10 Things a Travel Writer Will Never Pack in a Checked Bag on an International Trip, and What to Pack Instead

Travel + Leisure

7 hours ago

In 2017, I sold a tell-all to a magazine titled 'Tales from Tindering in 25 Countries.' I visited all 25 countries, spread out over five continents, in less than 12 months. Nearly a decade later, I'm no longer dating like the Tasmanian devil. But I'm still Katie Talks Travel, a full-time travel writer living out of my luggage. That said, I've learned that there are just some things you simply don't put in checked luggage, especially if you're flying internationally.
For starters, there's a decent chance that your bags won't make it to your destination when you do. Then, you have international airline regulations to abide by (in China, for example, a TSA agent once flagged my luggage after I packed a carbon dioxide cartridge in my checked bag for a cycling holiday—the good news is my bike never got a flat tire; the bad news was it took weeks to get my bag back). Finally, there are items that just aren't worth the space they take up, so whether your next international trip is to Australia or Argentina, see below for 10 common mistakes travelers make when it comes to packing a checked bag for a trip abroad, and more importantly, what you should bring instead.
I shudder to think that I used to pack my GoPro Hero in my checked luggage. I figured I wasn't going to use it during my flight, so why did I need it in my carry-on? Turns out, there are two very valid reasons why you should never pack your electronics in your checked bag, especially on international flights where more handlers will rifle through it: theft, being the first. And the second? Damage.
The best thing to do is invest in a personal item that's big enough to fit your electronics and features padded pockets for them. This Vancropak Carry-on Backpack, for example, is an Amazon's Choice pick with a built-in USB charging port and cable for my beloved Anker power bank, and it comes with packing cubes.
I love my old college sweats, and my fiancé loves his New York Yankees gear, but when we travel internationally, we make sure to pack outfits that are also nice enough to wear out to lunch at a white tablecloth restaurant. This is especially true in European countries where locals like to dress to impress, even if they're just taking their dogs out for a walk. It's also worth noting that the locals don't embrace the athleisure trend, so you might want to leave your leggings at home.
This Wiholl 2-piece Matching Set is great because it's super soft but also stylish thanks to the well-draped, wide-legged pants and flattering contoured cap-sleeve top. Dress it up with wedges and jewelry for a wine tasting, or pair it with hotel slippers for room service.
I've only ever had jewelry (a pair of beautiful handmade earrings I bought for my mom in Africa) stolen out of my checked luggage once. But once is enough to learn my lesson. Now, I always pack jewelry in my personal item after taking it out of its box, and stashing it in something that doesn't scream 'steal me.'
For example, check out this super secure Lion Latch Travel Jewelry Box Case that looks like a lip gloss container and attaches to your key ring. 'This was perfect for our vacation,' wrote one satisfied Amazon shopper. 'I could put my jewelry in this and keep it safe, and even with me, even my small diamond studs."
I recently got back from traveling around East Africa. Fortunately, I was traveling with Micato Safaris, which sent me a packing list before I left the U.S. that let me know that single-use plastic bags are illegal in Kenya. They're one of dozens of countries that have banned them, or are in the process of doing it.
Normally, I always pack a few plastic bags for snacks, toiletries, wet clothes, etc. But now, more than ever, it's a good idea to switch to reusable sacks such as these JHX Travel Laundry Bags with built-in organization that pack down in their pocket. And instead of Ziploc bags, consider these best-selling leakproof clear silicone bags that are so popular on Amazon that more than 4,000 were purchased in the last month alone.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. However, I'd rather go out in the cold with wet hair than plug it in abroad. Dyson specifically warns shoppers that all of their hair tools are 'precisely engineered' for use in the country where they're purchased (i.e., they're not dual-voltage, so there's a high chance something will go wrong, even if you attempt to use them with a converter).
Fortunately, for a fraction of the price, you can score a dual-voltage hair dryer designed for international travel. 'Small but mighty' is how one shopper described the Supcaliy Portable Ionic Hair Dryer, which they used on a European vacation that included a cruise and stays on land.
According to TSA, cordless curling irons are also a no-go in checked luggage. This is because they often contain a gas cartridge filled with butane. While I personally don't travel abroad with a curling iron—I just throw on this Sunday Afternoons Havana Hat—I've read great things about the Mini Travel Curling Iron from Furiden that checks all the travel-friendly boxes.
It's dual voltage, dual-purpose (use it to curl or straighten), compact enough that it takes up about as much space as an electric toothbrush, and it comes with a cute carrying pouch. 'I am astonished at the gorgeous curls this little curling iron gave me,' wrote a traveler who used it on a trip to the French Riviera.
If I had a dollar for every time I packed a pair of heels that seldom saw the light of day, I'd have a closet full of Louboutins. Besides not being comfortable enough to walk more than four city blocks in, they're not practical, especially in countries with cobblestone streets. Since 2023, I've sported a metallic gold pair of Birkenstocks in at least 20 countries. I've worn them with everything from a $350 Alicia Bell maxi dress in Santorini to a pair of cutoff denim shorts and a T-shirt at the Paris Olympics last summer. They're versatile, and I love that I've logged hundreds of miles in them without getting a single blister.
I know denim is 'in,' but it doesn't need to be in your checked bag if you're traveling internationally; it's just too big and heavy to warrant packing if you're tight on space, especially if you're traveling in the summer or visiting a hot and humid destination. The savviest, and most stylish, globe-trotters I know all pack bottoms like these Duyan Cotton-Linen Palazzo Pants.
They have the trendy wide-leg look and front hand pockets, but they're super lightweight and breathable. They also feature a drawstring waist, so you can leave the bulky belt at home. If you're worried about wrinkles—linen does have that downside—throw in a bottle of this TSA-approved secret wrinkle remover spray that has more than 5,900 five-star ratings on Amazon.
In 2016, I went on a 32-day international cruise, and I've taken even longer trips abroad. Still, it's never made sense to pack full-size shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and sunscreens—most of which come in 12-ounce bottles or tubes.
If you think you'll need more than the standard TSA-approved 3 ounces (which is what most travel toiletry sets include), stock up on a few of these 6.8-ounce refillable toiletry bottles. They have a 4.6-star average on Amazon, where more than 2,000 were purchased in the last month, and many shoppers who checked them in their luggage for trips longer than one week describe them as 'super easy to fill, they stay tightly closed, and easy to squeeze.'
In April, I was personally delivering tampons with plastic applicators to a friend living in South Africa, where they're hard to find. In fact, it can be hard to find comfortable tampons in dozens of countries, so if I'm traveling during that time of the month, I usually dedicate a substantial amount of space in my checked luggage to feminine hygiene supplies that I'm familiar with.
But now I'm going to give this collapsible and ultra-compact Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup a shot. It's made of medical-grade silicone, so it's safe to use, easy to clean, and can last up to 10 years—hence, why it's been called a 'real life game changer' by international travelers. Other shoppers prefer packing the Knix Light Period Underwear or Hanes' Boxer Brief Period Underwear (which comes in a value two-pack set).
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