Ultimate Packing List for International Travel From an Expert
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRIP?
YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!
Packing to travel internationally- especially if it’s your first time- is basically like the hardest thing in the world.
What do I need? What if I forget something? Don’t I need these 12 pairs of shoes? Can I even bring this on a plane?
Gah. The endless questions.
Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.
I’ve packed for tons of international flights over the years and have figured out a method to the madness. Here you’ll find what to bring, how to bring it, and what you absolutely need for that long-haul flight.
Here’s your ultimate packing list for international travel:
1. A Travel Packing List For Your Carry-On
Packing your carry-on can make or break your international flight experience.
If you don’t have things to do, things to keep you comfortable, and things you absolutely need, then your flight will be less than enjoyable.
On the other hand, if you plan ahead and consider what will help you feel most at ease, you’re bound to have an amazing long-haul flight!
For the sake of this blog post, I am considering your carry-on to be your personal item. I personally would not recommend that you fly internationally with only a carry-on suitcase unless you have multiple layovers. I’ve done it once, in my early twenties, and I will NEVER do it again.
Whether it’s your first international trip or you are a seasoned traveler, you need a packing list for travel.
Here are a few words of advice followed by the travel packing list for what you should plan to have in your carry-on!
Get A Well-Made Bookbag
The best carry-on, by far, is to take a backpack. It holds a lot, it is functional and small, and it also zips (which is way more important than you think during turbulence!).
Do yourself a favor and spend the money on a decent backpack. There are some things you can chintz on when you’re packing for international travel. A bookbag isn’t one of them.
The last thing you want is to be looking for a new bag abroad because your zipper or strap broke.
I recently purchased a large North Face backpack that I am obsessed with.
It has many pockets and organized sections, and it expands if necessary. It is also incredibly comfortable (with added waist support straps) and durable.
A Day Bag
I completely forgot to think about this the first time I packed for an international trip, and I ended up having to purchase one. So, here I am saving you the trouble!
You are not going to want to carry your bookbag around during the day once you arrive at your destination.
For most destinations, you want a crossbody bag or some type of belt bag or hidden wallet to carry. I personally opt for a crossbody bag so that I can throw some essentials into it like chapstick, lotion, blister pads…you know, the lot.
Regardless of what you choose, I recommend bringing it in your carry-on bag. This way, you can quickly change over once your international flight is complete.
Planning a Trip Soon? Use My Favorite Resources Below!
Booking a Flight: Use Skyscanner to find the best prices!
Accommodations: I love Booking.com!
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing Is the best in the industry!
Things to Do: Use Viator for amazing experiences!
Car Rental: In Europe, I recommend DiscoverCars
Liquid Rules DO NOT APPLY to Medication
A lot of people misunderstand the TSA liquid rules and how they apply to medicine. Your medicine, as long as packaged appropriately, does not need to adhere to the 3-1-1 rule.
DO NOT, under any circumstances, pack necessary medication in your checked bag. There is always a chance that your checked suitcase could go missing, and medication is often not something you can get replaced easily at your destination.
All of your medicines should go in your carry-on bag.
Flying With Medical Devices
My husband uses a CPAP machine, so figuring out how he would use this during our overnight flight to Iceland was a thing.
If you’re in a similar situation, for instance, I needed to use a breast pump while flying last year, give some thought to this ahead of time.
You’ll definitely need to carry your medical device on in a separate bag. Make sure it is marked with a medical device luggage tag (this has saved us so many security screening headaches).
You might consider calling your airline and asking if you’ll be able to use your device on the plane. They’ll be able to tell you about power sources, adapters, and any converters that might be needed.
Are You a Traveling New Mama? Read about how I breast pumped my way around Europe and how you can too!
What Toiletries to Bring
I am a master at packing toiletries for international flights. Seriously- I’ve cracked the code. I use these zippable plastic toiletry bags to prevent leaking!
Your shampoo and such…all that shower stuff…it can go straight in your checked luggage. But you’ll still want to put other things in your carry-on- especially things you can’t replace…like CONTACTS!
On overnight international flights, I always bring the following: face wash, moisturizer, eye cream, a makeup remover towel, a face mask, toothpaste & a toothbrush, dry shampoo, some light makeup, and an additional pair of contacts with contact solution.
Being able to wash your face and take off your makeup on an overnight flight is some sort of luxurious miracle. I am not even joking. You do not want to arrive at your destination feeling like a troll. Not the look.
Take your makeup off before you sleep on the plane. Wash your face and put moisturizer on.
Then, before your flight lands in the morning, use a face mask (if you’re a tad bougie like me 🤷), moisturize, brush your teeth, put on a little makeup, and spritz some dry shampoo.
