This May, I took my FIRST international trip (since I was nine years old, anyway), and it taught me so much about what (and what not!) to pack. 

I made some good decisions, plenty of mistakes, and I want to share everything so we can all learn from it! (Scroll to the end for a complete packing list.)

I’ll link the things I bought new that I truly love and recommend, but I’d also encourage you to hit up your local thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, etc. for supplies, particularly clothing! In the pic above, the brown top, the yellow top, and the rolling suitcase were all purchased secondhand. 

And remember, everyone is different! What worked for me may not work for you, and you know yourself best.

The itinerary

• When: 7 days in early May 2025
• Where: Athens, Piraeus, Naxos island
• What:
  • Light nature hiking
  • Moderate urban hiking
  • Beach days
  • Museum days
  • Public transit or bust!
  • Taking a bazillion photos (read: looking cute)
• Weather estimate: mid-high 70s, low 80s, sunny

CLOTHING

What really worked

Patterned midi skirt (with pockets!)

• So cute!!! It was nice to have something practical that didn’t read as backpacker athleisure.
• The pattern helped hide wrinkles.
• Super breathable and comfy, I could move freely.
• Midi was long enough that I didn’t have to worry about flashing anyone when sitting down or when it was windy, but short enough not to drag on the ground when I sat down or climbed stairs.
• Pockets. What else do I need to say?

Linen longline bralette top

• It’s a bra! It’s a top! It’s substantial enough to count as a top but you don’t have to wear a bra with it! A longline bralette can be worn on its own, easily layered with an oversized button-down, or even worn as a bra under a regular top. Maximum versatility!
• You don’t have to worry about to-tuck-or-not-to-tuck because it’s too short to ever reach the waistband of your pants.
• I had another tank top I didn’t need to wear a bra with and that was great as well. Ideally I would leave all my bras at home except for one in case of high-impact activities.

Oversized linen button-down shirt

• Layer it over anything ‘cause it’s big. But it’s not just a tent, it has enough structure to be cute! 
• Use an oversized shirt when the sun goes down for another layer of warmth, or over your swimsuit on the beach for sun protection!

Cashmere cardigan sweater

• So soft. 🤤
• Wool doesn’t get stinky!
• Looks put-together.
• Kept me warm on the plane, and warm but not overheating in the evening.

Boxer short style underwear

• Can be respectfully worn in front of a travel buddy and around the hotel rooms. Then you don’t need to pack extra pajama/lounge pants! You’re welcome.
• Prevents chafing under skirts and underwear lines under pants.
• The shorts had a little side pocket where I hid some cash just in case (didn’t end up needing to access the secret stash but it helped my peace of mind).

Thick-soled sneakers

• I walked EVERYWHERE. Let’s just say the paving in Athens is…creative. And don’t forget all the slippery marble steps! A little tread is good to have, in the city as well as in nature.
• You want shoes that breathe and have arch support. Even if you don’t want to wear full-on athletic wear, I still think athletic shoes are the way to go. I was willing to compromise on cuteness in exchange for tread, breathability, and cushioning.

Waterproof sandals

• You want a pair of sandals that can go with you on the beach (getting sand ground up on them), into public showers, and can handle general rough use. Don’t forget your tried-and-true old sandals, even if you’re also bringing along a cuter pair.

Sunglasses

• White buildings + sunny days = pain (IF you don’t have sunglasses).

What didn’t work so well

Maxi dress

• I wanted this to work so badly, but it dragged everywhere and was a serious hazard on stairs.

T-shirts

• This is so weird because I wear almost exclusively t-shirts at home, but they were more awkward to layer than button-downs or tank tops, they got gross faster than outer layers, and wearing them multiple times (especially graphic tees) felt like outfit repeating. Repeating solid color tanks was subtler.
• Just don’t bring a tie-dye shirt. Leave it at home. No one was wearing anything remotely similar, so I felt really out of place.
• My athletic fabric tee I brought for a nature hike was an exception, and here’s why: it was a solid, neutral color, and it could handle sweat.
  • In further defense of tees, you don’t have to bother sunscreening your shoulders and back. Could be a good option if you’re traveling solo and don’t have a friend to help you reach the tricky spots.

Plain black leggings

• I brought them as a backup layer in case it got cold in the evening, but it wasn’t really cold at all, ha! Not a bad idea, but not a cold enough destination for it to make sense for me.

Silk scarf

• I wore it as a cute headband on museum day and that was nice, but otherwise I didn’t really know what to do with it, and sweating on a nice scarf felt bad. I tried tying it as an accent on my tote bag, but the fabric was too slippery to hold the knot.
• It would probably make more sense to bring a scarf on a cold weather trip where I could actually wear it on the neck, or if I knew better headscarf-tying techniques. 

