If you can’t go on a long vacation, weekend trips are a great alternative, whether that’s locally or just across the border.
But let us be honest, packing for a weekend away can be stressful and who doesn’t fear leaving something behind. We have done it a few times.
We have learnt a thing or two from our previous mishaps and compiled this guide on what to pack for a weekend away, to help you pack smartly.
We’ll share tips on how to pack light, choose weather appropriate clothing and navigate those pesky budget airline baggage and weight restrictions.
By packing smartly, you can turn the stress into an enjoyable trip without forgetting a thing. Whether you’re planning a staycation or heading to an exotic destination, this guide will have you ready for your adventure.
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Table of Contents
What to pack for a weekend away
Our aim is to simplify the packing process, so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
So, let’s dive into the ultimate weekend away packing list to make your next adventure stress-free and enjoyable.
Clothes to pack for a weekend trip
Hands up if anyone has packed way too many outfits for a weekend trip. Yes, this has been a common experience. Often, too many outfits are packed, and half of them remain unworn.
So, why pack extra outfits when they won’t be worn? Stick to only a couple of outfits and shoes for a long weekend trip.
Mixing and matching outfits will maximise style, while still only packing the essential clothing for the trip.
Accessories can also elevate outfits and overall style. Packing a stylish belt to wear with different outfits is a great idea. Small and lightweight accessories that don’t take up much space or add weight to the bag are ideal.
A couple of days before leaving for the trip, check the weather conditions and pack appropriate outfits for the weather and planned activities. And don’t forget underwear, socks, and sleepwear.
Here is a breakdown of what to pack for a weekend away, depending on the season.
Clothes to pack for a weekend trip
Hands up if anyone has packed way too many outfits for a weekend trip. Yes, this has been a common experience. Often, too many outfits are packed, and half of them remain unworn.
So, why pack extra outfits when they won’t be worn? Stick to only a couple of outfits and shoes for a long weekend trip.
Mixing and matching outfits will maximise style, while still only packing the essential clothing for the trip.
Accessories can also elevate outfits and overall style. Packing a stylish belt to wear with different outfits is a great idea. Small and lightweight accessories that don’t take up much space or add weight to the bag are ideal.
A couple of days before leaving for the trip, check the weather conditions and pack appropriate outfits for the weather and planned activities. And don’t forget underwear, socks, and sleepwear.
Here is a breakdown of what to pack for a weekend away, depending on the season.
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Weekend away in winter
During the winter in many countries, temperatures can drop significantly, it will be necessary to pack layers of warm clothing to stay comfortable. However, in some countries, winter remains mild, and layering may not be necessary.
Researching and monitoring weather conditions can aid in packing appropriate outfits for the trip.
Here is a list of clothes typically packed for a weekend trip in winter for one person:
- 2x Base layers
- 1x Jumper/cardigan
- 3x T-shirts/comfortable tops
- 1x Jacket
- 1x Scarf
- 1x Gloves
- 2x Jeans/trousers
- 1x Shirt/blouse (only if there is an event that requires a dress code)
- 1x Trainers/comfortable shoes
- 1x Smart shoes (only if there is an event that requires a dress code)
- 1x Waterproof trousers and jacket
- 6x underwear
- 1x Nightwear
- Toiletries
This will be sufficient for at least 4 days away, including a smart outfit for any restaurant or bars with a dress code.
Although this list appears extensive and includes numerous outfits, not all of them may be necessary.
For instance, when visiting the south of Spain, the winter weather is considerably different from that in the United Kingdom.
Some days in the UK, temperatures can drop to –1°C, a woolly hat, gloves, and a scarf are essential to stay warm.
However, in Spain, it rarely gets that cold, so heavy layers aren’t needed. A jumper and a jacket were sufficient to stay warm on our visits to Valencia.
Weekend trip in Spring and Autumn
Depending on the destination for a weekend away, spring and autumn often bring mild weather with a mix of warmer days and colder snaps.
Versatile clothing is essential to accommodate these unpredictable conditions. In the UK, for instance, some days can reach 20°C or more with glorious sunshine, while other days can dip below 10°C.
Here is a list of clothes typically packed for a weekend trip in spring and autumn for one person:
- 1x Base layer
- 1x Jumper/cardigan
- 3x T-shirts/comfortable tops
- 1x Jacket
- 1x Gloves
- 2x Jeans/trouser
- 1x shorts/skirt/dress
- 1x Smart trousers or skirt (only if there is an event that requires a dress code)
- 1x Smart shirt or blouse (only if there is an event that requires a dress code)
- 1x Trainers/comfortable shoes
- 1x Smart shoes (only if there is an event that requires a dress code)
- 1x Waterproof trousers and jacket
- 6x Underwear
- 1x Sleepwear
- Toiletries
Only pack what is necessary for the activities and weather conditions. If traveling to a destination where spring and autumn bring warmer weather, avoid packing items like gloves and scarves meant for colder climates.