Voila! You feel like a new person and not a drowned, exhausted possum.
⭐Travel Packing List: Carry-On For a Comfortable International Flight
The last thing you want is to be uncomfortable or bored on a long-haul flight. Here’s what I always take on my international trips, and what I recommend you take in order to be most comfortable!
⭐ Necessary Practical Items For Your Carry-On
By the same token, there are some things that you need to have in your carry-on. These items will help you travel efficiently and travel well.
Here’s what needs to be on the rest of your carry-on packing list for international travel:
2. International Travel Packing List: Checked Baggage
I’ve separated this portion of the packing list for international travel because, well, a checked bag is a whole other animal.
What to pack for your entire trip in your checked luggage can be a bear. This is where the inexperienced end up severely overpacking, or you get to Europe and realize you have almost NOTHING that you actually need.
Not to worry. I’ve made these mistakes so that you don’t have to! Here’s the ultimate international travel checklist for what you’ll want to chuck into your checked suitcase:
First Trip Abroad? Read About the 33 Top Tips for Your First Time Traveling Internationally!
Purchase Quality Checked Luggage
Purchasing luggage is not the time when you want to look to save a buck.
Trust me when I say that traveling internationally with a broken suitcase is awful. Even if it’s just a snagging wheel, it’s so much more of an inconvenience than you might think.
Purchase a well-reviewed, four-way rolling suitcase. This will help you maneuver easily at all times. I personally like to travel with hard-sided luggage for protection (I mean…I’ve rolled mine through snow in below-zero temps in Iceland, sooo….no soft-sided for me)!
If you’re not confident in your own research, here is a sturdy and reasonably-priced suitcase that I love!
The Best Ways to Save Space When Packing
There are a few different ways of packing to save space. You can fold in outfit groups, roll your items, or use packing cubes.
I’ve found that a mixture of these tactics works best!
First, place your shoes at the very bottom of your suitcase before stacking clothes on top. You can also slide sandals and thinner shoes into the sides once you’re finished packing.
For heavier things like coats, sweatshirts, and jeans, rolling them will actually make them take up more space. Fold these as neatly as you can and stack them in a corner of your suitcase.
You can absolutely roll other items like shirts, leggings, and thinner clothing pieces. I tend to have one side of my suitcase for rolled items and another for stacked.
Finally, I am 100% a fan of packing cubes. I have found that they zip in many more things than I can usually fit!
Plus, they are so much easier to organize. I can stack my outfits together and zip them into one packing cube, no sweat. They make life much faster- Especially when I’m traveling with my kids.
⭐ An International Packing List of Items For Your Checked Baggage
Travel Packing List for Summer or a Beach Vacation
If you’re traveling during summer or you are headed to a tropical location, you may want to add the following items to your travel packing list as well:
Everything You Need for a Winter Packing List For International Travel
As with above, adjust your packing list with the below items if you’re traveling internationally for a winter or snowy getaway!
3. Double-Check You Have ALL Necessary Travel Documents
You’re all set and ready to walk out the door on the adventure of a lifetime…WAIT!
Stop and check for these critical travel documents. You cannot leave home without them (Seriously, don’t!).
Your Passport
Goes without saying that your passport should be at the top of your travel packing list, right?
Well, you’ll also want to make sure that your passport is valid for at least 3 months after your return, otherwise you might be prevented from boarding.
Not kidding- this happened to my friend when we were traveling together!
Read Next: Essential Must-Have Travel Items For International Travel
Visa
Depending on where you’re traveling to, you may need a visa in order to enter the country.
You’ll want to check regulations for this early, as it can take a few weeks to gain clearance. The easiest way to do this is to consult this list of where visas are required.
Credit Cards (With No Foreign Transaction Fees)
The best way to prevent getting stuck in another country without access to funds is to have a credit card with you.
Make sure you plan ahead and find a credit card without foreign transaction fees! This will save you a ton of money.
Also, be sure to call your credit card company and let them know you’ll be traveling. This way, they don’t shut off your credit card due to suspecting fraudulent charges.
Medical Insurance Card
Emergencies and mishaps happen even to the best planners. Keep yourself safe by bringing your medical insurance card with you.
Keep this on your person at all times just in case you need to hand it over to a doctor’s office or hospital abroad.
Travel Insurance Documents
You always think you don’t need travel insurance…until you do. And then you don’t have it. Because you thought it was a luxury.
Purchase reliable travel insurance and make sure to carry copies of your policy documents with you.
⭐ I prefer to purchase my travel insurance through Safety Wing! Their plans are affordable and reasonable, and they have an incredibly responsive customer service team!
