There are a lot of posts on this blog about items to pack for your first international trip. However, a lot of them are very general. Today I’m sharing the brands that I use that are good quality and make it through all my trips.

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Delsey Hard side Luggage

I want to be a light packer so bad. It’s just not going to happen. That means anytime I travel internationally I need an expandable suitcase that is at least 24″ (0.6096 M) in size. I need this size to bring back souvenirs and other items. However, I also pack it with food and other items I’ll need on the trip. Those items won’t go back home with me, so that means I’ll get that space back on the return trip.

I’m pretty rough with my luggage. I’ve busted suitcases from overfilling them. And honestly, I would buy whichever suitcase was available wherever I busted said suitcase. I did not put a lot of thought into my suitcases and surprise, they would only survive one or two trips. I hated being the one losing control of her suitcase while crossing the street because the wheels of the suitcase were so cheaply made. Don’t make the same mistake as me. Choose a quality suitcase for your first international trip.

I purchased this Delsey Christine medium sized checked luggage that is 25″ (0.635 M), which is the perfect size to bring back items from my trips. My exact version is no longer available. The current U.S. version doesn’t have double wheels. The ones I’m linking have the features I love. See what I look for in my hard side luggage in my Hard side Suitcase Checklist post.

Delsey Paris Helium Aero Medium Expandable Spinner

Delsey Paris Dune 25″ Expandable Spinner

Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 24″ Check-In Spinner

SWISSGEAR Rolling Duffel

My carry-on for international trips is usually a weekender duffel. This is where I put most of my clothes and toiletries to free up space in my medium checked luggage. The size is perfect for the overhead compartment. This will not fit under the seat. I took a weekender tote without wheels on a trip last October and carrying it around was tough. For that reason, make sure your weekender tote or duffel has wheels.

The SWISSGEAR Rolling Duffel has one large main area. It also has a mesh pocket and a waterproof pocket perfect for carrying wet bathing suits or other items you want to keep separate. What I love about duffels is that you can fit a lot of items that will not fit into a hard side suitcase. There is always a little nook to fit more items. I use either packing cubes or vacuum bags to pack my clothes within the bag.

SWISSGEAR Medium Rolling Duffel Grey

SWISSGEAR Large Rolling Duffel Black

Bagsmart Laptop backpack

A backpack is great to use for your personal item on an airplane. It fits under your seat but has lots of room for all the things to keep you happy throughout your flight. When choosing a backpack look for one with a padded back. A laptop compartment is also essential if you will be bringing a laptop. The straps that go across your chest are a nice bonus.

My laptop backpack came from a random shop in S. Korea. However, it has a lot of great features that rival more expensive bags. The quality is almost comparable to my Bagsmart Weekender Overnight Bag. For that reason, I suggest trying out the laptop bags from Bagsmart. All their bags are great quality and have lots of compartments for all your items.

Bagsmart Falco 40L Expandable Backpack

Bagsmart Blast Quick Access 28L-38L Travel Backpack

MarleyLilly Packing Cubes

Most basic packing cube sets include one small cube, one medium cube, one large cube. The sets also include three pouches, small, medium and large in size. I use varying sizes depending on the size luggage I’m carrying. I usually distribute the pouches between my backpack, rolling duffel and checked luggage. Then I use the cubes to separate the things in my rolling duffel and checked luggage. For some trips I use them all, and for others I only use the pouches.

When I arrive at my hotel or rental, the cubes are a great way to organize my clothes in the closets and drawers. They are also great for organizing your items at home. So, whether you use them for your first international trip or not, these are a great option to have.

My set came from Amazon, and I’ve had it for years. If I was buying a set today, I would choose MarleyLilly’s Monogrammed packing cube set. I have purchased from them before. I love their quality and jump at the chance to support a small business. MarleyLilly has lots of great personalized travel items. Check out all their travel items.

MarleyLilly Monogrammed Packing Cubes

MarleyLilly Travel Accessories

Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag

When it comes to my personal item while I’m traveling, I love having my laptop backpack. However, it’s too large to carry smaller items like my passport and other documents. I always bring a smaller bag that goes inside my backpack during the trip. In the past I’ve used a small clutch bag. That was great during traveling, but I didn’t have much use for it after I had reached my destination.

Two years ago, I purchased a Uniqlo “banana” bag and haven’t looked back. It’s the perfect travel bag because it’s lightweight and water resistant. The size is just right. It’s not too big or small. Surprisingly it fits a lot! There are a few interior pockets. They lack zippers, but I have not had issues with things falling out. The strap is adjustable so you can wear it a variety of ways. The minimalist style makes it great for men and women.

Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag

Ceptics Travel Adapter

A travel adapter is a must have. We have so many devices and we use them constantly. I travel to different parts of the world. So that means I need an adapter that works for many regions. I need something that is sturdy but that doesn’t have attachments that can easily get lost.

The Ceptics All-in-One adapter has two USB ports, two USB-C ports. The fact that it is Type A, C, G & I compatible means it can work in over 200+ countries! It comes with instructions so you can easily see which plug to use for each country. (If you want to learn the difference between a converter and an adapter, check out my Leaving the U.S. for the First Time post.

Ceptics All-in-One Travel Adapter

Mark & Graham Pill Case

Most people take some type of vitamin or other pill daily. You want to maintain your good health habits away from home. I usually carry a multivitamin, painkillers and Airborne tablets, among other things. See what I take to stay healthy on trips in my 5 Great Items to Help You Stay Healthy While Traveling post.

My case is from Amazon. If I was buying a pill case today, I would choose the Mark & Graham pill case. I love bold colors, and a monogram is the cherry on top. This one is coated so it wipes clean easily.

Mark & Graham Clear Coated Travel Pill Organizer/

Nalgene water bottle

I have a hard time remembering to drink water when I’m not traveling. Traveling makes that bad habit even worse.

I have had my Nalgene bottle for 5+ years. The heavy-duty plastic stands up to my clumsiness. I have dropped my bottle more times than I can count, and it still keeps working. The lock keeps it from opening unnecessarily. My favorite thing about it is that it can be opened with one hand. The design also allows it to hook onto any bag.

Nalgene Lock Top Water Bottle.

Etsy Passport Holder

You need your passport to travel internationally. Your first international trip needs a passport holder. Passports are only made of heavy cardstock. So, they will get messed up over the 8-10 years you will have your passport. That means it needs the protection of a passport holder. There are so many different types of passport holders to choose from. Many have pockets to hold travel documents.

My passport holder was a gift, and I love it. If I was to buy my own passport holder today, I would choose a monogrammed one from an Etsy seller. There are so many ways you can customize the holder to fit your taste. And the monogram means it belongs to you and only you.

Etsy Shadow Monogram Passport Holder

JVC Headphones

Headphones were always at the bottom of my list. I would only buy cheap pairs that would always break after only a couple years. Quality headphones make a world of difference when flying on a 10+ hour-long flight. Choose ones that fit comfortably over your ears. I can never understand why someone would want an earbud in their ear for such a long time.

I’ve had my JVC Headphones for a while, and they’ve worked well. They are so different from all the extremely cheap pairs that would never last. These are a great inexpensive pair that is still really good quality. My exact ones are no longer available, so I’ve linked a similar pair.

JVC Lightweight On Ear Headphones

Are you all ready for your first international trip? Are there any other items that you are looking for suggestions on? Let me know in the comments below.