As the founder of travel advisory En Route to Rêverie, I travel internationally throughout the year — often to Europe — scouting hotels, restaurants and experiences for future itineraries. Over the years I’ve refined a reliable list of must-haves for international travel that make every trip smoother, more comfortable and more organized.
Whether you’re heading to Europe, Asia or beyond, packing well for international travel can make a huge difference in how enjoyable your trip feels once you arrive. The right gear can help you stay organized, sleep better on long flights, avoid common travel headaches and feel more prepared navigating a new destination.
If you’re wondering what to pack for an international trip, this guide includes the travel items I personally rely on for every long-haul journey – from must-have documents to tech, wellness essentials and smart wardrobe pieces.
Below you’ll find my must-haves for international travel with 30+ essential items, plus tips to make your next trip abroad easier and more enjoyable.
40 Must-Haves for International Travel
Planning and packing for international travel can feel overwhelming, especially for long-haul trips, but having a reliable international travel packing list makes the process much easier.
Read on for more essential travel items and you can follow @meghandono and @enroutetoreverie for more travel tips throughout the year.
Essential International Travel Gear
Documents
Of the utmost importance is making sure you have all the required documents for travel. Every country has different requirements when it comes to what you need to enter and remain in the country so be sure you are aware of what those are.
Visas
Many international destinations require you have a visa – even for a short stay. Be sure you research each country you are planning to visit to see what visas are required and be sure to apply well in advance to ensure it arrives in time.
Passport
Of course you’ll need your up to date passport to travel internationally. You’re going to want to ensure you’re familiar with any entry requirements as well. For example, France (and other countries!) require your passport is up to date up to six months in advance of its expiration date.
Consider a chic passport holder, too. I like having one to put transport tickets in and local currency, too.
Travel Insurance
Things can go wrong when you travel internationally and purchasing travel insurance is an easy way to give yourself some peace of mind to be reimbursed when it does. For U.S. residing clients, you can consider purchasing travel insurance by providing trip details HERE.
Travel Wallet
And, as for a travel wallet, I personally don’t use cash much these days so I just use my normal every day wallet which is this YSL card case that has held up so well with lots of use.
Forms of Payment
Be sure to have your debit card in case you need to use an ATM and don’t forget your credit card of course.
I usually order currency of the destination in advance from my bank to ensure a better exchange rate than doing so at an airport as well. It’s an easy way to save money in advance of your trip.
It’s crucial to have cash on hand for tipping, small businesses and other vendors who may not accept card payments.
I like to leave cash for housekeeping and to have on hand for bellman when staying at hotels.
Electronics – Tech
Adapters
An absolute must for using your electronics overseas. I love these because of the multiple outlets that allow you to charge a variety of items at the same time. Can’t recommend them enough.
AirTags
Luggage trackers have become one of my most recommended travel tools in recent years. I tuck an Apple AirTag into my suitcase so I can easily track where my bag is during travel days. It offers incredible peace of mind, especially on international flights with connections.
Little Things I Do To Make My Travels Smoother
Leather Pouch
I travel with loads of pouches and use one like this for medicine and another one for cords and chargers and other tech like my portable chargers and mobile hotspot and converters.
Powerstation
A portable charger is a god-send! This is great for days where you don’t want to deal with the anxiety of finding an outlet to charge your phone. It lasts for several hours and goes to work quickly.
I also always have this one that attaches easily without cords to your phone and charges it quickly.
Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless headphones
I haven’t gotten on a plane without my noise cancelling headphones in over a decade. They work to drown out background noise on plans and help me be able to get some sleep and also lower my anxiety on flights that have a lot going on (loud talkers, crying children, etc, etc, etc.)
Airpods
Always on hand for podcast and music listening when I don’t want to use my Bose or don’t need major noise cancellation.
AirFly
If you’re like me and like to watch a movie in flight as you enjoy dinner before dozing off, but want to do so wirelessly, you’ll want to have this handy device. It allows you to wirelessly transmit audio from in-flight entertainment USB port to your AirPods or other wireless headphones.
Tech Carry-All
This sleeve is part laptop case to keep my laptop protected while I travel but I also love it for its additional pockets where I can slide in my Kindle as well.
I also use one of the pockets to store receipts I need to bring back home for my records.
Mobile Hotspot
When I don’t want to rely on having wifi provided by someone else, and especially when traveling solo or overseas, I always have this handy device in tow. The data packages are cheap and I love that it is so easy to carry around.
They’ve since given it a makeover but same reliable internet and super cheap data packages. It definitely gives me peace of mind when I travel.
Kindle
Traveling with a Kindle means I have loads of books at my fingertips without the weight. I love that it is waterproof for bath-time reading in a great hotel room or in a pool and that it fits into most of my purses to take on solo dinner dates as well.
Related: Books Perfect for Reading on Summer Travels
A Universal Charger
The PlugBug is some kind of genius, to be quite honest. It’s the world’s first power supply with Find My. If your PlugBug charger is misplaced, borrowed, or buried in your suitcase, just launch the Find My app on your iPhone or MacBook to track it down—anywhere in the world. Choose from a 50W charger that powers up 2 devices simultaneously, or the 120W option that can power up devices for the whole family.
Sony Alpha a6000 Camera
This camera definitely lived up to its reputation. I love how compact and lightweight it is and the quality of photos is spectacular for the affordable price.
