Packing for Success

“If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears.” 

ceseare pavese

We have all been there. Last-minute packing. Staying up all night before an early morning flight. Getting ready to leave for our dream trip, exhausted. Realizing you don’t have the right clothes or they don’t fit results in panic buying and rushed runs to the store. We know we have that item but can’t find it anywhere. Purchase new shoes, then forget to break them in. You discovered the suitcase you were planning to use is damaged. Then, when you get to your destination, you realize you have forgotten an essential item.

The list of last-minute craziness we all can identify with some or all of these situations. We can guarantee we have done all of them and even more.

After all our time traveling, we have seen everything. Those last-minute purchases and rushed shipping financially can bring quite a hit on your budget. That credit card statement arriving after your trip can be jaw-dropping. Shopping at your destination for items takes away from your fun and can be expensive, too. It can be almost impossible if you are over 6 feet like Joelle. One time in Spain, Joelle spent 4 hours out of her first full day finding a missing part of her camera. It goes on and on.

Part of this is inevitable and adds to travel’s craziness and funny stories. That said, much can be avoided. It is all about early preparation and having detailed packing lists. We will share what has worked for us, how to reduce your packing stress before a trip, and how to bring all those essential items and keep them organized.

The first step to packing for traveling abroad is to have a list. This not only keeps you organized but keeps you from overpacking and forgetting something important. We have put together two lists to help you get ready for your next adventure. The first is your comprehensive packing list of all the items you will bring on your trip. The second one details which items need to be in your carry-on luggage.

We will take you through each list, sharing tips and hard-earned lessons to take the stress out of packing for you.

A Tribute First

Take the stress out of packing

1. Use a list. We suggest one overall master list and a carry-on list. Review all items and cross off all you won’t need during your travels. Traveling abroad is very different from traveling back east in the United States. A successful and healthy trip needs to be organized and thoughtful in your packing.

2. Start early. Joelle starts laying out her packing 3-4 weeks before. Do you have a guest room bed or a room in the house that is rarely used? Take advantage of that space!! This gives you time to determine what you need and don’t need. Approaching it this way will help you decide early on what you must shop for without expensive last-minute panic buying.

The main packing list below is all the items you may need to bring on your trip. It is a list of all trips abroad, whether for one week or two months. This is not a list for backpackers, as their needs are unique, especially if they stay at hostels or are camping. This is for your average traveler, who will likely have one checked bag, a carry-on, and a purse or backpack.

There is a second list for carry-on luggage. All items are on the master list, but provide details of what you need in your carry-on. Checked baggage can get lost, or you can be held up at a connecting airport for a long time due to weather or mechanical problems. Or when the person sitting next to Joelle in the first hour of the flight accidentally spilled their whole glass of red wine on her.

This has helped Joelle reduce her overpacking issue. Those last-minute packing events often brought many unneeded clothes along that didn’t match anything or fit right. It helps with mixing and matching outfits. Sort out what weighs too much or is bulky. It is incredible how quickly that original pile shrinks in those weeks.

3. This is also an ideal time to sort out the nonclothing items. Look for travel-size items. Or buy small containers to avoid bringing bulky products such as facial care jars, big tubes of face scrub, or bottles of astringent.

4. Make the effort to assess your daily routine and truly only bring what you need and leave what you don’t need behind.

5. Packing abroad also means preparing for the what-ifs. Ensure you do not bring more than you need, leaving room for medical supplies.

6. As you lay out your belongings, you can then determine how you may want to sort them. We use packing cubes for smaller items that tend to get lost in a suitcase, such as undergarments, socks, nightwear, swimsuits, and summer wear. We have found packing cubes useless for oversized items such as pants, sweaters, etc. They seem to take up too much room and are bulky.

7. All miscellaneous items should be ideally packaged in some container. Whether you use Ziploc baggies, mesh bags, or cosmetic containers, it doesn’t matter. Follow the rule: Everything goes into some kind of pouch. This will make it easier to find things during your travels—you know, the “it has to be somewhere” moments.

8. Keep your packing list with your pre-trip layout. Once an item is there and can stay, check it off.

In 2014 while traveling in Cinque Terra with her sister-in-law Joelle had her wallet stolen on
the Milk train. For some ridiculous reason she had all her credit cards in there. Not wanting
to take away from  the precious time they had in Cinque Terra she called her husband to
help.

9. Once your list is complete, you can assess the suitcase you need if you have not already chosen one. Documents should be organized and prepared early. Find a water-resistant folder, binder, or sleeve.

