There’s something fabulous about quick trips. Most of the time people spend a good deal of energy planning for larger vacations or flying internationally. But there’s something to be said about hopping on a flight for a quick and merry jaunt to another city on a whim.

It’s always good for those last minute decisions to go somewhere cool and do something that doesn’t necessarily require an extreme amount of preparation. There’s a three-day video game conference in Germany that had 355,000 people in 2017 coming from more than 100 different countries. Digest those numbers real quick. Those people know how to successfully take a weekend trip. We’re going to tear a page or two out of their books and show you how to navigate those last minute cheap flights so you look like you know what you’re doing.

Don’t Check It

Ever hear of the weekender? It’s a style bag that’s meant for trips like this. Invest a few bucks in a good one because it’ll last a long time and you’ll be able to use it as carry-on luggage. Plus, a good mid-sized bag has ultimately more day-to-day uses than a traditional suitcase or luggage. If you’re traveling on a budget, make cheap flights cheaper by not paying bag check fees.

Travel Clothes

People often make the mistake of traveling in clothes that end up being inappropriate for where they’re going. If you’re going on a quick trip, you don’t have the luxury of substantial packing space. Make your travel outfit one that you can wear on the plane, in a restaurant, on a date, and wandering around. Wardrobe versatility is an element of style that shouldn’t be underestimated, especially if you’re traveling on a budget. You’re using your body as a piece of luggage to hold an outfit!

You Don’t Need All That

Too many travelers get bogged down by bringing more stuff than they need. This is especially true of weekend trips. You’re going somewhere for a few days, think about what you really need to bring. Do you really need to have three pairs of shoes, a hair dryer, and a spare jacket? Probably not. Obviously this changes per trip, especially if you’re flying internationally, but you understand the gist of packing light and only bringing essentials. On your weekend trip, use everything in your bag. Anything beyond that is extraneous.

Whether you’re trying to find cheap flights to visit a friend for a couple days or work is dragging you to a short conference, the micro trip is worth mastering. Once you’ve got it down, you’ll feel ready to smartly throw stuff in a bag and hop on a flight without a worry in your mind beyond the airline food.