Thin athletic jacket

• On the plane I reached for the warmer wool cardigan, and out and about I layered a button-down shirt. This jacket had no unique utility and wasn’t particularly cute, so it didn’t get worn.

ELECTRONICS

What really worked

Noise-canceling headphones

• An airplane essential. I would’ve died without them when the delays got longer and the babies started screaming.
• Don’t forget to download lots of fun content before you leave! Podcasts got me through my budget daytime connecting flight without seatback tv screens.

Slim portable power bank with cords

• My phone burned through charge like crazy on this trip, and this power bank kept the lights on. I can’t count how many times I was using Google Maps with my battery in the single digits, and I simply whipped out the power bank and it charged me up to 50% in a snap!
• So small and light that it didn’t add noticeable weight to my purse! Thank god because I carried that bag with me everywhere and I’m not used to having a brick inside.
• The built-in cords kept me from having to remember to pack separate cords for it.
  • Note that you’ll need to bring a separate cord if you want to charge something that doesn’t take lightning or usb-c. The built-in cords are also very short.

Multi plug adaptor

• I could plug all my USB-A and USB-C cords in at the same time to charge in one outlet. And it wasn’t too bulky, I could fit it in my purse no problem. AND I won’t have to buy a new one if I go to a country that uses a different type of plug than the EU. Niiiice.

E-reader

• Access to all the book options I could ever want to read in a way that doesn’t involve lugging physical books around or draining my phone battery.
• I also recommend having a reading app on your phone, but an e-reader gives a nice blue light-free experience, and I think it’s great for reading in bed or on the beach.

Tap to pay set up on my phone

• Just tap your phone on the card reader. No digging your wallet out (and potentially worryingly flashing cash), no sifting through your card collection, no getting coins in change. So freakin’ easy.

BAGS

What really worked

Cute tote bag (vs backpack)

• Cuter than a backpack (cuteness matters!).
• Easier to access what’s inside than a backpack. AND easier to load stuff in, like on a quick grocery run.
• I only used it for stuff where it wouldn’t be a big deal if it was stolen (like water, snacks, pamphlets, sunscreen, etc.) and it helped my brainspace to have a bag I watched (my small crossbody purse) and a bag I didn’t really watch (the tote).
• Security seemed more comfortable with it than a backpack (they didn’t make me put it through an x-ray machine at a museum).
• Good capacity for a beach day.
• I did still bring a small collapsible backpack for use on a nature hike, and that was good to have, but it wasn’t my main day bag.

Rolling suitcase

• If I have to carry all my luggage I get back pain. 🤷‍♀️ Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I’m happier dragging my luggage up and down the cobblestoned hills than carrying it on my back.
• Hella efficient in the airport and the metro.

TOILETRIES

What really worked

Over-the-counter meds (a couple of each)

• We didn’t use every single type I brought, but the antacid, melatonin, and ibuprofen all got used! 

Extra period supplies (even if you’re not due)

• You never know if you’re going to be a little irregular. Ask me how I know. And supplies at the airport are really expensive! Just bring a couple extras for emergencies, you’ll thank yourself if you’re unlucky enough to need them.

Extra ziplocs (yes I want to try the reusable silicone ones don’t @ me)

• Unexpected reasons I needed reclosable bags this trip: fruit container was leaking juice; my glasses came unscrewed and I needed to capture all the tiny parts; my toothbrush bag broke. And I could’ve used even more if I’d had them! Like when I was worried about leftover chocolate melting in its foil wrapper and getting on my stuff. Somehow I always end up needing extra reclosable bags.

Glasses AND contact lenses

• I dropped my glasses before I’d even left the airport in Athens, a lens popped out, and I couldn’t screw them back together. LOL! Luckily I was able to pop some contacts in and get to a hardware store the next day to buy a tiny screwdriver to repair them.
• Moral of the story is, if possible, have backups for your crucial medical devices. I would’ve been so disappointed if my Greece trip had turned out blurry. A friend of mine told me a similar story, except she didn’t have a backup. She lost one of her monthly contact lenses early in her international trip and spent the rest of it half-blind!

Travel-size deodorant (and moisturizer and soap and…)

• Toiletry space adds up SO FAST. I didn’t even bring any makeup! Get everything you can in a travel size, or decant it.

What didn’t work so well

Decanted conditioner (into a 3 oz / 100 ml bottle)

• Two problems: the small bottle I decanted my conditioner into proved impossible to squeeze it back out of, and it was way too little conditioner for the amount I use anyway. Next time I do carry-on only I’ll skip the hassle altogether and just buy a bottle when I get there.
  • I bought body sunscreen and bug spray when I got there, and that worked great!

Bar soap in a ziploc bag

• Yes, I’m the number one fan of reclosable plastic bags, but use the right tool for the job. A soap saver or soap bag probably would’ve felt less gross.
• Using bar soap on my face in general was also a fail. I ran out of space to pack my normal facial cleanser, but my skin was already acting up from the unfamiliar climate and airplane, and this just made it worse.

