How to Pack for International Travel

Packing for travel out of the United States can be a daunting task if one is not prepared. The process of gathering personal items and then packing them into appropriate luggage can be simplified by following these basic guidelines for packing checked and carry-on bags.

Things You'll Need

• Zip top bags
• Toiletries
• Cameras and accessories
• Luggage
• Shoes
• Important documents
• Clothes

Instructions

Preparing for the Trip

1. Check with the Transportation Security Administration for an up-to-date list of items allowed in checked and carry-on luggage.

2. Consult with the tour agency for a list of suggested items and luggage regulations if traveling with a tour group. Some tour agencies limit the number of bags allowed per person.

3. Clear a large area such as a spare room or bed to place all the items you will be taking with you.

4. Begin gathering the items for the trip at least a month before your trip. Place them in the designated packing area. Refer to the "Overall Items You'll Need" list for a suggested list of items to take.

Gathering Clothing

1. Decide how many changes of clothes are needed per day based on the nature of your trip. For most trips, you will need two changes of clothes each day, especially if you are planning to put on fresh or more formal clothes for an evening meal.

2. Determine if it is appropriate to wear the same evening clothes two days in a row. This will let you pack fewer pieces of clothing. Put each outfit in the designated packing area.

3. Gather accessories, such as socks, shoes, nylons, undergarments and jewelry that match each outfit and put them in the designated packing area.

Gathering Toiletries

1. Write down a list of all things you use in the morning and in the evening. Do this at least a month before traveling.

2. Purchase travel size quantities of all possible items. Select travel size empty bottles and containers for the items that you cannot purchase in already prepared travel sizes.

3. Pack extra tissues, toilet seat covers and sanitizing hand gel if you are concerned about hygiene away from your hotel. These are usually available in travel sizes.

Choosing and Packing Luggage

1. Find out how many pieces of luggage you are permitted to bring. It is easier to travel with one large rolling bag and one carry-on. Try to pick a carry-on bag that can be strapped to the large bag. This will free your hands to fetch documents and money.

2. Choose a small folder or wallet to place important documents such as your driver's license, passport, tickets and money. Keep this on your person or in your carry-on.

3. Use gallon sized zip top bags to pack everything. Rolling a set of clothes tightly often helps prevent wrinkles better than folding them square. Place one rolled set of clothes and matching undergarments in the zip top bag, pressing out the extra air before sealing.

4. Set out one change of clothes and necessary toiletries, especially medicines, to place in your carry-on bag in case your luggage is lost by the airport. Place these items along with important documents in your carry-on.

5. After all your items are in zip top bags, place the heaviest items in first at the bottom of the luggage to be checked.

6. Gather remaining items and place them in the designated packing area. The most common items are cameras (still and video), batteries, film, memory card and electrical power adapters.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a notepad and pen in your packing area. As you pack, it will be easier to write things down as you remember them rather than to stop in the middle of packing to go on a scavenger hunt for forgotten items.

• Try to select clothes that can share accessories.

• Many people buy new socks and undergarments to take on trips. If appropriate, plan to leave the new items at home, and pack the old. Then you can throw away old undergarments at the end of each day. This will simplify packing for the return trip home.

• Try to select clothes that do not wrinkle easily and are not too bulky.

• Check the weather forecast for your destination so that you can dress appropriately. Don't forget to take a rain jacket or poncho.

• Do a literal head-to-toe checklist for each set of clothes to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. Ask yourself the following questions: "What do I need for my hair?" "What do I need for my face?" "What do I need for my neck?" Ask yourself this question for each part of your body down to your toes.

• Plan to wear your heaviest pair of shoes while you travel. Be sure they are easy to remove for airport checkpoints.

• If you are concerned that the travel size items will not last the entire trip, then use the items a few weeks before you leave to see how many days each bottle will last. Then you will know what quantity of each travel size item to purchase for the trip.

• Purchase containers that close securely to prevent leaks while traveling. Some liquids swell in airplanes because of the altitude. Do not fill containers to the top to prevent the liquid from exploding out of the bottle.

• Follow the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for packing your carry-on. Currently, they only allow 3-ounce bottles of liquids and they must be placed in a quart size zip top bag. The TSA has a list of items not allowed in carry-on luggage.

• Placing items in clear zip top bags allows checkpoint and customs officials to search your luggage without unfolding clothes and disrupting an organized bag. The zip top bags also help you pack tightly by removing excess air in the luggage.

• Place an easily identifiable marker such as colorful tape or luggage straps on your checked bag so you can easily identify your bag as it arrives in baggage claim.

• Remove all excess shoulder straps and hooks from checked luggage, as they can easily be torn or lost by airline personnel.

• Clearly write your name and basic information on the outside and inside of your luggage.

• Most hotels have built-in hair dryers and irons. Check with your hotel to see what other items will be available. The more they have, the less you need to take with you.

• Do not wait until the night before you leave to begin packing. If you have forgotten anything, it may be too late to purchase the item. It is best to get a good night's sleep before your long flight.

• Do not put important documents in your large bag as it can be hard to find and accidentally forgotten before checking the bag in at the gate.

• Make sure you buy the correct power adapter for the country you are traveling to. Each country has its own unique plug configuration, so be sure to read the label for a list of countries the power adapter works in.