Packing Checklist (for Foreign, International, Overseas Travel)

My packing checklist below (for foreign, international, overseas travel) includes items that provide me with long-term comfort. This is because I travel slowly.

This packing list allows me to take my luggage into any season, often not knowing where I’m going or for how long. I am prepared for just about anything.

Some items on this packing checklist might seem quirky. Yet I find they make all the difference in the world when travel can last a month or three, a year or two, or never end.

I must pack items that allow me to handle my everyday needs everywhere I go. Including celiac disease, allergies, asthma, anaphylaxis, and more.

This means my packing list below meets my travel and living needs, in all four seasons, at just about any destination. I love this sense of security.

This list also itemizes nearly everything I own, which means this packing checklist details how I live—essentially out of my luggage—even when I’m not traveling.

The key, for myself, is to make sure my bags are organized and nimble.

This allows me to proceed swiftly on transport days (once every few months) plus enjoy living out of my bags the rest of the time (while I’m settled into local life).

On transport days, I must be able to roll my wheeled bag long distances, often on cobblestones, lift it into and out of luggage holds, carry it up and down stairs, and fit it into tiny lifts.

I’ve drastically limited flying, but if I do fly, my wheeled bag is checked, my foldable backpack is on my back, and my personal (anti-theft) day bag is on my front (or inside my backpack).

If I know I’ll spend at least a year in one location, I can bring my small LOJEL rolling carry-on, so I’m equipped to travel regionally in comfort, too.

If I do take my small LOJEL rolling carry-on, I pack it like I would normally pack my foldable backpack carry-on (I can place that backpack inside my rolling carry-on for use once I arrive).

Since everyone’s situation is unique, this packing checklist might not apply to another soul on earth. And that’s okay.

My hope is that by sharing my packing list, someone else won’t feel alone if they need to pack a little comfort in their luggage, too.

personal day bag

I carry a Pacsafe—a small anti-theft day backpack that can transition into a sling bag to wear on my back or front (when I need to wear my carry-on foldable backpack on my back).

  • cell phone (I use an unlocked cell phone)

    • eSIM (for data or talk/text/data abroad)

  • glasses (in one large hard case)

    • reading glasses (and neck strap)

    • sunglasses (and neck strap)

    • cleaning cloth (protects them from each other)

  • whistle (small, skinny, reliable)

  • reusable mug

  • little spoon (to scoop matcha tea)

  • spork (tiny padded linen draw-string pouch holds it)

  • eco handy wipes (I pre-pour a little liquid eco sanitizer into a small pkg of pure wipes)

  • footies (to walk through security; I store them inside out in a linen zipper pouch)

  • face masks (I carry organic cotton + kn95)

Carry-On

I use my foldable backpack (sturdy enough to carry a heavy load) or my small rolling LOJEL as my carry-on (I can place my foldable backpack flat inside my small rolling LOJEL).

  • tote bags (2 ultra-lightweight, ultra-thin, XL linen tote bags; for multiple uses)

  • coat, packable, long (packed in a large packing cube, which doubles as a dirty bag)

  • important paperwork (in very thin 3-ring binder with clear sleeves)

  • laptop (I love my lenovo yoga)

  • camera (in padded pouches, tiny tote, then into medium packing cube)

    • body

    • large lens

    • small lens

  • electronic accessories (sorted into linen zipper pouches, then in a packing cube)

    • adapter (skross is the only adapter that hasn’t sagged in sockets)

    • power strip (surge-protected, long cord for ease of use on counters/tables)

    • phone charger

    • laptop charger

    • camera charger

    • camera batteries

    • lens filters

    • memory cards

    • external drive

  • luggage travel accessories

    • luggage strap, long, stretchy (holds anything to top of checked luggage)

    • luggage strap, short, non-stretchy (secures hard carry-on to checked luggage)

    • carabiner, large (secures luggage straps to each other and to luggage)

    • luggage cable (2 ultra-lightweight; to lock luggage to anything)

    • luggage lock (small, light, combination, TSA-approved; to lock luggage cables)

Checked Bag

I use my rolling LOJEL Cubo Fit as my checked bag. At my destination, I roll my LOJEL into a corner, leave it on its wheels, and never need unpack it. I use my packing cubes like drawers.

