How to Plan the Perfect Weekend Away

Guide to Planning the Perfect Weekend Away

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of planning a weekend away. A quick escape from daily life, a change of scenery, and the chance to make some great memories—what’s not to love? Whether you’re jetting off for a city break, escaping to the countryside, or heading to the coast, a well-planned weekend getaway can feel just as refreshing as a full-blown holiday.

Here’s how to plan the perfect weekend away, complete with lots of useful links for websites, apps and tools for planning your ideal trip.

The Joy of a Weekend Getaway

Weekends at home are great, but sometimes, you just need to get away from day-to-day life and domestic drudgery. A weekend trip is the perfect way to break out of your routine, recharge your batteries, and enjoy a little adventure.

A weekend away gives you the chance to explore a new place, try different foods, and experience something exciting, all without having to take too much time off work or spend a fortune. It’s a chance to recharge, refocus and reconnect with whoever you’re with (including yourself if you’re having a glorious solo trip).

Why Planning a Weekend Away is Important

Spontaneity is fun and all, but when you’ve only got 2-3 days to play with, planning is everything! If you want to have a great weekend away, you need to plan, and plan well. Once you’ve settled on your destination, have fun researching all the things you might want to do there (as well as the stuff you’re happy to leave out). Good planning means you can fit in everything you want to do, stay within budget, and avoid last-minute stress.

Trying to plan the perfect weekend away can be a challenge. You may not know where to go, what to do or how much time and money you should set aside for your trip. Proper planning will help you stay on top of it all and make sure that you get everything you want from your trip.

So, where do you start? Follow these steps to plan a weekend getaway that’s fun, stress-free, and absolutely unforgettable.

How to Plan the Perfect Weekend Away

A weekend away is a great opportunity to recharge your batteries, enjoy a mini-adventure and have some quality time. Here’s how to start planning that weekend getaway:

1. Decide What You Want From Your Weekend Away

The “perfect” weekend away will be different for everyone. It obviously depends on what you enjoy doing, where you want to go and the time of year. Take the time to consider what you’d like your trip to look like.

Action-packed or laid-back? Far-flung destination or closer to home? Planes, trains or automobiles? Urban vibe or rural idyll? Getting a good idea of the type of trip you want will help you pick the perfect destination.

Are you craving a relaxing spa weekend, an adventure-packed getaway, or a foodie city break? Consider:

Knowing what you want will help you choose the right destination and activities.

You might also like:

10 Ideas for Weekend Micro-Adventures

75 Activities to Enjoy with your Family this Weekend

How to Plan the Perfect Weekend Away

2. Set Your Weekend Away Budget

Before you pick your weekend getaway destination, first set your budget. Travel, accommodation, and spending money needs will obviously vary hugely depending on where you go, so deciding on your budget first will help you to narrow down destination ideas.

Bigger budget doesn’t always mean better! If your budget is small, a city break within a few hours drive of where you live can be a really fun weekend away.

Before you start booking, decide how much you’re willing to spend. Factor in:

3. Pick the Perfect Destination

This could be either the easiest or hardest step, depending on whether there’s somewhere you’re already set on going. If you’re keen to visit a particular city or attraction, then skip straight to the researching and booking stage!

If you don’t have any fixed ideas, then pick a type of break (city / countryside / coast / theme park / etc) and enjoy researching possible destinations. If you’re flying, start by checking out the best deals on flights from your local airport. You can use https://www.kayak.com/explore to see deals from where you live.

Keep in mind, the perfect weekend away is not just about where you are going, but also what you can do when you get there. You might find a great deal on a hotel somewhere but not have anything to do nearby. Get the balance of location and activities right and you’re well on your way to an amazing weekend away.

If you already have a place in mind, great! If not, here are some ways to find inspiration:

Remember to consider travel time—if you only have a weekend, you don’t want to spend half of it in transit.

4. Choose The Best Time for Your Weekend Getaway

The obvious answer to when to go on a weekend away is when you have the time off work and the money to spend. But remember that not all weekends are equal: weekends during holiday seasons are busier and more expensive than others, some destinations will be a really different experience depending on the season, etc.