My favorite feature is the wifi syncing so I can instantly upload photos from the camera onto my phone to post to Instagram. I also love that the screen pops out so you can get better flatlays. This camera is great for first timers, too.
Travel Steamer
If you’re staying somewhere that may not have a steamer or an iron available, highly recommend this exceptional travel steamer. It works wonders, quickly.
Personal Care
Dual Voltage Curling Iron
This inexpensive curling wand works wonders and is dual voltage so once plugged into my adapter while overseas it is ready to go.
Plastic Bags
Good to have for anything that may leak or that you purchase and want to ensure doesn’t explode in your suitcase.
Earplugs
Given you never know what sleeping conditions you’ll get when traveling, I always have earplugs with me. This pair is particularly good at noise reduction and I love that they come with a carrying case making them extra travel ready.
Lumify Eye Drops
I love these eye drops! They go to work in 1 minute and results last up to 8 hours. Eyes are whiter, brighter and more radiant – perfect for when you’re not getting your best sleep while traveling. Or post red-eye!
Dramamine Non Drowsy
I’ve had motion sickness in cars and on planes, trains and boats since I was little. I am never without several tubes of non-drowsy Dramamine.
Wellness Complex
Being sick when you travel is the absolute worst so I never leave home without these wellness complex capsules. They give my immune system a much needed boost if I ever start to feel like I may be getting sick. Truly a game changer in my opinion.
HydroFlask Water Bottle
I’m so glad I have always started carrying a reusable water bottle with me. No more plastic bottle waste and I can ensure I always am hydrated. Drinking water while traveling is one of the best ways to feel healthy as flying and traveling can be extremely draining and dehydrate you quickly.
Eye Mask
I never leave home without an eye mask. I use it on red eyes religiously and sometimes in hotels too. This one does a great job of blocking out light which is crucial for me getting more quality sleep.
Electrolytes
I am someone who gets very thirsty on flights and doesn’t want to arrive to a new destination feeling dehydrated. Carrying low sugar Electrolyte packets like these from Cure that taste great is a good solution.
You mix one of the travel friendly packets in a bottle of water and you’ll be treated to sodium, potassium and magnesium and get hydrated without having to drinks even more H2o which could lead to many annoying trips to the bathroom on the airplane which I personally find disruptive to sleep on long flights.
I’ve heard flight attendants swear by these for their regular long haul trips!
Lip Balm
My lips get so dry when I travel so I am always slathering on a thick, restorative lip balm. I travel with several tubes so I always have it on hand.
Truffle Clarity Cases
These pouches may not look like much but they are not only TSA approved but they are also my go-to to put a few in-flight beauty essentials in one of the flat zip pouches so I have my preferred beauty essentials easily accessible.
I also own the Truffle Jetset Cases which I use for all my toiletry products I am putting in my checked baggage.
Travel Fragrances
I have to have fragrance with me when I travel. It sets the tone for my day and refreshes my clothing while on the road.
Refillable Travel Bottles
If you prefer traveling with your favorite skincare and haircare products, consider these handy refillable containers. They help save space in your suitcase while ensuring you have your preferred products with you.
Wardrobe
Comfy Pajamas
I switch up the pajamas I bring based on destination (I like this pair for warm weather destinations and I bring a pair with pants for colder months of the year).
TopTote
This heavy duty magnet makes traveling with a hat a snap! It is a game changer. You’ll never want to be without it once you realize how much it improves bringing hats on a trip. (And ensuring you don’t lose it!)
White Sneakers
These are always in my suitcase for international travel where I always log loads of steps. They are my favorite sneakers and so good for trips that include a lot of walking.
Read my full Common Projects Sneakers Review and don’t miss my guide on What Shoes to Pack for Europe.
Downy Wrinkle Releaser
Given how I loathe ironing and use this stuff around the clock at home I never leave without a travel size bottle in my suitcase. I have gone through bottles and bottles of this stuff and converted every friend I have ever traveled with, too!
Good Suitcases
I also swear by my Away suitcases. I have both the Bigger Carry On (a god-send that fits so much!) and also the Medium and the Large that are great for longer trips. The link included should score you $20 off of your first purchase if interested!
You may also want to consider packing cubes if you’re someone who wants to try and keep your suitcases as organized as possible.
White + Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap
I am generally always cold on airplanes so I got this wrap and now bring it on every flight with me. I own it in two colors – it’s that good. It’s also great to have on days where the weather may change and you want an extra layer to wrap around you. It is so soft and I love that it wraps entirely around your body to make sure you’re warm and cozy on flights.
When space is at a premium for international travel I like pieces like this wrap that do double duty.
Compression Socks
If you tend to swell on flights, compression socks will be a game changer for you. I usually change into them once I’m in my seat as they can be intense to have on for long periods of time.
Umbrella
Odds are that it will likely rain one day of an international trip so best be prepared with a good travel umbrella. This is my favorite travel umbrella I bring on every trip.
Collapsible Tote Bag
A lightweight foldable tote bag is incredibly helpful when traveling internationally. I use mine for valuables and also for any souvenirs I bought while traveling internationally.
International Travel Checklist
You can save this image to your phone or pin it for handy reference later!
Shop even more of my Travel Essentials on Amazon. I hope you find this post helpful as you prepare for your next international trip…wheels up!
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Hotspots can often also be checked out from your local library. 🙂
What a good tip! Thank you!!