Here are my travel tips to make international travel easy with minimal effort and money. 

I’ve done many trips, and my love of culture and travel has changed my life. It’s given me a deep love for people all over the world, from the jungle in Asia to four-star hotels in the French Riviera. 

But after epic attempts to close my suitcase because I overpacked and watched friends travel through three international flights with multiple layovers toting a 45-pound duffle bag, why??

 Change had to happen. 

So, I learned some travel tips to make international travel easy. Please learn from my mistakes and take the easy route so you don’t have to live through the duffle bag shuffle. 

First and most important.

Travel tip #1: Take a carry-on with rollers the correct size 

Yes, with rollers, don’t dislocate your shoulder by taking a duffle bag, even if it’s the latest travel trend. Unless, of course, you are traveling first class and your butler is with you. 

And don’t buy a carry-on with rollers on only one side. Get four-way rollers. 

Make sure it’s a carry-on standard size. 

The airlines sometimes change the size. The domestic in-country allowance might be a little smaller than the standard carry-on size in America. 

Travel tip for carry-on baggage.

American Airlines:

These dimensions include wheels, handles, and side pockets. They vary slightly, so check with the airline you are flying with. It can save you money and time. 

The next travel tip to make international travel easy is, 

Travel Tip #2: Know the weight of your bags.

Each airline is different, and bag allowances are also different. So check when you book your flight to see the weight allowance for your flight and the continent you are going to. 

An example is when I travel to Thailand. I fly from Dallas to Bangkok, but I switch to Thai Royal and go on to Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai. The baggage allowance is different in Thailand by 10 pounds, and no one likes an extra charge on their way there or back.

So check the baggage allowance for all flights. 

Next travel tip, 

Travel Tip #3: Plan your outfits

If you really want to make international travel easy, plan your outfits. Write down your outfit for each day. 

You can mix and match, but write it out and take it with you. This is literally a game-changer. Instead of, well, maybe I will wear this or that. 

No, write down like you are planning to host the Oscars. 

This will help you pack and make it easier for you. I like to group my outfits by day. I know it sounds super anal, but trust me on this one: It can really help you not overpack, look put together, and feel more confident. 

Next travel tip to make your life easier. 

Travel Tip #3: Have Security papers easy to access at security points.

I have been on a trip where people forgot their passports, eyeglasses, and proper IDs for visas. 

I have also been “that girl” who put their passport in a random place in my luggage and got the evil eye as people stepped over my whole face plant into my bag by the side of security. The shaming!

Not anymore. 

Now, I rock travel. And so can you. I have a quart-size ziplock with my liquids, passport, and ticket (on my phone or app, plus a printout) right where I can put my hands on it in a strategic purse for travel.

Next is more of a travel tip preference.

Travel Tip #4: Wear dark colors on travel days.

You’ve probably seen people traveling in all-white outfits. They look amazing. I need to find out the first-class seat they sit in to wear an all-white outfit for international travel. Still, I am confident it’s different from the economy middle seat with connecting flights, trains, and buses.

Let me share one of my experiences. 

I like to look put together when I travel. I dress in business casual clothes because I know that when I do, I generally get treated better at the airport and with airline staff.  

But once, on a short international flight, 7 to 8 hours, this brown stuff started leaking from the overhead. The flight attendant said it was coffee. In the overhead, where were no bags and coffee pots allowed? Um, no! 

But there were no other seats, so for 4 hours, that goo dripped on me and the man next to me as we huddled together, praying it would stop and that it wasn’t toxic. 

I was very grateful I wore black. 

So wear dark colors on travel days; you don’t know when brown goo will drip on you from the overhead. 

Bonus travel tip:

Always travel with flip-flops or some type of slides in your carry-on.

They are great to have handy in case you need them or in an emergency. 

Let me know in the comments if you have any great travel tips or if you use ours and it helps you make travel easier. 

Here are some other posts you can check out 

“How to get over jet lag in three days“

“Things you need to do before traveling internationally”

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