Fly Light, Come Home Full: 10 Things to Order Before Your Flight to Italy
Toothpaste, sunscreen, a hard-shell suitcase and a luggage scale: everything that is better off waiting for you in a locker in Italy than taking up room in your bag.
You fly out on a low-cost ticket with one small bag and a 100ml liquids limit that forces you to leave half your toiletries behind, and yet on the way back you almost always have more than you left with. That gap, between how you fly out and how you fly home, is exactly where planning ahead pays off.
The idea is simple: anything you don't really need to haul from home can be ordered in advance from Amazon Italy and sent to a locker close to your route, so it's already waiting for you when you land. In every product card below you'll find the Amazon Italy price next to the estimated price in Israel, so you know exactly how much you're saving.
Part 1: Waiting for you when you land
This is the easiest place to free up space in your bag: everyday consumables, liquids that would otherwise eat into your precious 100ml liquids bag, and small items everyone forgets to pack. Instead of squeezing them into your suitcase, order them in advance and pick them up from the locker the day you land.
1. Toothbrush and toothpaste: why bring them from home?
There's no good reason to let a toothbrush and toothpaste take up room in your carry-on or checked bag. They're cheap, basic essentials, available in every supermarket or pharmacy in Italy, and on Amazon Italy too, usually for much less than you'd pay in Israel.
The biggest win is space: a full-size tube of toothpaste is one of the first casualties of the 100ml carry-on rule. When it's waiting for you in the locker, you save that spot in your liquids bag for something that's actually worth bringing.
Who is it for? Anyone flying carry-on only, and anyone who wants to free up room in their liquids bag for things that are genuinely hard to find in Italy.
GENKENT bamboo toothbrushes - pack of 12
- 100% natural bamboo, BPA-free and eco-friendly
- Soft bristles for gentle cleaning of teeth and gums
- Pack of 12 brushes, colour-coded for each family member
Oral-B Pro-Expert Whitening - pack of 4
- Protects teeth and gums in 8 key areas
- Antibacterial stannous fluoride technology
- Money-saving pack of 4
Looking for more oral care options?
Every oral care product on Amazon Italy, priced against the locker on your travel route.
2. Sunscreen, from budget to premium
A full-size bottle of sunscreen almost always goes over the 100ml carry-on limit, so most people either skip it or put it in their checked bag and add unnecessary weight. Sunscreen that's waiting for you in Italy solves both problems.
The Italian sun, especially in summer and along the coast, is stronger than most visitors expect. There are two ways to go here: a basic, good-value sunscreen for everyday use, or a premium one with a lighter texture and more advanced protection, for anyone willing to pay for the upgrade.
Who is it for? Summer travellers who want an affordable everyday option, families with kids, and anyone looking for a premium upgrade for sensitive skin or long days in the sun.
Nivea Sun Protect & Hydrate SPF 30
- Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB filter for short- and long-term protection
- Improved, soothing formula with 48-hour moisture
- Water-resistant and microplastic-free
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune 400 SPF50+
- Advanced deep protection with Mexoryl 400 technology
- Light, comfortable texture for sensitive skin that absorbs quickly
- Water- and sweat-resistant for hours in the sun
Looking for more sunscreen options?
Every sunscreen on Amazon Italy, priced against the locker on your travel route.
3. Clear liquids bag and refillable bottles: for the trip home too
A compliant clear liquids bag and a set of small refillable bottles are among the cheapest items on this list, and among the most useful. They solve the eternal problem of fitting liquids into your carry-on without going over the limit.
The real payoff comes on the flight home: once you've bought creams, perfumes or skincare in Italy, you'll want to decant some of it into travel sizes so it fits in your carry-on. A spare bag and a few empty refillable bottles make that easy.
Who is it for? Anyone flying carry-on only in both directions, especially if you plan to buy skincare or other liquids in Italy.
Mezzar 16-piece travel container set for liquids
- 16-piece set: bottles, cosmetic pots, spray bottles and jars
- Leak-proof design that stops drips and spills in your bag
- Soft, reusable silicone that holds up to repeated use
4. Plug adapter and multi-port USB charger: so everything charges overnight
An Israeli plug doesn't always fit an Italian socket, and without the right adapter you could wake up on a sightseeing day with a dead phone.
A USB charger with several ports solves another problem: on any trip there's usually more than one device to charge (phone, camera, wireless earbuds) and they all want a socket at the same time. An adapter and charger waiting for you in the locker spare you the hunt for a free socket in your hotel room.
Who is it for? Anyone travelling with several electronic devices, and anyone who always forgets to check the plug type until they're already in Italy.
Electraline 70042 international plug adapter for Italy
- Standard Type L adapter for Italian sockets, also works in more than 150 other countries
- Built-in safety shutter that stops objects being pushed into the socket
- Meets the European CE safety standard
UGREEN Zapix USB-C 30W charger
- Fast 30W charging: takes an iPhone 17 Pro Max from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes
- 3 ports charging at once (USB-C 30W + USB-A 22.5W)
- Compact GaN II technology, 40% smaller than standard chargers of similar power
5. Folding umbrella and water bottle: small, cheap, and always forgotten
These are exactly the things nobody remembers to pack, and then ends up buying at an inflated price from the first stall they see, usually on the one day it rains or the day it's hottest. A small folding umbrella and a reusable water bottle cost next to nothing and take up almost no space.
When they're already waiting for you in the locker, there's no need to guess whether you'll get rain or a heatwave: they're just there, ready to go in your day bag for the whole trip.
Who is it for? Anyone flying with a small bag who doesn't want to give up permanent space to "just in case" items.
