The Ultimate Personal Item Packing List If You Are Traveling Internationally

Vacations are a time when we unwind and relax, away from our hectic work routines. A planned vacation is always enjoyable as you don’t face any trouble during the journey because you take all the essential things, book the tickets and hotels beforehand, as well as contact travel guides for easy transactions on reaching the place. But do you know what the most important thing is? A proper packing list that helps you ensure that you have all the essentials you might need for your international trip.

Guide for personal item packing list during international travel

1. Documents related to travelling:

While you can always get a copy of the travel documents in case they get misplaced, it will take time and money. So, it is important to organise your travel documents well and keep them safe, so that you can immediately access them when needed. These documents include:

  • A photo ID card is needed for essential activities like clearing airport security checks, checking into a hotel, getting a rental car and others.
  • Driving licence. In case it has expired, passengers will still be allowed to travel if it is less than 12 months out of date.
  • A border crossing card
  • Passport issued by a foreign government
  • Medical insurance card
  • Hard copies of important addresses, maps and guides
  • Soft copies of flight, train and bus tickets, and if possible, carry hard copies too
  • The boarding pass for travelling on flights
  • Cash, credit and debit cards. Inform your bank or other financial institution about your international trip, so they don’t decline any legitimate transaction.
  • Soft and hard copies of reservation confirmations for your flights, rental cars, hotel or other pre-paid events.
  • A physical list of emergency contacts so that even if you lose your phone, you still can reach out to them.

2. Clothing:

Pack your clothes based on the weather conditions of your destination. It is better to check the 10-day forecast in order to pack suitable clothes. Also, check if the hotel offers laundry facilities to the guests. In case they don’t, check for the nearest laundries, so you can get your clothes cleaned.

Some basic clothing items to pack would include:

  • Socks
  • Undergarments
  • Tops
  • Bottoms
  • Jackets
  • Sweatshirt (always a good idea to carry one)
  • Attires for special occasions
  • Sandals/Flip flops
  • Shoes for walking
  • Belts that match your outfits for casual and special events
  • Pyjamas
  • Gym outfits
  • Raincoats and umbrella
  • Hats
  • Scarves

3. Electronic items:

There are some things that can get you out of difficult situations in case you get stuck somewhere. So, even if you want to stay away from gadgets on your trip, make sure you carry them with you, and use them only when needed. Some of these electronic items include:

  • Cell phone and its charger
  • Laptop and its charger
  • A portable power bank
  • World travel adapter with 2 USBs and a standard AC plug-in to ensure voltage compatibility in the foreign country
  • Camera with spare memory card and charger (or batteries)
  • Noise-cancelling headphones

4. Toiletries:

Travel-sized toiletries are allowed while moving to and from a destination in an airplane. The TSA limits for passengers in the US are 100 ml or less for any toiletries such as cream, paste, aerosol, liquid or gel, all of which need to fit in a quart-sized bag.

Some essential toiletries which you must not forget to pack include:

  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Comb
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Conditioner
  • Loofah
  • Contact lenses with case and saline solution
  • First-aid kit
  • Sanitiser
  • Deodorant or perfume
  • Shaving kit or electric razor
  • Body lotion, sunscreen lotion and other skincare and styling products
  • Feminine monthly products
  • Hairstyling tools and accessories
  • Manicure kit
  • Common over-the-counter medications for headache, fever, cold and stomach trouble, and prescription medicines along with the prescription’s soft copy and hard copy. Keep your prescriptions in the hand baggage rather than the check-in luggage, so its chances of losing are minimised. Make sure that the prescription medicines meet the TSA requirements and restrictions.

5. Miscellaneous items:

Some simple miscellaneous items that you need to include while packing include:

  • Sunglasses
  • Two pairs of prescription glasses (if using)
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Lint roller
  • Overnight bag
  • Wristwatch and fashion jewellery/accessories
  • Face masks

Tips for international travel packing:

  1. Consider things that you might require on reaching the destination, so you can pack accordingly. Keep heavier things at the bottom and lighter and the most required ones at the top, so you can access them easily.
  2. Carry lightweight bags that are expandable so you don’t have to carry too many bags with you.
  3. Use packing cubes for packing all items in a compact and organised way.
  4. All essentials such as medicines, prescriptions, precious jewellery and other similar items must be kept in the cabin bags for readily accessing them when needed and also reducing the chances of losing them.
  5. Avoid taking too many extra pairs of clothing, especially if there is laundry service available in your hotel.
  6. Keep cash in local currency handy along with digital money, so depending on the situation, you can use either of them without facing any inconvenience.
  7. Purchase or download a smart dictionary with terms of the local language of the location where you are travelling to, so you can easily understand the terms used by localites, read signboards, and communicate efficiently without depending on anyone else.
  8. It is better to opt for travel insurance plans to save yourself from unforeseen circumstances like loss of baggage and/or passport, injury during travel, and other benefits. Opt for this insurance even while making international trips for 2-3 days.

Conclusion

While some travellers may manage with fewer clothes and fewer accessories, but when it comes to basics, having all the necessary items is mandatory to have a pleasant trip to international tourist places. The list of items for international travel is the basic thing that one must never miss while planning an international journey, but this can be changed based on personal needs and preferences.

FAQs:

What should I pack on international trips?

You need to pack your important documents including passport and visa, clothing, electronic items, toiletries and medicines with prescriptions during international trips.

What should I carry for a 2-week international trip?

For a 2-week international trip, carry your important documents along with 4 bottoms, 8 shirts and 2 jackets when you are going to a colder region. If you have plans to hike, carry your athletic gear and pack 1-2 dresses if you are going to attend any parties.

What do you need to travel internationally during Covid?

To travel safely during Covid, it is important to get vaccinated, check the status of Covid in the destination location and then plan your journey. You need to abide by all the conveyance protocols such as putting on your mask, carrying proof of your vaccination, getting tested before boarding the plane if needed and following quarantine rules on reaching the destination.

Why do you need a packing list for your international travel?

This is extremely important so that you don’t have to remember everything. Just check the list, finish packing and have a stress-free journey without the fear of missing any important items.

What is the mandatory thing while travelling abroad?

You must carry a valid passport along with your identity card while travelling abroad.

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