Last updated on September 13th, 2021
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Finally, decide to take that much-needed vacation and don’t know where to start? I’m sure I speak for many when I say planning for a trip can be extremely overwhelming. To minimize your struggles, I’ve compiled a list of my top tips; read further for my ultimate guide on how to plan for any trip!
Get a Notebook
The first tip to planning a new trip or any new project is to get something to write down your thoughts and plans. Having a dedicated journal or planner for your trip will help you remember important dates and tasks. I have also found that having a planner or journal to write to-do lists has helped me reach many of my travel goals much sooner. I love to make a good list! And even if you aren’t the one to make a bunch of lists, I still suggest getting a calendar at the very least. You’re going to need to write down important dates and deadlines to ensure your trip is successful!
Make a Plan
You now know you want to go on a trip. Well, to make this a reality, it’s time to make a plan. Set aside some time to work out the fine details of your trip, like what dates you plan on traveling, who you are going with, where you are staying, how you’re getting there, etc. Once you have a plan, your dreams become more achievable, or at least they seem more doable.
In addition, you’ll need to research all costs that may be associated with your trip. Those include prices for airplane tickets, lodging, rentals, food, and any activities you may want to do. I always say this is the real determiner of whether a trip happens or not. Traveling can be expensive, but with enough time, you can save money for any trip!
*Bonus tip: Use the private browser option when searching for plan tickets. This way, airlines and travel agencies won’t target your search and raise prices for ticket fares.
Set a Budget
With an idea of your estimated expenses, it’s time to create a budget for your trip. I recommend splitting your overall budget into smaller categories. For instance, you have a budget of $500 for lodging, $300 for airfare, and another $500 for food and shopping. Immediately, this breaks your budget into smaller, more attainable goals, and you have a better idea of how much you can afford to spend. And sometimes, we can get overwhelmed by the many steps required for our plans. However, setting a number makes the trip appear real, and that mindset helps me save easier.
Get Inspired
Why are you going on this trip? Business, a girlfriend getaway, self-care weekend, bachelorette party? What’s the reason for your trip? Will your trip be centered around relaxation and wellness or celebrating a new job or birthday? Good news, though: this should be an effortless thing to determine. Getting clear on the reason for the trip will help so much when deciding what you want to do, and you’ll be able to find inspiration to help plan.
As far as inspiration goes, I also recommend creating mood boards for any trip you’re planning. It’s essential to know how you want this trip to go, and making a mood board always sets the tone. I use Pinterest and Instagram to build my inspiration by using the save option on both platforms.
Book Your Flight
It’s finally time to book your flight! For whatever reason, I’ve found that booking lodging is sometimes easier than booking a flight. So naturally, I usually book my flights before arranging accommodation for my stay. And depending on the location, airfare is more or equally as expensive as lodging, so I tackle the most significant expenditure on the list first. Try to book your flight one to four months before you leave. This ensures you get a ticket, and you won’t have to pay a ridiculous price to do so. Although, ticket prices sometimes drop right before the trip is scheduled to take off. I don’t recommend waiting that long, though; there is no guarantee they’ll have available seats, and the prices could potentially be much higher if they’re in demand.
Book Your Accommodation
The next step is to book your accommodation. If you’re actively saving, booking your hotel or Airbnb should happen a couple of months after you’ve booked your flight; and shouldn’t be booked sooner than two months prior. The best approach is to monitor the cost two months before your vacation and purchase when prices seem to get higher.
When choosing the location for your stay, here are some things I look at to determine the best option for me. The reviews – don’t just go by the rating, actually read the comments. This is a better way to gauge how your experience at this location might go. I always check the hotel’s location, especially in relation to the airport, activities I want to do, and many restaurants and shops. The most annoying thing ever is finding out your hotel is an hour from the airport when you thought it was only a 20-minute ride. It makes for a rough start to the trip.
Plan Your Outfits!
Planning out my looks is one of my favorite parts of planning for any vacation. I love to look good, and I’m more inclined to be happier when I’m better dressed (sadly, not always the case). Regardless of whether you’re fashion savvy or not, it’s essential to have a general idea of what you plan to wear so that you’ll be ready for any weather situation or occasion. Planning my outfits allows me to be super comfortable while I’m traveling, and when I’m comfortable, I’m able to focus on other things like figuring out directions. Being sure of what type of trip you’re taking will also help you decide what to wear.
Pack
The last major step to planning is packing. Here is where I love to have a good list handy; it makes packing much quicker. Remember to check weight limitations on luggage when getting ready. You don’t want to overload your suitcase and leave for some space for souvenirs!
Last-minute checklist
Finally, create a last-minute checklist. This list should include tasks or items you are likely to forget, or it might be something important like your passport. Here is a quick list of things to add to your final checklist: id (passport, driver’s license), cell phone, money, phone charger, underwear (you’d be surprised how often I forget to pack underwear), headphones, chapstick, and an extra change of clothes. This list covers some of the essentials, but take it and make it yours!
Planning your vacation should bring you joy and happiness, not stress. These tips are sure to help plan your upcoming trip no matter the occasion! Stay focused and committed to seeing your plan through. Happy Traveling!
For more check advice, check out my other posts here!
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