10 Packing Tips for International Trips

This is all I need for a nine night, eight day international summer trip: a backpack and a tote bag. Why? It saves money by allowing me to fly economy on nearly any airline overseas. It saves worry by not having to check luggage that can get lost. It saves time as I'm able to immediately exit the airport after passport controls, bypassing the busy baggage claim area. And it saves me the aggravation of rolling suitcases over bumpy cobblestone streets, hills, steps, and uneven surfaces common in overseas cities. I can hop on and off subway trains and railroad lines with ease. Unpacking and repacking is a breeze. While there are trips I will use a roller carry-on bag if I know my walking routes will be smooth and even, I have living experience that a backpack and tote bag will carry me around the world.

Yes, packing this way takes some time, planning, and intention. Yes, it is possible — even more so if you are going to a warm destination. Everyone in my travel party (including teenagers) packed the same way for this particular trip to Paris and London. A backpack and a tote-sized bag. Most airlines will usually allow a carry-on bag (ex. the bookbag) and a personal item (ex, the tote). Always check the allowed dimensions and weight restrictions for your airline(s) as most have strict rules and requirements. For example, for this trip, Air France had a maximum total weight for both combined bags, whereas our return flight on Virgin Atlantic only had weight requirements for the carry-on and no weight guidelines (just size constraints) for the personal item. This helped with repacking for home with all my souvenirs.

For this nine night, eight day trip, I packed the following:

So... the million dollar question... how can you make this work? Here are my top ten packing tips.

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1. Invest in a good quality large lay-flat travel back pack. You'll want one that opens like a suitcase with lots of compartments for ease in packing. I like Vera Bradley's travel backpacks for the quality and durability. The one I bought years ago has been perfect.

   

2. Choose one or two themes and/or colors for your trip that allow you to interchange outfits and accessories. A couple bottoms with a bunch of tops to mix and match can go a long way if planned right.

3. Make shoe choices that match your color theme and itinerary. Wear the heavy shoes on travel day. Pack a lighter pair. Get decorative flip-flops that go with anything. For this trip, I wore white sneakers to the airport and packed champagne-colored walking sandals based on our planned activities. Because I was intentional with my outfits, everything I wore matched one or the other pair of the shoes I brought with me.

4. Choose lightweight clothes and fabrics that dry quickly. Summer dresses are great options that don't take up a lot of space, for example.

5. Use compression packing cubes. If you don't remember anything else from this tip list, please remember this one! Compression packing cubes will do wonders with making the most of your space and also keep your belongings organized. These are the ones I use. I bought two sets years ago. This single investment has remained a strong and worthy packing tool for countless trips. I typically use a big cube and a little cube and lay them on either side of my backpack. Let me tell you — packing cubes have been a game changer for my whole family!

6. Roll clothes to make the most space. Heavier items, such as shorts or (lightweight) denim will get folded in half and placed under my packing cubes. Everything else gets rolled tightly and placed in a packing cube with a double zipper that allows compression.

7. Wear your heaviest clothes to the airport. I already mentioned that I'll wear my tennis shoes on travel day. I'll also wear a light jacket (it gets cold on planes!) and wear my headphones around my neck. I like to travel wearing leggings that have deep pockets. Make use of pockets to carry any phones, electronics or any small, weighty objects to ensure your backpack and personal item aren't too heavy or bulky.

8. Book an apartment or hotel that has a washer for use. Did you catch that I include travel detergent and a clothesline in my tote bag? You can pack even fewer outfits than I did if you make use of outfits that you can mix and match and book a place with a washer onsite. It was easier for us to rent apartments when we traveled with all of our kids than to book hotel rooms. Hotels for a family of five can be expensive (look for my tips on finding great places that you'll feel good about). An apartment with a washing machine might just transform your whole trip. I pack dry detergent sheets in a resealable plastic bag that I can use in a sink to hand wash clothing, if necessary. I'll hang my clothesline over a bathtub if there is no dryer.

9. Buy some things when you get there. Don't have room for detergent? There most likely will be a supermarket, pharmacy, or convenience store available wherever you go. Phuket, Thailand has 7-Elevens everywhere, for example. You may even find essentials at a lesser cost than expected, especially if you are outside an airport or resort. Shop where locals shop. This tip is especially helpful for toiletries. If you are struggling to make all your liquids fit into the quart-sized plastic bag requirement for carry-ons from TSA, consider if there's anything you can get at your destination. Sunscreen, petroleum jelly, deodorant... these are some of the things we've purchased on arrival.

10. Focus on your "why" and be free! Why are you choosing to travel? Is it to post pics on social media to impress others? Is it to celebrate a special event or occasion? Is it to spend quality time with loved ones (or alone) that let you make new memories to last a lifetime? Let your luggage and the contents therein focus on being and staying in the moment. There will be lots of walking, lines, waiting, and steps. No need to be bogged down with heavy suitcases filled with things you may not even use or need. Pack for freedom and joy. Pack in a way that lets you live in the moment and focus on the experience. Yes, go ahead and be cute — but not at the cost of comfort and ease. Stay and bask in the moment and don't be worried about what others think or say. Be open to new experiences that stretch you in ways that go beyond your checklist and itinerary. This is the joy and promise of travel!