What to Pack for an International Trip: An Indian Traveller’s Honest List

Over the years, I’ve realised that packing is less about carrying trendy items and more about carrying the right ones.

Especially the small, unglamorous things that never make it to Instagram, but quietly save your day when you’re far from home.

In this blog, I’ve shared the travel essentials that have helped me out of uncomfortable travel situations time and again.

Can you travel without them? Of course. But having them with you can enhance your travel comfort noticeably.

Here’s everything covered in this post at a glance:

Must-haves: Packing cubes · Toiletry minis · Isabgol · Ear plugs · Liquid electrolytes

Food backups: Energy bars · Oats or granola · Maggi or instant meals

Situational lifesavers: Disposable bags · Tea sachets · Band-aids and cotton · Period panties

Scroll down for the why, the when, and the exact products I use.

Here is a travel packing list I abide by, no matter where in the world I’m travelling.

Must-Have Packing Essentials

Packing Cubes

Now I can clearly mark my travels as before and after using packing cubes, because they’re one of those essentials you don’t think you need, until you use them once.

They’ve been a huge convenience in keeping my packing organised and my belongings clean, especially when moving between cities.

Moreover, unpacking becomes almost unnecessary; everything stays where it belongs. I usually keep one cube for tops, one for bottoms, one for undergarments, one for footwear, and one for used clothes. It keeps my luggage feeling neat and manageable.

I also like to pre-decide what I’ll wear on which day, so I often pack two to three outfits per cube in chronological order. It saves a surprising amount of time and mental energy when we are in a rush to hit the road.

If you’re considering packing cubes, here are two solid options depending on how you travel:

• A simple, budget-friendly packing cube set is more than enough if you travel occasionally or just want to try packing cubes for the first time. It does the job well and makes a noticeable difference to how organised your luggage feels.
• A sturdier, better-quality set makes sense if you travel frequently, move cities often, or want something that will last for years. I bought this set of packing cubes in 2020, and it is still in great shape.

Both work. The right choice really depends on how often you’re on the road and how much wear you expect from them.

Isabgol (Psyllium Husk)-Indian traveller specific

Let’s start with something most travel blogs don’t talk about, but many travellers quietly struggle with.

Travel can really disrupt digestion. New food, different water, irregular meal timings, and long journeys often lead to bloating, acidity, or constipation. For me, this happens almost every time I’m on the road.

Isabgol is a simple, old-school remedy that many Indian households already use. It helps regulate digestion gently, without being harsh, which makes it easier to manage discomfort while travelling.

I usually take it with water at night, especially if I know the next day involves long travel or heavy meals.

A small pouch takes up almost no space in your bag and can save you a lot of unease during a trip.

Depending on your suitability or stomach sensitivity, you can either consume tablets or powder.

Pro tip: Order it a few weeks before you leave for your trip, to determine its effect on your stomach specifically.

Toiletry Minis / Refillable Bottles

I used to overpack my toiletries, mostly because I carried full-size bottles of everything,  moisturiser, shampoo, sunscreen, you name it. Over time, I switched to refilling small travel-size bottles and keeping them packed in a dedicated toiletry kit. Today, this is one of my must-have travel items.

It takes up very little space, yet I still have everything I need during a trip.

The best part is that I don’t need to unpack or rethink it every time; the kit stays in my luggage, ready for the next journey.

I use a set very similar to this product. Before you pack these in your luggage, ensure that you secure the lid tightly to avoid spilling.

Pro tip: Fill it with water before adding your cosmetics to ensure they are leak-proof.

Ear Plugs

If you’re a light sleeper, earplugs are non-negotiable.

They’ve saved me on noisy flights with crying babies, and just as often in my hotel rooms, from traffic noise, temple bells, early-morning loudspeakers, and roadside activity that’s common in India and many South Asian countries.

I remember starting my Vietnam trip cranky and irritable because I barely slept on the flight, thanks to a toddler crying through most of it.

That was the last time I travelled without earplugs. Since then, they have lived permanently in my luggage.

These earplugs often cancel noise completely, and even if they don’t, they dull it enough to let your body rest, and that makes all the difference when you’re travelling.

Liquid Electrolytes (You won’t find this on Western packing lists)

I love beach destinations, but heat and humidity drain me faster than I expect. Add long walks, delayed meals, and packed sightseeing days, and I’m completely wiped.

Liquid electrolyte sachets or drops are often my saviors in such conditions. They’re easy to pack and help me recover quickly on days when water alone isn’t enough.

That being said, though they may not taste as good as a cold drink, they’re far better for sustained energy and stamina while travelling.

This is the one I usually carry for long, hot travel days. If you want to try it out first, these lime flavoured drinks are a budget-friendly alternative. Alternatively, you can always buy standard ORS sachets from any Indian pharmacy.

Related read: Things you must pack while travelling to Kerala  

Comfort Upgrades (Travel Experience Improvements)

Food Essentials for Indian Travellers Abroad

Energy Bars

My partner and I often walk miles exploring cities, the quiet lanes, local corners, and places that don’t always come with nearby cafés. We end up skipping meals more often than planned.

