I have a question for you: Do you enjoy packing for your travels, or is it a total nightmare for you?
I know that some people dread travel packing, but I find it almost therapeutic😊. Want to know the secret ? Keep reading!
I remember those days when we used to pack our backpack or suitcase randomly, and we’d arrive at our destination only to realize we couldn’t find half the things we needed, and the other half was buried under a mountain of random items. When we pack for a trip now, whether it’s a domestic getaway, a weekend trip or an international adventure, we do it more efficiently and organized. We no longer cram everything into a suitcase at the last minute. We have learnt over the years that, for those who enjoy traveling, the key to a smooth trip is packing wisely and having the right gear.
Here’s your comprehensive guide to essential packing tips for International travel.
1. Luggage that lasts: Our go-to-brands
Choosing the right luggage is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable travel experience, especially during international travels. A well-designed luggage offers features such as durable materials, multiple compartments, and easy maneuverability, making it easier to organize your belongings and navigate through busy terminals. Also, it should be lightweight and equipped with comfortable handles or straps, reducing strain on your body as you travel.
Budget-Friendly Luggage: Nasher Miles & Sky Bags
We’ve been a loyal user of Nasher Miles and Sky Bags for years, and these brands have never let us down. These brands are affordable and reliable, perfect for travelers who want durable luggage without spending too much. That’s why we use them for all our trips.
We really found Nasher Miles Lombard luggage set of 3, value for money for the price they offer. The luggage sports a stylish zig zag design and offers 2-year warranty.
While I also like Skybags suitcase for their vibrant and pop colours that ensure perfect airport looks 😉. They have spacious multi compartments and compression straps which help save space. Their trolly comes with a 5-year international warranty for manufacturing defects and is proudly made in India.
We recently decided to expand our luggage collection with an American Tourister suitcase, and it’s quickly become a favourite. We are using Kamiliant by American Tourister with 110L capacity and trust us it’s so good for long vacations (carried to Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan). Its sleek design, lightweight build and spacious compartment make it a great addition. It comes with 3-year warranty and is also wear and water resistant.
Whether we’re heading on a quick weekend getaway or a longer adventure, these suitcases have seen it all.
Luxury Luggage Options: Mokobara & Samsonite
We like affordable choices, but we also value the luxury that some brands offer. Mokobara and Samsonite are two such brands that we’ve come to admire.
Though we haven’t yet added their luggage to our collection, we’ve been using other products from these brands and love them already. They pay attention to small details, use high-quality materials, and create elegant designs. This makes them ideal for those seeking top-notch travel gear.
Backpacking Adventures with Decathlon
When it comes to backpacking, Decathlon is our go-to brand. Their products are durable, functional, and perfect for outdoor adventures. I’ve relied on their backpacks for various trips, and they’ve never let me down. I have been using their Quecha 10L backpack for almost 6 years for small trips, their look and feel has changed and become better over the years.
For longer hiking trips, their Forclaz Trekking Bag with 50L capacity is an amazing option. It has a ventilated back with adjustable height and provides ample padding for back support. My brother has been consistently using it for more than 5 years. It’s indeed value for money.
2. The Magic of Packing Cubes: Efficient Packing
If there’s one travel hack that has completely transformed the way I pack, it’s packing cubes. I can’t say enough about how much I love these little organizers. They keep our suitcase neat, make it easy to find specific items, and save a surprising amount of space.
We currently use FATMUG Packing Cubes, set of 8, which comes in 4 different sizes. What we like best about them is their breathable mesh which prevents our cloths from any kind of damage. They are quite spacious and super sturdy.
I generally use different cubes for tops, bottoms, undergarments and accessories/ toiletries, making it incredibly easy to find what I need without unpacking everything.
The best part? Packing and unpacking are a breeze. Whether we’re staying in one place or moving between multiple destinations, packing cubes keep everything in order. I no longer have to rummage through our suitcase to find a specific item—everything is exactly where I put it😎.
Safe to say, the best packing decisions I’ve ever made was investing in packing cubes. If you haven’t tried them yet, you’re missing out on a whole new level of luggage organization.
Transparent Shoe Bags: Our secret packing strategy
Footwears can be tricky to pack. They’re sometimes bulky, can get dirty, and have the potential to mess up the rest of your suitcase. That’s why we prefer separate, portable travel shoe bags for storing our shoes.
We are currently using Lify Travel shoe Bags. They come in a pack of six to ten and are so affordable.
These bags serve multiple purposes:
- Easy Identification: Since the bags are transparent, we can quickly identify which pair of shoes is in each bag. No more digging around and making a mess of our carefully packed suitcase!
- Keeps Things Clean: They have dust proof design, thus prevents dirt from spreading to other items in your luggage. It also keeps the interior of your suitcase clean, which is a huge plus when traveling.
3. Vacuum Bags: Ultimate Packing Hack
If you’ve been following our travel adventures, you’ve probably noticed my love for flowy and flared dresses. Whether I’m wandering through a tea estate in Sri Lanka or twirling at a beach in Seychelles, in my heavy three tiered shrug, which is a staple in my travel wardrobe, creating that dreamy, effortless travel look.
