12 Travel Essentials for First International Trip

As a travel writer, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks over the years that help make traveling easier and less stressful. From studying abroad in the U.K. to visiting 13 countries, I’ve explored a wide range of cultures and communities across the globe. Now, I’ve made it my mission to travel to at least one or two new countries every year, and for the past few years, I’ve been able to do just that. I also love to encourage my friends to travel somewhere new, so I was armed with ideas when my best friend asked what to pack for her first international trip to Spain and Italy.

Packing for an international trip can be incredibly daunting, and the list may seem never-ending if you don’t know where to start or what to expect. Thankfully, I was able to give her first-hand recommendations of what essentials I would bring abroad, regardless of whether it’s my first time or 14th. Below, shop my top 12 must-haves for traveling overseas, like a durable suitcase ready for wear and tear, a spacious carry-on backpack filled with flight essentials, and comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing — plus some items you may not have considered.

Vgcub Laptop Travel Backpack

When traveling abroad for the first time, one of the best pieces of advice I was given was to pack an extra change of clothes plus all your toiletries on the plane, especially if you’re checking your luggage. Although it’s unlikely, you never want to risk the airline losing your luggage, so I always take full advantage of my personal item bag and use it to its full potential by packing all the necessities. Speaking from experience, this travel backpack is an incredible option for bringing lots of belongings with you in just your personal item alone.

In this bag, I have packed extra clothes, toiletries, chargers, a laptop, important documents, snacks, and more in a single trip and still have plenty of room left over. This bag has several compartments to help you maintain organization, including a shoe compartment and laptop sleeve, but it also has other amazing travel features such as an anti-theft pocket, charging port, and trolley sleeve.

Bagail 8-piece Packing Cube Set

Since I discovered the perks of using packing cubes for travel, I never go on a trip without them. For international trips, they can make the difference between checking a bag and bringing a carry-on. This Bagail set comes with eight packing cubes of various sizes that will help you store several outfits. I’ve been able to fit a week’s worth of clothing in this exact set from Amazon, and other shoppers love them, too.

“Don’t hesitate to buy these,” said one shopper. “I just got back from a trip to Ireland, and these cubes made much better use of my suitcase than if I hadn’t used them.”

Evglow Nylon Crescent Crossbody Bag

Having a small bag with you for everyday activities is smart while traveling. I usually choose to use a crescent crossbody while I’m exploring a densely populated area because not only does it help me keep a low profile, but it also allows me to keep my belongings within reach. There are several international destinations where pickpocketing is extremely common, so having all of my essentials close is a priority. It also doesn’t hurt that the bag folds down and can be easily packed in my suitcase.

She’s Birdie Original Personal Safety Alarm

I recently traveled alone for the first time this past year, and as a woman, safety was always top of mind during the trip. However, even in a group setting, it doesn’t hurt to think proactively and come prepared with a few tools to help you feel less vulnerable in new areas. This gadget from Birdie is a great TSA-friendly device that can be tucked into any of your travel bags. If there’s ever a moment when you feel unsafe, simply pull the pin that will sound an alarm.

Anker Power Bank

When traveling abroad, you will likely be outside and on the move for most of the day, and you don’t want to run into a situation where you’re in an unfamiliar area without a place to charge your phone. Because of this, I always take a portable charger with me to guarantee I can give my phone an extra boost if I need it. This also helps me get the most out of my day by not having to return to my hotel room earlier than intended just to charge my device.

This Anker power bank stores up to two full charges for your phone and has a USB-C port ideal for fast charging. Don’t just take my word for it — this charger has over 80,000 five-star ratings, and shoppers love it.

“This power bank has become an essential part of my travel gear,” said one reviewer. “The ease of having a reliable power source in my pocket made my travel experience much more enjoyable.”

