The Real Minimalist Packing List We Use for International Trips with Little Ones (2026)

Traveling abroad with babies and toddlers can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re staring at an empty suitcase wondering how you’ll possibly fit everything your child needs for an extended trip. I’m always concerned I’m packing too much knowing it will be dreadful during the trip itself or I’m packing too little and won’t be able to buy a replacement if we are truly in a pinch. I typically end up procrastinating and forgetting at least one crucial item without recognizing it until it’s a problem. In fact, I’m writing this while actively avoiding packing for our next two-week trip. We leave in two days, there are suitcases scattered across the floor, and somehow writing a packing list feels easier than actually packing.

Over the past five years we’ve taken dozens of international flights with babies and toddlers, and after every trip I’ve packed a little less. When our daughter was born, I packed for every possible scenario. Looking back, half of it never left the suitcase. These days, every item I bring has earned its place because it’s made traveling easier, lighter, or less stressful. Now that we’ve added our son and our daughter is a bit older, it’s very difficult to create a manageable list that meets everyone’s needs but I feel I’ve almost achieved my goal of perfection. Every item in this guide has earned its place in our suitcase because it’s made travel easier—not because it looked good on Instagram. This isn’t a list of everything you could pack. It’s the minimalist packing list we actually use for international trips with babies and toddlers.

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Note: Fully updated for 2026 — because half of the “minimalist packing list” posts still floating around out there haven’t been touched in years, and travel gear (ours included) changes fast.

Why Minimalist Packing is a Game-Changer

Ease of Travel

Packing light means fewer bags to manage, lighter luggage to carry through busy airports, and less hassle when navigating cobblestone streets or crowded public transportation. Traveling with babies and toddlers already involves a lot of moving parts (and sometimes meltdowns), so minimizing your load can significantly reduce stress and facilitate smoother transitions. You’ll also appreciate one less bag when your toddler suddenly decides they absolutely must be the first person to reach passport control or refuses to leave the train when it’s your stop. 

Less Stress

While I will never say traveling babies and toddlers is stress free, fewer items mean less to keep track of and fewer chances for something to get lost. This peace of mind allows you to focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about misplacing essential items or managing excessive baggage. For me, having one less item to manage on your already crowded table is the key to traveling as stress free as possible.

More Enjoyable Experiences

When you’re not bogged down by heavy luggage, you’re free to explore and enjoy your surroundings. A minimalist approach allows you to be more spontaneous and flexible, making it easier to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and experiences that may arise during your trip. Having less to manage also means you are probably better able to have your camera ready to capture those cherished moments as they happen.

Shop This Post: Our Full Packing List at a Glance

Anyway, the reason you are here. Every item in this post is discussed in detail but here’s a quick look if you just need a recommendation for something specific. This is my list of essential items I take on every trip (and many I use every day) as well as a few optional items depending on your unique situation.

• Wet Bags (Mushie)
• Frida Traveling Potty Seat
• Kiinde Bottles
• Bib Shirt (Tiny Twinkle)
• YETI Kids Water Bottle
• Inflatable Travel Bed Rails
• Lumara Airplane Bed
• Sound Machine
• Doona Car Seat & Stroller
• Sandiia Baby Carrier
• ARCH Diaper Bag
• Amma Cocoon Nursing Cover
• Yoyo Compact Stroller
• Hiccapop UberBoost Booster Car Seat
• Portable Bottle Sterilizer (optional)
• Bottle Warmer (optional)
• Guava Travel Bed (optional)
• Slumberpod (optional)
• WAYB Pico Car Seat (optional)

Essential Items for Babies and Toddlers

Hygiene, Health and Feeding

Wet Bags

Wet bags are one of those things I never appreciated until I had kids. Ours have carried everything from wet swimsuits and muddy clothes to leaky snack containers and emergency outfit changes after an unexpected spill. I always travel with this adorable set from Mushie because they’re lightweight, waterproof, and somehow never seem to stay empty for long.

