Guide to packing for an overnight trip

If you ever have been or are going to go on an overnight trip, it’s a bit stressful trying to figure out what you will need for the trip. You don’t want to overpack and lug a big bag around with you. But on the flip side you don’t want to not have everything you need for a comfortable stay. We recently went on an overnight trip with just a backpack and here is what we did. Here is our guide to packing for an overnight trip.

This was a business trip and involved travelling straight from the airport to the meeting venue. So lugging lots of luggage around was not an option. Additionally, it was only for a single night so there was a minimal amount of things needed.

The Backpack

We have been on the lookout for a good backpack for a while and did some great reviews on the Roka backpack. It’s made by a London-based company and is a good choice. It has a laptop sleeve and can accommodate quite a bit of stuff. The only downside to the backpack is the shoulder straps, they are made of a material only. And is not comfortable to use for extended periods. Maybe modifying with shoulder pads would remedy this problem.

As it was only a backpack, it could fit under the seat or in the cabin overhead bin. And this ensured an easier trip and saved time at the baggage claim.

Make a list

Ideally, you would like to make a list of the items you would need to use for your trip. And as you pack them you cross them off your list. This ensures that you aren’t leaving things behind.

Some of the things which we included in our list, included clothing, pjs and underwear, electronics and cables, and toiletries. And also any travel paperwork, like identity documents or passport. Things like a towel were going to be supplied by the hotel, which saved space in the backpack.

We have a FREE overnight packing list, which you can download here.

Packing the Backpack

As the backpack we used had a zip opening at the top, we ensured to pack accordingly. We packed clothing at the bottom and electronics at the top. This meant that it was easier to remove electronics to go through security at the airport. And we could also access things we needed first efficiently. We packed cables in little cubes which made sure everything was together and easily accessible.

Some Tips

• Sticking to a list will ensure that you do not overpack and that you do not forget anything essential.

• Pack your backpack systematically so that everything is easily accessible

• Do not overpack, if you run out of something, you can always buy it at your destination

If you found this post on our guide to packing for an overnight trip helpful, let us know in the comments below. And if you have any more tips, feel free to share.

Check out our previous post on How to Book Cheap Flights which gives you tips on how you can book a cheap flight to your next destination.

* Please note that all prices and contact information are correct at time of publication. Please check the venues websites as prices may change without notice. *

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