Your Perfect Weekend Trip Packing List For An Unforgettable Experience

We have gone on multiple short vacations where packing light was essential, so we prioritized this in our weekend trip packing list. So we know our way around a weekend travel bag. We also know that packing for a weekend trip is different for everyone since we all have other priorities and destinations we are exploring.

That’s why we included different packing lists/products and guides for different occasions and seasons ☺️. The last thing we want to mention before diving into our comprehensive weekend packing guide is to make sure to pack for your trip a few days before your trip. But if you’re anything like us, you’ll pack the night before. Just make sure you live close to a 24-hour store ?. Alright, let’s get to packing!

This post is about the best weekend trip packing list, so you’ll be prepared whether you’re hitting the city or relaxing on the beach, catching up on some good books.

Weekend Trip Packing List

Disclaimer: These tips are our opinion, we are not experts, nor are we offering professional advice. Please keep in mind these tips may or may not work for you.

General Guidelines for Packing for a Weekend Trip

Pack a week before an important Weekend Trip:

If it’s an important weekend trip such as formal events, concerts, festivals, weddings, work events, etc. You’ll want to do this at least a week in advance so you know if you are missing any things on your packing checklist. Then you can order it off Amazon or some other quick service shipping and still get it on time.

Pack 2 days before an informal Weekend Trip:

If you’re going on a small vacation with the girls or impromptu last minute trips with your family or love then start packing closer to the trip is okay since it’s less high stakes. We still recommend packing a few days beforehand so you can gather last-minute things.

Pack Light, this is a Three Day Trip, not a Month-Long Vacation

We are hypocrites because we always overpack but we also will be the first to tell you that overpacking is a pain. It makes your carry on bags heavier and causes you to overthink your outfits and then waste precious time choosing an outfit rather than enjoying the present.

So do yourself a favor and choose one good size duffel or backpack and limit your packing essentials to that area only. Then you can use an additional smaller bag to shove your electronics and a spare change of clothes just in case.

Avoid Checking a Bag!

We also recommend avoiding a checked bag, a checked suitcase is just asking to get filled with unnecessary stuff you do not need. Referring to our point above, you need to pack for a weekend, not a 6-month backpacking trip. By avoiding using checked bags, you’ll also avoid wasting time checking your bag in and retrieving it at baggage claim and with airport security.

Plus you’ll save money without the extra cost of paying for checked luggage. Plus the best part? All your stuff is with you as a carry on so the chances of losing anything important are greatly reduced. Just plop that carry on in the overhead bin and enjoy the flight ?

Pack a Mix of Stylish and Comfy Clothes for Your Upcoming Weekend Trip

The worst thing you can do is only pack stylish clothes, sure you’ll look amazing but at the cost of comfort. Being stylish gets old real quick, and you’ll want to be able to relax in a more casual outfit when the time is needed. You also don’t want to only pack casual lounge clothes because you never know when you’ll go do something that requires nicer clothing or will be photographed.

Don’t Pack That Dusty Dress You’ve Never Worn

There’s a reason you haven’t worn it and now it has a collection of its own personal dusty bunnies, so why separate them? Anyways, packing clothes you have never worn is a recipe for disaster, even if you try them on before the trip there is no guarantee they will get worn out because you’ll most likely change your mind when unpacking them at the hotel. We recommend you only pack clothes you know you’ll love to wear and feel beautiful in.

Try to Pack Some Classic Timeless Looks in Your Weekend Bag

If fashion is your passion then you can forgo this tip, but if you are like 95% of the rest of us, then you’ll appreciate this tip. The reason we stress not only packing current fast fashion trends is

1. They are horrible for the environment- If you do choose to shop fast fashion then we suggest choosing pieces you can wear for years to come and being gentle with the wash process so they last longer. After you’re done with your lightly used items, donate them to a good cause.
2. Fast fashion supports unethical processes- If you do choose to shop at a fast-fashion place we suggest donating to nonprofits as well and choosing companies that create a better work environment for their workers.
3. Fast fashion can sometimes lead to cringe-style outfits that you’ll look back at 5 years from now and grimace at why you chose to wear only trendy outfits.

Look up the weather forecast for the destination you’ll be visiting and historical data

This might be a no-brainer, but some people do not think of double-checking the weather or looking at historical data on the weather during the time they plan to visit. No matter what, you should always bring something for rain such as a rain poncho or umbrella because it can rain randomly in areas.

Look at your travel itinerary for a weekend trip packing guide

Gauge the type of outfits and things to pack based on what you’ll be doing while on your weekend trip. If you’ll only be at the beach then you know not to pack jeans and thick jackets. If you’ll be in new york city then you know to dress in trendier outfits, and if you’ll be cuddling in a cabin you’ll know to only pack cute winter outfits and cozy wool sweaters

Double-check your packing list and bags before leaving on your weekend trip

pretty self-explanatory, but you’ll want to make sure you double-check everything in your bags one last time before leaving. We usually catch a missing item or two if we weren’t following our weekend trip packing list.

Next, we’ll go over the different bags you should consider bringing based on the location you’ll be visiting.

Going on a long trip? Then make sure to read our other travel tips and guides so you’ll be prepared ☺️

The Best Weekend Trip Bags

Budget Weekend Trip

Bolosta Weekender Bag

Click Here to Get on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DKGCH7C?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_5B0PG6JXCS67CKQ9M90Q

HYcoo Travel Duffel Bag

Click Here To Get on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YS438FV?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_5W3NGH78J982A75MEM6F

For a short trip or small weekend getaway

Scotch and Soda Unisex Foldaway Tote

This tote is perfect for a quick trip because it’s extremely lightweight and can be folded to a petite size and shoved away when not in use. The tote does not feature any compartments which are our only gripe with this bag. However, this is why you’ll want to invest in packing cubes because packing cubes are amazing! Scotch and Soda is a Company based in Amsterdam that makes high-quality products for women, men, and kids and is all about expressing yourself while looking good.

Click Here To get at Scotch and Soda: https://www.scotch-soda.com/us/en/women/accessories/bags-wallets/the-centraal-unisex-foldaway-tote-bag/168682.html?dwvar_168682_color=Yellow&cgid=188#position=13&start=0&sz=36

The O.G. 2

https://www.loandsons.com/products/og-2-nylon-black-gold-camel?utm_source=pepperjam&utm_campaign=88849&utm_medium=affiliate&clickId=4000791865

The Long Weekend Trip

Herschel tech novel bag

https://herschel.com/shop/duffles/tech-novel?v=10916-00001-OS

Patagonia black hole duffle bag

Patagonia: https://www.patagonia.com/product/black-hole-duffel-bag-40-liters/49338.html?dwvar_49338_color=BLK&cgid=luggage-black-hole-bags

Rei: https://www.rei.com/product/155769/patagonia-black-hole-duffel-40l?CAWELAID=120217890007791641&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=113169133818&CATCI=aud-1396942686875:pla-59204650340&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_1557690002%7C92700058337795191%7CBA%7C71700000074512915&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzLCVBhD3ARIsAPKYTcQwmI61DrYP0Q0gWJUqDvyoIk5VcXxHVtT82ehfK1xQhyuDrVTpGlEaAhj4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Next, we’ll go over the must-have weekend trip packing essentials regardless of the destination

Weekend Trip Packing Essentials Everyone Needs

Weekend Packing List

• x1 medical kit
• x1 swimsuit because you never know if there’s gonna be a hotel pool or hot tub
• x1 hand sanitizer
• multiple face mask-some areas still have face mask requirements
• x1 dental care
• x1 hair tools
• x1 carry-on bag
• x1 personal item bag or day bag
• x1 Toiletry bag with: skincare, makeup, shower stuff
• x1 chargers
• x1 extra undergarments
• x1 extra set of comfortable clothes
• x1 cash for an additional cost and random things that come up
• x1 scans of essential documents and other important documents- make sure to email copies to yourself and a trusted family member or friend
• x1 packing cubes to save space and to ensure you have extra space, regardless of the weekend bag you choose
• x2 extra socks- yes even if it’s a warm destination you need more than one pair. Trust us

Hot destinations or Beach Trip: Weekend Trip Packing Guide

Cold Destinations: Packing Guide for Weekend Trip

City Destinations: Ultimate Packing List

Outdoor Destinations: Weekend Trip Packing Essentials

That Wraps up our perfect guide for the ultimate weekend packing list! We hope you enjoyed this post and if you did please share it via the social media buttons we have on the bottom and top of this page ☺️

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