A Few Items To Make Your International Trip Easier
I love international travel. New food to try, new history and culture to explore, new customs to take part in… but let’s be honest, getting on a plane to travel to a far away place sucks. Not having access to the things you are used to having sucks. And being caught unprepared while many, many miles from home really sucks. I’ll be writing another article on how planning and research can help the experience as well, but this article is all about the STUFF.
If you haven’t already read my article on things I take on all trips, please do so here!
A few things to keep in mind when you’re packing for an international trip:
- TSA Pre-Check is a US thing, but the 3–3–1 rule of liquids and one quart sized bag is not. I try to bring as few liquids as possible when I travel internationally because it’s stressful enough dealing with security, customs, and baggage
- Your trip is likely to be longer than if you were just heading out closer to home. So you will either need more stuff or stuff that you can use multiple times for a longer period of time. Solid toiletries is an example of “more uses for less space”. Technical clothing is another.
- Things you take for granted in the U.S. aren’t always common in other countries. Like washcloths. Unlimited ice water at restaurants. Coffee makers in hotel rooms. Or conditioner for some reason (seriously- why, Portugal?).
- You can buy a lot at your destination, but if you have that One Perfect Thing that works for you, or you are in the middle of nowhere, or you have a raging headache and don’t feel like venturing out to locate your Advil Sinus, sometimes it’s better to just bring what you need.
- Airlines are not operating at their best right now due to staff shortages, strikes, and a host of other issues. Your odds of a baggage snafu are greater at this point in time than in the recent past. We always do all carry on when departing and then check our bags on the way home for this reason, but especially now. See my previous article for why Air Tags are your friend.
- You may be in for some fun unexpected climate/environment surprises. Loud city noises! Strange critter noises! Little to no air conditioning! The coldest 40 degrees you have ever felt in your life (looking at you, Edinburgh)! If you need a certain environment to sleep or be comfy, bring stuff to create that environment.
So let’s see what we can do to mitigate some of this.
Solid (and small) Toiletries
Not only do solid last longer due to being more concentrated, but you don’t have to take them out at security and you don’t have to worry about leaks. And some of them even take up less room than their liquid counterparts. For example, Dew Mighty’s solid serum (pricey, but so worth it) is about the size of a Wheat Thin cracker and after using it for one week long trip and another 12 day trip, it hasn’t changed size. Plus it’s plastic free, has a very light, pleasant scent, and absorbs quickly. My Bites Toothpaste tabs can be put in a tiny screw top container so I’m only taking what I need. As mentioned in a previous article, my Wild Travel Deodorant is about the size of a glue stick. And Drunk Elephant has a set of tiny face soaps (one regular, one exfoliating) that are also super small and last forever (I seriously have had these for years).
For solid shampoo I like SuperZero the best, I’ve used their Dry Hair formula and their Purple formula depending on what color my hair was at the time. I found this amazing solid conditioner (seriously- I’ve had bleached, fantasy colored hair for years and this works as well as a liquid) but Ethique also works well, it’s just not as rich. I skip soap dishes and use Matador’s soap flat packs to save even more space. For sunscreen I bring a stick formula for my face and other small areas and then buy a tube at my destination if I need to cover larger areas.
A Silicone Body Scrubber
These work great to later up your soap or body wash, and they don’t soak up moisture, so you can towel them off and throw them right back into your bag when you’re done. There are several different types to try out, I like this one.
Universal Plug Adaptor and USB Port
Plug this tiny USB port or a small power strip into this bad boy, and you’re in business! There aren’t always enough open outlets where you need them (next to the bed), so having a USB port with a long cord that allows you to charge multiple items with only one universal adaptor, and ensure you can reach your Kindle, phone, watch, etc.