When including shorts or a skirt in the packing list, it might be practical to bring only one pair of jeans or trousers.
Weekend trip during Summer
During the summer months in many countries worldwide, temperatures can soar above 25°C, in these conditions loose and comfortable outfits are necessary.
However, unpredictable weather conditions, especially in the UK, can vary greatly. One week might see temperatures exceeding 25°C, only for the next day to bring cooler weather and overcast skies—a typical frustration that us Brits complain about.
Additionally, after sunset, temperatures in some regions can drop, requiring a light layer to stay comfortable.
Here is a list of clothes typically packed for a weekend trip in summer for one person:
- 3x T-shirt/comfortable tops
- 1x Jumper/cardigan
- 2x Jeans
- 1x Shorts
- 1x Smart trousers/skirt/dress (only if there is an event that requires a dress code)
- 1x Smart shirt/blouse (only if there is an event that requires a dress code)
- 1x Trainers/comfortable shoes
- 1x Smart shoes (only if there is an event that requires a dress code)
- 1x Waterproof jacket and trouser
- 6x Underwear
- 1x Sleepwear
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen and sun protection
- Sun glasses
By incorporating versatility into your outfit choices, planning for varying weather conditions, and layering, when necessary, along with the use of accessories, you’ll ensure you’re well-prepared for a weekend getaway.
Packing for specific activities
Preparing for a weekend trip involves careful planning tailored to the specific activities ahead. Whether you’re heading for a beach retreat, exploring a city, or embarking on a scenic hike, having the appropriate gear is crucial.
Pack wisely with these essentials tailored to your weekend activities:
Beach getaway
Planning to relax in a beach resort or spend some time at the beach, these are the essentials you’ll need.
- 2x Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- 1x Beach towel
- Flip-flops
- Beach bag
- Water
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
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City sightseeing
For a short city trip, it’s essential to strike the right balance between stylish and comfort. Here are the essentials for a day sightseeing.
- Comfortable shoes
- Backpack
- Guidebook or city map
- Camera
- Mobile phone
- Sun protection (if required)
Hiking or outdoor adventure
We enjoy escaping the hustle and bustle and immersing ourselves in scenic hiking trails. For those planning a hiking trip during their weekend getaway, here are the essentials to ensure safety and comfort:
- Hiking boots/shoes
- Water
- Snacks
- Food
- Comfortable clothing
- Waterproof clothing
- Backpack
- Hiking poles
- Map and waterproof map cover
- GPS
- Sun protection (if required)
Day Backpack
When heading out for a day of exploration, it’s important to know what essentials to pack in your backpack.
Whether you’re exploring the city or hiking in a national park, packing a few key items for the day is essential. Here are the necessary items to pack:
- Backpack
- Water
- Snacks
- First aid kit
- Layers should the weather turn cold
- Wet weather gear
- Cash
- Credit/debit card
- Camera
- Phone
- Battery bank
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Toiletries and personal care
Toiletries and personal care items are essential for a hassle-free holiday, but it’s important not to overload your bag.
We have learned from experience to pack only essential toiletries and makeup, leaving the rest at home. Travel-sized toiletries have proven invaluable for packing, as it is just enough for the trip, yet small and compact leaving more space and less weight. These can easily be found at local shops.
When it comes to makeup and skincare products, opt for the basics to maintain a fresh appearance without overdoing it. This means packing a limited amount of makeup and skincare essentials in a small makeup bag.
Haircare products are rarely packed because many hotels and accommodation provide shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers. It’s advisable to research the facilities available at your accommodation. If haircare products are provided, it saves space and weight by not packing your own.
While the provided haircare products may differ from personal preferences, it allows for lighter packing and potentially more space for souvenirs.
Insect repellent is crucial to prevent bites, especially in destinations like Sri Lanka where mosquitoes are prevalent. We always carry a small, travel-sized mosquito repellent and apply it regularly to reduce bites. Our preferred choice is Jungle Formula roll-on, but individuals may have their own preferred brand.
Don’t forget to pack essential items like a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and any necessary medication.
The environment is just as important as travelling. Where possible, we would recommend packing environmentally friendly and plastic free toiletries. These are a little more expensive, but far better.
Must have tech and accessories
Whether you’re embarking on a long vacation or a short weekend getaway, staying in touch with friends and family, and capturing memories, is essential.
