At this point, we should all be aware that 2020’s been a hell of a year. Even now as we’re heading into the colder months, the world is beginning to shut down again, leaving us no other option but to stay local if we are choosing to travel anywhere. No beach-filled vacations in the Bahamas, no romantic Amalfi Coast getaways with bae, not even a quick border hop to get yourself in Canada for a few days. This year has been all about the weekend trip — socially-distanced ones, that is. As we enter the holiday season where people will likely be traveling more frequently, we figured it’s better late than never to provide our readers with the ultimate weekend trip packing list for 2020 so you can be smart and stay safe on all your close-to-home adventures.
Travel has been an incredibly weird topic to talk about within the past couple of months. Through Instagram, we’re high key judging those who took a weekend holiday across country borders. While people still have travel fever, it’s important to note that when traveling in 2020, you need to be extra cautious — even if you’re just crossing a state line to see Mom and Dad for Thanksgiving.
Prior to leaving for your trip and upon arriving back home, one thing is for certain when traveling: get yourself a COVID test. Even if you’ve worn a mask the entire trip, it’s better to be safe than sorry. While this isn’t something you can necessarily pack, it’s just something to keep in mind if you’re choosing to travel within the US.
While our weekend trip packing list for 2020 is super health-focused, there are a number of items to keep on hand when traveling that will make your weekend trips easier and more exciting. No matter if you’re taking a plane, train, bus or car, here are the best things to pack on your next weekend trip.
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1. Disposable Face Masks
Say it with us! Face! Masks! If you aren’t wearing a face mask on your intercontinental travels, you are through and through, an idiot. That is certainly something we can confidently say at this point. Facial coverings effectively decrease the chances of getting or giving COVID-19 to anybody in your general vicinity. Not wearing a mask is not a political statement, either. You simply look like the dumb one in the room when you’re the only guy without a face mask. No matter your method of transportation, wear a mask. If you’re traveling with people you’ve been with during the entire pandemic by car, keep the mask by your side for when you’re getting gas, grabbing snacks or using the bathroom. When you finally reach your destination, keep this baby on when chatting with others upon checking into your hotel, eating at restaurants and checking out the local shops. We recommend these disposable face masks because they’re wildly protective and effective.
2. Hand Sanitizer
Remember in March when it was nearly impossible to find a bottle of Purell? Snagging a bottle at your local CVS was like finding gold in your backyard. Thankfully, there are a number of new hand sanitizer brands that have popped up from the woodwork at your local pharmacies, grocery stores and bodegas. But, if you want to keep it old school, Purell is back in stock on Amazon. We recommend sanitizing every so often on your trip — especially when your method of transportation is one that’s public. Keep a bottle in your backpack for easy access and lather up whenever you think you should, but especially after touching anything in the airport or after using the bathroom on the plane, bus or train — as well as obviously when you’re exploring a city.
3. A Weekend Bag
There’s no shot you’re heading into your next weekend trip adventure without a bag to carry your things, right? That would be crazy. Pack the perfect weekend bag with one that was essentially built for 2020 with Everlane’s Mover Pack. Right now, this is our favorite weekend bag due to the sheer amount this baby is able to fit. It also comes with one key component that’s totally 2020-friendly — a separate compartment for your shoes. This is great so that your dirty, floor-touching sneaks will never have to touch the clean clothes you packed. Because all of us are germaphobes now, this is an excellent resource to have in your weekend bag. You can also hold this baby three different ways if need be, by the bag’s top handles, the top and bottom haul handles and as a backpack. Not loving the design? Don’t worry, there are so many more weekend bags to choose from that will fit your needs depending on what they are.
4. Travel Pillow
Just because you’re traveling a shorter distance doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to take a quick nap if need be. If you’re heading to and fro via public transportation, keep that mask on and wrap that pillow around your head for the ultimate snoozefest. The trtl pillow is currently one of the most A1 travel pillows on the market that will have you catching Z’s in no time. It’s quite literally scientifically proven to keep your head in a better, more comfortable position than almost any other travel pillow out there. It’s also easy to pack for when you need to store it away and it’s super soft to keep you cozy in uncozy situations.
5. Reusable Sandwich Bags
No matter your method of transportation, we recommend packing your own snacks. For planes, trains and buses, packing your own bag is definitely the most sanitary option to go with for 2020 so you can ditch the untasty, potentially unsanitary airplane food or the unclean Popeyes at the bus rest stop. Even though we love Popeyes. Nonetheless, these reusable sandwich bags are a great way to prepare snacks to, fro and during your trip for when your tummy’s grumbling.
6. Headphones
If you’re planning on traveling alone on your next weekend trip and you’re not bringing a pair of headphones, don’t even go. Like, what else would you do on your ride there? Sit with your thoughts? Give yourself travel anxiety for no reason? No thanks. The Marshall Monitor II A.N.C. headphones are our go-to overheard headphones this year for a multitude of reasons. These are completely noise-canceling so you won’t have to deal with any unwanted noise from outside your little bubble. Additionally, these headphones are great because they’re wireless if you so choose, meaning there’s no need for a wire to go in every single direction unknowing what it’s going to touch. If these don’t seem up your alley, we also have a massive selection of over-ear headphones to choose from. Check out some of our favorites here.
7. Sanitizing Wipes
While you can’t really bring these on an airplane, these sanitizing wipes are a great addition to keep in your bag when traveling via car, train or bus. Completely wipe down the area you’re about to sit down on if you’re headed on a method of public transportation and feel completely safe within your own personal bubble you’ve created. Friends traveling together in a car, feel free to pack these for when you’re opening the doors to public places and when it’s time to touch that gas handle. It might seem like a lot, but it’s truly better to be safe than sorry right now.
8. Travel Bottles
BYO everything in 2020. Shampoo, conditioner, face wash, sanitizer — whatever. Fill these bottles with everything you regularly use within your home and leave the hotel soaps and Airbnb shampoos alone. Plus, ditching your regular routine isn’t the best for your hair and face care, so you’ll be thankful for these.
9. Shaving Kit
Even though you’ll have your mask on, you’re still going to want to look your best during travel. Keep yourself in tip-top shape with Harry’s Shaving Kit that starts at just $5. It comes with a weighted rubber handle, a five-blade razor cartridge, foaming shave gel and a travel blade cover which is perfect for keeping your blade fully sanitized in transit.
10. Travel Umbrella
Just because you’re staying local doesn’t mean you shouldn’t anticipate the worst — and this time we aren’t even talking about coronavirus. On any given day, it’s possible you might be caught in some rain or even some snow depending on where you’re headed. It’s best to bring a travel umbrella along that can easily situate itself within your day pack or your lady’s purse. It will 100% come in handy, we’re sure of it.
11. Reusable Face Shields
In terms of safety, it’s never a bad thing to go the extra mile. Wear these face shields along with your disposable mask and really pull a COVID-centric look on your travels. Face shields aren’t necessarily the most packable, but they will give you that extra layer of protection, so we suggest you snag one before heading away from home for the weekend.
12. Waist Bag
When exploring the next city during a pandemic, it’s best to keep a small bag at your side at all times where you can keep the essentials. You know, extra masks, some wipes, hand sanitizer, your phone charger, some snacks — the whole wazoo. This waist bag from adidas is effortlessly attractive and has an entirely black facade to match whatever you may be wearing on your travels.