My International Travel Chaos: The Real Travel Checklist You Need
- Graceful Roamer
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Let me save you from the chaos I lived through—or barely escaped.
Some of these international travel mistakes cost me money. Others cost me time and the peace of mind I worked hard to protect.
What I needed wasn’t just advice—I needed an international travel checklist from someone who’d actually lived it. So, that’s what I’m giving you here.
Welcome to the slow-travel learning curve—where every misstep becomes part of the memoir
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: I’m not trying to scare you off
This post isn’t just a warning list. Some things, I actually nailed—and I’m sharing those too, because they might be the very things that help another woman navigate the world alone with a little more ease.
It’s easy to second-guess everything when you’re traveling solo—especially at the start. Please don’t quit. Pause if you need to. Stay where you are a little longer—after all slow travel is all about going deeper into experiences and really getting to know a new place and how you move in it.
For that reason, this post covers the emotional, logistical, and street-level details every-day guides skip—but they’re exactly what will save you the most stress.
So, if you are preparing for slow travel abroad or piecing together multiple international trips, this information will help you prepare your travel map.
I didn't give myself any grace
What happened:
The week after I fired my employer, I was on a plane. No decompression. No space to breathe. No margin for error.
I arrived at my destination mentally fried and emotionally depleted.
The takeaway:
Give yourself a grace period—just like your credit card company gives you. Two to three weeks between life phases allows you to reset and step into your next chapter fully present, not frazzled.
Do this before you go: Schedule a grace period into your calendar. Give it a name that reminds you it's non-negotiable: “Unpack & Reset,” “Landing Time,” or “Mental Margin.” Treat this like any other essential appointment.
I let my luggage lead the way
What happened:
I traveled with multiple suitcases and no support. No ramps. No carts. No assistance.
One Grab driver dropped me off at the mall entrance and refused to help. I had to leave my luggage on the sidewalk, unattended to find a grocery store, borrow a cart, and awkwardly push it through a mall entrance that didn’t open automatically—all while a security guard tried to figure out if he should call the police.
The takeaway:
If your luggage exceeds a carry-on, backpack, and personal item—downsize. Otherwise, you’ll be forced to abandon things during your travel, at the worst possible moment, under the worst possible pressure.
Do this before you go:
Try carrying everything up and down stairs or across a parking lot. If it feels clumsy or exhausting, you've packed to much.
I traveled without a backup ATM card
What happened:
I didn’t realize how vulnerable I’d feel until I was halfway across the world, staring at an ATM, praying it didn’t eat my only card.
Every transaction became a mental math equation of risk:
What if the signage is wrong?
What if the machine malfunctions?
What if I lose my card—and can’t get another for months?
The takeaway:
Order a second debit card from a different bank before leaving your home country. Store it in a separate place from your everyday wallet. Choose a bank that waives international fees and has clear policies for replacing lost cards while you’re abroad. Because once you're in another country, getting help isn't as easy as walking into a banking facility.
Do this before you go:
Open an account with a bank that offers low or no foreign ATM fees. Order the card early, activate it, and store it separately from your primary card.
Save your bank’s international support number and any backup card details in your phone’s Notes app (or another secure place you can access offline).
Include the last four digits of your backup card and a reminder of where you’ve stored it—so if your main card is lost or declined, you’ll know exactly what to do and where to look.
I let TSA take my holy grail leave-in
What happened:
I didn’t give myself the time I needed to pack carefully. I read somewhere that it's best to pack heavy items into your carry-on. So I crammed a year’s worth of Pattern products into a packing cube that went in my carry-on. TSA snatched it all in 60 seconds flat. My carelessness, the sheer waste, I almost passed out over it.
The takeaway:
Use TSA-approved travel bottles for anything liquid or creamy. If your hair needs specific care (and whose doesn’t?), stock up on sample sizes or pouch-style sachets. Tight-textured travelers: be ready to mix your own leave-in conditioner on the road—or protect your stash.
Do this before you go:
Buy travel-size containers and label them clearly.
I Booked a Rental Without a Shower Partition
What happened:
My first rental had no shower curtain. No divider. No glass. Just a toilet, a drain, and a very eager showerhead.
Every time I showered, my bathroom turned into a slip-and-slide—and my toilet paper turned into mush.
The takeaway:
Zoom in on the bathroom photos. If you don’t see a divider, it doesn’t exist.
Yes, you can rig a solution with a shower curtain and hooks—but you shouldn’t have to play designer, technician, and plumber your first day.
