Are you ready to travel but don’t know how to plan a trip? Maybe you’ve been wanting to go to a certain destination for years but are not sure how to get there or what to do once you arrive. I hope this post will give you some resources and tools to get started. I’ll share the tips I’ve found most helpful in travel planning. You don’t have to be as Type A as I am — even the most spontaneous people can get something out of this guide!
Step 1: Choose Your Destination
So, where are you going? Feel free to skip this step if you already have a destination in mind. If not, I’d suggest pulling up the Explore page on Kayak.com and looking for the cheapest flights (Google Flights also has an Explore page). You can save money by being flexible. Have you signed up for email alerts yet on Scott’s Cheap Flights? That might help you decide. Or maybe you’d like to drive somewhere instead? Once you’re set with your destination, the next thing to figure out is how long to stay.
Step 2: Set Your Dates
You may only have a certain amount of vacation days, so if that’s the case your dates are set for you. If not, it may help to explore the area of your destination a bit before booking a flight. Just don’t take so long that your cheap flight is no longer cheap. The best way to figure out how long to stay somewhere is to list out everything you want to do and then roughly calculate how much of that you can do each day. You might not be able to do everything, so some cuts will have to be made. Are you looking for fast-paced days where you’re doing four or more activities? Or slower-paced days where you may only have one or two activities? It’s up to you, and it may totally depend on the destination.
Step 3: Explore the Area
To make your list of activities, first head to Google’s “Top Sights” page (you can simply click on this link and bookmark it for later!). Type in the name of your city or location. I love using this page as a starting point for discovering the most popular attractions in a city. Jot down a few that interest you. Try searching on a few other sites, such as travel blogs (like this one!). Do you already have in mind a few things you have to see and do? Write those down! Are you traveling with other people? Be sure to get their input as well. You might also try searching for the best restaurants. I don’t usually plan out all my meals since I’ll be able to see restaurants on arrival as I explore. But it’s nice to know the hot spots ahead of time, in case there’s a restaurant that you just can’t miss!
Step 4: Map Your Itinerary (Most Important!)
Before searching for hotels or booking any travel, you should map out everything on your activity list. Why? When you see how close (or far away) your activities are, it can help you figure out how much is feasible each day as well as the most strategic neighborhood to stay in. Go to My Maps on Google and create a new map. Create a new pin for every activity on your list. Once you’ve finished, take a look at where most of your pins are. You can even map out how long it will take to reach each place. Be sure to also mark any airports, train stations, or car rental places that you think you will be using. Having a visual of all these pins can help you group activities into different days — and figure out the amount of days you’ll need to make the most of everything you want to do. See one of my maps of Kauai below for an example! I map out and color code all of my itineraries and share my maps here on my blog, so be sure to check them out.
Step 5: Search for Lodgings and Transportation
Now it’s time to figure out where to stay and how you’ll get around! I’d suggest figuring out your transportation first. If you’re flying, does the airport have a shuttle? Will you be renting a car? Are there reliable train or bus services in the city? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you determine if you can stay farther out of the city or not. Even if it’s farther away from all of the activities you want to do, it could save you money. But if the transportation wouldn’t be convenient enough, it wouldn’t be worth it. Once your transportation is squared away, try searching on Airbnb or Booking.com for something in the neighborhood you want to stay in. Some popular destinations may require you to book months in advance, so be aware of that!
Step 6: Plan Your Itinerary!
At this point, you know a lot about your trip already. You know your lodgings, your transportation, your activities. But if you want to take it one step further, I’d suggest doing a bit more research into your activities. Some will have certain hours (closed on Sundays and Mondays? only open until 4 p.m.?) and certain reservations (must book a time slot in advance, may sell out early!). To avoid disappointment, find out the costs, hours, and reservation information of every activity. That way you can plan your schedule with these things in mind. I’m more of a slow-paced traveler. I like to try for one or two activities a day, ideally one in the morning and one in the afternoon, so that if there are any travel mishaps (missed bus, wrong turns), the whole day won’t be ruined. But sometimes if you’re in a big city where things are very condensed, it will be easy to knock out several activities in the morning. Mix it up as well — schedule some open activities (like a hike that doesn’t require reservations) alongside more restricted ones (theatre tickets, for example). Visualize yourself moving through the days you’ve planned. Does it feel doable, enjoyable, fun? It’s your adventure, be sure to do what makes you happiest!
Step 7: Repeat for Itineraries with Multiple Stops
Are you planning a month-long trip, traveling to several cities or even several countries? Just repeat the steps above, planning one destination at a time. Connecting the stops and figuring out the best route may be a little tricky, but it’s definitely doable. Look for the most strategic cities to stay in to make the most of day trips. Try to stay at least three days in any one city to cut down on travel days (doesn’t it take up a lot time checking in and checking out, lugging the suitcases everywhere? just me?). Planning a trip properly takes a lot of time and effort, but it will be worth it to have a smoother, less worrisome travel experience, allowing you to see things you could only have seen if you planned.
