What to Pack for International Travel

Passport!

Each place you go will require slightly different things, but generally you can go off of this list to help guide you so you don’t forget important things. And hey, if you do, it’s ok. Most places have what you need, even if you have to buy something twice. I’ve learned not to stress too much about these hiccups during trips because they do happen and aren’t worth getting your panties in a wad. There are going to be some things you’ll need on the front end, like packing cubes and your passport that you cannot replace at your destination, but we’ll make sure you’ve got those in your hands and secured before takeoff. This list is going to be a really helpful way to organize your trip before you leave, and I’m excited to help you create it.

• Passport & Other Travel Documents

  • Check the expiration date of your passport and make sure you are within the timeframe acceptable to travel to your destination.
  • Make 2 copies of your passport. I also recommend taking a photo or scan and keeping it in your phone electronically.
  • Drivers license, debit card and credit cards, travel visas (if needed). For a credit card, I recommend ones with no foreign transaction fees.
  • Ladies, I have a travel packing list for women that might also be helpful to you.

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  Universal Plug/Travel Adapter

  • When going to another country, your electronics and some other items like straightening or curling irons will not fit into the local outlets. Make sure to get a universal travel adapter like this one linked to use for these items.

• Packing Cubes

  • Because one set of packing cubes isn’t enough for me, I have two. I love being able to organize my things, and I go back and forth with compression cubes and regular cubes. Both are useful. If you’re choosing one, choose the one you like best. They are both useful.

Travel Cubes I Own and Use for Every Trip

• International SIM or eSIM

  • This is going to be a subjective item. I actually never get a SIM or eSIM because my plan is robust enough to justify using regular data. I would check your plan and with your cell carrier to see what’s best when you travel internationally.

• Toiletries - Travel Sizes Only

  • Even as recently as my last trip, I mistakenly packed shampoo that was too large for the carry on and off it went to the garbage at security. Make sure you take travel size only in everything, despite doing a carry on bag or checked bags.

  • Ladies, if you are going to need tampons or other female-specific items, be sure to take at least a few days’ worth. You can buy more when you’re at your destination, but have a few on hand in case.

• Meds & First Aid Kit

  • Since I have high blood pressure, I always have to remember my prescription medication. I pack it in a little pill case along with my melatonin tablets and my ibuprofen. If you need prescription to take with you, find a little container and keep it with you at all times.

  • Depending on where you go, you will want a small first aid kit. One for diarrhea, band aids, and antibiotic cream like Neosporin. They come equipped with typical needs, so you can purchase one that makes sense for you.

Neutral Colors All the Way

• Clothing in Neutral Colors

  • Traveling abroad and internationally is not that time to break out your loudest outfits that you haven’t touched in 13 years. Stick to navy, black, brown, and white and you’ll be golden. It’s much easier to mix and match these colors than hot pink or neon green.

• Comfy Shoes

  • Regardless of where you go, you’ll always want to pack comfortable walking shoes. I’ve realized that exactly zero people actually care about what I am wearing most of the time when I’m traveling, so my shoes are both comfortable as as fashionable as I can get them. The last thing you want is to have wrecked feet you can’t walk on. It’s happened to the best of us.

• Carry on Bag & Personal Item

  • My carry on bag and personal item are usually my two main pieces of luggage because I prefer to carry on as much as possible. However, if you choose to check a bag, your carry on and personal items should contain any important docs, meds, electronics, and other things you wouldn’t want getting lost or stolen in a checked bag.

Portable Charger

• Reusable Water Bottle

  • One of my best jet lag hacks is to avoid drinking alcohol and drink copious amounts of water on the way to whichever international destination I’m going. My go-to water bottle is this one from Owala. I like that there is a lid that closes over the mouthpiece so it doesn't touch anything. Call me a germaphobe, but I don't want to get sick.

• Travel Insurance

  • Things happen when you travel, and if you have travel insurance for things like illness or emergency returns home, you’ll be much happier and at ease with your trip. For many reasons in life, we buy insurance, and travel is no different. It’s not very expensive but it’s very much worth it.

• Electronics & Their Chargers

  • I have a system to what I take on a trip because I work from wherever I am. I’m a writer - it’s a must! There was a time where I would only take my iPad, though, and it was sufficient for most needs. Now I take that and my laptop, as well as a camera sometimes.
  • For the cords, I have a tech organizer case that I have extra chargers so I can grab-and-go. If you need to take what you have at home, line up your electronics and the type of plugs they need and make sure you have everything.
  • An item I would NEVER travel without is a portable charger. If I’m out exploring all day and my phone battery gets low, this charger i

• Optional Items

  • Maybe you’re a little more bougie and want some extra things. A curling iron? A flat iron? Silk pillowcase, perhaps? I’ve brought and fried mini steamers, so I am convinced they don’t work even with adapters, but you can be the judge. Most accommodations have something to un-wrinkle your clothing.

I’m a planner and I also despise overpacking, so I start packing for my international travels about a week ahead of time. It’s a whole process for me. I go in my closet, try on outfits, take photos, and decide what I’m taking so I am not at risk of under packing nor overpacking. As it gets closer to the time of departure, I finalize everything. Since I have an entire bin of travel essentials and items ready to go, I can grab from there and bag them in clear plastic reusable bags. Making things as easy as possible is the name of my game and I highly recommend it being yours too. Don’t wait until the night before to throw items you may or may not need into a bag and hope it’s the right stuff.

Trying on Clothes for an International Trip

Each person has his/her own method of packing. I’m going to share some reasonable tips for you, though I am not always great at using each and every tip. I have my own methods to my madness. And we all know I am a little mad and crazy at times. It’s part of my charm, right? These tips will be simple and clear so you can get the best idea of how to pack for your international travels and have space in your luggage for all the nice gifts you buy yourself while there. Don’t leave me hanging - I know you do this, too!

Lay It All Out

When you lay all your clothes out, you can see what you have and what you need. I’ll sound like a broken record, but over packing is miserable because you’re lugging around stuff you won’t use. See what you have and pack accordingly.

Use the Cubes

I mentioned packing cubes earlier, and this is your opportunity to use them for what they were made: packing efficiently. Rolling is my main method of packing clothes in cubes, and that’s the method I’d stick to if I were you. Sometimes you can lay something flat on top, but mostly the rolling method is best.

Pack by Your Outfits

Packing your outfits together is best, in my opinion. I pack one pair of pants or skirt for every 3-4 shirts. So they all go together when I am packing. That way I can see when I’m at my destination what I planned to wear and with what.

All Important Items Go in Your Personal Bag or Carry On Bag

Here is a list of items you are absolutely NOT to pack in a checked bag. Keep them on you while traveling:

• Passport
• Credit and debit cards
• Travel docs
• Medications
• Put an AirTag in your bag
• Jewelry (if you take any)

Liquids in TSA Approved Bag

When you’re packing up your toiletries and they are liquids, make sure they are less than 3.4 ounces and in a clear bag. If you’re the one holding up the line at TSA, you might end up on someone’s reel and not liking what you see.

I’m very pleased to be part of your international travels, and I know this checklist will help you in many ways. It’s helped me in my own travels, as I continue to wreak havoc on planet earth as I bop from country to country. Kidding! I’m so respectful now! Traveling is one of my favorite things in life to do, and I love being able to make your life a little easier by consolidating a list that will help you exhale more easily when remembering what to pack. Ladies and gents, happy travels. I can’t wait to see where you go. Roam on!

If you found this blog helpful, you might also like to read my packing list for women blog and my favorite travel bags blog.

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