Packing for a Long Overseas Trip: What to Do Before You Even Open Your Suitcase
Packing for an overseas trip of two weeks or longer is about far more than choosing outfits and fitting everything neatly into your suitcase. The truth is, the packing begins before you touch a single piece of clothing. For many people—especially those traveling solo or without nearby family support—the preparation that happens at home is just as important as what you bring with you.
Travel is freedom, adventure, learning, and joy. But leaving your life behind for an extended time means creating a soft landing for your return. The goal: to step back into your life after the trip with ease, instead of into stress, unpaid bills, dying plants, or loose ends.
Let’s walk through the key things to think about before you zip your suitcase shut.
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1. Your Home: Preparing the Space You’ll Leave Behind
Home Security Measures
• Set light timers or use smart home devices to mimic your usual routines.
• Stop newspaper delivery and consider holding your mail—or have a trusted neighbor collect it.
• Make sure all windows and doors are secured.
• Notify your alarm company and a neighbor of your travel dates.
• Wait to post your vacation photos publicly until after you return. (Of course this is widely recommended but I post while away.)
Plant Care
• Leave clear plant care instructions.
• Ask a neighbor, friend, or plant sitter to visit once or twice a week.
• Consider self-watering planters for easy-to-maintain greenery.
Vehicle Care
• Park your vehicle in a garage if you can.
• For extended trips, disconnect the battery or ask someone to start the car weekly.
• Confirm your registration and insurance won’t lapse while you are away.
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2. Your Finances & Business Affairs
• Pay upcoming bills or set them to auto-pay.
• Let your bank and credit card companies know about your travel dates and destinations.
• Pause package deliveries.
• Clear your work schedule and handle any essential projects ahead of time.
Departure is easier when nothing is hanging over your head.
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3. Healthcare and Medications
• Bring enough of your prescriptions to last your entire trip plus extra.
• Pack a personal health kit with items such as:
• Pain reliever of choice
• Antihistamines
• Motion sickness tablets
• Band-Aids
• A general antibiotic (if advised by your doctor)
• Any chronic care items (inhalers, EpiPens, etc.)
Keep all medications in your carry-on, never your checked bag. Also, pack all medical equipment in your carry-on bags.
Also:
• Bring copies of your medical insurance and travel insurance.
• Keep your doctor’s contact information accessible.
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4. Travel Documents and Currency
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return.
• Order foreign currency in advance to avoid stressful ATM hunts on arrival.
• Print or store offline copies of all travel confirmations and reservations.
Share your itinerary and contact details with at least one trusted person at home.
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5. Getting To and From Where You’re Going
• Arrange transportation to the airport before the day of travel.
• Know how you’ll get from the airport to your lodging—especially if you arrive late at night.
• Save instructions and addresses offline, including the name of your hotel in the local language.
Phones fail—preparation does not.
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6. Hardcopies: The Lifeline You Don’t Know You Need
No matter how advanced our smartphones seem, batteries die, screens crack, SIM cards stop working, and international data plans can fail at the most inconvenient moment. Technology is helpful—until suddenly, it isn’t.
I once found myself alone in Lisbon at the end of a 23-day trip when my phone unexpectedly died. Completely unusable. It was the middle of the night, rain pouring, and I needed to get to the airport. No Uber. No GPS. No contacts. Just me, my wits, and the city. I walked through dark, wet streets at 3 AM looking for a human being who could help. Eventually, I found my way—not easily—but confidently. I traveled through three airports and paid for a very expensive taxi once home. And at no point did I doubt my ability to navigate without technology.
Why? Because I always carry hardcopies.
What to print:
• Your complete itinerary
• Copies of your passport and ID
• Airline reservations and boarding passes
• Hotel and lodging addresses
• Transportation and tour confirmations
• Maps of cities and neighborhoods you plan to visit
Hardcopies never run out of battery.
Hardcopies don’t rely on an internet connection.
Hardcopies give you power when everything else collapses.
They make you resilient.
They make you independent.
They make you unafraid.
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7. Packing Clothing and Essentials
Once life logistics are handled, then you pack:
• Focus on layers and mix-and-match basics.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes.
• Pack less than you think—laundry services exist everywhere.
• Leave space in your luggage for treasures and souvenirs.
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- 8. Pet Care. Of course, you must arrange for pet care. I have friends who will not travel until they have a trust for the individual to care for their pets.
When You Live Alone, This Preparation Takes Extra Care
If you don’t have nearby family or a partner to rely on, planning is even more important. Consider:
• Hiring help for home or plant care
• Leaving written guidance for emergency contacts
• Asking one trusted friend to be your “backup contact”
You deserve to travel freely—and you can.
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Final Thought
Preparing thoroughly isn’t just logistical—it’s emotional.
It allows you to step into your journey with a calm mind and an open heart.
The world is waiting. Let your journey begin with confidence, clarity, and peace.
Safe travels—and may you always find your way, with or without a phone.📱
