Roadtrip/PACKING.md

Packing List — Summer Roadtrip 2026

3 colleagues, electric car, ~4 weeks. Driving through UK, Isle of Man, Ireland, France.

Documents & Admin

• Passports — all 3 (valid beyond Sep 2026)
• Ferry booking confirmations — Stena Line (booked), Steam Packet (IoM), Irish Ferries (Dublin→Cherbourg)
• Green card / car insurance confirming coverage in UK, Ireland, and France
• GHIC cards × 3 (European Health Insurance Card replacement — free via NHS/German equivalent)
• International driving permit if any licence is non-EU/non-UK
• Printed hotel/accommodation confirmations for first few nights
• Aviva Stadium tickets (Aug 30) + Bon Jovi tickets if going (Aug 31)

Electronics & Work

• Laptops × 3
• USB-C chargers × 3
• USB-C hub/dock (at least one — shared for desk setup in hotels)
• UK 3-pin travel adapters × 3 (needed from Harwich arrival onward; Ireland uses same plug as UK)
• Mobile hotspot device or designated SIM phone
• USB charging cables (USB-C, Lightning if needed)
• Power bank × 1–2
• Headphones for calls

Car & EV

• Type 2 charging cable (check if your car carries one; mode 2 granny cable as backup)
• CCS to CHAdeMO adapter if your car needs it for rapid chargers
• Charging network apps pre-loaded: Zap-Map (UK), ESB ecars (Ireland), Chargemap (France/Europe), ABRP (route planning)
• Warning triangle (required in France)
• Reflective safety vests × 3 (legally required in France; keep accessible, not in boot)
• Tyre inflator / portable compressor
• Basic puncture repair kit

Clothing (per person)

• Waterproof jacket — non-negotiable for Atlantic Ireland
• Mid-layer fleece or down jacket (evenings on the coast are cold even in August)
• T-shirts / shirts × 4–5
• Trousers / jeans × 2
• One smart outfit for Dublin game day (Aug 30) — American football crowd, smart casual is fine
• Comfortable walking shoes — you'll be on your feet a lot
• Light hiking boots or trail runners — for Croagh Patrick, Slieve League, and other walks
• Rain-resistant trousers or gaiters (optional but useful on exposed cliff walks)
• Swimwear (Keem Bay, Strandhill, and other beaches are worth it)

Toiletries & Health

• Travel-size toiletries
• Any prescription medication (enough for 4 weeks + buffer)
• Sunscreen (yes, even Ireland — the UV is real when it's sunny)
• Blister plasters (for hike days)
• Basic first aid kit

Nice to Have

• Binoculars — Slieve League cliffs, Skellig Michael boat trip, and Giant's Causeway bird life
• Reusable water bottles × 3
• Dry bags — for coastal walks and ferry decks in Atlantic weather
• Small daypack per person (for hike days; leave luggage in car)
• Snacks for the car — Ireland's west coast has long stretches between food stops
• Portable phone mount for car navigation