International holidays are extremely exciting, whether you have flown before or its your very first time. There is something thrilling about the opportunity to experience a foreign land, new cultures and people, and beautiful undiscovered landscapes.

Those planning an overseas getaway will likely be starting to tick off all last minute bookings and requirements as their holiday departure draws nearer and nearer. If you’re jetting off somewhere abroad for the holidays, be sure to take heed of these important packing guidelines for travelling abroad:

• Check baggage allowance

Depending on what airline you’re flying with, you’ll have to abide by a certain baggage allowance. Make sure you know how much you can bring back before packing a full suitcase.

• Documents

This may seem silly, but a lot of people forget to pack their most vital documents when travelling. Never leave without your passport, plane ticket, ID, travel insurance papers, and print outs of any bookings (especially if done by email).

• Copies of all documents

It’s important to keep a copy of your travel documents in a separate place to your originals as it won’t help if they’re both stuck in your stolen luggage. Print out copies of your credit cards, passport, ID, plane ticket, email bookings, and a photo of your luggage contents and lay them in the bottom of your suitcase. Also keep virtual copies on a flash disk in your hand luggage. This way, if anything goes wrong, the copies of your credit cards/passports will make getting home or applying for a new passport much easier.

• Day bag

Fill a day bag with all of the necessities you’ll need on the off chance your baggage goes missing, such as a change of clothes, clean underwear, basic toiletries, ID/passport, cell phone, medication, etc. Remember that most airlines won’t allow you to take liquids over 100ml in your hand luggage.

• Clothes

One thing I can recommend in terms of packing for overseas holidays is: take as little as you can! You’re going to need the space for bringing back new clothing items, gifts, and souvenirs you’ll pick up on your travels.

• Don’t pack unnecessarily

If you’re staying at a hotel or with friends, phone ahead and find out what bulky items they already have so you don’t bring anything you won’t need. These include hairdryers, towels, irons, bath robes, beach equipment, etc.

• Reading material

Your holiday may be the only time you’re going to get enough time off to actually enjoy a good book. Although not technically reading material, you should also include a notebook and pen and a phrase book in the language spoken in the country you’re visiting (if foreign to your own).

• Toiletries

Keep all of your liquid toiletries (face wash, shampoo, conditioner, etc) in travel sized bottles. This way, you’ll be able to keep them in your hand luggage for a quick refresher once you land. Other toiletries include toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitiser, deodorant, a brush, personal hygiene items, tweezers, dental floss, contact lenses, and a small bottle of washing detergent.

• Snacks

I fear it may only be Superman who can face the onset of aeroplane food without feeling just a little nauseous – or maybe that’s just me. Either way, keeping snacks is never a bad idea to use as a pick-me-up or to settle hunger pangs.

• Plug adapters

When travelling overseas, it’s very likely the plugs are going to be different to the ones at home. Make sure you’re not stuck with dead cell phone batteries by packing an international plug adapter that will fit all plugs. You can get these from most travel stores.

• Shoes

As shoes are the bulkiest items, they’ll also take on most of the weight in your baggage. Pack only two pairs of shoes – casual shoes and a dressy pair.

• Electronics

The moment you land on the other side of the world is not the best time to remember you’ve left your camera at home. Other electronics to pack include a GPS (if you’re driving overseas), cell phone, laptop, iPod with earphones, as well as the charging equipment for all of these items.

• Funds

Keep all of your credit, debit, and ATM cards in a wallet or a “super attractive” money belt, but leave at least one in a different location – so you’ll have funds in case your wallet gets stolen (never have all your eggs in one basket – you know the drill). It’s also a good idea to have some local currency on hand so you’re able to pay for a taxi or purchase a sim card in the airport. Other ways to keep funds include investing in a cash passport or traveller’s cheques.

• Miscellaneous

When perusing packing lists on the internet, there are several items that don’t fit into the other categories and it’s likely they may end up being forgotten. These include a pair of sunglasses, hat, torch, batteries, ear plugs, luggage tags, a sewing kit, and First Aid kit (with vitamins, motion sickness tablets, insect repellent, medication and prescriptions, headache and pain pills, antidiarrheal medicine, plasters, antiseptic, etc). A neck pillow will also do you well when trying to catch some shut eye on a cramped plane, train, or bus.

• Contact details

Make a note of the details of your emergency contact, be it mom, dad, sister, or friend. Keeping a little address book full of your friends and family’s addresses is also great if you’re going to be sending back postcards of your travels.

• Gifts

If you’re staying with friends and family, it’s pretty much custom that you should arrive bearing gifts. Even if it’s just a small token from home, such as an African beaded key ring or fridge magnet, it shows them their hospitality is appreciated.

• Travelling with children

Those travelling with little ones should always pack a kiddie’s bag filled with activities to keep them busy. Fill the bag with age-appropriate activity books, pens, magnetic games, and audio storybooks. Other items like nappies, a bottle, dummy, nappy cream, and an extra blanket will never go unnoticed.

What other packing tips can you recommend for overseas holidays?

Main Image by  Sydney Treasures Photography (Flickr)