London and Paris Trip - Packing

Electricity plug adapter for battery and phone chargers?

A rain jacket is something I take everywhere, every trip.

just recognize that anything you might forget or decide while there you should have brought, can be found over there, so no mistake is fatal.

1- Enough prescription medications for your trip plus a few days extra. You can organize them any way you want- they don't have to stay in the original bottles, except for liquids (which do not go in the 3-1-1 bag, but should be in their own bag).

2- A small amount of any OTC medications you prefer- pain meds (Aleve, Motrin, Aspirin, etc.), cough drops, Nyqyil gel pills (or similar) some 'stomach issue' meds (Pepto, Immodium, Dramamine...), Sinus medication (Benadryl, etc.).....etc.

3. A small first aid kit- easy to assemble your own, or purchase a small one at the drug store. Use a small baggie- put in some assorted band aids, and antibiotic ointment in small individual packets (or stick a small tube in your 3-1-1 bag along with anti-itch ointment)... you see the trend. You aren't packing for a wilderness trek where you are miles away from help, just enough to deal with smallish problems until you can get what you need.

4- A small sewing kit. Again use a small baggie. Wrap some thread of several colors (based on your wardrobe) around a 1"x2" or 3" piece of cardboard, stick a couple of needles in one end. Add some straight pins and safety pins, and a spare button or 2). You can even include a very small pair of scissors or a pair of nail clippers to cut the thread.

5- A sheet with a summary of all your medications, their dosage info and the condition for which you take them, your doctors' phone numbers and names- be sure to include your dentist in that list, the name, address and phone number of your pharmacy, major medical conditions you have/had, a list of surgeries and the approximate date, allergies (both food and medication), etc. If you are interested, send me a private message with your email, and I'll be glad to send you a sample form that I use. It will help if something serious happens, or if you need to speak with a pharmacist or other medical personnel.

Yes, all or most of these items can be purchased in Europe. But if you have at least a small amount you don't have to immediately rush out to find a 'chemist' (as pharmacy/drug stores are know) or other store.

EDIT- Forgot to mention, a few hand wipes, some stain wipes (or a stain pen).

I would include small amounts of OTC meds as Toni suggested. If you take anything for headaches, muscle pain, stomach upsets, etc. For anything that comes in a blister pack, I just put a few of the cards in a sandwich baggie and I use a small bottle for everything else. Not every medication has the same availability everywhere. For example, Aleve/naproxen is prescription only in the UK.

One thing that I always wished I had was cutlery. I would get takeout and I can't remember ever getting forks or spoons, and the grocery stores always seemed to be out of stock.

If you wear contacts, I would take enough contact solution for the entire trip. I don't mind buying toothpaste or shampoo or lotions there, but don't want to trust my eyes to different solutions, particularly in case allergies develop. And ditto the light rain jackets. Otherwise I would just make sure I had layers in case it gets cool. I took an easy-to-pack dress to London for fun, and decided I would not do that again (but I almost always wear pants at home). Remember, you can wear a few things over and over because no one will remember anyway.

Good advice so far. Have you checked the packing list/tips listed on this site?

don't over pack with stuff you "may" need

TIny flashlight for finding your way in your room in the middle of the night; washcloth (not often provided in European hotels); 2-gallon baggie for clothes washing (don't count on a stopper in the bathroom sink); springy clothesline; small umbrella (I prefer to a bulkier rain jacket); ear plugs for sleeping; a small plastic hairclip to keep room curtains closed at night.

I haven't checked the travel packing lists but I will do that thanks!

I always pack a couple of gallon zip-lock baggies - something always ends up muddy, wet, or damp and that gives me something to put it in.

We stayed at a friend's timeshare in the Rutlands UK ( a famous Birders area). Our room was a very nice "Condo" in a converted mews. There are several places like this on some of the big estates that are usually available by the week. This was in April. They had an indoor spa and swimming pool. Bring a swimming suit!

