The Mistakes People Make On Staycations

Travel is picking up again after a long pandemic lull, but for people with serious financial or health concerns, a trip may not be feasible. Enter the staycation. Staycations offer a healthy, affordable alternative to expensive vacations. They also allow you to explore your hometown outside the grind of your daily routine. But not everyone seizes this opportunity to the fullest. We asked travel experts to share some of the missteps they’ve seen people make on staycations. From failing to unplug to losing out on local discounts, here are 11 mistakes people often make during staycations ― and some advice for avoiding these errors during your own “travels.”

Missing Out On Local Rates

“Don’t forget to ask about a local discount for hotels and attractions. Some hotels, spas, and attractions offer special rates for local travelers. When booking your hotel or experience, ask for a local discount.” ― Jessica van Dop DeJesus, travel media specialist, and blogger at The Dining Traveler.

Not Unplugging From Your Regular Life

“In-town can be too close if you have trouble disconnecting from your life nearby. Sometimes the very energy suckers we’re taking a staycation to escape from work, family, or other obligations take our proximity as a sign that we’re available on an ‘as needed’ basis. Don’t waste your staycation budget being frustrated ― set your boundaries by turning off email and pressing ‘ignore.’ Airplane mode is your friend!” ― Olivia Christine Perez, travel blogger at O. Christine.

“One mistake is not properly planning for work coverage since you’ll have computer access, so you never take a break. Prepare your team for you to be fully out of the office, then shut down your work computer and remove emails/Slack from your phone. You’re the only one who can do that for you, so take control over your time off and follow the guidelines you set.” ― Stephanie Huston, entrepreneur and travel blogger at Steph Explores the World.

Booking At The Last Minute

“Don’t think that you shouldn’t book ahead because it’s a staycation. As travel resumes to pre-pandemic numbers, hotels, and attractions are getting booked quickly, and hotel prices are at an all-time high. Make your reservations at least a month ahead.” ― van Dop DeJesus. “With domestic travel picking back up, staycations are more popular than ever! I know many of us like to wing it, but you won’t like it when you arrive, and there’s nowhere to sleep!” ― Alyssa Ramos, blogger at My Life’s A Travel Movie.

Eschewing Guided Tours

“Since people are taking staycations in their city, they often make the mistake of not going on guided tours ― as they assume they already know their city and its attractions. An expert local guide can introduce them to niche and underground places in their backyard. Consider joining a specialized tour, such as a guided bird tour in a park or a wine experience at a local vineyard. You may be astonished at what you discover through the eyes of another local!” ― La Carmina, travel blogger and TV host.

Staycationing Over The Weekend

“Don’t book on the weekend. Avoid the weekend traveler crowds and book your staycation during the week. Not only will your hotel be less crowded, but you can probably get reservations to your favorite restaurants on a Wednesday instead of a Saturday.” ― van Dop DeJesus.

Oscar Wong via Getty Images

It’s essential to disconnect from work during your staycation.

Sticking To Your Comfort Zone

“One of the biggest mistakes people make on staycations is sticking with the norm and not venturing outside their comfort zone. If you are staying in your local town, take this opportunity to discover hidden gems in your area. Join a local Facebook group or search on Pinterest. Go beyond the first page of a Google search. Take a unique deep dive into what your town has to offer. Perhaps it is an award-winning restaurant you have never heard of. A lesser-known swimming hole. A unique hidden gem. Put in a little effort and push yourself outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to travel far to find something epic, new, and unique!” ― Victoria Yore, travel blogger at Florida Trippers.

“One of the biggest mistakes people make on staycations is not exploring beyond what they know. Many stick to areas and establishments they’re familiar with, with the time off work or school being considered the ‘staycation.’ Discovery is one of travel’s most impactful characteristics. So, visit a local museum, shop, attraction, or restaurant you weren’t aware of before your mini-adventure. Your local tourism board or chamber of commerce is an excellent source of information in this area.” ― Erick Prince, travel blogger at Minority Nomad.

Failing To Pack Properly

“Having stayed in some 10+ staycations in one year in my small country of Singapore, I’ve picked up a few tricks of the trade and some recent trends in the hospitality trade. I was hoping you wouldn’t make the same mistake as I did, assuming that hotels will provide everything. More and more hotels are ramping up their conservation practices. As such, some hotels no longer provide one-time-use toiletries such as toothbrushes and toothpaste. Packing a set of toothbrushes and toothpaste doesn’t take any space and will save you a ton of hassle having to call room service to request a set of those embarrassingly.” ― Isabel Leong, travel blogger at Bel Around The World.

Skipping The Classic Tourist Sites

“So many people think they must avoid doing the obvious things tourists do. Don’t [avoid them] ― being a tourist in your city or state can be a lot of fun. So pretend you aren’t a native New Yorker and go up the Empire State Building. Or forget that you grew up in Boston and made the Freedom Trail. These things are popular with tourists for a good reason; they are fun things to do. If you are going to do a staycation, do it properly and approach it as any other tourist would.” ― Claire Summers, travel blogger at Claire’s Itchy Feet

Not Preparing Your Home

“If you’re staying at home, prepare your home to be in staycation mode. Since you don’t have to pack a suitcase and you’re not spending money on flights, spruce up your home with your favorite indulgences ― whether buying flowers, stocking up on your favorite wine, or scheduling a cleaner before your staycation begins.” ― Huston.

Assuming Everyone Has The Same Goals

“One of the greatest mistakes we make with staycations is not setting expectations. It’s easy to end up on a girls’ trip, date cation, or time with the kids and realize everyone is on a different page. Some people may want to relax ― enjoy the pool and spa ― and others might want to play tourist in their town.” ― Stephanie Be, travel blogger and founder of Buena.

Not Researching Your ‘Destination’

“I believe the biggest staycation mistake is not to research the destination just as you would for an international trip. Sure, you’ll stay closer to home, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t new things to discover! Interestingly, we often ignore the tourist activities closest to home. For example, I often find that tourists visiting my hometown have seen and done more there than ever when I lived there! That’s why, for a staycation, I think it’s fun pretending to be a tourist visiting from afar, as it’s sure to turn up a few things. It’s even a chance to do the local ‘cheesy tourist thing’ you’ve always avoided, which may be great. (You can always pretend to do it ironically.) Staycations can be quite like cultural trips, at least if you can approach the familiar with new eyes!” ― Marek Bron, travel blogger at Indie Traveller.

Tyson Houlding
I’m a lifestyle blogger with a passion for writing, photography, and exploring new places. I started this blog when I was 18 years old to share what I was learning about the world with family and friends. I’ve since grown into a freelance writer, blogger, and photographer with a growing audience. I hope you find inspiration and motivation while reading through my work!