**Britons Spend Over Seven Hours Labouring Through 30 Tasks To Prepare For Holidays**
Brits are spending an astonishing amount of time readying themselves for holidays, with new survey data indicating that each traveller devotes an average of seven-and-a-half hours to pre-holiday preparations. The length of this preparation sees many working their way through more than thirty separate tasks, showcasing just how much effort goes into that first step on the plane.
The study, which questioned 2,000 adults across the UK, sheds light on the often overlooked stresses of getting holiday-ready. The extensive checklist that many holidaymakers follow ranges from practicalities—like securing travel documents and booking haircuts—to the less urgent but emotionally reassuring habits such as cleaning the house or arranging plant care.
Among the most common chores before jetting off are checking whether the forecast at the destination is sunshine or showers, stocking up on travel toiletries, and repeatedly weighing luggage to avoid any check-in counter drama. Others add to this by filling their tablets or e-readers with books and films, and making last-minute runs to exchange currency or pick up medications.
Despite the daunting length of preparations, the vast majority of participants admit they find the process somewhat enjoyable. Around a third say they actually look forward to the ritual, while for others, it has simply become part of the holiday experience itself. Zoe Fidler of lastminute.com, which commissioned the research, notes that despite the burdens, these routines build excitement and anticipation for the break ahead.
The research reveals that women typically spend slightly more time than men on these activities—averaging seven hours and 57 minutes compared to six hours and 59 minutes. Interestingly, a significant number of respondents, particularly amongst younger generations, actually schedule time off work specifically to organise their holidays. According to the study, 77% of Millennials and Gen Z respondents admitted to taking a day’s leave solely for pre-holiday planning. Millennials, in particular, dedicate more hours than any other age group, with reports indicating an average commitment of over nine hours.
Organisation, or at least the intention for it, is also on display: more than half of those surveyed consider themselves highly organised travellers who finalise their planning well in advance. Nevertheless, overpacking continues to be a common pitfall, with a quarter confessing to bringing far more than necessary, and one in five acknowledging that they leave at least part of their preparations until the last minute.
There’s a sense among many that preparations—though time-consuming, stress-inducing, and even costly—are an unavoidable part of the holiday process. “We know that preparing for a holiday can be time-consuming, stressful and expensive, but worth it in the end,” admits Fidler. She argues that despite the stress, the anticipation and forward planning create a greater sense of reward when the time to relax finally arrives.
The top 30 tasks on Brits’ pre-holiday checklist may be familiar to many: from repeatedly checking passports and packing a ‘just-in-case’ kit full of safety essentials, to taking pictures of important documents and refreshing the bedsheets for a comfortable post-holiday return. There’s even a habit of doing a big clothes wash and obsessively calculating suitcase weight to avoid airport surprises.
Consumer habits have also shifted, with more people booking holidays at the last minute, according to lastminute.com’s internal data. Despite the growing trend toward spontaneity, British holidaymakers rarely approach the process unprepared. They remain meticulous and, some might argue, delightfully anxious about getting every detail right—even if it means sacrificing a little sleep or work time.
Ultimately, while the road to relaxation may start with a daunting list of tasks, the findings suggest that for many Britons, holiday anticipation—far from being a mere chore—forms a key part of the adventure itself.