What to pack for a weekend trip: a detailed list

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Welcome to my weekend packing list, which I wanted to share because I’ve got packing down to a fine art. When you’re planning any length of trip, packing effectively is vital. But when you’re only taking a small suitcase or bag on a little weekend getaway, it becomes even more important to only pack things you’ll definitely use or wear. And of course, it’s helpful to have a list so you don’t forget anything. 

This detailed weekend packing list has all of the clothes, accessories, toiletries and other vital stuff you need to tick off. It’s also designed to help you think about how your outfits need to work over the weekend, and I’ve included lots of examples of what I pack throughout. 

Get the kettle on and let’s get stuck into this thoroughly tried-and-tested weekend packing list…

Weekend packing list

1. Outfits/clothes to pack

Obviously, you’ll need an outfit for each day. What exactly that is depends on the time of year, the weather, the destination, what activities you’ll be doing, and your personal style. I’m going to attempt to cover the most common stuff here.

Time-wise, let’s assume you’re off on this weekend trip on a Friday after work and you’re returning Sunday night.

For that kind of trip, a basic weekend packing list of outfits for me would be:

• Friday: Jeans/trousers, white trainers (I love my New Balance or Vejas) and a comfy top to travel in. Another top to change into for when you arrive, assuming you’ll be there in time to go out for a meal. I change my socks after a flight too.
• Saturday: This is going to be the most full-on day, so I’d allocate my best outfit. Depending on weather etc, trousers/skirt and a top or just a dress (remember dresses/skirts mean tights in winter, which are something I almost forget sometimes!). Trainers again or could be sandals if hot or boots if cold. If changing for the evening, jeans and a top or another dress. The good thing about summer dresses is they roll up so small in the suitcase, so you can cram more in! Sadly not the same deal with big knitted dresses in winter.
• Sunday: Trousers/skirt/jeans that you’ve already worn, with a different top. White trainers again. Same outfit to travel home in.

And of course a bag and jacket in a colour that goes with all the above.

Here’s an example of how I’d make it all work (imagine the jeans are the same pair!):

With all that in mind, here’s a basic weekend packing checklist

• 1 x coat/jacket that goes with everything (for me, this is often a classic camel trench but it could be a more stylish waterproof jacket if needed or a cream blazer or white denim jacket in summer)
• 1 x jeans (these are my straight-leg, high-waisted jeans of choice at the mo)
• 1 x skirt or trousers
• 1 or 2 x dress depending on weather
• 2 to 5 tops depending on whether you’re going for bottoms/tops outfits all weekend or breaking it up with a dress
• 1 x white trainers (I like Vejas and New Balance)
• 1 x sandals/boots depending on weather
• 4 x knickers (make sure to pack nude/white if you’re wearing pale clothes)
• 2 x bras (as above)
• 1 to 3 x tights depending on weather and whether you’re doing skirt/dress outfits
• 2 to 4 x socks depending on weather and whether you’re in tights or barefoot in sandals at some point
• 1 or 2 x pyjamas (if it’s boiling hot, you might need 2 but as summer pyjamas are so tiny, it doesn’t matter in terms of packing space)
• 1 x bag in a colour that goes with everything; I usually pick cream; something like this would do
• 1 x scarf/hat/gloves if cold
• 1 x sunglasses/sunhat if hot
• 2 x earrings that go with everything (I normally stick with gold like this) and any other jewellery you like; for me it’d probably be 1 x necklace in gold too and my rings are just always on (also gold!).

Weekend packing list caveats 

Before anyone screams in the comment section, I am aware that certain weekend itineraries might need specific outfits. You could be planning on using the hotel gym on Saturday morning, going clubbing on Saturday night, and doing a 6-hour walk in the hills on Sunday morning. Don’t forget any activity-based clothes! 

2. Beauty/toiletries to pack

Hair styling stuff to pack

• Stylers/curlers/straighteners – whatever you use: for me that’s the Cloud 9 original for doing curls. This is the second most important thing for me, after contact lenses. 
• Hairdryer – this is a personal preference as many hotels have them… but they’re almost always rubbish. The last thing I want is to waste over an hour blow-drying while trying to enjoy a trip. I always make room for my little multi-voltage travel one from Boots. This works in low-voltage countries, so is ideal for going to places like the USA and Japan. Just remember to flip the voltage back to full when you’re back in the UK/Europe!
• Brush/comb 
• Bobbles/clips 
• Hairspray – if flying, hairspray can go funny in the hold due to the pressure changes. I usually buy a mini one at the airport so it can come in the plane with me. If you’re flying with only hand luggage, it might be something to skip as it’ll take up a lot of room in the liquid bag even if it’s a mini one.

Eye stuff to pack

• Contact lenses and contact lens solution – out of everything I pack, contact lens stuff is most important. Being able to see is everything. I always get a mini contact lens solution from my optician before a short trip because the big bottles are SO heavy. If you’re doing hand luggage only, even the mini ones take up an annoying amount of space in the liquid bag but needs must.
• Glasses, glasses case and 2 x glasses wipes – I don’t wear my glasses in public but I do wear them in the hotel room etc. I always tuck a couple of those little wipes into the glasses case for when I inevitably can’t see out of them due to hand cream getting on them or something.