If you have the flexibility to travel outside of school holidays and holiday weekends, then take it! Your trip will likely be cheaper and less crowded.

Some places are best visited in certain seasons, and some weekends are more expensive than others. If you have flexibility, consider:

5. Research Your Destination Before You Go

Once you’ve decided where you want to go – and how you’ll get there – it’s time to get researching (my favourite part of planning a trip!)

Do your homework now and it will pay off when you get to your destination. First on your list should be researching the best places to stay (which areas, hotels, apartments etc) and what the transport options are like nearby. Is it walkable? A great deal on a hotel won’t seem so great if it’s not central and you end up having to spend loads of time on public transport or blow a fortune on taxis or Ubers.

Next up should be the sights and activities you want to see and do. Get your must-do items on a list and then add in any extras you’d like to do if you have the time.

You can also start checking out the best restaurants, cafes and bars for your trip. Other things to research might be the parks and beaches, walks, and other free things to do.

Destination Checklist:

Great Resources for Research:

6. Book Your Accommodation In Advance

Even if you love to stay as flexible and spontaneous as possible when you travel, the limited time you have on a weekend away means you don’t want to eat into that time finding accommodation when you arrive.

Make your weekend more relaxing by booking your accommodation in advance – and by staying in one place the whole weekend. Moving about will also cut into your fun time!

Depending on where you’re going, you don’t have to stick just to hotels. If you’re going to a rural or coastal location, then holiday cottages, guesthouses, campsites are all good options. And you’ll find Airbnb rentals available in just about every destination.

Booking your accommodation in advance will also usually secure you the best rate. Websites like Booking.com and Expedia are great for finding deals.

7. Plan Your Transport

Make sure you know how you’re getting to and from your destination. Book flights, trains, or buses early for the best prices. If you’re driving, check parking options.

Once you’re there, figure out local transport:

Use Rome2Rio to find the best transport options. I went on an extended trip around France and Italy last summer and I used Rome2Rio for everything! It’s available on the website or as an app.

8. Make a Plan For Each Day

With just a few days to play with, it will really help to make the most of your time if you come up with a rough plan for each day. If you’ve already got your must-do lists of activities, tours, restaurants, attractions etc, then this should be pretty easy. Remember to factor in opening/closing times and travel time in between locations.

If your plans are weather-dependant, then you might want to leave this until the day before you go so you have the most up-to-date forecast.

If you’re planning a laid-back weekend away, then of course you can include things like an afternoon of people-watching at a destination café. It’s your weekend and you’ll know what fits your plans and mood.

For popular attractions, tours, and restaurants, booking ahead saves time and avoids disappointment.

Useful sites for bookings:

9. What To Pack For a Weekend Away

The best packing rule for a weekend away is pack light! (And I say this as someone who finds it really hard to pack light.) You don’t need 10 different outfit choices or 6 pairs of shoes. Try to pack one weather-flexible outfit per day (layers are your friend!) and comfortable walking shoes.

Packing light makes travel easier. Stick to essentials. My recommendations for weekend packing are:

• A lightweight suitcase or holdall – preferably something that either has wheels or is easy to carry on your back
• Packing cubes – they make it so easy to organise your luggage!
• Your favourite walking shoes
• One outfit per day (with layers for temperature changes)
• Nightwear and underwear
• A lightweight day-bag – preferably a backpack to avoid sore shoulders
• Lightweight rain jacket
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for hot weather
• Hat, scarf and gloves for cold weather
• Travel-sized toiletries and basic makeup items
• Universal plug adaptor
• Portable battery pack for phone
• Headphones
• Book or kindle
• Wallet / cash / passport / tickets
• Guidebook / map / notes about your destination

10. Have a Backup Plan

Not everything will go to plan on any trip, so be prepared. If bad weather cancels your outdoor activity, have an indoor backup option. If a restaurant is full, have a second choice. But mostly, be prepared to change your plans and go with the flow if necessary.

Weekend Away Planning Checklist

Now all that’s left to do is enjoy your trip! Whether it’s a whirlwind city break or a peaceful countryside retreat, a well-planned weekend away can be just the refresh you need.

Where will your next weekend getaway take you?