Disclosure: The links on this website may contain affiliate links. This means that we may receive a commission if you decide to make any purchases using our affiliate links, at no cost to you. Please check out my disclosure policy
Are you excited to move abroad but aren’t sure how to pack your bags? Check out these tips on how to pack your bags and fit your life into a few suitcases.
Review airline luggage options
Nowadays, most airline companies have all the information on your luggage options on their website. You could always go old school and call their customer support line as well.
They will show if they offer any luggage selections complimentary to their clients. This is usually a personal item, like a purse and possibly a carry on. They will also include the maximum size allowance with the exact dimensions. Of course, they will offer additional luggage for a price!
It might be worth it to check into their credit card options as some airlines offer a free checked bag just for opening an account. There are several credit cards not tied to a specific airline that offer travel perks. You can read more about that here.
Disclaimer- I am an avid Dave Ramsey fan and worked very hard to pay off credit cards to get rid of them! I don’t recommend credit cards unless you will use them for the perk, and pay off the total balance at the end of the month. Dave Ramsey says NO, but I will admit I still do it very responsibly! Sorry, Dave! 🙂
It seems pretty expensive to bring an extra suitcase, or two, or if you’re like me even three….ok, maybe 4. However, for me, it was far cheaper to pay for more suitcases than to mail my things. I once sent my sister-in-law a baby onesie for her new bundle of joy and it cost me $45 to send something that didn’t even weigh a pound. Crazy right?!
Keep in mind, if you aren’t flying direct, make sure the dimensions of your luggage are acceptable for each airline you are using to avoid unnecessary fees. That’s the last thing you need when spending money to move abroad!
Prepare to pack
Something about sharing how to pack your bags just makes my heart happy. Excuse me as my inner organized travel geek is coming out. 🙂
First things first, run to the closet and grab all of your suitcases. Now is the time to decide which one will be the best for your things. Try to think about fitting your whole life into just ONE suitcase. Why do I say this? Because, it is next to impossible, but you start small.
This way, if you picked out things you just can’t part with and it doesn’t all fit into one suitcase, it’s way easier to add another bag. Perhaps your pile of things will fit in 2 suitcases, or even three. That is definitely do-able even when moving abroad by yourself.
It’s much harder to plan for 3 or 4 suitcases and realize as you are packing, all the things you want to take with you will require more like 10 bags. Make sense? Start small!
Ooooooh! Don’t forget your organized personal item and your carry-on bag. I love to use this thirty-one bag to keep me organized on the plane. I also added the Fold N’ File inside to keep my important documents in a folder that stands up nice and upright. It also has extra inside pockets. It is my lifesaver!!
Next, you want to grab the tools to make your packing a success. Grab a measuring tape so you can double and triple check the dimensions of your suitcase(s). Make sure you have some wiggle room because after you have jam-packed your bag so much you can hardly zip it up, the dimensions will change.
Then, you need a scale. You can make a regular home scale work with more effort, but I adore this luggage scale. When I discovered this gem, I couldn’t believe all of the times I lifted a 45lb suitcase over and over again.
Imagine, holding 45lbs for seconds that seem like an eternity, all while trying not to move to be precise. Then having to do the math. The total weight on the scale minus what you weigh. The maximum weight allowed of the suitcase minus your last total. Ok, you have more room! Add a pair of shoes in and start the process all over again. It’s exhausting.
A luggage scale is genius! I love it so much, I even gifted some for Christmas this year!! You can also buy this scale in a 2-pack for extra savings. I encourage you to save yourself time, energy, and treat yo self! 🙂
Last, I recommend vacuum-sealed bags. You can shove tons of clothes inside these bad boys, suck out all the air, and fit way more into your suitcase. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make them weigh less but you do provide more space in your suitcase for the odd bulky items you need to add.
I found the best way on how to pack these bags were to roll up your clothes. Then, with just a little bit of available space inside to push some tiny articles of clothing in without rolling them. For example, I rolled up shirts, jackets, pants, etc. When the vacuum-sealed bag was full, I then crammed in the cracks with panties, socks, and tiny tank tops.
What’s great about these vacuum-sealed bags is that they come in a few different sizes which help, depending on the room left in your luggage. This package also includes a hand pump so you can pack more in the future for longer vacations- no vacuum necessary!
Weed through what you can’t live without
The time has come for you to decide what you really can and can’t live without. Where to begin?
How to pack the clothing
I say, pack your bags with enough clothes to last you a week or 2.
This way, you can survive without doing laundry right away. Also, if you pack your bags with a few classic colors, you can mix and match to make more outfits go together. Pack smart!
One thing I regret was bringing more clothes than I needed to. The fashion in Italy is totally different than in America. I brought countless tops that are overly revealing for this culture, shorts that are too short, and bright colors that would make me stick out like a sore thumb. I don’t know about you, but I want to blend in as a local and not appear to be a tourist in my new home country.
How to pack the sentimental items
Most importantly, what are the sentimental items you don’t want to leave behind? Maybe you have a family photo you adore. Possibly a gift from a loved one that you cherish. Put those things in your pile and also think about how to pack them without breaking or ruining them.
I personally put my important things in a suitcase with no liquids. I still positioned them in clear plastic bags to protect them. You never know if it will rain or somehow while in transit they will come up against a liquid from someone else’s suitcase.
Also, do you need to bubble wrap them? Maybe they can be padded by wrapping them in your clothes and put in the center of your suitcase around all the other soft items. It’s important to keep this in mind while packing.
