What to Pack for a Weekend Trip: Our Ultimate Weekend Getaway Packing List

A great bag is the first item to check off on any weekend trip packing list. For us, the three reigning champions are the trusty carry-on bag, weekender duffel, and convertible tote.

A carry-on bag is great when jetting off for the weekend. When flying on the cheap, a carry-on bag can replace luggage if you're just packing a swimsuit, sandals, and a few sundresses. However, you may want to skip the carry-on if your airline charges for it because adding another suitcase is sometimes just a few dollars more. A small suitcase-style carry-on bag is great when traveling with formal wear for a special occasion or clothes that need structured storage to prevent wrinkling.

We love the roominess and ergonomic carrying of a big weekender duffel. They're great for car trips because you can store them in a trunk or back seat easily. However, weekender duffels can be rough if you need to keep a dress from getting wrinkled.

If you don't know, a convertible tote is a classic one-strap bag that converts to a backpack. The compact size makes them TSA-friendly and easy to carry through the airport. Depending on the style, you can often use a convertible duffel in place of a backpack while trekking around.

What Size Bag Do You Really Need?

For luggage-style carry-on bags, the standard size limit for most airlines is 22 x 14 x 9 inches with wheels and handles included. A few airlines like Frontier and Breeze actually have 35-pound limits on top of restrictions for dimensions. If you're doing a duffel, smaller to midsized bags that are 30 liters to 50 liters are perfect for one to two days. For a three-day to four-day trip, bumping up to 60 to 70 liters gives you lots of real estate inside your bag.

We personally like duffels for car travel because you can get a roomy bag without worrying about its dimensions or shape. For carry-ons, we like a hard-shell carry-on that's compact while still protecting your stuff. Get some inspiration for our recent list of Top 10 Travel-Friendly Bags. 

Need help building the perfect packing list for a weekend trip? Let's go category by category to create a lean—yet complete—rundown of everything that's going in your bag.

Clothing & Footwear

To avoid getting overwhelmed by choice while traveling, commit to a roster with fewer than a dozen pieces across all looks. This "sweet spot" unlocks the easiest strategy for how to create a travel capsule wardrobe. 

Here's a sample:

• Two versatile outfits: These are your core looks for the trip. While location-dependent and weather-dependent, these looks should be comfortable and breathable enough to take you from excursions to dinner. For example, with a sundress, tie a sweater around the shoulders. The second outfit could be cute khaki shorts and a tee that can utilize the same sweater.
• One travel outfit: Meant for outbound and return travel, this look might be a sweatsuit or tennis dress with a sweater tied at the shoulders. For something chic, do a linen two-piece set. Joggers and yoga pants make some of the best travel pants. 
• One to two sneakers: Depending on location and time of year, pick sneakers, sandals, or boots.
• Loungewear or pajamas set: Pick something comfortable and elegant enough that you won't mind wearing it for breakfast on the balcony or down in the hotel lobby.

Mixing and matching to create new outfits using less than a dozen pieces in total keeps your bag light—and your style factor heavy. Re-wearing items—especially on travel days—lets you pack half as much.

Toiletries & Beauty Essentials

Any liquid beauty or hair essentials (liquid, gels, and aerosols) not going in a checked bag need to be in TSA-friendly bottles that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. We know it's confusing—that's why we ranked the Top 10 TSA-Approved Toiletry Bags. 

Swapping your usual haircare set for dry shampoo on vacation is such a space saver! The same goes for sunscreen sticks instead of creams.

Leave the full makeup kit at home. Highlighter sticks that work on lids, cheeks, and your cupid's bow are great for packing light while still getting that dewy vacation glow. Don't forget to leave room for your toothbrush and floss.

Electronics & Travel Essentials

Leave a corner in your travel bag for headphones, chargers, a reader or tablet, and a portable power bank. Your identification, travel documents, and credit cards should be in a secure, zippered pocket that you can reach without emptying your bag.

Whether you need inspiration for some summer essentials that keep you cool and breezy by the pool or a cheat sheet for how to hike in style, here's a look at our favorite things to pack for a weekend trip based on the getaway's vibe.

City Getaway

We like light and effortless looks like slip dresses, maxi dresses, or blazers and tees over jeans for museum tours, brunches, and dinners. Borrow equally from your work and weekend wardrobes for that "desk to drinks" look. However, it's all about bold sunglasses, a thick gold watch, and a stylish crossbody bag to create a signature city look.

