How to Pack for a Weekend Trip

Co-authored by Sarah McDonald

Last Updated: October 11, 2021 Approved

The most important part of packing for a small trip, one around three days, is to have slightly more than you need. Not too much more, because clutter will cause a heavier load and disorganization, but being overly prepared is better than being completely under prepared. Go through your usual daily routine and pack your clothing and toiletries according to that. Always remember that space is limited. The idea is to make do with less stuff.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Determining What You'll Need

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Make a list. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.}Lists are awesome. Obviously, you know where you are going, how long you'll be gone, and which activities you expect to fill your weekend. As you go on with your day (before you pack), write down all the essentials you need or go through it in your head. [Your welcome-bye!] Write down all of the things that you will need: clothing, toiletries, electronics, money, identification. When you can't think of anything else, read over the list. Consider which items are nonessential, which items require accessories (e.g. phone and phone charger, contacts and contact case, toothbrush and toothpaste), and what, if anything, you may have forgotten.
2
Consider how much luggage you will need. If you will only be gone for a weekend, you should be able to fit everything you need into a backpack or a small carry-on suitcase. Put your books, electronics, and immediate necessities into a small backpack for easy access. Pack clothing and other space-intensive items into a light bag or suitcase. Choose your luggage before you pack so that the available space can help you with the decision process.
- Bring one or two bags, depending on your means of transportation. If you are flying, you might try to fit everything into one carry-on to avoid checked luggage fees; however, you may as well bring a few extra things if you are taking a road trip and you have plenty of space in your car.
- Consider where you are going and how you plan to spend your money. If you think you'll buy clothes and other items, save space!
- Keep a collapsible bag or day-pack in the front pocket of your suitcase. If your bag is too heavy, you can put some stuff into the extra bag. This is also a good place to put any souvenirs that you pick up.
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3
Consider which electronics you will need. Are you traveling to a place with cell service? Will you actually spend any time on your computer if you bring it? Do you want to listen to music on the way there? Do you need a camera?
- Make sure to bring chargers and extra batteries. If you will be doing a lot of driving, consider bringing a car charger.
- If you’re going abroad and you don’t want to pay roaming charges on your phone, you may be able to leave it on airplane mode but connect to the local WiFi. This way, you’ll be able to access email and Internet if needed.
4
Bring identification, travel information, and emergency contact information. Consider which information you will need to facilitate a smooth, safe trip. Make sure that you have this information written down or accessible from your phone. If you won't have access to the Internet, make sure to print out physical copies of permits, contact information, and directions. Consider the following documents and information:
- Your passport, if you’re leaving the country.
- A photo ID.
- The name, phone number, and address of the hotel or home you’re staying in.
- Emergency contact info for anyone at home.
5
Be organized about your packing. You want to make sure you know where everything is so you aren't scrambling to look for it later. For example: put all your clothes together in one spot of your bag, suitcase or whatever you're bringing to pack your items in. Make sure to put anything small, or that could get loose in your bag, into a small pocket or bag.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Clothing

1
Start with the basics. Set out only the items that you're sure you'll need, then build out from there. Bring as many changes of clothing as you will need, and consider bringing one extra outfit if you can fit it. Determine the number of outfits you will need for each day, not the number of outfits you want to have. If you are going to the beach and a bar one day, you will need an outfit for the beach, an outfit for the bar, and a set of pajamas.
- Add one additional outfit to your list in case of an emergency. For example, say your clothes get drenched from rain but the day isn't over yet. If you pack an additional outfit, you will have a backup without needing to take away from your other outfits.
2
Check the weather. Plan your clothing around the climate of your vacation spot. Check websites or the television to see what the weather will be like in that area before you go. If you are entering a warm or tropical clime, you can pack lighter, and if you are going to be hiking in the Arctic Tundra you're going to need to layer things which means lots more clothes. You don't want to pack the completely wrong clothes and be miserable during what is supposed to be a fun weekend.
- If it is going to be cold, pack articles of clothing such as sweatshirts, pants, hats, etc. Make sure you pack enough. It is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
- If it is supposed to be warm, pack shorts and t-shirts, but bring a few cold-weather items just in case.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Sarah McDonald
  Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} Meteorologists will not be able to give you a perfect weather forecast, so it is best to come prepared. Who knows? It just might happen to drizzle while you are on your little adventure for the weekend.
3
Pack versatile items. The key to packing for a short vacation is to pack versatile items that you can mix and match depending on where the weekend takes you. If you already have a set itinerary, great – but remember that weather can be unpredictable, and that you may change your mind about what you want to do.
- Try to bring clothing that you can wear for multiple days in a row. For instance, consider bringing just one pair of jeans that you can pair with several different shirts. Recognize which articles can be worn two days in a row. Jeans and pajamas usually can, but underwear should not.
- Consider your color palette while picking your outfits. If you have the same colors, then you won't have to bring as many things to match.
- If you're going to an event, pack at least two outfits as a precaution. Remember to always match the dress code of the occasion.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Sarah McDonald
  Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.}
4
Bring the right shoes. Consider the activities that you'll be doing, and plan accordingly. Try to limit yourself to two pairs of shoes. Bring one pair of shoes for walking, and one pair for another activity: flip-flops for the beach, heels or dress shoes for a night on the town, slippers for relaxing. Place shoes that you are not wearing on traveling days in plastic grocery bags or some other small bag. The shoes can either be added to your bag if there is room or be transported separately.
- If you are going to be doing things outside (hiking, biking, running), you should come prepared with sneakers so that you can enjoy your weekend without having uncomfortable feet.
- If you are going somewhere fancy, you probably won't want to wear sneakers while everyone else is wearing their dress shoes.
5
Lay out your clothing before you pack your suitcase. Visualize how certain items will go together, and consider how many options you are giving yourself. Organize the items by outfit, color, or clothing type.
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Bring extra underwear. Always pack extra underwear in case you are surprised by your menstrual cycle, end up partaking in a sweaty activity, etc.
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Roll your clothing instead of folding.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} This will help you save space, and it may keep things wrinkle-free. Fold pants in half and then roll them from the top to the bottom. Fold shirts into thirds and then roll them from the top to the bottom. In this way, you can fit your whole list into a carry-on-sized suitcase, and you won't have to pay those pesky extra fees for checked baggage.
- Put wrinkle-prone items on top. If wrinkle-prone clothing gets stuck beneath the weight of your other items, it will be more likely to come out of your bag creased.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Toiletries and Necessities