Why ask this question, when they are in Rick Steves Tour books. You should have them already and you should be taking them with you !

You might consider a small notebook/journal to write about your trip. I did tba on my first trip and I was glad that I did because I had forgotten so many small details a few months later.

Most things you might need you can buy there if you need them. The absolute must for us are prescription meds of course, OTC meds (these are easily available at pharmacies in Paris but who wants to have to figure that out at 2 am, do we always have basic stomach, pain and cold meds -- we can buy more if we need them) Basic meds like ibuprofen are also crazy expensive and sold in small bits in Europe -- I can buy a huge bottle of Ibuprofen for what a strip of 12 pills cost me in Italy.

And we also always take wash clothes because these are rarely provided in apartments or hotels in Europe. I throw 4 or 5 ratty old ones in the suitcase and then toss them before going home or if they get musty. Use colored ones as white ones may be swept up by maids doing the laundry. My husband likes the terry cloth shower mitts used in Europe and so we usually buy a couple of new ones on each European trip that he brings home as they are hard to find in the US and standard in France at least.

Two pair of comfortable shoes and something wind/rain resistant and layers for warmth and coolth and you are set.

I would like to add one more item. We are coffee/tea drinkers. We always bring coffee & tea bags with us. There is usually a pot for making hot water in every English hotel for making tea or instant coffee. Paris, a heating coil may be handy. Don't forget the adapter or buy a European heating coil if you can find one.

Twist ties, wash clothes, extra pair of glasses, ear plugs, extra camera battery and charger, adapters, pen or pencil and a small journal, charger for your smart phone, some safety pins, travel size bottles of hand sanitizer, travel size packets of Kleenex, nail clippers, some band aids in different sizes, packets of Airborne, tea bags, extra photo cards for your camera, a printed out list of your prescriptions, copies of your passport, a passport photo of each of you for the National Rail 2 for 1 deals, a head scarf, zip lock bags in different sizes, coin purse. Enjoy your trip.

Yes, the lack of washcloths can be a surprise. One is enough, in a small Ziplock bag so it can be packed while damp. Miniature scissors can come in handy and, for my taste, a corkscrew.

Re electric plug adapters -- you will need two types -- one type for London and another type for Paris. Also be sure any electronics are labeled something like "110-240" or similar. Otherwise you'll also need a converter. Highly unlikely since most electronics are now dual voltage but it doesn't hurt to check before you leave home.

My list of things I can't travel without
-book for the plane!
-sunglasses
-earbuds in case of noisy people on plane (though they often provide them onboard)
-extra socks or flip flops if you don't like walking around on hotel carpets barefoot like I don't :)

Don't take scissors (mentioned a couple of times above) of any description in hand baggage.

If you'll be doing a lot of walking, you might want moleskin instead of bandaids. Bandaids just won't stay in place on rubby spots like moleskin does. You'll need to cut in advance or pack small scissors in your checked baggage.

Guidelines now actually allow you to carry 'SMALL' scissors in your carry-on. Embroidery scissors are allowed, for example, and I've taken nurses' bandage scissors without setting off any concerns. You can also ask to borrow some at the front desk of the hotel, if needed. And band aids are not just for blisters- paper cuts, scrapes, etc. can happen on vacation, too. Assorted Ziploc type baggies is also a good idea. A few each- snack size, quart size, gallon and/or 2 gallon- would be fine. They can hold anything from damp or especially dirt items, to food left over from a lunch picnic, to tickets, receipts, even a wet umbrella,etc. A small roll of cellophane tape and one of duct tape is also a good idea (for the duct tape, just roll a small bit around a stubby pencil). If you wear glasses, take a glasses repair kit- screw driver, extra temple screws and nose plates. You can usually find them at your drug store (or Walmart) in a tube smaller than your finger.

Some good ideas above. My suggestion based on my very first trip to Europe (which was also London/Paris), is to bring 1) a sense of humor and 2) cash (make sure to call your banks to alert them to your travels).