What to Buy and Pack for a Weekend Trip

A weekend trip needs more than clothes and toiletries. Plan the shared food, drinks, kitchen supplies, chargers, safety items, and simple activities before departure so you are not shopping at the destination. Pack waterproof bags for wet clothing, coolers and ice packs for chilled food, and enough tableware for everyone using the accommodation. Check the group size before buying: that number determines how many drinks, meals, towels, and seats you need.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Luggage

Weekend bagsqty 6
Day backpacksqty 6
Waterproof clothing bagsqty 6

Equipment

Car chargersqty 2
Power banksqty 3
Phone chargersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 2

Kitchen

Coolersqty 2
Ice packsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 2
Chef's knifeqty 2
Can openersqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 2

Tableware

Platesqty 8
Bowlsqty 8
Glassesqty 12
Mugsqty 8
Cutlery setsqty 8

Furniture

Folding chairsqty 6
Folding table

Recreation

Card gamesqty 3
Board gamesqty 2
Frisbee

Safety

First aid kit
Flashlightsqty 3
Reflective vestsqty 2

Cleaning

Reusable shopping bagsqty 6
Dish brush
Microfiber clothsqty 4
Towelsqty 6
Tea towelsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Croissants - 12 pieces
- Hummus - 2 tubs
- Young cheese - 600 grams
- Ham - 400 grams
- Vegetarian deli slices - 400 grams
- Eggs - 18 pieces
- Butter - 2 packs
- Peanut butter - 1 jar
- Strawberry jam - 1 jar
- Yogurt - 2 liters
- Muesli - 1 kilo
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Milk - 3 liters
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Apples - 12 pieces
- Bananas - 12 pieces
- Grapes - 2 trays
- Cucumbers - 3 pieces
- Tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Bell peppers - 6 pieces
- Arugula - 2 bags
- Potatoes - 2 kilos
- Pasta - 1 kilo
- Pasta sauce - 3 jars
- Chicken breast - 1.2 kilo
- Tofu - 600 gram
- Grated cheese - 400 grams
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 2 bulbs
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Paprika chips - 2 bags
- Plain chips - 2 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 bags
- Muesli bars - 12 pieces
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sinas - 2 bottles
- Spa Blue - 2 crates
- Sparkling water - 1 crate
- Fruit juice - 4 cartons
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 1 roll
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 1 bottle

Tips

Plan drinks by person and duration: allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per hour, plus water and hot drinks. Chill what you can before leaving and pack the rest in a cooler with ice packs.
Buy food for the exact number of travelers, then add one easy meal and 10% extra snacks for delays. Confirm dietary requirements before shopping, rather than trying to replace ingredients at the accommodation.
Pack one day backpack per person and keep waterproof clothing in separate bags. Put a change of clothes, rain gear, and essential medication where they can be reached without unpacking the main luggage.
Charge phones, power banks, and car chargers the night before departure. Take at least one phone charger per two people, and add an extension cord if several guests will charge devices in one room.
Count shared equipment before loading: one plate, bowl, glass, mug, and cutlery set per person, plus 2–4 spares. Keep the first aid kit, flashlights, reflective vests, and towels accessible instead of burying them under bags.

Frequently asked questions

What food should I buy for a weekend trip?: Plan three meals per full day, plus breakfast items, snacks, and drinks for each traveler. Add one emergency meal and around 10% extra snacks for late arrivals, delays, or larger appetites.
How many drinks do I need for a weekend away?: For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per person; after that, plan about 1 drink per person per hour. Add water and hot drinks separately, and buy enough ice or use ice packs to keep perishables cold.
What should I pack for a rainy weekend trip?: Give each person waterproof outerwear and a separate waterproof clothing bag for wet items. Pack at least one complete dry change of clothes per person, plus extra socks and shoes if outdoor plans are likely.
When should I do the shopping for a weekend trip?: Finalize the list and buy non-perishables 2–3 days before departure. Buy fresh food, ice, and chilled drinks on the day before or the morning of departure, then load the cooler last.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.