How to Pack for a Weekend Trip

 

Tomorrow, I'm hopping on a flight bright and early (5:15 AM to be exact!) back to where I co-oped last year in Seville, Spain! I'm so thrilled to go back - I'm especially looking forward to eating at all the food places I used to love and seeing my old coworkers. I've literally had dreams about croquetas the past few months!


For me, one of the best things about co-oping abroad vs. studying abroad is the lack of homework and studying on the weekends, combined with Europe's generally lax vacation policies. This makes going on quick weekend trips around Europe super doable (especially due to cheap Ryanair flights!). However, with cheap flights come limited baggage, so I've mastered the art of packing everything I'll need into one small backpack. These are a handful of things I've learned throughout two co-ops abroad:

1. Wear your heels to the airport

Sure, it’ll feel a little funny boarding your plane in your 5-inch clubby stilettos, but these shoes are the worst offenders when it comes to backpack real estate. You’ll save a ton of room if you switch out your flip flops for your heels (and look good while doing it too).

2. Bring minimal makeup and toiletries

A few crucial makeup products, deodorant, and perhaps travel-sized shower stuff is all you’ll need. Don’t waste room packing a thousand different hair sprays, lotions, perfumes etc.—they’ll definitely weigh you down!

3. Print out your flights, Airbnb, etc.! 

This is super helpful for when you don’t have access to an outlet and your phone dies, leaving you hopeless and confused in a foreign city. Printing out your flight number and times as well as the address of your Airbnb or hotel will save you in a pinch. Itineraries are your friend!

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4. Plan out your outfits ahead of time

Again, with very limited space in your bag, you’re going to need to get crafty and strategic. Weekend trips are the time to bring your tried-and-true clothing that you know you’ll be comfortable in. Knowing what you’re wearing on which days will reduce the amount of clothes you need to bring as well as avoid any clothing catastrophes—like accidentally packing only neon bras and see-through white shirts.

5. Snacks are VERY important

When hopping over to a new city for a weekend trip, it can be surprisingly hard to find food immediately when the hangry-ness strikes. Therefore, it’s crucial to pack some sustenance to tide you over in these trying times—granola bars, crackers, and my personal favorite Takis are all good options to keep you sane and sustained.

6. Travel-sized sunscreen is crucial

Pale people—if you’re taking a bunch of beach-y weekend trips, you’re not going to want to spend 13 Euro on a bottle of sunscreen every time you go somewhere only to use it once or twice and then chuck it. Have a solid bottle of sunscreen at home and pack some in a small travel tube for hitting the beach.

7. Skip the reusable water bottle (sorry environment!)

I love me a good Camelbak, but for weekend trips, it’s the move to leave the reusable water bottle behind. They take up a huge amount of space in your backpack, and you can just buy a plastic one once you get to the city you’re visiting and use that for the weekend.




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