The Ultimate International Packing List (From Someone Who’s Made Plenty of Packing Mistakes!)
One of the questions I get asked all the time is:
“What do you actually pack for an international trip?”
After traveling throughout Europe, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond, I’ve learned one important lesson…
You don’t need more stuff. You just need the right stuff.
Packing smart means less stress, fewer expensive airport purchases, and more time enjoying your vacation.
Here’s my go-to packing list for warm-weather international trips.
✈️ Travel Documents
Before anything else, make sure you have:
- Passport (check the expiration date!)
- Driver’s license
- Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
- RFID-blocking wallet or money belt
- Travel insurance information (if purchased)
- Printed copies of hotel reservations (just in case)
- Digital copies of your passport stored securely online
👕 Clothing
I always recommend packing outfits that can mix and match. For a one-week summer trip, I typically bring:
- 5-6 lightweight shirts
- 3-4 pairs of shorts or skirts
- 1-2 nicer outfits for dinners
- Swimsuit
- Light sweater or packable jacket for airplanes and cool evenings
- Packable raincoat
- Comfortable pajamas
- Undergarments and socks
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Hat and sunglasses
Remember—you’ll probably wear your favorite outfit more than once, and that’s perfectly okay!
🔌 Travel Tech
These items have saved me countless headaches.
- Universal travel adapter
- Portable charger
- Multi-head charging cable
- Phone charger
- AirPods or headphones
- Kindle or tablet (optional)
- Portable rechargeable fan
A portable charger is one item I never travel without. Long sightseeing days can drain your phone faster than you think.
🧳 Travel Essentials I Never Leave Home Without
These are the little things that make traveling so much easier:
- Packing cubes (my #1 recommendation!)
- Luggage scale
- AirTag or luggage tracker
- Slim RFID-blocking wallet / passport holder
- TSA-approved luggage locks
- Reusable water bottle
- Crossbody anti-theft bag
- TSA-approved toiletry bottles
- Hanging toiletry bag
- Compression bags (great if you’re bringing souvenirs home)
- Travel laundry packets for washing clothes in the sink
- Shoe organizers for dirty shoes and laundry
These are all products I’ve personally used or researched and recommend. You can find my favorites here:
👉 Simply Points Travel Travel Essentials
💊 Toiletries & Health
Don’t forget:
- Prescription medications
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Sunscreen
- Aloe (just in case)
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Razor
- Travel hair dryer or straightener
- Lip balm
- Small first-aid kit
- Motion sickness patches (if needed)
- Jet lag relief gummies
- Blister bandages
💳 My Favorite Travel Tip
I also like carrying at least two different credit cards and keeping them in separate places. If one card gets lost, stolen, or flagged for fraud while you’re overseas, you have a backup ready to go.
Final Packing Advice
The biggest packing mistake isn’t forgetting something—it’s overpacking.
Almost anything can be purchased at your destination if you truly need it.
Pack lighter, leave room for souvenirs, and focus on making memories instead of hauling around a heavy suitcase.
If you’re looking for the travel gear that has made our family trips easier, more organized, and less stressful, check out my curated list of favorites here:
👉 Simply Points Travel Travel Essentials
Happy travels! 🌍✈️