International Travel Checklist: What To Bring For Your Trips

Depending on how you view it, packing in anticipation of a trip can be an enjoyable experience or a stressful one. An international travel checklist is as essential as the items on the list itself.

Knowing beforehand what to bring and reminding yourself not to leave any essentials behind can make a difference. Our team at CabinZero has assembled a helpful checklist of stuff you should bring with you on your journey.

Whether you are a seasoned traveller or not, this article guarantees a stress-free trip with an informative list of everything you need to pack, from the passport to power banks.

1. International Travel Checklist

What better way to keep track of your stuff than a checklist? Photo by netrun78 - stock.adobe.com

Travelling to another country is exciting. But if it's your first time, you may need help deciding things to pack for international travel. With our handy travel abroad checklist, you can take the plunge into international travel relatively worry-free!

After doing all the necessary pre-flight routines, remember to bring the following items (it’s even better if you double-check everything):

1. Essentials

• Passport and visas
• Travel insurance proof
• Health pass and/or vacation papers
• Photocopies of the above items
• Your emergency contact info
• Itinerary (if needed)
• SIM cards
• Information about the nearest embassy or consulate.

While some places don’t strictly require visas, passports are another story. Unless it’s within the Common Travel Area, anyone travelling from the UK to other parts of the world needs a valid passport.

Safeguarding your important documents is also a serious matter. So keep an eye out for them at all times! Photocopies of these documents can be your lifesaver.

Tip: Bring a pen or two to fill out the forms at the airport or on the plane.

2. Medications

• First Aid Kit
• Prescription medicines for your conditions
• Hand sanitiser
• Water purifying tablets
• Over-the-counter medications like cough drops or diarrhoea.

To keep yourself healthy is to allow yourself to enjoy the trip to the fullest. So be sure to pack some remedies just in case you are afflicted with some ailments on the road.

Ideally, you want to keep your prescription medicines in their original containers. Furthermore, put these individual bottles into a separate and ready-to-go pouch. That’ll come in handy sooner or later. 

3. Money

• Cash
• Debit cards and/or credit cards
• Some money hidden outside of your pockets and bags.

Exchanging to local currency is a must for international travellers. On the other end of the spectrum, some countries, like Taiwan, prefer cashless payment.

Researching before you go is a safe bet for deciding whether you should travel with or without cash. Calculating the ATM fees and making a budget for each day is also essential.

4. Clothes

Deciding what chic looks you are going for on a particular day is also a fun part of travelling. Photo by Kittiphan - stock.adobe.com

• Hats
• Scarf
• Jumpers
• Shirts
• Dresses
• Skirts
• Gloves
• Pants
• Belts
• Undergarments
• Socks
• shoes/sneakers
• Raincoat
• Umbrella
• Swimwear
• Accessories.

Generally, clothing pieces that are soft and wrinkle-resistant are the top choices. Consider planning your outfits in a particular colour pallet for easier mixing and matching, or turn to neutral-coloured pieces.

5. Toiletries

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap
• Deodorants
• Toothbrush
• Feminine-hygiene products
• Contact Lens and lens Solution
• Makeup
• Razors
• Pain relievers
• Insect repellent

Always prioritise things you can’t leave without over things that are nice to have for your international travel packing list. For a smooth check-in, abide by the 3-1-1 rule for liquids. Packing these items into a toiletries bag is also neat. 

6. Miscellaneous

• Electronic devices (don’t forget their chargers and cords, too)
• Camera
• PJs
• A torch
• Towels
• Wet wipes/Baby wipes
• Entertainment/books
• Insect repellent
• Noise cancelling headphones
• Water bottle
• Ziplock bags
• Power bank

Among things to pack for international travel, some items may be essential to some but not to others. However, remember: less is more. You may find you won’t need some of these as much as you thought.

Tips For International Travel Packing

Making an international travel checklist is just one of many steps you can take for a stress-free trip. Photo by Kittiphan - stock.adobe.com

Now you have a general idea of how to make a travel abroad checklist that works. But to take it a step further, read on to learn the most excellent tips and tricks for a wonderful journey.

1. Be Sure Of Your Paperwork

We know we sound like a broken record, but we can’t stress enough the importance of travel documents and not losing them. Because if they are stolen or lost, you need to be issued a new one to be allowed back home.

Pickpocketing is a rampant problem in many tourist destinations. It’s a sad reality, but you can minimise the risks by using a money belt or keeping the papers at the hotel safe.

Here are some more steps for ensuring the safety of your paper and your own:

• Check your passport’s expiration date
• Keep all documents undamaged and in a secure place
• Make a physical copy and digitally scanned backup of your documents
• Be aware of passport scams.

2. A Good Backpack Goes A Long Way

Every wanderlust knows by heart a sturdy travel bag that can take a beating is the best thing ever. It’s where you store all your travel essentials, and you don’t want any harm done to them on the journey.

