Thinking a 2 day trip isn’t worth it? A year ago I would have thought the same. The 48 hour getaway can be highly underrated. Don’t knock it til you try it. With the right planning, a weekend trip can be the solution to seeing the world while still maintaining your regular 9-5 job.
Common Misperceptions
If you’re the majority of corporate America, you get 2 weeks paid vacation. That’s hardly enough for one trip abroad, let alone, all the time you get for the whole year. That’s where the beauty of the weekend steps in. You book a Friday evening departure, a Sunday night return and you’re back in the office come Monday. Seems simple enough; however I understand there are some possible obstacles to overcome and here’s how I solve them:
“I don’t think I’ll be able to enjoy a place in just two days.”
And to that I say, “sure you can.” Make a list of the top three (or so) must-do things, pick which days would be best for each, and fill in the rest from there. I think weekend trips are great because even if you’ve never visited the city before, it will give you just enough of a taste for you to decide if you’d like to go back again. And if it’s a destination you frequent—then even better—you’ll be able to navigate your way through the city and have a clear idea of what you like best. I pull the weekend trip mostly to visit friends. It’s perfect because they are hosting and chances are they know what your interests are and can show you around.
“It’s expensive to fly out on a Friday and return on a Sunday.”
Yes, it can be if you don’t plan ahead. Airlines like to jack the prices up on these days because of the high demand. It pays to plan a trip at least a couple months in advance. Prices will typically be lowest about two months out from your planned departure. I either use my Southwest Low-Fare Calendar feature or Hopper to scan for the best deals. Remember you’re only spending a weekend away, so it won’t give you too much time to wreck havoc on your wallet.
“Everything will be crowded on the weekend.”
This can also be true, which is why it’s worth building a loose itinerary for your weekend. Schedule the high-traffic or popular spots for the mornings (as early as possible). Figure out when places open and be ready to be among the first to arrive in order to not waste time in crowds. There are scenarios where a crowd is unavoidable and sometimes it’s best to bring your positive thoughts with you. There’s a reason why places get so crowded—they’re incredible! Take a moment to go with the flow and just enjoy yourself.
“I’ll be exhausted come Monday morning.”
Ah yes, for those worrisome people like myself, this is a common thought. Try to plan any late night activities for Friday night. Chances are, if you head out of the office on Friday evening, you’ll be getting to your destination fairly late anyway, so why not make a night out of it? Then if you don’t go too crazy on Saturday or Sunday night, you’ll give yourself a chance to catch up on sleep. Also, never underestimate the power of getting your nutrients. Let’s be real, you won’t be eating salads the whole weekend! Even if it’s finding a time to sneak in a few vitamins or green juices, this will help your body get what it needs to recover.
I’m fortunate enough to have a flexible PTO policy so I’ll typically take off on a Thursday night, but I’ve definitely had my fair share of 48 hour weekend getaways. It’s a practical approach to traveling as a young professional with a Monday to Friday job commitment. No need to surrender those precious 2 weeks paid vacation. Save those for Europe.
