A city for the weekend
A large city a few hours away: the station in the centre, plenty of pedestrian streets, museums in case of rain. Ideal if you want two full days without changes.
Destinations
Destinations
When you travel light, what matters most is not where you go but how long the journey takes and how far you will have to carry your backpack. So instead of lists of places, we describe types of nearby trips that fit comfortably into one to three days. Below are four such types and four criteria that make it easy to choose. You will not find names of cities, hotels or prices here: we leave the choice of place to you and recommend checking timetables with carriers.
A good nearby destination is one you arrive at still feeling fresh and leave without rushing.
How this section works: a type of trip is included if it can be done with one backpack in one to three days, reached by train or bus and managed without a car at the destination.
Nearby trips
Four types of short trips that are easy to do travelling light.
Nature near a city
Forest, river or hills you can reach by local train or bus. A day hike needs no tent, and your backpack stays light.
A small town
Quiet streets, an old centre, a local museum and a market. Everything is close, so the town is easy to explore on foot, and a place to stay is often easier to find than in a big city.
The coast off-season
The sea in autumn or spring: empty promenades, wind, long walks along the water. Bring a windproof jacket and a warm layer — it is colder by the water than it seems in town.
How to choose
Four criteria worth checking before you buy a ticket.
Travel time
For a weekend trip, it works best when the journey takes no more than half the daylight hours. Otherwise there is hardly any time left for the place itself.
Season
Off-season means fewer people and easier accommodation, but shorter days, and not every museum may be open. Summer is the opposite: long days, but bigger crowds.
Where to sleep
Decide in advance where to stay: near the station is easier with a backpack and an early departure, the centre is livelier in the evening. A night train can sometimes replace one night.
Walkability
Check on a map how far the old centre and the main sights are from the station. If everything is within a half-hour walk, you can do without local transport.
Related sections
- Routes
Three hypothetical routes: a day on foot in a new city, a weekend out of town and two nights in a small town.
- Transport
Train, bus, plane and shared rides: pros, pitfalls and what to check with your carrier.
- Packing
How to pack a backpack for three days step by step: a list, mistakes, fallback options and a checklist.
Sources
- Carriers' baggage rules
- Official websites of museums and protected natural areas
Information is current as of the date of preparation. Baggage rules, timetables, prices and conditions of carriage change, so check them with your carrier before every trip.