Global Day Trips | Ideas, Itineraries & Guides

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
– Ibn Battuta

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Ever found yourself yearning for a break but only have a day or two? Or been on a city vacation, wishing you could explore the surrounding landscape? This is why I love day trips so much! They’re like mini adventures that are so easy to fit into a busy schedule. All you need to do is travel a few hours from where you’re staying and prepare for a day of sightseeing. Then, you’re back in your bed by nighttime (unless you choose to stay the night), and you can continue your usual schedule the very next day. Trust me, we do it all the time back home — making Ontario Day Trips from Toronto.

Day trips are all about flexibility, offering a quick escape from the everyday routine.

What is a Day Trip?

Day trips are exactly as they sound. These are one-day visits to anywhere you like. As long as you can reach them within daylight hours. You don’t have to find accommodation unless you want to, and you can fit in as much (or as little) exploring as you like. 

Go hiking in London or see the Cliffs of Moher while staying in Dublin. Day trips are versatile and can be tailored to the seasons. Embrace the warmth of summer with a beach day, witness the vibrant colours of autumn in a nearby forest, or experience the charm of a winter wonderland in a snowy mountain town.

What Makes Day Trips Ideal?

Why are so many people choosing to take shorter, more condensed trips? There are just so many reasons why day trips are gaining popularity with all kinds of travellers. 

Easy and Spontaneous

Unlike extended vacations, day trips offer you freedom and flexibility. You can decide where you’re going and what you’ll be doing on the fly. You can wake up on a Saturday morning, see the sun shining, and head off on an hour’s drive to the nearest beach town. Or slip in an extra day of your trip across the globe to see something special nearby. 

There’s no need to plan for weeks, book accommodation, or even set out a solid itinerary. Day trips also work extremely well as multi-day road trip stops when you need to stretch your legs for extended periods. 

Close to Home

Rather than needing to navigate airports or drive for hours on end, with a day trip, you’re only a couple of hours from home (or your hotel) – at most. Using the principle of “less travel, more discovery” gives you so much more time to enjoy the places you’re visiting. It’s the craft of squeezing the most joy out of your day without the inconvenience of a prolonged journey.

Cost-Effective Adventures

If you’re on a budget, a day trip may just be the answer to your wanderlust. You save money on accommodation, of course, but often you’ll spend less on your actual travels too. Plus, with just one day of sightseeing, you’re bound to spend much less than you would if you were, say, spending three days in Stockholm. 

In fact, you won’t need to spend any money at all chasing waterfalls along Watkins Glen, and I’ve found Seneca Lake wine tours to be an affordable day trip activity. As long as you can get to your destination and perhaps pay for food and a few attractions, you’ll save a pretty penny on a day trip. 

Refreshing Breaks

Day tripping brings a fresh perspective to your routine but won’t disrupt your entire schedule. If you’re feeling a bit bored and in need of a different view, you can do so and be back home the very next day.

How to Plan a Day Trip

While I don’t think you need to plan every detail of your day trip, there are a few things you can do to make sure your day excursion goes well. 

Choose a Location Close-by

The most important thing about a day trip is that your travel time is under 2 – 3 hours. Too much travel time will just cut into your time in the town or city you’re visiting, which takes away from the enjoyment. Plus, a more local trip means you get to discover more of your home country, which often us travellers forget to do. 

Opt for Smaller Destinations

Unless you’re able to revisit your day trip destination, you’re likely to leave without seeing every little nook and cranny of the destination. So pick a smaller town or city (that’s close to where you’re starting from) and enjoy as much of the destination as you possibly can. 

Day Trip Tours

If you’re a bit nervous about zipping off to a new town and possibly missing out on all of the important sights, you can always book a day trip tour. These guided tours take you from the city out into the countryside, coastal towns, or other nearby towns. Pulse they often offer pick up and drop off, along with guided insights and the possibility of meeting other travellers. 

Tips for Maximizing Your Day

• Start Early – It’s best to get going as early in the morning as you can, especially if you’re road-tripping for the day. Grab a coffee on the go, maybe a little snack, and chase the sunset to the town or city you’re visiting. 
• Plan a Little – Spontaneous exploration is all good and well, but I would still suggest you know of a few must-see attractions. This will allow you to visit those first and spend any spare time discovering the rest of the destination. 
• Ask Locals – I have a bunch of handy guides, and you’ll find plenty more on the internet, but the best travel advice you’ll ever get will come from chatting with a local. 
• Take Pictures – This goes for any kind of travel — regardless of how long you’re visiting. Be sure to take plenty of pictures to remember your time. 

Find Your Next Day Trip Destination

The great thing about a day trip is that you can plan it last minute and you’ll still have a fantastic time. The key is to pick out a place that’s close to where you are staying so that you won’t spend too much time travelling. 

Here are all of my favourite destinations to plan a day trip and some handy one-day itineraries to help you visit them. Find your perfect destination and enjoy plenty to see, do, and eat!