Did you know going on a trip can boost your mental health and resilience? If you want to map out your next trip, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over travel planning tips. Get ready to plan your next vacation.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
What’s Your Budget?
Before you plan any trip, you’ll want to sit down and budget your finances. How much money can you spend on your upcoming trip? If you know your budget, you’ll know how long you can go and what you can do.
Where Will You Go?
After you decide on your budget, you’ll want to pick a destination. If you already know your destination, you can skip this step.
Consider pulling out a map and circle towns or cities you’d like to visit. Browse through pictures on Instagram. Is there a country you’ve always wanted to explore?
List your top choices and then start to narrow them down.
Research Your Destination
Before your trip, you’ll want to do a bit of research. Research what the weather will be like. Are you visiting during the hurricane or wet season?
Are you visiting during a peak season? If you’re traveling during a busy season, you might face crowded attractions and lines.
During a low season, you might experience ghost towns and shut down businesses.
What About Transportation?
After you decide where you want to travel, you’ll need to think about transportation. If you’re going abroad or across the country, start searching for a flight.
Check out a few airline sites and compare prices. Use any travel rewards you have to lower the cost. If you can, book in advance so you can find the most affordable ticket.
When you need to head back to the airport, consider a pick up drop off limo service.
Decide on Accommodation
If you have a set schedule in one location, book your accommodation for your entire stay.
Some people tend to book a few places or reserve as they travel. If you’re visiting during the peak season, you’ll want to book your stay in advance.
Are you going on a long term trip? Consider booking the first few days only. You will have a place to rest when you first arrive. After you settle in, you can get advice from the hotel staff and travelers. Use their insight to decide where you’ll stay next.
You could book more than a few days in advance. Yet some people end up changing their plans when they arrive. Look for accommodation that’s refundable in case you change your mind.
Do you plan to stay in a lot of hotels? Consider signing up for a specific hotel credit card before leaving. You will get bonus points and points every night you stay at the hotel.
Are you on a tight budget? You could connect with locals and join the platform Couchsurfing. These communities welcome travelers to stay for free.
Plan Out Your Excursions
Know what your budget is before you pick activities. This way, you can choose the excursions that are your top choices, and that fit within your budget.
Look online for discounts. Some countries offer lower prices in person, while others provide rebates online. If you’re going on a weekend trip, consider booking everything early, so you get your tickets.
Before you head out, make a rough itinerary. Pick out your preferred activities. Make sure there aren’t any national holidays that might prevent you from going to an attraction.
Consider Automating Your Bills
While you’re traveling, consider going paperless with your bills, so you don’t miss any due dates.
You can set up an online bill payment for recurring bills.
Let Your Bank Know You’re Traveling
Even if you’re not going for a super long time, you’ll still want to tell your credit card companies. This way, transactions won’t get flagged as fraudulent, and you won’t have your card blocked.
You don’t want to sit on the phone while you’re on vacation. Make sure you have other credit or debit cards with you. In case one card gets flagged, you will still have different ways to pay.
Pack Your Clothes and Supplies
Get ready to pack for your trip now. You might want to bring lots of things, but less is more. You won’t need lots of shoes and sweaters. Pack a few, and pick up new ones if you need to during your trip.
While packing, you will need to consider where you’re going and the time of year. You might need to pack warmer clothes or rain gear.
If you’re missing anything, you can pick up things while you’re on the road. You can do laundry, so pack fewer items if you can.
Don’t forget any essential prescriptions. Bring a doctor’s note with you if you need to refill a prescription while traveling abroad. Make sure you pack travel size toiletries and personal care items.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
You want to make sure you get travel insurance. It’s an added cost, but you don’t want to leave home without it. Bad things can occur while you’re traveling.
The events are rare, but you want to have protection in the event of an emergency.
Now You Know More About Travel Planning
We hope these vacation planning tips were helpful. Take your time picking excursions during your travel planning. This way, you won’t miss any priority spots you’d like to visit.
Keep browsing our other helpful resources about travel.