A beach in Thailand. A week in Barcelona. A cozy Airbnb in the Alps. Most people have at least one dream destination in mind—but the reality is even a short vacation has become hard to afford.
Round-trip international flights now average over $1,000. Domestic travel isn't much better: hotel prices are up, gas is expensive, and restaurant bills add up fast. That’s why so many people are now choosing staycations instead.
They skip the flights, skip the stress, and try to make the most of their time off without going broke. And honestly? That’s not a downgrade—it’s a smart, realistic choice for anyone looking for an affordable getaway.
So why is planning a vacation so difficult for many people? Inflation and high day-to-day expenses are part of it. But it’s also about timing, inconsistent income, and the challenge of saving while managing debt.
And if your credit score is low, booking a trip gets even more complicated. Some people end up looking for ways to finance a vacation with bad credit just to make it happen.
Before you decide where to spend your time off, it’s worth taking a closer look at the actual pros and cons of both options. In this article, we’ll break down what both options—staycation vs vacation—cost and help you figure out which one makes more sense for your situation right now.
A staycation usually means spending time at home or nearby. Instead of traveling far, you can relax in your city and explore its attractions.
For example, Cincinnati cracks among the top 3 cities for staycations. If you live there, you can sleep in your bed but still enjoy Riverfest, watch the famous fireworks over the river, or sit by the Tyler Davidson Fountain downtown.
The idea became popular when people started looking for a break without the high cost of travel. You get time off from your routine while using your home as a base.
You might spend a weekend at the Jersey Shore or in the Poconos instead of going abroad. The key is to explore your local area the way a tourist would.
Staycations are appealing because they save money and reduce the stress of planning a big trip. You avoid the major expenses like airfare, hotels, and pricey tourist meals. Staying local can cost just a few hundred dollars for a couple or a small family.
They also help support local businesses. The money you spend goes to nearby restaurants, parks, and shops. Even if it’s not a direct saving for you, it benefits your community, which can feel rewarding.
But staycations have some downsides. Since you're still in a familiar environment, it can be harder to disconnect from work or everyday stress. They often don’t provide the same mental break as a trip away from home.
To keep it fun, plan it well. Treat your hometown like a vacation spot. Sleep in, dress up, and go out for a special meal. Take a day trip to a place nearby you’ve never visited. The next section offers more ideas for making the most of your staycation.
What Is a Vacation?
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By contrast, a full vacation can offer a bigger break—but at a higher cost.
Think “What it’s like to stay in a 5-star Milan hotel”—you’re not just changing locations, you’re stepping into a different world.
Vacations let you fully disconnect from your everyday life and immerse yourself in new experiences. Whether you're sipping espresso on a sunny terrace in Italy or hiking through a national park, that shift in scenery brings a powerful emotional payoff.
Exploring new places, tasting different foods, and diving into adventure create lasting memories that stay with you long after you return.
Vacations reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance sleep quality. After just two or three days away, people tend to sleep about an hour longer each night and have quicker reaction times the next day.
However, these benefits come at a price:
Travel and lodging costs: Airline tickets, gas, car rentals, and hotels add up quickly. A couple can easily spend around $4,000 on flights, accommodations, and meals.
Food and entertainment: Dining out for every meal, along with museum admissions or tour fees, can double or triple the total cost.
Time and preparation: Traveling for vacation takes more effort. You’ll need to book in advance, pack, coordinate schedules, and possibly arrange time off from work well ahead of time.
Still, while vacations can be expensive, the experience can be incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s worth the cost is a personal decision.
A vacation can fit within a budget if you find travel deals and avoid going into debt. Otherwise, be mindful of all potential expenses when making plans.
Top 3 Factors to Make a Choice
Choosing between a staycation and a vacation isn’t just about wanderlust. You should match plans to opportunities. Focus on three pillars:
Budget
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Before packing your suitcase, scrolling through Pinterest in search of tropical beaches, or googling “best hotels in Miami,” it’s worth pausing for a moment and looking at your finances.
It’s your budget—not trends, friends’ advice, or the fear of missing out—that should determine what kind of rest is right for you: a classic trip or a stay-at-home vacation.
On average, an American family spends about $2,400 per year on vacations. But these numbers don’t reflect the reality for most people: the majority of this spending comes from high-income families. For many, especially with rising prices, spending several thousand dollars on a trip is already a luxury.
A one-week vacation can easily cost $3,000–$5,000 even for a couple or a small family. That amount includes flights, accommodations, food, entertainment, and transportation.
And even if you find deals, the final cost is rarely “light.” That’s why people often turn to credit cards or personal loans just to “get away.” But is it worth it? A vacation that you pay for later with stress and debt is hardly the best way to recharge.
