80 Essential Packing Tips For International Travel (2024)

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Packing for an international trip can be overwhelming. You want to prepare for every possible situation but at the same time, you have to make sure that you don’t overpack. No one wants to pay for those fees! Let’s take a look at the best tips and tricks to make sure that you’re sufficiently packed and prepared to enjoy your trip.

Rather watch a video? I shared the 10 most essential packing tips below for those who don’t want to read the full article.

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International Travel Documents

1. Before packing your passport, make sure that the expiry date is longer than six months. Some countries won’t let you in if the expiry date is too short. For your specific destination, read their laws for traveler’s passport requirements.

2. Be sure to pack a traveling visa if needed. Some countries require a traveling visa before entry and usually have a deadline for how long you can stay. If you’re a European Union citizen, things are easier for you if you’re traveling to Europe.

3. If traveling with children, get a child travel consent. If a child under 18 is traveling with only one parent, written permission from the other parent will be needed.

Read Next: What to Put in Carry-on and What in Checked Luggage (Guide)

4. Print a copy of your travel insurance. If you don’t have one, I highly recommend that you get one, as it’s usually really cheap and protects against medical costs, theft, flight delays, and more.

5. Pack all of your travel documents in a separate bag or a folder and always carry them with you. Never put your documents in your checked bag and always keep an eye on them. Also, it’s better to take pictures of them and email a copy to yourself in case they get lost.

6. Print out a copy of your boarding pass. It will work as a backup if your phone battery dies.

7. Don’t forget other documents: Train, bus, ferry, or plane tickets, hotel reservations, tickets for attractions and museums, a piece of paper with emergency contacts, guides and maps, and local tourist cards.

Read Next: You Bought Airline Tickets Online. Now What? (Guide)

Electronics

8. Don’t forget to bring your camera, smartphone, laptop, e-reader, headphones, and a tablet (if you plan on using them.) I usually leave the camera and tablet, as my smartphone and laptop can easily substitute both.

9. Bring dual-voltage chargers for all of your devices.If you’re located in America and traveling to Europe, make sure that all of your chargers are dual-voltage. That’s because the USA uses 110v electricity, but Europe uses 220v. If you don’t have an adequate charger, you will ruin your device. Something like this will be written on your charger: “100v-240v.”

10. Never pack electronics in your checked luggage. Use your hand luggage or carry-on instead. Otherwise, they might get stolen or damaged, and airlines usually don’t reimburse for valuables, such as electronics.

11. Always charge your electronics before boarding. Sometimes the airline security will require you to turn on your devices. Some airlines don’t allow carrying devices that you aren’t able to turn on. If you’ve forgotten your chargers, this could potentially turn into a bad situation. Also, make sure to turn Airplane mode on before setting off.

12. Get a power adapter. In Europe alone, there are three different kinds of power adapters. You should research what kind of plugs that your destination country has and purchase accordingly. There are some universal ones as well which would be a good investment to make if you plan on traveling internationally often.

13. Pack your power bank. A power bank is a must-have, especially for international flights. Most of your gadgets won’t last twelve or more hours while you’re watching movies and tv-series, so make sure to charge them fully before boarding.

Toiletries and Medication

14. Pack liquids over 3.4 oz in your checked suitcase. In your carry-on, you can pack liquids that are in 3.4 oz bottles, and all of the bottles combined have to fit in a TSA-approved transparent bag (usually around ten small bottles.) If you plan on packing something larger, you will have to check it in.

15. If you’re staying at a hotel, leave your shampoo and shower gel at home. Most hotels have these included in your bathroom, free of charge.

16. You’re safe to pack your medication. TSA states that all medicine is allowed both in hand luggage and checked bags. I’d pack it in my hand luggage though, in case I might urgently need some of it. Also, if the medication is in liquid form and over 3.4 ounces, but in reasonable quantities, it’s allowed on the flight. Note that the medicine needs to be in its original packaging.

