Packing for an international trip comes down to matching your bag to airline size and weight limits, separating liquids and electronics correctly for security screening, and organizing contents so nothing is forgotten. The steps below follow rules from aviation and health authorities, plus organization techniques from experienced travel writers.
Packing mistakes rarely ruin a trip, but they can cost time at the airport, extra baggage fees, or a confiscated item at the security checkpoint. The checklist below draws on official baggage guidance from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), U.S. public-health packing advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and organizing methods described by travel journalists at The Points Guy.
Step 1: Check size and weight limits before you choose a bag
IATA recommends that carry-on bags not exceed 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches), including wheels and handles, and notes that many airlines also apply a carry-on weight limit starting around 5 kg (11 lb). For checked baggage, IATA says individual bags should ideally stay under 23 kg (50 lb) for handling-safety reasons, while the maximum weight many airlines will accept for a single bag is 32 kg (70 lb) in regions including the EU and the United States. On U.S. and Canada-linked routes, a common maximum combined dimension (length plus width plus height) for checked bags is 158 cm (62 inches).
IATA stresses that these are general industry figures and that exact allowances remain airline-specific, so travelers should confirm limits with their carrier before packing.
Typical IATA baggage guidelines
Bag type
Size guideline
Weight guideline
Carry-on
56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 in)
Often starts around 5 kg (11 lb), airline-dependent
Checked (single bag)
Up to 158 cm combined dimensions on many US/Canada routes
Recommended max 23 kg (50 lb); many airlines accept up to 32 kg (70 lb)
Step 2: Separate liquids, electronics, and spare batteries correctly
Spare lithium batteries that are not installed in a device are not allowed in checked baggage, according to IATA; they must travel in carry-on luggage. This covers spare batteries for phones, cameras, laptops, and portable chargers, so travelers should pack any spares in their cabin bag rather than a suitcase that will be checked.
Liquids, gels, and aerosols for the cabin need to go into a separate, easily accessible pouch so they can be removed at screening if the airport requires it; keeping them apart from clothing also reduces the risk of leaks spreading to other items.
Step 3: Pack health and document essentials first
The CDC recommends packing copies of your passport and other travel documents, along with immunization records and, if required for the destination, proof of yellow fever vaccination. It also advises keeping contact information for your healthcare provider and the nearest U.S. embassy accessible during the trip.
On medication, the CDC suggests carrying prescriptions in their original bottles and bringing over-the-counter items such as pain relievers, antihistamines, and digestive aids. The agency also lists hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, sunscreen, insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and a basic first-aid kit among useful health supplies, while noting that all items should also meet security and destination-country customs rules.
Make two copies of your passport, visa, and itinerary — one packed separately from the originals, one left with a contact at home.
Pack prescription medication in original, labeled bottles and keep it in your carry-on.
Add CDC-recommended health items: hand sanitizer, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a basic first-aid kit.
Check any destination-specific vaccination requirements, such as yellow fever proof, well before departure.
Confirm your airline's exact carry-on and checked-bag size and weight limits.
Pack spare lithium batteries only in carry-on luggage, never in a checked bag.
Group clothing using packing cubes by type or by outfit to keep the suitcase organized.
Keep liquids and electronics in separate, easy-to-reach pouches for security screening.
Step 4: Organize the inside of the bag
Travel writers at The Points Guy describe packing cubes as a way to divide a suitcase into sections — for example, grouping items by outfit or by clothing type (tops in one cube, bottoms in another), or by day of the trip when packing for a family. Compression cubes can be zipped down to a smaller size, which the outlet says helps fit more into a limited carry-on.
The same organizing method is described by The Points Guy as helping keep clothing wrinkle-free whether it is rolled or folded, and making it easier to find a specific item without unpacking the whole bag.
Packing cubes help keep your clothing wrinkle-free, regardless of whether you prefer to roll or fold them.
— The Points Guy
Putting the steps together
In practice, this means starting with the bag itself — confirming it fits your airline's size and weight limits — before deciding what goes inside. Documents, medication, and health supplies go in first because they are the hardest to replace abroad. Electronics with spare batteries stay in the carry-on. Clothing goes in last, divided into cubes or pouches by type so the bag stays organized from departure to the return trip home.
Questions
Can I pack spare phone or laptop batteries in checked luggage?
No. According to IATA, spare (uninstalled) lithium batteries are not allowed in checked baggage and must be carried in the cabin instead.
How heavy can a checked bag be for an international flight?
IATA recommends keeping individual checked bags under 23 kg (50 lb) for safe handling, though many airlines, including in the EU and the US, accept up to 32 kg (70 lb) per bag; exact limits vary by airline.
What documents should I pack copies of before international travel?
The CDC recommends carrying copies of your passport and travel documents, immunization records, and, if required for your destination, proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Do packing cubes actually help organize a suitcase?
Travel journalists at The Points Guy say packing cubes help by grouping clothing by type or outfit, reducing wrinkles, and making it easier to find items without unpacking the whole bag.
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