He Flew from NYC to Zurich and Back by Nightfall

On a Wednesday evening in February, Kevin Droniak left his apartment in New York City for a seven-and-a-half-hour flight to Zurich. He landed at 6 a.m. and spent all of Thursday skiing in the Swiss Alps. He flew back home that evening, landed at 7 p.m., and was back home to sleep in his own bed the same night. That’s nearly 8,000 miles traveled in 24 hours.

This isn’t the first time Droniak, 28, has taken a day-long trip. He’s been doing it for almost a decade, going to far-off destinations like Japan, Iceland, and Egypt. Each time, the experiences he can squeeze in just a day’s worth of travel still surprise him.

“I’m like, it doesn’t feel normal. It doesn’t feel like it’s possible, but then you’re like, oh, well, other things in life are probably possible too,” Droniak, who documents his micro-cations on social media with nearly half a million followers on TikTok, as of Feb. 25, told USA TODAY. All he has with him is his backpack, filled with basic toiletries like a toothbrush and camera equipment.

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Micro-cations – extremely short trips in which someone departs and returns from their home within the same 24 hours – are quickly rising as a new type of travel. This year, 25% of Gen Z and millennial travelers said they plan on taking a micro-cation, according to Expedia’s recently released 2026 Air Hacks Report, which surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults in Jan. 2026.

No longer is travel reserved for a long weekend or a week of PTO (paid time off). These quick getaways offer a taste of a destination without a big commitment or price tag.

“I just like feeling like I’m hacking the system, and that’s what a day trip or micro travel feels like,” said Droniak. “We’re all trained to think that when you fly somewhere, you have to spend the night there at least, but now people are shifting and like, actually, no, you could fly somewhere and have a day and go home.”

Here’s what to know about micro-cations.

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‘Sample of the destination’

It all started in 2016 when Droniak was in college and saw a cheap round-trip flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for around $100.

He realized that instead of spending the money he usually would on clothes shopping, he could visit a new destination.

“That’s what shifted my whole mindset of like, OK, I could find these deals and then get an adrenaline rush of just being somewhere for a day and have a whole experience and then go home,” he said.

Puerto Rico has become one of Droniak’s favorite micro-cation destinations. The island’s just a short flight from New York, offering him an accessible, much-needed respite from the cold winter weather. “I get the sun rays, I have a beach moment, and then I go home, and I’m fully satisfied,” he said.

These micro-cations also give Droniak “a little sample of the destination” without the obligations of a longer trip, like paying for a hotel. This is what happened when he went to Rome for a day, seeing the major attractions like the Colosseum. He left wishing he had more time in the Eternal City, and has since returned for a longer visit.

“The appeal is simple: you can see more of the world without taking time off work, booking a hotel, or paying extra baggage fees,” said Melanie Fish, vice president of global public relations for Expedia Group.

Benefits and Challenges

Micro-cations can be tiring, but Droniak likes how they push his limits as a traveler. “It’s just such a thrilling form of travel to me because you really are go, go, go,” he added.

He views micro-cations as just another category of travel, the way people backpack, cruise, or go to all-inclusive resorts. “This is a type of travel that’s not going to replace your other ways that you travel, but it’s a way you could push yourself out of your comfort zone and do something different,” he said.

Planning a Micro-Cation

For those interested in trying a micro-cation, there are several tips to keep in mind:

• Book flights early:Flights that allow for a 24-hour return often have lower prices if booked in advance.
• Pack light:A small backpack with essentials like a toothbrush, camera, and a change of clothes is sufficient.
• Choose the right destination:Opt for places that are close enough to make the trip feasible, such as nearby cities or islands.
• Plan efficiently:Make sure to schedule activities that can be completed in a single day, such as visiting local landmarks or enjoying a meal.

The Future of Travel

As more people look for ways to explore the world without the burden of long trips, micro-cations are likely to become even more popular. They offer a unique blend of adventure, efficiency, and affordability that appeals to a wide range of travelers.

Whether it’s a quick ski trip to the Alps or a day in Rome, these short getaways provide a taste of the world that fits into even the busiest schedules. For Droniak, it’s not just about the destinations but the thrill of experiencing them in a way that challenges the norms of traditional travel.

Tips for micro-cations

If the idea of going somewhere for less than one day sounds intimidating, here are some tips for your first micro-cation, according to Droniak and Expedia.

• Start close to home.You don’t need to fly halfway around the world for your initiating micro-cation; Droniak recommends first-timers visit somewhere with a flight of less than four hours. Some of the top trending international micro-cation destinations on Expedia are Toronto, Nassau, San Juan, Montreal and Vancouver.
• Be flexible. Going on a weekday means you could not only score a good flight deal – according to Expedia, the cheapest days to fly in 2026 are Fridays – but you’ll also probably run into fewer crowds at the top attractions.
• Pay attention to flight times.Droniak likes to land in his destination before noon and return home at night, so he has all day and some of the evening to explore. “I’d rather be bored at the airport in the evening than rushing to the airport,” he said.
• Prioritize sleep.Knowing his micro-cation will be a busy day, Droniak prioritizes getting as much rest as possible. He’ll take it easy the day before and go to sleep early, or sleep as much as possible on the flight. “You have to think about the ways that you could just be able to feel your best self when you land,” he said.
• Plan smartly.With such a limited amount of time in the destination, don’t try to do everything. Droniak likes to pick one main area to explore or a couple of major sites to visit; otherwise, it could get too exhausting and stressful.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: He flew from NYC to Zurich in the morning. He was home by bedtime.