Ultimate Weekend Packing List & How To Guide

Whether you’re jetting off on a city break, heading to the countryside, or escaping to the coast, this guide has everything you need to pack like a pro for a weekend getaway. From weather planning and luggage tips to outfit ideas and must-have essentials, here’s how to make your weekend trip easy, organized, and totally awesome.

This article may contain affiliate links where we make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤️. For more details, read our disclosure page.

Planning a weekend trip is always exciting – until you start packing. Somehow, even with just a couple of days away, your bag can go from ‘quick getaway’ to ‘bursting at the seams’ in seconds.

The secret to stress-free travel is having a smart weekend packing list: knowing what you actually need, what to leave behind, and how to fit it all without playing suitcase Tetris.

How To Pack For A Weekend Getaway

Planning your weekend trip packing list is all about balance, you want to bring everything you’ll need without overstuffing your bag.

Whether you’re heading out for a city escape, a countryside retreat, or a beach break, the key is to keep it light, versatile, and intentional. The goal? Less time worrying about what to wear and more time enjoying your getaway.

A little planning goes a long way. From checking the weather to choosing the right luggage and making the most of every inch of space, these simple strategies will help you pack smarter and travel easier.

Plan For The Weekend Weather

Before you start tossing clothes into your bag, check the forecast for your destination. It sounds obvious, but it’s the difference between packing smart and lugging around things you’ll never use.

If it’s going to be warm, think breathable fabrics, light layers, and a hat or sunglasses for sun protection. For cooler weather, go for pieces you can layer – like a base tee, a warm sweater or mid-layer, and a shell jacket that can handle changing conditions. Layers give you flexibility and save space since each piece can mix and match.

Warm Weather Essentials

If you’re heading somewhere sunny, it’s all about staying cool, protected, and comfortable. Lightweight fabrics and sun protection go a long way when temperatures climb.

• Breathable clothing: Stick to cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking fabrics that keep you cool and dry.
• Sun hat or cap: Shade your face and neck during midday adventures.
• Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher—apply before you go out and reapply often.
• Sunglasses: Polarized ones are best for cutting glare and protecting your eyes.
• Refillable water bottle: Staying hydrated is key, especially if you’re walking or sightseeing outdoors.
• Cooling wipes or mist: Handy for a quick refresh when it’s sweltering.
• Sandals or breathable shoes: Perfect for hot days when you’re on your feet exploring.

Cold Weather Essentials

For chilly weekend getaways, layering is your best friend. The goal is warmth without bulk, so choose smart, versatile pieces you can easily add or remove.

• Base layers: Thermal tops or leggings to stay warm without overheating.
• Mid layer: A cozy sweater or fleece for insulation.
• Outer layer: A windproof or waterproof jacket to protect against the elements.
• Scarf, hat & gloves: Compact, lightweight options that pack easily but make a big difference.
• Warm socks: Wool or thermal socks keep your feet comfortable, especially if you’ll be walking a lot.
• Boots or waterproof shoes: Ideal if you’re expecting rain, snow, or muddy paths.
• Lip balm & hand cream: Cold weather can be surprisingly drying, so pack small tubes to keep skin happy.

Pack The Right Luggage For Your Trip

The best bag for a weekend getaway is one that’s easy to carry and fits just the right amount. A small carry-on suitcase or soft weekender bag is usually plenty for two or three days. If you’re traveling light, even a roomy backpack can do the trick.

The secret is choosing something compact enough to avoid checking luggage but big enough to hold the essentials. Go for a design with compartments or use packing cubes to keep everything organized and easy to grab when you need it.

How To Roll Your Clothes To Optimize Space

Forget folding, rolling is where it’s at. Not only does it save space, but it also helps keep your clothes wrinkle-free. Start with bulkier items like jeans and sweaters at the bottom, and roll lighter pieces like t-shirts or dresses on top.

If you’re really tight on space, use your shoes to stash small items like socks or chargers, and tuck accessories into corners. Every inch counts when you’re working with a weekend-sized bag.

Our Top Tips For Weekend Packing

A few little tricks can make a big difference:

• Seal your toiletries in a zip-lock bag to avoid leaks or use the Peak Design Small Wash Pouch which is what we currently use.
• Wear your heaviest outfit (like sneakers or a jacket) on travel day to save room.
• Bring a spare bag for dirty laundry—it keeps your clean clothes fresh. A 5L dry bag by Sea to Summit is an excellent choice.
• Fill shoes with smaller items such as bottles, chargers, and razors.
• Keep shoes separate using a cloth bag, Peak Design Shoe Pouch, or shower cap.
• Pack mix-and-match pieces so you can create multiple outfits without overpacking.

