The Ultimate Carry-On Packing List for International Travel 

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

If you’re preparing for an international trip, you might assume that you need to check a bag. There’s all kinds of stuff you need to bring with you when you’re flying overseas, right? I used to feel that way, too. But it’s not true. Your packing list for international travel doesn’t have to be that much different from your list for a domestic trip. 

I’ve written before about how, through the process of traveling to 45 countries and taking hundreds of flights, I managed to transform from a chronic over-packer to a carry-on-only traveler.  In that post, I shared a generic one-week vacation packing list. Here, I’d like to focus on international travel specifically, since there are a few extras you’ll need to consider when packing. But there are also a lot of products advertised as “essential” for international travel that simply aren’t. 

Given that most women pack about double what they end up using, I want to share what I’ve learned by trial and error over the years, so you don’t have to! 

Useful Products to Include in Your Packing List for International Travel

While I always recommend limiting what you pack and what you buy as you prepare for a trip, there are some great products I always include in my packing list for international travel. 

Outlet Adapters

If you don’t travel internationally often, you may not know that different countries use different outlet shapes. You don’t want to get to your destination (or your layover at a foreign airport) and realize you can’t charge your phone. It’s always worth packing a couple of these, depending on how many electronics you’re bringing. Buy a universal adapter or one tailored to your country and your destination country. 

Dual Voltage Electronics

Another thing that varies in different countries is the typical voltage used for electronics. For example, I live in the US, where the voltage is 120V. When I travel to Europe, the voltage is 240V. If I plug in my hair straightener, I’ll fry it. However, there are dual voltage products that work in both places. For example, I use this hair dryer brush. And here’s are examples of a dual voltage hair straightener and curling iron. For basic hair dryers, there are great mini foldable dual voltage dryer options. However, I recommend that you check with your hotel / Airbnb first to see if they provide a hair dryer. In that case, it’s best to skip it and save space in your bag. 

A High-Quality Carry-On Suitcase

I used to be frugal when I shopped for suitcases. I’d buy the cheapest one available. But I ended up replacing them every one or two trips. The wheels would fall off, the zippers would break, or some other issue would make it unusable. I finally realized the “buy cheap, buy twice” motto definitely applies to products like this. It’s worth buying something durable, so you can use it for many years. And so you won’t find yourself in a foreign city’s metro scraping around a suitcase with a broken wheel. 

I’ve been using a Victorinox carry-on rolling suitcase for every trip for about 15 years now. The link is not to the exact bag, which is no longer available, but I can vouch for the brand. I also have a larger Away rolling suitcase and love it. So I’d definitely recommend the bigger Away carry-on rolling bag as well.

Hand Lotion and Lip Balm

You’ll see below that I recommend against including a bunch of “plane gear” in your packing list for international travel. However, on longer flights, I really notice how dry the plane environment is. My hands and lips start to crack right away, which is painful. So, I recommend bringing a small hand lotion bottle and some lip balm.

Hydration Packets

Similar to the above, hydration packets are essential because plane environments are incredibly drying. I’ve also found that the only real defense against jet lag is hydration. I usually bring a couple of Liquid IV packets with me on international trips. You really only need 2 packets – for your flights to and from your destination.  

A Good Neck Pillow (Sometimes)

For shorter flights, I don’t bother bringing a neck pillow. I find that I usually can’t sleep anyway, and it’s just a bulky item I have to carry with me the whole trip. However, on very long flights, a good neck pillow can be a lifesaver. I find that something like this – that allows you to tie it tightly around your neck – works best to allow for sleep and avoid a stiff neck. 

Face Masks and Sanitizing Wipes

I used to get a cold pretty much every time I traveled by plane. Often, this would bite me when I got home from the trip making the post-vacation period even more depressing. But sometimes I’d even start having symptoms on the trip, which kind of ruins it! Now I always pack a few face masks and a travel pack of sanitizing wipes in my carry-on. When I get on the plane, I sanitize surfaces near my seat (arm rests, tray table, entertainment screen, etc.) Then I wear a mask during the flight. This habit has completely solved the problem. While you can buy masks and sanitizing wipes at the airport, I recommend packing them because airport prices are out of control.

