Preparing For Your International Trip: Tips From A Global Business Traveler

I’m going with my parents on a trip to Europe next month.  It’s the first time for both of them.   I’ve been sharing my tips and experience with them from more than a decade of of global business travel.  To make sure I don’t forget to tell them things, I thought I’d write down my tips and checklist before we go.  I’m looking through a female lens here, but guys, most of this should apply.

Packing – Clothes

The rules below apply to a trip where you have mostly leisure clothes and don’t need a lot of special gear for special events.  That said, this list applies in most situations.

For anything less than two weeks and if possible, don’t check a bag.  As someone who has gone without her luggage on more than one trip to Europe, it’s no fun to start your trip with the one thing you put in your backpack.  Also, you’ll be moving your luggage around a lot, and overpacking causes stress in transit.  You get one 22” carry on and a personal item such as a backpack, duffle, purse, etc.  That’s plenty of space for twelve days.  

On the front and back end of the trip, wear the same travel outfit.  Make sure it’s comfortable for sleeping on the plane, but not so comfortable you don’t feel confidently dressed to be in public.  It’s also one less decision to have to make when packing to come home. Layers are good also because airport and plane temperatures vary.

Bring no more than two pairs of shoes.  Wear your most bulky pair on the plane and make them walking appropriate.  Unless you are a movie star going to Cannes, this is not the time to wear heels.

Plan on wearing pants 2-3 times.  We are gone for twelve days, so I plan to take 3-4 pairs of pants.  In the “pants” category, I might exchange one pair of pants for leggings or a dress, and most of the pants will be black and versatile – dress up or down.

Layering is the name of the game for shirts.  I’m planning to take around five shirts, a mix of t-shirts, long sleeve shirts and a sweater.  I’ll take a few camis/tanks to wear under my “re-wear” shirts.  If I have leggings, I’ll pack an appropriate top for those.  If I need a dress jacket, I’ll take a packable one.

Almost all the clothes you pack should be mix and match.  Stick with neutral things and fabrics that do not need ironing.  To change it up, I’ll include a scarf, a vest and maybe one bold pair of earrings or one statement necklace.  Otherwise, I’m wearing one pair of earrings the whole time and no other jewelry.

Include one workout outfit.  If you really do get that ambitious to workout outside of the rest of the trip’s activities, you can rinse out these types of clothes in the shower or sink with a little bit of shampoo.  As a lady, I will sometimes take more than one workout bra, but only if my trip doesn’t already involve a lot of exercise.

Socks and underwear.  I take a few pairs of extra underwear.  There are ways to be more efficient here, but I’ll skip that.  I go light on socks and try to pack mostly wool socks that can generally be worn more than one day if needed, although it’s not my favorite thing to re-wear.   Again, the sink/shower/shampoo wash works well on these items.

Make sure you have one comfortable thing to wear in your hotel at night.  Your fat pants, your favorite tank, PJ pants, whatever. You’ll want to come back to something comfy and familiar at the end of the day.  Speaking of pajamas, I pack the lightest/least fabric ones and only pack one set.  If I get sick of them, I wear the tank top I wore during the day to bed.  No reason to waste valuable suitcase space with a bunch of bulky pajamas.  If you do a good enough job enjoying where you’re visiting, you’ll be too tired to care.

Swimsuit – Totally depends on your trip itinerary.  If it isn’t obvious you’ll be swimming, don’t take one, or this can be your one and only workout outfit if you know it’s available.

Make sure to check the weather where you are going.  You can add your destination cities to your weather app. Bring a coat with a hood, sunglasses, hat or warm weather gear, depending on the forecast and average temperatures.  If you take an umbrella, make it a small one.  Many hotels will have very nice loaner umbrellas.

Many hotels also have laundry in the hotel or will send it out.  Depending on how much you want to spend and how desperate you become, you can choose these options.

Finally, after you are all packed, take something out and leave it home.  I always challenge myself to remove at least one item of clothing.  Chances are I won’t miss it and I’ll likely buy something new on the trip anyway.

Packing – Toiletries and Medication

I take two, small toiletry bags – one for liquids and one for dry makeup, etc.

Pack contacts and glasses, for those who wear them.  I always pack a couple extra contacts.

An international trip is not the time to start a five-step skin routine.  Stick to the basics.  For me it’s facewash, moisturizer and sunscreen.  See what you can find in travel size or put your favorites into small plastic bottles.

For makeup, I cull out any colors or items I only use on a special occasion and include basics.  I might include one bold lipstick for a dressier night.  

An international trip is also not the time to use all those products you bought at the salon.  Take only the bare minimum and have some backup plans in case you can’t do your normal routine – your favorite clip, a hat, a wing and a prayer.

I do pack my own shampoo and conditioner in travel size because I’m picky about this, but you don’t have to pack any.  Hotels will have it.

I do not take a hair dryer.  Hotels have them.  In all my years of global travel, albeit I was staying in nicer hotels, I was never stuck without one.

I allow only a flat iron or a curling iron, not both.  It’s crucial to check the voltage for any beauty electronics where you are going and make sure your device will work.  If you can go the whole trip without it, then do it.