Wet Bags (Mushie) Shop it here →

Portable Potty for Toddlers

When we were potty training our daughter, I realized quickly that when she told me it’s time to go, she meant it is time to go NOW! Let’s face it, some restrooms aren’t toddler friendly (especially on planes and in Europe.) My mom suggested the Frida Traveling Potty Seat and it is a game-changer. I travelled with this seat everywhere for over a year and will start doing it again very soon for our son. It folds small enough to slip into our diaper bag, and it’s saved us from more than one frantic search for a toddler-friendly restroom while sightseeing.

Frida Traveling Potty Seat Shop it here →

Kiinde Bottles for Babies

Kiinde bottles are designed for convenience, allowing you to pump, store, and feed all from the same pouch. This can be particularly handy during travel, reducing the need for multiple containers and accessories. I used this system when I went back to work after having our daughter and it saved tons of prep time. If you like to prepare your own baby food, you can also use the bags as squeeze pouches. 

Kiinde Bottles Shop it here →

Bib Shirt

After one particularly messy lunch on vacation I realized I was spending more time changing clothes than enjoying the meal so I switched from a wipeable silicone bib to this long-sleeve bib shirt, and it’s honestly made mealtime cleanup even easier while traveling. It catches far more food than a traditional silicone bib, protects their clothes, and packs surprisingly flat.

Bib Shirt (Tiny Twinkle) Shop it here →

Water Bottle for Toddlers

Hydration is crucial, especially during travel. We originally used plastic toddler water bottles, but after one too many days of handing our daughter warm water halfway through sightseeing, we switched to an insulated YETI.

It keeps drinks cold all day, survives being dropped far more often than I’d like to admit, and has become one of those everyday items that naturally makes it into every suitcase.

YETI Kids Water Bottle Shop it here →

Sleep Solutions

I can’t stress enough how important sleep solutions are for little travelers. Having a well-rested toddler or baby will make or break your trip. We typically opt for resorts or rentals that provide a crib (usually called a baby cot or baby bed in Europe) but there are still a few sleep items I bring on every trip. While many airlines will check travel beds for free, I don’t recommend bringing one unless absolutely necessary. 

Inflatable Travel Bed Rails

Inflatable bed rails can turn any bed into a safe sleep space for your toddler. They are lightweight, easy to inflate, and can be packed away when not in use. My daughter was too large to sleep in a crib when I found this option and I’m so happy I decided to try it – we’ve used it dozens of times and it will be in our list for the foreseeable future. I was worried they would take up too much room in our suitcase, but they’re surprisingly compact. They’ve become our go-to solution whenever we’re unsure what sleeping arrangements will look like.

As a note, many kinderhotels in Europe have designated family rooms and will provide safe sleeping options. Check out this post on one of my favorite kinderhotels for an example.

Inflatable Travel Bed Rails Shop it here →

Lumara Airplane Bed

We first discovered inflatable airplane beds when we moved from the United States to Germany. Our daughter was only nine months old and had her own seat on the overnight flight to Frankfurt. Too large for the bassinet but small enough to still need something to keep her comfortable to sleep. It worked fantastically well and it’s become one of those items that can make the difference between everyone arriving exhausted and everyone arriving reasonably well rested.

We’ve used a version of this setup on trips to the Canary Islands, Thailand, and Greece — you can read more about it in our Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach review and our Domes of Corfu review. One note is to check with your airline to confirm it’s allowed on your specific flight, and if your child has their own seat, it’s worth the splurge — it’s compact enough to pack in a carry-on.

Lumara Airplane Bed Shop it here →

Sound Machine

I didn’t understand how important a sound machine was until I had a baby and the available options can cause decision fatigue when trying to choose what one will work best. Instagram will make you believe you need a very popular (read expensive) model but I’m here to tell you we now have two of this exact budget-friendly recommendation in our house and it works wonders. It does require a USB plug. If that’s a deal-breaker, there are rechargeable options for use on the go (or just put on YouTube white noise.)