Here are the necessary electronics and chargers you’ll need:
Mobile phone
A smartphone is incredibly versatile and arguably the most important item to pack.
It keeps you connected with friends and family, allowing you to share your travel experiences on social media. The maps on smartphones are invaluable for navigating unfamiliar destinations. If Wi-Fi or data are unavailable, downloading offline maps ensures you can still navigate without relying on a signal.
Many modern smartphones boast excellent cameras, capable of capturing stunning photos and videos. Some even offer built-in editing features, allowing you to enhance your visuals directly on the device while traveling.
Remember: Don’t forget to bring your mobile phone—it’s a travel essential.
Camera
We own several cameras that we use while traveling. One of them is the Canon G7 Mark II, a compact camera that can capture both photos and videos. Additionally, we have a Canon DSLR.
The compact camera is ideal for travel, as it offers similar capabilities to the DSLR and is much smaller and lightweight.
Considering limited space and weight restrictions, we recommend packing a small, lightweight camera that takes up less room. However, having any good camera is essential for preserving those important memories from your trip.
Phone charger
Make sure not to forget the phone charger, or you might find yourself with a phone that runs out of battery.
Consider purchasing two chargers and use one for travel and keep a separate one at home to ensure your devices are always charged.
If you’re traveling to a country with different power outlets than those you’re accustomed to at home, don’t forget to pack a universal power adapter.
Portable charger
A portable charger or battery bank has significantly extended our ability to stay on the road for longer periods.
Before these compact and lightweight devices, if our phone or camera started running low on battery, we would have to return home or to our accommodation to recharge before continuing our activities.
Now, if our devices are low on battery, we simply plug them into the portable charger and can continue without interrupting our travels.
For a weekend getaway, we typically use two devices per day, charging them once in the evening to ensure they’re ready for the next day.
We always ensure these are packed in our weekend backpack before leaving home.
Headphones
Headphones are ideal for enjoying music, audiobooks, podcasts, or the latest box sets and movies on any device.
We enjoy listening to music or podcasts during long-distance travel, whether on flights, buses, or trains. These devices also prove useful for plugging into audio guides at attractions.
Books/e-readers
While we don’t suggest packing physical books due to space and weight considerations, we acknowledge the unique experience of reading a physical book compared to reading a book on an e-reader, smartphone, or tablet.
However, we would recommend leaving physical books behind for short or long vacations to maximize the limited space available.
Travel often requires compromises to minimize expenses.
Upon returning home, you can enjoy picking up your favourite physical books and continuing your reading.
Neck pillow
There have been numerous occasions when we’ve struggled to sleep on flights, buses, or trains, resulting in our heads rolling around and then ending up with a stiff neck at the end of the journey.
The introduction of a neck pillow or travel pillow has significantly improved our ability to sleep comfortably while traveling, making it an indispensable item we never travel without.
Many travel pillows conveniently attach to the outside of your backpack, freeing up space for carrying other essential items and ensuring a more comfortable travel experience.
Essentials for every trip
These are things you can’t travel without, if you forget any of these, it could prevent you from your travels.
Travel documents
When traveling across borders, it’s essential to have your passport or ID card with you; forgetting these documents could prevent you from reaching your destination.
Even on a staycation within your own country, it’s wise to carry some form of identification.
For some countries, a visa may be required, so it’s advisable to apply for and have it ready, along with supporting documentation, before traveling.
While travel insurance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. It provides coverage for illnesses, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen circumstances. Some policies even include mobile phone coverage.
Make photocopies of your passport and any necessary documents, keeping one set with you and another set stored online. This ensures you have backups in case of loss or theft.
We prefer to store copies of our passport, travel tickets (such as flight, bus, or train tickets) in our email, ensuring access to them whenever needed.
Debit/Credit Card or cash
Ensure you have your debit/credit card and cash on hand, as they are essential for your travels. For our trips to Europe, we regularly rely on our Revolut account for all card transactions.
Revolut has transformed our approach to spending and budget management.
With Revolut, you can hold multiple currencies such as GBP, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Euros, and more. We simply transfer the necessary funds into our account and convert them into the local currency of the country we’re visiting. Then, we use the card just as we would in the UK. We monitor our spending daily using the app, and in case of emergencies, we can easily transfer additional funds from our personal bank account to our Revolut account.
If you haven’t considered a Revolut account before, we highly recommend obtaining one before your travels.
There are fees for currency conversions only on weekends, and transferring funds from your bank account to Revolut is free of charge.
Learn more about Revolut here.
It’s also advisable to carry local currency, as some places may not accept card payments.
Health and safety
While most weekend trips go smoothly without any incidents, injuries, or illnesses, it’s prudent to have these essentials packed. They not only ensure your safety and keep you mobile but also help prevent potential delays in travel that could lead to disappointment.
