PACKING TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

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Now that I have returned from my trip to Spain, I thought it would be a great idea to write an article on my packing trips, especially for international travel! I think from my years of traveling, I can proudly call myself a packing expert. I actually look forward to packing because it puts me in a “yay I’m going away” mood. I also like to take my time and carefully pick out clothing items that are appropriate for the weather at my destination. I don’t like to pack too ahead but definitely a few days before is necessary because I have allotted some time just in case I need to go out and get some last minute items. I have also learned from my past experience to not over pack as that is usually one of the areas that I can definitely improve on.

I’ve decided to share 10 tips for packing that I have learned over the years. I am sure I can come up with more since there are a lot of tips that I think are helpful but here are the ones that I think are most important (in no specific order).

1. Pack and dress for the weather: I have to admit that I have sadly packed clothing that wasn’t appropriate for the weather before but it wasn’t because I didn’t google it! I for some reason tricked my mind in thinking it would be much warmer than what the weather clearly stated it would be. I think you should definitely be realistic about the weather. Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes I feel like wherever I go, it’s always warmer than NYC! If it’s going to be cold, make sure you bring layers, hat, gloves, etc. And if it’s warm and you’re going somewhere tropical, bring a bikini, flip flops, etc.
2. Get an outlet charger: I just came back from Spain and I knew that European outlets aren’t the same as it is here in the states, so I made sure I had the right one before traveling. I would get at least one outlet charger so you can charge your phone, laptop, camera, etc. This isn’t a huge deal since you can just buy one over there, but I like to be prepared and set right when I arrive at the hotel.
3. Print out all your trip information: As much as I like to depend on my phone for all my trip details, I also like to have everything at hand just in case. I always have a copy of my itinerary, hotel address and confirmation, flight details, etc. It is much easier to have all the information related to your trip at hand just in case your phone dies or gets lost.
4. Pack lightly: As mentioned earlier, this is an area that I can improve on because I often overpack and then regret it afterwards. Think about how many days you are actually going to be at your destination and try to realistically pack for the duration of your trip. I always say less is more. I also make it a priority to mix and match and layer up so I am not bringing a whole suitcase of clothing and shoes because I don’t got time for that!
5. Take only travel size items: Whether you are checking your bag or not, I strongly advise to only bring travel sized items. This mostly relates to toiletries, makeup, skincare, etc. This is the perfect opportunity to whip out all those samples you’ve been receiving at events and Sephora and put them to use! If you prefer the full size products, go get travel sized bottles and transfer your products. Don’t worry, you will thank me for this later!
6. Bring medicine: This might be the paranoia in me but I like to bring a few medicine just in case of an emergency. I’m not talking about your whole medicine cabinet but I like to carry pepto bismol, advil, and my asthma pump. I feel like whenever you are traveling, there is always a possibility of an upset stomach and a headache. And I personally have asthma so I need to bring my pump because hey you never know!
7. Bring a water bottle/ snacks: Your girl never leaves the country without a water bottle and some snacks in her purse! I usually travel internationally and my journey often lasts for at least 7 hours. It is extremely important to hydrate your body and you will save tons of money by bringing a water bottle and filling it up at the airport and plane. I also have snacks because you cannot rely on the planes or the airports for having what you want. My go to snacks are usually oatmeal, granola bars, almonds and fruits.
8. Keep all essentials on your carry on: My luggage was delayed once so I’ve learned from personal experience that is is always beneficial to keep your necessities in your carry on. This includes your wallet, makeup, a change of clothing, etc. Imagine if you didn’t have your luggage for a day or two, what would you absolutely need to survive? Put that in your carry on just in case.
9. Pack toothbrush, moisturizer, lotion in your carry on: Again, this might be personal preference but I like to brush my teeth while I am flying or at the airport because I am just not a fan of stinky morning breath. I also feel like my face gets extremely dried in the air so I like to moisturize my face and keep it hydrated.
10. Calmness/ Patience: These aren’t physical items obviously, but I think it’s important to remember that when you’re traveling, things don’t always go according to plan and that’s ok! Just remember to stay calm and be patient. I have tons of stories where things didn’t go my way, flights were delayed or cancelled, I didn’t speak the language, etc, etc. The whole point of traveling is to figure things out and challenge yourself. The best way to find a solution or make the best of the situation is to always remain calm and patient. I promise that if you just take it easy, everything will work out.

I hope you guys found these tips helpful as they have definitely made my travels easier throughout the year! Stay tuned for a Madrid recap for my next post 🙂