Interview: How to Pack Like a Pro for a Family Trip Overseas
with our Travel-Savvy Parent & Packing Ninja Guest Writer
Family Packing List for International Travel: How to Pack Light Without Losing Your Mind
If you're looking for a realistic packing list for international family travel, tips on how to pack light with kids, or a breakdown of versatile travel outfits that actually work across multiple countries and climates, you’re in the right place
Planning a family trip overseas? Cue the excitement… and the suitcase stress. We sat down with seasoned traveler and packing genius, who’s taken their kids across continents (and through more airports than they can count), to get their best tips on packing smart—and staying sane.
1. Let’s start with the basics: how many bags is each family member allowed?
Do you go full minimalist with carry-ons only, or are we talking checked bags per person? What's your luggage philosophy when kids are in the mix?
“My Family’s Travel Packing Philosophy (After 25+ Countries and a Few Lost Bags)
Packing used to seriously stress me out. I wanted the *perfect* list, worried constantly about forgetting something important, and dreaded the idea of scrambling in a foreign country to replace an essential item. Add in kids, varied climates, and strict luggage limits? Recipe for anxiety.
Over time—and after traveling to more than 25 countries with our family—our packing approach has evolved. These days, it’s much more efficient, much more intentional, and it’s bought me something I never expected: more presence. Less time unpacking means more time to enjoy where we are and what we’re doing.
The Kind of Trips That Shaped Our Approach
We’re not exactly the “sit-on-a-beach-for-seven-days” type of travelers. (Though, shout out to that one glorious Mexico resort trip when our kids were 2 and 4—we really leaned into the pool and nap schedule.)
Most of our trips since then have been active, fast-paced, and involve a fair amount of moving around:
* Safari in Tanzania
* Island hopping in Indonesia
* A month-long hiking trip in Norway
* A road trip through the UK
* Cultural and desert tours in Morocco
And more recently, we’ve begun incorporating volunteer experiences—like working with primate rehab centers in South Africa, supporting an orphanage in Peru, or helping care for elephants in Thailand.
With that kind of movement (and meaning), our packing has to keep up. On many of these trips, we face strict weight limits—like our upcoming Galápagos trip where each person gets only 20 lbs. Between essentials like cameras, lenses, snorkeling masks, laptops, and sunblock, that doesn’t leave much room for "just in case" extras.
Our Luggage Philosophy Today
We pack minimally because we have to—but also because we’ve learned the hard way that dragging oversized rollerboards through cobbled streets in Europe, or trying to jam them into tiny trunks in Southeast Asia, is no one’s idea of a good time.
Now, here’s our family rule:
One carry-on per person (this includes everything they need for the trip)
One small backpack for the plane (headphones, snacks, water bottle, books, sunglasses)
One collapsible duffle that stays empty on the way there and holds any souvenirs or items we pick up on the trip home. We check this bag on the return flight only.
After losing luggage on a trip through Sri Lanka—where my husband had to buy everything from toothpaste to a jacket—we decided it just wasn’t worth it to check bags on the way out anymore. Delays, lost bags, and baggage claim lines are now things of the past.
What to Ask Yourself Before You Pack
Here’s the best advice I can offer: start by asking yourself what kind of experience you want to have.
Are you waking up at 4:30 AM every day on a safari, constantly on the move, living out of a tent or small hotel room? Then packing light will give you more time and space—literally—to enjoy your trip. You'll want gear that’s easy to pack, quick to access, and that doesn’t leave you buried under laundry.
Or are you attending a destination wedding, staying in one spot, and planning to look amazing in every photo? Then go ahead and bring the curling iron, the full skincare lineup, and that second (okay, third) pair of heels. You’ve got room—and reason”.
2. Break it down for us: what exactly goes into the suitcase?
We’re talking PJs, daily outfits, jackets, shoes, even “just in case” evening wear. What’s your formula for a week-long trip that includes kids, adventures, and maybe a fancy dinner or two?
