Where Are You Headed?
Before we jump into the packing itself, it’s important to consider where you’re going. Because the climate, the environment and even the lodgings you’ll be staying at defines a lot of your suitcase. For example, you might be headed to Hawaii for the weekend and think that packing swimwear is enough. But you’ll actually need a lot more than just trunks, like sunscreen, chanclas/slippers, mosquito repellent and whatnot. So, focus on where you’re headed to know what to pack.
Things to Pack for a Weekend Trip
Essential Items
There are some items which you must include in your suitcase, no matter where you go. Trust us on this, always carry these few items:
- Driver’s Licence and Identification Card: Carrying your ID or Driver’s whether you’re travelling locally or abroad is the smartest thing you can do. It’s not only safe but keeps you out of trouble in case you ever accidentally rub authority the wrong way.
- Personal Documents: Carrying your visa, passport, health cards, vaccination certificates, airline tickets, hotel booking confirmation etc. can be very helpful.
- Medical Equipment and Medicines with Prescription: If you have any kind of ailment or are prone to seasonal allergies or illnesses, you’ll need to bring your medicines with you. In addition, bring an insulin pump, inhaler, and other medical equipment which you may use daily. Do not forget to carry the prescriptions for all of these, as you may be questioned about these if you’re travelling abroad or out of state
- Charger and Power bank: Do not under any circumstances forget your charger and power bank because you’ll need to keep a fully-charged device with you at all times, and you can’t always rely on hotels and lodgings to provide you with these things.
- Wallet and Loose Cash: Of course, carrying your wallet is no brainer, but make sure you have some loose cash with you, especially in the currency of the place where you’re going. Keeping loose cash can come in handy because it’s safer, and you might not always track down an ATM in time.
- Basic Toiletries: Keep a stash of hygiene products and toiletries like hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, lotion etc. with you no matter where you go; you never know if you or someone else may need it!
- First Aid Kit: Of course, a first-aid kit can come in handy anytime, so make sure you’re packing it.
Packing According to Season
The weather can really affect your mood, and it can be pretty upsetting if you catch a cold because you didn’t have warm clothes or if you get sunburn because you weren’t watching where the sun shines. So, consider the season and pack accordingly.
Summer
A casual packing for summer would require:
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Lotion
- Umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Light and loose shirts, preferable half-sleeved or sleeveless
- Shorts and short, flowy skirts
- Pair of open sandals and flip-flops
- Water bottle
- Sweatbands
- Swimwear
Spring
Packing for a typical spring would require:
- Sunglasses
- Umbrella
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Flowy skirts; can be long or short
- Half-sleeve or full-sleeved shirts but ones made with a light material
- Raincoats/ rain boots
- Insect repellent
- Water bottle
Fall
The temperature can fluctuate pretty quickly in fall, wherever you go, so you’ll need to pack accordingly:
- Full-sleeves shirts
- A warm sweater or cardigan in case it gets a little chilly
- Warm scarf and gloves
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Boots
- Casual shoes for walking
- Socks
- Pair of closed sandals
- Long trousers
- Lip balm
- Lotion
Winter
Winter can get pretty cold, so you’ll have to pack a lot of warm clothes and:
- Thick, warm trousers
- Wool shirts, full-sleeve shirts, or sweatshirts
- Jackets
- Cardigans and sweaters
- Scarf and gloves
- An insulated water bottle (so if you need to carry hot water, you can)
- Warm boots
- Raincoat and rain boots
- Warm caps and mufflers
- Wool socks
- Lotion
- Mosquito repellent
- Lip balm
Packing According to Activity
Your weekend activity makes your suitcase heavier/lighter. If your plan for the weekend is to get high on adrenaline, then you’ll have to pack some sturdy stuff:
Hiking/Climbing
If you’re going to be hiking, climbing or anything that tests your physical strength, then you’ll need:
- Hiking shoes
- Gripping gloves
- Umbrella
- Flashlight
- Extra sweater/top and trousers
- Mosquito/Insect repellent
- Raincoat/waterproof poncho
Safari
If you’re going to go on a safari, let’s say to Kenya, then you’ll need a lot of things. But here are the most important ones:
Documents
- Levantr Itinerary
- Passport
- Visa entry (Visa fee of $50 USD upon arrival in Kenya)
- Health cards
- Airline tickets / E-tickets
- Cash & traveler’s checks
- Credit cards
- Photocopy of passport / visa / insurance
Clothing
Khaki and green-colored clothing are recommended on safari and bright colors are best avoided. Camouflage patterned clothes are illegal because they are worn by local soldiers.
- Trainers / Wangking shoes / Safari boots
- Comfortable shoes (loafers, etc.)
- Hat
- Jacket / Windbreaker / Fleece (for chilly morning and evening drives)
- Waterproof light rain jacket
- Extra warm clothing like thick trousers, tops, and sweaters
- Safari shorts
- Socks
- Short sleeve shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Nightwear
- Swimwear
Toiletries and Medicine
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Prescription drugs
- Motion sickness pills
- Mosquito / Insect repellent
- Shampoo & Conditioner
- Soap
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste & Toothbrush
- Hairbrush / Comb
- Electric / Hand razor
- Tweezers
- Lotion
- Hygiene Supplies
Other Supplies
- Sunglasses & Case
- Prescription Glasses
- Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Batteries for electronic equipment
- Converter plug set (if needed)
- Alarm clock (if needed)
- Money pouch / Money belt / Sling bag
- Binoculars (one pair per person)
- Favorite road snacks
- Water bottle
- Pen & Notepad
- Earplugs
Nature Exploration
If you’re a nature lover and are planning on going on nature walks to a place where nature is abundant such as Costa Rica or New Zealand, marine explorations or have a heavy itinerary, you’ll need to pack these things among many more:
- Flashlight and binoculars
- Water bottle
- Waterproof clothing/raincoat
- Comfortable trousers and tops
- Comfortable walking shoes/hiking boots
- Waterproof covering for camera
- Insect repellent
- Waterproof bag/dry bag
- Travel pack/beach bag
Light Travelling
If you’re travelling light or going to a place that’s typically known for light walks in the day and admiring architecture, like a trip to Europe, Washington DC, or a country that’s quite mellow, then here are a few things you’ll need:
- Flowy, loose shirts (with short-sleeves if you’re going in the summer)
- Wool leggings or wool warmers (if you’re going in the winter)
- Sunscreen
- A neat/fancy outfit
- A casual/comfortable pair of flip-flops or sandals for everyday use
- Metro cards/city passes
- Socks
- Lotion
- Long sleeve shirts (in case the temperature fluctuates a lot)