Repel Umbrella - windproof folding umbrella
- Windproof design with double vents, so it won't flip inside out in a storm
- Water-repellent Teflon coating that dries fast
- Folds down small enough for any day bag
Part 2: For the trip home
You left with one small bag, and on most trips to Italy you'll come back with a lot more: coffee beans, clothes, gifts and things you bought because the price was too good to pass up. This part focuses on gear that helps you pack it all for the return flight without paying excess baggage fees or breaking anything.
6. Airline-friendly backpack: like a trolley case, but on your back
A backpack sized to fit your airline's personal item or cabin bag allowance can hold almost as much as a classic trolley case, but stays comfortable to carry and doesn't take up space in the overhead bin.
The real advantage shows up on the way home: you left with one backpack, and now you also have everything you bought along the way. A roomy backpack that still meets the size limits gives you breathing room without gambling on an extra charge at the check-in desk.
Who is it for? Carry-on-only travellers who want to make the most of their allowance, and anyone who'd rather not drag a suitcase over Italy's cobbled streets.
WENIG 40x30x20cm flight backpack with USB charging port
- 40x30x20cm: fits the personal item allowance on Wizz Air and Ryanair
- 20 litres of space at just 0.8kg: plenty of storage without dragging an extra suitcase
- Dedicated 14-inch laptop compartment, trolley strap, and built-in USB charging port
7. Good-value hard-shell suitcase: when your bag isn't enough anymore
Fly out with a backpack, fly home with a suitcase: that's exactly the idea. A light, well-priced hard-shell suitcase gives you real space for everything you've picked up on your trip, without worrying about something breaking on the way home.
A suitcase waiting for you in a locker towards the end of your trip also saves you lugging it around empty for the whole route. It comes into play exactly when you need it, ready to be filled.
Who is it for? Anyone planning to do a lot of shopping in Italy, and anyone who doesn't want to haul a big empty suitcase from home just for the flight back.
Samsonite S'Cure Spinner 81cm suitcase
- 138 litres at 81cm: room for everything you collect on your trip, at just 5kg
- Built-in TSA lock and 3-point locking for peace of mind
- Double telescopic handle and double spinner wheels, easy to pull even when full
8. Digital luggage scale: the item that really pays for itself
It may be the least exciting item on the list, but it's the one that actually saves you the most money. Excess baggage fees at the check-in desk can cost far more than a small digital luggage scale, and after a shopping trip in Italy, going over the limit is a very real risk.
A small, cordless luggage scale fits in the palm of your hand, weighs your suitcase in a second, and gives you the peace of mind of knowing exactly where you stand before you even get to the airport. If there's one item on this list you really shouldn't skip, this is it.
Who is it for? Anyone coming back from Italy with more than they left with, which is to say almost everyone.
Amazon Basics compact digital luggage scale
- Weighs up to 50kg, with an easy-to-read digital display
- Switches between kg and lb at the touch of a button, with a zero/tare function
- Secure strap with metal clips that attaches easily to any suitcase
9. Packing cubes and compression bags: more shopping, no extra suitcase
Packing cubes and compression bags don't add physical space to your suitcase, but they do a great job of making the most of the space you already have. Clothes folded into cubes take up less room and stay organised, and compression bags squeeze the air out of soft items like jackets or towels.
The result: you can fit more shopping into the same suitcase, without upgrading to a bigger one or paying for extra baggage.
Who is it for? Anyone flying with one suitcase who wants to use every centimetre of it, and anyone who buys a lot of clothes and textiles in Italy.
Amazon Basics vacuum storage bags with hand pump - pack of 5
- Cuts storage volume by up to 80%: 5 large bags measuring 80x60cm
- Comes with a hand pump, or use a regular household vacuum cleaner for faster results
- Valve plus double zip seal for an airtight barrier against moisture and odours
10. Neck pillow, eye mask and earplugs: comfort for the flight home
After a few days of walking the streets and shopping, the flight home is your chance to rest a little. A neck pillow, eye mask and earplugs are small, cheap bits of kit that turn an ordinary flight into a much more comfortable experience.
Since you only use them on the way back, there's no reason to carry them with you at the start of your trip. They can simply wait for you in the locker, ready exactly when you need them most.
Who is it for? Anyone with a long or overnight flight home, and anyone who wants to arrive home a little more relaxed.
FLOWZOOM adjustable memory foam neck pillow with 360° support
- Ergonomic flat back that stops your head tipping forward while you sleep
- 5 adjustment buttons to fit your neck, with extra chin support
- Removable, washable cover, plus a carry bag that clips onto your bag or suitcase
Aosun 100% natural silk blackout sleep mask
- 100% natural silk, soft and smooth, suitable for sensitive skin
- Blocks out light effectively for quality sleep at any hour
- Adjustable elastic strap that doesn't slip or fall off during the flight
Alpine FlyFit Caps pressure-regulating flight earplugs
- Regulate ear pressure during take-off and landing
- Reduce noise without cutting you off completely, so you can still hold a conversation
- Hypoallergenic, silicone-free material, comfortable even when lying on a pillow
Summary: plan your luggage, not just your trip
The core idea here is simple: let the predictable stuff (toothpaste, sunscreen, a suitcase for whatever you buy) wait for you in Italy, and keep only what's really worth carrying from home in your bag. That way you fly light one way and come home full, without paying for it at the check-in desk.
Why order in advance at all? All the reasons are in our guide to shopping in Italy with Amazon.
Want to see how it works in practice?
Order from Amazon Italy, ship to a locker close to your travel route, and pick it up whenever suits you.
Yuval Mizrahi
Travel and logistics writer
Yuval writes flight and shopping guides, focusing on practical tips that save you time and money.
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