Birth Certificate
If you are flying internationally with a young child, double-check if you need to bring their birth certificate along with you.
TIP: Make copies of these documents and stash them in your suitcase just in case. That way, if you lose something important, you at least have a backup photo.
Don’t Forget These Easily Missed Items!
No matter how well you plan, there are always things that people end up forgetting. And, they generally tend to be the things that you can’t pack ahead of time. You know, like the glasses you will actually need the night before.
Double-check and make a note of these commonly forgotten packing list items:
Things You’ll Likely Need to Purchase For Your Trip
Before I traveled internationally for the first time, I had none of the things I needed. I mean, how could you?
There are literally just so many things you don’t know that you don’t know. For instance, the electric plugs in other countries are completely different. (If you didn’t know that, count yourself in good company).
In any case, the point is, there are likely a few key travel items you’ll need to grab ahead of time because you just don’t have them lying around and you can’t really survive without them. Here are a few:
What NOT To Pack For International Travel
Part of traveling internationally is recognizing that you will not have all of your creature comforts with you. Travel pushes you out of your comfort zone- and that’s a good thing!
Try to avoid over-packing. You don’t need a new pair of pants for every day, and you certainly don’t need 75 pairs of underwear. If you do a 10-step skincare routine (it’s me. Hi!), what steps can you cut out during your travels?
You don’t need to bring your own pillow, and, unless you have some fancy European partying planned, I can promise you that you ain’t wearin’ heels on the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam. So don’t bring ’em!
Think about what you can purchase when you get to your destination, too. Drugstores and convenience stores are very widespread- especially in Europe! You can buy bath bubbles (if you must have them) when you get there.
And, I hate to be that person, but you could totally also buy extra underwear if you had to, too. Lol!
Your Airport Outfit: What to Wear on Your International Flight
The absolute last thing you want is to be uncomfortable on a long-haul flight. This is not the time to dress for looks, people. Trust me on that one.
Wear pants or shorts without buttons. I personally am always flying in leggings. Then, top that with something that can be layered. A tee shirt with a hoodie overtop. Or a tank top with a sweater.
You never know whether the plane will be the Sahara desert or the North Pole; it’s always a gamble.
Since you’ll likely be walking around the airport quite a bit, wear supportive shoes. You can always take these off in flight if you’d like. But DO NOT ever go barefoot on a plane. They are disgusting.
Instead, bring a pair of fuzzy socks or something else to put on during your travel time. Just please, for the love of God, put your shoes back on when you go into the bathroom.
Travel Packing Hacks and Tips
Packing for an entire trip can feel like climbing Mount Everest. It’s a huge job.
Thankfully, some travel hacks can make this task much more manageable.
Lay Everything Out Ahead of Time
Seriously, everything. A week before I leave on a trip, my bedroom looks like a tornado came through.
Lay everything out and plan your outfits that way. When you’re finished, put things back that you don’t need to take!
Also, use this time to write a list of what you’ll need to grab at the last minute (things you can’t pack ahead of time). That way you don’t forget anything!
Track Your Luggage
Grab an AirTag and throw that baby in your checked luggage.
You’ll be able to see where your suitcase is at all times. If it gets lost, you’ll at least know where to tell the airline to look!
Wear Some of Your Heavier Pieces
If you’re traveling in winter, chances are you have some heavy coats, boots, and accessories that you’re bringing with you.
Consider wearing some of these on the plane or stashing them in your carry-on to help lower the weight of your checked bag.
Use the Space Inside Your Shoes
Accessories like belts and hair things, socks, and even pairs of underwear and some toiletries can fit right into your shoes!
Don’t let that added space inside your luggage go to waste!
Tag Your Checked Luggage With Something Visible
Have you ever been at an airport baggage carousel and seen just how many black suitcases there are?
A million. That’s how many.
If you’re not getting a suitcase that stands out from the crowd, you need to mark your luggage with something visible to make it easily recognizable!
I use these luggage handle wraps. They’re cheap, bright, and durable!
Bring a Collapsible Bag
This is one of my favorite international travel packing list hacks! And it’s so ridiculously easy.
Throw an extra packable or collapsible bag into your luggage on your way to your destination. Then, when you’re on your way home, use it as a personal item on the plane.
You can put souvenirs, heavy clothes, or anything else you don’t have space for in your suitcase right into the bag and save space and weight in your luggage!
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate International Travel Packing Checklist
There you have it! Everything you need for a complete travel packing checklist for your international travels!
Plus, some helpful tips and tricks to help you maximize your space and travel like a pro!
I hope you have the best trip ever making your travel dreams a reality!
