How to pack for a warm weather trip in only a personal item

Posted on Apr 23. Written By Erin Finneman 

As a budget traveler, I am always looking to cut costs wherever I can. Personally, I choose to spend money on food and excursions, not transportation and accommodations. I know this way of traveling isn’t for everyone, but there are money saving tips and tricks I have picked up along the way that can benefit budget and luxury travelers alike. As airlines continue to build new fees and add ons into their booking process, avoiding them is one of the best ways to cut costs before you even arrive at your destination. Packing light and smart is a surefire way to skirt around some of these fees. I recently traveled to Puerto Rico for a week and packed everything I needed into only a personal item, cutting my flight costs by over $150! Interested in doing the same and saving yourself the carry on costs that airlines like Sun Country, Spirit, and Frontier charge? Let me break it down for you! 

Now, just as a disclaimer, this way of packing is perfect for warm weather destinations. If you are headed to Alaska for a dog sled tour, you may need to hand over baggage fees to make sure your wool socks and down jacket make it aboard. For a sunny springtime beach trip, however, I was able to bring the perfect amount of clothing and gear with me! Here’s what I brought and how I packed it: 

First of all, let’s cover my packing gear. I packed everything into my Highland Outdoors backpack using my Travelon toiletry bag and packing pouches. I picked up all of these items at Sierra Trading Post, my favorite budget-friendly store for quality outdoor and travel gear. I also packed my North Carry bag - this has been my go-to day bag when traveling recently, as it has several secure zippered pockets and is roomy enough to fit a small book, sunscreen, wallet, and more. 

Now, what was actually packed into my backpack? Let’s cover that by category: 

Toiletries: 

The detailed list:  

• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash 
• Razors 
• Makeup: mascara, lip gloss, Aquaphor, cheek stick 
• Makeup wipes 
• Lotion and sunscreen 
• Deodorant 
• Perfume roller 
• Medication 
• Leave-in conditioner 
• Brush 
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss 
• Hair ties and bobby pins (not pictured) 

A few notes on packing toiletries:  

• Pack items with multiple uses (for example, my body wash and lotion were good for both face and body) 
• Find more compact versions of your everyday favorites (for example, I packed a perfume roller stick and I could have packed travel size deodorant and makeup wipes, I only chose not to because I had the room for the full sized versions that I already had) 
• Use slim, reusable product containers that you can fill with product from your full sized containers 
• Use a travel toiletry bag that includes a pouch that is TSA compliant for liquids and that closes up tightly (the Travelon toiletry bag I used had these features) 
• Keep it simple! Don’t bring items that are not part of your every day routine 

Clothing: 

The detailed list:  

• 1 romper 
• 1 dress 
• 2 pairs jean shorts 
• 4 pairs athletic/cloth shorts 
• 1 pair light cotton pants 
• 1 light button down shirt 
• 4 cropped tank tops 
• 2 T-shirts 
• 1 sports bra 
• 2 sleep shorts 
• 10 underwear (packed in small mesh Travelon bag) 
• 2 swimsuits (packed in small mesh Travelon bag) 

A few notes on packing clothing:  

• I wore my bulkiest items to the airport which included leggings, a hoodie, a tank top, thick socks, and my sandals 
• Again, pack items with multiple uses (for example, I brought flowy cotton pants that I used as a beach cover up and for a night out) 
• Light fabrics are your friend! I avoided packing bulky items like jeans and mostly opted for easily rolled fabrics like cotton 
• Focus on basics that you can mix and match 
• Limit shoes - I got away with bringing only one pair of shoes that were good for walking, hiking, water activities, and (maybe not everyone would agree with this one) going out for the night 
• As any seasoned traveler will tell you, roll! Roll up clothing (even underwear!) tightly to save space 
• Play Tetris when loading clothing into your backpack and make sure items you will need first are toward the top 

Miscellaneous items: 

The detailed list:  

• Water bottle 
• Notebook and pen 
• Book 
• Charging cord 
• Sunglasses 
• Wallet 
• Sandals 
• Day bag (not pictured) 
• Padlock (not pictured) 
• Earbuds (not pictured) 

A few notes on packing miscellaneous items:  

• Think very hard about what you want these items to be! The notebook and book were my “extras” that I didn’t necessarily need, but were important to me 
• Always pack a water bottle, especially for active trips - it will save you money in the long run 
• Pack compact items if you have them (for example, a slimmer water bottle, small wallet, etc) 

Overall, I think I did a great job packing for this trip! I used every article of clothing I brought, had the right amount of products in my toiletry bag, and I was even able to buy a few souvenirs to bring home. However, after packing extra light for a trip, I did learn a few things that I would love to pass on. First, check with your accommodations for items they might provide. Many Airbnbs and hotels provide shower products, towels, etc. Additionally, many hostels provide padlocks, which is an item I packed but could have left at home. Next, make sure you are comfortable moving around with your bag fully packed. I chose to bring a notebook and book and used the straps on the back of my backpack to carry them. Overall this worked fairly well, but looking back I may have just downloaded some ebooks and brought a much more compact notebook, as I had to adjust the straps several times to ensure nothing fell. Lastly, always, always double check that you meet your airline’s personal item measurement requirements. I was sure to check before I took off, but I witnessed many people at the airport have to pay for their bags that were only several inches too large. 

In my experience, packing can be the most stressful part of a trip. Next time you are gearing up to jet off to a new destination, come back to this post to brush up on some go-to packing tips and tricks!