The Ultimate Weekend Trip Packing List: What to Pack for a Weekend Getaway - Eternal Arrival (2024)

One thing I’ve always excelled at is packing light.

I’ve been to the Arctic twice in the winter — using just a carry-on. A six-week trip spanning Moldova, Ukraine, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Portugal — also in a carry-on.

I even went on a five-month backpacking trip through Europe and Morocco, with temperatures spanning from 115° F to 40° F — yup, all in a single carry-on bag (and personal item).

But for some reason, when I would go on a weekend trip, I would always overpack. I would find my biggest reasonable-sized bag and then fill it up to the brim, and then I’d lament how heavy my bag was… as if I didn’t pack it myself.

I decided to create a weekend trip packing list for myself so that I would stop overburdening my weak-a** shoulders with far more weight than necessary, especially when I pack at the last minute

I decided I should share it with my readers, since I know a lot of people struggle with figuring out exactly what to pack for a weekend getaway.

Best Carry-on Bag for a Weekend Away

There are all sorts of carry-on bags you could bring for a weekend trip… but not all travel bags are created equal.

A duffel bag is the classic weekender bag, but the fact that it distributes weight unevenly on one shoulder is a no-go for me, personally.

Instead, I opt for a comfortabletravel backpackmost of the time when I am planning a weekend trip, especially if I am driving to my destination.

That way I can use it as a travel daypack as well when I am at my destination for a day trip, hike, etc.

If I am flying, I often opt for a small roller suitcase likethis underseat roller bag— that way, I don’t have to worry about finding overhead space on a packed plane, and possibly having to deal with a gate-checked bag at baggage claim!

The great thing about both of these types of bags if you are flying is that they count as a ‘personal item’ as opposed to a carry-on bag.

Weekend Packing List: Clothes (Women)

Packing cubes |I like to bring packing cubes on every trip, even when I’m just packing for a weekend away or a short trip. They keep my clothing items folded while I am rifling through my bag trying to find something that, inevitably, has made its way to the very bottom. I use theseEagle Creek packing cubes.

T-Shirts |I would bring 1-2T-shirtsfor a weekend trip, short or long-sleeve depending on the weather. I like to bring black and white and liven them up with a pretty printed skirt. If it’s really hot, swap out T-shirts for tank tops.

Cardigan |A cardigan is a great layer for breezy evenings or spring or fall days. I prefer long, loose ones — preferably with pockets,like this one! It’s great for layering.

Leggings|I love leggings for underneath dresses or for sleeping in. I typically bring 1-2 pairs for a weekend away. I havethese onesand love the high waist and stretch!

Printed skirt |I love apretty printed skirtto go with a T-shirt — it’s the easiest outfit to throw together and feel put together!

Printed dress |I always like abeautiful printed dresswhich will pair nicely with a cardigan and leggings if it gets cold. It’s versatile but comfortable and fun!

Jeans or pants |A pair of pants or a pair of jeans — either black or blue — will serve you well on virtually any kind of weekend trip. Black is dressier, blue is more casual.

Shoes | This will vary greatly depending on your style, but I love Birkenstocks for sandals, Ilse Jacobsen for cute slip-on sneakers (I have a yellow pair of these and they are my most complimented shoe!), black Nikes for hiking/city walking shoes, and these Sorel waterproof leather Chelsea boots.

You won’t need all of these for a weekend away, but mix and match 2-3 pairs. For something a little more trendy, try some Gucci loafers dupes for a comfortable yet cool shoe.

Warm jacket or rain jacket, if needed |Depending on the weather at your destination, you might want to bring a warm jacket like aparkaor awaterproof rain jacketif you are going on a winter vacation.

Bathing suitand cover-up, if needed |If you’re doing a weekend trip somewhere on the beach, I’d pack a cute swimsuit (I love thesehigh-waisted two-pieces) and abeach cover-up.

Beach bag, if needed |If you’re going on a beach vacation, you’ll want a separate beach bag or tote that you don’t mind getting sandy. Thisstriped, nautical-themed beach bagis super cute!