Especially during our recent visit to Kerala, during long backwater cruises, delayed meals were more common than we had anticipated.

Energy bars have saved me on many such days. I still carry homemade snacks and dry fruits, but energy bars help curb hunger and sweet cravings without the sugar crash.

I usually prefer brands that keep ingredients clean and simple.

Sharing the product I fall back on when meals get delayed. It is from an Indian brand and remains in my shoulder bag even when I’m not travelling. (P.S. It is super yummy!)

These especially work best when you are a vegetarian or do not want to load up on junk snacks like chips or munchies, readily available everywhere.

Oats / Granola / Muesli

Hotel breakfasts abroad are unpredictable. Sometimes they’re great, sometimes they’re very local, and sometimes you just don’t feel like eating what’s on offer.

As a vegetarian with specific food preferences, I’ve learned to carry oats, granola, or muesli that I know my body is comfortable with. With hot water or milk, it becomes a quick, reliable meal.

On early mornings or late nights, this small backup can be the difference between sleeping hungry and feeling settled.

Maggi Packets

This one is very Indian and very practical.

On my first day in Vietnam, I realised that even vegetarian food often carried a strong smell that made it difficult for me to eat.

To make matters worse, later that day, our tour stopped at a remote buffet location with very limited vegetarian options.

Thankfully, I had packed a cup of Maggi, which, with a little hot water, saved me from going hungry.

Since then, cup noodles or similar instant meals have always been a staple in my travel essentials.  

Related: Get a free guide to enjoying experiential, slow vacations here.   

Situational Items You’ll Wish You Had Packed

Disposable Bags

Disposable bags are one of the most underrated travel essentials for me.

Wet clothes, used footwear, food leftovers, trash, and travel often end up getting messy. Especially during long flights, road trips, or countryside travel, you don’t always find dustbins when you need them.

I used them extensively on my backwater rides in Munroe Island, Kerala.

I usually keep a couple in my handbag to collect trash until I can dispose of it properly. When not used for that, they help separate shoes, damp clothes, or used laundry.

They are extremely helpful during travel with infants and toddlers to manage waste and used diapers.

I usually carry these as they come with a clip-on that I can attach to my purse or handbag.

Tea Sachets

If you’re someone who needs their morning or evening cup of tea, you’ll understand this instantly.

Hotel tea bags are unpredictable, and finding your preferred flavour outside can be hit or miss. Carrying a few sachets of masala chai, green tea, or herbal blends adds a small sense of familiarity to unfamiliar places.

It practically helped me kickstart my morning on my recent trip to Georgia.

I always include a few sachets of herbal green tea in my packing list to cure a cold, cough, or slow digestion while travelling. These double up as home remedies for these common ailments.

Basic First Aid: Band-Aids & Cotton

A few band-aids are worth their weight in gold. I’ve used them for blisters, shoe bites, and sore spots from long walking days on almost every trip.

I’ve even used them to prevent heavy earrings from cutting into my earlobes during wedding travel. A little cotton and a few Band-Aids weigh nothing but come in handy at the most unexpected times.

It’s always better to have them than to search for a pharmacy late at night in a new place.

Period Panties

Periods are uncomfortable enough without the added stress of constant pad changes, leakage worries, or hunting for washrooms while travelling.

Period panties have been a genuine upgrade for me. They’re discreet, comfortable, and especially helpful on long travel days, flights, or itineraries that involve a lot of walking.

What I appreciate most is the reduced mental load; you can hand-wash them, dry them overnight, and move on.

I prefer reusable cotton ones, and these have saved me from hassle on many occasions. But if you can also use disposable period panties.

If you want to try period panties, I am leaving below the links to the same.

Disposable period panties for light flow and comfortable travel.

These are my favourite reusable panties for long travels, & heavy flows, or just for being environmentally friendly.

However, I wouldn’t recommend them if you are very sensitive or travelling to a place where bathrooms are easily accessible.

Portable Weighing Machine

More often than not, I end up shopping during my travels, and somehow return with more than I originally packed. That usually means my luggage weight keeps changing, and I have to make sure it still stays within the airline limits.

Carrying a portable weighing scale has saved me from last-minute stress at the airport during check-in.

Sharing the link to the weighing scale I’ve been using for years.

You can carry it in both checked-in and carry-on luggage. However, it’s better to keep it in your carry-on for any last-minute checks.

These travel essentials have repeatedly earned a permanent place on my packing list. Over time, I’ve learned to leave behind extra outfits and bulky, expensive gear and focus instead on the few items that truly matter.

You don’t need to carry everything listed here on every trip, but understanding when and why these things help allows you to pack smarter, not heavier. And in my experience, that’s what makes travelling far more enjoyable.

For a 10-day trip, we managed with one 20kg check-in and a 7kg cabin bag using this list.

Questions You Might Have