What's the absolute minimum to take for a one night trip?

[SailingOnAWave]

I am catching a train, one night in a hotel, checking out and will spend the day at a conference then train home. I will be carrying everything with me.

I am terrible at travelling light. What's the absolute minimum you've ever taken on an over night trip to survive?!

Stick the trousers and top on! Or coat if there is one. Hotel may also supply a robe

By the way it's going to be a cheap budget hotel lol

For the razor comment, yes sadly I have PCOS so hair is an issue on the face.

I'm a contact lens wearer and going away for two nights this week, I'm just taking two cases filled with solution to pop them in each night and my glasses just in case. Small deodorant, toothbrush and paste, eyebrow pencil and mascara. Small tube of moisturiser (I save them from beauty advent calenders). No hairbrush as mine is curly.

I take a thin nightshirt (I too worry about fire alarms in the night), a second set of outer clothes in case of spills/sweat etc, a waterproof poncho if too warm for a coat. Phone and watch chargers.

Change of clothes
toiletries
makeup
phone
kindle
charger
medicaton

The contact solution I have once in the barrel it fizzes so that idea won't work for me sadly. Usually if I get low on a bottle and holiday coming up I just save it and move to a new bottle.

I used to travel for up to 3 days with just a handbag, and that included my laptop in the handbag. You need WAY less than you think.

I have to take a lot of medication and supplements so thats a lot of space straight away, then spare underwear and then the confernce outfit
Something to sit around in the evening (loungewear) which might not be the same as nightwear
comb/hair stuff, toiletries, glasses, spare glasses, reading glasses, sun glasses, contacts, chargers and phone, toiletries
shoes of some description, perhaps two pairs

One change of clothes (or just a top and pants if wearing jeans) socks
Toothbrush, makeup moisturiser deodorant
Phone charger
Laptop and charger
For me personally, shampoo and conditioner as it's a budget hotel.

I have travelled on less but the minimum to be comfortable for me would be

Clean top
Clean knickers
Clean socks
Light pj's
Basic makeup (moisturiser, foundation, blush, mascara, brow pencil, lipstick)
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Shampoo & conditioner
Hairbrush
Face cleanser
Flannel
Usb charger (sometimes I go without the plug and hope the hotel has modern sockets)
Paracetamol & tampons cos you never know.

The hotel will have body wash, and a hair dryer and most likely an iron.

I do a lot of travelling & I've bought a foldable hairbrush and mini versions of all my cosmetics and toiletries so everything fits into a small makeup bag.

The more you cram in the heavier your bag will be so watch out. In the past I've crammed a gym kit & my smallest trainers in as well. But if the hotel has a gym sometimes it's nice to make use of it.

Where are you going? If in a major city, you could try bounce luggage storage?

Clean pants, toothbrush, deodorant and charger.

Toothbrush and travel size toothpaste

Clothes: Wearing dress or top and trousers, cardigan or jacket, socks. Taking - Dress, new packet of tights, change of underwear, something to wear in bed. Makes a folded pile about two inches high at most.

Personal: Shaver, shower gel mini, shampoo mini, stick deodorant, couple of sanitary towels, nail file. Lipgloss, single eyeshadow with applicator, mascara. Hair brush with a couple of bands and a scrunchie wrapped around the handle. Flannel and mini bottle or baby lotion for makeup removal. Toothbrush, mini toothpaste, nightguard/braces in case, contacts and solution/spare glasses. Takes up about the space of half an A4 lever arch file in a couple of ziplock bags.

Other: Phone, charger, spare lead, power bank, laptop only if necessary for work, 2 pens, 1 pencil, notepad, wallet with card separate to phone. Emergency numbers and email addresses on sticker in with card and with laptop. Takes up space of about half an A4 lever arch file.

Maximum packing would be a small wheeled case and a shoulder bag and would also mean adding a second pair of shoes, umbrella, raincoat. Minimum packing (without taking the chance of clothes worn there getting crumpled/stained/laddered) would be the shoulder bag if it's full size laptop size.

Clean underwear
clean top
Nightwear
fresh socks
Toothbrush
hairbrush
make up
cleanser and moisturiser (decanted into travel bottles or small tubs)
deodorant
Phone charger

Keep your clothes by the bed? I can only sleep in the nude.

I often travel overnight for work and just take a rucksack. Nothing massive, just a normal Puma one at the moment.

Socks/tights. I go with a skirt and tights if it's chucking it down with rain as they dry fast.
Top. Smart jumper in enter, non-creasy t-shirt in summer.
Pants.
A vest to wear in the night sometimes.

Toothbrush & paste.
Travel bottle with shampoo.
Mini conditioner.
Mini facewash and flannel to clean face well.
Moisturiser.
Sheet mask as a nice treat.
Deodorant
Hairbrush.
Makeup.
Perfume.

Laptop and phone charger goes in this bag too and a book and whatever sweet treat I picked up at the station. I fit my water bottle on top.

I dry my hair with the dryer that is there but don't straighten it. Use their shower gel don't bother with pyjamas as if the alarm does go off I'm going to pull on my trousers/skirt and a top. Never take a wheeled case anymore, especially on the tube.

Thank you everyone for sharing your insight!
For the person who asked, I'm going to Manchester.

Underwear (including socks), top, toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant, hair brush, insulin, epipen and phone charger.

https://usebounce.com/en/s?query=Manchester%2C+UK&couponCode=&bags=&standardBags=&compactBags=&oddsizeBags=&from=2024-09-22T2200&to=2024-09-22T2300&selectedStoreId=
where you can leave luggage in Manchester..

Clean underwear, conference clothes (dress and tights takes up the least amount of space) probably wear boots to travel and for conference. Same with jacket.
Vest and pj shorts
Toothbrush/paste
Deodorant
Charger
Laptop if needed for work
Earbuds
Travel size shampoo/conditioner or if just one night , straighteners and would wash the day of travel, hairbrush
Minimal make up, bb cream, mascara, lip balm
Easily fits in a backpack

Check the weather at your destination.
I packed light for a conference last week: left one morning with frost on the ground and arrived to 28 degrees. Unbearable. My packing wasn't light as my bag had a winter coat and a jumper in it as well as my toiletries, pants, electronics. Plus I was faint with heat exhaustion in my autumn/winter weight suit.

Cover for the hotel bed so there is no risk I touch it
sheets
towels
every toiletry I will need including hand soap for during the day
…..

I don’t pack light. Even a one night trip require a full size suitcase. I’m allergic to everything I encounter while traveling and need to bring the supplies to minimize the odds of a severe reaction. I’m trying to just keep it down to itchy eyes and a light rash with a combination of physical barriers and drugs.

Extra big t shirt for bed
Roll up jersey type dress
Knee length leggings for wearing in bed or under dress if it's cold
Underwear
Socks
Toothbrush (cheap disposable)
Toothpaste
Pantyliners
Face wash
Razor
Moisturiser samples
Minimal make up
Lip balm
Comb
Hair bobble(in hair)
Phone
AirPods
Charger

I'd wear a comfy coat with a hood
A big scarf

Well if you're going to Manchester then a brolly as well