Planning a cheap weekend trip is easier than most people think. You do not need expensive flights, luxury hotels, or expensive restaurants to enjoy a trip. With a little planning, you can take short trips that are fun, relaxing, and affordable. Weekend trips are great because you do not need a lot of vacation time, and you can travel close to home and still have a great experience.
A cheap weekend trip is really about planning ahead, choosing the right location, and keeping travel, food, and activities within a budget.
Choose a Location Close to Home
One of the best ways to plan a cheap weekend trip is to choose a location that is close enough to drive. Flights are usually the most expensive part of traveling, so avoiding flights can save a lot of money.
Good cheap weekend trip ideas:
- State parks
- Beaches
- Lakes
- Mountains
- Small towns
- Historic towns
- National parks
- Campgrounds
- Nearby cities
- Scenic drives
Driving 1 to 4 hours away can feel like a real trip without spending a lot of money.
Travel With Friends or Family
Traveling with others can make a cheap weekend trip even cheaper because you can share costs like gas, hotel, food, and parking. Splitting expenses between several people can make a trip much more affordable.
For example, if a hotel costs $120 per night and four people stay in one room, each person only pays $30 per night.
Find Cheap Places to Stay
Hotels are often the biggest expense on a weekend trip, but there are ways to find cheaper places to stay.
Ways to save money on lodging:
- Budget hotels
- Motels
- Airbnb
- Campgrounds
- Cabins
- Hostels
- Staying with friends or family
- Travel deals websites
- Booking early
- Traveling off-season
Sometimes staying just outside a popular city is much cheaper than staying in the city center.
Save Money on Food
Food can become very expensive when traveling, but there are easy ways to keep food costs low on a cheap weekend trip.
Ways to save money on food:
- Bring snacks
- Bring drinks
- Pack sandwiches
- Stay at a hotel with free breakfast
- Share meals
- Eat lunch out instead of dinner
- Go to grocery stores instead of restaurants
- Use a cooler for drinks and food
- Bring a small travel coffee maker
- Avoid tourist restaurants
Food savings alone can save a lot of money during a weekend trip.
Find Free Things to Do
One of the best parts of planning a cheap weekend trip is finding free activities. Many of the best travel experiences are free.
Free activities include:
- Walking around a town
- Hiking trails
- Beaches
- Parks
- Scenic overlooks
- Museums (free days)
- Farmers markets
- Festivals
- Historic downtown areas
- Local events
- Nature trails
- Lakes and rivers
You do not need expensive attractions to enjoy a trip.
Pack Before You Go
Packing ahead of time helps avoid spending money on things you forgot.
Bring:
- Snacks
- Water
- Phone charger
- Car charger
- Blanket
- Backpack
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Umbrella
- Travel toiletries
- Cooler
- Reusable water bottle
Buying forgotten items during a trip is usually more expensive.
Plan Your Budget Before the Trip
Before leaving, decide how much you want to spend on the cheap weekend trip.
Budget categories:
- Gas
- Hotel
- Food
- Activities
- Parking
- Emergency money
If you plan your budget before the trip, it is much easier to avoid overspending.
You may also want to read our guide on Is Buying in Bulk Cheaper since saving money on everyday expenses can help you afford more trips and travel experiences.
For travel planning and budgeting tips, you can also visit travel budgeting resources and planning tools available through consumer travel websites.aaa.com
Final Thoughts on Planning a Cheap Weekend Trip
Planning a cheap weekend trip does not mean the trip will not be fun. In fact, many cheap trips are more relaxing and enjoyable because you are not worried about spending too much money. Traveling close to home, packing food, finding free activities, and planning ahead can help you take more trips throughout the year without spending a lot of money.
Weekend trips are one of the best ways to travel more often, see new places, and take a break from everyday life without needing a large travel budget.
Cheap Weekend Trip FAQ
How much should a weekend trip cost?
It depends on location, but many cheap weekend trips can be done for $100–$300.
Is it cheaper to travel Friday or Saturday?
Friday is usually cheaper for hotels than Saturday in many places.
How far should a weekend trip be?
1 to 4 hours driving distance is usually perfect for a weekend trip.
What is the cheapest way to travel for a weekend?
Driving, bringing your own food, and staying in budget hotels or camping.
Weekend Travel Discussion
Do you prefer beach trips, mountain trips, city trips, or small town trips for a weekend getaway? Short trips can sometimes be more relaxing than long vacations.