8 packing tips for international travel

Planning your next trip can be fun and exciting, especially if you’re visiting a new country on your bucket list. But before you head out, you’ll need to pack. It can be stressful trying to remember everything you need—and everything you don’t. 

Start with some general packing tips, and then consider a few suggestions specifically for traveling abroad. 

Key takeaways

• Plan ahead by researching your destination, creating a packing checklist, and bringing entertainment for the flight.

• Pack light so you can maneuver through crowds and not have to keep track of as many items.

• Use a travel credit card to earn rewards and use benefits that can improve your travel experience.

As soon as you know where you’re headed, do some research to prepare for your trip. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• What are the local government requirements? You may need to apply for a travel visa in advance or bring certain vaccination cards.

• What’s the local language? If you don’t speak it, you can learn key phrases such as “please” and “thank you.” A mobile app, such as Google Translate, can help you translate text and speech.

• What time of year are you visiting? Check the weather forecast, which influences the clothes you’ll wear. Also research if it’s the heavy travel season, as prices on everything may be higher.  

• What’s the culture like? Consider packing appropriate clothing and learning basic rules and customs, if necessary. 

• What payment options should you bring? Retailers may accept credit cards, or you may need to bring cash in the local currency.

After you research your destination, put together a packing checklist with items you can cross off as you go.

When you’re traveling internationally, you may need a different packing strategy than you would on a domestic trip. The flights and layovers may be lengthy. And once you arrive, you might not be able to buy the things you need. 

To get started, put together a list of general travel accessories and then tailor it to your own needs. Here are some ideas for items that may come in handy on international trips:

• Passport and travel documents

• Solid toiletries, such as a shampoo bar, to avoid spills and conserve your liquid allowance 

• Universal adapter for plugging in electronics 

• Portable power bank to stay charged on long flights

• Luggage tracker for checked bags

• Reusable folding water bottle 

• Blanket or scarf to keep warm

• Pressure-relief ear plugs or gum for the flight

• Foldable bag for dirty laundry or for souvenirs

• Comfortable clothes that can be layered and serve multiple purposes

Generally, you want to avoid bringing items that can spill in your bag, like food, beverages and other liquids. These can damage your clothes, electronics and other gear. If you need to bring liquids, consider placing each in a separate resealable bag or container before packing them in your toiletry kit.

Additionally, some countries have rules on what you can bring in, so you’ll want to leave any restricted items at home. Your research can help you figure out what not to pack.

Using a credit card internationally is a convenient way to pay for expenses without converting your cash into the local currency. Plus, many of these cards come with security features to help protect you against fraud. 

Many travel rewards credit cards, like Venture X from Capital One and the Capital One Venture card, also offer benefits to elevate your travel experience. With Capital One’s travel cards, you can earn rewards on your purchases and enjoy airport lounges in our participating lounge network.

Even frequent travelers can get stressed and forget airport rules. Here’s a quick refresher on what to do before you get to the airport and how to prep for the flight:

• When packing, check your airline’s luggage limits and pay attention to the liquid allowance. Each toiletry item must fit into a 3.4-ounce bottle and fit inside a clear 1-quart bag.

• Check in for your flight 24 hours in advance, and choose a seat if possible.

• Arrive about three hours before your international flight. Check your luggage, if necessary.

• If you have TSA PreCheck®, use it on all domestic flights to streamline the airport security process.

• If you have Global Entry, use it on flights returning to the U.S.

When you’re traveling internationally, your travel documents are some of the most important items to pack. You’ll need a boarding pass and a passport when traveling to another country—and again when you head back home. And you may also need the following: 

• Travel visa

• Vaccination card

• Travel insurance certificate 

• A copy of your itinerary and addresses for where you’ll stay 

• Driver’s license and proof of car insurance if you plan to drive

• Travel documents for pets

• Consent form for traveling with a child

• A copy of the child’s birth certificate, if traveling with a child

The items you need depend on whom you’re traveling with and the rules at your destination.

Bringing a single backpack or carry-on gives you more freedom to easily maneuver crowded airports and streets. Plus, you’ll skip baggage claim at the airport and spend less time tracking your gear throughout the trip. To pack light, consider using the “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” rule. 

Under this guideline, pack no more than five pairs of underwear and socks, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one accessory such as a hat. You’ll likely get by with this amount of clothes, especially if you use the next tip.

Planning a laundry day halfway through your trip cuts down the number of clothing items you need to pack. First, research a spot ahead of time. Look at the laundromat’s hours, check out reviews, learn about payment options and translate the instructions if needed. On laundry day, arrive early so you can beat any crowds and get your laundry done quickly.

Longer trips abroad might tempt you to pack more “just in case” items, like an outfit for a nice restaurant. But those items are rarely needed, so it’s best to pack only the essentials. 

To help with this part, choose clothes that serve more than one function and can be worn in multiple ways. In a pinch, you might be able to buy what you need if your destination isn’t too remote. Your new item can even double as a souvenir from your trip.

Think about what will keep you comfortable on longer flights. For instance, a thin blanket or scarf can keep you warm. You might want to bring a travel pillow and noise-canceling headphones. Ahead of your flight, consider downloading things like e-books, podcasts, TV shows and movies for entertainment.

Suitcases can get lost, delayed or damaged on any flight. But the risk of mishandled luggage increases eightfold when traveling internationally, according to SITA, the IT provider for the air transport industry. 

But you can prepare by planning ahead:

• Only bring carry-on bags, if possible.

• If you do need to check a suitcase, put the most important items in your carry-on.

• Book the trip with a credit card that offers travel insurance.

• Research the airline’s policy on lost or damaged luggage.

• Book flights with fewer connections, if possible.

These packing tips can help make your international travel plans more manageable. And if you’re ready to make the most of your next trip, learn more about travel rewards credit cards from Capital One.