How to Pack For Summer Vacation Abroad Like a Pro

Are you going on an international vacation this summer? Here a few tips on how to pack for summer vacation abroad to keep your suitcase in check.

Packing for an international flight can be a stressful task. There are several regulations for the size and weight of your carry-ons and checked luggage, and there’s always that nagging fear (at least for me) that one of your beloved items will be lost somewhere between starting point and destination. So how can you maximize space while ensuring that you can bring your all of your favorite wardrobe items? How can you pack your suitcase contents so that getting dressed and ready while you’re abroad is a thing of ease? Utilize the following tips for how to pack for summer vacation abroad!

1. Prioritize

Spread everything out on your bed and think to yourself, will I actually wear this? Whether you’re abroad one week or three, the number of clothing items you will need is about the same. ‘Wash and re-wear’ should be your motto. It might help to take pictures or mental notes of outfits you can wear when you’re there. This way you won’t pack everything on a whim. Be strategic! If you’re away for longer than a week, you may want a few ‘mix and match’ items. These are items you can swap around with a few of your outfits so you aren’t sporting the same combinations every week.

2. Compartmentalize

Alright, so you know which clothes you’re bringing. But what’s the best way to organize them? Ideally, you will pack your shirts, rompers, pants, skirts, etc. in a vertical fashion, folded so that you can easily see where all of your clothing items are in your suitcase. Do not stack them one on top of the other, as this is bound to become frustrating and messy. Zip lock bags are your best friend, and if you’re really tight on space, you can use them to separate your clothing items by type. Shirts and bodysuits in one, sundresses in another. Then, squeeze all of the air out and you’ve got a bag that can roll into a tight space. Take extra care to pack easily wrinkled items in a gentle fashion. You can also buy packing cubes (a few examples are these sets from eBags, Urban Outfitters, and Kohl’s). These are perfect for compartmentalizing all of your items. Combine this method with the zip lock or vertical folding method for your packing needs! Another important tip is to leave the expander portion of your suitcase zipped up. This ensures that you will have enough room for souvenirs when you’re packing to come home. Packing like a pro should also ensure an easy flight home! This is one of the best strategies for how to pack for summer vacation abroad.

3. The Toiletries

This is the most stressful part for me hands down. Regardless of whether you’re packing them in a carry-on or checked luggage, you’ll want to keep the toiletries to a minimum. This is hard when you have makeup, shower supplies, a skincare regiment, and lotions and perfumes you want to bring along. The TSA has this rule for liquids stating that every carry-on bag cannot have containers over 3.4 ounces and that all containers must fit into a quart-size resealable bag. Because most of your everyday products probably don’t come in this small a size, it is handy to buy a set of small reusable containers such as this one from Pharmapacks to store all of your toiletries in. Keep them in the same water-resistant bag after your vacay and make your next trip hassle free! This is one of the most important tips to remember for how to pack for summer vacation abroad.

4. The Carry On

The carry-on holds everything you need during the plane ride as well as any valuables you don’t want to risk losing to baggage check. You’ll want your electronics, your chargers (we’re talking international flights here), a paperback to indulge in, and a neck rest for comfort (see this one from Bed Bath & Beyond, inflatable for packing ease). Keep in mind that many countries have different outlets, so you’ll want to purchase a power adapter for your chargers if need be (this includes some international flights). You won’t want your phone dying in the middle of your long flight! In the U.S., carry-ons are allowed to be about 21 inches long. However, this regulation varies depending on which airport you are going to. Therefore it is imperative that you research this information beforehand, because you don’t want to end up in a bind at security. You’re also going to want a cute passport holder to ensure to keep yourself prepared!

Before we go, we have one last tip for packing like a pro: to distinguish your luggage from others, tie a ribbon onto the handles. This is especially useful for your checked luggage so you can spot it easily during baggage claim! Put more care into your packing now so that you’ll be less stressed later when you’re out there in the great wide somewhere making memories. I promise you, you’ll thank yourself for it.