As you have probably gathered from my recent travel capsule wardrobe and Ireland packing list posts, I have summer travels on my mind. And I know many of you are heading out on adventures as well! One of the topics that I’m most frequently asked about is international travel. I’ve had the joy of traveling abroad ever since I was a child. And over the years, I have learned some tips and tricks for making the process as smooth as possible. So I thought it might be helpful to put together an international travel checklist.
In this post, I’m going to cover all of the nitty gritty details for what I pack when traveling abroad, from European adapters to my favorite sleep mask, and everything in between!
This Summer’s Travel Plans
We are gearing up for our fourth summer of the boys attending a Spanish Immersion School in San Sebastián, Spain. We have had the most wonderful experiences with this program, and it’s something we look forward to every year. Each summer that we go, we like to try to visit a few other destinations during the trip. We figure, if we’re going to travel that far, we might as well make every second count! Last year we visited Paris and attended the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. This year we plan to spend some time in Ireland and also swing by NYC on our way back home.
International Travel Checklist: Packing Wisely
With all of these travel plans, it’s no doubt that we are going to need to pack wisely. We will have multiple flights, switch accommodations, and experience a variety of weather. From my experience, the best way to tackle all of this is with an international travel checklist. If everything is written out and organized from the start, I’m more likely to not forget anything and less likely to overpack. Plus, I actually find packing and planning for trips pretty fun!
Tips for International Travel
Before jumping into the international travel checklist, I wanted to cover a few quick tips. Here are two of my biggest recommendations for traveling abroad. P.S…You can find a much more detailed list of these on my personal travel tips.
- Have the necessary documents prepared. The first thing you’ll need to travel abroad is a valid passport. Make sure it’s up to date and valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. You’ll also need to check to see whether or not your destination requires a visa. If it does, be sure to apply for it in advance. As of now, the only travel where we’ve had to have a visa was when we visited Russia in 2011. At that time, we were living abroad and had to visit the Russian embassy in Switzerland to get the visa.
- Look into international cell phone plans. You will want to discuss the options with your cell phone provider in advance. We use a plan through Verizon. It allows me to stay connected while abroad, without paying hefty fees.
The Ultimate International Travel Checklist
Okay, now let’s dive into my international travel checklist. In addition to a travel capsule wardrobe, I’ve listed out everything I pack when traveling internationally. And while this post is focused on adventures abroad, I highly recommend also having a peek at my travel must-haves and travel essentials for women, which come with me on every trip.
- Travel Bag: Let’s kick it off with a bag to carry during your travel days. My personal favorite travel bag is a Longchamp. I like to use clear bags inside of this tote to keep everything organized and easily visible. The boys use these travel backpacks from Target, which work great for carrying their items when we get to our destination as well. And JB actually uses the bigger version of this same Target bag.
- Passport & Documents: It goes without saying that passports belong at the top of any international travel checklist! One tip I have is to use these Joy Creative Shop vinyl stickers on the cover of each passport. This is so helpful when traveling as a family, as it makes it easy to pass each passport out to the right person.
- Trip Information: I keep a Google Doc of our itinerary along with confirmation numbers, addresses of hotels, etc. all in one location. This way I can easily pull it up on my phone if I need to check on something. I also print this off and carry it in my travel bag.
- Travel Wallet: For the last couple of years, I’ve used a Neely and Chloe travel wallet, which doubles as a chic clutch! Inside I store our passports, different currencies, credit cards, and a copy of the itinerary.
- Cash: Speaking of currencies, you’ll want cash on hand when traveling abroad. I highly recommend visiting your local bank to get cash out in your destination’s currency. It is always nice (and sometimes necessary) to have some cash on hand!
- Adapters: You will definitely want to have the latest adapters on your international travel checklist! It’s nice to have these in your travel bag in case you need them at the airport. For charging USB devices (iPhonoe, iPad, camera, etc.), I use these European wall charger blocks. I also bring this international travel plug adapter, which is great to use as a hub for all types of devices.
- Pen: Sometimes you will need a pen when going through customs. Having one in your purse or shoulder bag can help you get through the airport much more quickly.
- Body Care: A long flight can leave you feeling pretty gross. I highly recommend bringing a mini capsule of your skincare regimen, deodorant, and of course, hand sanitizer, and wipes. I probably reapply moisturizer at least 3 times during an international flight!
- Medicine: Of course, you always want to carry any medication you’ll need directly on the plane. I also include standard OTC medications on my packing list. This is because sometimes going into a foreign pharmacy can be overwhelming, so it’s nice to have these on hand in case they’re needed.
- Power Bank: I always pack a power bank when traveling. It’s great to have in case your phone or computer needs a charge at the airport or when you’re out on excursions during your trip.
- Entertainment. While you’ll have a TV to watch during an international flight, you may prefer watching your own shows. I always recommend having something downloaded to your laptop, kindle, phone, etc. I have actually been on a long flight where my TV wasn’t working. And boy was I glad that I had other forms of entertainment pre-downloaded!
- Scarf/Cape: I typically wear a cozy scarf or cape on travel days and then use it throughout the trip. I love that it doubles as a blanket!
- Eye Mask: Be sure to add an eye mask to your international travel checklist. With such a long flight, it’s great to have this on the plane. Plus, it comes in handy when dealing with the time change at the destination, especially if you’re like me and need a pitch black room to sleep well.
- Water Bottle: It’s so important to stay hydrated while traveling! I love using a collapsible water bottle during trips because they travel so well. Not only are they great during the flight, but also at the destination.
- Prepared Carry-On: Last, but certainly not least, make sure that everything you need to get by for a day or two is packed inside your carry-on bag. This is important, whether you’re checking a bag or not, due to the possibility of losing your luggage. For a month long trip, our family of four usually checks one-to-two bags, along with our individual carry-ons. Inside each carry-on, I pack a few days worth of clothes, toiletries we can’t live without, and important medicines.
International Travel Checklist: Other Items
Now, you might be thinking that 16 items doesn’t quite seem like it would cover everything you need on an international travel checklist, and you’re right. For the most part, these are just the specific items for traveling abroad that I would add on to my normal packing list. So, when you’re preparing for an international trip, be sure to also bring along these 17 travel essentials, a travel capsule wardrobe, a traveling first aid kit, and these travel must-haves for women. That should pretty much cover everything!
Packing to Travel Abroad
I am all too familiar with how overwhelming it can be to travel abroad. Honestly, traveling in general can be a bit stressful at times, and venturing to a different country adds another layer of difficulty. However, I absolutely think it’s worth it. I never regret taking the trip! I hope this international travel checklist helps make your upcoming travel adventures go as smoothly as possible!
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