Tips for Planning Your Next Weekend Trip
A vacation doesn’t have to be a once or twice-per-year event. Make a vacation out of any free weekend you have by planning a weekend trip! A weekend trip is just that: a fast and fun excursion that takes you away from your home for the weekend.
You only have 48 hours of fun before Monday morning arrives, so you’ve got to make the most of your weekend trip while it lasts. Here are a few tips that will help you plan a getaway that’ll be fun and memorable.
Choose a Destination
The first thing you’ve got to do is plan a fun destination to visit. Remember, a weekend trip means you only have two days to get there and back again (three days if it’s a holiday weekend). That means that if you’re living in the United States, you probably won’t have enough time to escape to Europe, unless your idea of a weekend trip is to spend a couple measly hours in the London airport.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t take a flight somewhere. But, ideally, your flight would only be a few hours long. The less time you spend flying, the more time you’ll get to spend exploring whatever destination you’re flying to.
Still, the best weekend trips are in areas just outside your city. Take a road trip into the backcountry, or to another city or adjacent state. Scout out destinations and routes via satellite maps, and figure out how long it will take you to drive there.
Of course, you don’t have to take your vehicle. Travel by rail on board a commuter train! This is truly one of the most relaxing ways to travel. You won’t have to worry about driving and will be able to kick back and enjoy the passing scenery. Most commuter trains and food and drink cars that offer refreshments, including beer and wine. The only downside to a train is that you’ll be more limited to the number of bags you can bring (unless you want to pay baggage fees), but on a weekend trip you won’t have to bring much more than your travel essentials and your sense of adventure.
Figure Out What You’re Going to Wear
On a weekend trip, comfort is a must. Many weekend trips involve lots of hiking, exploring, and walking, so if that’s on your itinerary then be sure to dress in comfortable attire. But if you plan on eating out at a nice restaurant or exploring the nightlife in the destination you’re visiting, make sure you bring some dressier clothes, too. It’s only a weekend trip, so you don’t have to pack too much. But try and pack versatile clothes that you can use for both dressy and casual affairs.
But pack appropriately. If you’re going glamping in Florida, you probably won’t need to bring as much camping gear as you would if you were going camping in a tent. Also be sure to do research on what the weather conditions will be like so you can dress for the climate. For more packing tips, read this article on what to wear on a weekend getaway.
Make a Budget
Most weekend getaways are cheap (travelers want to save their money for a longer, 7-day vacation). But you can totally splurge on a weekend trip—you could, for instance, put yourself up in a fancy hotel, or stay at a resort and spa.
Whether you plan on booking high-class amenities, or if you’re going to stay in a camp or hostel, make a budget that best accommodates your trip and your finances. Remember to bring some amount of cash with you, even if you don’t plan on paying for anything with cash. Cash is good to have in case your credit or debit card goes missing.
Plan Your To-Do List
When you’ve determined where you’re going and how much you have to spend, use a website like TripAdvisor to discover what the most popular activities and attractions are in that area. TripAdvisor will also tell you how much that attraction costs. It’s a great way to find the most fun stuff to do, while also staying within your budget.
Now you’re ready to go adventure or relax! Have a terrific weekend trip!
