25 Reading Essentials for a Weekend Getaway You’ll Be Glad You Packed

I absolutely love planning a weekend getaway.

This is whenever I can manage to find a couple of days to escape routine, explore somewhere new, and maybe, just maybe, finally get lost in a book without feeling guilty about ignoring chores.

For me, traveling and reading go hand-in-hand. 

But when I first started taking reading seriously on trips, I made every rookie mistake possible. 

I packed books that didn’t fit the mood, forgot to charge my Kindle, brought no backup plan, and once even carried a hardcover so big it felt like I was dragging around a brick.

So, I decided to get intentional. 

This list is part packing guide, part love letter to the kind of reading that only happens when you’re away from home. 

It’s personal, it’s based on my own little travel experiments, and it’s the advice I wish someone had given me years ago.

1. Choosing the Right Book Format for the Trip

The first time I traveled with a hardcover, I swore it would be the last. 

I adore hardcovers. They look gorgeous on my shelf, they feel solid in my hands, and some even smell faintly of fresh ink. 

But try stuffing one into a carry-on or balancing it in a cramped café seat, and suddenly they lose a bit of their charm.

So, I started thinking about format as a travel decision. 

Here’s my breakdown:

1. E-books: Perfect for light packers or indecisive readers (me). You can carry dozens of books without adding extra weight.

2. Paperbacks: Ideal if you want the tactile joy of turning pages without breaking your back. If it’s a well-worn copy, you won’t mind bending the spine a little while reading on a park bench.

3. Audiobooks: My secret weapon for trips involving walking tours, bus rides, or lazy strolls along the beach. Sometimes I’ll read with my ears while exploring, and it’s like getting two experiences at once.

I usually bring two formats. A small paperback for those cozy moments indoors and my Kindle for variety. That way I can switch depending on my mood.

Packing list for this essential:

1. Chosen book(s)

2. E-reader + charging cable

3. Protective sleeve or pouch

4. Wired or wireless headphones (for audiobooks)

2. A Fully Prepared E-Reader 

This tip comes from the trip where I ended up with nothing to read. 

I’d downloaded only samples on my Kindle and assumed I could grab the full books once I got there. 

Except, no Wi-Fi, no bookstore nearby, and no signal strong enough for downloading anything.

Since then, my pre-trip e-reader routine looks like this:

1. Charge fully. Don’t trust that you’ll have time or outlets available when you arrive.

2. Download at least three complete books in different genres. That way, if I’m not in the mood for one, I can jump to another.

3. Check brightness and font settings. Sometimes I read in dim rooms or outside in bright sunlight, so I adjust before leaving.

4. Turn off unnecessary apps or Wi-Fi to save battery. I also make a little Weekend Books folder so I’m not scrolling endlessly through my library when I should be reading.

3. My Cozy Travel Reading Kit

I have learned that reading away from home isn’t just about the book.

I have a small zip pouch that comes with me on every trip. Inside is my reading comfort kit:

1. A soft scarf or shawl that is always useful for chilly evenings or overly air-conditioned cafés.

2. Blue-light blocking glasses. My eyes thank me when I read on a screen for hours.

3. A mini book light for late-night reading when I’m sharing a room.

4. Sticky tabs or a pen for marking quotes or thoughts (yes, I’m that person).

5. A packet of tissues because books sometimes hurt feelings, and I like to be prepared.

This little kit means I can make almost any space feel like my own personal reading corner, whether it’s a hostel lounge or a quiet spot by the lake.

4. Waterproof Protection (Because Accidents Happen)

This might sound dramatic, but I live in constant fear of my books or Kindle getting wet. 

My Samsung S20 FE fell into a bucket of water on Monday (the 4th) and I was literally tweaking. I had to locate the nearest Samsung store before it was fixed.

I’ve avoided water for most of my life (seriously, I can’t swim), but somehow drinks, rain, and random splashes always find me when I travel.