But people often ask me, “How do you manage to fit all those dresses in your suitcase?” The answer lies in one of my favourite packing tools: vacuum bags.
Vacuum bags have revolutionized the way I pack. These nifty bags allow me to compress my flowy dresses and heavy skirts, reducing their bulk and freeing up space in our suitcase.
We have been using “ABOUT SPACE Vacuum Bags for Travel with Hand Pump” for 4 years now and it’s serving well. It comes in a set of 5 reuseable bags with 1 large, 2 medium and 2 small sizes.
Packing for Winter with Ease
Winter travel often means bulky clothing like jackets, sweaters, and scarves. Before I started using vacuum bags, these items would take up so much space that I’d have to sacrifice bringing along other essentials. But our recent winter trip to Arunachal Pradesh was stress free as we could easily pack multiple heavy jackets without worrying about space.
The bags compress them into manageable bundles, making it possible to bring along everything I need to stay warm and stylish.The process is simple: place your clothes inside the bag, seal it, and then use a vacuum or hand pump to remove the air. The result? A compact, wrinkle-free bundle that fits perfectly into my luggage.( demonstrated below)
So, when planning a summer trip or winter adventure, think about using vacuum bags to help with smart packing. They’ll help you maximize your luggage space and make traveling with all your favourite outfits—no matter the season—a breeze!
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4. Weight Measuring Device: Planning Made Easy
Another travel essential tool in our packing arsenal is a weight measuring device for luggage. Knowing the exact weight of your suitcase is crucial, especially with airlines’ strict baggage policies. This handy device helps us plan our packing effectively.
By monitoring the weight, we adjust our packing as needed, whether that means leaving out an extra pair of shoes or adding more outfits. This proactive approach has help us avoid last-minute surprises at the airport, making the travel experience much smoother.
Let me share one travel experience with you guys!✈️
While traveling with Vietnam Airlines, we encountered an unexpected challenge with our luggage that highlighted the importance of using a weight measuring device. The airline’s policy did not account for the combined weight of our bags, which meant that each bag was weighed individually.
This oversight led to a situation where one of our bags exceeded the weight limit, forcing us to shuffle items around in the middle of the airport to avoid extra fees. It was a stressful experience, but it underscored how crucial it is to be precise about luggage weight and to plan accordingly to avoid such last-minute hassles.
We’ve been using the GoTrippin Weight Machine for luggage, which has an impressive 50 kg capacity, and it has become an important part of our essential things to pack for travelling abroad. With its accurate measurements, we now confidently pack our bags without the fear of unexpected surprises at check-in.
5. Important Packing Tips for International Travel: Don’t Forget the Adapter!
When you’re traveling to a different country, one of the first things you’ll notice is that the power outlets aren’t the same as back home. Different countries have different plug shapes, voltage, and socket types. Without an international travel adapter, you might find yourself unable to charge your phone, camera, or laptop—a modern-day travel disaster!
Whenever we’re getting ready for an international trip, we make sure an international travel adapter is on our packing list. It’s one of those small but mighty items that can save you from a lot of headaches.
Here’s a tip: Invest in a good quality, universal travel adapter that covers multiple plug types. There are adapters that come with built-in USB ports, which is a lifesaver when you have several devices to charge at once. These compact and versatile adapters are designed to work in over 150 countries, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
We are currently using Ceptics Universal Travel Adapter with Type C – 6 in 1 International Travel Adapter, and its working well so far. it charges 6 devices at once and even supports Fast charging for mobile phones.
It provides Type A I C G output , where:
Type A can be used for Japan United States, Canada and Mexico
Type I international travel power adapter for China, Australia and New Zealand
Type C European adapter plugs for Europe, South America and Asia
Type G universal power adapter for United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and Hong Kong
It’s one of the simplest yet most important packing tips for international travel that we can share. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself when you’re able to keep all your devices charged and ready to capture every moment of your adventure!
6. Travel Pillow: Invest in Comfort
Last but one of the most important parts of my travel gear is a travel pillow. Finding the right one can be really challenging—most are either too soft, too bulky, or just don’t offer enough support.
I finally found the perfect one with the Mokobara travel pillow, and I’m completely in love with it. After trying and tossing out two others, this one is a keeper. Its unique design fully supports my neck, making long flights and road trips so much more comfortable. Unlike the usual U-shaped pillows, it’s Ergonomic arc design contour to your neck without causing strain or pushing your head forward.
If you’re looking for the perfect travel pillow, especially with packing tips for international travel in mind, I highly recommend trying the Mokobara. Once you feel the support and comfort it provides, you won’t want to travel without it!😉
Incorporating these smart packing tips for international travel has transformed us, making every trip more organized and stress-free. We’d love to hear from you—did any of these tips resonate with you? Or do you have your own packing hacks that make your travels smoother?
Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below!
Happy travels!😊