What to Pack for a Weekend Trip! Packing List Guide

I love a good weekend trip away! Getting the chance to escape allows you to break away from your typical everyday routine, reduce your stress levels, and experience somewhere new.

That said, packing for a weekend trip can be sort of a challenge as you want to make sure you have everything you need without overpacking.

Below is my ultimate packing list on what to pack for a weekend trip based on my recent weekend getaways!

This packing list guide can help you pack for any road trip you’ll take this year, whether that be a long weekend getaway to the beach or a short overnight trip to see family and friends.

My best tips can help you narrow down exactly what you need to pack so you enjoy the next 48hrs stress-free.

Find out exactly what to pack for a weekend trip away! My ultimate weekend packing list and guide!

So your weekend plans are made. Now what? There are a few important factors to consider before you start zipping up your bag.

What will the weather forecast be? What is the purpose of the trip? Are there baggage restrictions?

So before you jump straight into packing, here are some key points to keep in mind.

Things to consider before packing

Weather Conditions

The first thing you should consider is the weather and temperature of your destination so that you can pack accordingly. If you are going to a warm and sunny place, be sure to pack light and breathable clothes.

If it’s a cold weather destination, warm clothes, a winter jacket, and sturdy winter boots would be more fitting.

Length of Trip

Consider the length of your trip so that you can pack enough clothes and toiletries. Will this be a short trip overnight? Or a longer trip? Say, a couple of days.

You don’t want to run out of essentials while you’re away, so be sure to pack exactly what you need for your planned stay.

Itinerary Plans

What is the purpose of your trip and the activities you plan to do? If you’re relaxing by the pool, pack swimsuits, a small beach bag, and flip-flops. If you’re going on a backpacking trip through the mountains, it’s best to pack hiking boots and appropriate trail gear.

Baggage Restrictions

Keep in mind the baggage restrictions of your chosen airline or mode of transportation. You want to make sure your carry-on bag meets the size and weight requirements and avoid packing restricted items such as aerosols and power packs.

Security and Safety

Take into account the security and safety of your destination. Be sure to pack all your valuables (credit cards, money), important documents (passports, visas), and medications in your carry-on bag.

Also, avoid packing anything that can be a security risk. When arriving at your destination, be sure to keep these items in a secure, safe location.

Weekend Getaway Packing List

Having a physical packing list is key. Make sure no essential item is left behind by creating a basic packing list that you can actually cross off as you pack your weekend bag.

A good travel checklist should include specific categories to help you pack more efficiently for your trip and other helpful reminders.

The Ultimate Carry-on Packing Guide

Choosing the Right Weekender Bag

It’s time to decide what bag to bring on your upcoming trip. A good starting point is to choose a travel bag that is versatile, durable, lightweight, and big enough to hold all your travel essentials.

You should also consider the travel items you plan on bringing. This will ultimately determine the ideal features for your suitcase and will help narrow down your luggage choice.

Duffle Bag

The ultimate weekender bag! Duffle bags are perfect for a quick trip away. They’re lightweight, easy to carry, and designed for easy access. These are the most versatile travel bag and come in a wide range of colors and designs.

My personal favorite is this one. It has a lot of space for an extra pair of shoes and roomy side pockets for your water bottle and personal items.

Small Suitcase – Hardshell

My most used and go-to bag for any length of stay. My I-Fly Fibertech has been with me on many flights and road trips and is still going strong.

The I-Fly has a durable hardshell, double wheels for easy maneuvering, a spacious interior with multiple compartments, and an expansion zipper that adds 20% more space.

I have this in a carry-on size, and I love it. It also comes in large, medium, and two/three-piece sets.

Backpack

The classic hands-free travel backpack! Whether you’re backpacking through Asia or trekking up mountain trails, backpacks have been a long-standing staple of the baggage industry.

Backpacks are super versatile, easy to carry, and overall, just more simple to use.

Here are some key tips to keep in mind when selecting the right backpack!

Weight and Size

The bigger the bag, the heavier it will be. Too small, and you won’t be able to fit the essentials.

Materials

Look for backpacks with water-resistant layers or coatings. These fabrics will help keep your items dry.

Multiple Compartments

Having multiple compartments is super handy and allows you to sort and organize your items into separated areas, making everything easier to find and use.