How to pack the essentials
Try to prioritize things by cost. It is much cheaper to start over than to lug over! If you pack the things that are expensive, you can buy the other articles for much cheaper when you arrive.
Things like bath and body care. Unless you are really picky like me, you can find these things, and maybe even some of the same name brands, in your new country.
I refused to not have my favorite shampoo and conditioner so I lugged the 68oz with me! Hey, to each their own!! 🙂
Also, consider the essentials you need if you are arriving at a brand new empty house. You will be incredibly jet-lagged. It’s probable you might not be in the mood to run to a store and purchase the basics until the next day or two.
Pack your bags with small toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a toothbrush, toothpaste, dish detergent, laundry detergent, and even a roll of toilet paper. Bring whatever you can to keep you home for a bit. Flying abroad is draining.
How to pack your favorite things
“These are a few of my favorite things.” Anyone else think of Julie Andrews or Ariana Grande when you hear these words?
One thing I didn’t really think about when moving abroad was that, some of my favorite things would no longer be available. I wish I would have contemplated this when packing so I wouldn’t have to go without them!
I started compiling a list of things that I love and is not easily available here in Italy. Each time I travel back to America, I will definitely top off my suitcase with them.
These are a few of my favorite things
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap (This is an ingredient I use to make my own inexpensive hand soap for the sinks around the house.) Check out the recipe from Wellness Mama.
- Simple sugars scrub with emu oil- I love this stuff! Great for Eczema & Psoriasis. I even got Marco hooked on it!!
- Cystex plus (the best medicine until you can get to a doctor If you are prone to getting pesky urinary tract infections). I don’t go anywhere without it.
- Color Street nail polish strips
- IT Cosmetics– ultimate mascara & eyeliner
- Mary Kay lip gloss and CC Cream (if you don’t already have a consultant, use these links to support my friend Tammy!)
- Clear Dawn dish soap – It’s great for all of my allergies and the dish soap in Italy just isn’t the same!!
- Kirkland’s Salon Professional shampoo & conditioner
- Jason’s toothpaste– if you like all-natural products. Sodium Lauryl Sulfates are in nearly every toothpaste and give me canker sores…ouch! I love this because it still foams up quite a bit when most natural toothpastes, do not.
- Canned pumpkin– it doesn’t exist in Italy except in specialty American stores & it is way overpriced. Bring it with you for Thanksgiving!!
- Over the counter medicines
- Smartypants vitamin gummies– I’ve yet to find any vitamin gummies in Italy for adults.
- Yellow box cake mix– My favorite cake mix and I can’t find it here. Whyyyyy?!
- Vanilla– Here, it comes in the teeniest tiniest bottle and is quite expensive for what you get.
- Hot cocoa BBW scented candle– I found BBW in Milan but they didn’t have my favorite scent!!
- Autumn Wreath scented Yankee Candle– same story with YC!
Decide what goes where
This might not be as big of a deal for your checked baggage. Although, like I mentioned earlier, you may want to pack sentimental items in a separate suitcase with only clothes and other items that can’t leak and ruin your treasures.
Most importantly, what do you need in your personal item? This is where you want to put everything that you absolutely cannot lose! Things that are expensive like your laptop, tablet, etc. Just remember to hold it close to you at the airport and at all times on the airplane.
Or wear it! I wore all of my valuable jewelry. I may have looked silly but it made me feel better knowing I was in control of where they were located and I saved some room in my suitcase. It was a win-win!
I put my most crucial documents in plastic folders like these.
Some things you might need:
- Visa paperwork
- ID’s/Passport
- Social security card
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Education/work related/training certificates
- Diplomas
- Directions to your location
- Rental car paperwork
Remember to think about what you need access to as soon as landing. You don’t want to be digging in the bottom of your suitcase for the keys to your new home or for gloves if you happen to leave a tropical paradise and arrive to snow!
Test it
Now for the fun part, you have to start filling the suitcase. See what fits best and where. As I mentioned, try to wrap breakables inside of clothes and place them in the center of the suitcase so nothing is broken upon arrival.
You will have to make some hard decisions. Even items you thought you couldn’t live without, you will decide if it’s worth it to pay an extra $75+ to add another suitcase to your trip, or not.
Consider leaving some things you really want with friends or family you trust. Then you can always get it on your next trip back.
Traveling Tips
- Remember the electric outlets are different. I purchased several universal power adaptors and they have come in handy, big time!
- When you arrive, you may need to secure a converter for items to be heated. (I recommend buying it when you get to Italy because it is big, bulky, and less expensive in Italy.) I learned this the hard way. Originally, I tried to turn my heating pad on and it went “POP!” and it didn’t power up. I thought, hmmmmm I wonder why that happened?! I didn’t give it another thought until a few days later when I plugged my laminator (into the power adaptor and then into the wall.) It started to smell like there was about to be an explosion and that’s the moment I realized there was more to it. Long story short, different countries use different volts. It’s kind of a big deal.
- In Italy, they don’t have OTC drugs in stores. You can only buy these supplies at the pharmacy and because of that, they are more expensive. If you have extra space, stock up!
If you thought these ways on how to pack your bags to move abroad were helpful, sign up here for the ultimate traveling packing checklist. It’s good if you want to visit or move.
Plus, you get to see what I put in my emergency kit which includes my must-haves in my personal item for the plane.
Once you arrive “here,” be sure to check out my articles on what to do after you move to Italy and how to stay!
XOXOXO
