Packing Essentials for Overseas Travel

By popular request, this blog is all about packing essentials for overseas travel. Here’s my personal checklist of must-have items for any international trip.

Cash in the Local Currency

I bring my ATM card and withdraw cash overseas in the local currency. Check your card to see which network it uses and choose an ATM with the same logo. The bank exchange rate is always better than the rate offered at currency exchange desks in the airport or rail station. Before leaving home, just be sure to call the card issuer and file a travel notification. Otherwise, the bank may flag your overseas activity as suspicious and suspend the card. (This step is no longer necessary at larger banks.) 

Credit Cards

Traveler’s checks and pre-loaded debit cards are too bothersome for me. I just bring 2-3 credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees. That way, I get the favorable bank exchange rate when the charge is converted to dollars— without sacrificing the fraud and loss protections. Just remember to file a travel notification with the credit card issuers before leaving home!

Note that gift cards purchased in the United States generally do not work overseas.

Separate Wallets

I never store my cash, ATM card, and credit cards all in one place. Instead, I keep a “carry wallet” and a “storage wallet”.

The carry wallet is always with me and has cash, one credit card, and my driver’s license for identification. I usually keep it in the zippered, inner breast pocket of my jacket or the front pocket of my pants. In high-risk areas, I transfer most of my cash from the carry wallet to a money belt. (Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.)

The storage wallet (which I leave in the safe in my hotel room) has my ATM card, spare credit cards, and passport. I only carry the ATM card with me when I intend to withdraw more cash.

Cell Phone

My cell phone goes everywhere with me. Before heading overseas, I call my carrier to temporarily activate an international plan that includes calls, texts, and data. Remember to bring a charger! You may want a spare battery pack if you’ll be away from an outlet for extended periods or using live maps to find your way around. (I like this portable charger for the iPhone.)

To lower your costs for data roaming, utilize reputable WiFi connections when possible— just be sure to use a Virtual Privacy Network (VPN) to protect yourself from hackers lurking on spoofed networks. (I use NordVPN at home and on all my devices while traveling.)

I always download the apps for every air and rail carrier I’ll be using, in order to keep up to date with boarding calls, delays, etc. A smart phone is great for storing electronic boarding passes, too. But keep paper copies in your carry-on just in case your battery runs out. (One more reason to carry some backup power.)

Other Electronics

You won’t catch me on a plane without my iPad. As long as I remember to download movies and books ahead of time, it’s the easiest way to stay productive and entertained during long flights and layovers. I pair my iPad with Bose wireless noise-canceling headphones. They’re bulkier than ear buds, but in my opinion over-the-ear headphones block more noise on a plane.

And while modern smart phones have decent photo/video capabilities, I still prefer my Canon Rebel. I think it’s more reliable and flexible for the kind of shots you see in my photo gallery, and it produces great HD video.  

Converter/Adapter

All these electronics require power. Remember to bring the appropriate plug adapter(s) for your destination(s). And if any of your electronic devices are designed exclusively for 110V, you’ll need a voltage converter, too, for parts of the world where 220V is the norm, including Europe. (Verify online whether your destination uses 110V or 220V.)

Note that chargers for Apple devices already work with both 110V and 220V— you’ll just need a plug adapter. Travel hair dryers and electric shavers often have a toggle to switch between 110V and 220V. Check every electronic device before you leave— if it isn’t designed for 220V, you’ll need an adapter and a converter if traveling in a country that uses 220V.

Passport

You won’t get far without your passport. Make photocopies of the inside front and inside back covers and store them in your luggage, in case you lose the original. I also pack a pair of spare passport photos taken in the States— they meet State Department requirements and will expedite a replacement passport overseas if needed.

Wondering how to obtain or renew a passport? Click here for everything you need to know. 

Emergency Backups

To reduce the risk of loss, I rarely carry my passport on non-travel days. Instead, I keep pictures of the data page and immigration stamp on my smart phone. I also use my phone to store photos of my credit cards (front and back) and driver’s license. In case of loss or theft, I have all the account and telephone numbers I need— and a backup form of identity.

I email the passport, license, and credit card photos to myself, too— just in case I lose my wallet and my phone.

Medical Supplies/Toiletries

My travel kit includes travel-sized packets of analgesic, decongestant, anti-diarrheal, and motion sickness pills. It also includes blister packs for sore feet and anti-bacterial gel to ward off infections. If you have any prescription medications, bring them in their original packaging. (It reassures customs officials who might otherwise question your loose pills.)

Pack travel-sized soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and other toiletries so you have everything on arrival and won’t have to pay more overseas. 

Itinerary

For every trip, I create an itinerary with the details about my transportation arrangements, lodging, reserved activities, and local friends/hosts. I email it to someone in the family who’s not traveling with me and keep a printed copy in my bag. I then use the detailed itinerary to register my plans with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). See my earlier blog post about travel safety tools for more information.

Get Lost Items Back Quickly

Finally, be sure to attach a luggage tag to the exterior of each checked and carry-on bag. Write your mobile number and email address on each tag to facilitate a quick return if the bag is lost. Consider an Apple air tag or similar device to track lost or stolen articles with your smart phone.

This is the same list I’ve been using for years to prepare me for travel to dozens of countries on five continents. I hope it serves you well, too!

More Tips to Help You Prepare

Before departure, be sure to read my post on how to protect yourself from pickpockets. And plan ahead to avoid my biggest travel mistakes. Finally, read how to save money on travel.