Put together a detailed itinerary. Have both paper and electronic copies. Copy all your important documents such as passports, credit cards, medical insurance, travel insurance, etc. Make two sets of copies to hide in separate suitcases. Leave one with a family or friend back home. It is important to have paper copies. People often say I have it saved on my phone, but that will do you no good if your phone is lost or stolen. See the story in the sidebar about how important leaving copies at home is.

10. Don’t bring valuables if you can avoid them. No one will remember or care if your pearls are fake or worth thousands. Or if your designer purse is an authentic Louis Vuitton? Do you need that massive diamond ring or earrings? No one cares if your husband got you a big diamond; the thief might. It only draws attention to you and makes you a target for theft. It can also be seen as ostentatious. You are there to experience their culture, not to show off to people you will never see again. As a whole, in Europe, they live a much simpler, less materialistic life.

11. We can not encourage you to get a digital hand scale for all your travels. It weighs your luggage before going to the airport. They are dead-on accurate, small, and lightweight. We now permanently carry one in our carry-ons; we never travel without one. It is especially handy coming home if you bought lots of souvenirs and gifts. You will find it on our Travel Gear and Accessories page. They are inexpensive, around $12, and invaluable.

12. Remember that you will need space if you plan to bring items home from your travels. Ensure you leave the room and are not at the weight limit before leaving. Plan for this ahead of time, or take a small duffle to check an extra bag coming home. You can often pay for this in advance to save costs.

Check out Ryan’s Travel Tips on how to make travel smoother

Our Master Packing List

Click on the image to view our printable PDF of our Packing list

Let’s start packing for our trip. It is the beginning of what will be a fantastic adventure abroad. This list is for a trip of any size, from a week to months. It involves washing clothes for longer trips.

We will review the packing list categories in the order they appear on the list. Our list is a PDF that can easily be printed in color or black and white. Many items may not be needed. Simply cross off unneeded items. Click on the image to the left to open the packing list.

Keep in mind the weather at your destination. There is no reason to pack shorts if you are in Switzerland in November. Take the time to learn what people tend to wear so you can blend in better.

Clothes

Think light and layers. Darker colors and mix and match. Easy to wash and fast to dry. Pick comfortable clothes to wander in all day and nice enough to go to almost any restaurant if you can’t make it back to your room to change. Keep in mind that no one but you and your travel companions will know that the dress you wore in Milan is the same dress you wore in Rome. That sundress you wore during the day with a light black-sleeved sweater can become evening wear. Men who are more comfortable in jeans choose darker ones, and with a darker light jacket, they can quickly become more dressy; most places are casual. If you want that one special place, maybe a Michelin Star, research the dress ahead of time and keep it as simple as possible.

Undergarments are about comfort, easy washing, and fast drying. Socks are important, especially if a lot of walking is planned. Research a bit and try some out before the trip. Joelle has been getting socks from REI for a while due to having problematic feet. One recent pairing was a success. Using silk under good quality exterior Merlino wool socks. There are many choices; research what is best for you.

Washing on the Road

We wash our clothes in the sink in any hotel we are in for two nights or more. The reason to choose fast-drying clothes is that hand washing makes it hard to squeeze the amount of water a washing machine does. You need to plan for a longer drying time. On the packing list, travel-size liquid laundry packets are included. Washing your clothes with hotel soaps and shampoos is not a good idea. They are getting very sudsy and may be difficult to rinse out. After carrying a sink stopper and clothesline with us for years, we never once used them. Leave those items behind.

Footwear

With or without having feet issues, what works best is changing out shoes every 1-2 days. It is ideal to bring two pairs of walking shoes. Joelle brings her OOcloog clogs and a couple of lightweight black Nike sneakers. On days with less walking and evenings for dinner out, she brings her lightweight slip-on black Toms and a pair of Teva flip-flops. In colder weather, Ugg boots would be added to the collection when packing light, breathable, and sturdy shoes.

Ryan historically brings one pair of slip-on leather loafers meant for extensive walking. During our trip to Portugal and Spain, we walked like no other. For the first time, Ryan was hurting a lot. Those one pair of shoes wore his feet out as they were a few years old. He got another pair and interchanged his shoes every other day. It made a huge difference. He brought two pairs to Croatia after that.

The lesson is that if you plan to walk a lot, bring two pairs of good walking shoes and a good pair of hiking boots.

Check out our favorite items on the travel essentials list here.