Tessan Universal Travel Adapter

One thing that may surprise many people who have never traveled outside the U.S. is that you may need a universal adapter. Many countries have different electrical types, so you’ll want to check the type of plug used in the place you’re visiting. If you run into a situation where the outlet is different, there’s no need to worry. You can always buy a universal adapter, like this one at Amazon, to plug in your devices.v Not only can you plug in anything with the standard U.S. plug, you can also connect up to three USB-C cables and two USB cables to charge multiple devices at once.

Calpak Luka Zippered Passport Wallet

Even when you don’t anticipate needing your passport during your planned activity for the day, you should always bring it with you while you’re traveling, just in case. When you add that with your money, cards, hotel key card, and tickets, it can feel like there’s too much to keep up with. The Calpak Luka Zippered Passport Wallet is a great option for any international traveler because it will help keep all your belongings organized and secured in a zippered case.

It’s large enough to store all your essentials, including your phone, but small enough to keep it tucked away in your bag whenever you don’t need it. Even though the wallet has five card slots, it’s a great idea to keep one or two bank cards with you if you’re traveling with multiple cards. In the unlikely case that you lose your wallet, you’ll want to have an extra source of money kept somewhere else, whether that be in a separate bag or your hotel room’s safe.

Reebok Women’s Classic Az Shoes

If you’re traveling to Europe for the first time, you’ll be surprised at how easy it can be to rack up the steps. Between sightseeing tours and stopping by all the local museums, there have been several times in new cities where I’ve logged over 20,000 steps in a single day. Whether you’re following a jam-packed schedule or making plans as you go, you’ll want to bring a solid pair of walking shoes, like the Reebok Classic Az sneakers, to help prevent foot pain.

Since I’m not usually one to sacrifice style for comfortable travel shoes, Reeboks are my go-to sneakers while traveling because of their versatility. A shoe like the Classic Az can easily be worn from a historic landmark to the dinner table later that same evening by dressing it up or down. Plus, it comes in several fun colors, including classic neutrals, for a variety of styles and aesthetics.

Apple AirTag

Another preventative measure I love to take when traveling domestically and internationally is including an Apple AirTag with all my important belongings. It never hurts to be able to track your travel essentials, but these tiny devices are a smart way to keep up with any luggage you decide to check. In the rare case that your luggage doesn’t reach your destination, knowing exactly where it is may help you retrieve it faster, too.

Sylfairy Travel Laundry Bags

Whenever I have an extended stay somewhere, I find it helpful to have a designated bag for dirty clothes. I usually pack enough items to last the duration of my trip, but I prefer to keep certain items I’ve already worn separated from the rest of my clothing. Because of this, I like to bring a few wet-dry bags to help me store dirty socks, undergarments, or swimwear after I’ve worn them. If you do happen to find yourself needing to do laundry while on vacation, these bags are also a great size for toting your items to your hotel’s laundry room. This two-pack is available for only $10 and has top ratings at Amazon.

Away The Carry-on Suitcase

It didn’t take me long to realize that international travel can seemingly add years of wear and tear to your luggage in just a few trips, so my number-one tip is to travel with luggage made to last. The Away Carry-on is an award-winning suitcase structured to withstand trips across the globe. The luggage has incredible features like a lightweight, polycarbonate shell, a TSA-approved combination lock, and premium 360-degree wheels that will help you roll it everywhere you go.

Don’t be fooled by the size of this carry-on suitcase — it meets the requirements for most major airlines, and you can still fit three to five days’ worth of clothing inside, with the help of its compression system. The $275 price tag may seem steep, but this is a great investment piece that comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen

Whether you’ll be relaxing on a beach or sightseeing around the city, you’ll want to make sure to apply sunscreen every day. One of my all-time favorite sunscreens is the ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 from Summer Fridays, and this 1.7-ounce bottle is the perfect size to slip into your carry-on. The formula is incredibly lightweight and allows for an even, whitecast-free application that looks incredible on the skin with or without makeup. It also has ingredients like squalane to keep your skin hydrated regardless of the climate you’ll be traveling to.

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