“I've had to look through a lot of capsule closet ideas to get a sense of how to think about outfits. Now, I don't take any "single use" outfit for anyone in the family. All clothing options need multiple uses.
This is what I've taken for trips that have a mix of city & backroad vacations in Europe, Asia, or Central/South America during the summer time.
2 PJs (2 bottoms, 4 tops)
4 Bottoms (2 shorts, 1 pair of jeans, 1 skirt, 1 multiuse pants - athletic pants that wash easily and look formal - they work well for planes, dinners and are also very helpful if your travels take you to places of worship that often require knees and shoulders covered)
6 tops (that can be mixed and matched with multiple bottoms)
2 dresses (I opt for solid color dresses without pattern. I look for easy to wash, no iron dresses that can be dressed up with a scarf or light sweater for dinner)
1 jacket (something that is both comfy but has structure and looks put together - travel blazer, jean jacket, quilted jacket, etc.)
Shoes (This is tricky because it depends on activities. I often take sneakers (that have a formal look but are comfortable to walk in all day) or hiking boots, flats that are make with fabric and are easy to wash, and slippers)
Of course, the list will look very different for a Ski trip. Those trips usually do include a checked in bag because they tend to be within the US and we usually stay in one hotel and have the ability to rent a car with a larger trunk space”.
3. You’ve traveled with kids to all kinds of places, even the remote ones. How do you pack light without that nagging fear of forgetting something important?
Do you have a mental checklist, or do you not let the little things get in the way of family fun?
“I have forgotten to pack lots of things! And those trips have all turned out fine. When the kids were under 5, it was much harder when I forgot things (quality of leak proof diapers varies quite significantly). Now that kids are in middle school, our packing is much more relaxed. Outside of passports, underwear, and personal medication, everything is easy to purchase. I think it's a wonderful learning opportunity to visit a local grocery store or clothing store and figure things out. I now make it a point with my kids to check out grocery stores because we enjoy seeing the flavor of potato chips (I didn't know Cucumber and Shrimp flavors even existed!) and fresh fruits available in that country (did you know you can't carry Durian fruit in a train or bus in Singapore).
My mental checklist is no different than the 5 category buckets that people usually think through. It might be different for you in terms of ranking, though. This is my list in order of priority:
1) Documents (passports, visas - and I often print out hotel and airline confirmation because in many countries you need to show printed proof at immigrant or to enter the airport on way back home)
2) Meds & Toiletries
3) Electronics (chargers, camera, binoculars, laptop). We'll take an ipad for the kids because sometimes we download movies for long transit times or evenings. But, we try to keep them off devices for the majority of the time.
4) Activity gear
5) Clothes & Shoes (Yup - this is the last priority!)”
4. Let’s talk medicine cabinet-on-the-go. What are your must-have over-the-counter meds or health essentials you never leave behind?
Because no one wants to play charades at a foreign pharmacy while trying to explain “tummy ache.”
“Medicines are going to be a very personal decision. I was super cautious when kids were younger. Now that kids are older and we don't have to carry liquid Tylenol, Motrin, diaper rash cream, etc., the weight and mental space devoted to this category is lower. I take Tylenol and Advil pills, hydration powders (they often have Vitamin C), sanitizers, and something for an upset stomach.
I try to do a reasonable job while on vacation to choose foods that will help the kids stay healthy like fruits (with peels - I don't let them eat the cut fruits while traveling), yogurt (I find that my kids are healthier or able to bounce back sooner when their guts are healthy). Also, I have a general preference for hot food because it has a greater likelihood of minimizing food borne illnesses (for example, I tend to avoid deli meats).
My kids are pretty adventurous with food (my daughter once ate a barbeque snake on a stick in Cambodia). I'm starting to realize that gut health is important while traveling. I carry Carrom seeds and have the kids eat a pinch every night before bed. It's something my grandmom used to do because it keeps the gut and respiratory system healthy”.
