73 things to pack

What Should I Pack for a Weekend Away

What goes in a two-night bag, part by part: two tops, three pairs of socks, one book.

One pair of thick socks for the roomA rented cottage has cold floors and no slippers.
One pair of pants or jeans, worn there and backThey do both days and nobody notices.
One outfit for an evening outJust one. Saturday night is the only night that needs it.
Three pairs of underwearOne for each morning and one spare.
Three pairs of socksTwo days, and a dry pair for the day it rains.
One set of nightwearPick the set you would not mind a hotel corridor seeing.
One sweater that goes over both topsChoose the color first and the two tops to match it.
One jacket, worn on the wayThe bulkiest thing you own travels on you, not in the bag.
Two pairs of shoes at the mostOne pair on your feet, one in the bag with the soles in a shower cap.
One swimsuit, if there is a pool or a beachIt weighs next to nothing, and it is the thing people wish they had packed.
One packable rain jacketRead the forecast for both days, then decide whether it comes.
One hat for the seasonA sun hat in July or a warm hat in January, never both.
One belt, on youWear it and it takes no room at all.
One layer that dresses up a plain topA blazer or a good cardigan turns the day top into the dinner top.
One set of clothes to exercise in, if you willBe honest: if you did not run last weekend, the running shoes stay home.
Two tops for the daysOne for Saturday and one for Sunday; you travel in a third.
One set of jewelry, wornWear it on the way and there is nothing to leave on a nightstand.
One bag for worn clothesIt keeps the clean Sunday top away from the Saturday socks.

Next step Draw an outfit to pack Pick something to do while you are there

All 73 things to pack

Clothes for two days 18

One bag for worn clothes It keeps the clean Sunday top away from the Saturday socks.
One belt, on you Wear it and it takes no room at all.
One hat for the season A sun hat in July or a warm hat in January, never both.
One jacket, worn on the way The bulkiest thing you own travels on you, not in the bag.
One layer that dresses up a plain top A blazer or a good cardigan turns the day top into the dinner top.
One outfit for an evening out Just one. Saturday night is the only night that needs it.
One packable rain jacket Read the forecast for both days, then decide whether it comes.
One pair of pants or jeans, worn there and back They do both days and nobody notices.
One pair of thick socks for the room A rented cottage has cold floors and no slippers.
One set of clothes to exercise in, if you will Be honest: if you did not run last weekend, the running shoes stay home.
One set of jewelry, worn Wear it on the way and there is nothing to leave on a nightstand.
One set of nightwear Pick the set you would not mind a hotel corridor seeing.
One sweater that goes over both tops Choose the color first and the two tops to match it.
One swimsuit, if there is a pool or a beach It weighs next to nothing, and it is the thing people wish they had packed.
Three pairs of socks Two days, and a dry pair for the day it rains.
Three pairs of underwear One for each morning and one spare.
Two pairs of shoes at the most One pair on your feet, one in the bag with the soles in a shower cap.
Two tops for the days One for Saturday and one for Sunday; you travel in a third.

Wash bag 16

A few hair ties and clips Loop them round the brush handle so they stay together.
Glasses, or contact lenses with their case And the solution, in a bottle small enough for the bag.
The makeup you used this morning Lay out what you reached for today; that is the whole list.
One bar of soap in a tin A bar cannot leak over your clothes.
One clear bag for liquids, if you fly Airports set their own limits; read your airport's page before you pack.
One deodorant Small enough to forget, and missed by nine the next morning.
One hairbrush or comb A folding one, if the bag is small.
One lip balm In a jacket pocket, where you can reach it on the way.
One razor with its cover on The cover is for the hand that reaches into the bag.
One small pack of tissues For the train, the walk and the room.
One small pot of moisturizer Spoon two days of it into a pot and leave the jar at home.
One small tube of sunscreen For a weekend spent outdoors, whatever the month.
One toothbrush and a small toothpaste Pack them last, after you have used them in the morning.
Period products, if you may need them Easier packed than found in a strange town on a Sunday.
Two small bottles: shampoo and conditioner Ask the place first. Many supply both, and then neither comes.
Your daily medicines, counted out Count the days you are away and add one.

