Packing for International Travel for Newbies

Here’s your comprehensive guide on packing for international travel for newbies, designed to make your first trip abroad run smoothly. My international travel packing tips below help you handle every detail, from what to pack, which travel documents to carry and dealing with coronavirus restrictions. 

Your Ultimate International Travel Essentials List

Know what to bring and what you’ll need on your trip makes packing for international travel as a newbie a breeze. For example, did you know that you’ll have a tough time finding antacids in Italian pharmacies? Instead, Italians like to sip aperitifs after their meals. So if you feel unsure about what you’ll need abroad, pack the travel essentials you’ll need – little things, such as aspirin. 

Things To Carry for International Travel

International Travel Documents

Your passport is essential as a form of ID in a US airport, to enter another country and re-enter the US again.  As for other travel documents to pack for international travel as a newbie, use your best resource – your airline.  They’ll answer your questions about what you’ll need to enter your destination country, providing info on tourist visas, inoculations, such as typhoid, and proof of negative Covid tests or vaccinations. And they’ll provide you with the necessary forms.  Your important documents for international travel must include:

• Passport
• Other documentation needed, such as visas
• Proof of travel insurance, if necessary
• Boarding passes
• Documents meeting Covid restriction requirements 

Packing for Travel During Coronavirus Travel Restrictions

There’s a very real threat of being denied boarding your plane or entry to a foreign country if you failing to meet coronavirus restrictions. When traveling internationally, be prepared. 

Pack for International Coronavirus Travel Restrictions

Meet your airline or destination Covid travel requirements and carry proof of vaccination and/or a negative Covid test. I’ve found some places want a hard copy and some want a digitized form or a QR code. To be safe, carry both forms no matter what’s required.  Before departing, ensure that you’re carrying the necessary:

• QR codes
• Proof of a negative Covid test 
• Vaccination card
• Printed and online forms
• Any special government passes, such as France’s Pass Sanitaire

As you’re packing for international travel, tuck essential safe-travel supplies into your bag, such as:

• Prescriptions
• Medical insurance card
• Face masks
• Tissues
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
• Disinfectant wipes for airplane trays, armrests and other surfaces (at least 70% alcohol)
• Thermometer

The TSA Liquids Rule for Carry Ons Aboard Airplanes

Be very aware of the TSA’s Liquids Rule when packing the carry-on you’re bringing aboard.  

“You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.†TSA Liquids Rule

Things to Pack for International Travel

For your international travel essentials list, put in some advanced planning around the length of your trip, your planned activities and the climate. Plan well and pack well. Good packing for international travel is where design meets chaos – with some advance planning.

International Travel Packing Tips

1. Plan your wardrobe around the length of your trip, the climate and your activities. Packing for a week in Paris entails chic city styles for both men and women. But a week under the strong sun of a Caribbean beach demands hats, sunscreen and casual wear.   
2. Pack light by choosing items that do double duty. For example, a pair of Ugg boots can double as slippers and rubber flip-flops can double as shower sandals. A sarong can double as a skirt or a swimsuit cover-up. A large pashmina wrap keeps you warm in-flight and will cover you up during evenings out.
3. Research the local culture before packing. For example, a man wearing a linen shirt or a woman accessorized with a beautiful scarf will blend I quite well in Italy. However, in Morocco or Egypt, men should wear long pants and women should cover their upper arms and wear long skirts. 

International Travel Packing List

Start with these basic international travel packing lists below for a trip of one week.  And don’t worry if you forget something. Replacing a tube of toothpaste that you left behind can turn into an adventure. And it’ll become a cool memento later while brushing your teeth back home. 

International Travel Packing List for Women

International travel packing list for one week for women:

• 2 light shirts
• 2 t-shirts
• 1 Little Black Dress or other dressy outfit for going out
• 2 pairs of pants or jeans
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of dressy sandals or shoes
• 1 pair of comfy walking shoes 
• 2 – 4 pairs of socks
• 8 pairs of underwear
• 2 bras
• Sunscreens for both face and body
• Hairdryer or curling iron
• Comfortable yoga pants or leggings for the plane
• A warm wrap for the plane
• Toiletries, make-up, hair accessories
• Vitamins & medicines in original prescription bottles
• Antacids and Imodium for stomach problems
• Detergent packets for quick laundering in hotel rooms
• iPad or tablet for reading/watching movies on the plane
• Headphones, preferably noise-cancelling
• Earplugs & mask
• Cellphone and charging cable
• Electrical converters
• Digital camera with back-up battery, charger and extra storage card 

If going tropical, pack: 

• 1 breathable, long-sleeved insect repellant shirt
• 1 pair breathable, insect repellant pants
• 2 pairs shorts
• 1 pair of water socks for watersports – don’t want to harm the coral heads
• 2 bathing suits
• 1 pool cover-up
• 1 sun hat
• 1 breathable t-shirt

International Travel Packing List for Men

Start with this basic packing list for one week for men:

• 1 Light shirt 
• 1 pair of dressy pants for going out
• 2 pairs of pants or jeans
• 1 pair of flip flops
• 1 pair of dressy shoes
• 1 pair of walking shoes 
• 2-4 pairs of socks
• 8 pairs of underwear
• Sunscreen for both face and body
• Electrical converters
• Sweatpants for the plane
• A warm sweater for the plane
• Toiletries
• Vitamins & medicines in original prescription bottles
• Antacids and Imodium for stomach problems
• Detergent packets for quick laundering in hotel rooms
• iPad or tablet for reading/watching movies on the plane
• Headphones, preferably noise-cancelling
• Earplugs & mask
• Cellphone 
• Digital camera with back-up battery, charger and extra storage card

If going tropical, include:

• 1 breathable, long-sleeved insect repellant shirt
• 1 pair breathable, insect-repellant pants
• 2 pairs shorts
• 1 pair of water socks for watersports – don’t want to harm the coral heads
• 2 bathing suits
• 1 hat
• 1 breathable t-shirt

International Travel Essentials

When planning and packing for international travel, plan on long lines in airport terminals and security checkpoints. Lighten your load with these key pieces of travel gear whether traipsing around Asia or lazing on a Spanish beach. Or the dreaded airport lines.

