Packing for international travel requires some forethought and creativity. Photo: Shutterstock
When traveling, everyone seems to find that they bring more than they need. Nowhere is this more tempting when traveling internationally, but traveling light is really your best friend. Here are some tips on how to pack efficiently for a long trip out of the country.
Leave room in your pack because you will buy things. A lighter pack is easier to lug around than something that’s going to hurt your back after walking for five minutes. You’ll save a lot of money on taxis if your bag is small and light enough to take on buses or carry. If you have a loyalty to particular hard-to-find brands of toiletries, make sure you bring extra of those products; otherwise, anything you need you will be able to purchase.
Pack clothes with an eye for layering. You want a versatile wardrobe that can support a couple of days of hiking and a couple of days out on the town, and a day at the beach. For hiking and cold weather, wool is your friend. Wool socks don’t get smelly as quickly, and wool stays warm even if it’s wet. For women, a dress or a skirt is a great way to class up an outfit without taking up too much space. Avoid jeans, as they are heavy and take a long time to dry.
Footwear can be a bit tricky, since shoes tend to be bulky and heavy. It is important to have a good pair of shoes for hiking, a pair of slip-ons for walking around town, and flip-flops for showering and wearing around hostels. If you’re going to Asia, bring shoes you can slip on and off really easily, since many places ask you to remove your shoes at the door. This even includes some restaurants and small markets.
As far as technology goes, make sure you can fit all of your important electronics and chargers into a small bag you can take on buses and planes with you. You’ll want to keep your valuables locked up in a hostel or somewhere you can maintain visual contact with them. It is not necessary to travel with a laptop. Most hostels have computers, and smartphones provide just as much as many of these computers. Most of the people traveling with laptops do so to protect and edit their photos. A Kindle or other ebook reader is a great way to entertain yourself on the bus without having to lug around multiple books.
Even if you follow these tips for packing for long international travel, you’ll probably bring more than you need and forget a few things. But don’t worry; you’ll be able to purchase anything you forgot. Happy travels!