10 Packing Tips for Short Trips and Weekend Getaways

Packing for a short weekend getaway is deceiving. On the surface, it seems simple. You just need a couple of outfits, pajamas, and one or two pairs of shoes. If you’re traveling by plane, you certainly don’t need to check a bag; if you’re traveling by car or train, you might be able to get away with just a spacious backpack. Because it appears to be such an “easy” type of packing process, many travelers make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to throw everything in their bag and go. But as a travel journalist and the founder of the Just Packed newsletter, I can tell you that’s where they go wrong. Packing for a short weekend trip actually requires the same (if not more) planning and organizational practices as longer trips.

Remember: Your luggage real estate is limited—you don’t want to be that person hauling in a massive suitcase to the cabin weekend—and there’s a good chance you’re packing a lot of activities into a short period of time. Brunch, hiking, cozy afternoons, swimming, maybe a night out or two… You feel pressured to bring an outfit for every possible scenario. So if you wait to pack until the hour before you have to leave, you’re all too likely to end up stuffing way more than necessary into your trusty duffel bag.

Because I’ve been in those exact shoes more than once over my lifetime, I’ve developed a few rules I always follow to ensure I—and now, you—have a faultless game plan for packing for a short weekend getaway. 

Tip: Use a secure, high-quality duffel bag or backpack

This is the first thing you need to think about. You might love your open-top L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, but it’s not the most ideal piece of luggage for a weekend getaway (the second it tips over in the car, the contents will go everywhere). Instead, opt for something that’s both secure and roomy. 

I’ve been loving the slip pockets and exterior padded laptop pocket on the Away Everywhere Bag lately, but you can find a number of similar duffel styles on Amazon, too. Aim for a bag that can hold, at a minimum, around three different outfits, a small toiletry case, and an extra pair of shoes.

Away The Everywhere Bag

Tip: Pack according to a color scheme

This is my all-time favorite packing “hack.” I recently used it on a quick trip to Hawaii, and I’m employing the same successful strategy on an upcoming trip to Alaska. If you pack with a specific color palette in mind, the pieces become instantly more versatile since you can mix and match as needed. 

I typically go with an all navy or black-and-white combo theme—for Alaska, that’s looking like navy hiking pants and a rain jacket from Halfdays, a couple of navy T-shirts and long sleeves, and my favorite Beyond Yoga leggings. 

Cripom Packable Rain Jacket

The Gym People High-waisted Leggings

Halfdays Bastille Trail Pants

Tip: Find shoes you can wear on repeat

Deciding which shoes to pack can be a tricky subject, particularly if you’re traveling during a transitional season or heading somewhere with multiple events. My rule of thumb is to pack two pairs—and never more than three. That might look like wearing a pair of sneakers for my travel day, and packing either a pair of comfortable sandals, heels, or slip-ons in my luggage. 

New Balance sneakers are a nice do-it-all kind of shoe, and I’m a recent convert to SeaVees’ water-resistant styles (they come in handy if the weather isn’t cooperating with your planned long weekend). 

New Balance 515 V3 Sneakers

SeaVees Tiburon Trekker Slip-ons

Tip: Rely on travel-sized toiletries

I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again: Having a collection of travel-sized toiletries on hand is a game-changer for anyone who travels on a regular basis. Since you’re only going to be away for two or three days, you don’t need full-size products. Instead, slip a small toothpaste, a tiny bottle of contact solution, and a mini moisturizer into your toiletry bag from your stash. Sephora samples come in clutch as well. When in doubt, transferring your go-to toiletries to uniform-sized, leakproof travel bottles will do the trick. 

Depoza TSA-approved Leakproof Travel Bottles

Cadence The Medium Trio Travel Capsules

Tip: Carry a small toiletry bag

I’ve tried more than a handful of toiletry bags and Dopp kits over my tenure as a professional traveler. While the best ones all have their pros and cons, I prefer a compact version for a short weekend getaway. This is the type of trip where you, technically, don’t need your full lineup of beauty products and haircare—and a smaller toiletry bag provides helpful guardrails for how much you’re allowed to bring with you. 

Packism Clear Toiletry Bag Set

Magefy Small Mini Makeup Bag 

Tip: Use a couple of packing cubes

Never underestimate the organizational power of a packing cube. You can probably leave your full set of packing cubes at home, but one or two of them will still come in handy over a short trip. One can hold your underwear, socks, and bathing suits, while the other will be for the two or three outfits you brought for the weekend. If you use compression packing cubes, which make their contents a bit more compact, you’ll probably be able to add an extra sweater to your bag. 

Amazon Basics 4-piece Packing Cubes 

Away The Insider Packing Cubes

Tip: Invest in one or two small pouches for additional organization 

Whether I’m going away for the weekend or flying internationally for a two-week-long trip, I always have a few travel pouches stored away in my bag. One is for my electronics—cords, chargers, Apple AirPods, etc. The other is for snacks and any supplements I need to have on hand. 

Having designated spots for these smaller items makes the entire travel process infinitely easier, and I avoid having to unpack my entire tote bag to find what I’m looking for. My current rotation is a Stoney Clover Lane pouch and this budget-friendly lookalike from Amazon. 

Stoney Clover Lane Small Pouch

Remerry Nylon Cosmetic Bag Set

Tip: Pack a laundry bag

The last thing you want to do on a Monday after a weekend trip is to sort through your belongings, trying to figure out what does or doesn’t need to be washed. My solution? Bring a laundry bag. Even though you’re only away from your home for a few days, you’ll inevitably have some dirty clothes that require your attention. During my trip, I’ll fill a portable laundry bag (or even an extra packing cube) as I go; then, when I get home, I just toss the contents into my laundry basket. 

Parker Baby Co. Birch Wet Dry Bag

Nahads 6-piece Laundry Bag Set

Tip: Bring a packable shoulder bag or crossbody

You might be packing everything in one duffel, but you’ll still want to have a smaller bag to use when you arrive at your destination. I prefer one that is big enough for my phone, wallet, camera, face sunscreen, and even a light layer; I can confirm that the below Away style is the perfect size for this functionality. If you want one a bit smaller, go with the Vera Bradley option.

Vera Bradley Featherweight Springbrook Sling Crossbody Bag

The Sak Tess Leather Shoulder Bag

Tip: Bring versatile outerwear

When you’re just traveling for a couple of days, you really need only one piece of outerwear. In most cases, the weather won’t be changing all that much over the weekend, aside from a few minor temperature shifts. Unless it’s the dead of winter, I usually bring a jacket that I can layer as needed. 

My go-to has always been a slightly oversized Barbour jacket, which can also hold up pretty well to a bit of precipitation. If it’s chillier than expected, I’ll add a light layer—like this one from The North Face. 

Aiopr Packable Short Puffer Jacket

The North Face Women’s Summit Series FutureFleece LT Half-zip

Barbour Highclere Hooded Waxed Jacket

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