Staycation vs. vacation: Which is right for you? What are the pros and cons of a vacation and the pros and cons of a staycation?
I’ve spoken quite a bit about staycations in the past here on the blog, including, how to plan a perfect staycation, how to make your staycation feel like a vacation and even shared tips on how to make your staycation a success. While it would seem that we’re all about staycations, we love a good vacation as well.
When it comes to vacations, we take a yearly family vacation because I enjoy spending time with my family. If you’ve never taken a family vacation, there are many benefits to having one. However, you don’t always have to take a vacation with the family, as there are also benefits to taking a vacation without kids, and even solo travel.
But what exactly is a staycation?
Staycations have become popular in recent years, as they offer an opportunity to save money and still enjoy time off from work. A staycation is simply a vacation that you take close to home, or even in your own city. This means that you don’t have to travel far or spend a lot of money on transportation and lodging.
There are many benefits to taking a staycation, including the following:
You can save money on travel expenses
Since you don’t have to travel too far for a staycation, your travel expenses are generally less than they would be for a vacation. You can also save money on things like food and activities, as you’ll likely be able to find free or discounted rates for local attractions.
You don’t have to worry about jet lag
Since you’re not traveling too far from home, you don’t have to worry about jet lag. This can be a big benefit, especially if you have young kids who may not be able to adjust to a different time zone.
You don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking
When you’re taking a staycation, you don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking your bags. This can save you a lot of time and hassle, especially if you’re traveling with young kids.
You can still enjoy some of the benefits of travel
While you’re not actually traveling far from home, you can still enjoy some of the benefits of travel. This includes things like trying new foods, exploring new places and cultures, and getting out of your normal routine.
You can still enjoy some down time
Just because you’re staying close to home doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy some down time. In fact, one of the benefits of a staycation is that you can take advantage of your city’s attractions and activities without having to pack and unpack every few days.
You can easily take day trips or even overnight trips
If you’re looking for a little more adventure, you can easily take day trips or even overnight trips during your staycation. This can add some variety to your staycation and help you avoid any feelings of boredom.
You can visit local attractions that you’ve never been to
If you live in a big city, there are likely many local attractions that you’ve never been to. This is one of the benefits of taking a staycation, as you can explore your own city and learn more about its history and culture.
You can save money on souvenirs
Since you’re not traveling far from home, you don’t have to worry about buying souvenirs for everyone back home. This can save you a lot of money, especially if you have a large family.
There are also some drawbacks to staycations, such as the following:
You may get bored
If you’re someone who gets bored easily, a staycation might not be the right choice for you. This is because you may find yourself doing the same things that you normally do at home, which can get old quickly.
You may not save as much money as you’d like
While you can save money on things like travel and lodging, you may not save as much money as you’d like. This is because you may find yourself spending money on things like food and activities.
You may not get the full vacation experience
If you’re looking for a true vacation experience, a staycation might not be right for you. This is because you won’t be able to explore new places or cultures, and you may not get the chance to truly relax.
You may not be able to completely relax
If you have a busy lifestyle, you may not have enough time to truly relax during a staycation. This is because you may find yourself cramming in activities and sightseeing, which can leave you feeling exhausted, especially if you’re only gone for a day or two.
You may not be able to completely unplug from work
If you work from home, a staycation may not be the best choice. This is because you may find yourself working during your staycation, which can defeat the purpose of taking time off.
So, what’s the bottom line?
There are both pros and cons to taking a staycation. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding if a staycation is right for you. If you do decide to take a staycation, be sure to plan ahead and find activities that will keep you entertained throughout your stay.
What about vacations? What exactly is a vacation?
Vacations are usually longer than staycations, and they often involve traveling to a different city, state, country or even continent. This means that you’ll likely have to spend more money on transportation and lodging.
However, there are many benefits to taking a vacation, including the following:
You can explore new places
One of the best things about taking a vacation is that you get to explore new places. This can be a great way to learn about other cultures and see new things. Visiting a new country, meeting new people and trying new food can be a great way to broaden your horizons.
You can take a break from your everyday life
Another benefit of taking a vacation is that it allows you to take a break from your everyday life. This can be a great way to recharge and reset, especially if you have a busy or stressful job. Vacations can also give you the chance to spend time with loved ones without the distractions of work or other obligations.
You can relax and unwind
If you’re looking for a truly relaxing experience, a vacation might be right for you. This is because vacations offer the perfect opportunity to unwind, relax and forget about the stresses of everyday life. Whether you’re spending time at the beach, exploring a new city or hiking in the mountains, a vacation can be a great way to rejuvenate and refresh yourself.
You can spend quality time with family and friends
Another great thing about a vacation is that you can spend quality time with your family and friends. This can be a great bonding experience and help you create lasting memories. I’ve created some amazing memories with my own family over the years. We’ve gone zip-lining, swam with dolphins, and even taken a tour around an island where our transport broke down. However, it’s those memories that made our vacation truly worthwhile.
You can try new things
Vacations are also a great opportunity to try new things. This can be anything from trying a new food to participating in a new activity. It’s a time to truly explore and do something different that you’ve never done before. For example, while in Mexico, the adults were able to partake in a tequila drinking tour, something that we wouldn’t have been able to do if we hadn’t ventured out.
Of course, there are also some drawbacks to taking a vacation, such as the following:
They can be expensive
One of the cons of a vacation, and one that I’ve encountered every time, no matter where you go, is the expense of the trip. Between the cost of flights, food, transport, lodging, and excursions, it can all add up pretty quickly, and if you’re not prepared or have budgeted, it can sometimes leave you feeling stressed on your trip.
You may encounter some travel problems
Another potential downside to taking a vacation is that you may encounter some travel problems. This could be anything from lost luggage to flight delays. While these problems are often out of your control, they can still put a damper on your trip. However, it’s always recommended that you get travel insurance whenever you travel.
You may not get the full vacation experience
While this one depends on where you’re traveling and what you’re doing, sometimes you may not get the full “vacation” experience. This is because you may find yourself working while on vacation or not able to fully relax.
They can be stressful to plan
Vacations can also be stressful to plan, especially if you’re trying to accommodate a large group of people. This is because you have to coordinate schedules, make sure everyone is on the same page with the budget, and find activities that everyone will enjoy.
You may have to deal with jet lag
If you’re traveling to a different time zone, you may have to deal with jet lag. This can be difficult and make it hard to enjoy your vacation. Whenever I travel, I usually take red-eye flights so that I can sleep on the plane. You can read my pros and cons of red eye flights and make a decision on whether that’s right for you.
You may not be able to relax
If you’re someone who has a hard time relaxing, you may find it difficult to truly unwind on vacation. This is because you may feel like you have to take advantage of everything that your destination has to offer.
You may miss out on work opportunities
If you’re gone for an extended period of time, you may miss out on important work opportunities. This is something to consider if you’re self-employed or have a job that requires you to be available at all times.
You may not be able to stay within your budget
It’s important to be mindful of your spending when you’re on vacation. This is because it’s easy to overspend when you’re not at home, especially if you didn’t budget well for your trip.
So, what’s the bottom line?
As with staycations, there are both pros and cons to taking a vacation. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding if a vacation is right for you. If you do decide to take a vacation, be sure to research your destination and plan ahead to avoid any potential travel problems.
In Conclusion
So, which is right for you? A staycation or a vacation? The answer may depend on your budget, your plans, and your personal preferences. If you’re looking to save money, a staycation may be the way to go. However, if you’re looking to explore a new place and disconnect from work and everyday life, a vacation may be the better option. Whichever choice you make, make sure to enjoy your time off!
