We’re all guilty of overpacking. 

Even for a short vacation, we take fifty shirts, ten million pairs of underwear, and enough shoes to fill a sneaker store.

Then when we arrive, we realize we don’t need it all. So we drag endless baggage to our destination for absolutely no good reason—then in a few days, we drag it all back home again.

So in this quick guide, we’ve brought you lots of helpful advice on how to pack sensibly, efficiently, and economically for a long weekend. No matter where you’re going, you don’t need as much stuff as you think!

Count On Carry-on

If you’re only going for a long weekend, you only need to carry one small bag.

If you’re flying, this tactic has three benefits:

  1. You only need to carry one bag (which means less stress and less physical effort)
  2. You don’t need to pay for extra baggage
  3. You won’t need to wait around at your destination airport while your luggage crawls its way around the carousel (or even worse, doesn’t arrive at all!)

Even if you’re not flying, traveling with one small bag is easier, more comfortable and much less stressful.

Assess Your Activities

Are you going to be swimming? Hiking? Visiting museums? Lolling around on the beach? Whatever you’re doing, pack for what you need.

If you’re city-hopping in Berlin, you probably don’t need a swimsuit.

Pack for this trip, not every trip you might ever go on.

Be Honest With Yourself

Yes, I know you like reading. But you’re not going to read 8 books over 4 days. 

You’re not going to change your shoes every five minutes. You don’t need 76 pairs of shades.

Think about what you really need, not what you might need if this happens and that happens and then there’s a nuclear apocalypse. 

Check the Weather Before You Go

Wherever you’re headed, check what the weather is going to be like. Yes, it’s good to be prepared for all scenarios, but if there’s very little chance of rain or cold weather, there’s really no need to take a raincoat or a winter coat.

If you do your research first, you can plan your packing properly.

Only Assemble the Essentials

Enough about what you shouldn’t bring—here’s what you should bring:

  • One pair of useful, versatile, comfortable shoes
  • One or two pairs of jeans, chinos or other pants
  • Two shirts
  • A dress (if you wear dresses!)
  • One ‘nice’ outfit for evenings (if the above clothes aren’t already versatile enough)
  • One pair of underwear per day
  • One pair of socks per day
  • A small amount of jewelry
  • Essential(!) cosmetics
  • Anything you need for activities (swimsuit, hiking boots, etc)
  • Any weather-dependent items (such as clothes for cold weather or hot weather)
  • Wallet or purse
  • Cash
  • Passport (if you’re traveling abroad)
  • Travel adapter (also if you’re traveling abroad)
  • Cellphone
  • Cellphone charger 
  • Guide book or maps
  • Essential medication

You seriously don’t need much more than the above. Even if you think you do.

And finally, carry all of the above in a bag you can also use as a day bag while you’re on your trip. When you’re packing light, versatility is key!

Other Useful Tips

To round up, here are some other useful hacks to help you pack for a long weekend:

  • Consider using packing cubes, or separating your stuff into various smaller bags. Or if you really want to make use of space, get some of those vacuum-pack bags
  • Take a microfiber towel instead of a normal towel
  • Take mini toiletries instead of normal-sized toiletries
  • You might not even need mini toiletries or a towel—check what your hotel or apartment offers as standard, and don’t take those things!
  • Remember you’ll be wearing one of your outfits on the day you travel—so that’s one less thing to pack! 
  • You always always always need less than you think. Always.

Enjoy Your Long Weekend!

That’s everything you need to know about how to pack for a long weekend. Now you can enjoy your trip freely and easily, without needing to lug around endless numbers of unnecessary bags. Pack light, live free, and enjoy your newfound minimalism!

If all these short-trip tips have got you seeking long weekend inspiration, check out all the excellent all-inclusive vacations we offer. No matter what you pack, we’ll take you on an unforgettable, stress-free adventure. It’ll be one of the best trips of your life!