17. Some medication that you might forget: Something for allergies, motion sickness tablets, asthma medicine, painkillers, cream for sunburns, bandages, digital thermometer, diarrhea medicine, cough drops, insect repellant, antacids, sleep aids, and eye drops.

18. Some toiletries that you might forget: Toothbrush, mouthwash, dental floss, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and shower gel (if traveling to a hotel, leave them home), sunscreen, face wash, q-tips, make-up, contacts, make-up remover wipes, shaving cream, shavers, hair-gel or hairspray, perfume, and dry shampoo.

Clothes

21. Between two similar options, always choose the lightest. For instance, I never take my big, comfy, black hoodie. Instead, I take a thinner one, which is just as warm but takes up less space. The same goes for boots vs shoes.

22. For longer trips, bring less and wash everything mid-way. Usually, larger hotels have the option to do the laundry for you, which is perfect for two to four-week trips. Even if they don’t, ask around, and they’ll usually tell you where is the nearest place to do laundry. Alternatively, underwear and socks can be easily washed in the sink with regular soap. Just make sure to do this with enough time to hang them to dry!

23. Dress in layers. If you’re traveling to colder climates, an excellent way to save space is to dress in layers. Rather than taking large jackets and hoodies, take several thin shirts.

24. Wear the bulkiest clothes and shoes on your flight. By doing this, you will save some space in your suitcase. You can take something off once you board the flight. (I like to take my shoes off when I fly. (Sorry, if you ever sit next to me!)

25. Choose a color scheme. Basically, you should be able to combine any two pieces of clothing to make an outfit. Avoid packing outfits for every day that don’t go together separately. This way, you can wear your jeans for several days while changing your t-shirts and underwear every day.

26. For your flight days, you can pack a single outfit. For instance, if you’ve gone for seven days, pack for six days, because you’ll be wearing the same thing on your first and last day. Do you care that much how you’re looking on the plane? I always go with comfort over fashion.

27. Research the fashion culture in your destination. For instance, if you’re a woman, you don’t want to wear something that reveals lots of skin in Arabic countries. In Europe, people tend to dress a bit more formally than in America. So, pack accordingly.

28. Underwear and socks. I recommend packing a pair for every day. For longer trips, bring only half and wash everything mid-way through your trip.

29. Jeans, pants, and shorts. Personally, for a two-week trip, I would bring a pair of jeans and two pairs of shorts. I pick one that’s more casual and another that’s for outdoor activities like hiking, horseback writing, etc.

30. T-shirts. If you roll them, they don’t take up that much space, so I take one for every day. (Although, you could take one for every two days.)

31. Hoodies, shirts, jackets. If I’m traveling to warmer climates, I usually skip the bulkier jackets. A single hoodie and a thin shirt are enough. For colder places, I’d pack one for every three days. Don’t bring more than one jacket, as they take up a lot of space.

32. Dresses. I feel that dresses are perfect for traveling, as they take up so little space. Just don’t go overboard and remember to pack a pair of jeans as well for activities and hikes.

33. Suits and formal clothing. If traveling for business, suits and formal clothing are a must. Don’t forget to bring a pair of high heels or formal shoes, ties, a suit or a dress, and other accessories.

34. Sporting gear. I like to continue my exercise routines while traveling so I bring a pair of running sneakers, shorts, and a t-shirt. If you’re active, don’t forget to pack your sports gear if you want to go to the gym or go for a run.

35. Shoes and boots. I usually bring no more than three pairs of shoes: A pair of running sneakers, casual shoes, and flip-flops or boots (depending on the weather.) Shoes take a lot of space, so think twice about bringing extra pairs.

36. Accessories that you could forget packing: Hats, scarves, swimsuits, towels, gloves, belts, pajamas, and jewelry. All are totally dependant on where you go, so it’s up to you to decide if you need them.

Additional tip #1: Ever had bed bugs in your luggage while staying in a cheap hotel? Check out our guide on getting bed bugs out of luggage, and how to prevent them in the future.

Miscellaneous Items That You Could Forget to Pack

37. Take food and snacks. If you’re flying a short flight with no lunches, you should get some snacks to save some money. You’re allowed to pack almost any food, as long as you follow the 3.4 oz rule. The rule states that you cannot pack liquids in bottles larger than 3.4 oz in your hand luggage. This includes sauces, creams, and other liquids. However, checked luggage is totally fine. Also, you should be careful with packing organic food and dairies, as some countries won’t allow you to enter with specific foods.

Read Next: Can You Bring Chef’s Gas Torches on a Plane?

38. Always take an empty bag for your dirty clothes. If you start mixing your dirty clothes with your clean ones, pretty soon your clean clothes will start smelling. I’d recommend packing a special laundry bag or a plastic bag. Tote bags aren’t that good because they let air through the fabric because plastic doesn’t.

39. Pack a few zip-locks, plastics bags, and a tote bag. They don’t take up much space, and you never know when you are going to need them. I usually take a piece of bubble wrap as well if I’ll be bringing home some bottles of wine.

40. If you have a luggage scale, take it. If you don’t,get one. It’s handy for your return flights, especially if you’re visiting several countries. With it, you will be easily able to weigh your suitcase and tell if you can buy any more snacks and souvenirs for your return flight. It costs just a few dollars and takes up very little space.

41. Other items that you could forget: umbrella, sunglasses, regular glasses and a case, tweezers or a pocket knife, hand sanitizer, paper/pen, a fork, and a spoon, a cup, and a plate, cash, keys.

Preparing for a Long International Flight

42. Download e-books, movies, and tv series before your trip. The flight will be long, usually twelve hours or more. To keep yourself entertained, make sure to download everything in advance. Time will go by faster! (I tend to write/sleep the entire flight.)

43. Pack everything for a comfortable trip. Do you think that sitting in a seat for ten hours will be comfortable? Well, think again, because you’re likely to feel stiff and exhausted after your flight. If you have the room, pack a pair of trainers, a hoodie, soft socks, a sleeping pillow, and a face mask for comfortable sleeping.

44. Pack things that will help you with having more privacy on your flight. You never know who you will be sitting next to. You could be sitting next to someone who wants to talk throughout the flight or is watching movies on a bright screen. Prepare in advance by packing noise-canceling headphones or earplugs and a face mask.

45. To freshen up, pack some wet wipes and hand cream in your carry-on. Although this is optional, cleaning your hands and face with wet wipes will make you feel much fresher. The dry air and pressure changes can make you feel like you haven’t showered for several days.

46. Wear glasses instead of contacts. I’m not sure why, but flying with contacts for longer than one or two hours is nearly impossible. It probably has something to do with the pressure changes and dryness. So pack your contacts in your baggage and wear your glasses instead.

Before You Start Packing Your Suitcase

47. Before you start packing, make a list of all your items. This will help you to avoid forgetting something. Some apps help you with creating a packing list. Check out this handy printout PDF!

48. Lay all of your items on the floor or the bed. Reading a list can be one thing, but looking at all of your items in front of you will help you to see how tightly you should be packing. Re-check if you have everything that’s on the list.

49. Determine the weight and size restrictions for your flight. For international flights, you will usually find that the carry-on limits are tighter, so be sure to read up on the airlines’ website and measure your luggage. Here are the most common airline restrictions.

50. Choose the appropriate luggage. If I fly with a checked suitcase, I usually take a backpack and a large suitcase. Make sure that everything is within the size limits. Also, I would recommend taking luggage with spinner wheels if you have to walk long distances.

Editor’s tip: If you’re looking for a new carry-on, we’ve found that the Travelpro Maxlite 5 is the best choice. We’ve compared the most popular luggage brands, and we’re most impressed by Travelpro. It got 90 out of 100 points on our rating scale.

51. If you have an old suitcase, give it a good clean. I recently tried restoring my old suitcase and was pretty successful with it. With proper techniques, you can make your old bag look brand new.

Tips on Packing Your Suitcase

52. Pack these items in your carry-on: Documents, electronics, clothes for one or two days (in case your checked luggage gets lost), chargers, toiletries, and medicine.

53. Pack these items in your checked suitcase: Extra pairs of shoes, all of your other clothing, liquids over 3.4 oz, knives, and other things that are not allowed on the flight.

54. Start by packing your documents. Put all of your documents and printouts in a folder and stash them in an easily accessible place. A good choice would be your carry-on, backpack, or duffel bag, depending on your choice of hand luggage.

55. Utilize packing cubes. They’re a great way to organize your items and save a little bit of space. I usually divide the cubes by their contents. For instance, one is for electronics, another is for chargers and smaller items, and one is for bulkier clothing, etc.

56. Before you start packing, roll, and fold your clothes. For easier packing, I always roll my t-shirts, pants, jeans, shorts, and underwear. This saves a lot of space and usually, the items don’t get that wrinkled (if you do it correctly.) Other than rolling, I fold my shirts and other things that need to be wrinkle-free. If you’re using packing cubes, fold them in the exact size of the largest cube, which will help when you’re packing it.

57. Fill your shoes with socks and underwear. Not only does this save space, but your shoes won’t get squashed after unpacking.

58. If you’re using packing cubes, pack them full. This results in fewer wrinkles on your clothes. Also, pack in a way that your items are easy to pull out. (Rolled pieces help a lot!)

59. If packing without cubes, start packing with shoes and larger items. Ideally, you want to place your shoes and heavier items down at the bottom of the case, because this will result in a better-balanced suitcase. (It’s less likely to tip over!)

60. Fill the gaps with smaller items. When you’ve finished with the larger things like shoes, jackets, jeans, hoodies, and the toiletry bag, fill the gaps with socks, underwear, and t-shirts.

61. If using a carry-on and suitcase, never pack valuables in your checked suitcase. Items packed in your checked luggage could get lost or stolen, and most of the time, airlines don’t cover electronics, valuables, fragile items, and jewelry. If you have no other choice, purchase separate travel insurance for the contents of your checked bag.

62. Pack fragile items and liquids carefully. Here’s a full guide on packing fragile items in luggage.

63. If you’re bringing a knife, follow the TSA rules. You can’t put knives in your carry-on. Instead, you should pack it in your suitcase.

64. Leave some room for the return items. Are your friends, colleagues, and family are already wondering what snacks or souvenirs they will be getting from you when you get back from your trip? Make sure that you leave some space for your return items and souvenirs. I’d say that an extra two to five pounds is enough.

65. Make sure to use the straps in your suitcase to tighten your contents. I’m amazed at how many people aren’t doing this, especially if they’re not using packing cubes. If you tighten them, your clothes won’t be all over the suitcase, and you will have fewer wrinkles because there will be less movement.

66. Weigh your bag and make sure that it’s close to the weight limit. Most of the time, the airline staff will let you pass with a few extra pounds. However, sometimes they will not, so to be safe, you should always follow the weight limit.

After You’ve Packed Your Suitcase

67. Make your suitcase easily visible. Adding some stickers, luggage straps, or other colorful elements will do two things to help you while traveling. First, your suitcase will be easily identifiable on the conveyor belt. Second, if your luggage gets lost, you can better describe your suitcase to the airline staff, which will increase the chances of them finding it. If you bring two or more suitcases, it’s also a good idea to hook them together.

68. Re-check if your documents and valuables are packed in your carry-on. Checked suitcases can easily be stolen or lost. You don’t want to lose your documents while abroad.

69. Consider purchasing insurance for your checked suitcase. Airlines reimburse only small amounts for lost suitcases, as they value everything as used. (Even if it’s brand new.)

70. If you’re above the weight limit, start by removing clothes. 80% of your suitcase is easily taken up by clothes. Most of the time, you’re taking too much. Consider packing for a week and washing your clothes after seven days. Do you really need to bring those boots to Finland in the summer? Do you need that extra jacket just in case it gets cold in Italy? No, you don’t.

