The Ultimate International Trip Packing List

Packing for an international trip can be a bit daunting — but I find that as long as you’ve got a plan and enough time to prepare, it’s actually pretty easy to ensure you have everything you need for a seamless trip.

I travel multiple times a month and find it makes a big difference when I prioritize items I know I’ll actually use rather than throwing in “what if” products haphazardly (remember you can still buy pretty much anything you might end up needing while abroad). It’s also key to look for products that can serve double duty to help cut down on lugging unnecessary weight with you while you’re traveling.

The following product categories will serve as a decent jumping-off point for what you need to prioritize while each individual product we’ve included has been personally tested by T+L editors, earning our stamp of approval.

Here’s everything you need to pack for an international trip:

Tech Essentials

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter

$26 $23 at Amazon View on Epickatech.com

Simo Solis Lite

$160 at Amazon $160 at Target $160 at Best Buy

Anker Nano 3-in-1 Portable Power Bank

$45 at Amazon View on Anker

Apple AirPods Pro 2

$249 $199 at Amazon $249 at Apple $239 at Staples

Eufy SmartTrack Link

$36 $20 at Amazon View on Eufy.com $20 at Home Depot

Fujifilm X-T30 II

$905 at Amazon View on Fujifilm-x.com $1,000 at Best Buy

We know, we know — you’re not setting out on an international trip to be consumed by your tech, but there are certain essentials that can make a good trip even better, whether aiding an itinerary, ensuring your safety, or simply entertaining you while in transit. My tech essentials tend to vary based on the kind of trip I’m embarking on, but there are a few things that always serve me well like a universal travel adapter and a good pair of noise-canceling headphones like the AirPods Pro 2 for relaxing on the plane. The key is to bring items you know will work double-duty and avoid anything redundant that will only add weight to your luggage and slow you down at the airport.

If you’re planning to work while traveling, consider what you tend to use at home and go from there. You likely won’t need all the bells and whistles on your desk, but a mobile hotspot and a portable power bank, for example, will help ensure you always have juice for your gear — even if you’re working from a European cafe with limited power outlets or less-than-ideal WiFi. Heading off on a bucket list trip? It might be worth investing in a quality beginner-friendly camera like the Fujifilm X-T30 II for snapping photo and video memories.

Comfort Essentials

LARQ Bottle PureVis

$118 at Amazon View on Livelarq.com $99 at Williams-Sonoma

Infinity Pillow Travel Pillow

$70 $55 at Amazon View on Infinitypillow.co

Kashwere Travel Blanket

$98 at Amazon View on Kashwere.com

Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks

$28 at Amazon View on Comradsocks.com

In my opinion, it’s not altruistic to board a flight with nothing to keep you occupied or comfortable for hours on end. Instead, I highly recommend prioritizing your comfort in order to make your travels more pleasant. You don’t need a dedicated personal item just for your in-flight essentials, but having a handful of go-tos that elevate your travel experience will always be worth the extra space it might take up in your carry-on.

Consider the items that make you feel the most comfortable and well-rested and go from there. Things like the self-cleaning Larq Bottle PureVis will allow you to stay hydrated while flying, but can also be a great tool if you’re traveling to a destination where water purification might be needed. Comfy accessories like the Infinity Pillow Travel Pillow and the lightweight Kashwere travel blanket will help ensure you have the best possible environment for an in-flight nap (especially key if you’re seated in economy!) while the Comrad Knee-high Compression Socks will help ward off swelling or discomfort on long haul flights in order to make sure you’re ready to get on your feet and explore your destination upon landing.

Organization Essentials

Royce RFID Blocking Passport Case

View on Royce.us View on Bloomingdales $60 $42 at Macy's

Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes

$43 $39 at Amazon View on Bagsmart.com

Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag

$75 at Away Travel

Steamline Luggage The Palm Cosmetics Set

View on Steamlineluggage.com

It’s embarrassing to admit — but I used to be the kind of traveler who would throw everything I needed into my suitcase without much thought to organization. It worked for a while — but once you start traveling regularly, having a well-organized suitcase and carry-on just makes the entire travel process go more smoothly. You don’t want to overpack unnecessary organizational items, however, having a spot for all your gear will actually help you see what you are packing and make sure you’re able to find everything you need, when you need it.

