What to Pack For Your Au Pair Adventure Abroad

Written By Jennifer Rapley
Au Pair Packing Tips

How exciting - it’s time to start thinking about what to pack for your au pair adventure abroad!

Think of this guide as your go-to packing companion, shaped by the experiences of seasoned travellers and fellow au pairs. It’s here to help you pack lighter, smarter, and with confidence, so you don’t forget the things you’ll wish you had later. It covers not just what to bring, but what to complete at home before you fly.

Start with these 10 practical tips, then use the checklist at the end before you zip up your suitcase.

1. Pack For Daily Life (Not Just the Highlight Reel)

It’s easy to imagine life abroad as cafés, sightseeing, and weekend trips - and those moments will absolutely happen!

But most days as an au pair look more like:

  • School runs and busy mornings

  • Carrying bags, snacks, and sometimes children

  • Playing on the floor, or at the park

  • Staying active all day

If an on-duty outfit wouldn’t survive bending, walking, lifting, and child-chasing, it probably shouldn’t come.

Rule of thumb: 70% practical, everyday wear; 30% social and time-off outfits

2. Prioritize Comfort and Practicality

You don’t want to think about your clothes while on-duty with the kids.

Choose:

  • Soft, breathable fabrics

  • Easy-wash, low-maintenance pieces

  • Relaxed, non-restrictive fits (nothing you have to constantly adjust or tug at)

  • Items you don’t mind getting stained

  • Family appropriate, non-revealing items (nothing too short or low-cut)

The best outfits are the ones you barely notice you’re wearing.

3. Be Prepared to Look More Polished

Most of the time you’ll dress casually, but there are situations where you’ll want to look a bit more put-together:

  • Meeting other parents at playdates or after-school activities

  • Talking with teachers during school drop-offs or pickups

  • Going out with your host family after a day of childcare

Always keep a few simple items on hand, like a cardigan or blazer, a nicer top, a comb, and small refresh items such as stain remover, wipes, and lip balm. It’s nice to feel like the professional you are, even when you’ve been negotiating snacks and wiping sticky hands.

4. Build a Mix-and-Match Wardrobe

The goal isn’t more clothes - it’s more combinations.

Stick to:

  • Neutral colours that mix and match easily

  • Pieces that layer well

  • Wrinkle-resistant fabrics

Choose items that work across multiple outfits to simplify both packing and your mornings.

5. Choose a Smart Luggage Setup

Keep your luggage simple and functional:

  • Large suitcase → main belongings

  • Backpack → carry-on + everyday “au pair bag”

  • Crossbody purse → valuables (passport, phone, wallet)

  • Tote bag → extras, groceries, outings

Why this works:

  • A backpack keeps your hands free when you’re with the kids or travelling (safe and practical)

  • A crossbody bag keeps your essentials secure and close to your body, helping reduce the risk of theft

  • A cloth tote gives you flexible extra space (and is a great backup if your luggage ends up overweight)

Before flying, check your airline’s checked luggage weight limits and weigh your suitcase at home if possible, so there are no surprises at the airport.

6. Save Space Wherever You Can

Small packing tricks can make a big difference:

  • Lay bulky items flat along the edges of your suitcase instead of folding them

  • Try packing vertically with your suitcase upright

  • Roll softer items to save space

  • Wear your heavier pieces on travel day

Packing efficiently means you can either bring more with you, or leave space for things you’ll pick up on your adventures.

7. Keep Travel Essentials in Your Carry-on

Your carry-on should cover everything you’ll need to stay comfortable during the journey:

Pack:

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Phone, charger, and power bank

  • Eye mask and earplugs

  • Travel-size toiletries

  • Hand sanitizer and skin-safe wipes

  • An extra layer (coat, sweater, or jumper, large scarf)

  • Passport, visa, and all important documents (consider a ziplock or spill-safe cover - at least for your passport!)

These items also help you manage easily if your checked luggage is delayed.

If there’s room, add some other heavier items to relieve your checked-in luggage if you’re over the weight limit.

8. Practical Advice From Au Pairs

Tried and true items that directly support your role and help you feel prepared in your new environment:

  • Comfortable, supportive shoes with grip (ideally waterproof and easy to clean)

  • A notebook or planner for keeping track of schedules, events, training notes, and routines

  • Leave-in conditioner to detangle and protect hair in an active lifestyle

  • Simple accessories to elevate basic outfits and change looks (don’t bring expensive jewellery)

  • A small travel steamer (quickly removes wrinkles and freshens clothes)

  • A large scarf or pashmina (it doubles as a travel blanket or pillow, a warm layer, coverage in more conservative settings, and a simple accessory)

  • A small gift from home for your host parents or the kids (a thoughtful gesture on arrival)

These recommendations from experienced au pairs will help you stay organized, make a good first impression, and make daily life as an au pair much smoother.