A liquids toiletries bag and a non-liquids toiletries bag

• I use most of my toiletries either in the morning or at night but not both, so having them all mixed together was annoying to sift through. Next time after arrival at my destination I would repack everything into day/night instead of liquid/solid, and return to liquid/solid separation before flying back home so U.S. customs doesn’t pitch a fit.
• I also found myself wishing for a hanging organizer because some of the hotels we stayed at had practically NO counter or shelf space in the bathroom. Where were we supposed to keep our stuff?! 

Regular hairbrush

• You get the bristles sticking out, plus the hair that’s stuck in the bristles floating around in your stuff, and it’s just more annoying than it needs to be. Also, it’s big. Next time I would prefer a travel hairbrush that’s smaller and folds in on itself.

MISCELLANEOUS

What really worked

Umbrella

• SHADE. This was great for walking around Athens, waiting for the bus, and creating a place to lie out of the sun on the beach.
• I actually forgot my hat, so this filled in for shading my face.
• It did rain one night we were there!

Microfiber travel towel

• Not luxurious in the slightest, but it packed down to nothingness and dried overnight on the balcony!
  • Some Greek hotels have drying racks! Super handy for towels and swimsuits, and way better than the shower rail.

A couple different credit/debit cards

• It’s good to have a little variety of cards in case you run into issues with (or lose!) the one you’d planned to use primarily. My friend tried to withdraw money from an ATM that had worked just fine for me, but it wouldn’t accept her card for some reason and she didn’t have a backup! (I became the cash treasurer.)

What didn’t work so well

My regular wallet 

• I didn’t account for the smaller denominations of euros being coins (and getting tons of them in change!). Next time I’ll bring a coin purse, and probably also avoid spending cash like the plague. No more sounding like a piggy bank when I move! 
• It also got annoying digging my ATH.ENA (public transit) card out of my wallet (which I had to in turn dig out of my purse) time and time again as I rode the metro, bus, and tram. By the end of the trip I was considering the practicality of a phone case with card slots – just for the ATH.ENA card’s benefit! 

So that’s what I learned during my week in Greece! 

I hope my wins and fails help you come up with your own packing list, and here’s my own complete list for reference:

PACKING LIST

Before leaving

• Brainstorm gifts to bring home
• Set up eSIM
• Downloads
  • Podcast episodes
  • Audiobooks
  • ebooks

Travel bags

• Rolling suitcase
• Collapsible backpack
• Small cross-body purse
• Non-liquid toiletries bag
• Clear liquids bag – quart ziploc
• Reusable grocery tote

Clothing

• Shoes
  • Thick-soled sneakers
  • Sandals
• Jackets
  • Thin jacket
  • Wool cardigan
• Tops
  • T-shirts (3)
  • Linen oversized shirt
  • Shelf bra cami
  • Linen bralette top
  • Short sleeve sweater
• Maxi dress
• Bottoms
  • Brown pants
  • Ripstop trash bag pants
  • Track pants
  • Black leggings
  • Patterned midi skirt
  • Capri pants
  • Track shorts
• Socks
  • Socks (7)
  • Compression socks (1)
• Sports bras (3)
• Underwear (12)
• Swimsuits
  • Shorts (3)
  • Tops (2)
• Laundry bag (just a trash bag)

Accessories/miscellaneous

• Silk scarf
• Baseball hat
• Umbrella
• Earrings
• Sunglasses with case and cleaning cloth
• Glasses
• Travel neck pillow
• Travel towel
• Pack of gum
• Journal and (full of ink!) pen
• KN95 mask
• Fabric mask

Toiletries

• Hair stuff
  • Hair ties (3)
  • Mini claw clip
  • Big claw clip
  • Comb and brush
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
• Teeth stuff
  • Toothbrush
    • Regular
    • Retainer-cleaning
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Retainer
• Skin stuff
  • Moisturizer (day + night)
  • Face sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Deodorant
  • Bar soap
• Eye stuff
  • Moisture drops
  • Daily disposable contacts (7 sets)
• Medicine
  • Over-the-counter meds (a couple of each)
    • Antacid
    • Antibiotic ointment (1 tiny tube)
    • Antihistamines
    • Ibuprofen
    • Melatonin
  • Prescription meds (in original packaging, with the prescriptions)
  • Multivitamin (8)
  • Bandaids
• Tissues
• Period supplies
• Hand sanitizer
• Extra ziplocs

Documents

• Passport
• International driving permit (IDP)
• Proof of travel insurance – printed
• Regular U.S. medical insurance card
• Driver’s license
• Medical ID cards
• Debit card
• Credit cards (2)

Electronics

• Phone
• E-reader
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Backup wired earbuds
• Chargers
• Power bank
• Power adaptor
• SIM tool (for replacing physical SIM card in phone)