Products You DON’T Need on Your Packing List for International Travel

Above, I shared my VIP products to include in a packing list for international travel. The ones that are worth taking up precious space in your carry-on suitcase. However, there are also countless products advertised for international travel that just aren’t necessary. I wrote in a previous post about what to leave home when traveling with just a carry-on more generally. But I want to address a few things I often see suggested on a packing list for international travel. 

When I used to over-pack, I was doing it out of anxiety. I feared being in a foreign place without some of the comforts I’m used to. But over time, I forgot, lost, and broke things on trips. Once I even arrived on a remote island in Fiji to start a two-week vacation and my phone spontaneously died. And I was shocked to discover that…it was fine. I managed just fine without the things I was used to. (Ok, full disclosure: I freaked out about the phone for several hours that first day. But then it was fine.) 

Consider your destination. If you’re traveling on camelback through the Gobi Desert for six weeks, sure, you might need to pack some of these items. If you’re headed to Paris where you’ll be staying in a hotel? Skip them and travel light. 

Anti-Pickpocket Money Belts

These are generally recommended on lists as essential for carrying your passport, cash, and phone. It’s true that pickpocketing is common in certain touristy areas of the world. But you really don’t need this. Just use common sense. Leave your passport in the safe in your hotel. Don’t carry a bunch of cash. Nowadays, you can use a card for most things. And frankly, you’re going to have your phone out so often taking pictures that there’s no point in buying a special pouch for it. Keeping valuables in your shoe, an inner pocket of a jacket, or in a purse that goes directly under your arm have all worked for me. And my main advice here is: don’t carry valuables with you when you’re out sightseeing.

Paper Phrasebooks

Years ago, a travel-size book of key phrases in the language of the place you’re visiting were super helpful on trips. These days, depending on where you’re going, it’s likely you can find wifi to use a translation app on your phone. A phrasebook will just take up space. 

Travel Guides

I’ve been surprised by how popular physical travel guides still are. Again, there is so much information easily available online that I just don’t see these as worth the space they take up. Just research your destination before you travel. 

A Lot of Local Currency

hanging money used to be a key part of my travel-prep process. But in recent years, I’ve used cash in international destinations less and less. You do want to have a bit of the local currency in case of emergency, but changing a lot of money is just going to make you overspend at your destination. And it’s a liability when you’re sightseeing in a touristy area (see the first item on this list). 

Gear for Airplane Comfort

Air travel is uncomfortable. It just is, and there’s really no way around it. I’ve bought countless gadgets that are supposed to make it more bearable and very few made any difference. Even if your flight is quite long, I don’t suggest buying a lot of stuff to try to be comfortable. And given how small airlines have made their planes’ seats, more stuff in your bag is just going to make you less comfortable by taking up space at your feet. 

Gear for In-Flight Entertainment

I used to be so anxious about long flights I would pack tons of stuff to keep me busy. Like the tip above, all it did was create a monster backpack that took up all the space at my feet. When I packed that much stuff, I often couldn’t even find what I needed in the dark plane cabin. That’s why I recommend leaving most of these home. Before you fly, search if your airline offers entertainment. Chances are, that will be enough. Beyond that, you can get ebooks and use your phone’s e-reader app, download podcasts and music, etc. You really don’t need a lot of physical stuff to pass the time. 

Supplements for Jet Lag

I’ve tried everything to avoid jet lag, and the only things that work are a) staying very hydrated, and b) avoiding naps and getting on the local schedule as soon as possible. 

Compression Bags

I received compression packing cubes as a gift and I do use them on some trips. But to be honest, they can make packing in a small suitcase even harder. Clothes, left on their own, squish when you close your suitcase. But the compression packing cube makes clothes bulkier by creating one big, firm cube that can’t easily be moved around to accommodate other things. Ultimately, the best way to pack carry-on only is to limit how much you’re bringing, period. I don’t recommend trying to find shortcuts to vacuum seal all your stuff into a smaller space. You’ll just end up dragging a really heavy bag around the world.

First Aid Kit

 Depending on your destination, there will almost certainly be pharmacies in case of emergency. You can skip this “essential.” 

