No-Nonsense Packing Tips for a Spring Getaway

The ultimate packing guide

Are the longer days and warmer weather giving you Spring Fever? Trust us, you’re not alone. From weekends at the beach to walking tours of a glam big city, the urge to book a spring getaway is pretty much universal—and irresistible.

But don’t rush off to the airport just yet! Check out our packing tips to make sure your favorite suitcase has everything you need.

• Basics

  We know (or hope!) you’ll remember your purse or wallet, but there are a few other items you don’t want to forget.

  Even if you’re relying on your credit card or debit card, be sure you have some cash on hand. Beachfront bars are notorious for their “cash only” policies.

  And it probably goes without saying, but bring chargers for all your electronics. If you don’t have a portable charger for your phone, your spring getaway is the perfect excuse to invest in one. After all, you don’t want your phone to die while you’re taking your #beachselfies.

  Pro Packing Tip: You may want to throw in some ibuprofen or aspirin into your suitcase—you’ll thank us in the morning!

• Clothing

  A bathing suit, cover-up, and you’re good, right? Nooooo!

  For starters, bring at least two bathing suits if you’re hitting up the beach (or hotel pool). There’s nothing worse than having to put on a cold, wet bathing suit in the morning because it didn’t dry overnight! And if you’re planning to swim until the last possible minute before your flight home, do the rest of your clothes and bring a ziplock bag for that wet bathing suit.

  And no matter how warm your destination is, you’ll want to bring a hoodie or two. Most places are still kind of chilly at night during the spring months. Other than that, pack a handful of your favorite outfits, plenty of underwear and socks, and at least one nice outfit. Make sure everything matches, and you should be all set!

  Oh, and if you want to pack fewer clothes, you can always bring a travel-size box of powder laundry detergent so you can do some handwashing in the hotel sink.

  Pro Packing Tip: Fit more clothes and prevent wrinkles by rolling your clothing instead of folding it. Yes, really!

• Sun Protection

  You guys know the drill! If your spring getaway has you heading somewhere sunny, SPF is a must. All day, every day. And it’ll be a lot cheaper at your local drugstore than a shop on the beach or the hotel. Bring at least one bottle, preferably waterproof.

  Other sun necessities: sunglasses, SPF chapstick, and a hat or bandana. And if you burn easily or plan to spend all day in the sun, consider throwing in an SPF shirt. Because red, blistered shoulders are probably not the spring “look” you’re going for!

  Pro Packing Tip: Make sure you bring after-sun lotion, too (just in case you don’t reapply quickly enough).

• Toiletries

  Sure, your hotel (and possibly your Airbnb) will be stocked with the basics. But those little bottles run out quickly, especially if you’re sharing your space with a friend or two. Bring your own basics: shampoo, conditioner, soap, and body lotion.

  A few days before you travel, start taking note of which products you use every day so you don’t forget any of your essentials: hair products, makeup, skincare, personal hygiene… all of your “gotta have ‘em” grooming supplies.

  Pro Tip: Travel-sized items are way pricey when you consider the tiny amount of product they contain. Use your regular full-sized items and decant them into reusable TSA-approved containers, like these from Amazon.

But our favorite packing tip? Ship your stuff to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. No hauling suitcases to the airport or waiting around baggage claim. Just hop off the plane and straight into vacation mode!