71. Add luggage tags to your suitcase. Using luggage tags dramatically increases the chances of your suitcase being found in case it gets lost. Write your e-mail address, the initial of your first name, and last name. (You don’t want everyone to see all of your information.)

72. When locking anything, use only TSA-approved locks. Some beginners might not know this, but everything that you lock in your luggage has to be locked with TSA-approved locks. Whether you’re locking the suitcase itself or a box of valuables inside, the TSA locks will allow the TSA agents easy access inside. Otherwise, they’re authorized to break the lock, and you could end up with a broken suitcase.

73. If you’re worried about your checked suitcase being damaged, use a luggage cover. This protective cover helps with keeping your suitcase look brand-new. In some third-world countries, luggage handlers can be really tough on your suitcase, so protecting it could be a smart move. A cheaper DIY temporary solution would be to cover it with a plastic film.

Money and credit cards

74. Don’t exchange money in money exchanges. You’ll probably need to pack some cash with you. Most of the time, the rate is the best when withdrawing through a well-known ATM at your destination. Airports and money exchanges will always have slightly worse rates. When you arrive, look for a well-known ATM (private ATMs often have higher fees) and withdraw from your ATM card.

75. Use your credit cards wisely to avoid extra fees. It’s not a packing tip, but I’ll include it anyway, as it’s essential. For withdrawing money, don’t use your credit card. Instead, you should use an ATM card. Only use your credit card for paying in another currency with your card, as the exchange rate fee is always smaller for credit cards. Also, when paying with your credit card, you will often be asked if you want to be charged in the local currency or US dollars. Always choose the local currency, as the rate will be better. So to sum up: Pay with your credit card in the local currency, and withdraw with your ATM card from well-known ATMs.

76. Notify your bank and credit cards that you will be traveling.Your bank or credit cards can freeze your accounts if they notice strange transactions and that’s the last thing you need while you’re on a trip. Notifying them ahead of time will help you to avoid this issue because they will add a record to your account for the fraud detection system.

77. Educate yourself on local currency.It can be incredibly difficult to tell the difference between different coins and bills if you’re not from that country. Learning about the currency where you’re headed can save you a lot of headaches and from possibly being swindled, too!

78. Consider getting a wallet or purse that you use specifically for travel. There are a lot of options out there for the safer storage of your personal items. You might want an RFID walletlike this one on Amazon that insulates you from electronic pickpocketing. You can also invest in a waterproof, crossbody bag that will keep your items safe from the elements as well as make it harder for thieves to try to grab from you.

79. Consider using prepaid travel cards.If you don’t want to bring along your debit or credit cards, consider using a prepaid travel card instead. You can load a specific amount of money onto the card before your trip, allowing you to lock in your exchange rate.

80. Hide your money.Hide your money on your body by using a scarf with a hidden compartment, a leg money belt, a security belt with a hidden wallet, etc. If you’re planning on leaving money in your hotel room, you can easily hide your cash if you make a plan. You can tape it underneath drawers, stash it in food packets inside of your mini-fridge, or even inside of the couch cushions.

Final Words

Packing for your trip will be easier and less stressful if you prepare in advance. Using tips like those listed above will ensure that you’re ready. The most important thing to take away from reading this is how crucial it is to make sure your travel documents are safe. Keeping them in a folder in a place that you will remember and is easily accessible is of the utmost importance.

Something else that’s important to remember is that you need to pack only as many clothes as you will realistically need. Going over the weight limits will end in hefty fines. You might also want some space for souvenirs! Wearing layers onto your flight can also give you more space in your suitcase but make sure you will be comfortable as international flights are long and exhausting.

The best thing you can do is use an app or create an itinerary to keep track of your items. You don’t want to forget items like chargers, power blocks, medications, or other items necessary for your trip. Keep yourself organized and you will have a worry-free experience!

Read Next: 30 Things to Do Before Traveling Abroad

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