Water Bottle with Location-Specific Filter
I’ve covered the need for a water bottle in a previous article, but depending on where you’re going, your water bottle and filter needs may differ. If you are going somewhere where the water may be unsafe or cause unwanted side effects, you are going to want a more hardcore filter than if the water just tastes weird. This Philips bottle takes two different types of filters, one for stuff like “there might be lead” and other other for stuff like “guess I’m drinking this lake water”. Or you could bring a wide mouthed bottle of your choice and just use a LifeStraw.
There’s even a bottle with a built in UV filter that sterilizes itself, but I would 1000% lose this because it’s expensive and that’s how my world works. For “this water tastes like eggs” trips, I prefer this insulated bottle with a standard filter.
Packable Duffle or Tote Bag
For souvenirs! I usually stuff my dirty laundry in it (you’re welcome, TSA) and put any fragile souvenirs (aka booze) in my hardshell, which I then check on the way home. I do a lot of my holiday and birthday shopping while traveling and then just stash it in a closet till it’s time to give it. This way my friends and family get unusual, special gifts and I am not stuck trying to come up with gift ideas at the last minute. I have this one, but there are tons of options.
Packable Jacket
This can be a light windbreaker or packable down jacket depending on the time of year and your destination, but even if you just end up wearing it on the chilly plane and the tour of that cave or underground tomb, it’s a small thing that can save you some discomfort. Even if the temperature looks pleasant, things like humidity, wind, precipitation, altitude, and proximity to a large body of water can make 40 degrees Fahrenheit feel very different in different places. Uniqlo is one of my favorite stores for reasonable packable stuff, but REI, REI Outlet, and Sierra Trading Post are all also great for that kind of thing.
Packable Daypack
You will want something bigger than a normal purse to hold your umbrella, water bottle, any stuff you choose to buy, sunscreen, etc, and something with backpack straps wears more evenly and comfortably than a crossbody or shoulder bag. But space is limited, so bring a version that packs up tiny. If you don’t end up needing it, it’s so small and light you won’t get annoyed. I used this one all around Greece and Italy and regretted my decision to bring a bulkier, non-packable one to Portugal.
Tiny Pill Organizer
Look how widdle it is! This pill organizer is SO much smaller than the one I was using, plus… it’s cuter.
You can choose which inserts you want and can even buy an Altoids tin or plain tin to put them in if you aren’t an Altoid person (cause, ew).
Emergency Kit
I have chronic sinus problems when I travel, so I always keep the stuff that works for me on hand when I travel. I never do a long trip without Advil, Advil Sinus, Afrin spray, blister BandAids, Dramamine, Pedialyte Electrolyte Powder for my water (great for hangovers, you can even pop an Alka Seltzer Hangover Relief tablet in there), and ear plugs in case of city noise.
A Few Familiar Snacks
Sounds counter-intuitive, but you will find yourself being hungry at weird times due to jet lag. I frequently wake up in the middle of the night STARVING and nothing is open. Plus, sometimes you get sick of rich, unfamiliar food and just want something simple and familiar. I’m also more of a grazer than a “three square meals” person, so having a few snacks on hand in case of random hangriness is common practice for me. My snack of choice is Power Crunch Bars.
And…..one additional thing I’m taking on my next international trip
Collapsible Silicone Electric Kettle and Starbucks Via Packets
Yes, seriously. I NEED my strong, black coffee in the morning. I’m the kind of person that needs to make coffee in the hotel room just to summon the energy to get out of bed and go find better coffee.
Not only have my international hotel rooms frequently not had any form coffee in the rooms, but the coffee available at hotel provided breakfasts is usually either weak “American” drip coffee and/or you have to get your caffeine fix one tiny espresso cup at a time. Sure, I could make 4 shots, combine with water, and make one “Americano”, but a) I’d have to do that, like 4 times, and b) what about when I want coffee after lunch? Or at night? For a coffee fiend like myself, I just prefer having a way to make it when I want it, how I want it. This also allows me to avoid using sometimes-provided plastic Keurig cups, which are horrible for the environment. Plus I also like having hot tea at night and also sometimes need water for my travel sinus rinser and don’t want to hunt down distilled.
