Essential Day Trip Tips
I am a big day trip enthusiast. In fact, I have an entire category on my website devoted to day trips in various destinations around the world. Day trips are a major part of my travel style. I love to pick a city to stay in as a base, and then take day trips from there to explore more of the surrounding area.
It’s logistically easier, and makes it so that you don’t have to constantly pack up and switch destinations and hotels every night or two. Instead, you have a “base” to return to each night.
The beauty of day trips is that you can also take them at home. It’s even easier to do at home, and it saves you money because you’re not paying to stay overnight somewhere. You simply return home that night. Day trips are a fun way to incorporate a little bit of travel and adventure into your daily life.
But how do you plan the perfect day trip? There’s an art to it. If you do it wrong, you might end up disappointed and feel like your day trip was too hectic, rushed, expensive, or otherwise just not worth it.
So here are my top day trip tips to help you plan the perfect day out:
1. Research day trip destinations
The first thing you’ll want to do is research day trip destinations before you go. Just Googling “day trips from X” is a good starting point. You might even discover some hidden gem day trip destinations.
For example, almost everyone knows about visiting Versailles on a day trip from Paris. It’s one of the most popular Paris day trips. But what if you’ve already been there, or want to go somewhere less crowded? There are actually several other chateaux near Paris that are underrated and beautiful to visit instead.
When researching day trip destinations, think about what you want out of your day trip. Is it history and architecture? Nature and outdoor activities? Museums and culture? Or maybe food and drink? Decide exactly what your interests are to help you narrow down the perfect day trip destination.
2. Choose the right day to go
This mainly applies to day trips when you’re traveling. If you’re taking a day trip from home, it’s likely that you’re just doing it on the weekend or another free day, and that’s really all there is to it.
But when you’re traveling, there are a few more factors to consider. For example, some destinations might be extremely crowded on weekends, and it’s better to go on a weekday to avoid the worst of the crowds.
In some places, museums or popular tourist attractions may be closed one day per week (say, Mondays), so you’d want to avoid planning your day trip then. This is something to research in advance!
I also recommend that you don’t do a day trip on the day after arriving somewhere new. You might be extremely tired or jet-lagged, and it’s better to take the next day to settle into your destination first. Taking a day trip mid-way through your stay in a destination is a good way to break up the trip.
3. Stick to destinations less than two hours away
You don’t need to go far to have a great day trip. In fact, I don’t think you should go too far. Limiting yourself to destinations less than two hours away ensures a better day trip experience. Remember that with a day trip, you have to go there and back on the same day. So that’s double the travel time.
If you go somewhere three hours away, that’s six hours total spent in transit. I’ve done some really long day trips when traveling, and they haven’t been as enjoyable because I felt like I spent all day driving. It leaves you feeling rushed when you actually arrive at the destination, and fatigued on the way back.
4. Plan your transportation
Planning how you’ll get there is an important element of any day trip. You usually have the options of driving yourself, taking public transportation, or joining an organized day trip tour.
If you’re taking a day trip from home, you’ll probably just drive yourself or take public transportation if that’s an option where you live. But if you’re traveling, you might consider different options.
I always try to take day trips independently when I can. For example, in my guide to the best day trips from Cannes, every single destination I mention is easily reachable on your own by train, bus, or ferry. But in some places, public transportation isn’t feasible, and you might be apprehensive about renting a car.
In that case, an organized tour can be a good option. I often book day trips through Viator or GetYourGuide. Both are highly reputable tour aggregators, and I’ve never had a bad experience with them.
5. Be careful with tours
I know I just said that organized tours can be a good option for taking day trips when it’s hard to get somewhere on your own, and that’s true — but there are a few caveats I need to mention first.
First, read the tour’s itinerary and reviews closely. You won’t have the flexibility to change the itinerary or stay longer somewhere, like you would if you were visiting independently, so it’s important that you know what to expect. Also, pay attention to inclusions, like attraction admission fees or lunch.
