Self-catering holiday packing list + free PDF checklist
A self-catering holiday packing list is a little bit different from your usual hotel holiday packing list.
When you travel to stay in a hotel, you generally plan to eat out. So, when packing for a self-catering holiday, there are extra items you need to take with you so you can cook comfortably.
The self-catering accommodation can be pretty much any place that has a kitchen – a cabin, an apartment, a house, and even some hotel rooms.
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Self-Catering Holiday Packing List (Free PDF Checklist)
Self-Catering Holiday Packing List (Overview)
| Category | What to Pack |
|---|---|
| Documents & Basics | Passport, ID copies, tickets, hotel reservations, transport bookings, itinerary, wallet, cash, driver’s licence, phone charger |
| Toiletries | Deodorant, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, soap/shower gel, sunscreen, hand cream, lip balm, toothbrush & toothpaste, laundry detergent, hairbrush, hair ties, period products |
| Clothing | Underwear, socks, T-shirts (short & long sleeve), pants, sweater, jacket, shawl, gloves/hat (if needed), sandals/flip flops, closed-toe shoes |
| First Aid Kit | Thermometer, fever medicine, stomach medicine, painkillers, band-aids, anti-itch cream, hand sanitizer, antiseptic, regular medication |
| Dry Food (No Fridge) | Bread, salt, pepper, spices, sugar, pasta, rice, potatoes, oil, coffee/tea, fruit, vegetables, snacks, wine |
| Cold Food (Cool Bag) | Milk, dinner for first night, butter/margarine, cheese, ham, mayonnaise/ketchup, eggs, meat |
| Kitchen & Cleaning | Paper towels, dishwashing liquid, sponge, tea towel, corkscrew, garbage bags, multi-purpose cleaner, ziplock bags, food containers, reusable shopping bag |
Self-Catering Holiday Packing List
Essentials that you need for every trip
I actually have a whole article on travel essentials where all the basic items you need to take are listed.
To make it easier for you, I’ll list the things here. If you need some more explanation as to why I’m packing these things, head over to the original article.
You can jump straight over to the actual self-catering packing list if you’d like.
| Category | What to Pack |
|---|---|
| Documents & Basics | Passport, ID copies, tickets, hotel reservations, transport reservations, itinerary, wallet, cash, driver’s licence, phone charger |
| Toiletries | Deodorant, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, soap/shower gel, sunscreen, hand cream, lip balm, toothbrush & toothpaste, laundry detergent, hairbrush, hair ties, period products |
| Clothing | Underwear (1 per night + extra), socks (1 per night + extra), T-shirts (short & long sleeve), pants, sweater, jacket, shawl, gloves/hat (if needed), sandals/flip flops, closed-toe shoes |
| First Aid Kit | Thermometer, fever medicine, stomach medicine, pain medicine, band-aids, anti-itch cream, hand sanitizer, antiseptic, regular medication |
Food for Your Self-Catering Holiday
We usually bring quite a lot of food on our self-catering trips to save time and avoid relying on local shops.
Of course, you can’t take all of these when flying, as there’s usually not that much space in the luggage.
So we take as much as possible in smaller containers, especially things like salt, pepper, and oil, and buy the rest at the destination.
And of course, meal planning helps lower the amount of stuff you take!
Dry Food (No Refrigeration)
| Item |
|---|
| Bread |
| Salt |
| Pepper |
| Spices |
| Sugar |
| Pasta |
| Rice |
| Potatoes |
| Oil |
| Coffee / tea |
| Vegetables |
| Fruit |
| Snacks |
| Wine |
A tip: as I said before, use smaller containers and ziplock bags to take only as much as you need.
For the spices, we usually take the ones that we use often, such as oregano, chilli, and turmeric.
And the things like salt, oil, coffee, and others, are usually packed in a smaller container or a ziplock bag so that they take up less space. In the best-case scenario, we use it up during the trip and don’t have to take it back home.
Since we quite often make banana pancakes for breakfast, my actual packing list included bananas and flour as well.
Cold Food (Cool Bag)
| Item |
|---|
| Milk or substitute |
| Dinner for the first night |
| Butter / margarine |
| Cheese |
| Ham |
| Mayonnaise / ketchup |
| Eggs |
| Meat for main meals |
All of these items need to be refrigerated, so you’ll need to store them in a cooler box or a travel fridge.
