Packing for International Travel
Excited for your trip? Airline tickets purchased, hotels booked, a list of attractions and restaurants to explore. Perfect. You’re almost ready to set off….but first, packing. Uggh, rarely is something so university disliked as packing (or even worse, unpacking!). Here we will explore some ways to make your trip packing as easy and painless as possible.
Checked luggage? Carry-on only? A combination of both?
This will really depend on the length of time of your trip and how much you are willing to carry around. I always recommend carrying some ‘essentials’ (which essentials to be discussed later) on the plane. You never know when your checked luggage may arrive, and you don’t want to be without the necessities (ask me about that time in Switzerland where I literally had only a laptop and computer charger…). At minimum, I recommend a backpack of sorts (keeping your hands free can be a blessing) and if you must check luggage or need a second bag—wheeled bags are a very good idea. Remember, the sidewalks may not be the same as what you are used to at home, so even a wheeled bag may feel like a huge hassle. I usually try to manage a trip with a hardcase carry-on and a backpack as a personal item. I find that will meet my needs for a 10-day trip.
Note: Check with your airlines as to the requirements for luggage (both measurements, weight, and allowances). Some carriers are VERY strict about the size of bags, others not so much. It’s always a good idea to know beforehand. Also, if you are using many different airlines, I recommend packing the smallest bag allowed.
Weather
Google is your friend! Checking the average temperatures for your travel dates (including rainfall/snow, humidity, and more), as well as the recent weather forecasts, will give you a good idea of what to expect. It will also help you to make some easy choices about what to pack. You know what your body needs for different types of weather, so I find asking others a delicate situation. I, for example do not like humidity, not even a little, whereas my mom loves it. It’s a personal choice. Hot and humid for one person is cool and damp for another.
Fashion
Let’s start with clothes. I adore clothes and I remember my first trip abroad I brought an ENORMOUS suitcase for my 10 days in Australia….it must have weighed more than 50 lbs. And I thought I needed every piece of my wardrobe. Spoiler: I did not.
I recommend picking a color scheme for your trip (especially for you ladies) and working with those primary colors. Black, white or navy and cream with one accent color—choose colors you have a number of options in and use those to build your travel wardrobe.
If you are traveling to different cities, you only need as many outfits as have days in one city, as you can re-wear in different cities. Usually one pair of jeans, some dresses and/or skirts and a few tops and you will have most of what you need. And if everything is in the same color family, you can mix and match. Wore that dress two nights ago? Great, now throw a shirt over it and a belt and you have a whole new outfit! Also, layers are the best. You never know when the weather might change or if a hotel room is colder than you expected. And no, you don’t need three of the same tank top. You can always wash it in the sink and hang to dry overnight.
When it comes to undergarments and socks, I always take the advice of my good friend Karen Rosenblum of Spain Less Traveled: pack those that you’re ready to throw away and toss them as you use them. Gives you extra space for your souvenirs and no smelly bits in your luggage!
Now that you’ve decided what to pack on your trip, how do you get it in your bag(s). I am an advocate of the packing cube as it keeps me organized, clothes relatively wrinkle-free, and I only pull the items I need each day. No need for your hotel room to look like a tornado hit just to get dressed. I usually pack one cube for pants/skirts/dresses, one for tops, and a small one for undergarments and swimwear. As for the rolling versus folding methods, I am a roller as I find it keeps clothes smoother and uses less space.
Shoes
This needs its own topic. Never ever, did I say NEVER?, buy new shoes for a trip without first breaking them in. I always recommend a cheap pair of flip flops for the end of the day, very good walking shoes and maybe something nicer for dinners out (but something you can still walk in). If you are traveling to Europe, remember, especially in our historical centers, the stone walkways were built MANY years ago and can be uneven and very hard. High heels are dangerous unless you are a supermodel, and the stone can make your legs ache quickly. So you only need 3 pairs of shoes max, and you should wear your biggest, heaviest pair on the flight to save you space in your bag.
Toiletries…
I am an esthetician and have loved beauty my whole life. Thus, you can safely assume I have more products in my bathroom than the average drugstore—but I’ve quickly learned I don’t need much on holiday. I pack the essentials in my clear, plastic, TSA approved bag. Many of my standard use products come in glass 30ml bottles, they are the perfect size for my TSA bag. I even keep some smaller bottles and refill them. This way I have what I need without using too much space. You don’t need EVERY step in your skincare routine, just the primary ones. Also, don’t forget sunscreen too. Finally, if you wear makeup and any of that comes in liquid form, that also needs to go into your TSA bag. Special tip: I LOVE the gusseted zip bags for my liquids. They have a flat bottom and feel as though they hold far more than the standard ones. Also, always pack a few extra ziplocs as they take up no space and you never know if one breaks. Special tip #2: position your toiletry back in a very convenient place in your luggage (I recommend near the top, close to the zipper. This will make security so much easier.
As for that makeup, you’re on holiday. You don’t need much, you will look gorgeous because you are stress-free and getting loads of sleep. So, bring the bare minimum, your skin will appreciate the rest. I pack a concealer, mascara, one eyeliner, some blush and lip gloss (with SPF!).
Also, especially if you’re traveling to any developed country, don’t worry, you can always buy it there. I find this especially true for toothpaste, shampoo, etc. It may not be an exact duplicate of your US based products, but believe me, you can find something very similar.
Special note: be wary of bringing any appliances with you on holiday. General American blow dryers/straighteners/etc. do not work in European countries and you run the risk of destroying the equipment. All hotels, and many Air B-n-Bs, will have hair dryers, and much like the make up advice above, use the vacation to give your hair a break. Special tip: If you MUST bring your hair appliances, make sure they are dual-voltage and switch them to the EU voltage and use with a plug adaptor.
The Essentials…
Remember that trip to Switzerland? Well, my luggage arrived 3 days after I me and I had NOTHING with me. So now I always make sure I have the following in my carry-on (or I try to only carry-on): toothbrush, a spare set of underwear, medicine, plug adaptor, sunglasses, basic skincare and moisturizer, and a few makeup essentials. You can always survive on that for a few days if you need to. Oh, I also have a few snacks. Jetlag affects everyone differently and for me waking in the middle of the night hungry is the worst—so some trail mix or a few granola bars are key.
Finally, save yourself some space in your bag by wearing your heaviest items on the plane (jeans, boots, jackets, etc.). This is beneficial for many reasons, least of all, the temperature on most planes is quite cold, so you’ll appreciate the extra layers. Also, you will save extra space in your luggage by wearing the bulkiest items. You can take them off once you arrive (or even in the airplane bathroom) and store in your bag for transport.
I hope all this helps you as you pack. When in doubt, leave it at home. You will not even miss it!