5. Confession: toiletries take up 1/3 of my suitcase—and that’s with travel sizes. How do you manage this category without feeling like you’re hauling a mini spa?
What stays, what goes, and what do you absolutely refuse to compromise on?
“I don't have a choice here. With the weight limits, there isn't an option to take too many things. This is what I have carried on most of my weight restricted and logistically complicated trips. This has now become my norm
1. Shampoo and conditioner - with curly hair, this is a necessity. Salt water + Sun do a number on my hair. I take 2 travel sets and use them gingerly
2. Coconut oil - I know this sounds specifical and odd. I love massaging the kids in the evenings. I think coconut oil helps their skin deal with the extreme 130F+ heat in Death Valley, or hours of snorkeling, or chapped lips on ski slopes. It also helps with the little mosquito bites and nicks after hikes and plunge pools.
3. Contacts and solution (I need to see the fish while wearing a snorkel mask!)
4. Powder and eyeliner (I don't take anything else. No mascara, concealer, lipstick, bronzers, etc.)
5. Cetaphil
6. Deodorant and tiny travel size perfume
7. Sunblock”
6. Long-haul flights with kids: what’s your entertainment game plan?
What do you pack in your carry-on to keep everyone (including yourself) happy on a 10-hour flight? And how do you avoid bringing the entire toy chest?
“This is VERY different now that kids are older. In their younger years, I'd make little use-and-throw activity packs for kids - each intended to distract them for 20 mins. I've packed things like ziplock with cheerios, sticker activity sheets, coloring sheets, play doh packs, small puzzles packs, bendy straws, etc.
Now, it's very easy with the TVs available on flights. The kids don't watch a lot of TV at home (outside of family movie nights and a show here and there). So, the flight times are very exciting for them because we let them have some fun and watch TV while on board. We also carry Kindles with preloaded books and an iPad since our son loves to play chess and the app he uses doesn't need wifi.
Luckily the kids don't have an issue falling asleep on flights. Yes, I've experienced a screaming infant for the entire 7hrs on a flight to London. I tried to nurse my daughter in the bathroom just to try to give the other passengers a break from our noise. It didn't work.
Luckily, those days are gone and they didn't completely break me :) 10hr flights are actually easier than the 6-7hr Atlantic hops. 10 hours allows them to watch a movie for the first 2 hours, sleep about 7 hours, and use the pre-landing hour to just freshen up and watch a show. I do try to choose flight times that allow some time to sleep.
At the beginning of the flight, I like to use up 30 mins just discussing the travel itinerary. I like to remind them of the exciting things we'll see, the times where I'll need their extra help, the days that might be difficult because we have early AM departures, etc.). Before the trip, I make little printed packets that include the map of the country we are visiting, the local currency and exchange rate, the daily itinerary, pictures of places we'll visit or animals we'll see, some fun trivia, etc. It helps get the kids into the vacation mode as we take off. Sometimes we'll watch travel documentaries on countries we are visiting or listen to travel podcasts. We've found some excellent podcasts on mythology, constellations, and fables. Invest some time here before you head on your vacation - it will be very handy during delays and transit times”.
7. Do your kids help pack—or is that a fast track to a meltdown and three left shoes?
Any tips for letting them participate without turning the suitcase into a stuffed animal convention?
“Yes, I do get their help in packing. I find that if they pack their own things, they do a better job of unpacking/repacking in the hotels and being responsible for carrying their own bags. I've had them play a bigger role in packing as they got closer to 10yrs old. I think at 8yrs and under, they didn't so much beyond packing their smaller carry ons with snacks and activities.
I find that recently they have stronger opinions on which clothes they find most comfortable. So, it's most helpful for them to make their own decisions. I give them some rough guidelines (e.g. We need to pack for 2 weeks. Please grab 3 PJs, 6 shorts/skirts, 10 tops, etc.). I also give them a color palette (e.g. we did blue/green/white/pink for a European trip, for a safari we did brown/green/gray/cream). While I don't choose what they wear on any specific day, I think that our photos look nicer if we avoid colors that clash.