Best Carry-on Luggage

Lugging two suitcases in endless terminal corridors slows you down considerably. Try traveling internationally with a single carry-on bag – you may save hundreds in airline baggage fees and tips!  Choose a well-designed, quality spinner for easy gliding through airports. Make sure there are outside zippered pockets for easy access to important travel documents or a tablet.  ProTip: Don’t buy black luggage. When dead tired and jet-lagged, it’s tough searching for your black bag amid the other black bags in baggage claim.  This carry-on comes highly recommended by flight crews and frequent travelers. And the blue TravelPro Walkabout Lite is not black! TravelPro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Spinner Carry-On

Best Travel Luggage

For overall travel luggage quality, I swear by Away Travel Luggage. I own three (road-tested) pieces and I’m very impressed with the quality and design. Charge your phone with an exterior power pack and stuff everything from shoes to laptop inside a divided interior compression system with a hidden laundry bag. All enclosed inside a strong polycarbonate shell atop heavy-duty spinning wheels. 

Clear Packing Cubes

It’s amazing how a three-pack of clear packing cubes allows you jam so much into so little space. I stuff these zippered cubes with shirts and tops, another with underwear and pajamas and another with bulky items. They’ll keep you organized and saves time while packing and re-packing. Always buy clear plastic packing cubes to see what to grab right away. 

Travel Bags for Women

Hanging Toiletry or Makeup Bag

Lots of foreign hotel bathrooms are tight on space, so travel makeup bags for women work better when sporting a hook for hanging on a towel rack or shower rod.   Ladies Hanging Travel Makeup Bag

A Foldable Daypack

For shopping in European outdoor markets or day tripping in the country, this daypack holds tons yet folds into itself to take up little space.  Eagle Creek Packable Daypack

Travel Bags for Men

Men’s Toiletry Hanging Bag

Again, a hanging men’s toiletry bag offers convenience in tiny foreign bathrooms.  Men’s Toiletry Hanging Bag

More International Travel Essentials

Collapsible, Refillable Water Bottle

Collapsible refillable water bottle

Travel Pillow, Mask, Earplugs

Memory Foam Travel Pillow, mask, earplugs and travel bag

Best Earphones For International Travel

Worth every penny! When I use these noise-cancelling headphones I experience a more relaxing, tranquil long-haul flight.  Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones

Travel Luggage Handle Wraps

Quickly find your black bag in baggage claim with these dayglo handle wraps. Gowraps Neoprene Travel Luggage Handle Wraps

Secure Luggage Tag

Security in a luggage tag with a stainless steel loop and an ID card.  Fintie ID Privacy Luggage Tag  

Hand Luggage Scale

With the airlines’ skyrocketing overweight fees, a lightweight, compact hand luggage scale pays for itself quickly.   EatSmart SmartGrip hand luggage scale

Best Mosquito Repellent Travel Clothing

Amazing travel clothing with insect shield protection keeps the mosquitos at bay.  Pang Wangle Washable Silk Scarf with Insect Shield ExOfficio Men’s BugsAway Pants

Travel Journal and Pen

Sitting in a European café while writing in your travel journal over coffee? Mais oui! Moleskine Voyageur travel notebook Fisher Space Pen

Travel Adapters

Keep your technology charged and your hairdryer humming. Apple World Travel Adaptor Kit Universal Travel Adaptor

International Travel Essentials for Security 

Carrying credit cards and a passport embedded with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip leaves you open to identity theft. Electronic pickpockets can scan your valuables with a cell phone equipped with an embedded scanner. Protect yourself with a RFID-blocking wallet, money belt or purse. And check your credit card and bank accounts regularly. 

RFID-Blocking Travel Passport Wallet

Travel Smart by Conair RFID Blocking Passport Wallet

RFID-Blocking Money Belt

Venture 4th RFID Money Belt

RFID-Blocking Women’s Wallet 

This travel wallet clips securely inside the PacSafe anti-theft handbag below.  PacSafe Women’s RFIDsafe RFID Blocking Continental Wallet

Anti-Theft Handbag for Women

Foil pickpockets with this handbag’s Exomesh slash guards, slash proof straps and a zipper lock. PacSafe Anti-Theft Handbag for Women

Women’s Travel Bra Pouch

Crafted with a breathable silky fabric, this clever lingerie-inspired body wallet lays flat against your skin. Perfect for concealing valuable credit cards, cash and passport.  PacSafe Coversafe Anti-Theft Secret Body Pouch And there you have it – your comprehensive guide to packing for international travel for newbies. Now you’re ready for take-off. Have a great trip abroad! Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may be eligible to earn from qualifying purchases.