We’d all love two (or three!) uninterrupted weeks of vacation. Unless you’re European, though, that isn’t likely to happen. For my fellow Americans, that doesn’t mean we have to give up on the vacation dream.
What we need is a weekend getaway.
Why Take a Weekend Trip?
Research shows that short getaways can have just as many benefits, if not more than, longer vacations. The key is in anticipation — planning something to look forward to, no matter how long the event actually lasts.
It’s important to be real, though.
The secret to successful weekend travel — either locally or internationally — is understanding that you won’t be able to see everything in 48 hours. It’s literally impossible. But once you come to terms with your physical and logistical limits, you can shake off any unrealistic travel expectations and enjoy the journey ahead.
A two-day trip is essentially a crash-course in your destination. If you end up falling in love with the city you’re visiting, you can always make plans to go back.
Whether you’re planning a stand-alone weekend vacation, extending a workcation, or sneaking in some personal exploration during a study abroad program, try these eight steps for planning the best weekend vacations without feeling like you’re settling for something less.
Planning Tips for the Best Weekend Trips
1. Make an attractions list.
Whether you’re visiting a major metropolitan area or a small fishing village, chances are you already have a few attractions in mind. To make sure you’re not overlooking any must-sees, spend some time researching popular spots.
As you browse, grab a sheet of paper and take a few notes on anything that seems interesting. Don’t worry too much about price or timing just yet. You’ll be able to revise your list later. Right now, we’re just brainstorming.
2. Make a personal interests list.
On a new sheet of paper (or Word document/phone note/spreadsheet), write down a brief list of your personal interests. Anything from hiking to history, architecture to athletics, or shopping to scuba will do.
From there, circle the activities that might be feasible in your destination. Scuba diving is great, but you could be hard-pressed to pursue that hobby during your weekend in Prague. Dream big, but stay realistic.
3. Find the overlaps.
As you review your notes, determine which tourist attractions overlap with your personal interests. If you know you aren’t a big fan of art, it’s okay to skip the Louvre in favor of a walking tour through Paris. If you’re a huge beer-lover, give yourself permission to spend an afternoon on a guided tour of Dublin’s Guinness factory.
During one of my semesters abroad, a friend I made was an avid rock climber. Regardless of where his travels took him, George always managed to find a rock wall — either indoor or natural — for a few hours of climbing. For George, rock climbing was an easy way to mingle with the local community in his destination and blow off some steam.
There’s value in prioritizing activities that bring you joy, no matter where your travels take you.
4. Pick your top three.
Once you’ve narrowed down your attractions, pick the top three activities that you would like to prioritize during your mini getaway. While it might be tempting to only pick the best-known attractions, try to balance what’s popular with what you genuinely enjoy.
5. Dig into the logistics.
This step tends to be the trickiest part of the planning process. Time is precious on a weekend trip, so take a hard look at your resources and availability.
To help you decide whether your plan is feasible, here are a few key items to consider.
What time will you arrive at and depart from your city?
Remember you want to maximize your time at your destination, so when you travel matters.
Book the first or last flight of the day, even though it’s painful to wake up at 3 a.m. to go to the airport. Trust me. It’s worth it! Get cozy in your airplane seat, snuggle into your pillow, and catch some Z’s en route.
How will you pack?
This isn’t about what goes in your bag, although having a weekend trip packing list isn’t a bad idea. At this stage, you’re thinking about carry-on versus checked luggage, a small backpack versus full suitcase.
This not only impacts your budget, especially if you’re flying, but also how easily you can get around. Don’t waste your limited time wrestling with luggage or waiting at baggage claim.
Where will you stay? How far away is it from your chosen attractions?
Like buying a house, hotel hunting is all about location, location, location. Weigh budget with time and convenience. If you’re on the fringe of the action, your accommodations will likely be cheaper. But you’ll also spend more time and money on transportation getting to the attractions on your list.
“I recently traveled to New York City, and the hotel I stayed in was right off Times Square,” said Seven Corners travel writer Kylie Stine. “While the cost per night may have been a bit more expensive than a room in a different borough, almost everything I wanted to do and see was within walking distance.
“Plus, staying in Midtown meant it took roughly the same amount of time to get to the upper and lower east and west villages. Time is money, people, and I saved a lot of it by staying in a central location.”
How much will transportation cost?
Figure out how you’ll not only get to your destination city, but also how you’ll travel to different attractions, and price out both.
If you’re taking public transportation, look into multi-fare rates. Sometimes buying a pre-paid card or a two-day pass for the bus line, subway, or train system saves you money.
Also determine how long travel to different attractions will take.
Is there an admission fee for any of your attractions?
Like transportation, you can look for package deals. Some cities or museum systems offer discounts if you plan to visit more than one of their sites. And sometimes getting a membership pass, even if you’re only there for the weekend, works to your financial advantage.
About how much time will you spend at each location?
Two activities each day might not sound like a lot, but if one of them is the British Museum, for example, you could easily spend all day and still not see everything. Budgeting your time is just as important as budgeting your money.
You may find that some items on your initial itinerary aren’t a good fit for your weekend trip. They might be too time-consuming, too expensive, or too far away.
Although it can be tough to pass up certain activities, focus on making the most out of your 48 hours. Revisiting your two lists can help you find more suitable alternatives.
6. Don’t forget about food.
It’s no secret that I love food. No matter where I travel, I always like to prioritize my meals. That said, without a solid strategy, eating out can be costly and can take up a surprising amount of your limited time.
My favorite meal-planning strategy is to stay at a hotel or hostel that offers free breakfast. This saves time in the morning and money that would otherwise be spent at a restaurant.
From there, I like to plan for one “fancy” lunch or dinner per day. Whether that’s eating at a renowned French bistro or enjoying a three-course “menu del día” in Spain, I don’t mind paying a little extra for a memorable dining experience.
For my third meal, I try to prioritize cheap, local eats. From farmers’ markets to street vendors, I’ve found that affordable meals aren’t hard to find if you do a little research in advance.
7. Build your schedule.
Now that you’ve picked your main attractions and planned your meals, take a few minutes to build a loose schedule for yourself. If it’s necessary, you can also use this time to make reservations and buy tickets in advance.
With only three main activities, you might notice that your schedule looks fairly sparse. That’s normal. Personally, I’m a firm believer in down-time during travel. It allows for a bit of spontaneity throughout your stay.
If you feel like you have too many gaps in your schedule, though, feel free to return to your attractions list and add another activity to your itinerary.
To get an idea of what your schedule could look like, check out my itinerary for a weekend in Paris, where a friend and I had just 48 hours and $250 to spend in the City of Light.
8. Be flexible.
For me, this simple exercise was a godsend while planning my weekend trips. That said, it’s important to think of your weekend travel plans as guidelines rather than a rigid schedule.
Don’t get too attached to your itinerary. Your plans will likely change over the course of your stay. Whether your bus runs late or you stumble across a restaurant with amazing döner kebab, you’ll want to have the flexibility to relax and enjoy wherever your adventures take you.
At the end of the day, isn’t that what travel is all about?
Keep Traveling
You sampled your destination for a mere weekend, and you fell in love. Now what?
Get more travel tips and inspiration at the Seven Corners blog. We can help you be prepared when you finally have the chance to explore and immerse yourself in your new favorite place.
