The Ultimate Travel Packing List (From Someone Who’s Traveled to 50 Countries)

My Favorite Packing + Organization Tips

I used to think “being prepared” meant bringing everything and I now know that many places you travel, you can grab things you need if you forget them. That said, I still overpack, but I have also learned that the best packing strategy is to bring versatile items that make travel easier.

I also try to pack around comfort, convenience, rewearable basics, lightweight layers and functional travel gear. 

Here are some of my other important tips:

Bring Packing Cubes

Packing cubes genuinely help me keep everything organized and save space. I usually separate based on clothing item, or my most recent thing has been separating based on event! Like all of my “going out outfits” in one, or all of my pajamas/workout wear in another. I’ve found that to make me even more organized. These are my all-time favorite packing cubes after trying many different brands. 

Wear Your Bulkiest Items on the Plane

This may go without saying, but I always wear my heaviest shoes, coats, and heavy layers on the plane. Sometimes it’s annoying, especially for an international flight, but I find it worth it when I can save space in my bag.

Leave Room for Souvenirs

I’ve made this mistake too many times, where I buy something and have zero room for it! Now, I make sure I leave just a small amount of room or have some wiggle room in my carry-on so that if I do buy something (or multiple items), I have room for it on the way home!

Roll Your Clothes

I’ve tried a bunch of different packing methods and I do think rolling your clothes can really make more space in your bag, especialy for the smaller items like tops!

My Favorite Travel Bags & Suitcases

I’ve tested a lot of luggage over the years, from budget carry-ons to backpacks I dragged across Europe and Asia in my early solo travel days. And honestly, I think the best travel bags are the ones that make travel feel easier and more organized, not necessarily the trendiest ones online.

These are the types of bags I personally reach for most often now.

Carry-On Suitcase

For most trips, I love to carry on. Does it always work? Absolutely not. I am an over-packer through and through, so when I “can” do carry-on only, it feels great to avoid baggage fees and waiting at baggage claim.

I personally love a hard-shell carry-on with:

• Spinner wheels
• Expandable storage
• Built-in organization compartments
• Durable zippers
• Lightweight design

Especially for airport travel days, smooth wheels make a bigger difference than people realize.

A few of my absolute favorites: 

• Away The Bigger Carry-On
• Calpak Evry

I have also tried the Monos Carry-on and while I love how sleek their cases are and love their checked luggage, this carry-on does not do it for me as the laptop case was too small and I didn’t feel like the carry-on bag had enough space. 

Checked Luggage

For longer trips, cold-weather destinations, or family travel, I usually check one medium suitcase and for international trips I will check a large suitcase.

Traveling with a toddler definitely changed my relationship with overpacking a little because now half the suitcase somehow belongs to snacks, diapers and backup outfits.

A few of my favorites: 

• Away Medium Suitcase
• Monos Check In Large suitcase

Travel Backpack

A good travel backpack is probably one of the most important travel items I own. I usually use mine as my personal item on flights and pack things like:

• Laptop
• Chargers
• Camera gear
• Snacks
• Water bottle
• Extra layers
• Toddler essentials
• Purse

I personally prefer backpacks that have a luggage sleeve, a big enough water bottle pocket (I’ve tried so many with too tight of a water bottle holder), lots of compartments that work, easy-access zipper sections, a strap to set on a carry-on roller bag, an area for a laptop, and comfortable! Both of these backpacks fit the bill and I’ve tried soooo many in my years of travel.

My top favorites: 

• Nordace Siena Pro 17 Smart Backpack
• Dagne Dover Large Backpack

Belt Bag, Crossbody Bag, or Tote Bag

For travel days and exploring cities, I almost always wear a small crossbody or belt bag for easy access. The tote bag is typically always something foldable I bring for extra storage. Some of my top favorites:

• Tote Bag – I love bringing my Longchamp that folds up so I can have a tote when I arrive.
• Lululemon Cross Body
• Kate Spade cross-body travel bag

Carry-On / In-Flight Essentials I Always Pack

No matter where I’m going, these are the items I always keep in my carry-on bag.

Passport + Travel Documents

This sounds obvious, but I always keep:

• Passport
• ID
• Credit cards
• Backup debit card
• Hotel confirmations
• Travel insurance info (I usually use World Nomads)
• Boarding passes

I also recommend taking photos of important documents before international trips, just in case anything gets lost.

Portable Charger + Phone Charger

A portable charger is probably one of the most-used travel items I own. Between phones, AirPods, cameras, and navigation apps, I feel like batteries drain twice as fast while traveling. This is my current favorite and then I have smaller ones like these! Don’t forget all of your wall chargers as well!

Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones make flights, airports, and even hotel downtime so much better. I use these which are suprisingly good for the price and also have these.

Reusable Water Bottle

I always bring an empty reusable water bottle through TSA and fill it up afterward. It saves money and makes long travel days much easier. This is my favorite one!

Snacks

Airport food is expensive, delays happen constantly, and having snacks on hand can genuinely save your mood during a long travel day. I usually pack some of these and these with me on each flight just in case!

Travel Neck Pillow

I have literally tried every single travel pillow on the market I think. I keep coming back to my trusty (BCOZZY pillow). It’s comfy, folds small-ish and just works well for me.