The biggest game changer for me was using Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes, which make it easier to keep track of exactly what clothing items you have without the need to empty out your entire suitcase. The same goes for a great toiletry bag — having something smaller for your liquids and gels in your carry-on makes it seamless during the airport security process while a larger cosmetic case like the Steamline The Palm cosmetics case set will make getting ready in your hotel bathroom easier and more streamlined. It might also be worth investing in a luggage scale so that, after your bag is organized and space is maximized, you can make sure your luggage is still within your airline’s weight guidelines.

Luggage

Away The Carry-On

$275 at Away Travel

IT Luggage Softside Carry-on Spinner

$162 $110 at Target $220 $132 at Macy's $160 at Kohls.com

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

$230 at Amazon $225 at REI View on Cotopaxi.com

Samsonite Proxis Medium Spinner

View on Samsonite $550 at Macy's

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler

$229 at Amazon View on Backcountry View on Eaglecreek.com

Briggs & Riley Extra Large Trunk Spinner

$729 at Nordstrom View on Briggs & Riley View on Bloomingdales

When it comes to luggage, the best piece for your trip will depend mostly on how long you’re traveling for and whether or not you prefer to check a bag. European and Asian airlines are notoriously strict with carry-on dimensions. So whatever style you choose, you’ll want to ensure the dimensions are well within the international carrier’s size limits. If you opt for a checked bag, it’ll also be worth considering a luggage scale to ensure you won’t have to deal with any additional baggage fees at the airport.

Most luggage brands these days offer four spinner wheels  — which is great for easy navigation on the go — but you’ll also want to decide between softside or hardside luggage. Softside luggage tends to be a bit lighter and offers more packing room, but it’s not as durable or water-resistant as hardside. Hardside, on the other hand, offers better protection for fragile items and is much easier to clean. Don’t want to deal with the hassle of rolling luggage? It’s also worth considering a backpack or duffle bag. If you pack light, this can definitely be worth it, but having to physically carry your luggage can be tiring while waiting in long airport lines or commuting on public transit.

Travel Bags

Béis The Sport Sling

View on Beis

Quince Italian Leather Quilted Crossbody Bag

View on Quince.com

Bellroy Lite Daypack

$99 $69 at Amazon $350 at Backcountry $99 at Bellroy.com

MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote

$275 at Nordstrom $275 at Neiman Marcus View on Maisonette.com

Choosing the right personal item and day bag is an equally important decision. Handbags and backpacks should be lightweight and multi-purpose, meaning that you’ll be able to use them at multiple times, like day trips to the country, jaunts around the city center, and evenings out. It’s even better if you opt for something that you can also use as your personal item while at the airport.

Depending on the kind of trip you’re embarking on, it might make sense to opt for a leather crossbody bag like the Quince Italian Leather Quilted Crossbody Bag, which can serve as a manageable personal item while at the airport just as well as an evening bag at a fine dining restaurant. If you tend to spend your holidays exploring the city, hiking, cycling, or doing other outdoor or physical activities, you might be better off with a sling bag like the Beis The Sport Sling, which is hands-free and water-resistant. No matter what kind of trip you’re taking, I always recommend a great daypack or tote bag for holding any additional souvenirs or day-to-day essentials you might need unexpectedly. The MZ Wallace Deluxe Tote is one of our favorite options — but really any tote bag will do the trick.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Kaitlyn McInnis used her expertise as a full-time travel writer who lives between two different continents to cultivate the ultimate packing list for traveling abroad. She drew on her experiences as a minimalist who travels on a bi-weekly basis as inspiration and created this list to cut down on any unnecessary accessories and only include the absolute must-haves for international travel.

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