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Going abroad for Memorial Day? Here’s what you need before you fly
From passports to phone data, discover what to sort before you fly so your Memorial Day international trip feels smooth, easy, and stress-free.
You probably associate Memorial Day weekend with domestic travel: beach houses, lake cabins, or visiting family in another state.
But more and more travelers are starting to see the long weekend differently. With the right flight, this rare 3-day window can easily stretch into an overseas getaway.
Of course, there’s more to pulling off a short international trip than just booking a flight. When you only have a few days abroad, small logistical issues, like passport problems or poor phone connectivity, can quickly eat into your limited time.
Getting everything sorted before you leave will ensure your trip feels seamless and genuinely relaxing. This article covers exactly what to do before you leave, so you can spend less time scrambling and more time actually enjoying yourself.
Can you travel internationally over Memorial Day?
Spending Memorial Day abroad is certainly possible if you choose the right destination.
Short-haul options like Mexico, the Caribbean, or Canada are typically the smartest choices, as flights are short enough not to eat too much into a 3-day trip. However, if you’re on the East Coast, you could even utilize overnight flights for a quick hop to Europe.
Still, remember that Memorial Day Weekend is an extremely popular travel period. The roads and airports will be busy, so without careful planning, your travel time can easily double.
To avoid this, consider flying out Friday evening or early Saturday morning, rather than midday on Saturday. Likewise, consider flying back late Monday evening, or even better, Tuesday morning, as this is both significantly quieter and one of the cheapest days to fly.
The destinations that work for a Memorial Day long weekend
Here are the most common international destinations Americans book for Memorial Day, how long it takes to get there, and why it works for a short trip:
| Destination | Flight time from US | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico (Cancun, CDMX) | 2–4 hours | Short flight, affordable, warm |
| Caribbean (Bahamas, Jamaica) | 2–3 hours | Beach-ready, easy entry |
| Canada (Toronto, Montreal) | 1–2 hours | No passport needed for US citizens |
| Western Europe (London, Lisbon) | 6–8 hours (overnight) | Time difference means you gain 5–6 hours on the return flight |
Mexico
Mexico’s beach towns offer affordable weekend trips with easy logistics and reasonable flight times. With all-inclusive resorts and endless things to do in Cancun, this is one of the best Memorial Day travel options for families.
Caribbean
Some of the best Caribbean Islands, such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, are super easy for Americans to enter, as they don’t require a passport. And with short flights, this is a smart option for travelers who want to go overseas but have an expired passport.
Canada
If you want to leave the States but prefer to keep travel time to a minimum, Canada is for you. Plus, late May is the shoulder season when most regions start to warm up, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities.
Western Europe
For a 3-day trip, Western Europe is only really realistic if you’re on the East Coast. Flights from New York to London take around 7 hours, whereas flights from LA take over 10 hours.
If you’re on the West Coast and want to hop over to Europe for the long weekend, a smart way to make it possible is to book one or two PTO days before or after the weekend.
Making the most of a 3-day international Memorial Day trip
The key to planning a last-minute international trip is to maximize your time on the ground rather than trying to squeeze too much in.
- Choose one base instead of moving around: Don’t waste valuable hours checking in and out of hotels or traveling between cities. One well-chosen destination is enough for a long weekend.
- Keep your itinerary lighter than usual: An overpacked weekend trip can leave you feeling more exhausted than you already were. For a truly restorative break, prioritize just a few memorable experiences and allow some downtime, such as chilling by the pool. Memorial Day typically feels less crowded internationally than domestically, so soak up the calmer atmosphere.
- Extend your weekend: Consider taking one or two PTO days before or after the long weekend. Doing this will extend your travel window to 4-5 days, let you fly on quieter days, and lower flight prices.
- Book refundable options where possible: Flights and hotels with flexible cancellation policies will give you more breathing room if your plans change at the last minute or if delays occur.
What to sort before you leave (the stuff people forget)
The excitement of booking flights and choosing a hotel can cause many travelers to overlook smaller but just as important travel logistics. Run through this international travel checklist to ensure your Memorial Day trip is smooth and stress-free:
- Check your passport’s validity: Many countries require 6 months’ validity beyond your travel dates. Check your expiry date before booking anything non-refundable.
- Notify your bank: Letting your bank know where you’re going and when will prevent your cards from getting blocked due to “abnormal” spending patterns.
- Download offline maps: Even with mobile data, connection can drop in remote areas. Downloading offline maps for your destination means you’ll still be able to navigate to your hotel, even if the signal cuts out.
- Check the forecast: Weather can vary hugely between destinations in May, from humid tropical heat in the Caribbean to cooler evenings in parts of Europe. Checking the forecast properly beforehand will help you know exactly what to pack and avoid bringing “just in case” items you’ll never wear.
- Pack smartly: For a 3-day trip, you can easily travel carry-on only. Not only can it save you money on baggage fees, but it will also save you time at the airport, since you don’t have to wait for your luggage.
Why your phone plan probably won’t cut it abroad
There is one last thing you need to sort ahead of your international trip: Your data plan.
Roaming charges on a 3-day trip can be brutal, especially if you’re using your phone a lot for things like navigating, booking rideshares, or uploading photos on social media. For example, the amount of data that Google Maps uses is very high, up to 1,000 MB per hour when using the online version.
That’s why many travelers are now opting for a travel eSIM instead of relying on roaming or hunting for public WiFi. An eSIM allows you to connect to local mobile networks without changing your SIM card. You pay one single, low cost (with no hidden additional fees), and the setup takes just a few minutes. Simply download and install the eSIM before you board and get internet access from the moment you land.
With Holafly, you get unlimited data across hundreds of destinations worldwide for just a few dollars per day. Whether you’re traveling to Toronto, Tulum, or Paris, you’ll find the perfect plan for your trip in the Holafly eSIM store.
To top it off, every Holafly eSIM comes with Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data at no additional cost. It activates as soon as your eSIM is installed, renews every month, and works in 70+ destinations. So whether your main plan runs low mid-trip or you need a quick connection between plans, you’re covered without having to think twice about it.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
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Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of <a href="https://search-seoul.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Search SEOul</a>, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.
