Do You Travel on Thursday Evenings? If Not, You Should!
Let me share why I travel on Thursday evenings and why you should consider it for your next weekend trip:
1. Enjoy a Full Day on Friday
By traveling on Thursday evenings, you can wake up at your destination on Friday morning, ready to explore. Think about the times you’ve arrived mid-day or late evening, only to feel too tired to dive into your plans. Instead of wasting part of Friday on travel, a Thursday night flight allows you to rest up and enjoy the full day ahead. For example, I’ve been traveling to Florida for wedding planning, flying out on Thursday nights so I can hit the ground running on Friday, visiting vendors and finalizing details before the weekend.
2. Visit Weekday-Only Attractions
Thursday travel also gives you access to attractions that may be closed over the weekend. For instance, when my fiancé and I tried to visit Flip In Souls in Oakland on a Saturday, we found it closed. Arriving earlier in the week could have saved us that disappointment. By flying in Thursday, you can visit those unique spots and enjoy them without the weekend rush.
Note: Flip In Souls is now closed permanently per Google.
3. Maximize Your Vacation Days
When you travel Thursday night, you can stretch your vacation days further. If you work remotely, you can handle a few hours of work on Friday morning, then spend the afternoon exploring. On my bachelorette trip to Sedona, my friends and I flew in Thursday, worked remotely on Friday morning, then spent the rest of the day enjoying activities like sound meditation and hiking. It was a perfect balance of work and relaxation, and it gave us an extra day to enjoy the destination.
Hiking the Bell Rock Pathway in Sedona.
4. Avoid the Crowds
Starting your trip on Thursday means fewer crowds at the airport and popular destinations. While most people wait for the weekend to start traveling, you’ll already be ahead, enjoying a more peaceful experience.
Things to Consider Before Traveling on Thursday Evenings
1. Additional Costs: Extra nights in hotels, rental cars, or meals can add up. You’ll need to account for an extra half-day of expenses when arriving earlier.
2. Work Constraints: Depending on your job, leaving directly from work may not always be feasible. For example, if I’m working in a hot environment like a plant, I’d want to freshen up before heading to the airport, which could complicate things.
3. Traffic: Evening travel can mean heavier traffic, especially in busy cities like Houston. This can add frustration to your commute to the airport after a long day at work.
If you are in Houston, you can use Houston TranStar to track the traffic live and/or Google Maps for your city or town.
4. Packing: Packing ahead of time is essential when you travel after work. I usually pack my suitcase the night before and either bring it to the office or grab it when I stop by home before heading to the airport.
Overall traveling on Thursday evenings offer plenty of perks for domestic and short-haul trips. You’ll get:
• A full day to enjoy on Friday.
• Access to weekday-only attractions.
• More time to explore without taking too many vacation days.
• Fewer crowds at popular destinations.
I’m writing this blog from a Spirit flight to Florida, where I’m headed for wedding planning. If you haven’t tried traveling on a Thursday evening yet, I highly recommend it! Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have a preferred travel day, let me know why!