Here’s my international travel checklist- one that I go through every single time before heading out of the country.
Because the last thing you want to think about when packing for a trip is what to bring on the plane or what to do once you land!
Here are fifteen things that you’re going to want to remember before getting on your international flight.
Comment below if you think of something that I’ve missed!
1. Neck Pillow
First things first: international travel often comes with long flights, especially if you’re flying from the US. If you’re not flying first class, your ability to sleep on a plane will skyrocket with a good neck pillow.
If you don’t like the classic U-shaped neck pillow, you need to try the Turtl pillow. It is so much more comfortable and compact than a typical neck pillow!
2. Outlet Converter & Adapter
This is a must- pretty much every single device needs to be charged these days!
You’ll thank yourself for getting an all-purpose outlet converter now, instead of waiting to buy one in-country.
This converter includes an adapter that is perfect for hair curlers or razors.
3. Check the Weather
Get a general sense of what the weather is like before you go. Then, starting a few days beforehand, check the forecast to see if there will be rain, snow, etc. so that you can pack accordingly.
If you’re unsure of the weather, keep in mind that layers are key for most destinations.
4. Itinerary of Sorts
Don’t waste time thinking of things to do while you’re in your destination country! Get that planned beforehand so that you spend more time exploring and less time researching. You can browse my itineraries if you’re going somewhere I’ve visited. Pinterest and Google searches are great tools for planning your trip as well.
5. Money & Money Belt
Skip those ATM fees and bring good hard cash to exchange once you land. It’ll save you that extra money.
Do your research before traveling to a new place. Do you even need to bring much cash at all, or do most places take credit card?
Regardless, it’s always useful to keep a bit of local currency on hand. Even if you think most places accept credit cards, you never know when cash is expected.
If you are able to use a credit card, choose one with no exchange fees and one that has other travel benefits. Certain credit cards offer travel insurance, car rental insurance, and more.
Bringing a money belt gives you extra security since you can hide your money safely. I especially do this if I have cash with me since you can’t get that replaced! The peace of mind is so worth it in my opinion.
6. Knowledge of the Local Environment
Learn about the culture you’re visiting. See what behavior is appropriate or inappropriate. See what clothes are acceptable for men and women. We all need to respect cultures around the world that we get a glimpse into when we travel.
7. Learn Common Phrases in Your Destination’s Language
You can download a list of common phrases on your phone or use a translating app. Better yet- do a crash course on the language with Rosetta Stone!
You can create a targeted plan, like a travel plan to learn Spanish. I recently partnered with Rosetta Stone and got to try their app for myself. I was amazed by how easy it is to use!
You can customize your plan; I created my travel plan as an intermediate learner (I got up to AP Spanish in high school). From there, Rosetta Stone created a simple plan for me to complete within 6 weeks, with 30 minutes of learning 5 days a week.
Though a lot of people may speak English where you’re going, it is generally polite to try to talk in the local language- most of the time, locals love it! It also will help you get immersed in the culture. I love being able to understand things whenever I go to a Spanish-speaking country… it helps me not feel so out of place!
And even if you’re visiting a big international city, you may encounter a lot of people that you can’t communicate with in English. I’m always surprised when Harrison and I go to Paris and interact with a lot of people who don’t speak English, even when living in a major city. That’s when Harrison’s French really helps us out!
That being said, Rosetta Stone really comes in handy. They offer 25 languages and help you to get comfortable communicating in real life by giving you real-world scenarios, audio from native speakers, and interactive activities. You get feedback right away on your pronunciation and can even be coached live by native speakers!
You can get 50% off when you sign up for Rosetta Stone here. Use it to brush up on or start learning a new language before your next trip!
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8. Vaccines
Some countries require vaccinations, especially post-pandemic, or if you’re traveling to Africa or parts of South America or Asia that may require things like malaria pills or a Yellow Fever vaccine. You’ll want to keep your documentation on you in case airport officials need to check. To find out if your international travel destination requires vaccines, go to the CDC’s travel website here.
9. A High-Quality Camera
Don’t miss out on the once-in-a-lifetime memories just dying to be captured!
I know we all have our phones to take photos on, but if you’re an avid photographer, maybe it’s time to invest in a camera!
(I use this camera to take my photos, but there are so many other options out there if you don’t want to pay as much as I did!)
10. Chargers & Backup Batteries
If you are using something battery-operated like a camera, bring extra just in case. This is especially important if you’re going on long excursions or hikes where you’re going. Whether you’re going on safari in the Serengeti, gorilla trekking in Rwanda, on a helicopter tour in Kauai, or simply will be walking around Paris taking photos all day, those backup batteries will come in handy!
Along similar lines, bring a power bank to charge your phone on the go! I always travel with this power bank. I highly recommend it! It comes with three types of charging ports (no extra cords needed- it even plugs directly into the wall to charge), lasts so long, and charges my phone so quickly!
11. Headphones
Unless you don’t mind cheap airplane earbuds! If you’d rather use your own, then don’t forget to pack your air pods or some other headphones that are comfortable for long-term use!
12. Travel Insurance
Check with your health insurance before going abroad. What will they cover internationally?
I recommend travel insurance if you’re in a country with unreliable medical facilities. In that case, if the worst happened, you could get a medevac out of the country.
For peace of mind, I also always like to get travel insurance for my more expensive trips. I shop around on different travel insurance websites to find which best suits my needs and which has the best reviews. That way, if I have to cancel the trip, I’m not losing all that money!
13. Books, TV Shows, or Activities for the Flight
Because sometimes those plane TV shows aren’t the best. If you have Netflix, download some shows to have offline beforehand.
On our trip home from Iceland, we watched the entire Amazon Prime Jack Ryan series and it made our flight fly by (pun intended).
If you get sick of those airplane movies, get a little intellectual and read! Download a book before flying in case your aircraft has WiFi issues.
Parents flying with children- activities and snacks to entertain your little ones will help make your flight easier! Check out my list of baby travel essentials if you’re bringing a baby on board!
14. Passport and Visa
This goes without saying! Please, PLEASE don’t forget your passport! And make sure you’ve checked visa policies (located here for US citizens) beforehand!
15. Location-Specific Items
What’s the weather where you’re going? Are you doing any excursions that require specific gear?
For example, think about bringing an umbrella, rain jacket, a waterproof camera cover, hiking boots, binoculars, etc.
We brought this cheap rain jacket for our DSLR and these waterproof phone covers and they were absolute lifesavers while chasing waterfalls and swimming in lagoons in Iceland!
In conclusion…
Being prepared for a trip makes it so much easier to experience new destinations to the fullest.
Whether it’s making your flight easier with a neck pillow and a good show or making things easier in-country with an itinerary and your Rosetta Stone language knowledge, these things will set you up for success. (Reminder that you can get 50% off Rosetta Stone here!)
Once you have all of these and you’re ready to fly, check into your flight, then relax and have fun!
And if you’re trying to figure out what to wear for long plane rides, check out this article!
Safe travels,
Jasmine
