Low PTO? Join Gen Z travelers who are taking international microtrips

One Friday night last year, Akylah Cox and her boyfriend took a red-eye flight from Pennsylvania to Dublin for a whirlwind trip. The trip lasted less than 30 hours. They hit an impressive number of spots: the Guinness Storehouse, the The Book of Kells experience of Trinity College, Ha’penny Bridge, Capel Street for getting rich (“I only gave myself 30 minutes to do this, but it had to be done,” Cox says) and Celtic Nights dinner and show.

They were back home on Sunday and went to work the next day.

He shared his experience TikTok with the caption, “Was this crazy?!” The answers varied.

“I’d be tired all week,” one person said with two face emojis.

“This inspired me!” another said.

Another said: “I’m trying to be crazy in this situation.

For Cox, who was working full-time in engineering and pursuing an MBA while her boyfriend completed his medical residency, creating a highly integrated tour was the only way to go. And he likes this style. On TikTok, she shares her travels for “microtrips” – short, often international trips lasting 24 to 72 hours.

“You can just walk,” says Cox, who lives in Chicago. “You can have such a quick break, a quick reset.”

They are part of a new wave of travelers, especially Gen Z, who are choosing these types of trips during long vacations, according to AirBnb’s trends report. Another part is fueled by the viral activity of TikTok in which people say if they have spent one to two days in another country, new travelers are no longer waiting for a spring break or to collect paid vacation time to cross destinations from their bucket list. It just passed Expedia survey found that 25% of Gen Z and millennial travelers say they plan to take a microtrip in 2026, and in Toronto; Nassau, Bahamas; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the most popular destinations.

Ali Killam, head of communications at Airbnb, says: “Short trips can fit into a more busy schedule than a long vacation, which allows more people to explore the world without making long commitments to work or home. “I think people are really embracing this idea that even short changes to a beautiful place can rejuvenate you, your mind and your soul.”

Another factor driving this trend could be the fact that young people take travel as a priority in their lives. In 2023, Gen Z and millennial travelers took about five trips per year, compared to Gen Xers and baby boomers who took less than four trips. Gen Zers and millennials spend an average of 29% of their income on travel, reports management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. (although a survey conducted last year by Savings.com found that an increasing number of parents are helping their older children financially than ever before). Among the young, there is also a phrase for doing things “for a purpose” and taking chances because the future feels uncertain.

“Millennials and Gen Z are really creating their own version of the American dream, which I think is based on experiences and ideas that you can create,” said N’Dea Irvin-Choy, 30, an LA-based journalist who writes about luxury travel, skiing and tennis experiences.

Kareen Hill, 27, from New York, is one of the microtrip crusaders on social media. Since October, he has been going on food tours in different cities. In January, he went to London for two days and posted a report video on TikTok which has received more than 1.5 million people. Now he tries to take a trip, either international or domestic, about every two weeks.

“I just realized you have free will,” says Hill, who works at the airport. “So why?”

N’Dea Irvin-Choy at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, left, and Kareen Hill at the Colosseum in Rome.

(N’Dea Irvin-Choy; Kareen Hill)

In addition to convenience, microtrips can also be cheaper than long-haul trips — an important factor as oil prices rise and airfares begin to rise. With the help of credit card details and travel credit, Cox’s trip to Dublin was just under $450. He says these quick trips are a “low barrier to entry” for international travel because you only have to plan a day or two of travel. And the more flexible you are with time or destination, the better your chances of getting the best deals.

Another benefit is how short trips force you to be intentional about using your limited time. “You can do more than you think you can,” he said. During a three-day trip to Japan with her mother and grandparents in May (not including travel time), they managed to squeeze in a food tour and many tourist spots in Tokyo and Mt. Fuji.

Of course, a common issue with microtrips is how exhausting they can be, especially if you’re crossing time zones. And, yes, fatigue can be real and travelers should definitely consider their physical limits. But the purpose of these trips is to explore the destination rather than to relax, Cox says. Once you’re in that mindset, you can better embrace the experience. He says: “You don’t really have the effect of jet lag because you only use adrenaline.

Want to take a microtrip yourself? Here are some tips:

• Book the earliest departure flight and the latest return flight to maximize your time, advises Irvin-Choy. Definitely try to opt for non-stop flights.
• Make it easy to get to your destination. Hill says it’s best to avoid checking the bag and packing lights. Cox recommends booking a hotel that allows you to keep your bag even if your room is not yet ready.
• Prioritize your “needs”. For each of his mini-trips, Cox uses the same formula: Pick three things to do or see, and plan your entire trip around those. One of her favorite things to do in any new city she visits is to go on a food tour.
• Get ready to jump back into the grind at home. Irvin-Choy recommends parking your car at or near the airport, which can sometimes be cheaper than choosing to ride for a short trip. You may also want to wear your work clothes on the plane, so you can go to work if necessary.
• Finally, don’t forget to rest during your trip – even if you’re on a plane. “That’s the hardest part when it’s so short,” says Irvin-Choy. “But make sure you get some sleep on the weekends.”