Do this before you go:
Identify what type of accommodations are necessary for your comfort and enjoyment. Pack shower shoes, spare shower caps to protect other essentials from getting drenched.
I Packed a Laptop Stand and Light
What I did right:
When I arrived at my rental, the “desk” was a wobbly table shoved in a dark corner. Because I’d packed a laptop stand and portable light, I could work without hunching like a gargoyle or appearing as a silhouette on YouTube.
The takeaway:
If you plan to work remotely—at all—pack a foldable laptop stand and a clip-on light. You’ll show up more professionally, feel more physically aligned, and save yourself from bad lighting and back pain.
Do this before you go:
Purchase a lightweight, foldable laptop stand and clip-on light.
I Used a VPN to Save Hundreds
What I did right:
With a VPN, I searched flight and hotel prices as if I were a local. Result? Lower prices. Protected logins. Peace of mind on public Wi-Fi.
The takeaway:
A VPN isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. I recommend Surfshark. It’s reliable, fast, and worth every cent. Bonus: You can access websites that might be restricted in other countries.
Do this before you go:
Download and install a VPN like Surfshark or NordVPN before you leave. Test it from home and set your default browsing location to your travel destination.
I Set Up My eSIM for International Travel
What I did right:
I purchased an eSIM plan from Airalo. When I landed, I had instant data. No SIM swap. No airport scramble.
The takeaway:
If your phone supports eSIMs, this is the smoothest way to stay online abroad.
If not, research how to purchase and install a local SIM card.
Either way—don’t wait until you land to get connected. The arrival terminal is not the place to troubleshoot.
Below are more eSIM and physical SIM card resources:
Learn about using SIM cards abroad and know the differences between traditional SIM cards and eSIMs.
Get an overview of eSIM providers on TechRadarBrowse
Use this comprehensive guide if you’re seeking reliable and cost-effective eSIM for international travel options.
I Didn’t Build a Reliable Support Team—Until It Was Almost Too Late
This travel lesson came with unnecessary stress (and expense)
What happened:
Before I left, I thought I had a solid support system back home—people who would handle mail, keep tabs on important documents, and step in if something went sideways. But what I actually had was a patchwork setup that became confusing, costly, and unsustainable. I ended up paying to have my mail rerouted through someone else, just to ensure it would get to me reliably.
The takeaway:
Don’t wait until you’re abroad to test your support system. Choose someone who’s organized, trustworthy, and clear-headed.
Set expectations before you leave.
Give the right person or people access to only what they truly need. And don’t be afraid to shift responsibilities if things stop working. Your freedom shouldn’t come at the cost of your safety or peace.
Do this before you go:
Go paperless. This will help prevent your banking, tax, medical, and other personal information from getting in the wrong hands.
I Double-Checked My Passport Expiration So I didn’t get turned away at the gate
What I did right:
I made sure my passport was valid for over a year. I’ve met travelers who were denied boarding because theirs was set to expire within six months.
The takeaway:
Renew early—especially if you’re planning long-term travel.Already abroad? Check out Dan’s guide on renewing your passport from overseas. It’s easier than you might think (but still requires planning).
Do this before you go:
Open your passport now. If it expires in under a year, start the renewal process immediately. Save your passport photo digitally, and set a reminder in your calendar six months before your next renewal is due.
I Took a Side Trip with Others
What happened:
I joined friends on a short detour to a city already on my solo itinerary. It was fun in the moment.
However it cost me airfare, lodging, and work momentum that I didn't plan for. So, when my work got delayed, my monthly income took a hit.
The takeaway:
Solo travel works best when you trust your rhythm. If a side trip with others fits your purpose, go for it. But don’t sacrifice your energy or income for things that take you off purpose.
Do this before you go:
Download an expense tracker and set up categories for expenses you want to track.
Final Thoughts: Grace Is a Strategy
Chaos will still happen.
With smarter prep and a few lived-in workarounds, you can protect your travel, your energy, your income, and your well-being.
Bookmark this post. Revisit it before your next trip.And if you know someone who’s about to hit “book now” without thinking it through, forward this their way. Consider it a gentle (and loving) interception.
Want to build your own international travel checklist, start with the points in this post—and add what matters most to your unique travel style.
It’s Your Turn
Graceful Roamer isn’t just a travel blog—it’s a conversation. If you’ve ever thought, “I wish someone would just tell me the truth,” you’ve found your people.
Sign up for insights that go beyond the packing list. I’ll help you move from frustrated to fearless, one unfiltered story at a time.
