53 percent admitting to taking too much on vacation.
According to Skyscanner, the chances of you wearing or using everything you pack are normally pretty slim, so the online travel agency revealed its top tips on how to avoid common packing mistakes.
overpack
It seemed like a great idea at the time to pack everything you have in your bag. But that will get heavy and take up space you could be using for souvenirs and other purchases, the travel agency explains.
“Take a moment to consider whether you really need to bring your laptop, iPad, mobile phone, and camera with you. Could your phone work as your camera? Can you download a select number of movies from your laptop to your iPad? The chances of him wearing or using everything he normally packs are pretty slim.”
The solution?
Skyscanner suggests making a list of the things you absolutely need before you start adding extras.
“Leave all your clothes on a bed or on the floor. Then halve the amount you have.” They said the tactic is “simple and effective” and will force you to prioritize.
“Just pack clothes that go with everything. Stick to season-appropriate neutral colors and you can get a good amount of wear out of every item you pack.
“You really don’t need more than two pairs of jeans — you might want to pack a casual pair for day and a nicer pair for night (or one light color, one dark color).”
too many shoes
Most travelers are guilty of wearing too many shoes, not just the British.
“Overpacking shoes deserves its own category, as it’s a very common novice mistake when traveling,” Skyscanner explains on its site.
“Shoes are heavy. The shoes are oddly shaped. Shoes will ruin your dreams of a perfectly packed suitcase.”
The solution?
The online travel agency suggests limiting yourself to just two or three pairs of shoes (including the one you’ll wear on the plane).
“Make sure you pack shoes that are multipurpose. It’s great if they look good, but they should also give your feet good support for all the walks you’ll be doing.
“Ladies, think about whether you are really going to go to an occasion that requires heels before you pack them. Heels can take up a lot of unnecessary space and be quite inconvenient to pack. If you’re going to pack them, pick a neutral pair that goes with a lot of outfits.”
Overpacking comes at a price
Excess baggage can also come at a considerable cost, as most airlines charge a fee for excess baggage or baggage that exceeds their weight limit.
The study found that Britons alone paid, on average, $20 in excess baggage charges this year, and one in 20 will end up spending $128 on excess baggage.
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