Papers and money 12

A little cash For the bus, the market stall and the cafe that takes no cards.
The address where you are staying, written down A driver can read a slip of paper when your battery is flat.
Booking confirmation, saved to your phone A screenshot opens when the signal does not.
Check-in time and the door code Copy them out of the email, so you are not scrolling on the doorstep.
Discount or membership cards The railcard or museum pass that only saves money if it is with you.
Driver's license, if you will drive or rent a car Bring the card itself; a photo of it may not do at a rental desk.
Insurance card or policy number A photo of it in your phone does for a weekend.
One house key, off the ring The rest of the bunch has nothing to open where you are going.
Photo ID, or your passport Check which one your ticket or border asks for before you leave.
Tickets for anything booked A table, a show or a museum slot: note the times next to each.
Tickets for the train, bus or plane Out and back, in one folder on your phone.
Two payment cards, kept apart One in your wallet and one in the bag, in case the wallet goes missing.

Chargers 12

Camera battery and a spare card Only if the camera is coming; a phone does for most weekends.
E-reader, charged, with no charger Fill the battery before you go and leave its cable behind.
Electric toothbrush, charged at home Charge it the night before and its stand can stay on the shelf.
Headphones and their case Charge the case at home, the night before.
Laptop and charger, only if you must If the weekend is a break, this is the first thing to leave out.
One long cable The socket in a rented room is never beside the pillow.
One phone charger and its cable Unplug it from the wall by your bed: that is where it gets left.
One plug with two ports It runs two things from the one free socket by the bed.
One pouch for every cable One thing to look for in the bag, and one thing to check before you leave.
One power bank, charged the night before For the day of maps and photos between sockets.
Travel adapter, if you cross a border Look up the socket of the country before you buy one.
Watch or fitness band charger It has a shape of its own and nobody can lend you one.

For the journey 15

A list of three things to do Two plans and one free afternoon make a full weekend.
A podcast or playlist, downloaded Trains and planes are where the signal is weakest.
An empty corner in the bag Leave room for whatever you buy on Saturday.
Earplugs and an eye mask For thin curtains, a loud street or a snoring friend.
Luggage tag with your phone number A number brings a lost bag back faster than an address.
Map of the town, saved offline Mark where you are staying before you set off.
One bag you can lift over your head A duffel, a backpack or a small case: if you cannot lift it, it is too full.
One book One. You will not finish it; nobody reads two on a weekend.
One day bag that folds flat For Saturday, when the big bag stays in the room.
One folding umbrella In the side pocket, where it can be reached without unpacking.
One snack for the way So that the journey does not begin with a line at a kiosk.
One water bottle, empty if you fly Fill it after security or at the station tap.
Padlock, for a hostel locker Ask whether the lockers come with locks. Often the lock is yours to bring.
Small gift for your host If you are staying with someone: something to eat is easy to carry.
Sunglasses In their case, at the top of the bag.

How it works

These 73 things to pack for a weekend away cover clothes for two days, the wash bag, papers and money, chargers and things for the journey. Clothes come with a count.

Read the full guide

Count the nights, not the outfits

A weekend away is two nights and two days. That is two tops, one pair of pants, one outfit for the evening and three of everything that goes next to your skin. The jacket and the heavier shoes travel on you. If the bag will not close, take out a "just in case", never a sock.

Ask what the room already has

Towels, a hair dryer, shampoo and an iron fill half a bag and are often there waiting. A hotel lists them on its own page, and a host will tell you if you ask. Staying with friends? Ask about bedding too.

Pack the night before, then leave a note by the door for the morning things: toothbrush, charger, keys.
Lay everything on the bed first. Anything packed for weather the forecast does not show goes back in the drawer.

Questions and answers

What should I pack for a weekend trip?

For two nights: two tops, one pair of pants, one evening outfit, three pairs of underwear and socks, nightwear, one warm layer, a wash bag, your ID, a payment card, a phone charger and one book.

How many outfits do I need for a weekend away?

Three in the bag at most: a top for each of the two days and one outfit for an evening out, plus what you travel in. The pants and the warm layer are worn every day, so only the tops change.

What bag should I take for a weekend away?

One you can lift over your head and carry up a flight of stairs: a duffel, a backpack or a small case with wheels. If you fly, read your airline's cabin bag rule before you choose.

What should I not pack for a weekend away?

A third pair of shoes, a second book, full-size bottles, a laptop you do not need and clothes for weather that is not in the forecast. Towels and a hair dryer stay home if the room has them.