A weekend trip packing list should be simple. But how many times have we gone away for a few days and either severely overpacked or forgot a few essential items?
If you’re only going to be gone for a short time — three to five days — you need to pack smart. Packing light makes travel easier, but you don’t want to go overboard. Leaving things behind that you’ll actually need only means you’ll end up spending your valuable vacation time in a grocery store.
Bring your getaway back into simple territory with our tips and checklist for packing light for a weekend trip.
How to Pack for a Weekend Away
Try these travel tips for deciding what to pack for a weekend away.
1. How long will I be gone?
This seems like an obvious question, but it’s essential information for making your travel packing list. It might be helpful to count days and nights, too. Remember that a cruise that’s listed as a “four-night cruise” can actually be five days of activity.
2. What’s the weather?
Don’t assume you know what the weather is going to be at your destination. Heat waves, cold snaps, and unexplained rain have surprised travelers before.
Check the weather a few weeks before your trip, then again a day or two before you leave to see if you should make any changes to your packing list.
3. How will I get there?
Knowing your mode of transportation helps you figure out the repercussions of overpacking. Going a little overboard on a road trip generally isn’t awful. We usually have a little more wiggle room to throw in that extra pair of shoes we’re not sure we need.
But if you’re flying, you have weight and size limits to stick to. Maybe you’re trying to fit everything into a single carry-on so you don’t have to check luggage.
4. What will I be doing?
Is it an active trip or one full of lounging with books and refreshing drinks? Are you swimming? Hiking? Going out on the town or to a special event?
Having at least a basic itinerary means you know what kind of gear to bring along. You don’t want to be heading out to a nice dinner only to find that the only shoes you have are muddy from the trail.
5. Will I have laundry access?
If you’re only gone for a long weekend, you shouldn’t need to do laundry. But if you extend the trip a bit or have a spaghetti accident, having access to a washing machine means you should be able to pack less and travel light.
6. Who am I traveling with?
Parents know that you somehow end up traveling with about five times more stuff when traveling with kids ... even if it’s only one kid. Traveling solo simplifies things, but everything you need has to fit in your bag. There’s no sharing items or asking your companion to carry something for you.
The more people who are involved in the trip, the more complex your packing list might get. You still have an opportunity to pack light, though. Work together to avoid duplicate efforts and share the load.
Tips for Packing Lighter with a Group
1. Agree on the trip’s goal.
Are you all looking to get the same thing out of the weekend? Is it about adventure? Relaxation? If you’re all going with different agendas, you’re probably going to pack different things, and there will always be someone who didn’t pack for an activity you end up doing.
By agreeing on what your goal for the weekend is beforehand, you’ll know exactly what to pack — and no one will be left wanting or showing up for dinner dressed the opposite of what was in mind.
2. Coordinate your packing.
For the most effective way to pack, coordinate your baggage to make sure you’re all on the same page and essentials don’t get missed. Share lists and itineraries, and check in with each other to make sure the important stuff is remembered.
3. Share the essentials.
A top tip for keeping luggage to a minimum is by sharing essential items.
Do you really need seven hairdryers, or can you share? The same goes for chargers, plug adapters, and other items that you’re unlikely to all use at the same time.
Other items, such as a guidebook or a can of bug spray, may be integral to the trip, but having one for everyone to use is plenty.
Knowing who you’re going to be sharing a room with will make sharing essentials even easier, so it’s a great idea to discuss who you’ll be buddying up with before you begin to pack
4. Divide and conquer.
Outside of your personal belongings, in order to make sure nothing is overlooked or duplicated, you can assign each member of the party an “area” of responsibility. For example, one person might be in charge of drinks, another entertainment, and someone else might take items for a beach day.
When you only have one area to focus on, you’re less likely to forget things, and your packing will be more thorough.
Weekend Trip Packing List
Tops
- 3 shirts
- 1 durable jacket or button-down
- 1 sweater or cardigan
For weekend trips, it’s best to prioritize comfort over style. That’s not to say you can’t be sharply dressed, but it helps to choose shirts that don’t wrinkle easily, won’t get snagged or torn, and are suited for your destination’s climate.
If you’re looking for a practical layering piece, consider packing a jacket or button-down shirt made from a sturdy fabric like canvas or denim. Not only are these textiles perfect for a variety of climates, but their heavier weights allow them to add structure to an otherwise casual outfit.
When it comes to sweaters, a soft piece of knitwear can help you elevate an outfit for a formal occasion or stay cozy when you’re hanging out in your hotel.
For the most versatility, pack a sweater with a neutral color and a tighter knit.