Undergarments|I’d bring two bras and three pairs of underwear for a weekend trip.

Socks |Two to three pairs of socks is good for a weekend trip, less if you are doing a beach trip where you’ll be primarily in sandals.

Weekend Packing List: Hygiene & Toiletries

Hand sanitizer|It may be 2021, but there’s still a pandemic going on! I bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse (thisorange-scented one from Whole Foodsis less toxic-smelling than others)

Mask |I always wear aKN94 mask— they’re less often counterfeited than N95s and Korea, where the masks come from, have a less tolerant attitude towards fakes. Unfortunately with the Delta wave, the virus is more transmissible than ever before, so I have stopped wearing cloth masks.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, and case |Of course, you’ll need a toothbrush for a weekend away, but I also suggest an easy carrying case for your toothbrush. I’m trying to reduce my plastic footprint, so I lovethis set of 4 bambootoothbrushes, which also comes with a bamboo carrying case + even charcoal dental floss. It’s all zero-waste and eco-friendly!

Deodorant|I was *finally* able to make the switch off of aluminum deodorants with this wonderfulactivated charcoal natural deodorant(which is also baking soda free!). I find I have to re-apply once a day, but I’m naturally a very sweaty and smelly individual, and I bet most normal people would be fine to go a whole day with it!

Make-up |Bring whatever make-up you normally wear day-to-day! I always pack a red lipstick (I’m obsessed withGlossier’s buildable red lipstick), mascara, a bit of concealer, and some lightweight tinted moisturizer.

Shampoo and conditioner |I hate using whatever toiletries are given to me by the hotel, plus it wastes plastic packaging to use those little bottles.

I always bring my toiletries from home, but I put them intosmall silicone GoToobswhich squeeze out whatever is inside easily and without drama (much better than those plastic ones that you have to bang like a drum to get even a drop of your shampoo out!).

Especially if you have color-treated hair, like if you have bleached hair or have dyed it some fun hair colors for blondes, you’ll want to bring a color-treatment maintenance shampoo like this one from Paul Mitchell.

If you have eyelash extensions and want to bring lash shampoo, throw that in your bag too.

Body wash|Bring some body wash and put it in one of your GoToobs

Face wash |I always bring a separate face wash for sensitive skin, like thisLa Roche-Posay cleanser.

Sunscreen|Absolutely essential for a trip of any length! After getting some faint sun spots at age 30, I’m now fastidious about everyday SPF on my face. I use this bougieSupergoop! face sunscreenbecause it has all sorts of great natural ingredients, like red algae which protects against blue light emitted from phones and meadowfoam seed for hydration.

Moisturizer|I love this cruelty-free, hyaluronic-acid packedmoisturizer from Honest.

Lip balm with SPF |Lips need SPF too! I use thisSPF 25 lip balm.

Toiletrybag|Bring everything in a quart-sized Ziploc bag for TSA if you are flying, or in a reusabletoiletrybag like this hanging one!

Contacts and contact solution, if needed |If you need it, you know.

Weekend Packing List: Electronics

Cell phone and phonecharger |You’ll definitely need your phone and charger for a weekend away! I also suggest bringing acar chargerif you are doing a road trip or driving to your destination

Portable battery |I always bring a portable battery with me to keep all my electronics juiced up. I use aportable battery (I have this one from Anker)— it’s especially essential you are doing a city trip with lots of walking and photo-taking. It’s also great if you are flying to your destination and need to charge on the plane as not all planes have accessible charging outlets.

Kindle|If you’ll be on a plane or have time to sit down with a book on your trip, aKindle Paperwhiteloaded up with a great book or two is a must-have! The new ones are waterproof, too, which is great if you’re lounging beachside or poolside on your trip.

iPad |AniPadalso works, if you prefer, and it’s great for distracting kids who need some screen time on longer trips to save your sanity. It’s also great so you can leave your laptop behind, but still be connected if you need it.

Haircare tools |I don’t personally bring any haircare tools on my trips for the weekend. I have stick-straight hair that I rarely ever blow dry unless the weather is freezing cold out and I need to dry my hair so I don’t get sick. However I know other people don’t have that luxury, so bring whatever haircare tools you use at home if that’s essential for you.

