How to pack for your international travels
Travelling can be truly transformative for the mind and the soul. It can have a profound effect on a person, which is why it is a personal goal for so many. If you are planning to travel this year, then there are a lot of things that you need to factor into your plans, including your budget and your legal requirements for travel.
Having a valid travel visa is extremely important when doing cross-border travel. If you’re planning to travel internationally soon, working with immigration lawyers, like Flynn Hodkinson and others, can make your whole experience a breeze.
However, in addition to this, you need to ensure you have packed the right things, which is why we have put together the following list of items. Let's dive in.
Your clothing
The clothes that you pack will depend entirely on where you are travelling to and during what season. For example, the summer months will have different requirements to the winter months. As a general rule, you will need a couple of options for travel clothes. They need to be comfortable and allow you to move properly. You will also need a nicer outfit or two which you can wear to socialise and go out in. Bringing a formal-looking dress made out of luxurious fabrics can go a long way in your travels.
Finally, are you heading to a coastal location? If so, swimwear is a must. What is the weather likely to be? Will you need a waterproof? Packing light makes things easier, and often you can get a couple of wears out of each piece of clothing.
The accessories
When travelling internationally, don’t forget to accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. In truth, this does again rely heavily on your plans for the trip. You can pack various accessories that can help you look good and well-put-together in your trip.
For example, if you are going to go out and enjoy the local nightlife, then you might want to bring a few small pieces of jewellery, although you should try to keep them inexpensive because there is the risk of losing them. If you are travelling during the summer, then remember your sunglasses. If you are heading out in the winter, you need to remember your winter accessories, hats, scarves, and gloves. Although, in truth, you can pick up most of these things when you get there if you realise you need them.
Your toiletries
Doing international travel can be very expensive. Hence, you’re going to need to cut down on other aspects of your spending by travelling on a strict budget.
If you plan to travel on a budget, you will likely have to compromise on your accommodation. This means that you probably won't benefit from the free toiletries that the more expensive hotels provide. Instead, you will need to pack your own. They also have their uses if you are travelling for an extended period of time.
For example, in a pinch, your shampoo can double as laundry detergent, or your makeup wipes can be used to clean yourself up after a long day of travelling. If you have a skincare routine, you should get miniatures or decant them into smaller containers. If you are travelling during the summer, then make sure that you don't forget your sun cream. If you are travelling in the winter, then moisturisers are a must to offset the dry and chapped skin that wind can produce.
Luckily, you can often pick up toiletries relatively easily when travelling if you forget your toothpaste or shower gel. It might be worth factoring this into your budget. Leave behind the stuff that is easily replaced. It saves room in your luggage and also removes the possibility of the toiletries exploding in your bag during your travels.
Lastly, it may also be worth building a small first aid kit just in case you run into an emergency. You should include things to take care of an injury like a cut or a burn and things to take care of allergies, pain medication, et cetera.
Your electronics
When packing for a trip, there are a number of electronic items that you need to remember. Firstly, your phone is a must; you need it for both practical and personal reasons like keeping in touch with your friends and family, documenting your trip and staying entertained while travelling. This means that you also need to remember to pack your charger, any travel adaptors that you will need and a power bank too. Worry not; you can pack all your gadgets in a handy small bag that you can easily put inside your baggage or purse.
In order to keep in touch, you might want to consider buying a new sim card that allows you to communicate internationally; for example, Lebara have a number of SIM-only plans, and they specialise in international calling. You might also want to bring a camera too, although most people will simply use their phone camera. Finally, think about your personal grooming electronics. Are they essential, or can you live without them for the duration of your trip?
The necessary documentation
This section is by far the most important. There are several pieces of documentation that you will need to gain access to a country legally.
Travel documents include your passport, travel visa, airport tickets, IDs, medical certification, and many more. You also need somewhere to keep these documents safe while you are travelling. Tourists make easy targets for pickpockets and thieves, and this documentation constitutes an important lifeline while travelling. They are ridiculously difficult to replace should you misplace them. Make a list of what you will need and keep it all together.
Comfort items
Lastly, when travelling, you need to prioritise your own comfort. After all, the way that you feel has a drastic impact on the success of your trip. Prepare a list of items beforehand and include different items or products that help you feel comfortable during hours long of travelling.
If you are going to be travelling for some time, then you might want to invest in a decent travel pillow. It allows you to get some much-needed rest without the dreaded neck crick. Further, you can hug your pillow if you’re feeling cold or lonely while you’re in a place or travelling by railway.
You will also want to pack a reusable water bottle; in doing so, you can save a lot of money because water is free, and you won't have to buy plastic bottles. Plus, many travel destinations offer water refilling stations that you can take advantage of to refill your bottle and keep yourself hydrated during a very long trip overseas.
You also might want to pack a scarf that can double as a blanket as well as a fashion accessory. Finally, a lock - which is not really a comfort item but having one can make you feel more comfortable knowing that your luggage is secure.
The bottom line
Luckily, you can pick up things that you have forgotten once you reach your destination most of the time. However, in doing so, you can eat into your spending money, so you should try to avoid this. Use the guide above to refer back to when packing for your travels to ensure that you haven't forgotten anything. Remember to pack with purpose; overpacking can be just as bad as under-packing.
