What To Pack On A Stag Do

Before I headed off on a stag do to Budapest over the weekend, I quickly had a look on our website to find details on what I should pack. I then shamefully realised we hadn’t yet written a blog post on what to pack for a stag do, so lo and behold, here I give you my packing list of all the essentials you shouldn’t leave behind, as well as a list of things you probably should leave behind. This covers everything from the bare necessities to the legendary pranks.

1. Clothes - you should pack boxers, socks, shorts (if hot where you're going), jeans, t-shirts, shirts, vests (if hot) and a jacket. You may even want to pack a suit if you're all doing a formal evening.
2. Shoes - Make sure to pack some smart shoes, as some clubs won't let you in if you look too casual. Other than that, get some comfy shoes to complete activities in, as well as flip flops if you're in a warm country.
3. Deck of cards - Perfect for drinking games, while it also helps kill time when you're stuck in the airport on the way back. We packed Uno as well, which made for a very confusing, but fun drinking game.
4. Fancy dress - This will make the night so much more fun if you all have an equally ridiculous theme. You can take a look through our list of fancy dress ideas for inspiration.
5. Phone & charger - I was incredibly close to forgetting my charger, which would have been an issue, considering my boarding pass was saved on an app.
6. Portable charger - Such an amazing piece of technology, bring one of these along so you can charge your mobile while on the go. A quick heads up, the cheap ones really don't work very well. You need to pack power banks in your hand luggage, not your checked suitcase. Check your airline's rules on battery capacity and use, as these can vary.
7. Plug adaptors - Something 50% of the group will probably forget, so make sure to get some of these. Worst case scenario, they do sell these in most airports, but you are likely to pay well over the odds.
8. Money - If you're taking cash abroad, compare exchange rates and fees before you travel. Airport exchange desks aren't usually your best bet.
9. Cards - You may want to look into the different bank cards you can get, which can offer amazing exchange rates without any charge for usage abroad. Check your bank's foreign transaction fees and whether it needs a travel notification before you leave. Several hundred pounds in an Eastern European strip joint can look a bit shady.
10. Weekend plan - You should try to write up a basic itinerary and share it with each person attending. This will allow you all to know what is happening and when, so you don't oversleep through an activity or miss something you've paid for.
11. Rehydration packs - What an absolute legend idea this was! My friend packed these for everyone and it made such a difference. I didn't get a headache at all, although they do taste awful so try to chug one down as quickly as possible. They can help replace fluids and salts if you're dehydrated, but don't count on them to prevent a hangover.
12. Pen and paper - Whether it is for writing up rules for a drinking game or simply jotting something down on the plane, a pen and paper will normally come into use.
13. ID - DO NOT FORGET your passport if you're travelling abroad. Check its validity and the entry rules for your destination well before travelling. Also pack your driving licence, so you can use this for club entry where accepted, rather than walking around town with a passport on you.
14. Print of ID - It sounds odd, but I've both lost my ID while abroad and faced certain issues with hotels, so having a copy of your passport can help if you face any issues. Keep it separate from the original. A copy won't replace your passport for international travel, but it can help you provide details if you need assistance from a British embassy. In fact, I managed to fly from Miami to New York and then on to London without a passport... But that's a story for another day.
15. Chewing gum - You will thank me for this one in the morning, when everyone smells like a wet dog.
16. Deodorant & eau de toilette - On the topic of wet dog smell, make sure you are fully packed with some sprays. Travel sizes are handy if your airport applies the 100ml liquid limit; check the rules at the airports you're travelling through.
17. Moisturiser - Not everyone needs this, but if I don't put some on my face then it goes as dry as a sultana.
18. Toothbrush & toothpaste - Don't be that guy who doesn't brush his teeth.
19. Shower gel - Another travel size bottle which is worth packing, in case the hostel doesn't have one or the quality isn't the greatest. You can get a travel-sized bottle of Head & Shoulders, which should last you the entire weekend.
20. Hair gel - Once again, check the liquid rules if you're travelling with hand luggage only. You can get some great matte hair clay from Boots which is only 50ml.
21. Wet wipes - If you can't be bothered to shower, a wet wipe is an easy, albeit shameful, way to quickly get clean enough so you can walk around in public. A quick rub on the face when hungover can help to rub off the sins of the night before.
22. Map - You often don't need them nowadays, with many people using their phones and with most hostels owning maps you can use, but if you feel like being extra prepared then this is a good one to stop you getting lost.
23. Stag Do Dare List - That's right, we've written up a list of brutal challenges for the stag to complete. Good luck to the poor fella.
24. Music player - Whether it's a small phone speaker system or whatever you want to use, pre-drinking in the hostel while everyone gets ready should always have some cheeky tunes playing. Just check the accommodation's rules on noise.
25. Painkillers - Someone is going to be the moaner of the group, so make sure it isn't you with some painkillers if you need them. Follow the packet instructions and be careful about taking medicines alongside alcohol.
26. Sunglasses - Block out the sun with some shades. If you're going to a hot country then you should bring a pair that protects your eyes from 99–100% of UVA and UVB light, something those cheap ones may not do. For a quick translation, this normally means glasses that are labelled as 'UV400'.
27. Sun tan lotion - If you burn easily then you will want to pack a travel-sized bottle of sunscreen. Apply it properly and remember to top it up, especially after swimming.
28. Swimming costume - You never know if you'll end up swimming in the sea at some point, so it's always worth packing some trunks.
29. GHIC or EHIC card - If you're heading to Europe, check whether your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or an existing valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can be used in the country you're visiting. You can apply for a free GHIC through the NHS. It can help you access medically necessary state healthcare in eligible countries, but it isn't a replacement for travel insurance and doesn't guarantee free treatment.
30. Camera - This might not apply to you if you purely plan on using your phone, but you should make sure you have something to hand which you can take photos with. This is especially true if you think your phone might go extended periods without charging.
31. Travel insurance details - If something does go wrong, you may need your policy details and the insurer's emergency assistance number. Keep a copy somewhere you can access it, even if your phone runs out of battery. Make sure your policy covers your destination and the activities you're planning. A GHIC or EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance.
32. Snacks - I know I get pretty hungry and there will be times when you might get back to the hostel or hotel at 1am and really want a snack, but not have access to any. This is the point where you will wish you packed a protein bar or sneaked in a Mars before leaving. So don't have any regrets and sneak some into your bag. If you don't end up eating them, they're normally long life and you can eat them when home. Check food import rules if you're travelling abroad.
33. Hand sanitiser - After everything we've learned recently, maybe keeping a hand sanitiser close by isn't such a bad idea.
34. Ear Plugs - While you might fancy your own hotel room, the reality is that the majority of stag weekends involve a shared room hotel or a hostel dorm room. Either way, you can often expect to be sharing a room with several others, that's before contemplating a townhouse where you might be in with 10 lads in the room! For that reason, you're going to want to block out the snorers with some ear plugs. You'll thank us later.