Getting away for a weekend, or even just one night, is super exciting. It’s an opportunity for a change of pace, some new scenery, and hopefully a little bit of fresh air outside your regular neighborhood.
You’ll need to pack just right for maximum fun, and make sure you don’t overpack!
So we’ve put together this guide to what to wear on an overnight trip, what to pack, what NOT to bring, and other FAQs for these kinds of getaways.
If you’re driving, it is of utmost importance to keep your stuff organized. Keep everything in order by using a trunk organizer! This one clips into your car with bungee cords, and has large compartments that are ideal for organizing your clothes, shoes, and anything else you’re bringing on your overnight or weekend trip.
Using packing cubes will make packing a breeze and keep you 100% organized. This set comes with a variety of colorful packing cubes, a laundry pouch, and a shoe bag. Not only will these cubes come in handy for an overnight trip, but they’ll undoubtedly come in handy for future trips as well.
A VPN encrypts your private data, so you’re not vulnerable on public Wi-Fi at coffee shops, hotels, airports, etc. I’ve had my credit card number stolen while at an Airbnb, so now I realize the importance of a virtual private network. We like NordVPN because they are super affordable, secure, and minimize regional censorship and geo-restricted content, so you can surf the web freely, wherever you may roam.
No matter where or how you’re traveling, a lipstick-sized portable charger is an absolute must-pack. Small enough to stick in your pocket, purse, or daypack, this external battery will keep your phone charged while you’re on the go. If you’re planning to use your phone for navigation, photos, texting, or music, you won’t want to get stuck with a dead battery when you need it most!
If you’re driving, or even just driving to the airport, you can’t go wrong with bringing a car charger adapter. If you plan to stream music on a long road trip or watch a movie on your phone on the plane, you’ll need to keep your smartphone’s battery completely charged. This one’s awesome because with two USB ports, you can charge multiple devices at once.
Depending on the distance you plan to travel, you should definitely consider getting travel insurance to protect your trip. Many locations require it and it protects you against expensive medical costs, flight delays, theft, extreme sports, and any other risks that inevitably come up while traveling. If your overnight trip is taking you more than 100 miles from home, be sure to check out a travel insurance plan through Faye, a digital-first provider.
No matter where you’re going, you should be prepared for any type of inclement weather during your trip. Avoid getting soaked during a rainstorm by packing this handy windproof travel umbrella. It’s awesome because it packs down small but expands to cover up to two people.
If your overnight trip takes you to the beach, the pool, or even just to a friend’s house, a portable speaker will bring good vibes wherever you go. Great for sharing music with your friends or inspiring an impromptu dance party, you can’t go wrong with packing a reliable portable speaker.
This simple upgrade gives you peace of mind that your bags are more secure, nothing will fly open mid-transit, and you can spot your luggage on the carousel without grabbing every other identical black case. Luggage straps have changed the game for us since they make it easy to identify your things in a crowd, which is really helpful when your brain is foggy after a day of travel.
Keep dirty shoes in their own little home, away from your clean clothes. These water-resistant bags are great for damp sandals after a beach day or muddy boots after a hike. Shake out the sand or granules before heading home and you’ll have a way easier time unpacking with a fresh suitcase.
No more surprise bills or unexpected roaming fees with Saily. They are an eSIM service owned by NordVPN, which means they prioritize cybersecurity. You’ll have mobile data from the moment you land so nothing stops you from surfing the web or staying online. It’s way more convenient than dealing with a physical SIM card and you can keep your main phone number without a reroute.
A special gift for our readers – 5% off with code “ASHER5”.
Sometimes a little piece of home makes your overnight getaway comfier. Bring your own pillow with this soft pillowcase. Satin is better for your hair since it reduces friction and therefore frizz and breakage.
Be prepared for anything by packing a small first aid kit for your trip. Whether you or a friend end up with a splinter or paper cut, you’ll feel secure knowing that you’ve got all the essentials in a convenient, travel-sized case. This one’s totally comprehensive and has everything you could possibly need on an overnight trip.
Perfect if you plan to drive, a cooler will keep all your snacks and drinks at the perfect temperature. If you’re spending the weekend at the beach or pool, you can’t go wrong with a handy, travel-sized cooler. This will also help you save money during your trip by inspiring you to pack your food instead of buying it on the go.
We never leave without our travel towels since they’re one of our most-used items. For beach days, pool dips, camping, our outdoor activities – this towel will come in handy for drying off without the inconvenience of a big, fluffy towel. It’s way more portable and dries 10x faster than traditional cotton.
If you’re like me, then it’s inevitable that you’ll spill something on your favorite travel outfit. I never travel without my convenient Tide To Go pen which quickly and easily removes stains on the fly. Keep it in your purse, car, or daypack for optimal stain removal whenever you need it.
A neck wallet is something you should always bring on a trip, no matter the duration. Keep your most essential belongings organized and secure with this handy neck wallet that can be worn around your neck and under your clothes. Large enough to hold your phone, wallet, keys, and anything else you might need, this item is an absolute must-pack.
Since you’re only going away for a night or two, a small duffle bag or backpack should be fine as far as luggage goes. Whether you’re off on a business trip or visiting family and friends for the weekend, you’ll want to bring a carry-on-friendly, portable bag. This one fits the bill.
Your belongings will be secure with these 4-digit locks. We use them on all bags, whether we’re flying or not. Theft happens in hotel rooms, or when you have to drop things off early for storage. It will give you peace of mind while traveling to know that no sticky fingers will be rummaging through your things.
No matter the length of your trip, always travel with your own supply of toiletries – never count on your hotel to have legitimate toothpaste or extra toothbrushes.
Keep everything organized and clean in a toiletry organizer like this one, which is waterproof and has several different compartments.
Regardless of the duration, hydration is key. I don’t like having to overpay for plastic waste, which is why I bring my own filtered water bottle for any roadtrips, airports, or destinations where I’m unsure about the tap water.
If you’re planning to go swimming or sunbathing while on your overnight trip, be sure to pack a cute swimsuit cover up like this one! Perfect to toss on over your suit after a day of soaking up the sun, you’ll be glad you don’t have to squeeze into an uncomfortable outfit if your suit’s still wet or sandy.
For any warm destinations, this cooling towel will help you relax and withstand the heat. Simply add water and wring it out, it will drop 20-30 degrees cooler than the outside temp for up to an hour! When you need more chilly relief, simply add more water. It’s chemical free and I have no idea how it works, but it’s magical and I can’t live without it for muggy hot places.
If your overnight trip is taking you camping, don’t forget your tent and other important camping gear! This tent is relatively inexpensive and perfect for a one or two-night camping trip, wherever you’re headed.
Depending on where you’re going, you may seriously benefit from a waterproof phone case. If you’re headed to the beach or get caught in the rain, you’ll want to make sure your smartphone is protected from the elements. Use your phone underwater and even take videos using this handy waterproof phone case.
This flotation strap prevents any accidental drops from being a super expensive mistake. It will stop anything from sinking out of reach or becoming irretrievable, including phones, keys, or other essentials.
Especially if you’re traveling with children, you’ll want to be sure to pack baby wipes. That said, these can also be used in a pinch for a quick clean-up when needed. Use them to clean up a spill or wipe off your hands before eating something. We never travel without baby wipes!
When it comes to packing, less is more. Obviously it depends where you’re headed, so while you’re packing, make a list of the exact activities you’ll be doing, and what you’ll need to wear for them. Pre-planning will keep you from overpacking! For a car or plane trip, dress in comfortable clothes that you can re-wear throughout the weekend so that you can bring less. Another trick is to wear your heaviest items on the plane, so that your carry-on is lighter! Also, remember to always check the weather.
Get in touch with your pals a few days before the trip so that you don’t all show up with the same car snacks.
There’s no need to bring anything more than a backpack or small duffel bag if you’re only going to be gone one or two nights.
Bring only what you think you’ll actually wear! In reality, this may only be the pajamas you show up in, plus an extra outfit to change into in the morning.
If you want to bring snacks, bring simple, easy-to-eat items like popcorn or apple slices.
As always, be wary of TSA requirements if you’re flying. Here is a link to the prohibited items
You really don’t need to bring too much on an overnight or weekend trip. Even if it’s a three-day weekend, you can probably pare down your luggage to just a carry-on and personal item.
Unless you’re traveling for business, it can be nice to unplug for a while.
Don’t overstuff your carry-on or opt for a checked bag if you’re only going for a weekend. Pick everything out in advance.
Usually, hotels will provide soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Beware that hotels typically just use the cheapest generic versions of these.
If you’re picky about your toiletries, play it safe and bring your own.
Chances are, one of your travel buddies will have you covered, or you can buy what you need at the airport or final destination.
Don’t stress – if you have your wallet, ID, and phone, you’re all good.
Research ahead of time to figure this one out. Look up the prices of flights for that weekend, and compare it to what you’ll spend on gas if you drove.
Google Maps will approximate the gas total from point A to point B. You should also factor in the importance of having a car at your destination, and check out rental car options if necessary, or try to estimate what you’d spend on Uber or cabs once you’re there.
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint.
These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item.
Make a complete list of what you need to bring with you. If you’re taking your laptop with you, you’ll want a bag that can accommodate it.
If you prefer to keep weight off of your shoulders, use a rolling bag. If you’re feeling super low-maintenance, just use your backpack!
Asher has been traveling the world since he left Australia to study in the USA in 2004. He received a Master’s in Business Administration degree in 2013. He has lived all over the globe including India, Europe, Hawaii, and mainland US. He enjoys researching the travel industry, loves being a dad, cooking & eating delicious food, photography (took many of our photos), surfing big waves on Maui, camping trips and walking barefoot on the earth.