Makeup/beauty stuff to pack

This is obviously very personal as everyone has different routines ranging from no makeup to full glam, so I’m just going to list what I take, and I’ll link to my favourites in case you want any new ideas:

• Bag of makeup – in my bag, I have: SPF for face, foundation, bronzer, concealer, blusher, mini eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, mascara, 2 x lipsticks (I normally match these to my outfits), setting spray, eyelash curler, and makeup brushes/sponge.
• Moisturiser – if flying and doing hand luggage only, I decant some into a tiny tub.
• Nail file – this just lives in my makeup bag but is handy to have.
• Cleanser/makeup remover and bamboo cloth – again, decant some into a tiny tub if flying without hold luggage.
• (Possibly) fake tan and mit – I’m a regular fake tanner. For a weekend trip, I’d almost always have done a tan on the Thursday night so I’d be sorted for the full weekend. This would definitely be the case if flying, too, as I’m always wary of packing tan – for obvious reasons! If travelling by train, like a lot of my weekend trips are, there’s a possibility I might want to do my tan on the Friday night when I arrive; I have a mini fake tan for this.

Toiletries to pack

Again this is personal so I’m just going to list what I take:

• Shampoo and conditioner – you couldn’t pay me to use rubbish hotel ones. I have mini bottles and decant my own shampoo/conditioner if needed. But I wash my hair every 3 days (ish) so I would normally time a wash for before a weekend trip so I don’t have to do it while away. You could also buy minis in the airport to avoid trying to ram them into the liquids bag! Or take a mini dry shampoo. 
• Shower cap – I don’t know how people keep their hair dry in the shower without these but apparently some people don’t use them?!
• (Possibly) shower gel if you’re going somewhere that may not provide it and you have space.
• Shower pouffe – If I have any American readers, this is a scrunchy thing we use to wash with in the UK/EU.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• SPF 
• Sanitary pads/moon-cup etc if needed
• Small perfume – you can get those atomisers to decant your big perfume into but I find them useless and always just bring a tiny bottle (like this, which is my current perfume).
• Razor – I’ll take this moment to say that having laser hair removal on my legs was THE best travel-related thing I have ever done. It saves so much time in life but is a real bonus when travelling anywhere hot where you’ll have bare legs a lot!
• Tweezers – I am a daily eyebrow-plucker due to having dark hair, so these bad boys always have to come on trips.
• Travel mirror – I always take a folding mirror like this, which stands up on a table. It’s wild that in 2024, hotels still think we want to do our hair and makeup peering through the steam in a bathroom.

3. Electronic stuff to pack

• Phone and charger; I highly recommend buying an EUR phone charger just for holidays rather than taking your usual one and adding an adapter. Often, the only place in a hotel room to plug multiple things in (say, a phone charger and hair tool) has the sockets right next to each other. Multiple adapters won’t squeeze in side by side, so you end up only being able to use one at a time. A charger alone is nice and slim, so you can usually get an adapter in the next socket. Voila! Then you can sort your hair out while your phone charges. I keep my EUR charger in a bag with my passport and other travel gubbins so it’s just ready to go.
• Kindle/e-reader if you use one – I struggle to get through a flight without mine.
• Adapter(s) if you’re going abroad.
• Headphones if you use them.

4. Other stuff to pack

• Your passport, purse/wallet and house keys. I know, I know. But I’ve heard too many horror stories of people forgetting essentials.
• Travel documents like boarding passes etc if they’re not on your phone. I’m not a printer, but I know some people love to.
• Clear plastic bags for your liquids if flying; always good to have a couple of spares.
• White Tack – I always bring this for covering those LEDs on TVs/fire alarms that keep you awake in hotel rooms like Blackpool Illuminations.
• A tote bag for putting dirty washing in and making sure it doesn’t touch your clean stuff. Obviously I use one of my travel-themed tote bags from my shop.
• Any tablets you need like the Pill. I always shove a packet of paracetamol in too.
• GHIC (global health insurance card) – this is worth getting if you’re from the UK; it’s free through the NHS. It allows you to receive the same medical care as a local would in all EU countries plus Switzerland, so if it’s free/a certain price for locals then it’s the same for you (obviously this is for emergencies only; it’s not designed for medical tourism!). You still need travel insurance as it doesn’t cover private hospitals and not all treatments, but it’s well worth having.
• Plasters – I take a few out, not the whole box.
• Re-useable water bottle (I swear by my Chilly’s bottle in this lovely coral colour).
• Teabags – if you’re going abroad from the UK, you know the pain of not having Yorkshire tea on hand. I always shove a handful of teabags in so I can remain alive every morning. 
• Earplugs – especially if you’re going on a plane.
• Cash – TBH I usually get this out when I arrive and only ever a handful because almost everywhere does contactless payments, which I use the Wise card for because the rate is unbeatable. If you’re not already using Wise to pay for everything while travelling, a) where have you been? and b) here’s my Wise referral link so you can get a fee-free transfer of up to 500 quid.
• Hand sanitiser
• Insect repellant if you’re going to Scotland (midges) or somewhere hot (mosquitoes) – the brand Smidge is unbeatable.
• Umbrella – a mini one. If you don’t, you know it’s going to rain the whole weekend.
• A couple of wire coat hangers – I often find there aren’t enough in hotel rooms even for a short trip.
• Tissues
• A guidebook for wherever you’re going!

Weekend packing list: a printable PDF

Now that I’ve covered everything (I think) on a weekend or long weekend packing list, you might want to start planning. 

I’ve made a printable PDF version of this weekend packing list that you can download and fill in by hand. It’s free, but you have to sign up for my monthly newsletter to get it. Sorry, I know this is bribery. But I’m quite proud of my newsletter and hopefully you’ll enjoy it. It’s just me talking about my latest travel plans, what outfits I’m packing, what books I’ll be taking to read on the plane, and any general travel tips I come across. Sign up below.

Side note: I cannot accept responsibility if your printer doesn’t work and you get so angry with it that you cancel your entire weekend trip…

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Is there anything else you always take with you on a weekend away? Let me know in the comments.

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