With a little prep and these simple hacks, you’ll be out the door faster and ready to make the most of your weekend adventure.

What To Pack For A Weekend Trip

Now that you’ve got your packing strategy sorted, it’s time to figure out what’s actually going in your bag. The trick to weekend packing is versatility, every item should earn its place by working for more than one occasion.

Think comfort for the journey, easy mix-and-match outfits for exploring, and just a few extras that make travel feel effortless.

Travel Day Outfit

Your travel day outfit should strike that perfect balance between comfort and practicality. You’ll want something you can move easily in, looks good enough for an impromptu brunch stop, and keeps you warm on chilly planes or trains.

The goal is to layer smart so you’re ready for anything, be it temperature changes, delays, or a last-minute detour.

What to wear:

• Comfy bottoms: Leggings, joggers, travel-friendly pants such as the Lululemon ABC for Men, or relaxed jeans.
• Breathable top: A merino tee by Unbound Merino or lightweight long-sleeve.
• Layer piece: A hoodie, cardigan, or denim jacket.
• Outerwear: A light jacket or coat if needed – wear your bulkiest one to save space in your bag.
• Footwear: Sneakers or slip-on shoes that are easy to walk in (and quick to remove for security checks).
• Accessories: Sunglasses, hat such as this waterproof cap by Outdoor Research, and of course, the Peak Design 7L Outdoor Sling to carry your essentials. Our optometrist friends have said that the industry secret is that Maui Jim has the best lenses (polarized is the way to go).

Travel Day Essentials

These are the items you’ll want close at hand while you’re on the move. Keep them in your personal bag or backpack so you don’t have to dig through your luggage mid-trip.

• Smartphone: You’re probably not going to forget this, but make sure it’s loaded up with the apps you need for the trip, offline Google maps saved, and your eSIM (make sure to read our guide on the cheapest eSIMs) set up if needed. We use the Peak Design Everyday Phone Case and love it for travel because it works well with the Creator Kit and Mobile Tripod.
• Headphones: Keep yourself entertained during plane or train rides, perfect for music, podcasts, or zoning out during layovers. Our current pair are the Apple Airpods Pro paired with this bluetooth dongle for the plane.
• Portable charger or power bank: Stay powered up on the go, especially if you’re using your phone for navigation or tickets.
• Reusable water bottle: Fill it up after security to stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Snacks: Something easy like trail mix, granola bars, or fruit to keep hunger at bay.
• Travel wallet: Keep your passport, ID, driver’s license, debit cards, and any printed tickets and important documents all in one place. The Peak Design Passport Wallet is our go-to for travel.
• Lightweight jacket, buff or scarf: Handy for unpredictable cabin temperatures or cool evenings when you arrive. For an great all-purpose waterproof shell, we suggest the Arc’teryx Beta (for men or women). The infinity travel scarf is also game-changing!
• Sunglasses: Because squinting through a train or car window is never fun. We are big fans of Maui Jim so always pack a pair in addition to Croakies to keep them around our neck.

Basics & Clothing

• Shirts and T-shirts: Bring a couple of tops including the Arc’teryx Cormac for athletic pursuits, and Unbound Merino t-shirts which is great for dressing up or down.
• Pants: Bring a good casual pant for daytime or hiking, and then something like Unbound Merino travel pants that you can wear to smarter places.
• Layering pieces: Light jacket or sweater for unpredictable weather. Waterproof shells like this are perfect for traveling because they’re versatile, light, and easily packable.
• Undergarments & socks: Enough for each day plus a spare. Our go-to underwear is the ExOfficio Give-N-Go, the best travel boxers hands-down. As a weekend getaway, you shouldn’t have an issue but for longer trips, remember that hand-washing is always a possibility.
• Sleepwear: Something comfortable and compact.
• Swim gear (if part of the plan): Versatility is key. We love Billabong hybrid shorts because they’re perfect for the water but they also look fantastic on land. Also pack in a quick dry towel. This one is great because it’s large (XL in fact), packs into a small form factor, and dries quickly.

Footwear

You’ll likely know your itinerary in advance so with one or 2 basics you can cover most options. Pack smart and you are prepared for anything! 

The obvious rule also goes that it is a terrible idea to pack shoes you’ve not worn in. The last thing you want is to spend the first day in your new shoes to find they have caused terrible blisters! You’ll spend the rest of your weekend uncomfortable. So get those shoes good and worn in before putting them in your packing! 