Accessories

This is simple. This is the one area men may need more of. Most items, such as a belt and hat, can be worn during travels. Sunglasses no matter the season, we suggest packing a pair. We traveled off-season but ended up buying some at our destination. Although it may be cooler, it was still very sunny.

Toiletries and Hygiene

Review your routine and the volumes you use during the time frame of your trip. Seek travel size or transfer your products to smaller containers. If you stay in hotels, you can avoid packing soap and shampoo but always bring conditioner, which is often not provided. We use mesh bags, clear toiletry bags, or Ziplocs to hold our toiletries. Most everyone has had some product leak out over all their clothes. The key is always to put it in some kind of leakproof container. (Check some out here on our Travel Essentials list) Clear containers make it easier to see, and you don’t waste digging looking for your lip balm.

Electronics

Electronic supplies should be minimal. Avoid a laptop if you can. Today’s modern smartphones are just smaller versions. A tablet works as well. If you are like us, we need to bring at least one. Streamline these items as best you can. Keep them packaged and organized. For a laptop, put it in a thinly padded sleeve.

We tend to bring many international adapters as we lose a lot along the way. It is important to keep all these smaller, easily lost items well packaged. This great electronic case holds everything we need and keeps everything well organized. You can find it on our Travel Essentials list. We haul a bigger SLR camera around, but that is the price for being a photographer.

Additional Supplies

This is a mishmash of essential items that we bring all of. It seems like a long list, but most of these items are small. We only carry one of most items for the whole travel group. It is about being prepared. Look for miniature versions of these items: small, durable flashlights, lightweight tote bags, mini sewing kits, travel first aid kits, etc.

We never leave for an international trip without travel insurance. Check out why – Travel Insurance – Learn how to be a Savvy Consumer

Medical Supplies

Medical supplies. We have a nurse on this team who is always about being ready. This is not only for our travel group but also for people who may need help with our travels. Covid made some of these items even more critical. This was not new for us to bring but became a must-have moving forward. They don’t take up that much space, and all can go into a Ziploc bag. Joelle also brings a stethoscope. See our more detailed post on Medical Travel Supplies.

Documents

The bottom line, you need all of these documents and copies of what you bring. Make three sets of copies. Take two with you and leave one with your family at home. You can also make an electronic copy. We always advise going with some local currency on hand. We get some at our local Chase before we leave. Airport exchanges are pricey, and you will get a better rate at your local bank, so plan.

Part of the list speaks to putting together a Travel Emergency Contact Info. It is of paramount importance to carry with you a card that holds all this important info. If you become ill or get injured away from your belongings and documents, you must have all the information that may be needed in an emergency on your person. This includes your nationality, passport number, medications, medical conditions, emergency contact, health, travel insurance numbers, contact info, embassy info, local 911 numbers, calling code, and how to call in or out of your country. Time is of the essence in emergencies. We will deal with this in more detail in our travel health posts. We will also be making our Wanderers Compass Emergency Contact Card, which contains all the above info, available to our subscribers in a wallet-size card.

Over the Counter Meds

Finally, we have a list of over-the-counter meds that we suggest everyone has packed. Being prepared helps you stay healthy during a trip. Do not expect to be able to buy these meds there if you get sick overseas. If you get ill on a Saturday evening, you will not find open stores anywhere, and most stores, even pharmacies, may not be available on Sunday.

Joelle learned on vacation with her husband in Norway that some countries require a prescription for Sudafed or Benadryl. They both had terrible colds and were going through their supply. She wanted to restock, but it was not possible in Norway.

Now, in some countries, you can get medications that are prescriptions in the U.S. right off the shelf, but don’t count on it. Be prepared. Check out our post on what over-the-counter medications to bring to be here.

What are the must-have meds for a long flight? Check out Essential Medications for a Long Flight: A Nurses Guide

Our Carry-on Packing List

Click on the image to view our printable PDF of our Carry-on Packing List

All the items on the carry-on packing list are on the main list above. It serves to provide a detailed list of which of the above items stay with you versus going into your checked luggage. These essentials are the things you can not take a risk not having when arriving at your destination or are of high value. Let’s be honest; luggage can be lost or delayed.

In all of our combined decades of travel, it has occurred about two dozen times, usually on the trip home. It is not too bad, considering we have flown over 1.6 million miles. You never forget, though, that feeling of dread that sets in as you stare at the baggage carousel, praying your suitcase will suddenly pop out, but it never does. Your heart sinks. The biggest hassle is the often long wait to complete the forms to get the luggage to you, most often the next day.