Sound Machine Shop it here →

Must-Have Travel Gear for Babies and Toddlers

Doona Car Seat & Stroller

Most people with little ones have heard of the Doona. It is a travel car seat that automatically converts to a stroller with the pull of one button. Our daughter fit in the Doona until she was a year old and our son fit in it until 9-10 months old. If I had to choose just one piece of baby travel gear from this entire list, it would probably be the Doona because it acts as your stroller and also saves you needing to rent a car seat. We’ve taken ours through countless airports, taxis, and hotel lobbies, and I still think it’s one of the smartest purchases we made after becoming parents. Landing after an overnight flight, clicking the wheels into place, and walking straight to passport control without waiting for a stroller never gets old. A total win-win in my book.

Doona Car Seat & Stroller Shop it here →

Sandiia Baby Carrier

I have so many good things to say about the Sandiia Baby Carrier and I bet it’s relatively unknown to most of my readers. It is a beautiful alternative to a very well-known luxury brand in the United States. It is a female-owned German brand with small-batch production of high-quality organic cotton baby carriers that include gorgeous designs. For an extra sense of safety, you can book a free consultation to help ensure you are carrying your little one appropriately. The soft structure makes it easy to fold when packing and a carrier is a must-have when a stroller won’t work on hikes, cobblestone streets or pesky stairs.

Sandiia Baby Carrier Shop it here →

ARCH Diaper Bag

I use this ARCH diaper bag every day. When searching for a diaper bag, I somehow stumbled upon this option and immediately decided it was the style I wanted with all the practicality needed in a bag. It is extremely durable and the only reason I purchased a new one with our son was that I wanted to try a different color option. The bag is small enough to easily carry but large enough to include everything you could possibly need for travel. It comes with a portable changing mat (a big deal when traveling abroad — many restrooms will not have a baby changing table.) It also includes two insulated pockets for bottles/water. I seriously plan to use an ARCH bag every day until my kids are at least 8 years old — it doesn’t look like a traditional diaper bag and I use it to carry items even when going somewhere without my little ones.

ARCH Diaper Bag Shop it here →

Yoyo Compact Stroller

A travel stroller like the Yoyo is compact, easy to fold, and perfect for navigating European streets and attractions — it’s genuinely the stroller you’ll see most European parents pushing through any airport or old town. Seeing how many local families relied on the Yoyo made me curious, and after using it ourselves, I completely understand why it’s become such a favorite. We’ve switched over to it from our previous travel stroller and I haven’t looked back since. 

Yoyo Compact Stroller Shop it here →

Hiccapop UberBoost Inflatable Booster Car Seat

For kids who’ve outgrown a harnessed car seat but still need a boost for the seatbelt to sit correctly, the UberBoost is a genuinely packable option — it meets FMVSS213 federal safety standards, inflates in seconds with no pump, and deflates completely to roll into its own travel bag.

Hiccapop UberBoost Booster Car Seat Shop it here →

Optional But Worth It: Additional Travel Gear for Families

The items above are the actual gear I take (or did take until my kids were too big!) on every long-haul family trip. Depending on our location, there are other items I bring on an add-needed basis. 

Portable Bottle Sterilizer

Depending on your location, a portable bottle sterilizer is a must-have for keeping your baby’s feeding equipment clean and germ-free. Sometimes I forego bringing the bottle sterilizer and will use a hotel tea kettle for cleaning toddler cups, etc. but when babies are quite tiny and still need multiple bottles per day, I found it easier to take a compact sterilizer like this GROWNSY model. I also always take a sterilizer if I am concerned over water quality. Note: this is the only item on the list that might need a power converter depending on your travel location. 

Portable Bottle Sterilizer Shop it here →

Bottle Warmer

While not essential, a portable bottle warmer can be convenient for warming baby bottles on the go. I’ve never traveled with a bottle warmer, but I know many children much prefer warm milk. Here’s an easily portable rechargeable option that comes with four bottle adapters and is highly rated.

Bottle Warmer Shop it here →

Guava Travel Bed

Parents, including me, rave about the Guava Lotus Travel Bed. It’s lightweight, compact, easy to use and comfortable for your little ones. As mentioned before, I always try to take advantage of travel cribs provided by resorts or home rentals. Sometimes there isn’t a great option so I will bring our own travel bed. Both our children have slept perfectly using it and it really is easy to pack for your trip.

