What To Pack For A 3-Day Trip Checklist: Packing List
Knowing what to pack for a trip away can be one of the most frustrating tasks. You ask yourself questions like, what's the weather like, do I need a smart outfit, what if I don't want to wear what I have packed? That is why we are going to answer the question, 'what to pack for a 3-day trip checklist.'
Not only are we travel bloggers, but we are also in a long-distance relationship. Therefore, we are no strangers to packing a bag up for a long weekend. You will find Robyn packs her suitcase at least every 2 weeks, most recently on our trip to Newcastle!
Sometimes the shortest trips actually end up being the hardest to pack for. If you think about it, for a week or longer, you probably have a bigger bag and more of an idea of what you will be doing. Whereas a 3-day trip often gives you limited space and therefore requires more planning on what you need to take.
We are all victims of overpacking and never actually wearing 70% of what we have packed. Yet, somehow we still make the same mistake every time we pack for a 3-day trip!
So, if you are wondering what to pack for a 3-day trip, follow along to see our ultimate packing list
What to pack for a 3-day trip checklist: Getting Started.
First of all, stop panicking!
If you are reading this on a Thursday night looking at a pile of clothes with no idea where to start, do not worry! We have all been there, leaving packing till the last minute and then left with what feels like a mammoth task.
However, it doesn't need to be like that. If you follow this 3-day trip checklist, you can't go wrong every time you need to pack for a trip. So to start to get the ball rolling, follow these 4 top tips to help you out.
Pick the right bag
Get your underwear for every day you are there +1 (just in case)
Get some packing cubes/ wash bags
Get any documents you need (train tickets, passports, airport transport, money)
As long as you have the above, you can't go too wrong! These are the foundations of your packing, so get them in front of you, and you will have officially made a start. We will go into the right bag later in this blog, so keep reading.
What to pack for a 3-day trip checklist: Essentials
So, now you have the foundations, let's pack it out with the basics. The essentials to pack for a 3-day trip.
Essentials will be your best friends when packing for a long weekend. This is because your essentials will build the basis of most of your outfits. For example, take a basic t-shirt; this can be dressed up or down and even worn to bed. In addition, it is suitable for cold weather and warm weather as it can be layered or worn on its own.
They aren't called essentials for no reason. They are essential.
So here are the essentials you need:
Basic t-shirts (white, black, grey)- Neutral are best, or a colour you wear a lot.
Jeans- This could be full-length jeans or jean shorts.
A jumper- could be a lightweight jumper in the summer or a thick knit for colder weather
A Comfy pair of shoes - trainers usually do the job
JPS- this could be as simple as an oversized t-shirt
Tracksuit- could be a comfy short set or sweater and joggers
For girls, a dress/ skirt- these can usually be worn dressed up or down
For men, a smarter pair of trousers- could be chinos, cargo or suit trousers.
This is not everything you should pack, but these will form the bases of most of your outfits. For example, your jeans can be paired with your t-shirt, and a jumper can be added if it's too cold. Then you can pair your skirt or trousers with your t-shirt too.
You will find these will be the items you reach for the most.
What to pack for a 3-day trip checklist: Travel Outfit
While you won't be packing your travel outfit for a 3-day trip, it is important to work this out when packing.
A top tip is to wear your heaviest items to travel in! For example, when we went to Amsterdam, Robyn wore her Doc Marten boots on the plane as they were the heaviest and biggest item. This saved loads of room in her carry-on bag. She then also planned most of her outfits around the boots.
Be smart about it. If you only intend on wearing your travel outfit to travel, you could be missing out on extra space in your bag.
If you are going somewhere cold, like Edinburgh, in the winter, wear your coat to travel. Whereas, say you are going somewhere a bit warmer, wear your sunglasses and sun hat to avoid breaking or damage in your bag.
Usually, we opt for a comfy tracksuit, either with shorts or joggers. This is because when packing for a 3-day trip, we always advise bringing a jumper no matter the weather. Planes and public transport can get cold, so an extra layer is always handy. Plus, you usually pair it with a basic t-shirt which you can then use for the rest of the trip.
If you're unsure of where to go on a romantic getaway, then check out our travel tips section of our website.
Weekend trip packing List for 3 days: Casual Everyday Outfits
This section is going to be the bulk of your packing. Casual everyday outfits are a fail-safe way to ensure you pack the clothes you are going to wear. Of course, depending on your personal style, you might want to add more than this. But for the sake of this blog, we will help keep it simple when packing for a 3-day trip.
Hot Weather
So, let's look at hot weather to start with. This could be your annual summer holiday or a city break in the summer months. Either way, we think the following items are essential for everyday outfits:
Basic T-shirt
Vest
Shorts
Skirts
Sandals/flip-flops
Travel sized day bag
Day dress
A pair of comfortable socks
A pair of pants
Out of the items above, we believe if you have at least one of each, you can have 3 daytime outfits on your trip. A small vest can go with your shorts or skirt. A day dress is a super easy outfit to put on with no effort required. We advised keeping to one pair of sandals or flip-flops that go with everything, and the same goes for a day bag.
You can be as simple or extra as you want with this. Accessories will be your best friend, personalising the outfits and making them much more you. It is a bit easier to pack casual clothes for hotter weather as you don't need as many items.
Cold Weather
Now, for cold weather, it is harder for a 3-day trip as your items tend to be larger. Layers are important in the cold, so for a casual everyday outfit, we recommend packing:
A coat
A thermal
A jumper
Jeans, Joggers or Cargos
Trainers
Scarf
This is where wearing your heaviest items travelling will come in handy. Wearing your coat and jumper for the travel will help leave room for cost thermals, scarfs and warm socks!
When packing for cold weather, try and keep the colour pallet similar because you never know when you might need to add an extra layer. However, if you still want to appear stylish, ensure you keep the items neutral, so they all go together.
Extreme conditions
If you find yourself going on an extreme trip, like in the snowy mountains or hot desert, your everyday outfit might be a bit different. If you are going on these sorts of trips, we would advise some prior research might be needed. Making sure you have the appropriate attire that suits the weather, and the country's culture will be necessary.
What to pack for a 3-day trip checklist: Fancy Outfit
When wondering what to pack for a 3-day trip, we would always advise packing one or two fancier outfits. By this, we mean an outfit for when you want to dress up for a more special occasion.
This is where you can have some fun and pack your favourite items. Robyn loves dresses, so she will always pack a dress or two when we go on weekends away. Henry loves a good shirt and trouser combination, so will be sure to bring that.
It really depends on what you like to wear, we would advise a dress for girls if they are trying to pack light. This is because it can fold up easily and doesn't take up too much room. Whereas, if you want a blazer and trousers, it might take up too much space, but if that's what you want to wear and have the room, then pack it!
For males, a lovely shirt or smart polo shirt is perfect for a fancy outfit. These can be paired with a pair of trousers you have already packed!
For shoes, if you are a heels girl, then sure, pack a pair. But, if you want to save room, try and make your outfit match your boots, trainers or sandals you are already wearing for the rest of the trip.
What to pack for a 3-day trip checklist: Sporty Outfit
If you are anything like us, you will be scouting out the nearest gym on your trip away. Some people think it is crazy to work out when you are on holiday, but we love it!
We always make sure we pack one gym outfit just in case we find a cool gym or a cool class to attend. Gym clothes tend to fold up small as you only need a pair of shorts or leggings and a breathable top.
For shoes, we would advise just wearing the trainers you bought if you can. However, it depends on how serious you are about working out and whether you want to bring proper sports trainers. Then, it is entirely up to you!
A great thing about sportswear is that it can also be worn as everyday wear. It is the perfect casual daytime outfit, as you can dress it up. For example, Robyn loves wearing a matching set with a white pair of trainers and a white shirt over the top. It gives off a model of duty vibe!