• All purpose comfortable walking shoes: The most comfy pair of shoes we’ve found for extended walking is the Altra Lone Peak 9. These are game-changing zero-drop trail running shoes. For a proper hiker, the Merrell Moab Ventilators Hiking Shoe are tried-and-true in the market.
• Sandals: We have reviewed Rainbow Sandals extensively before but we can’t go on a summer trip without Keen’s Newport H2’s (read our review). They’re extremely comfortable and can handle being in the water, and perfect for the beach. Ignore the flip flops and go with these instead!
• Smart shoe: For the ultimate shoe that can be dressed up, casual, and also waterproof at the same time, the Vessi Everyday Classic might be able to replace all of the above shoes.

Electronics

Mogics Super Bagel

• Waterproof phone case: This soft case is great because it’s extremely easy to roll away and still provides you touch control if you put your phone inside. Only bring this if you think there’s a chance you’ll go out into the water (i.e. kayak, SUP, or canoe).
• Plug Adapters: It is good to have a random assortment of plug adapters to hand, we have plenty we’ve collected over the years. Universal adapters are good but the problem is with all the devices you have you’ll need multiple. An individual travel adapter like this or the handy Mogics Super Bagel are even more useful.
• Chargers and Cables: We pretty much throw all the random cables, chargers, and power bank into a Peak Design Tech Pouch and stash away in your day pack or suitcase. The organizer is really helpful to stop cables getting tangled and keep them all in one place.
• Power Bank: We have so many power-hogging devices these days so it’s critical you have a quick-charge and small battery power bank that has both USB-C and USB-A outlets.
• Shaver: There’s been a lot of advancements in portable shavers. This palm-sized and USB-chargeable shaver is a great one to have in your packing checklist.

Toiletries

Keep your toiletries simple and travel-sized, and just pack the essentials you actually use over a few days. Packing them in a clear zip bag or toiletry pouch such as the Small Wash Pouch will make everything easy to find and help prevent any unwanted spills.

• Toothbrush & toothpaste: The ultimate travel must-have. A foldable toothbrush or portable electric toothbrush, and floss helps keep things hygienic on the go.
• Shampoo, conditioner & hair products: Bring small refillable bottles of your usual products or use solid bars to save space and avoid liquid limits. Don’t forget a small comb or brush and any styling essentials you can’t live without.
• Body wash: Don’t assume something is provided at your accommodation, bring your own in a travel sized bottle.
• Sunscreen: Whether you’re heading somewhere hot or not, SPF is non-negotiable. A travel-sized face sunscreen or stick formula makes reapplication easy throughout the day.
• Medications: Always pack your regular medications in your carry-on, not your checked bag. It’s also smart to bring a few extras in case of delays, plus basic painkillers or allergy tablets if you might need them.
• Skincare basics: Cleanser, moisturizer, and lip balm are usually all you need for a short trip. Keep it minimal so you don’t clutter your bag with products you’ll never use.
• Deodorant: A travel-sized stick or mini spray keeps you fresh while you’re on the move.
• Razor: If you’ll need it, pop it in a separate pouch to keep things tidy.

Optional Add-Ons

These aren’t essentials, but they can make your weekend trip a little more comfortable, fun, or convenient, especially if you have a bit of extra space in your bag.

• Camera: If you prefer proper photos over phone snaps, this is your chance to bring it along. We shoot with the travel-friendly OM System OM-1 Mark 2 body and 8-25mm lens.
• Insta360 X5: You’ll be surprised to hear that we no longer use GoPro anymore. The Insta360 is an awesome action camera because you don’t need to worry about framing anymore and figure it out later in post.
• Lightweight umbrella or raincoat: Because surprise showers happen, and nobody wants to spend the weekend in damp clothes. Again, the Arc’teryx Beta Jacket is a great waterproof shell that’s worth the investment.
• Travel journal or book: Perfect for quiet moments or long train rides.
• Small first-aid kit: Just the basics – bandages, antiseptic wipes, and painkillers. It’s better to have it and not need it. The easiest is to pick up one of these mini first-aid kits.
• Portable laundry bag: Keeps dirty clothes separate and makes unpacking so much easier.
• Travel pillow or eye mask: A must for early flights or long train journeys where you want to catch some sleep.

Start Your Weekend Getaway

With your bag packed and your essentials sorted, all that’s left to do is go enjoy your trip. Weekend getaways are about escaping routine, soaking up new places, and making memories, not stressing about what you left behind.

Keep it simple, pack light, and focus on flexibility. Whether you’re off to the mountains, the coast, or a quick city break, a well-packed bag means less fuss and more fun. So zip it up, grab your travel day coffee, and get ready to make the most of your adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions