A weekend break is the ideal way to satisfy your wanderlust without having to sacrifice your holiday leave, but with so little time, you're going to need some meticulous planning to make the most of it. There are so many ways to ensure your getaway is as amazing as it possibly can be, from saving money on your travel [1] to getting comfortable on the plane [2], regardless of how short the journey is. Here are 9 tips that will help make that short space of time big on impact.
Pinpoint Your Points of Interest
First things first, do a bit of research into where you're going, and decide what you want to see, where you want to eat, where you want to go, etc. We're not suggesting you take all of the spontaneity out of the trip — just pick out a couple of must-dos that are important to you, and then you can arrange your accommodation and arrival point accordingly.
Minimise Your Commute
Once you've made a list of where you want to visit, look for accommodation that is as close by as possible. Yes, an out of town hostel, hotel, or Airbnb is typically going to be cheaper than a central one, but if you end up doing a lot of travelling back and forth, you'll lose out on a significant chunk of time — and money, if you're having to pay for public transport rather than being able to walk.
Maximise Your Time
With just a couple of precious days away, timing matters when it comes to making travel plans for your weekend break. Arrange early morning arrivals on the Saturday, and late night departures on the Sunday, or even travel on Friday evening to fit in as many hours in your destination as possible.
Travel Light
Another way to maximise your time is to only take hand luggage if you're travelling by air. That way, you won't have to wait at the carousel, or deal with the other stresses of checking your luggage [4].
Check Transfers
Some cities have multiple airports and train stations, so pick the most convenient one to arrive at and depart from. Take into consideration how long it will take to get between your arrival point and where you're staying, and how easy it is to transfer between the two. This could save you a significant amount of time (and stress). It's often worth paying a bit extra for a handier route.
Have a Plan
If all you want to do is wander around soaking up the atmosphere and seeing where the mood takes you, then you can ignore this tip. But if you're keen to see as much as possible, or tick off some biggies from your bucket list, you're going to want to get organised. You don't have to set an itinerary for every hour, but you'll be able to cram in more by figuring out in advance where you'll be going and when — finding out which places are near each other will save you lots of time.
Follow the Locals
That being said, the best way to get an authentic experience is to get insider advice when you're on the ground. Leave some gaps to allow you to explore eateries and places that locals have recommended. Chat to the people who are serving you in the bakery or the supermarket, or do a bit of research in advance by asking for tips from friends of friends or on your social media platforms.
Buy Tickets in Advance
If you can pre-book a timed entry slot to your number one attraction, whether that's a museum or an amusement park, then definitely do it. Not only will it save you precious time when you get there, it will also guarantee that you'll get in, and will typically save you money on the gate price too. If there's a fast-track option to beat the queues once you're inside, which many theme parks offer, then the amount of time that saves can often be worth the extra fee.
Set a Budget
If money's tight, then setting a budget will help you enjoy your whole weekend without blowing all your spending money in the first couple of hours. Before you book, set your budget for travel and accommodation, and then when you're there, allocate your travel money to food, visits, souvenirs, etc.