Beach or Resort Trip

Be skin smart and stylish with a cover-up and a chic oversized straw hat with your bathing suit. We also highly recommend a waterproof pouch for a lazy river or boating lesson. To get the most mileage from your swimsuit on this trip, pair neutral swimwear with a colorful or patterned sarong.

Outdoorsy Escape

Look like a natural in nature with functional, cozy picks that include a high-quality fleece, practical hiking boots, and a lightweight rain jacket. Make sure any bag you tote along has compartments for bug spray and a larger water bottle. If you're buying boots just for the occasion, account for bulkier wool or moisture-wicking socks preferred over cotton when selecting a shoe size. It's definitely justifiable to splurge on some higher-end outfitter gear if you've saved a ton on your trip by smartly using a Priceline promo code or an Expedia coupon code.

Let's talk about the inside of your travel bag. Our favorite magic trick for making a big instantly bigger is capsule packing—the art of packing several versatile staples that one can mix and match instead of packing "by outfit." In addition to saving room, this method also gives you some spontaneity based on the vibe you're feeling in the moment.

If you feel more relaxed with more control, we suggest outfit batching. Leaving nothing up to chance, outfit batching consists of laying out planned outfits ahead of time. We actually recommend outfit batching as a packing technique even if you intend to use a capsule wardrobe on your trip because it helps you find gaps in your travel wardrobe. Create three to four "batch" outfits a few weeks before your trip to identify any gaps—this leaves you plenty of time to shop for pants, tops, or accessories ahead of your trip.

How to Pack: Roll, Fold, or Cube?

From going raw to adding in space-saving finds, here's the rundown on the pros and cons.

Rolling Method

The classic space-saver technique where you tightly roll each garment into compact cylinders. We love this method for casual clothes like t-shirts and activewear that benefit from the wrinkle-preventing tension.

Pros:

• Creates compact bundles
• Prevents wrinkles

Cons:

• Can crease formalwear
• Takes more time than folding

Traditional Folding

The tried-and-true approach of folding clothes flat and stacking them in your suitcase. This method works best for structured items and when you want quick access to specific pieces without unpacking everything.

Pros:

• Keeps clothing smooth
• Great for denim, khakis, or more structured items
• Fast and easy

Cons:

• Generally takes up more space
• Items at the bottom can be harder to reach

Packing Cubes

These zippered organizers compartmentalize your suitcase and compress clothes to maximize space. Think of them as drawers for your suitcase—they keep similar items together and make unpacking at your destination effortless.

Pros:

• Extra protection
• Compresses clothes to make more space

Cons:

• Requires you to purchase cubes
• Adds weight

Plan Your Travel Day Outfit

Wear your heaviest pieces during travel to save space—think jackets and boots. Choose stretchy pants and easy layers that prioritize comfort and breathability.

Optimize your weekend packing checklist with these standout travel essentials:

• Mini steamer: Needed when traveling for weddings
• Refillable perfume atomizer: An Easy way to bring a mini version of your signature scent
• Portable laundry bag: The secret to re-wearing outfits
• Compact umbrella: Stay dry instead of changing out of wet, heavy clothes
• Eye mask + earplugs: We can't always control our sleep environment on trips

You'll be kicking yourself if you forget these commonly overlooked items:

• Reusable water bottle: Doesn't count toward carry-on weight when you carry it onboard
• Phone charger: Bring the plug in case your hotel room doesn't have USB ports
• Lip balm: Travel can be drying
• Sunglasses: Wear them out of the house on travel day
• Hair ties: Change your look or simply stay cool

3-Day Sample Packing List

Visual learner? Here's a glance at our most recent minimalist packing list for a weekend trip that worked perfectly:

• 1 classic white tee
• 1 striped tank
• 1 cable-knit sweater in navy blue
• 1 pair of high-waisted cropped denim pants
• 1 pair dressy jogger pants 
• 1 maxi dress
• 3 sets of underwear & bras
• 2 pairs of socks
• 1 set of silky pajamas
• 1 pair of tennis sneakers
• 1 pair strappy sandals
• Toiletry bag
• Phone charger and earbuds
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses