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?!

Just to query--pants in British English means 'underwear'. You wouldn't wear them twice, I don't think. Did you mean 'trousers'?

toothbrush and knickers

Superdrug do a great range of miniatures and normally on 3 for 2. Loads more choice than in Boots.

If the conference I'm going to in Manchester is any indication, you definitely don't need to take your own notebook and pen - there will be loads there!

Toothbrush and hairbrush.

For me, toothbrush, toothpaste, clean knickers socks and top (I'd wear the sane trousers), my make up bag and phone charger.

I did pretty much this last month, although I was able to stay overnight with a friend rather than a hotel. I took a (what I consider to be) normal size backpack and a handbag.

I packed:
light pjs, underwear, conference outfit (mine was work trousers and a blouse. I suppose a dress and tights would pack smaller), charger, kindle, small toiletries bag - toothbrush, mini toothpaste, minimal makeup, medication, contacts (I wear daily ones). Fortunately I was able to use my friend’s shower stuff and hairdryer and straighteners. If a hotel is just take the straighteners and possibly some mini toiletries probably taken from hotels in the first place!

I wore a conference appropriate cardigan, shoes and coat to travel in.

At the conference I got given a bag full of stuff including many pens and a notepad!

I was able to leave my backpack and coat at the coat check at the conference and I just had essentials for the day in my handbag.

I’ve always looked through magazines or other places so have a few sachets of shampoo, moisturiser and so on. Or if people give me travel toiletries in a bag I use them.

Ive stayed out without planning to and taken with me a sum total of nothing and survived just fine.

For a hotel, planned, my absolute minimum is a pair of knickers, phone and charger. Everything else is optional or can be bought there.

Ideally for comfort I’d add my own toothbrush, change of clothes, eyeliner, and sun cream.

Some of these lists are more than I took on a three week trip.

Do you need to travel light? I'd just take a small suitcase and check it at the coat checkin. I have one I use for overnight stays because I have a back issue.

Hair dryer, straighteners, mini toiletries, pjs, change of clothes and shoes, book. Then there's a space for my laptop / chargers in the front pocket so I tuck a tote bag in if I need to carry them about too.

You beat me to it!!

Assuming you have your own room, sleep naked or in your knickers and the top you wore that day. That saves on nightwear.
Wear dark trousers so they can be worn on the second day. At this time of year, you're unlikely to sweat much so bra could probably get a second day's wear too.
Use hotel soaps / shampoos.

My packing list is therefore:

Clean knickers
Clean top
Clean socks
Toothbrush and travel size toothpaste
Deodorant (travel size)
Facial moisturiser (travel size or decant into little pot)
Face wipes (take a couple in a ziplock bag)
Mascara (I'll manage without other make up)
Perfume (decanted into a Travelo spray)
Mini hairbrush
Power bank and cables for charging phone and Apple Watch
Lip balm
Pack of tissues
Water bottle to refill
Purse
Phone

obviously I’ll be wearing a bra trousers top and a coat of some sort

I would bag in a rucksack
Clean top
Clean knickers
Clean socks
Light pj's
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Hairbrush
Flannel
charger
HRT (for you that would be contact solution instead)
tweezers
Paracetamol

optional I might add but prob not unless I knew I didn’t have a lot of walking with the bag
book
maybe shampoo if I know I’ll need to wash my hair. (See next item)
Maybe swimming costume if I knew the hotel had a pool but not likely in your scenario.

plus the usual stuff in my handbag which include my phone, bank card, purse, an emergency tampon and headphones and a pen

Oh I forgot to add deodorant

and hand sanitizer is in my handbag too

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

For rewearable contact lenses, put fresh solution into the pots that you put your contact lenses in overnight, and just take that. If you feel anxious about problems, do the same in a spare set. Takes much less space than a 250ml bottle

Edit for spelling

Yes, that's what I do, I have kept several of them for this purpose.

This.

Surprised no one would take a spare pair of trousers? Especially after a day of travel.

This weekend, I've done
Hairbrush, toothbrush, tiny toothpaste
Shower gel, deodorant, HRT spray
2 knickers, pads, 1 pair socks
PJs (remembered for a change!)
Clean top for tomorrow
Power bank, plug, charging cables
Phone, iPad, headphones
Pen, notebook, umbrella, glasses
All packed into my work backpack (1 packing cube for clothes, a zipper pouch for toiletries and a zipped pouch for cables etc), along with my laptop and work papers.

I wore a trousers and hoodies that will do 2 days, sleeveless puffer, runners. If I was doing work meetings/conference, I would wear plain trousers and jacket and one plain top to travel/day 1, but a different top for 2nd day, and 2 different necklaces, wearing flat loafers. I would also have a small makeup kit but I'm happy to use hotel shampoo etc. I do a lot of 2 day/1 night trips.

Pretty much exactly this. I would also add fresh socks and a panty-liner, and some earplugs.

If you don't want to spend two days in same trousers you may want to:
-Buy wool/cotton ones who don't get funky smell after ages in them.
Or
-Put dress and tights for the second day as it covers both top and bottoms.

Also get chwing gum and lipstick or nice necklace in case there is a dinner event.
Enjoy your time :)

Well I might do once iv done the pick up and check how heavy my bag is to lug around check 😂

it also depends on the choice of trousers iv decided to wear wether I know I would feel ok about wearing them for two days.

also I know the moment I’m in my room those pyjama trousers are going on even if I’m only in there for an hour before going back out to eat or something!

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain

Suppose there’s a fire drill in the middle of the night?! Bring night wear.

I mean I would bring a lightweight nightie, but most hotels have their fire drills in the day time, so as not to disturb sleeping guests.