To help them choose their clothing options, I share the day-by-day itinerary. They organize their choices by days (e.g. the backup clothes for travel day, first night PJs, and first 2 days usually go into one packing cube). When we are managing jet lag and trying to get out of the door for some activity, it's much easier when they know exactly what they are wearing and where they have packed it”.
8. What’s one thing you overpacked and never used? And one thing you forgot once that you’ll never travel without again?
We love a good “learned the hard way” story.
“I find that I still pack too many clothes (!). We'll come back home and I usually have a couple of tops that didn't get worn. Its now become a sport for me :) Its fun for me to see how close I've come to figuring out the packing puzzle. Here are two things that weren't on my radar that I've started carrying now.
First, is a rope/twine. It comes in very handy if you need to handwash something quickly. While I prefer to look for local laundromats, sometimes the travel itinerary doesn't allow enough time to drop off and pick up clothes. Once, the zipper on our duffle came undone and this rope was a lifesaver!
And second is an extra long wrap. I had picked up cotton scarf at an airport in Kenya that I now carry on every single vacation. It’s a thin but sturdy scarf that unfolds to the size of an extra wide towel. I've used it as a blanket on cold flights, as a picnic blanket, as a shield for my daughter’s legs who was getting devoured by mosquitos at a dinner, and to create some shade inside the car during long and hot car rides in Africa”.
Final thoughts? If you had to give just one packing tip to a parent planning their first international trip with kids, what would it be?
“So, I've learned this the hard way. I used to review various travel blogs to see if I could come up with the ideal packing list and make sure that my vacations were perfectly planned and executed. Here is the issue - You are going to forget something! Also, some important detail is invaraibly going to go wrong. Expect it. And, when it shows up, just take a moment to breathe. I've forgotten something on every single trip. Keep your passports, cash, and meds safe and I promise you that you are going to be fine. Things might not turn out as you imagined but those hiccups can become learning and teaching moments. Travel gives us a chance to show our children that the adults in the household are resilient. Use those frustrating opportunities to remind yourself that your kids are learning from you. One day, when they are on a vacation with their loved, what do you want them to remember about you and your adventures together?
I'll leave you with this story - my sister and I had planned to volunteer at a girls orphanage in Cusco before our husbands joined us for a trip to Machu Picchu and the Peruvian Amazon. Her flight was cancelled. But, I arrived on time with both my kids a complete 24 hours early. The altitude change impacted my son almost as soon as we landed. He got a pretty bad headache and the nausea followed shortly. My sister had offered to carry the meds and Sol (Peruvian currency) for the trip since my kids were young and she was trying to reduce the stuff I had to do before the trip.
This was definitely a What-Have-I-Gotten-Myself-Into moment. I had to carry my son to various ATMs in a not-so-developed neighborhood in Cusco looking for local currency so I could buy meds at a tiny corner pharmacy that didn't accept dollars or credit cards. I had tried to exchange dollars at the airport but the exchange counter was closed. We returned to the orphanage completely exhausted and then the cold started to set in. The glass on the windows in our living quarters was completely shattered. So, there I was with 2 young freezing kids who were eating trail mix and protein bars for dinner. The kitchen had a stove but the gas was completely empty so I couldn't make the heat and eat food I had packed for the week. It had only been about 5 hours since we landed and I was already unraveling.
Then, the sweetest thing happened. The girls from the orphanage noticed that my son was sick. They brought him a huge jug of piping hot tea that was going to help with the altitude sickness. They also brought over a stack of blankets. My daughter went over to help them lay the blankets on the beds. The girls welcomed her and started to teach her a hand clap game called "Pikachu". That exchange has been one of the most memorable events of my life. I thought I was going on a volunteer vacation to help others in need. As it turns out, it was me who received the kindness and warmth. So, be open to the mayhem that unfolds. There was might a something beautiful just around the corner.
Hope this has been helpful. I wish you incredible adventures!”