First aid kit
We always carry a compact first aid kit containing essential items for minor injuries or illnesses.
For minor cuts, we rely on plasters to bandage wounds and prevent infection.
Additionally, our kit includes medication for ailments like stomach upsets or headaches, providing relief from pain and discomfort.
It’s important for the first aid kit to be small and easy to carry.
For ideas on what to include in your travel first aid kit, check out our detailed post on first aid packing essentials
Medication
This complements the previous advice and should be included in your compact first aid kit.
Ensure pain relief or prescribed medication are packed in your carry-on luggage, as they may be needed during your journey.
It’s advisable to pack an ample supply of medication for your trip, along with extra doses in case of any unexpected delays.
Note: We have never encountered any problems with taking over the counter medication away on holiday with us. However there have been reported cases of travellers, jailed for taking over the counter medication into a country, that do not legalize that substance within the medication.
If you have any concerns about that type of medication you’ll be carrying, always consult with the relevant agency or government website to get clarity.
Extra cash
When planning your travel budget, it’s recommended to allocate a small percentage as an emergency fund and carry it in cash for unexpected situations.
We typically increase our budget by up to 20% for emergencies or spontaneous expenses that may arise during our trip. These additional funds ensure that we can handle unexpected situations without relying on external assistance.
Not having this extra cash could potentially leave us stranded, relying on family assistance in case of unforeseen difficulties.
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Water
During a weekend getaway, it’s crucial to maintain hydrated to avoid potential dehydration, which can be serious.
We always carry a reusable water bottle that we refill while on the go. Depending on the destination, we utilize water fountains, restaurants, and cafes for refills.
In cases where clean drinking water isn’t readily available, we suggest considering water filters or survival straws. These tools are essential for purifying unsafe water sources, ensuring it’s safe to drink.
Packing tips and tricks
To optimize space and weight when packing for travel, we employ some useful tips and tricks.
Understanding your destination
Travel planning requires careful consideration, especially when packing, to avoid overpacking or forgetting essentials.
By researching the destination’s weather, cultural norms, and planned activities, you can pack accordingly, ensuring you have everything you need without unnecessary items.
Roll vs fold
Rolling clothes is a more efficient packing method than folding. Rolled clothes take up less space in your bag and minimize wrinkles, contributing to a more organized packing system.
Choosing the right travel bag
After refining your packing list, select the appropriate bag for your weekend trip.
A carry-on bag works well for city breaks or beach vacations, while a backpack is ideal for hiking or city hopping.
For instance, I backpacked around Australia on a working holiday visa. A backpack in my opinion was preferred as it was perfect for manoeuvring around on public transport. Whereas a carry-on bag suits our European travels.
Utilising packing cubes and organisers
Packing cubes are invaluable for keeping your luggage organized, compact, and maximizing space.
Different-sized cubes are great for separating underwear, toiletries, and various outfits, ensuring efficient packing and easy access.
Packing check list
A tailored packing checklist ensures you only pack essential items based on your destination, weather conditions, and planned activities.
Download our FREE packing checklist to help you prepare thoroughly without forgetting anything crucial.
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Check airline baggage policies
As budget conscious travellers, we always seek the best deals that minimize travel costs.
It’s essential to research each airline’s baggage policies to avoid unexpected fees.
Budget airlines often charge additional fees for carry-on or checked bags, which can significantly impact your travel budget.
Being organized and packing minimally can help reduce these costs.
For the most affordable airfares, consider packing only a small piece of hand luggage that fits under the seat. This requires careful outfit planning and minimal packing but can save on additional baggage fees. Alternatively, if a small backpack isn’t sufficient for your needs, be prepared to pay extra for additional luggage.
Tip for Couples:
Traveling as a couple? One person can purchase a carry-on bag and small backpack, while the other opts for a standard seat selection with a small backpack. This strategy halves luggage costs and provides flexibility in packing essentials.
By implementing these strategies, you can streamline your packing process, save on travel expenses, and ensure a stress-free weekend getaway.
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Conclusion
Packing for a weekend getaway doesn’t need to be overwhelming. By researching the weather, planning ahead, using a packing checklist, and packing only essentials, you can keep your luggage light and manageable.
Planning ahead is crucial. Taking extra time to prepare and pack efficiently sets the stage for a stress-free and enjoyable trip.
Start early and create a checklist, or download our FREE checklist here, and stick to it. This approach helps avoid last-minute packing stress and ensures you have everything you need.
What are your top packing tips for a weekend trip? We’d love to hear from you, so feel free to share your thoughts with us.
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