3. Packing Aids Help A Ton

Some would swear by packing cubes. And that’s true, we promise. Packing cubes not only save space but also keep your contents organised. These zippered fabric containers also allow easy access to your items at the security check-in.

Tips: You can use shoes to store more than socks. Stuffing your jewellery or belts in or between your boots is a good idea.

4. Pack And Dress In Layers

Thinner and lighter clothes are always preferable. When going somewhere in winter, it’s wise to pack several thin shirts rather than bulky ones.

Tips: If you want to lighten your loads further, choose quick dry clothes and do your laundry while on the road.

5. Learn The Airline's Baggage-Fee Policy

Packing right for the flight is the first step to a hassle-free journey. Photo by Chanakon - stock.adobe.com

Before deciding what things go where in your suitcase, consult the airline’s baggage allowance and policy. If you opt for a carry-on-only route, make sure your backpacks fit the linear inches (length + width + height) restrictions.

Travelling with one bag through a long-term journey to multiple climates is possible. All it takes is thoughtful planning and strategising.

Best Carry-On Backpack For Your International Travel Packing

Let’s face it, while checked baggage can store more stuff, it’s tiring lugging them around the airport and the destination. You know what we are talking about if you have spent mindless hours waiting for your luggage to come down from the carousel.

Imagine a backpack that is neither too big nor too small. It’s just the right size and comfortable to boot! Consider how your life will be a million times easier if that’s all you need.

No check-in bags, even no personal items, just one carry-on handbag. There’s no worry about parting ways with your luggage (and the risk of never seeing them again). Plus, your back will thank you later for this decision.

And that’s what CabinZero specialise in: bringing cabin-sized and hassle-free backpacks to everybody. Read more to find out which offer would be your best bet to house everything on your international packing list.

1. CabinZero Classic Backpack 28L

The CabinZero Classic 28L embraces its function. Everything is there for a reason, from the 600 Denier Polyester body to the YKK zippers. Yet there’s still room for expression and exploration. With close to 30 colour schemes, travellers can freely express themselves while on the go.

Simple, practical, and get the job done. These are just a few reasons why it is such a crowd-favourite. Say goodbye to digging around to find your item or being weight down by your own stuff. Now everything is accessible and neatly organised thanks to this versatile backpack.

You can expect the best and more from the CabinZero Classic 28L. Whether on the road or on the plane, this light-as-feather bag is the best companion you could ask for.

2. CabinZero ADV Pro 32L

The above Classic option is sizable enough for your daily needs. But when travelling for longer, you sometimes need a larger bag. That’s when CabinZero ADV Pro 32L comes to the rescue.

Spacious like a suitcase on your back yet comforting like a backpack,  CabinZero ADV Pro 32L is the best of both worlds. Chic design, all-day comfort, and honesty to their purpose - they are the everyday adventure backpack you’ve been looking for.

This maximum-cabin-sized bag will feel like nothing, even if it perches on your back for days. Made from Nylon 500d Rip-Stop fabric, the bag can take everything you throw at it. This one is built to last, just as you are.

FAQ

1. What Are The Three Documents Required To Travel Internationally?

A passport, visa and ID card are crucial paperwork for every global wanderlust, regardless of nationality. Losing them can be a headache, so always pay attention to them to avoid misplacing or missing them.

If that happens, you must contact the UK Embassy and Home Office to get a “one-time travel visa” or a temporary travel document. These allow you to re-enter the UK.

2. How Do I Prepare For My First International Trip?

Aside from the international packing list provided above, there are many things you can do to avoid mix-ups for your first time. Here are some of them:

• Get your travel documents well in advance
• Go to the Doc for check-ups and get your prescription pills
• Research your destination carefully (culture, laws, flight distance, language, currency, etc.)
• Look at the UK government’s Foreign travel advice and Foreign travel checklist.
• Develop a budget
• Compare transportation and accommodation options
• Book everything early
• Make sure you have access to money from overseas.

3. What Do You Do At An International Airport For The First Time?

For starters, arriving at the airport about 2-3 hours in advance for international flights is recommended.

Make sure you have your passport, boarding pass/tickets and ID card ready to process the check-in and Customs and Immigration checks.

All that’s left is waiting at the terminals until the boarding gate opens (usually 20-30 minutes before departure). That’s the gist of it. Don’t worry. Making your maiden flight won’t be as difficult as you think.

International Travel Checklist You Need To Go By

Have you got everything in order? Now let’s get to that dream destination! Photo by deagreez - stock.adobe.com

There are millions of things you want to carry with you on the trip, but only a few of them you can’t live without. The international travel checklist we have provided is a good pointer. Still, you can tailor it to your needs and preferences.

Is there any item that you find indispensable to your travel? Be sure to leave a comment to tell us all about it. Plus, it would be good to share this article to make people’s lives easier. Safe travel!

Bao Tieu