What to pack for International Travel

• Choose outfits in which you can mix & match and wear individual items more than once. This will save you from packing multiple articles of clothing.
• Check to see if your accommodations have a laundry facility or services. The option of doing laundry mid-way through the trip allows you to pack half the amount.
• Research your trip; consult the weather channel and know the activities you will be participating in during your trip.
• Start by packing your bag with shoes first. They are known to take up the most space in a suitcase. Coordinate several outfits to utilize the same shoes.
• If you are filling a travel-size container with shampoo – only fill ¾ of the way full. This allows room for pressure during the flight and saves you from cleaning up a mess. In addition, make sure to pack all toiletries in a zip lock bag.
• Pack any medication in your carry-on luggage so you aren’t stranded without them if your checked baggage is unexpectedly delayed or lost. Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs.
• Leave your valuables behind. If you don’t want to chance losing it, it isn’t worth taking on your trip.
• Include an extra set of clothing in your carry-on luggage if needed for an unexpected baggage delay, etc.
• Tie a brightly colored ribbon of the same color to each piece of your luggage to easily identify them at baggage claim.Fold your clothes in reverse order to maximize the space. Also, rolling your garments is known to be the best solution to get the most space out of your luggage.  Purchase travel-size toiletries. This will not only save room in your bags, but is necessary if part of your carry-on luggage. Using the hotel provided toiletries or packing samples (perfume, shampoo/conditioner, etc.) is another space-saving option. Even better – purchase your favorite brands in travel sizes at your destination and eliminate the need to pack them.

Some travelers jam two weeks’ worth of gear in their bags for a long weekend. Others pack a bit too lightly and forget important things like medicine or passports. Savvy travelers strike the perfect balance and bring just what they need — with a little help from our list of road-tested packing tips, of course!