Portable Power Bank

Back in the day, I always had a power bank with me on trips. Airports had few outlets and people would fight to sit on the floor next to them. Then there’s the flight itself. I feared getting stuck on a plane, staring at the seat in front of me, with no entertainment because my phone died. But things have changed so much in the past ten years. Airports now have charging stations, and most international flights I’ve taken have outlets available. Sure, I’ve gotten stuck in the seat with the faulty outlet. And in that case, I did stare at the seat in front of me, bored to tears for hours. But you know what? It really wasn’t that bad.  

Extra Outfits

The study I referenced above found that women who overpack are bringing twice as many clothes as they need. I used to have a lot of reasons for doing this. What if I stain something and need to change? What if we spontaneously decide to go to a fancy restaurant? 

But I finally realized a) I almost never used these extra items, and b) the downsides of paying baggage fees and lugging a heavy bag around outweighed the small benefit of feeling like I had backups. Also, while I thought I wanted to have options while abroad, in reality, the last thing I want to do on vacation is sort through clothes and decide on an outfit. I actually much preferred having a set number of outfits and not having to think about it. Then I could focus my energy on enjoying the trip. 

Your Full Hair and Makeup Routine

Most people know they shouldn’t bring full-size bottles of the products they usually use on a trip. But I used to bring “mini” versions of everything I used at home – the skincare routine, the hair creams and devices, all of my makeup. First of all, when I got into minimalism, I minimized all these things, and my life is much easier now. But even if you don’t want to do that, you don’t need to do your full routine while I on vacation. Give yourself a break! Again, you want to spend time enjoying the trip, not wrestling with your hair in a hotel room. It’s hard these days because everyone wants the perfect Instragram photo of their vacation. But here’s the thing: I promise no one cares if your hair is frizzy or you’re not wearing setting powder in your vacation photos. They’ll just see how happy you look. 

Tips for International Travel

If you’re a seasoned traveler who takes multiple international trips per year, you can skip this part. But for those who don’t travel as often, I wanted to share a few tips I’ve learned over the years.  

Research Rideshare Options

Different countries have different systems for rideshares and taxis. I live in the U.S., where Uber and Lyft are popular. However, in other countries, these apps can’t operate. They may have a different app, including one that allows you to call a taxi from the app. It’s best to know what’s used in your destination before you leave, so you can download the app and be prepared for leaving the airport. And if you want to spend less on your trip, you should research public transportation in your destination city. 

Find Out Your International Call and Data Options

Different cell companies – and even different plans – have different options for making calls and using data abroad. Look into your plan or even call your company before you leave so you know what you can do. No one wants to get surprised by a massive bill when they get back from a vacation because they used Google Maps too much. 

Notify Your Credit Cards / Banks

Not all banks expect or require travel notifications. But some will assume your card has been stolen if they see it used in another country. In that case, they’ll shut it down first and ask questions later. To avoid getting stuck in a tight spot with no card, set up a travel notification.  

Don’t Rely on AmEx Abroad

In the U.S., I use my American Express card often. But in many countries, and especially in Europe, it’s not accepted. So, make sure you have another option.  

Pay Attention to the Fare Class You’re Buying

 If you take my advice from this post and travel with just a carry-on, you can buy basic economy – generally the cheapest option. However, there will be other limitations of that fare – change and cancellation fees, for example. You may want to buy economy or higher to have more flexibility.

But here’s my advice: even if you buy a fare that allows you to check a bag free, that doesn’t mean you have to in order to get your money’s worth. You’ll benefit from not having to deal with checked luggage for a lot of reasons, which I describe below. 

Look Up Visa Requirements in Advance

Whether or not you need to apply for a visa depends on your country of citizenship and your destination country. If you’re from the U.S. like me, you may be used to not needing a visa for most places. But recently more and more countries are requiring visas for Americans. So, make sure you check when you’re booking your flight, not at the last minute. 