Bottoms
- 1 pair of dark-wash jeans
- 1 pair of casual shorts/neutral skirt (or a second pair of pants when traveling to colder climates)
“I cannot say enough about the value of a good pair of jeans, especially as a travel staple,” says Grace Lower, Seven Corners travel writer. “Jeans can be dressed up or down to suit a variety of occasions, and they can be worn several times between washes.”
For quick weekend trips, you shouldn’t need more than one pair of shorts or a skirt. Between that, jeans, and maybe a nice pair of pants, you should be fully equipped for a few days of travel.
Shoes
- 1 pair of comfortable shoes
- 1 pair of “nice-ish” shoes
When choosing comfortable footwear, make sure your choice of shoes suits your most adventurous weekend activity. If you’re at the beach, your go-to comfortable shoes might be sandals. If you’re hiking, they’ll probably be a pair of boots. If you’re visiting an urban area, they could be a pair of stylish sneakers.
No matter what kind of shoes they are, they’ll be your go-to footwear for the weekend. Make sure they’re up to the task!
For your second pair of shoes, strive for something that's stylish but comfortable. They should be able to withstand plenty of walking, while also being nice enough that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear them at an upscale restaurant. Grace’s go-to here is a classic pair of pointy-toed ballet flats.
Additional clothing
- 1 versatile dress or nice button-down shirt
- 1 set of comfortable clothes that can double as pajamas
- 4 pairs of socks and underwear
“I like to pack a high-quality cotton dress for most of my trips,” says Grace. “A versatile dress can come in handy for a special event, or for just meeting up for drinks with friends.”
If ever there was a time to call in a classic LBD — little black dress — a weekend getaway is it.
If you’re not a dress-wearer, a long-sleeved button-down dirt can serve a similar purpose. Pair it with a nice pair of pants and you’re ready for anything. Do yourself a favor and make sure it won’t need to be ironed first.
Rather than packing a dedicated set of pajamas, go with a t-shirt and athletic shorts. Choose something you can wear in public in a pinch.
“I use this packing hack for longer trips, but it works for short ones, too,” says Seven Corners writer Becky Hart. “I’ll wear them as PJs for a few days and then as gym clothes when it doesn’t matter if they get sweaty. On quick trips, your so-called pajamas can make for comfy clothes on your travel day through the airport or during the car ride on the way home.”
Socks and underwear (bras, too) are essential and obvious but so easy to forget. A good rule of thumb is to pack one more of each than you think you’ll need.
Toiletries
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush & hair ties
- Contact lenses, solution & case; glasses
Stick to the basics for a short trip. Even if the hotel doesn’t provide your favorite brands of toiletries, you’ll be fine for a few days, and you’ll save tons of room in your luggage.
Extras
- Wallet
- Small purse with a strap
- Electronics & chargers
- Travel umbrella or raincoat
- Medicine and basic first-aid supplies
- Snacks
Unfortunately, wallets get forgotten more often than any of us like to admit. Make sure it contains your most necessary cards only — ID, one or two credit cards, insurance cards — and a bit of cash.
Women’s clothing typically doesn’t let us carry that wallet in a pocket (that’s a rant for another day), so if your pockets can’t accommodate the essentials, you’ll probably want a small purse. Make sure the purse is sturdy enough that it puts up a fight against would-be pickpockets.
Most of us take a phone with on vacation, even if we plan on going off-grid. Decide if you’d benefit from taking a laptop, tablet, or e-reader, and pack only the ones you absolutely need. You might be surprised how refreshing it is to disconnect from the screen for a few days. Whatever you take, make sure you have the right charger, too.
Whether you take an umbrella or raincoat is up to you and what you plan to do. “For more active trips, I go with the raincoat,” says Becky. “No one wants to hike with an umbrella. For city trips, though, sometimes a small umbrella is more ideal.”
When it comes to medications, at the very least, always have a bottle of ibuprofen and a few Band-Aids on hand. If you take any daily prescriptions, bring a generous supply of those for the weekend.
Be Prepared for Your Weekend Getaway
No trip is too short to prepare for. Find more useful travel hacks, ways to protect your health and your budget, and travel inspiration at SevenCorners.com.
About the Authors
Becky Hart, Grace Lower, and Nikki Vivian contributed to this article. Becky and Grace have written extensively for Seven Corners about all things travel, from study abroad and wellness retreats, to trip protection and eVisas. Nikki is a UK-based writer covering topics such as lifestyle, travel, and food. She has been published in The Guardian, Prospects, and several career websites to name a few.
