The Essential Packing List for an International Flight

Even frequent flyers face occasional uncertainty about international travel. It's surprisingly common to feel the need to check your bag before airport security just in case you've accidentally packed two propane tanks and an endangered reptile. Fortunately, with some careful planning and packing, any traveller can avoid much of the stress that comes with a busy airport and ensure their journey starts on the right foot.

Advances in scanning technology and consumer electronics mean it’s never been easier to fly . With a little forward planning, getting to the airport and onto the plane can be a stress-free and even enjoyable experience. To banish any pre-travel anxiety, we’ve assembled a packing list below with everything you need, and some you may not (but really want) for an international flight. With everything from legal essentials to diverting gadgets, here’s a packing list to get you through the airport, flight, and onwards to your next destination.

What to Pack For an International Flight: The Plane Essentials

Passport

A passport should be the first item to pack. Even in regions with freedom of movement like the EU, passengers will require an internationally accepted form of Photo ID to get on most flights, and a valid passport is usually the quickest and clearest way of providing this. Many airlines, such as Easyjet, require passport ID for all flights, including domestic and short-haul routes.  

Secondly, make sure the passport is still valid for several months. Many countries, especially those that require a visa, will not accept passports that expire in less than six months. Airline staff and border control have the right to refuse access to any customers with a soon-to-expire passport.

International Visa (if Required)  

Some countries allow travellers to enter with only a valid passport. Others require a supplementary document, known as an international visa. International visa requirements depend on the destination country as well as the visitor's passport country of issue, the length and purpose of their stay. For example, US visitors can stay in the European Union for up to 90 days with just a passport. Any longer stays will require a visa. As these factors are at the mercy of a range of diplomatic and geopolitical factors, they can vary frequently. Be sure to double-check the visa requirements of any country you’re headed to before you set off.

Boarding Pass

This is your ticket onto the plane. Travellers will usually need to present their boarding pass at security and again at the boarding gate to get on to their flight. It may also be asked for at duty-free shops inside the terminal building to prove that you are an international visitor. Most airlines simply send a digital boarding pass via email to passengers who check in online, though some budget ones insist their passengers physically print a copy and take it with them. Paper boarding passes can also be collected from the check-in desks inside the terminal building.

Hand Luggage 

Unless you’re travelling seriously light, you’ll need an item of carry-on hand luggage, a suitcase, or both. Hand luggage stays with you throughout the airport and onto the plane. Most airlines have strict size restrictions listed on their website, and charge hefty fees for passengers who exceed these limits. It’s a good idea to pack your bag at home first and measure it before you fly. This way, you can arrive at the airport in full confidence that you won’t be paying extra baggage fees. It's also a good idea to pack some clothing essentials in your hand luggage, on the (hopefully) remote chance that your checked luggage is lost, delayed or damaged in transit. As hand luggage goes with you through airport security, airports set strict limits on their contents. Rules vary from airport to airport, but as a rule of thumb: no sharp objects of any kind, no compressed gas canisters (including deodorant) and no liquids over 50 millilitres. Once you’re through security and into the departures lounge, you’re free to buy as many pointed items, voluminous liquids and aerosols as you like – just not before the security checks. 

Checked Luggage

Checked luggage refers to any larger bags or suitcases that get handed over to the check-in desk on arrival at the airport and stowed in the cargo hold of the plane during the flight. As with hand luggage, airlines set their own size and weight limits for checked bags – double-check the maximum allowed on your ticket. Take any guesswork out of the equation and avoid pre-holiday anxiety by weighing your luggage at home before you travel. Use a special luggage-weighing hook, or, if possible, stand on a bathroom scales holding your suitcase and subtract your body weight from the total weight on the display. 

Some airport hotels and terminals will also have coin-operated luggage scales, though these should be a last resort. The contents of checked luggage can be a little more flexible than hand luggage – larger volumes of liquid are usually permitted, for example. Still, it’s best to check the airline website before packing to ensure everything stays within the guidelines and avoid the lengthy process of having your suitcase searched at an airport.

Must-Pack Items for the Airport and Flight

Now you’ve sorted everything you need to get through check-in and security, it’s time to relax, enjoy the terminal shops and restaurants, and take off.  

Travel Plug Adapter

International standards are a wonderful, democratizing set of principles that bring the world together and hamper private companies from forcing their designs on the populace. Nevertheless, we still live in a world with a variety of regional electricity sockets. Make sure you know the plug type of your destination country, and if it’s different from your home one, buy a travel adapter. It’s wise to purchase these at home before you travel, as travel adapters in airports are often sold at steep markups.  

Powerbank or Portable Battery Pack

Being able to use a phone, iPad or laptop in the airport terminal without keeping a constant eye on battery percentage is a privilege of modern international air travel. Most airports will have a few charging points scattered throughout the terminals. A portable battery pack or power bank is still highly recommended for longer journeys, however. These will allow you to enjoy your electronic gadgets before and during the flight, while still ensuring a full battery on landing. No one wants to be stuck in a new country without phone battery, after all. 

Comfortable Clothing

As anyone who works in an office will tell you, human beings are not built to sit for multiple consecutive hours. Longer-haul flights allow passengers the opportunity to periodically get up and stretch their legs. Some steps that can be taken to boost in-flight comfort and ensure you arrive at your destination relaxed and fresh. Comfortable clothing, neck pillows and on-ear headphones all help passengers avoid discomfort – just don’t be that person who takes their shoes and socks off mid-flight.

Travel Toiletries

As previously mentioned, most airports do not permit liquids over 50 millilitres through security. However, travel-sized miniature versions of most toiletries can be purchased at larger pharmacies and beauty shops. Alternatively, toiletries can also be purchased once inside the terminal building, though these will usually be more expensive.

Essential Travel Items on Landing

Travel eSIM 

If you’re travelling to a new country, one of the first things you’ll need is a reliable mobile internet connection. Everything from translating street signs to hailing a taxi and finding your hotel address requires the internet. Airport Wi-Fi can help initially, though it is not always available. Using your domestic network provider abroad can generate costly international roaming fees.  Most modern smartphones built after 2018 will support eSIMs – if they do, eSIMs are by far the most convenient and cost-effective way to get online abroad is with a travel eSIM. 

These are SIM profiles that travellers can download to their phones, rather than insert via a SIM card, allowing them to use mobile data at low-cost local rates during temporary visits to other countries. 

Translation App

If you’re in a country that speaks a different language, don’t assume you can use English. Take some time to learn a few basic phrases in the local language, and download a translation app like DeepL or Google Translate before you go. These apps even allow users to download languages, allowing offline translations in areas with no signal.

Navigation App

Once you've touched down and connected to the internet using the airport Wi-Fi or a travel eSIM, a navigation app like Citymapper or Google Maps is the easiest way to plan your onward travel from the airport. Some apps allow maps to be saved for offline usage.

Travel eSIM plans

Japan

United States

France

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Packing List for International Flights: a Summary