Against this backdrop, a staycation—a vacation without long-distance travel—looks more and more like a smart option.
This type of rest can cost between $100 and $500, depending on your preferences. That might mean a couple of dinners out, tickets to a concert, or a short trip to a cabin nearby.
The key is that you avoid major expenses like flights, hotels, and insurance. And unlike a “big vacation,” here it’s much easier to control your budget: you’re at home, everything’s close by, and surprises are kept to a minimum.
But it’s not just about money. Budget also means peace of mind. If you return from a trip anxious about credit card debt—was that really a break?
A well-planned staycation can bring joy, a sense of novelty, and a real mental reset without the financial pressure afterward. On the other hand, if you’ve saved up for a trip in advance and can afford it without going into debt or touching your emergency savings, a vacation can be a great investment in your well-being.
The main thing is to account for all expenses, even small ones like airport snacks or baggage fees, and leave a little buffer for the unexpected.
Schedule
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One more factor is how easy it is to fit the trip into your schedule. Staycations are more flexible.
You can often plan at the last minute since you're not traveling to an airport or locked into reservations made far in advance. If your work schedule changes, a staycation can easily be postponed.
Vacations require more planning. You usually have to book flights and hotels weeks or even months ahead, especially in the summer or around holidays.
Dates are fixed, so you need to coordinate time off from work and arrange childcare or pet care. Canceling or changing a flight or hotel can be expensive. This lack of flexibility can add to the overall cost if your plans change.
As for daily routines, staycations let you keep your usual comforts, but that also means chores can creep in. It’s a good idea to set boundaries—for example, agree not to check work email or consider hiring a cleaning service so no one feels obligated to tidy up.
Emotions
Both vacations and staycations can improve well-being, but vacations often have a stronger impact. Either way, taking a break from work and daily stress is beneficial for your mental health.
Being in a new environment can feel like a true escape—you’re more likely to disconnect completely. The excitement of anticipating a trip, combined with new experiences, can lift your mood and have lasting effects even after you return.
In contrast, staycations keep you in familiar surroundings, which can make it harder to feel a full mental reset.
That said, don’t underestimate the power of a well-planned staycation. If you make a conscious effort to break routines and treat it like real time off, it can be surprisingly refreshing.
Both options offer valuable downtime, but a traditional vacation usually provides a greater sense of novelty and emotional recharge.
If your main goal is to feel renewed and you have the financial flexibility, a vacation might be the better choice. But if money is tight, a staycation can still d
How to Plan a Staycation on a Budget
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Not sure how to do a staycation that actually feels like a break? If you’re choosing this option to save money, treat it like a real vacation with these tips:
Set clear time off. Treat your staycation days exactly like vacation days. Block your calendar, don’t check work emails, and let friends know you’re “off.”
Play local tourist. Find parks and visit local attractions that you usually skip. Go to a museum you've never visited, or hike a trail you always drive past.
Stay overnight. Try a change of scenery. Even staying in a local hotel or B&B for one night can help break the routine.
Plan special activities. Give each day a theme. For example, one day could be an “outdoor adventure” and another a “cultural day.” Schedule a nice dinner, a picnic, or a backyard movie night.
Try relaxation rituals. Do things you usually don’t make time for. Sleep in, cook a gourmet breakfast, take a long bath, read on the porch, or have a home spa day.
Treat it like real budgeting. Even at home, set a daily spending limit so you don’t blow the fun on one big meal. If you’d budget $100 a day on vacation, do the same for your staycation.
Involve loved ones. If you’re in a relationship, plan it together. Maybe even role-play as “tourists” in your own town. If kids are involved, make a family list of fun local things to do.
Unplug. Finally, turn off notifications. One big advantage of a staycation is the ability to disconnect completely. Be sure to take it.
Final Thoughts
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Choosing between a staycation vs vacation comes down to what works for your wallet and your mental health right now.
If you're stretched thin financially or don't have much flexibility in your schedule, a staycation can still give you a meaningful break without the debt hangover. And that matters more than most people realize.
But if you've saved up, have the time, and need a complete mental reset, a vacation might be exactly what you need.
The novelty of a new place can do wonders for your mood and motivation. Just make sure you're not funding it with credit you can't comfortably pay back.
At the end of the day, the best choice is the one that lets you actually relax. Whether you're exploring your hometown or boarding a plane to somewhere new, the goal is the same: to come back feeling refreshed, not stressed.
Plan within your means, set boundaries, and give yourself permission to truly disconnect—wherever you are.
Disclaimer:
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