20 Best Travel Essentials When Traveling On an International Trip with a Toddler: What to Pack & What to Leave Behind

Here is an international travel packing list of the 20 best travel necessities and must haves to ensure you and your toddler have a smooth and memorable trip.  

After a few international trips with our now 3 year old, we have a better idea of what to pack and what to leave behind. This is exactly what we packed on our recent 2.5 week Europe trip. The last two items might come as a surprise, but are our absolute favorite.  

1. Standard Sized Carry-on Luggage

Pack them a standard size carry-on luggage for international trips. The kids/toddler sized luggage are cute for the first 15 minutes when they’re pulling it, but not so ideal when you’re the one carrying it the rest of the trip. They count as a full carry-on but cannot fit much in them so becomes impractical.

With that in mind, LEAVE BEHIND the cute Stokke Jetkids BedBox for international trips (but we do love it for short domestic trips). We took this on our trip to Asia and was not allowed to use it under the seat on most airlines. It has limited space so we couldn’t fit much in there. It was also difficult to maneuver around (not ergonomic nor swivel friendly for adult use) so we had to lug it over our shoulders. This is especially difficult while having to carrying your other luggage.

Overall, child-friendly luggage for international travel is not adult-friendly with a toddler in tow.

2. Viral Backpack

We highly recommend this TikTok viral backpack with multiple and easily accessible compartments. It not only makes the perfect carry-on personal bag but the perfect diaper bag for international travels. And it’s only $25!

There are plenty of compartments making it easy to organize and access. For example, there’s a compartment at the very bottom where we put baby wipes so it’s always easy to pull out. It also opens up like a luggage so you can fit so much more stuff than a regular backpack.

We loved this backpack and noticed so many travelers (both with and without children) in Europe were wearing it. 10/10!   

LEAVE BEHIND your everyday over the shoulder diaper bag. I learned this lesson the hard way on a long international trip, having to carry a diaper bag on one side and my toddler on the side. A backpack is much easier on your shoulders and frees up both arms.   

3. Compact & Lightweight Stroller

We love and highly recommend the GB Pockit stroller when traveling internationally with a toddler. It’s a super lightweight (only 10 pounds!) and compact (it folds down to fit in the overhead cabin). It’s also easy to open and close with just a click.

It’s the perfect size and maneuvered easily through the cobblestone streets of France, Italy and Greece. We saw many parents traveling with this stroller.          

LEAVE BEHIND your bulky full-sized stroller, especially in Europe where the streets are narrow.

4. Packing Cubes

Stay organized with packing cubes. Don’t spend too much time packing and unpacking and folding and unfolding clothes in between hotel stays. On our recent  trip we had to pack for both warm and cold weather. We used packing cubes to stay organized – such as cubes for cool summer clothes for Greece, cubes for warm autumn clothes for Switzerland, etc. 

5. Compression Bags

We spent almost 3 weeks in Europe and managed to only pack a carry-on luggage and backpack for each person (don’t be deterred overpacking mamas – we highly recommend this!). This was only made possible with the use of compression bags.

6. Travel Money Belt 

Put your passport and travel documents in a travel money belt. This is not just a mommy necessity but an overall travel necessity. 

Instead of digging through your bag for your passport/boarding pass each time you’re checking in, going through TSA, boarding, etc. have it handy around your waist. It’s easy to get sidetracked and misplace it with a fussy toddler.

I like this travel money belt in particular as it’s more discrete being a neutral beige color, thin, and can be worn under your clothes. 

7. Crossbody Phone Case

The last thing you want to worry about is losing your phone. Get yourself a crossbody phone case. How many times have you put your phone down while tending to your child and forget where it is?

You will especially need this if you’re traveling to crowded, touristy places, where pickpocketers are commonplace. Give yourself peace of mind and wear one of these. 

8. Comfortable Kids Clothing & Shoes

If you’re traveling for different weather, pack comfortable clothes for your child that can easily be layered and mixed and matched. Comfortable tennis shoes is also a must. For our recent trip we packed our toddler 2 pairs of tennis shoes (Adidas and New Balance) and a pair of Crocs.

9. Child’s Comfort Item

Don’t forget to bring your child’s security blanket or favorite stuffed animal. Traveling away from home can be stressful for your toddler, so having something familiar with help them feel comfortable and secure.     

10. Children Toiletries

Pack your child’s toiletries like children’s toothpaste, bath soap, lotion, sunblock, etc. Unless you know for certain you can buy specific children’s products abroad, don’t depend on it as they can often times be hard to find.     

11. Antibacterial Wipes and Children Hand Sanitizer

Need we say more? Planes and public places are dirty – don’t forget to carry antibacterial wipes and children friendly alcohol-free hand sanitizer.

12. Disposable Children Toilet Seat Covers

If your child is potty trained, we highly recommend using these disposable toilet seat covers that covers most of the toilet. This was a lifesaver when our son needed to go in a public restroom (and even on the airplane) and there was either no toilet covers or the thin ones that are almost useless. These are a must!    

13. First Aid Kit / Children’s Medicine

Pack a first aid kit with all the essentials and any prescribed and over the counter children’s medicine (fever, allergy, cold, etc).   

14. Child-Safe Headphones

Bring child-safe headphones for your child to use during travels. It can also be a great way to block out airplane or other loud noises.    

15. Sippy Cups / Water Bottle

Pack their favorite spill-proof sippy cups and water bottles.   

16. Swim Floaties

Don’t skip a pool or beach day because you forgot to pack your child’s swim floaties (if needed).    

17. Entertainment

Pack as much travel friendly toys and books that you can to occupy your child during your travels.  

18. Plenty of Snacks

Pack your child’s favorite snacks and plenty of them.

19. Bonus: A Scooter – yes a scooter!

If your toddler knows how to ride a scooter, we highly recommend packing one for them to scoot around during your travels (where safe).

This is a great change from a stroller and it beats walking for a toddler any day.

Lennon scooted throughout the South of France, Puglia, and Switzerland with this exact scooter and created so many memories with it. This is our favorite travel essential by far. 

20. Bonus: Kid’s Toy Camera

Lennon loved taking photos of his travels with this mini children’s toy camera that actually works! It comes with 32gb card so you can even download their photos later! This is our next favorite essential – to capture these memories through his eyes and lens.

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