How to Pack for a Trip of 7 Days or More

Sometimes in this life we get the opportunity to take a trip that's longer than your average weekend getaway, or even the four-day special. You may be able to take a trip that lasts 10 days, 14 days, maybe even a month! So how do you pack for something that will last that long? You know you can't take your entire wardrobe with you and even when you go on a 2-day trip you pack like it's a 4-day trip! Like I mentioned in my article, "Sightseeing: My Favorite Thing About Vacation," I was able to go on a 16-day trip once that spanned four cities outside of my home town. Not only was it four cities, but it was four climates. My trip was in the winter and it started in New York City and ended in Atlanta. You know those are drastic climate changes. So how was I able to make it for over two weeks with only one or two bags? Let me tell you how...

Step #1 - divide the number of days you're going on vacation for by 4, round up if you have remainder.

So in my example, I was gone for 16 days... 16 divided by 4 is 4. So I packed about 4 days worth of clothes for a 16 day trip. I can see the gender differences of thought now. The women are saying to themselves, "that's not nearly enough clothes," and the men are like "cool."

Step #2 - pack enough clothes for that number of days.

Here's my logic to why I said divide by 4. When you're in a foreign city, unless you're visiting someone, usually you're not meeting anyone new and you're not trying to impress anyone so you can wear the same clothes over and over again as long as you don't mess them up. Most people, at least guys, don't mind wearing a repeat outfit after about 3 or 4 days when they're on vacation. I know for me, I'm perfectly comfortable with that, as long as it's clean and wearable. The people in the hotel aren't going to see you everyday... the places you sightsee at will not see you everyday... save yourself the energy of bringing 20 bags for a 10 day trip and pack for about 3 days worth of things. Four if you absolutely cannot wrap your mind around needing only 3 days' worth of clothing.

Step #3 - consider packing items that make for interchangeable sets instead of fixed sets.

Fixed sets leave you in a hole from a traveling fashion standpoint because usually fixed sets are made for just that - each other. The shirt and pants only go with the shirt and pants; for this purpose that's a waste of an outfit. You need isolated clothes for long trips. I know the ladies are shaking their head like, "this guy can't be serious." Oh yes I am! If you want to pay $15 a bag through your airline so you can be fashionable, go right ahead... otherwise I recommend giving this route a try. Women you have it better off than men in this department anyway; you have lots more options to interchange than we do. We'll try and match anything together anyway as long as it looks halfway decent.

Step #4 - if you're able to, do a little of your shopping at the place(s) you're going to.

More than likely you're going to buy something at your place(s) of destination anyway. Some people go to specific places for this reason... so use this to your advantage. If you're willing to sacrifice a day of clothes, perhaps you can find something at the vacation spot to make up one day's worth of clothes. Just remember you have to pack these things for the plane ride or car ride back home.

Step #5 - MAKE SURE your hotel or place of stay has laundry facilities.

Without laundry facilities this plan will not work very well unless you're just meticulous about your clothes and have some unknown way of keeping them clean other than laundry detergent and water. The hotel laundromat will be your friend during this trip as you'll need it to keep things clean. Be sure to bring enough quarters for the machines because they're usually not free.