The Ultimate Stag Do Packing List (2026)

You've booked the flights, sorted the Airbnb, paid the stag deposit and lined up the matching t-shirts. Now you have to actually pack. Here's the no-nonsense list that covers everything — plus the 10 things every stag group forgets.

The essentials (don't fly without these)

• Passport (check expiry — needs 6 months validity for most EU trips)
• GHIC/EHIC card if EU (replaced the old EHIC for UK travellers)
• Travel insurance (£5–15 covers the weekend — worth it for A&E abroad)
• Bank card + £100–200 in local currency for tips/taxis
• Phone charger, plug adapter (EU/US depending on destination)
• Boarding passes (download to phone, also screenshot in case of signal)
• Accommodation address written down (not just in app — phone might die)

Clothing for a 3-night stag

• 3x day outfits (shorts, t-shirts, trainers)
• 2x night-out outfits (most clubs: collared shirt, closed shoes — check dress codes)
• Swimwear + beach towel (hotels charge €2–5 for towel rental)
• One pair of sunglasses (accept that you'll lose them)
• Matching stag t-shirts (best man's responsibility — order 3 weeks ahead)
• Costume if there is one (keep it compact — no pirate ships)
• Underwear + socks (pack one extra of each — you'll need it)
• Light jacket or hoodie (even hot destinations get cool at 4am)

The survival kit

This is the difference between a great weekend and a miserable one. Pack a small wash bag with:

• Paracetamol + ibuprofen (hangover insurance)
• Rehydration sachets (Dioralyte — lifesaver)
• Plasters + blister pads (clubs = new shoes = destroyed feet)
• Condoms (even if you don't plan to — someone in the group will)
• Eye drops (fake tan sting, dust, late nights)
• Deodorant + aftershave (don't forget to decant into 100ml for hand luggage)
• Sun cream SPF 30+ (Spain sun is not UK sun)
• Hair of the dog essentials: Berocca, ginger shots, electrolyte tabs

The 10 things everyone forgets

1. A power bank — 4-day weekend, phones on Maps all day, WiFi spotty. You'll need it.
2. A plug adapter — hotels in Spain sometimes have them, sometimes don't.
3. A spare phone charger cable — at least one will get destroyed.
4. Cash in small notes — for taxis, tips, and bar doormen.
5. A refillable water bottle — the best hangover prevention.
6. Earplugs — shared rooms, loud mates, 9am sun through curtains.
7. Flip flops — for hotel pools and hostel showers.
8. A backup ID photo — photocopy of passport for club entry hassles.
9. Anti-diarrhoea tablets — trust us.
10. The I Wasn't There trip link — set it up before you fly.

Phone + app setup before you fly

This is non-negotiable. Do it the day before:

• Check EU roaming on your UK mobile plan (most free, but confirm)
• Download offline Google Maps for the destination city
• Set up an I Wasn't There trip for photo sharing
• Screenshot flight confirmations, hotel addresses, group contact numbers
• Set a phone PIN (not Face ID — you'll look different at 4am)
• Back up your phone before you fly (in case of loss)

Luggage rules (don't get stung)

Most stag groups fly budget — Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz. Rules have changed in 2026:

• Ryanair free bag = 40x20x25cm (small backpack only)
• easyJet free bag = 45x36x20cm (fits more)
• Liquids: 100ml each, all in one 1L clear bag
• Check in bag: £25–50pp if you need one (split between group if sharing)

For 2–3 night stags, you can almost always fit everything in a single backpack — if you're disciplined about outfits.

One final thing: agree on photos before you fly

Every group argues about photos at some point. The best man should set the rule in the group chat a week before: no Instagram, no TikTok, no tagging, everything goes through I Wasn't There. Everyone agrees upfront. Zero drama on the trip itself. Full privacy guide here.

That's the list. Read the full planning checklist for the timeline side of things.