If you want to take perfume/cologne, get a sample from a store.  Don’t take your whole giant bottle of it.  Sephora will make you a sample size.

Medication:  Depending on where I am going, I might ask my doctor to prescribe a general antibiotic just in case, and I check vaccine recommendations for travel to that location. Otherwise, I make sure to pack ibuprofen/acetaminophen, Band-Aids, a couple alcohol swabs, one bubble pack of cold meds, a bubble pack of Dramamine and maybe bug spray wipes.  You don’t need whole boxes and bottles of these things. Just count out a few and put in a small pill container from the pharmacy.  Obviously if it’s prescription, you will want a picture of the info or the actual bottle. Point is, these things don’t have to take up a lot of room, and most places you can find everything you need. Think about your most common issues and just be prepared to triage if needed.  Check your health insurance coverage before you go.

Pack your toothbrush, floss and travel size toothpaste.  Gum is easier to take than mouthwash, but you can get mouthwash in travel size also.

Pack at least one pack of antibacterial wipes and some packages of tissues in your carry-on bag.

Pack some wet face wipes.

Yes, pack some masks and maybe a COVID home test.

Ladies, be prepared with your favorite feminine products.

Packing – Electronics

Pack your favorite electronics with chargers and the correct electrical converters for the country you’re going to.  I take the multi-faceted converters because a lot of times the plug-ins are a surprise.  Note: Be honest with yourself.  Do you really need a laptop, iPad, iPhone, watch and a Nintendo Switch on this trip?

Download some movies/shows to watch before you go.

Get an international data plan or you’ll need a loan to pay texting fees.  Alternatively, use WhatsApp.  Free global messaging if you are on Wi-fi.  If you’re going to China, many of your normal apps will not work.  Figure out the best way to communicate before you go.

Headphones/earphones– I love my Bose Bluetooth ones for the airplane, but anything that connects to your devices will work.  Don’t forget charging cables if they need them.

Battery pack – If you have one, they come in handy on the plane if your seat doesn’t have power.

Camera– If you plan to take more than your iPhone, figure out your camera supplies.  Your camera bag will count as a personal item, so consolidate with your other personal items if possible.  

Make sure to download your airline apps before you go to get the fastest communication on your flights.

It’s not a bad idea to take some form of non-electronic entertainment like a book or puzzle book, just in case.  But make them small and light!!

Packing – Other bags‍

If you plan to buy some souvenirs, stick an empty, soft sided bag of some sort in your suitcase that you can check on the way home. You can put a bunch of dirty clothes in it and leave the good suitcase for anything valuable you want protected.

 I also include a small drawstring backpack or day pack in my suitcase for outings.

I take a small wristlet or crossbody purse that fits inside my backpack.

Packing – Money

I have the best luck with currency exchange by using my debit card in the airport to get cash in the local currency.  Know the conversion rate before you go to make a good decision on what to take out.  You don’t want to be stuck with too much.  Very rarely will you not be able to use your credit cards.

However, notify your bank before you go, or you will be stuck in credit card lockdown.

Packing – Passport and vaccine card

Take a picture of both items and keep on your phone and text to your emergency contact in case you lose either.  Pay attention to where you store these items, so you don’t lose them one way or another.

Packing – Other Stuff

I try never to be without a bottle of water, whether it’s a bottle I bought or are fillable bottle.  

I will include some small snacks in my backpack (nuts, dried fruit, candy, granola bars) for delays or transit times or times when you had to pretend you liked dinner, but you ate very little.  You will get fed and watered regularly on the plane, but stuff happens.  Don’t be caught completely unprepared.

Pack anything you might need to access, including meds and water and snacks, in your bag you plan to put under the seat in front of you.  You don’t want to be stuck with the seatbelt sign on needing Dramamine that’s up in the overhead bin.

I’m a sucker for a good travel book.  However, they are heavy.  I take pictures of the pages I want to look back at when I’m on the road instead of packing the whole books.  I’m sure you can buy them on Kindle also and have them electronically.

International Flights – Survival Tips

Stay hydrated and stretch several times during the flight.

Little to no alcohol.  It’s easy to get buzzed and cry and tell your life story to people in the air.

Try to sleep when the lights go off.

Only eat if you are hungry.  In many cases, you will be served more food than you’ll be hungry for.  It’s OK to say “no”.

Eat things that promote a healthy digestive system before you go.  Exercise the day before the flight.  Feeling healthy and relaxed is a great way to start a trip, bloated and tired is not.

Wear shoes or disposable socks to the bathroom.

Have some relaxing music teed up on your phone to help you during the flight.

Be patient.  Be nice to the flight attendants.

I’m sure I’m forgetting some things, but mostly, just travel lightly.  You’ll be glad you did.  Yes, you’ll be sick of your clothes by the end of it, but you’re there to take in the sights, the culture and the people.  Embrace the differences and embrace the fact you won’t be following normal routines or be on your time zone or eating your normal food.  Experiencing something new and different is the point!  Growth comes from being out of your comfort zone.

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