  • base layers (in a medium packing cube)

    • headband, 6 (in goldenrod; my daily headband, sleep mask, neck gaiter)

    • bra, 3 (the “Laura” keeps all private + light enough for hot/travel days)

    • undies, 6 (the “Cloud Bikini” is so comfy I wear it daily)

    • socks, 6

    • base top, 3

    • base tights, 3

    • swimsuit (I have two recycled eco bikinis)

    • swim tunic/rashguard (I love theses recycled eco options)

  • spring/summer tops (in a medium packing cube)

    • 3 tanks

    • 3 short-sleeved shirts

    • 3 long-sleeved shirts

    • 3 blouses

  • autumn/winter tops (in a medium packing cube)

    • 3 tanks

    • 3 short-sleeved shirts

    • 3 long-sleeved shirts

    • 1 dress, stretchy

  • bottoms (in a medium packing cube)

    • 3 linen pants (light, neutral colors)

    • 3 all-weather pants (lightweight, stretchy)

    • 1 boyfriend jean (lightweight, stretchy)

  • outerwear (in a medium packing cube)

    • hat (2 sun/hiking)

    • hat (2 winter)

    • neck gaiter (2 technical)

    • gloves (1 pretty, 1 technical)

    • light jacket (1 pretty, 1 technical)

    • scarves (2 neutral)

  • toiletries that don’t leak (sorted into linen zipper pouches, in a medium packing cube)

    • dental floss

    • toothbrush (ultra-soft preserve has worked wonders)

    • toothpaste

    • shampoo bar (on drain rack, in leakproof soap dish)

    • wash mitt (3 sasawashi)

    • travel towel (I’m currently using this ultra-thin organic flour sack towel)

    • magnifying mirror

    • tweezers

    • nail clippers

    • hair bands

    • bandaids

    • tampons

    • vitamins

      • vitamin B12

      • omega 3 DHA + EPA

      • vitamin D

  • household (in a medium packing cube)

    • cloth wipes (organic reusable)

    • produce bags (ultra-thin organic XL produce bags)

    • sink strainer (sanitized before packing)

    • drain cover (sanitized before packing)

    • biodegradable single-use gloves

    • mesh laundry bags

    • clothespins (I love my french pincinox)

    • collapsible linen bucket (kitchen organizer)

    • portable speaker (bose revolve II—the richest, warmest, fullest 360° sound)

  • linens (in a medium packing cube)

    • pillow protector, organic

    • pillowcase, 2 organic

    • flat sheet, 2 organic

  • linens (in a medium packing cube)

    • pillow protector, organic

    • pillowcase, 2 organic

    • flat sheet, 2 organic

Packing Questions and Answers

After viewing this list, one might ask why my toiletry kit takes up two packing cubes or why household items are even on this list, especially since I rent furnished lodging.

These are excellent questions.

I love having plenty of space to move things around, so I pack my packing cubes loosely. This makes it enjoyable for me to live out of my bags.

I also need extra room to pack products that allow me to bathe without having allergic reactions, prevent rosacea flares, repel bugs naturally, soothe itching, and more.

As well, my travel kitchen ensures I can drink filtered water and prepare healthy food, as kitchens are minimal or missing items. I even include a few small items to create a familiar environment.

In addition, at nearly every furnished lodging I’ve rented, I’ve needed household maintenance tools soon after arrival, though they’re not usually available.

Specifically, I’m often greeted by clogged shower drains, kitchen sinks that splatter back at us, or sewer odors.

My small stainless sink strainer almost always stops the sink splatters. I can quickly place my drain cover over a shower drain to reduce sewer odors.

But, for clogged shower drains, I discover them while in the shower, late at night, or early in the morning. Murky water has too often crept up my legs.

I’ve poured baking soda and lemon juice (later followed by hot water) down the drains, which has been incredibly effective. Unless that clog is thick with guest hair buildup.

I’ve searched stores many times for the least toxic drain cleaners, yet all those products with still questionable ingredients and plastic bottles feel never-ending.

I wanted a better solution because I can’t bring myself to burden a host, especially when renting long-term. I feel a responsibility to handle things independently.

Plus, these issues were making me seriously question our sustainability while traveling.

So I’m now packing biodegradable single-use gloves that allow me to safely tackle drain chores myself. This has been life-changing.

Naturally conscious of icky things, I like to reassure others that I thoroughly sanitize my kitchen strainer and drain cover before they ever go back into my luggage.

As in, I run them through the dishwasher, then I zip them into a mesh laundry bag and toss them in a front-loading washer, add non-toxic soap, and run the hot cycle. Maybe twice.

Because drains are gross. Drains contain all kinds of ick.

Another reality upon arriving at furnished lodging is that the bedding and furniture are too often stained, subpar or smell. Extra linens and cleaning supplies are not always available.

I’ve also lost valuables in the cracks of funky sofa cushions. I’m most sad about losing (forever) my driver’s license that contained the best photo ever.

Or, if we’re in nicely furnished lodging, I worry we’ll accidentally stain the nice furniture. Especially since we snack, snuggle, and work wherever we’re sitting.

So I like to place a neutral flat sheet on the sofa as a clean sofa cover or use our own sheets on the bed. My pillow protectors zip over the provided pillows, with my pillowcases on top.

Slow travel feels truly peaceful when I pack what provides long-term comfort.

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