Packing for a contact lens-friendly staycation
A staycation can feel restful until a lens problem interrupts it. Dry eyes after a long day outdoors, a lost lens or an empty bottle of solution can turn a quiet week at home into a rushed trip to the chemist. Packing with contact lenses in mind means thinking about supply, care and comfort before you leave, not on the first morning.
Start with what you already use. Count the lenses you need for the full break and add a few spares, check the expiry date on your current solution, and confirm that your prescription is still current. If anything is due, speak to your optician before the trip rather than in the final week. Pharmacy basics and a few travel-size items cover most small problems, and the rest of this guide explains how to choose them sensibly.
How to choose lenses, care products and pharmacy items
Begin with the lenses. Daily disposables suit short breaks well, because each pair is used once and there is nothing to clean or carry. Monthly lenses need a full care routine, a clean case and a fresh bottle of solution, which is more to pack. Check the power, base curve and diameter against your current box or your latest optician record, since these details are the reliable reference when ordering.
Next, weigh up size against convenience. Travel-size solutions fit hand luggage limits and suit a few nights away, but they may need topping up on a longer stay. If you are staying in one place, a larger bottle can be more practical. For eye drops, look for products labelled as suitable for use with contact lenses. Not every drop is compatible, and some contain ingredients that can affect lenses, so a pharmacist can help you choose.
Pack for a few spare days, not for every possible problem: check your prescription, order early and keep your lens routine simple.
From the editors
The most common mistakes are simple ones. Readers often order with an old prescription, leave ordering until the last day, or pack a case that has not been replaced in a while. Others use tap water or saliva to rinse lenses, wear them in swimming pools or hot tubs, or sleep in lenses that are not approved for overnight wear. Avoiding these habits matters more than any single product.
What to pack and buy
For each item we name a store where you can start comparing.
Daily disposable contact lenses
A sensible option for a short staycation, as each pair is used once and there is no cleaning or case to carry. Choose the same power, base curve and diameter as your current box.
Search termsdaily disposable lenses · contact lenses for travel · spare lenses
Our recommendationcontactlenses.co.ukWidest lens rangeLens care travel kit
A small set of solution and a clean case for days away from home. Check the expiry date and that the solution suits your lens type before packing.
Search termstravel lens solution · contact lens case · lens care kit
Our recommendationcontactlenses.co.ukWidest lens rangeRewetting drops for contact lens wearers
Drops labelled for use with contact lenses can help with dryness during long days outdoors or on screens. Read the label and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure which product suits you.
Search termsrewetting drops · contact lens eye drops · travel-size eye drops
Our recommendationexpresschemist.co.ukQuick top-upsTravel-size pharmacy basics
Small first aid items, plasters, sun care and a compact pill organiser make a practical base for a break at home or away. Pack only what you actually use.
Search termstravel first aid kit · travel-size pharmacy · sun care travel
Our recommendationsportandleisureuk.comTravel basicsRepeat medicines planned in advance
If you take regular medicines, ordering repeats early avoids running short while you are away. Keep a list of what you take and when each item is due.
Search termsrepeat prescription · regular medicines · pharmacy planning
Our recommendationoxfordonlinepharmacy.co.ukPlan repeat medicines
Where to start shopping
Begin with contactlenses.co.uk, where you can review your lens type and order spare lenses alongside lens care products. Order with a comfortable margin rather than on the day you leave. Next, look at sportandleisureuk.com for travel-size pharmacy and health basics such as small first aid items and sun care, and pick only what you will actually use. Finally, check expresschemist.co.uk for over-the-counter eye care, reading each label to confirm it suits contact lens wearers. Before you add anything to your basket, check your current prescription with your optician so that your order matches what you wear.
Before you order
- Check the expiry date on your current lens solution and case.
- Confirm your lens power, base curve and diameter with your optician if anything has changed.
- Count the lenses you need for the full break and add a few spares.
- Check that any eye drops are labelled for use with contact lenses.
- Pack a clean case and check that its lids are not damaged.
- Order with a comfortable margin before you leave home.
- Keep a note of any regular medicines and when repeats are due.
The stores at a glance
contactlenses.co.uk
Widest lens rangeUseful for checking your current lens type and ordering spare daily or monthly lenses with lens care products in one place.
Recommended for Daily disposable contact lenses and Lens care travel kit
sportandleisureuk.com
Travel basicsUseful for small pharmacy and health items to pack, such as basic first aid and sun care, in travel-friendly sizes.
Recommended for Travel-size pharmacy basics
expresschemist.co.uk
Quick top-upsUseful for over-the-counter eye care and health products you may need during a break, provided the label confirms they suit contact lens wearers.
Recommended for Rewetting drops for contact lens wearers
oxfordonlinepharmacy.co.uk
Plan repeat medicinesUseful if you take regular medicines and want to order repeats in good time before a break.
Recommended for Repeat medicines planned in advance
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Frequently asked questions
Can I take lens solution in hand luggage?
If you are travelling by air, liquid rules apply and vary by airline and airport, so check before you travel. For a staycation by car or train, smaller bottles are easier to carry and top up as needed.
What if my prescription has changed?
Check your current prescription with your optician before ordering. Do not rely on an old box, and do not guess which power or base curve to buy.
Can I use any eye drops with contact lenses?
No. Only use drops labelled as suitable for use with contact lenses, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure which product fits your situation.
When should I order before a break?
Order with enough margin to avoid running short, rather than on the last day. Allow time for your optician to confirm your prescription if anything has changed.
TransparencySome links to stores may be partner links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you. We choose the stores independently. How we make money