1
Consider what you need. Take inventory of all of the toiletry items (i.e. toothbrush, hairbrush, contact solution, etc.) that you use on a regular basis.
2
Pack toiletries into one single bag of your choice. Ziploc bags work. Place the toiletries into the largest bag you are taking first: you can leave behind bulkier clothing if they don't fit, but you can't leave behind toiletries.
3
Medicated face wipes. They’re good at clearing your skin and taking off your makeup, and they take so much less space than your face wash probably would (and you won’t have to turn it over to the TSA!). Tip: Sometimes buying the refill packages, as long as they’re resealable, is easier than a whole tub–especially to pack.
4
Bring a toothbrush. You can pack it in a toothbrush case, a plastic bag, or wrapped in a cloth. Bring a mini tube of toothpaste, depending on where you’re staying. If you’re going to a friend’s house for the weekend, chances are s/he isn't going to be mad if you borrow his/her fluoride. However, if you’re going to a remote cabin somewhere, it’s good to take your own!
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Find travel-sized versions of toiletries. You can buy travel-sized bottles of many products in pharmacies, grocery stores, and dollar stores. Consider buying 3-ounce travel bottles that you can reuse from trip to trip. You can mini-bottle your home toiletries, take exactly the amount that you will need, then wash out the bottles afterward to reuse on your next trip.
- In the US, TSA will not let you bring more than three ounces of any liquid onto a commercial flight. Plan accordingly.
- Try bringing samples instead of fully-packaged products. This can work for prescription creams and lotions, as well as luxuries like perfume. You don’t want to risk bringing and losing an entire tube of your doctor-ordered creams and lotions, but you still want to keep your pores clear. Make a trip to your dermatologist before you leave for your trip, and see if she can give you any samples to bring on your travels.
6
Plan around your hairstyle. If you have a hairstyle that won't keep up with water or sweat, bring hair styling tools in the case that your style is destroyed. Bring travel-sized hair spray. You’ll probably want to stick with your natural texture to save time (who wants to waste time with a flat or curling iron when you have sights to see?), but spray can give you a quick burst of shine and polish without a ton of effort.
7
Bring deodorant! If you want to bring perfume, try to find a sample so you don’t risk all of your favorite scent spilling in your bag.
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Consider bringing moisturizer. Travelling can dry out your skin, especially if you're going by plane. As with other toiletries, try to find a travel-sized version of your moisturizer.
9
Consider whether you will need makeup. Bring it if you think you'll need it, but don't bring too much. If you will be going out on the town, meeting people, and taking a lot of photos, then you may want to consider bringing makeup.
- If your moisturizer is tinted, you can substitute it for foundation. If not, try using a stick foundation that can double as a spot concealer (and that you won’t have to put in the TSA bin). You could also bring a powder compact so you don't look shiny in your Facebook pictures, mascara, and your favorite lip gloss.
- If you must have eyeshadow, try to find a versatile palette in a small compact that you can fit in your bag.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I make sure the toothpaste doesn't spill?

Tiffani Kelley

Community Answer

You can put the tube in a zip lock baggie. That way, even if it does spill, it won't get on your clothes.
Question

How many clothes do I bring for 2 days?

Sophie Dallimore

Community Answer

I would bring one outfit per day and one pair of pajamas plus one extra. Bring any seasonal clothes (bathing suits etc.). If you will be swimming on your trip, bring at least one extra outfit. If you are trying to pack light because you need more room for other things than you can survive with one outfit and you may not even want to pack pajamas if you are wearing comfortable clothes.
Question

How do I pack with a small suitcase?

Community Answer

Fit as much as you can into your suitcase, but remember to focus on the essentials. If you still don't have enough room, you may have to bring an additional bag, like a large purse or backpack.