I always recommend booking small-group tours when you can. It’s a way better day trip experience to be in a van or a small bus with 10 or so people than to be on a massive coach bus with 50 people.
Be careful with multi-stop tours that visit several different destinations in a single day. Some of those “visits” might actually be extremely short photo stops where you don’t even have time to walk around.
6. Make advance bookings if necessary
When researching your day trip destination, determine if there is anything you need to book tickets for in advance, such as popular museums or tourist attractions. You don’t want to arrive without a ticket, only to waste time in a long line buying one, or worse, be turned away because they are sold out for the day.
For example, if you are taking a day trip to Disneyland Paris (a super fun day out from Paris that I highly recommend!), you will definitely want to purchase your theme park tickets in advance.
7. Pack snacks and water
I am someone who gets hangry and then very quickly weak to the point of feeling faint when I am hungry. So having plenty of snacks (and a big bottle of water) on hand is always top of mind for me.
Even if you don’t experience hunger quite as dramatically as me, it’s still a good idea to pack snacks and water for your day trip. You never know when you’ll need it during the day. It can also help you to not waste any time on your day trip, wandering around in search of something to eat or drink.
8. Bring a portable cellphone charger
A portable cellphone charger is one of my travel essentials everywhere I go. But there is almost no better time to have a portable cellphone charger than on a day trip! This can be such a lifesaver.
If you are driving, you might be able to charge your phone in the car. But if you’re taking public transportation or a tour, you might not have access to any outlets or charging ports throughout the day. It’s especially critical to keep your phone battery alive to help you navigate in an unfamiliar destination.
9. Prepare for the weather
You should always err on the side of caution when preparing for what to wear or bring on a day trip. Unlike on a day spent sightseeing in the city where you’re staying, you won’t be able to pop back to the hotel to grab a sweater or an umbrella when you’re on a day trip. So be sure that you are prepared for the day!
I always bring a lightweight, packable jacket or sweater no matter what, in case it’s cold on the train or bus, or in a museum or somewhere else. If there’s even a slight chance of rain in the forecast, I’ll also bring an umbrella. I’d rather carry it around in my bag all day and not need it than be caught without one. Be sure to bring anything else you might need for your day trip, like sunscreen or insect repellent.
I also recommend dressing warmer than you think you might need to. You can always remove extra layers throughout the day, but you can’t add layers if you are underdressed for the weather.
10. Prioritize doing what you’re most interested in
One thing to remember about day trips is that you most likely won’t be able to see and do everything in just one day, especially if you’re visiting another city or a large town. (If you’re just taking a day trip to visit a small village or do a specific hike or activity, then this doesn’t really apply, though.)
But in cases where there’s a lot to do (like more than a single day’s worth of things to do!), it’s important to pick a few things that you’re most interested in and prioritize seeing or doing those things.
11. Don’t get stranded
This last tip really only applies if you’re taking public transportation or if you’re on a tour. If you’re driving yourself, you don’t have to worry about this — you can simply leave at your leisure.
But if you took a train or bus to your day trip destination, it’s extremely important that you don’t miss the last train or bus back for the night and get stranded. And similarly, if you’re on a tour, you don’t want to be late to the meeting point to return back at the end of the day, or else you might get left behind.
If you’re the type of person to get caught up in what you’re doing, it might be helpful to set an alarm on your phone to go off 30 minutes before you need to leave. This way, you’ll know that it’s time to start walking back to the train station, bus station, or meeting point to return back to your home base.
Tips for Planning a Day Trip
This guide showed you the best tips for planning a day trip.
Day trips are a great way to travel, whether you are just going on a one-day adventure from home, or whether you are traveling and taking day trip excursions from the destination where you’re staying.
I personally love taking day trips when I travel, because it allows me to explore a region more thoroughly, without having to constantly pack up and move around. It’s also a great way to see more of your local area, and an inexpensive way to get a small dose of traveling without really leaving home.
Enjoy your next day trip!
Related Guides:
