A Cheaper Weekend Away, From Friday to Sunday

A weekend away can do as much for your mood as a longer vacation, and it does not need a large budget. The biggest savings come from the choices made before you leave, especially where you go and where you sleep, while the rest come from small decisions along the way. Here is a weekend planned from start to finish with costs in mind, followed by the kinds of destinations that tend to offer the best value.

Earlier in the week: choose and book

Stay within driving or rail distance. A destination two or three hours away avoids flights and gives you more time there. Driving with friends or family splits the fuel cost, and trains booked in advance can be good value.

Be flexible on where you stay. Guesthouses, small inns, cabins, campsites and vacation rentals with a kitchen are often cheaper than hotels in the busiest area. A place a short drive from the main attraction can cost much less, and breakfast included can cover one meal a day.

Consider leaving on Saturday morning rather than Friday night if Friday prices are high, or extend to Monday if you can, since Sunday nights are often cheaper at leisure destinations.

Make a short list of free things to do at your destination: parks, trails, beaches, markets, free museums and self-guided walks. Check opening times and any entry or parking fees before you go.

Friday: arrive with supplies

Pack snacks, a refillable water bottle and, if you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, the basics for a couple of simple meals. Stopping at a supermarket near your accommodation is usually cheaper than eating every meal out. If you arrive late, a picnic dinner or takeout keeps the first evening easy and inexpensive.

Saturday: one big day

Plan the main activity for Saturday, when you have the most time. Start early to beat the crowds at popular spots. Pack a lunch for a day outdoors, or choose a lunch special at a local restaurant, which is often cheaper than dinner at the same place. If there is one paid experience you really want, such as a boat trip, a tour or a show, make it the centerpiece and keep the rest of the day free or low cost. Happy hour menus are an inexpensive way to try local food and drink in the early evening.

Sunday: slow down

Keep Sunday relaxed: a walk, a farmers market, a café breakfast or one last look at a favorite spot. Check out on time to avoid fees, and leave early enough to miss the heaviest return traffic.

Destinations that tend to be good value

Small towns. Towns away from major tourist hubs often have lower accommodation prices, local festivals, walking routes and independent shops and restaurants.

Parks and the outdoors. National, state and regional parks offer hiking, scenery and wildlife for an entry fee or less. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for example, charges no entrance fee, although vehicles parking for more than fifteen minutes need a parking tag. Campsites and cabins are usually cheaper than hotels, but popular ones book up early.

Cities, done cheaply. Many cities have free museums or free admission days, public parks, street markets and walkable historic districts. Using public transport instead of ride-hailing, and staying slightly outside the center, keeps costs down.

The coast out of season. Beach towns are often much cheaper just before or after the summer peak, and quieter too. Choose smaller resorts over the most famous ones and bring a picnic for the beach.

A staycation. Sometimes the best value is close to home. Book one night in a neighborhood you rarely visit, try the local attractions you have always skipped, and plan a food walk through markets and bakeries. Without travel costs, more of the budget goes to experiences.

A few final money savers

Set a total budget before you leave and track spending as you go. Sign up for free loyalty programs if you stay with a hotel group, and look for discounts for students, seniors, members of automobile clubs or holders of local library cards, which in some areas give access to museum passes. With a little planning, a weekend away becomes something you can enjoy several times a year rather than saving for one big trip.