What to pack for your overseas trip

It can be wise to pack travel documents and the following items in your carry on bag:

• Passport
• Wallet
• Essential prescription medications
• Visa (if there are visa requirements)
• Plane tickets
• Transport tickets (e.g. airport shuttle, bus, train, ferry)
• Cash in the local currency
• Credit/debit cards
• Travel cards
• Valid license or ID
• Your travel insurance policy
• Photocopies of all your identification and travel documents (i.e. copies of your passport) in case they’re lost or stolen.

Smart packing can help a long flight pass more comfortably. For your carry-on bag, consider including your:

• Phone and charger, a power bank, international sim card and an adapter/converter
• Travel pillow, ear plugs and eye mask
• Headphones
• Your laptop
• A change of clothes
• Hand sanitiser
• An empty reusable water bottle.

Appropriate clothing means different things to different people. What you wear in Australia might not be appropriate for a foreign country, so check the cultural considerations for where you’re travelling and the weather in your intended destination. Pack clothing items that work for multiple outfits – and choose items you can layer. Rolling your clothes when packing can help with wrinkles and save space too. At a minimum, you should pack:

• T-shirts and blouses
• Pants, shorts or skirts
• Swimsuit
• Waterproof jacket
• A warm jumper or jacket
• Pyjamas
• Underwear and socks.

Comfortable, sturdy pairs of shoes are crucial for sightseeing, and a pair of heels or dress shoes can be handy for evening or more upmarket events.

• Walking shoes
• Thongs or flip-flops
• Formal shoes
• Plastic bags to keep your dirty shoes in.

Some basic toiletries, such as shampoo and conditioner, may be bought after arriving at your destination, so try to pack only the essentials or take travel-sized toiletries like:

• Sunscreen
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Hairbrush
• Deodorant
• Lip balm
• Nail clippers
• Sanitary products.

While everyone’s overseas trip packing list will look slightly different, having some basic first-aid and health care essentials on your trip in case of minor injuries or illnesses can be handy, including:

• Insect repellent
• Tweezers
• Band-Aids
• Anti-bacterial cream.

While our international travel checklist covers what you may need to pack, it’s also important to understand what not to pack. Some things to avoid might include:

• Too many electronics. Not only does this take up unnecessary space, but it also puts you at greater risk of theft. Stick to your phone and maybe a laptop, plus a Kindle, e-reader or tablet if you enjoy reading on holiday.
• Jewellery or valuables. These items can be a target for thieves and if they’re of sentimental value, it may be upsetting if they’re stolen or lost.
• Unnecessary toiletries. Most of the time, you can purchase essential items (e.g. soap, shampoo, conditioner) at your destination or they may be provided at your hotel.
• Food or drink. Countries might have rules about what food can be brought in, and if it spills in your bag, it could create a mess.
• Forbidden items. Some countries might have rules around what is allowed in. For example, e-cigarettes are prohibited in Thailand.¹ Always check the list of prohibited items for your destination before packing, especially if it’s your first time in the country.

Many travellers overestimate the number of things they need for overseas travel – particularly when it comes to clothing. Here are a few packing tips for things to consider and what clothing you should bring:

• Versatile basics you can layer to stay warm and create different looks
• Clothes that don’t wrinkle easily
• Wet weather gear – just in case
• Consider how long you’ll be travelling and in what season
• Laundering your clothes regularly can reduce your packing list.

When it comes to what to pack for international travel, one of the most important things on your list should be considering whether you need a travel insurance policy.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy may contribute to the replacement costs of your luggage and personal items if they’re lost, damaged or stolen while travelling, up to the limits and sub-limits set out out in your policy. Not only could some of your valuables and electronics be covered, but also credit cards, cash and some fees for replacing travel documents, depending on your cover. So, when ticking off your packing checklist, thinking about travel insurance should be at the top of the list.

Your policy will likely have certain exclusions, limits and sub-limits, so be sure to read your policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing to be sure you have the level of cover you want.