Other

• Face mask (for long haul flights, I love these for before landing)
• Under-eye patches (same for long haul flights, it feels so nice)
• Compression socks (I usually bring these if my flight is going to be over 4 hours long)
• Scarf/Pashmina – Nice as a little extra “blanket” on the flight and packs small
• Oversized sweatshirt or layer – In case it’s cold
• Toiletry Kit (contacts, solution, glasses, toothbrush, toothpaste) – I usually only pack these in my carry-on if I’m traveling internationally or have a really long flight. This is my favorite toiletry kit brand! I have this one and this one and think these are sooooo worth the money!
• Lip balm
• Hand sanitizer
• Downloaded Netflix shows or podcasts
• Eye mask
• Ear plugs

 My Favorite Travel Tech & Charging Gear

One thing I’ve learned after traveling internationally for years is that you can never have too many charging options.

And honestly? Having the wrong adapter setup can turn into a huge headache really fast.

Why I Always Travel With a TESSAN Adapter

One of the travel items I’ve been using constantly lately is my TESSAN travel adapter.

If you travel internationally, you already know how frustrating it can be trying to charge multiple devices at once in a hotel room with limited outlets. Between phones, watches, laptops, cameras, portable chargers, and baby monitors, I feel like we always have something that needs charging.

What I like about the TESSAN adapter is that it lets me charge multiple devices at the same time without needing to pack several separate charging bricks and converters.

It’s compact, easy to throw in a carry-on, and especially helpful for international trips where outlet types change depending on the country.

I use it domestically as well since it can charge my laptop, phone, headphones and camera all at once!! These are the ones I have: here and here.

They also just recently launched their AERO 70 on Kickstarter which is an ultra-thin smart travel adapter that’s slimmer to pack and has a real-time voltage display, worldwide compatibility, and a space-saving design built for modern mobility.

If you purchase one through my links you’ll also get 5% off your entire order!

Other Tech I Always Pack

• Charging cords in a tech pouch – I use this clear pouch
• AirTags or Tile for luggage
• Kindle
• Camera
• Camera batteries + SD cards
• Apple Watch
• Portable tripod
• Laptop + charger
• Headphones

International Travel Packing Essentials

If I’m leaving the country, there are a few extra things I always make sure to pack.

Universal Travel Adapter

This is non-negotiable for international trips. Different countries use different outlet types, and it’s much easier to pack one reliable adapter instead of trying to buy one at the airport after you land. Like I said above, my favorite brand is Tessan, and in particular this one. 

Medication + Small First Aid Items

I always keep:

• Ibuprofen
• Motion sickness medication
• Band-Aids
• Electrolyte packets
• Prescription medication
• Stomach medicine

Especially for long flights or international travel days.

Copies of Important Documents

I keep digital copies saved on my phone and email just in case.

Crossbody Bag or Anti-Theft Bag

For busy cities and travel days, I prefer using a zippered crossbody bag that keeps everything secure but still easy to access.

My Favorite Baby & Toddler Travel Gear

A few things that have made traveling easier for us while traveling with a baby/toddler:

Baby Specific

• Doona for infant travel – Literally the best thing to have happened to me for traveling with an infant!! I wish they made this for a toddler.
• Baby carrier 
  • Mabe Carrier
  • Solly Baby Wrap
• Travel baby pillow boppy
• Ceres Chill for storing pumped breast milk
• Breast pumps
  • Lansinoh Wearable Breast Pump
  • Spectra 1 Breast Pump
• Cooler for breast milk 
• Breast milk storage bags
• Milk bottles
• Travel bottle cleaner kit
• Breast pump wipes for on the go
• Pacifiers // teethers

Toddler Specific

• Bombi Bēbee Lightweight Stroller V3 and the Zoe “The Traveler” Stroller (this one is a little more lightweight than the Bombi and fits in the flight overhead compartment!)
• Cosco Kids Scenera Extend Infant & Toddler Car Seat
• Toddler carrier
  • Ergo baby 360 (to face forward)
  • Tush Baby

Baby/Toddler Items

• An awesome diaper bag – Nordace Baby Diaper Bag is our go-to, and sometimes I use the No Reception Club or my own Nordace Siena Pro as the diaper bag.
• NoReception Club Backpack is a great option for trips with a baby or toddler. It’s super organized, comes with a little cross body bag for easy diaper changes and has packing cubes to stay organized.
• Baby night light
• Miss Mouth Stain Treater (this stuff is crucial and works so well for stains, I use it on my own clothes)
• Hatch sound machine
• Extra outfit for both of us
• Snacks
• Diapers + wipes + diaper changing pad
• Small toys for flights
• Refillable water bottle

Honestly, organization becomes half the battle once you start traveling as a family!

Final Thoughts

Packing used to feel overwhelming to me, especially before big trips.

But after years of traveling to over 50 countries, I’ve realized the best packing list is less about bringing more and more about bringing the right things.

The goal is to make travel easier, more comfortable, and less stressful so you can actually enjoy the experience once you arrive.

And honestly, having reliable travel gear that simplifies things — especially chargers and adapters that actually work internationally — makes a bigger difference than people realize.

A big thank you to TESSAN for sponsoring this post! Just a reminder that if you purchase any TESSAN product through my link, you’ll get 5% off your purchase! As always all opinions are my own. There are affiliate links throughout this post and if you do purchase through my link, I am deeply grateful. This is at no additional cost to you! 🙂