There are a handful of items I will always travel with when adventuring abroad. This list is comprised of years of past experience and mistakes made. I call it my “Must-Have for International Travel List” and ensure all of these items are the first packed when planning to travel anywhere internationally. This list will not ensure you have everything you need but will definitely make you trip easier and ensure you are prepared for most situations that you may run into.
Wall Converter
My number one must-have for international travel is a wall converter for chargers and appliances. In this day and age, everyone has a cellphone, laptop, or tablet they will travel with and want charged at all times. Other countries have different wall sockets, so your electronics from home will not work with sockets in other countries.
The good news is that the wall sockets will allow you to use most of your appliances abroad and tend to be consistent within regions. For example, the wall sockets in Italy are the same as the ones in Germany and Spain. Even better, you can purchase converters like this one that works for all regions. The other thing to bear in mind, is that reading the directions is important for this. The energy output may vary based off of which plug you use on the converter. If you use the wrong one, you will be like me and end up breaking your phone charger, so read the instructions and… maybe pack a second charger.
Vitamins, Supplements, & Over-the -Counter Medications
Must-have for international travel number two is a three-in-one. Vitamins, supplements, and Medications are extremely important to bring with you when you travel.
Medication
This one is partially a given. If there is medication you rely on, of course, ensure you pack enough for you trip, and then pack a few days extra in case of travel delays. Now, over-the-counter medications are also important to bring as not all countries have the same medication, and even if they do, the name is typically different, and dosage may be too. The ones I always travel with are:
Imodium
If you have a sensitive tummy, this is a great one to add to your travel arsenal. Even if you do not have a sensitive stomach, food poisoning while traveling is no joke. You never know when the local food or water may not settle well, and the last thing you want is to spend your trip locked up in the bathroom. Imodium helps keep diarrhea at bay so you can continue to travel without having to hind in the bathroom the whole time. This is especially important for when your stomach is upset during a travel day. It keeps you from having to reschedule expensive flights and pay for more days in a hotel.
Benadryl
I like many people have allergies, so I never go anywhere without some Benadryl, but when traveling abroad, you never know what you may be faced with. During adventuring you may be bitten by a bug or try new foods that your body my react poorly to. This is something that may help combat minor allergic reactions or hold off the reactions until you can get to a hospital.
Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen
If you are anything like me, you will somehow figure out how to sprain your ankle on the first day of a trip, like I did when traveling through Europe in the summer of 2023. Over-the-counter painkillers may help decrease the inflammation and allow you to muscle through the trip. When my ankle was sprained, it was the first day of our trip and we had an excursion scheduled for the next day involving walking. I picked up a wrap bandage to stabilize the ankle, and utilized ice and ibuprofen I packed to take down the swelling, allowing me to get through the excursion and still enjoy the day.
A Silk Eye Mask
When traveling internationally, sleeping can be tough but is necessary for ensuring you stay healthy and alert for the next day of adventure, making a silk eye mask number three on my list of top items you must-have for international travel. Eye masks will aid in blocking out light around you when attempting to sleep on a plane, in the airport between layovers, or in hotels with poor window coverings. By blocking out the extra light, you are able to sleep deeper, so you are more well rested for your adventures during the day.
I specify silk, because it is gentle on the skin and has shown to have antimicrobial properties. Traveling can already be hard on your skin, so adding a rough eye mask will not help. Instead, having a clean and gentle eye mask will not disrupt your skin and will allow you to rest better so you can look and feel your best in the mornings.
If you are looking for one that is comfortable and reasonably priced, I love the one from Quince. I have it in black at home and in navy to travel with. Being under $20, makes it worth the spend for the great sleep.
Sunblock
My fourth top must-have for international travel is sunblock. This may seem obvious for summer travel, but even if it’s winter, the UV exposure on the airplane is quite high, so it is a good idea to pack a bottle and apply before flying. If you plan on buying sunblock when you land, some countries do not use sunblock as regularly as the United States so always having a bottle is a good idea as it may be tough to find a brand you like or at a reasonable price. This is especially important if you burn easily, like I do.
My favorite brands are La Rosche-Posay and Neutrogena. I specifically like formulas that do not leave any white-cast or an oily feeling, like this one. It’s not heavy feeling, so it is great for daily wear and under makeup.
Empty room in the suitcase
For must-have number five, there is nothing worse than buying stuff on your trip and needing to purchase and check in a new bag to bring your treasurers home, so leaving empty space in your bag at the start of the trip allows you to bring home mementos and gifts for others.
Now I am not advocating for over-consuming, but bringing back mementos is normal. If you are like me and like to purchase unique pieces while traveling, you will need the space to do so. By planning to travel with some empty space, you will not have to buy an additional suitcase and pay for another checked bag on the way home.
Bonus Must-Have: An international cellphone plan
This is a must as you will need at least data to pull up maps on your phone as well, as your tickets you purchased for excursions and trips. I personally prefer to purchase an e-sim from Airalo as they are easy to install and are cost effective. You can choose the amount of data you expect to use and if you underestimate and need more, you can refill it.
The perk of using an e-sim is that they are compatible with most phones (typically must be unlocked to other carriers, essentially meaning the phone is fully paid off) and you do not need to remove your current domestic sim card and hope to not lose it while traveling.
When choosing how much data, bear in mind you will pay less per unit when you purchase more service. I prefer 7 GB per week of international travel, but I spend some time streaming Tik-Tok videos and FaceTime my family.
The downside to the Airalo sims is that they do not have cell service, but I do not find that I need this when traveling. Instead, I use the hotel phone for calls within my country of travel, since it’s almost always free.