Padding

The majority of the weight will be carried around your waist and shoulders. You’ll want to make sure you have excess padding around these areas to support the weight more comfortably.

Create a Basic Weekend Packing List

To make packing that much easier, I’ve created a simple weekend packing list that includes all the travel essentials you need to get the most out of a short weekend trip.

Must-Have Items – things you should never leave without.

– Wallet

– Cash/credit cards

– Important documents – Passport & Visas

– Phone

– Medications

How to Plan a Last-Minute Weekend Getaway

Simple Clothing Packing List

The general rule of thumb is to pack items that are easy to mix and match. You can do this by curating a mini ‘capsule wardrobe’ unique to you and your style.

What is a capsule wardrobe, you say? A capsule wardrobe is a streamlined edit of clothing items that all work well together.

This is to ensure that no item of clothing goes unworn. This packing style is perfect for weekend getaways as it makes the packing process much more simple and easy.

*Add or eliminate items in the below list according to your type of trip

– Sweaters

– Long-sleeved tops

– Button-down shirts

– Tanks and tees

– Dresses and/or skirts

– Jumpsuits/rompers

– Pants and/or shorts

– Socks

– Underwear

– Swimwear

– Lightweight jacket

– Pajamas/sleepwear

– Shoes

Everyday Accessories

A great way to dress up your outfits with minimal effort is to add classic accessories, such as a hat, belt, or jewelry.

Be sure to keep these items to a minimum. It can become easy to overpack by packing too many accessories.

– Beanies and/or hats

– Scarf

– Sunglasses

– Day bag

- Jewelry

Toiletries

If my weekend travels have taught me one thing, it’s to only bring your must-have products with you and leave the unnecessary items at home.

Packing travel-sized toiletries take up little to no space in your bag and have the tick of approval from airport security. See here for my favorite eco-friendly travel toiletries on Amazon.

– SPF day/night moisturizer

– Sunscreen

– Deodorant

– Toothbrush and toothpaste

– Perfume

– Minimal makeup

– Lip balm

– Body wash

– Face wash

– Hairbrush

12 Important Things to Remember Before Every Trip

Technology Devices

Make busy travel days a whole lot smoother. Remember to bring the necessary tech devices to entertain yourself during your flight or road trip.

– Kindle/tablet

– Noise-canceling headphones

– Phone

– Chargers/adapters

– Portable battery charger

Helpful Travel Packing Tips

As a regular wanderer who’s had their fair share of packing fails, here are 5 clever packing tips & hacks that frequent travelers (including yours truly) swear by.

Use packing cubes

Packing cubes are lifesavers when it comes to packing. I love these ones from Amazon. They keep everything in your bag neat and organized and compress your clothes so you can save even more space.

Choose a color scheme

As I mentioned above, creating a mini capsule wardrobe with pieces that effortlessly go together will save you a ton of time.

The best way to do this is by choosing natural colors and prints that mix together nicely. This will allow you to use all the items in your bag and eliminate outfits that don’t work.

Do Laundry

Every time I stay at an Airbnb, no matter how long or short the trip is, I will always do laundry. If you have access to free laundry facilities and you’re able to wash and wear your outfits a few more times, that’s a win right there!

Avoid Tangled Jewelry

To keep your jewelry from getting knotted, I find the best way to pack jewelry safely and tangle-free is with a handy jewelry travel organizer.

You can find these just about anywhere. If you’re curious about what type of jewelry you should pack, check out my latest post here.

Limit your makeup

Let’s zone in on the essentials! Take a look at your everyday makeup products and put aside your most used ones, then select your must-haves and limit yourself to just those.

When in doubt, opt for the all-natural look. For this, you really only need the basics, foundation, bronzer, blush, mascara, and lip balm.

Traveling somewhere tropical? Don’t miss my travel-friendly beauty products that beat the summer heat.

Packing for a weekend trip summary

Whether it’s a couple of days or a quick overnight trip, packing shouldn’t be an overwhelming task. Being prepared and organized before you leave will make everything easier once you arrive.

I hope you found this guide on what to pack for a weekend trip helpful and that it sets you up for a fun and successful weekend trip away!

Looking for more tips on packing? Be sure to check out my other packing guides here.

Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission that helps support this blog.

You will not pay more when you buy through these links. All opinions are my own, and I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.