Benefits of Carry-On Only International Travel

Another post describes the many benefits of traveling with just a carry-on. For international trips, I want to highlight these benefits: 

• No baggage fees / cheaper airfare. Most airlines allow you to choose from multiple fares. The cheapest generally doesn’t include checked luggage. You might assume you can’t afford to travel internationally often. But you may be if you stick to a carry-on.  
• You keep everything you need with you the entire trip. International travel often involves layovers – some lasting hours or even overnight. And more flights means more chances for delays. And more chances for the airline to lose your checked luggage. When you travel with just your carry-on, you have everything you need with you, no matter what goes wrong with your flight.  
• The limited space discourages you from buying a lot of souvenirs that will eventually become clutter. Something about traveling to a country that I may not visit again makes me want to buy souvenirs to remember it. But, as I’ve pointed out before, photos are better for keeping memories than overpriced junk. You don’t need an ugly magnet to remember your amazing trip. Being limited by a small suitcase will save you money and future clutter. 
• It’s easier to find your stuff when you need it. When I used to pack as much as possible, I often couldn’t even find the specific item I wanted when I wanted it. I’d end up throwing everything out of my suitcase and littering the hotel room with all my stuff while I searched. 
• Your bags are lighter and easier to move with. This is especially important when you’re visiting multiple destinations in one trip – on and off planes, in and out of taxis and hotels, etc. You’ll be surprised by how adventurous you feel once you’re not weighed down by a heavy suitcase. 

A Minimalist Carry-On Only Packing List for International Travel

And without further ado, here’s a sample packing list for international travel you can tailor for your upcoming trip.

Clothes

• 1 outfit per day of the trip 
• 1 pair of shoes: If possible, just take what you wear to the airport. If you need multiple options, wear larger shoes to the airport and pack lighter sandals in your bag. 
• 1 pair of underwear per day 
• Sleep clothes 
• Optional, depending on your circumstances and destination: 
  • 1 pair of sunglasses 
  • 1 hat 
  • Socks: You can skip these if you’re going on a beach vacation to a warm destination 
  • A light outer layer 
  • Bras 
  • Glasses 
  • Bathing suit 
  • Jewelry: If you want to bring it, I recommend just a couple of pieces that you can re-wear every day of your trip. 
  • For cold climates: jacket, hat, gloves, scarf 

Toiletries

(Remember to use travel size containers. But I recommend keeping them taped or in a Ziplock bag to avoid explosions.) 

• Toothbrush  
• Toothpaste  
• Floss  
• Face wash  
• Face lotion  
• Hair products (though hotels will have shampoo & conditioner)  
• Hand sanitizer   
• Hand lotion: As described above, long plane trips can be very drying 
• Deodorant  
• Nail clippers/file  
• Lip balm 
• Optional, depending on your circumstances: 
  • Contacts & contact solution  
  • Hair ties  
  • Hairbrush or comb  
  • Dual voltage hair styling tools & hair products: But consider not using them on vacation and giving yourself a break from the routine! 
  • Tweezers  
  • Makeup: Just bring the basics 
  • Makeup remover and cotton pads  
  • Razor  
  • Menstrual products: Check your cycle vs. the dates of the trip. Don’t pack a ton you won’t need “just in case” – you can always buy them at your destination. 

Electronics

• Phone  
• Charger  
• Outlet adapters  
• Headphones / earbuds 

Miscellaneous

• Passport 
• Wallet: Pare down to just a couple of cards, your ID, and some local currency. Don’t bring your overstuffed wallet with every membership card and coupon you’ve collected over the past year. 
• Your house key: Just the one! Leave the key ring at home. 
• Face masks 
• Sanitizing wipes 
• 2-4 hydration packets 
• Optional:  
  • Eye mask and ear plugs: I only recommend this if you’re a very light sleeper. 
  • 1 purse or wristlet  
  • Any medication or vitamins you regularly take: Put exactly how many you need in a Ziplock bag, rather than bringing bottles. There are specific guidelines for this, but anecdotally, no one has ever in 20 years bothered me for packing them this way. 
  • Neck pillow: I recommend this only for very long flights.  

What Do You Think?

Do you have experience packing light for international trips? Any useful products you think I left out or unfairly maligned above? I’d love to hear from you in the comments! 

You May Also Like…

How to Travel Light Like a Minimalist 

How to Travel Light with Kids: What Do You Need to Travel with a Baby? 

Newborn Travel Essentials that Make Flying with Baby Painless

How to Travel with Just a Carry-On: A One-Week Vacation Packing List