Guava Travel Bed Shop it here →

Slumberpod

Out of all optional items, the Slumberpod is the one I bring most frequently. It is a portable privacy pod that fits over a travel crib, providing a dark and private sleep space for your child. It’s absolutely perfect for sharing a room with your little one. My daughter absolutely cannot sleep when sharing a room and I was so nervous on a trip to Paris as our room did not have a separate space for her. The Slumberpod worked perfectly and I’m so glad we brought it. It’s now one of the few “optional” items that frequently becomes essential.

Slumberpod Shop it here →

WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat

While pricey, the WAYB Pico car seat is lightweight, foldable, and designed for travel. It’s a great option for families who prefer to have their toddlers in a car seat during air travel and also works perfectly for use in taxis/shared shuttles. The five-part safety harness provides peace of mind and the car seat only weighs 8 pounds. It works best for ages 2 and up but I would recommend being slightly closer to 3 (unless it’s my very large 2-year-old toddler and then it works great!) 

Depending on how often you fly, it’s worth the cost in my opinion. Car seat rentals are expensive and can add up quickly if you travel frequently. I don’t love traveling with an additional piece of luggage and many times opt to rent a car seat but it works wonders when renting isn’t an option (i.e. for use on tours, shuttles from airport to hotel, etc.)

WAYB Pico Car Seat Shop it here →

A Bonus: The Amma Nursing Cover

There’s one more multi-use item worth mentioning: my AMMA Cocoon breastfeeding cover, though I consider it more a clothing item than travel gear — it actually looks like a shirt, and I wore it constantly. It works as a sweater layer for chilly European nights, a cover to help overtired babies sleep, and even a safe blanket to lay the baby on for a quick minute. If you’re breastfeeding and like having a nursing cover, I’ve used the same one for both of my kids and love it. My daughter even loves wearing it as a dress now that she’s bigger.

AMMA Cocoon Nursing Cover Shop it here →

Cherished Memories

When I became a mom, I thought traveling meant packing absolutely everything “just in case. It turns out the opposite has been true. The more we’ve traveled, the lighter we’ve packed. Every item on this list has survived the ultimate test: multiple international trips with babies and toddlers. If something didn’t make travel easier, it didn’t make the next packing list. If I could easily buy it at the destination, it didn’t make the list. If the kids didn’t absolutely need it, it didn’t make the list. Of course, every family is different. Some children sleep anywhere, while others need complete darkness. Some parents swear by a travel crib, while others are happy using the one provided by their hotel. My best advice is take what works for your family and leave the rest. Don’t pack for every possible situation. Pack for the trip you’re actually taking. You’ll enjoy the journey so much more when you’re carrying one less suitcase and one less thing to worry about.

And if you have a travel essential that has completely changed the way your family travels, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. I’m always looking for that one item that earns a permanent place in our suitcase (just kidding, no more items!)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best travel crib for babies?

A lightweight inflatable option works well when your accommodation doesn’t provide a crib, or a compact travel bed like the Guava is a great alternative — look for something that packs down small enough for a suitcase.

Do toddlers need their own car seat on international flights?

Not required, but a lightweight, foldable car seat makes the ground transportation portion of your trip significantly easier and safer — a convertible option like the Doona works well for younger babies, while an ultra-packable seat like the WAYB Pico is a better fit once they’re a bit older.

What helps a baby or toddler sleep well while traveling?

A dark, familxiar sleep environment makes the biggest difference. We always try to book accommodations with a crib or travel cot, and a portable privacy pod like the Slumberpod is especially useful for room-sharing with a light sleeper — it fits over a travel crib and creates a dark, enclosed sleep space so the rest of the room can stay lit without disturbing them.

Should I bring diapers and baby food when traveling internationally?

Generally no — these are available almost everywhere and take up unnecessary luggage space; buy them at your destination instead.