What to pack for a 3-day trip checklist: Toiletries
Now we have packed all of your clothes, we need to pack your toiletries. We have found that Robyn always has twice the amount of toiletries as Henry, so it will vary from person to person.
These are the basics we think you might need.
Face wash
Moisturiser
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Shower gel
Deodorant
Shampoo/conditioner
Brush
Makeup
Shaving Supplies
Makeup remover
Don't get us wrong, this is not everything that you might want to bring. But you might not need half of this stuff at the same time! It depends on what you deem essential, but a toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash and shower gel are advised!
What to pack for a 3-day trip checklist: Accessories
Accessories, accessories, accessories! The key to every outfit. Often forgotten about or the first thing to leave behind, we genuinely believe accessories help bring outfits together. Plus, they usually don't take up that much room!
For girls, you might want to pack some jewellery that will go with all your outfits. This can help make the basic outfits we packed early look much more put together. The same goes for belts; they can help add some bling to the outfit.
We firmly believe that sunglasses can be worn at any time of the year. Sunglasses just add that finishing touch to an outfit that gives off really cool vibes. So always pack a pair of sunnies when packing for a 3-day trip.
When packing for a 3-day trip, you will always need a bag. Whether this is a bum bag or a tote bag, they are handy for keeping belongings in. Robyn always packs a tote bag in her bag as they fold up super small and can come in handy when needing a bag.
What to pack for a 3-day trip checklist: Miscellaneous
This section might seem tedious, but we guarantee when you are wondering what to pack for a 3-day trip, you will forget about at least one of these things!
Chargers- watches, laptops, phones
Plug adapter -if going to another country
Medication
First aid kit- could be as simple as plasters
Water bottle
Headphones
ID
They might seem like very simple items to bring but are usually the ones to get forgotten about. The amount of times we have been away and Henry has forgotten his charger is ridiculous. So this is your reminder to pack these items!
Our Favourite Travel Items
Suppose you are anything like us and constantly packing your bag. In that case, it becomes apparent very quickly that you need a good bag and packing accessories to make your life easier. Below are some of the best items we have, which have been great when travelling for a 3-day trip.
Packing cubes
Packing cubes are essential for a 3-day trip. As mentioned earlier, you usually have less space on a shorter trip, so you need to optimise your space. I am not sure what it is about packing cubes, but they make you feel like you can fit more in your bag! They are super helpful and also help you organise your packing into sections.
Carry on luggage bag
You might be aware of the trending carry-on luggage that has increased in popularity due to airlines becoming stricter on what you are allowed. We have found this tremendous carry-on luggage with loads of separate compartments, maximising the space you have to pack. They also come in a range of colours, so perfect to match your outfits!
Decanter bottle
If you are only taking a carry-on bag, then you can only have liquids up to 100ml. These bottles mean you can transfer your favourite products into them and take them with you. Buying mini products always seems like a waste; this way, you can use the exact products you want and be able to use them over and over.
Even if you aren't going on a flight, these are still useful for a 3-day trip. Bottles of shampoo and conditioner can take up lots of room, so decanting into a smaller bottle will save you lots of space.
Jewellery Travel Case
Robyn is notorious for getting her necklaces tangled when travelling. Therefore, we found this super cute jewellery case perfect for travelling. It even comes with a little mirror which always comes in useful. It is actually really spacious, and you can hold a lot!
Conclusion
This might seem like a lot, but we promise it is simpler than you think. When wondering what to pack for a 3-day trip, we understand the stress that goes through your head. However, if you just follow these simple tips, you can't go wrong.
Remember, wear what you want and pack what you feel comfortable in! Keep to the basics and essentials, and then sprinkle a few of your favourite items in, and you can't go wrong.
We do not advise throwing in heels you have never worn or jeans you have been trying to squeeze into for a year! It is only going to end in pain or upset. You don't have the room to take these risks, especially for only a short trip.
Our top tips will always be to stay calm, pack what makes you feel most confident and follow this checklist! If you like this blog style and want us to write something similar, get in touch with us!
