Packing for a weekend trip isn’t a science that is precise. We’re not going to just blurt out “bring two dresses and some jeans.” So much depends on where you’re going, the current weather, and your personal style. Bottom line: Pack just what makes you feel most readily useful for whatever the purpose of your weekend trip is.
Right here are seven things to take into account while you’re packing for a weekend trip:
Table of Contents
Keep Calm and Carry-On
Preparing for a weekend trip can be a bit stressful, but you’re halfway to golden if you remember your passport (if traveling out of the country) or ID, credit cards, and medicines. Most everything else can later be purchased if left behind.
Pro tip: Never check a bag for a weekend trip. You’re reading this article because you want to know some tips for packing for a weekend trip, and overpacking and then paying extra for checked luggage is just silly.
That stated, quality luggage is the most important investments that can be made. We’ve gone into detail in our Best Carry Ons for Travel article and even have an additional list for easy comparison here. Take a few minutes and check out both of those links before purchasing your next carry on – you’ll be glad you did when it comes time to pack for your weekend trip, regardless of whether or not you’re flying!
Don’t Underestimate the Effectiveness of a Plastic Bag
One of the jokes that we all know is how to measure your adult-ness by how many plastic bags you have… stuffed inside a larger plastic bag. Jokes aside, we never travel without at least one grocery-sized plastic bag because we’ve found it to be useful time and again. Whether it’s stashing your dirty clothes or even your wet ones, you’ll be happy something is separating them from the rest of your items.
Not only are plastic bags handy for dirty or wet clothes, they’re great to put your toiletries in, such as contact solutions, creams, toothpaste, etc. While we all hope our weekend away will be without incident and mess, packing for a weekend trip means being prepared.
Accessories Are Your Friend
When packing for a weekend trip, remember to keep your wardrobe simple – tans, black, grays – basically neutral colors. Not only do these colors hide dirt better, they don’t require a whole lot of effort or planning each morning when deciding what to throw on.
Instead, pack a few fun accessories to brighten up and vary your look. Accessories typically don’t take up much room in your luggage so you don’t have to feel guilty about packing a few extras and changing up your look a couple of times each day.
Pro tip: Spoil yourself a bit and buy an accessory each time you travel. This will make for a great story each time you wear that accessory, and keep your future travels full of memories while creating new ones!
Just because we’re advising to keep your wardrobe simple doesn’t mean you have to feel drab. Check out our list of Best Travel Beauty Products to help you look your best without taking up too much room in your luggage.
To Thine Own Self Be True
Packing for a weekend trip doesn’t mean skimping and then fretting while you’re away. If you’re someone who likes to have options when getting dressed, then put yourself at ease and pack an extra outfit or two. Being aware of how you travel and what your hesitations are is critical to packing for a weekend trip successfully.
Nothing is worse than being away for your weekend trip and wishing you’d brought a different pair of shoes or another top.
Wear the Same Ensemble For Both Flights
Selecting your “plane uniform” is a very important task, and can help you save carry-on room that is valuable. For example, always wear your heaviest items, like winter coats and boots on the plane. Travelers often end up in a significantly different climate than when they left, and planes themselves can be chilly, so layering your clothing is always a good way to stay comfortable while saving room in your luggage when packing for a weekend trip.
Pro tip: While your flight could be long, we discourage throwing on a pair of sweat pants and a hoodie. Yes, you’ll be super comfortable, but you’ll look disheveled once you arrive at your final destination. First impressions are important, and airlines and hotels are known to upgrade more professional-looking travelers upon check-in. We’re not saying to dress like a supermodel, but a simple blazer helps class up your ensemble.
Be Prepared
Maybe you’re spontaneous and love adventure… but preparation is important when packing for a weekend trip. Since you’ll only be visiting for a short period, it’s important to plan ahead the activities you want to do or specific places you’ll visit. Not only does this preparation help you make the most of your visit (you won’t waste time finding things to do), but you’ll be able to pack wisely. There’s no point in packing a swim suit if you’re not going to a place with a pool or to a waterpark. And there’s no reason to pack hiking boots if you won’t be hitting the trails. See what we mean by planning your activities before packing for a weekend trip?
You can check out Get Your Guide for different activities, tours, and things to do wherever you’re traveling to. The best part is that these offers are discounted, meaning that you can get more bang for your buck on your weekend trip.
Keep It Light
Take this however you’d like, but we intend this both figuratively and literally.
Literally
Don’t pack more than what you’ll actually use. Packing for a weekend trip isn’t about jamming your luggage as full as you possibly can get it on the off chance you’ll need that one item. While physical books do provide a bit of nostalgia and you don’t need to worry about a charging cable, they do take up additional space. Consider downloading books to your tablet or phone instead.
Yes, we recommended a carry-on earlier in this article, but part of keeping it light could also mean using a travel backpack instead of a carry-on. You might not need all of the space offered with a carry-on and could travel even lighter with just a travel backpack. We’ve gone into detail in our Best Travel Backpacks article and even have an additional list for easy comparison here. Take a few minutes and check out both of those links before purchasing your next carry on – you’ll be glad you did when it comes time to pack for your weekend trip, regardless of whether or not you’re flying!
Figuratively
A weekend trip is supposed to be fun! Once you’re done packing for a weekend trip and on the road, don’t let the worry eat away at you if you’ve forgotten something. Leave your stress behind and enjoy your weekend.
In this article, we have covered seven tips for packing for a weekend trip. This article was written to help all who are planning to travel locally or internationally. With these packing for a weekend trip recommendations, you can definitely enjoy your travels and not have any problems when it comes to your luggage. Do you have any other recommendations about packing for a weekend trip? Share them in the comments below so that other readers can benefit from your wisdom!
Looking for more travel tips? FlightVillage has you covered! Or maybe you’re ready to plan your trip – we can help with that too!