So now I always carry:

1. A waterproof sleeve for my Kindle or book.

2. A resealable bag as backup (cheap and surprisingly effective).

I once got caught in a sudden rainstorm on a trip and had to sprint back to my hotel with my scarf wrapped around my Kindle. Never again.

If you’re heading somewhere near the ocean, pool, or even just a very humid place, this step isn’t optional. It’s essential.

5. Finding Your Reading Spot at Your Destination

There’s reading, and then there’s getaway reading. 

The latter is more than just opening a book. I always enjoy sinking into a place that feels made for losing track of time.

Here’s what I do when I check in somewhere:

1. Scan the room for natural light sources. Windows are my best friends.

2. Test the seating. Nothing kills the vibe faster than a chair that makes your back ache after ten minutes.

3. Look for quiet corners even in bustling hotels, there’s often a tucked-away spot in the lobby.

4. Claim it. I put my reading kit there right away so it feels like my corner.

Some of my best getaway memories are tied to these spots: a small balcony with a creaky chair, a lakeside bench, a sunny café table.

6. Snacks and Drinks That Feel Like You

You can buy snacks anywhere, but you can’t always buy your snacks. 

I learned this when I spent a weekend in a small town that had nothing even close to my favorite Fab cookie. 

I ended up eating plain crackers for the entire weekend.

Now I pack:

1. My own cookies.

2. A reusable water bottle.

3. Snacks that travel well (nuts, biscuits, dried fruit).

Sometimes I even bring a small thermos so I can make tea and take it to my reading spot. 

The comfort of sipping something familiar makes me settle into my book faster, no matter how new the surroundings are.

7. A Travel-Friendly Reading Journal

I started carrying a reading journal on trips because I realized how much I forget. 

I genuinely forget how a book made me feel in a certain place.

I keep it simple and take a pocket-sized notebook, as well one pen (and a backup).

My travel journaling habit:

1. Write the date and location.

2. Note the book I’m reading.

3. Jot one feeling or thought the book gave me.

It doesn’t take more than a few minutes, but it turns into a little time capsule.

Later, I can open that journal and instantly remember reading a particular book under a certain tree or while it rained outside my hotel window.

8. Noise-Cancelling (or at Least Noise-Reducing) Gear

This tip was born from frustration. 

I once tried reading at a train station café and got through maybe two pages before giving up. 

Between the announcements, conversations, and rolling suitcases, I couldn’t focus.

Since then, I travel with:

1. Noise-cancelling headphones (worth every penny).

2. A downloaded playlist for background reading music.

3. Foam earplugs for when I want silence without the bulk of headphones.

Even if you’re not an audiobook person, headphones can be your shield against the chaos of travel.

9. A Book Selection Strategy That Matches the Trip

If there’s one mistake I’ve made over and over, it’s packing books based on ambition rather than enjoyment. 

I’ve lugged literary tomes that I barely opened because they didn’t fit the mood of my getaway.

Now my selection rule is this: Pack for the mood you want, not the image you think you should have.

I usually bring:

1. One immersive book (thriller, historical fiction, or sweeping fantasy).

2. One light book (romance or contemporary fiction).

3. One audiobook for movement-heavy days.

Having these options means I’m covered whether I want to be swept away or just lightly entertained.

10. The Always-Have-a-Backup Rule

Even with all my planning, there’s always the risk of running out of reading material. 

I’ve finished a book on the second day of a trip before and had nothing else lined up, which is a horrible feeling for a book lover.

Now I pack a backup read that’s short, engaging, and requires zero commitment, like:

1. A short story collection.

2. A poetry book.

3. A magazine I’ve been saving.

It’s my safety net, and it’s saved me from bookless boredom more than once.

Reading while traveling is one of my favorite things in the world, but it doesn’t just happen. You have to put in atleast a little work. 

The right book format, a cozy spot, familiar snacks, and small comforts like my reading kit turn any trip into a true reading retreat.

When I think back on past getaways, my best memories aren’t just of the places I visited but of the stories I read there. 

So, when you pack for your next weekend trip, remember: your reading essentials are just as important as your clothes. Maybe even more important.