My parents have a travel fridge that can actually be plugged into the car’s accessory outlet (cigarette lighter) and the plug in the room. It means that they don’t have to worry about the ice blocks, which is amazing on longer trips.
A tip: frozen meat will help keep all the other items cold
It’s not easy to pack things that need refrigerating on the airplane, so I recommend that you buy them at the destination.
Kitchen & Cleaning Items
| Item |
|---|
| Paper towels |
| Dishwashing liquid |
| Sponge |
| Tea towel |
| Corkscrew |
| Garbage bags |
| Multi-purpose cleaner |
Before packing these things, make sure to ask the accommodation if by any chance they are provided!
In many places, you’ll only get the bare minimum – for example just one tea towel, which quickly becomes useless.
As for paper towels, they are so multifunctional! Napkin for the nose, cloth for cleaning counters, and so on. And we’ve almost never had them at the accommodation.
And usually, if there’s no corkscrew in the apartment itself, you might get it if you ask. But! Sometimes, there’s no one to ask. So better to pack one with you if possible. Not in the hand luggage, though, if you’re flying!
Tips for a Self-Catering Holiday
What you need to pack depends on a few factors – here are the most important ones.
What’s included in the kitchen
Before packing all your pots and pans, make sure to research properly what is available in the kitchen in your serviced apartment.
We’ve stayed in places that have all the most popular spices and oils, coffee machines with beans provided, and even things like rice available. Pretty much, fully-fully stocked with shelf-stable things.
And on the other end of the spectrum, we’ve stayed in an apartment with one pan, one spatula, and the bare minimum of utensils.
The best way how to find out what’s provided is by asking the rental directly.
The second-best way – reading the description of the place on many different sites and reading reviews from people that have stayed there before.
Related: how to choose the best hotel
Nearby shops
If the nearest store is far away, it’s a good idea to pack some basic food items.
Your luggage space
As usual, the luggage space will affect your packing list a lot.
If you’re flying, make sure that the accommodation has a fully stocked kitchen.
If you’re driving, it’s already much easier as you can generally pack more with you.
Related: How to plan a perfect vacation
Plan your meals out!
Planning your meals in advance makes packing much easier.
It helps you avoid bringing unnecessary items and keeps your packing list more focused.
You don’t need a strict plan – just a general idea of what you’ll cook.
Pack your spices in small zip-lock bags or dishes
Especially things like salt and sugar, honey, or other things that you wouldn’t use if you bought a whole package at the destination. It’s just wasteful to buy new if you have it at home. Or it takes too much space to carry the whole package with you.
Plus, if you leave the leftovers, the accommodation will probably throw them out because of health and safety concerns.
It’s even possible to buy small one-portion packages of things like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mayo etc.
Bring a Meal for the First Day
Well, provided that there will be a convenient way to reheat it.
The last time we travelled, we made a lasagne at home and had it for dinner after arrival.
Of course, you will need something like a travel cooler for this. But still, it’s nice to not worry about getting food as soon as you arrive.
That’s one of the reasons why staying in self-catering accommodation is better than in a hotel – you need to worry less about food.
Avoid Tourist Shops
Avoid shopping in small touristy stores if you can.
Larger supermarkets usually offer better prices and a wider selection.
FAQ – Self-Catering Holiday Packing List
What is a self-catering holiday packing list?
A self-catering packing list includes not only travel essentials, but also food, kitchen items, and basic supplies needed for cooking during your stay.
What food should I bring for a self-catering holiday?
Bring basic dry items like salt, spices, coffee, snacks, and pasta. For refrigerated food, it’s usually better to shop at your destination unless you’re travelling by car.
Can you bring food on a plane for a self-catering holiday?
Yes, but only limited amounts. Dry food is usually fine, but liquids and refrigerated items are restricted, so it’s best to buy most food after arrival.
How do I know what is included in the kitchen?
The best way is to ask the host directly. You can also check the listing details and reviews from previous guests.
Is self-catering cheaper than staying in a hotel?
It can be, especially if you cook your own meals and avoid eating out frequently.
What is a self-catering holiday?
A self-catering holiday means staying in accommodation with a kitchen, such as an apartment, house, or cabin, where you prepare your own meals instead of eating out.
How is a self-catering packing list different from a hotel packing list?
A self-catering packing list includes everything from a standard trip plus extra items like food, kitchen basics, and cleaning supplies.
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