The Must-Have Packing Items for International Travel

The task of packing for long flights and trips to other countries is quite a large, and somewhat stressful, one! While it might seem scary to leave the good ole’ U.S. of A., I want you to leave feeling you’re as prepared as you can be for your first time abroad. Or, I want you to feel like you have a little more insight into how to make this next time a little easier! Over the last few years, I’ve learned through trial and error what items are going to be the most helpful to you in ‘foreign’ situations, going to afford you the most comfort, and are going to help you stay organized! So, today, I’m excited to make that task easier for you by compiling my list of must-have’s for international travel. It’s a supplement to this post I wrote back in 2017, which is still also helpful and expands upon some of these products if you’d like to check it out!

If you’re new around here, be sure to check out more travel content over on the TRAVEL page. You can find GUIDES to tons of destinations and TIPS to help you a more informed and prepared traveler!

DON’T MISS: General Travel Q&A & What I Pack In My Carry On

I absolutely love this cord organizer! If you’re constantly pulling tangled cables and cords out of your bag, do yourself a favor and get this organizer!

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This lavender spray is great to spray on your travel pillow or even your hotel pillows once you get to your destination!

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You’ll be getting lots of change back in coins, so a coin purse is a must!

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If you’re planning to go all around the world and not just to one country, this universal adaptor allows you to plug in your dual-voltage appliances!

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I’m already loving these black packing cubes. I love that I can see partially in to them AND label them so that I can be even more organized, ha!

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Grab a pair of slip-on sneakers for easy wear on the plane (and speedy movement through the airport if you need it!)

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see the world

Love this portable beauty organizer! It’s big enough to fit everything I need, but also a great shape that fits well in my suitcase.

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My go-to lip balm! Nothing is worse than chapped lips on a lonnnng flight!

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I’m giving this neoprene backpack a try on my next trip! It’s so cute and easily packable!

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This portable steamer has dual voltage, so you can have nice, pressed clothes without frying your travel steamer!

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Simply plug this into the wall in countries in mainland and connect it to a USB and your phone and ta-dahhh … no need for an adaptor!

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Ziploc bags full of travel liquids are no longer! This TSA approved clear bag is a more stylish way of housing all those tiny bottles.

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fresh faced

If you’ve been following for a while, this pick won’t surprise you! I love this durable carry-on!

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I recently discovered the J-Pillow and it made my long international flight so much more comfortable! I was able to sleep without waking up with a crick in my neck

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This insulated travel bottle is great for being in the airport – just fill this up at the water fountain instead of buying expensive bottles of water!

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Keep your feet warm on the chilly flight with these great cashmere socks!

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I can’t remember a single overnight flight where I wasn’t happy I had this scarf with me! It’s so warm and soft and provides a little extra comfort on an otherwise uncomfortable flight!

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Letting this hydrating sheet mask sit on your face before getting off the plane, then jade rolling the leftover serum into your face afterwards will really help give your skin the hydration it lost during the flight!

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catch some ZZZs

Don’t chance it with your regular curling wand if you’re going overseas! Grab this affordable dual-voltage one instead!

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The best purse to carry around with you is one with a zipper or a lock that looks pretty difficult to open for someone who doesn’t own it! This is one of my faves!

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I keep at least 2 SD cards with me, sometime 3 depending on the length of my trip!

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This is my favorite quality camera to bring along because it’s so lightweight and takes amazing photos!

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thoughts?

19 Comments

  1. Rach wrote:

    Ok, I need to try that neck pillow because the ones I’ve seen & tried are awful and they take up space!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
    • Sonya wrote:

      That neck pillow is great! I can vouch for it as well. I take it on all long plane rides.

      Published 3.20.19 ·
  2. Roses for Fridays | by mia wrote:
    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  3. Alyssa wrote:

    Thank you for this post! I’m traveling to London this summer and it’s definitely indimidating thinking about all the things I will need. It’s not like you can just run to Target once you’re there!

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  4. Amanda Legler wrote:

    These posts are so so helpful!! I love them

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  5. Irma Fernandez wrote:

    Great tips! Omw to buy some of those 🙂

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  6. Rachel wrote:

    So many great items! I need to get the Dagne Dover backpack – it looks awesome, even for work!

    Rachel
    http://www.hello-her.com

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  7. Kristen wrote:

    I’m visiting Italy in June, and this post couldn’t come at a better time. Thank you for sharing all these great travel tips!

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  8. Lindsey wrote:

    I’m traveling over seas for the first time ever soon! I love this post and I’m ordering a few of these items now! Thank you as always for such informative and detailed posts. I know they take time!

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  9. Jennifer F wrote:

    Extremely helpful post! I’m traveling to Amsterdam, Paris & Edinburgh in May and I’ll definitely refer back to this post.

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  10. Arianna wrote:

    I love the striped sleeping mask! It’s so adorable and perfect for a travel day❤️

    Arianna | Southernbelleforever.com

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  11. Heather wrote:

    Just snagged a couple of these goodies for an upcoming trip! Do you travel with a global WiFi device? I want to get one but I’m not sure what’s best. Thanks!

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
    • JC wrote:

      I use one. Wouldn’t travel without it. Skyroam.

      Published 3.20.19 ·
  12. Katrina wrote:

    Thanks for all the great tips!

    Published 3.20.19 · Reply
  13. Rachael wrote:

    Amazing list and love the format! Thank you!!

    Published 3.21.19 · Reply
  14. Ashleigh wrote:

    Such a great post! It was so helpful. I don’t travel a lot but still so many good finds!

    Published 3.21.19 · Reply
  15. Natalie wrote:

    THANK YOU FOR THIS! It is so helpful 🙂 I appreciate how much thought you put into your posts. And thank you for sharing links to your other travel tips on the blog- I feel ready!

    Published 3.21.19 · Reply
  16. Stephanie wrote:

    I’m curious if you gave the neck pillow a try and what you thought? We are taking our family to Europe this summer and I want to put a few travel items in the kids Easter baskets.

    Published 4.1.19 · Reply
  17. JC wrote:

    Any recommendations for reusable clear pouches for travel in carryon? I ordered the Truffle Brand small clarity clear pouch but for $40 it just doesn’t seem worth it… With as much as I travel I’m tired of wasting quart baggies.

    Published 4.25.19 · Reply