9. Tech Advice From Experienced Travellers

These small additions don’t take up much space, but they can make travel and daily life noticeably easier.

Bring:

  • A high-quality universal adapter (bring two if possible)

  • A small power strip so you can charge multiple devices at once

Once you arrive, you might prefer to buy local chargers for everyday devices so you don’t always need an adapter.

10: Prepare Before You Go

Completing these simple admin tasks before you go will help you arrive feeling confident, organized, and prepared:

  • Cancel or pause any services, bills, or subscriptions you won’t need while you’re overseas

  • Notify your bank that you’ll be overseas to avoid your card being blocked for security reasons

  • Get an eSIM for your phone so you have data from the time you land (available through providers like Saily)

  • Download helpful basics like Google Maps and a currency converter (if you like apps we have lots of other recommendations for travel - ask us!)

  • Consider ordering a Wise or Monese bank card that you can load and use worldwide. Fees are low and you can pay for things in local currency with just a tap

  • Have a paper copy of your passport, au pair contract, and travel insurance, and ensure other important documents are virtually accessible

  • Download any maps, movies, podcasts, or playlists you might want to use while travelling without data

You can also set up a local SIM or eSIM and open a bank account once you arrive, but these tips will help you travel smarter and feel more prepared from the start.

Packing Checklist

All of these items are optional - you know yourself best, but use this as a rough guide to cover your bases.

Clothing & Shoes

  • Everyday tops (sleeved and sleeveless)

  • Trousers, jeans, leggings, comfortable pants

  • Shorts, skirts, dresses, blouses

  • Underwear, bras, socks

  • Pyjamas, loungewear

  • Jumpers, sweaters, cardigans, blazer

  • Light jacket, raincoat

  • Sun hat

  • Seasonal items (warm coat, beanie, gloves, thermals, etc.)

  • Comfortable everyday walking shoes

  • Sandals / flats

  • Boots / weatherproof shoes

  • A few outfits for social time, outings, time-off (with suitable shoes)

  • Large scarf or pashmina

  • Accessories

  • Swimsuit

Toiletries & Personal Care

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss

  • Shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner

  • Body wash

  • Makeup + Skincare (cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen)

  • Deodorant

  • Razor / grooming tools (nail file, clippers, tweezers)

  • Hairbrush, small comb, and ties

  • Personal hygiene products

Choose travel-sized versions of items that are easy to restock once you arrive. For essentials you can’t live without, check whether they’re available overseas or if it’s worth bringing a backup supply with you.

Electronics

  • Phone + charger

  • Laptop / iPad / tablet + charger

  • Headphones

  • Universal adapter

  • Power bank

  • Power bar/strip (to charge multiple devices at once)

  • Hair tools

  • Clothing steamer

  • Camera (if you don’t want to use your phone)

Travel & Extras

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Sunglasses / glasses / contacts

  • Notebook or planner

  • Stain remover pen

  • Sanitizer and wipes

  • Bandaids

  • Pain relief + vitamins

  • Small umbrella

  • Padlock for lockers + suitcase while traveling

  • Eye mask + ear plugs

  • A quick-dry towel or thin picnic blanket (only if you have extra space)

  • Gift from home for your host parents or kids (a nice gesture upon arrival)

Important Documents

  • Passport & Visa

  • Travel insurance

  • Flight confirmations

  • Au pair contract

  • Emergency contacts

  • Bank cards

  • Copies (digital + physical)

  • Prescription medication in its original packaging, along with your prescription and a doctor’s note (you can usually bring up to a three-month supply with you)

A Final Note Before You Zip

You don’t need to pack perfectly - most things can easily be bought once you arrive.

Focus on:

  • Your passport, visa, and important documents

  • What supports your daily life with children

  • What keeps you comfortable

  • A few things that help you feel like yourself

We hope this guide has helped you feel more confident and prepared for the trip ahead.

We’re here if you have any questions (or need a bit of moral support while staring at your empty suitcase).

Otherwise, happy packing!

Jennifer Rapley
Next

The Ultimate London Guide For Au Pairs