The good news is all luggage that was recovered lost during trips has been returned to us. Ryan, though, when he returned home from his 15-month Afghanistan deployment, sent a chest home, via the Army, of all his belongings. He had a lot in there. That was the year I “adopted” Ryan through Soldiers Angels. I sent him many care packages full of goodies: books, DVDs, magazines, tools, video games, clothes, photos, art projects, gifts, etc. The chest arrived empty. He was heartbroken. Luckily those stories are rare. But anything that would break your heart to lose, keep with you.

So what do you put in your carry-on? Most are obvious, such as all your documents, prescription meds, electronics, medical supplies, valuables, and a change of clothes. We also have some significant heads up to be aware of when it comes to carry-on. Avoid learning the hard way, as we have at times.

Carry-on Heads Up

Flying Air France from Charles de Gaulle to Italy Joelle had two checked bags. She had barely ten kilos in one bag. The gate agent was so friendly when she checked in. They took her bags. No one said one word about weighing her carry-on items. Joelle went to security and as she approached the head of the long line an Air France person was there weighing economy passengers carry-on.

She knew her suitcase was fine but what Joelle didn’t know was the weight included everything on her person including purse and camera. She was over by only 2 kilos. They told her she had to leave the line, go back to check in and check the carry-on. She landed up getting the same person who checked bags but this time wasn’t so nice and had a smirk on his face. She asked why didn’t you say something as one checked bag had a ton of room, his reply, it is on the sign over there didn’t you read it?

No one directed her too and there a lots of various signs around as it was. They did not budge despite arguing and those 2 kilos extra cost her over $100 charge. She hauled her camera equipment, documents and other essentials like medications on her shoulders for hours. It was awful . She purposefully not flown Air France since.

We recall once on Icelandic Air they weighed our carry-on at check-in. That is the proper way to treat your customers.

1. Why do we prefer to have carry-on rollers? Hauling things on your back and shoulders is not healthy or wise. If you have long layovers, it could seriously hinder your movements. Joelle has had multiple shoulder surgeries, so trust us, this comes from personal knowledge. A roller can take all items, even your backpack, off your body. You can drape your jacket and neck pillow off of it. It also makes a nice leg rest for long layovers. And if you do some after-security shopping, it comes in quite handy to avoid carrying shopping bags with you.
   
2. If you are flying economy, many international airlines have a weight limit for carry-on. This will not be easy for you if you have laptops and heavy camera equipment. All of a sudden, all those essential items you should not separate from you will be forced to. If there is more than one in your group, spread the weight before heading to the airport. Don’t have one person carry the laptop, camera, and all the paperwork. The airlines can make quite a bit of extra income this way too. Joelle’s Air France story still leaves a bad taste in her mouth. Check out the sidebar story.
   
3. If you are coming from Europe and have a layover in the U.S. on the way home, be very conscious of what you buy after security. We love buying liquor or gifts duty-free. We save room in our carry-on just for that reason. But if you fly through Newark Airport to make your connection, you must leave security and go through TSA. If you buy liquor or olive oil, they could confiscate it. Once we had enough time to check the bag in at the counter and make it through TSA in time. This is not a problem in most places. Some airport TSA, as long as it is well sealed in the duty-free bag, they will allow but not always. Know your airports.

To Those Who Pack Lite

We commend those who can pack for a whole trip in a roller board. Congratulations, you have our awe and respect.

That will likely never be us; well, it is mostly Joelle when as a nurse, she must be prepared for anything. That has served her well over the years. There are stories to tell……..

We hope these packing tips and lists still serve you well in the little you bring.

Interested in the Best Travel Cards in the industry? It is how we get most of our hotels for FREE! Check out our post on Travel credit cards.

Final Thoughts

Packing doesn’t have to be chaotic. Using a list and staying organized is all it takes. Use our packing tips above, and you may even find it fun. What we have found is our greatest tool is starting early. That has dramatically reduced packing stress.

Have that suitcase zipped up at the front door days before your trip. Your heart will smile each time you see it. You will also leave more rested and ready to hit the road the second you arrive.

The printable PDFs of both packing lists are in the promo boxes below. They can be printed in black and white color or downloaded to your computer.

You are packed and ready to go. We wish you safe and exciting adventures. May all your travel dreams become a beautiful reality.

Bon Voyage

Share your stories and tips.

As always, we would love to hear your packing stories. Any packing tips that worked for you? Or any painful or funny stories from your travel that have to do with packing. We learn from each other as we share our tales.

© 2024 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved

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