10 Tips for Making the Most of a Short Weekend Visit

Activities & Travel 7 min read
Couple enjoying weekend together

When you're in a long-distance relationship, weekend visits are precious. You have maybe 48 hours, and you want to squeeze in quality time, romance, catching up, and creating memories. But there's also laundry to do, groceries to buy, and the reality that you're both tired from the workweek.

After countless weekend visits with my partner, I've learned how to make every minute count without burning ourselves out or creating stress. Here's how to maximize those short but sweet weekends together.

1. Start Planning Before You Arrive

The worst thing you can do on a short visit is waste time deciding what to do. Have a loose plan before you even get on the plane.

Create a Shared Vision

Talk beforehand about what kind of weekend you both want:

Make a Flexible List

Create a shared note or list with ideas:

The key is flexibility. Don't schedule every hour, but have options ready so you're not Googling "things to do near me" at noon on Saturday.

Book in Advance

If there's something specific you want to do, book it ahead:

This removes decision fatigue and ensures you don't miss out on things that get fully booked.

2. Maximize Travel Time Efficiency

When you only have 48 hours, spending 6 hours on travel is brutal. Optimize your travel schedule:

Arrive Friday Night, Leave Monday Morning

This gives you two full days (Saturday and Sunday) plus Friday evening and Monday morning. Use Skyscanner to find the best times:

Choose Direct Flights When Possible

Yes, direct flights cost more. But when you only have 48 hours, a connection that adds 3 hours each way steals 6 hours of your time together. That's worth the extra $50-100.

Be Strategic About Airports

3. Don't Overschedule

This is the biggest mistake couples make on short visits. You try to pack everything in and end up exhausted and stressed.

The 50/50 Rule

Plan activities for only 50% of your time together. Leave the other 50% unstructured for:

Quality Over Quantity

One amazing dinner and a Saturday morning at the farmers market is better than cramming in six different activities and ending up cranky.

Remember: the goal is connection, not checking boxes on a tourist itinerary.

4. Protect Your Mornings Together

Saturday and Sunday mornings are gold. Don't waste them.

Sleep In (But Not Too Much)

You're probably both tired from the week. It's okay to sleep in until 9 or 10. But don't sleep until 1pm or you'll lose half your day.

Create a Morning Ritual

These quiet moments are often the most meaningful and are what you'll miss most during the week apart.

No Morning Errands

Don't waste Saturday morning at the grocery store or doing chores. Either do those things before your partner arrives or save them for weekday evenings.

5. Embrace the Mundane

You don't need to be "on" the entire weekend. Some of the best moments happen during ordinary activities.

Cook Together

Instead of eating out for every meal, cook together:

Do Chores Together

This might sound unromantic, but domestic partnership is intimacy:

You're practicing being in each other's real lives, not just vacation mode.

Just Exist Together

This is what you'd do if you lived together, and it's comforting and real.

6. Have One Special "Couple Activity"

While embracing the mundane, also plan one thing that's special and memorable.

Ideas That Don't Require Much Time

Ideas That Take More Time

Book accommodations and activities through Booking.com for easy planning and great deals.

7. Manage Social Obligations Carefully

When you only have 48 hours, other people wanting your time can be a major issue.

Set Boundaries

It's okay to tell friends and family:

Strategic Social Time

If you do see others, be strategic:

Don't Feel Guilty

Friends and family will understand. If they don't, that's their issue, not yours. Your relationship comes first.

8. Prepare for Goodbyes in Advance

Sunday evening can be rough. Don't let the impending goodbye ruin your last hours together.

Pack Early

Pack your bag Sunday morning or afternoon, not right before you leave. This removes stress and gives you more quality time.

Build in Buffer Time

Don't schedule activities right up until departure. Give yourselves:

Create a Goodbye Ritual

9. Use Sunday Evenings Wisely

If you're leaving Monday morning instead of Sunday evening, Sunday night is special.

Keep It Low-Key

Sunday evening is for winding down:

Prepare for the Week Ahead

10. Focus on Connection, Not Perfection

The most important tip: let go of trying to make it perfect.

Things Will Go Wrong

Accept that:

Roll with it. The point is being together, not executing a flawless itinerary.

Be Present

The best thing you can do on a short visit:

Communicate Needs

If you need alone time, say so. If you're tired, say so. If you're not enjoying an activity, speak up. Short visits are too precious for passive-aggressive resentment.

Sample Weekend Schedule

Here's what a well-balanced short visit might look like:

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Notice there's plenty of unstructured time, nothing is overly ambitious, and there's a mix of special and ordinary.

What to Avoid on Short Visits

The Secret Ingredient

Here's what I've learned after years of weekend visits: the best moments aren't the ones you plan. They're:

You can't plan these moments. You can only create space for them by not overscheduling, staying present, and remembering that being together is the point.

Short weekend visits will never feel like enough time. But they can be absolutely wonderful if you focus on quality over quantity, connection over perfection, and presence over plans.

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