Going on a trip or holiday involves more than just planning your daily itinerary. Packing is one of the most important steps when preparing for your vacation since a well-packed suitcase can make your travels more enjoyable.
I used to be one of those people that left my packing until the night before / morning of my trip (and sometimes I still do) but have learned my lesson and now try to plan ahead.
Depending on your destination, it may be hard to pick up items that you forgot or prices can be twice as much as back home. Making a written checklist is essential when packing your luggage and sticking to it can help ensure a smooth trip.
Here are some tips on how to pack for a two-week trip!
Table of Contents
Start with the right tools
Packing cubes – I recently invested in packing cubes and they are a game-changer! They’re an excellent way to save space in my luggage and I don’t have to worry about items getting tossed around in my bag.
Apple AirTag – If you have checked luggage for your trip, do yourself a favor and get an Apple AirTag. This is an easy way to keep track of and find your luggage (just in case it gets lost).
Toiletry bag – This can be a great way organize and pack your various toiletries safely.
It can also save space and it’s easy to transport, especially if you’re only bringing one carry-on luggage for your two-week trip.
Universal power adapter – If you’re traveling internationally, then you definitely need to pack a universal power adapter. This works all over the world, allowing you to safely use your electronics.
Portable charger – Many of us rely on our electronics to help us work, take photos, navigate our new destination, and stay in touch with our loved ones when traveling.
You don’t want to risk getting caught with a dead battery during your trip. A portable charger is a must-have to throw in your day pack when traveling.
Travel umbrella – If you’re traveling for two weeks, it’s important to pack for various types of weather. A travel umbrella can come in handy and you’ll be thankful that you packed one.
Plan your outfits in advance
I like to use this Daily Outfit Planner printable to help me get an idea of which clothes, shoes and accessories to bring.
If you know which activities you plan to do during your trip, this can help you figure out the approrioate items to bring. I also find that planning my outfits in advance can prevent me from overpacking.
Use packing cubes to schedule your outfits
If you’re trying to pack for a two-week trip in one carry-on suitcase, then using packing cubes is a MUST.
This helps make everything more compact and it prevents small items from rolling around or getting lost in your bag.
To save yourself the hassle of having to unpack and re-pack everything when you get to your travel destination, use packing cubes to schedule your outfits for the two-week period.
You can divide your packing cubes by days or separate stretches of your trip.
Check the weather at your travel destination
Plan your outfits based on what the weather will be like at your destination. Will it be hot and humid? Will it be raining or snowing? Will it be warm during the day and cool off in the evening?
Most people tend to either pack TOO much clothing or clothing that’s NOT suitable for their trip.
Knowing your destination’s weather is essential, but it’s also important to plan around your daily itinerary.
For example, when I traveled to Jasper, Alberta, I planned on doing a lot of hiking so I made sure to bring clothes that I could easily layer. I also wanted to go out for a nice dinner so I packed a dressy outfit as well.
However, if you know that you won’t be needing to dress up on your trip I suggest leaving these clothes at home. You don’t want to over pack by bringing unnecessary items that will just sit in your suitcase the entire time.
Do laundry at your travel destination
If you have the option to do laundry, this can help you pack less and re-wear your clothes. I like using this travel laundry detergent.
If there are no laundry facilities around, you can also wash clothing in the hotel sink and hang dry them in the room.
For my two week trip to Jasper and Vancouver I chose to plan my outfits for one week and do laundry to wear the same clothes again to mix and match. This allowed me to be more economical on the space in my luggage.
Pack clothes that you can easily mix and match together
The last thing you want to happen when you get to your destination is that you packed too many pants and not enough tops or clothing that’s hard to mix and match.
Ideally, you should pack enough clothes and shoes to create at least seven different outfits. This is under the assumption that you can do laundry while traveling.
PRO TIP: I also recommend bringing clothes that don’t wrinkle easily. If you need to bring dressy clothes, then consider getting a portable steamer that’s easy to pack.
This will save you a ton of time and your clothes will always look their best when traveling.
Pack around a color or color palette
I tend to stick to neutral colours (like black) and pair it with colorful accessories (scarfs, etc.).
This tends to make packing easier since I can easily mix and match outfits while I am on my trip.
You don’t want to end up packing a top or pair of pants that do not go well with your other clothes – they would just take up unnecessary room in your luggage.
How many pants do you really need to bring?!
For a two week trip, I don’t recommend bringing more than 2 pairs of pants (3 at the maximum).
This should include one pair of jeans and one pair of black (or khaki pants), so they are easy to mix and match.
I rarely wear jeans, so instead I like to bring one pair of black pants, one pair of blue jeans, and a few pairs of leggings (these take up very little room in my luggage, especially if I roll them when packing).
Pants can usually be worn a few times before they need to get washed. I recommend bringing a stain remover pen just in case you need to spot clean an item, this can come in handy when traveling.
Clothing to pack for a warm weather vacation:
- Swimsuits
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Jeans or Pants
- Dresses
- Light jacket or sweater for the evening
- A nice outfit for dinner or going out at night
- Workout clothes / Hiking clothes
- Socks
- Underwear / Bras
- Sleepwear
- Sandals
- Sneakers
Clothing to pack for a cold weather vacation:
- Jeans or Pants
- Light-weight sweaters
- T-shirts or Long-sleeve shirts
- Thermal leggings to keep warm (base layers)
- Jackets
- Scarf / Hat / Gloves
- A nice outfit for dinner or going out at night
- Socks
- Underwear / Bras
- Sleepwear
- Waterproof boots
- Sneakers
Wear heavier items while traveling to your destination and pack lighter items in your suitcase
It’s no surprise that many people choose to wear lighter items when flying since they want to be comfortable on the plane, but packing your heavier items in your checked luggage may put you over the weight limit which means increased baggage fees!
