More than half of Britons overpack for holidays by at least 2.5kg (around £30 in excess baggage)
60% of Britons pack more than they need when they go on holiday, new research has revealed. The study, conducted by villa holiday tour operator Villa Plus, surveyed 1,000 British tourists to find out whether they overpack for a holiday and which items they are most likely to take as extra. travel overpacking
- travel overpackingAverage number of items people tend to overpack:
- Toiletries – 4 items
- Make up – 5 items
- Clothing – 6 items
- Shoes – 3 pairs
- Books – 3 items
- Gadgets – 3 items
- Handbags – 2 items
- Hairdryer/straightener – 2 items
- Food/drink – 5 items
A staggering 3m like home comforts so much they take them abroad, with Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Vinegar, Hellman’s Mayonnaise, Cadbury’s Chocolate and tea bags the top items most likely to be found in a Brits’ suitcase.
Is there a gender divide? travel overpacking
Packing can lead to arguments, especially when it comes to who’s taking up more room in the suitcase. We found that women tend to be worse than men for overpacking, though more men will overdo it on clothing, books and gadgets.
While it’s good to be prepared for every situation, 39% of women travel with too many pairs of shoes, compared to 22% of men.
The top 5 worst cities for overpacking:
1. Leeds – 81.5%
2. Bristol – 75%
3. Edinburgh – 70.6%
4. Sheffield – 70.6%
5. Nottingham – 69.8%
Cardiff is the worst for overpacking toiletries, Belfast for make-up and Edinburgh for clothing.
When it comes to age, 18-24 year-olds are the biggest culprits with 75% doing so on every holiday. However, almost all of those aged 65+ surveyed (98%) admitted that they overpack clothing for every holiday. 25-34 year-olds are the worst for overpacking toiletries (47%) so and 55-64s are the worst for overpacking shoes (42.4%).
Simon Lifford, Head of Sales and Marketing from Villa Plus, commented on the findings: “It can be very difficult packing for a holiday. Every airline has its own rules when it comes to size and weight and depending on the time of year and destination, it can be hard to judge how many good or bad weather clothes to take!
“Overpacking can make us feel more reassured – knowing we have packed for every eventuality – however it’s worth always checking how much baggage allowance you have and weighing your case before you set off to avoid additional charges.” travel overpacking