Adapters, if overseas |If you’re doing a domestic weekend trip, you won’t need a travel adapter, but if you are doing international travel, pack auniversal adapter.

Weekend Packing List: RandomTravel Gear

Eye mask |I hate not being able to sleep when I travel — you never know if your hotel room has good enough curtains, or if you want to sleep on the plane. I like these contoured sleep masks that don’t press down on your eyelids. I havethis one, and it’s also great for headaches!

Medicine and mini first aid kit |You’ll want to bring a small medicine kit – painkillers, stomach medicine, etc. – and some first aid items such as Bandaids andhydrocolloid blister bandagesif hiking or walking a lot.

Reusable water bottle |An insulated water bottle that keeps your drinking water cool is great to have while traveling. I usethis one by Klean Kanteen.

Guidebooks, if using |If you are traveling somewhere that you’ve never been before, a paperback guidebook can be a great resource to throw in your day bag.

Minimalist Packing Tips

As someone who lived out of a backpack for three years and still travels lightly, here are my best travel tips for how to pack light on your next trip.

Choose a color palette.

Pick one or two neutral colors (navy, black, brown, tan) to make up the bulk of your clothing and then add a few colors that you know look good with those.

For example, I’d bring a pair of black jeans, a tan skirt, and then I’d pick a red blouse since I know that color would pair nicely with my neutrals.

Always opt for comfortable shoes.

Unless you have a specific reason to bring a pair of heels, such as you’re attending a wedding or know you’re going out clubbing, just don’t.

I’ll admit my minimalism often doesn’t extend to my shoes — I would bring as many as five pairs of shoes on my backpacking trips — but for a weekend away, packing two or a maximum of three pairs will work just fine.

I would suggest a comfortable pair of sneakers that work just as well on the city streets as on a hike ANDa pair of either ankle boots or sandals (flip flops for a beach trip) that work well as walking shoes depending on the season.

Add an optional pair of dressy shoes (stylish flats or heels) if you are doing anything that needs to be fancier and a little bit elevated.

Use packing cubes.

Packing cubes serve the function of keeping everything organized, of course.

But it also helps you visualize all your clothes together and make sure the colors go well together, and it helps you not overpack as you can take clothing in and out of the cubes, rather than throwing all the clothes into the bag until you can barely close it (guilty as charged).

QuickWeekend Packing Checklist

Above is the list of items in bullet point form, so as to be an easy packing checklist for a weekend trip:

TravelEssentials

• Wallet, drivers license/ID, and credit cards
• Car and house keys
• Important documents
• Boarding pass and other travel documents
• Travel bag (backpack, weekender bag, duffel bag, or roller suitcase)
• Packing cubes

Travel Clothing

• 1-2 T-shirts
• 1 cardigan
• 1-2 pairs leggings
• 1 printed skirt
• 1 printed dress
• 1-2 pairs jeans or pants
• 2-3 pairs shoes
• Warm jacket or rain jacket (optional)
• Bathing suit and cover-up (optional)
• Beach bag or tote (optional)
• 1-2 bras
• 2-3 pairs underwear
• 2-3 pairs socks

Hygiene & Toiletries

• Hand sanitizer
• KN94 masks
• Toothbrush and carrying case
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Make-up
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash
• Face wash
• Sunscreen
• Moisturizer
• Cosmetics like CC creams, mascara, etc.
• Lip balm with SPF
• Toiletry bag
• Contacts and contact solution

Electronics & Etc.

• Cell phone
• Charger
• Portable battery
• Kindle and/or iPad
• Haircare tools
• Adapters (optional)
• Eye mask
• Medicine
• Mini first-aid kit
• Reusable water bottle
• Guidebooks (optional)

Weekend Travel Checklist

This is a bit different in that this is a quick checklist of things to do before you leave for a weekend away!

– Organize a pet-sitter or house-sitter, if necessary

– Take out the trash

– Water any plants that need it

– Clear out the fridge of anything that needs to go

– Set up any alarm, if you have it