Remember, you can always remove heavy shoes, jackets and sweaters once you get on the plane and store them in your carry-on bag.
Wearing heavier items on the plan will also free up space in your checked luggage which allows you to pack more items that may be necessary for your trip.
You don’t need to bring that many shoes!
If you’re like me, I like to wear different shoes for different outfits, but when I’m traveling it’s not practical to bring an endless supply of shoes.
Instead I plan to bring 2-3 pairs of shoes maximum – these depend on the destination. I like to use this Packing Checklist to help me organize everything I need for my trip.
For my vacation to Jasper, I brought a casual everyday shoe that went with most of my outfits, a running shoe suitable for hiking and bath slippers to wear in the shower.
If I was going on a beach trip I probably wouldn’t need a running shoe and pack a pair of sandals instead; it all depends on where you are traveling and your daily itinerary.
If you need to bring more than three pairs of shoes, make sure to wear your heaviest/biggest shoe on the plane and pack the others in your luggage or carry-on bag.
Shoes to bring for a warm weather vacation:
- Flip flops for the hotel room / shower
- Sandals
- Sneakers / Hiking boots
Shoes to bring for a cold weather vacation:
- Flip flops of the hotel room / shower
- Sneakers
- Waterproof boots
Try to eliminate some of your toiletries
Packing full-sized toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body wash, etc.) can eat up a lot of room in your luggage.
Sometimes travel sized versions can be quite expensive, so a better alternative is to purchase travel containers and fill them up with the items you need. You can readily find these travel containers at most dollar or bargain stores.
Pack enough essential toiletries, cosmetics, and medications for the entire trip. I like to use a toiletry bag to keep everything organized.
For longer trips that span two or more weeks, another option is to purchase your basic toiletries at your destination (if needed).
Many hotels provide complimentary toiletries for their guests. This can include: toothbrush, razor, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, mouthwash, linen kit, hair dryer, etc.
Check ahead to see what your hotel provides and see if you can leave any of these items at home.
Read Next: 25 free things you can get at hotels
Toiletries to pack for a two-week trip:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo / Conditioner
- Face wash
- Face moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Night cream for face
- Makeup / Makeup remover
- Contact Lenses / Contant lens solution
- Hair brush / Hair styling tools
- Shaving supplies
- Period products
- Birth control / Medication
- Vitamins / Pain relievers
- First-aid supplies
- Nail file / Nail clippers
- Tweezers
- Hand sanitizer / Wet wipes
Take advantage of your electronics
While I will always be a big fan of reading paperback books, using an e-reader is much more convenient when traveling.
It takes up less room and you can add a number of different books on your er-eader instead of trying to cram a bunch of paperback books into your luggage.
For overnight flights, it’s convenient because you can still read easily when the plane lights go dim.
Unless you really require your laptop, I prefer to take my tablet with me when traveling instead. I use it to watch movies, TV shows, listen to music and play games which helps make long flights go by faster.
It is also much lighter than a laptop and I don’t need to worry about taking it out of my carry-on bag when going through airport security.
One of the great things about having a smart phone is the availability of apps that you can download. There are a multitude of travel apps that you can download that can assist you when traveling to a foreign city.
Language apps can help you learn a few keys phrases of the language spoken in the country you’ll be visiting. Check to see what apps are available for your destination city!
What to pack in your carry-on bag:
- Carry-on luggage / Travel duffel bag
- Passport / ID
- Face mask
- Cash, credit cards, debit cards in a travel wallet
- Glasses, sunglasses, contacts
- Medications / perscriptions
- Cell phone, camera, computer, travel adaptors
- Jewelry and other valuables
- Extra change of clothing (just in case of a flight delay / lost luggage)
- Reading material / magazines / e-reader
- Compression socks
- Antibacterial wipes
- Travel pillow
- Eye mask, ear plugs
- Pen for filling out international travel forms
Pack a few snacks in your carry-on bag
I’m not a big fan of airplane food so I like to pack a few snacks in my carry-on bag (enough to tie me over until I reach my destination).
For long flights, I try to eat a healthy meal before getting on the plane. If I need to order the airplane food provided, I ask for the vegetarian meal.
Snacks that I like to pack include:
- Fruit and dried fruit
- Granola bars / protein bars
- Trail mix
- Quick oats (just ask for hot water and a cup)
- Kale chips or seaweed
- Empty bottle of water
- Fresh veggies and dip
- Sandwich
- Wasabi peas, rice crackers, popcorn, pretzels
Lay out all your items on the floor before packing
I like to lay out all my items on the floor and sort them by category: toiletries, pants, tops, jackets, shoes, etc. Once I see what I am thinking of bringing I get a better idea of items that I don’t need.
Before putting each item in your luggage, ask yourself, “Do I really need to bring it or can you leave it at home?” This will help you prioritize your items and pack lightly.
Instead of packing for the worst case scenario, pack realistically and plan for the best. If the worst case scenario happens while on your trip, you can always buy items you need there.
Ready to book your next adventure? I like using Booking.com to find the best hotel deals.