How to Plan a Trip
Planning for a trip can be daunting! We all know that planning a trip, wether it’s a 3 days or even 10 months- yes we planned a 10 month multi country trip all on our own- can be difficult. Where do you start? How do you decide where to go? How do you decide where to stay? Can I even afford this trip? These are questions that we will answer for you and by the end of this blog post you will know exactly how to plan for a trip. For the sake of time, we will get right to the point on exactly how we plan for a trip step by step. The further down you read, the more detailed it will become. We share some PRO TIPS that you won’t want to miss and at the end we share a list of essential travel resources! So let’s get into it- how to plan for a trip!
How to plan a trip. A step by step guide.
1. Decide Where to Go:
Make a list of potential destinations.
2. Flight Research:
Use Google Flights and Skyscanner to find the best flight deals.
3. Accommodation Hunt:
Check Airbnb or Booking.com for accommodation prices.
Explore hotel options, considering loyalty program points.
4. Tours and Experiences:
Utilize GetYourGuide to discover tours and experiences at the destination.
Not sure what you want to do? Use YouTube to search for a destination and see what other people did.
5. Find the best Area to Stay:
Use Pinterest to find blog posts about the best areas to stay in and make sure the article is recently updated.
6. Visa and Entry Requirements:
Check visa requirements and entry/exit regulations.
7. Safety Check:
Research the safety conditions of the chosen destination.
Be sure to check the weather for the time of year you will be visiting. For example, it’s better to go to Thailand during it’s dry season than wet season.
8. Flight Booking:
Secure your flights.
9. Accommodation Booking:
Book accommodation after thorough research.
10. Set a Budget:
Calculate a daily budget based on flights, accommodation, and anticipated expenses.
Determine the total budget for the entire trip.
We created a Master Budget Planner that you can get for yourself by clicking here.
11. Itinerary Planning:
Use Wanderlog to input and organize your itinerary. This can also be shared with friends/family if traveling in a group.
12. Start Your Packing List:
Utilize our free packing checklist below to ensure you never forget essential items.
Deciding where to go:
Deciding where to travel on vacation can often feel like the most challenging part of the journey. To simplify this process, start by jotting down a list of destinations that intrigue you. Consider factors such as cultural experiences, natural wonders, or historical sites that pique your interest. Next, factor in the weather and the time of year you plan to travel, as this can narrow down your options and eliminate destinations that may not align with your preferences. Checking flight prices on platforms like Google Flights can offer insights into affordable destinations, helping to streamline your decision-making process.
Flight Research:
When booking flights, staying flexible with your travel dates can unlock the best deals. Consider purchasing tickets directly from the airline's website to avoid potential issues with third-party bookings. Additionally, when searching for flights, explore the prices for two one-way flights versus a round-trip ticket, as this comparison can reveal cost-saving opportunities. Be open to checking flights into nearby airports, as sometimes it's more economical to fly into a different airport and then take a train or bus to your final destination. Embrace layovers as a chance to explore new destinations; countries like Qatar, Turkey, and Iceland often offer layover deals that include guided tours, hotel stays, and the chance to discover key attractions during extended layovers, transforming a stopover into a mini-vacation. For those who are flexible in their travel plans, apps like FareDrop can notify you of incredible flight deals. Lastly, maintain privacy when searching for flights online by using incognito mode or clearing your browser cookies to avoid potential price hikes based on demand tracking by some websites. By following these tips, you can navigate the flight booking process efficiently and secure the best options for your travels.
Booking Accommodation
When it comes to choosing accommodations, we recommend sites like booking.com, airbnb and Agoda (for Southeast Asia). Filtering the reviews by "most recent" can provide up-to-date insights, especially in this post-COVID world where circumstances may have changed. Opting for established hosts on platforms like Airbnb, such as Superhosts, can ensure a reliable stay with quality accommodations. Consider renting a room on Airbnb for a unique and immersive experience; while this option may offer less privacy as you share common spaces, it can lead to unforgettable interactions with local hosts. For those looking to save on accommodation costs, utilizing hotel-branded credit cards can provide opportunities for free or discounted stays. You can read more about that here. Additionally, exploring budget-friendly options like local stays can offer unique experiences at affordable prices; for example, in Bali, you can find "Guesthouses," while in Europe, you might discover the opportunity to stay in a converted church for a fraction of the cost of a traditional hostel. By considering these tips, you can find the perfect accommodations to enhance their journey while staying within budget.
Tour Planning:
When planning tours and experiences, consider utilizing GetYourGuide for a wide range of options and take advantage of their free cancellation policy, which allows cancellations up to 24 hours in advance. For destinations in Southeast Asia like Bali, Thailand, and Malaysia, consider booking tours on-site for a more authentic experience, but plan ahead for popular destinations in Europe and Japan where tours will fill up quickly. Additionally, be sure to check museum opening days and times, as some may offer free entry on specific days or have closures, allowing you to maximize your cultural experiences while minimizing costs. By following these tips, you can efficiently plan and enjoy a diverse array of tours and experiences during your travels.
Finding the best area to stay:
When you're deciding on where to stay, safety and budget are key considerations. Take a peek at the location of your accommodation to ensure it fits your needs. While it might seem like a steal to stay outside the city center, remember to include transportation costs in your budget. Sometimes, what you save on the room ends up going towards getting around. It's also worth thinking about whether it's worth splurging a bit to stay right in the thick of things, especially if you're on a shorter trip. Sure, it might cost a tad more, but it could save you time and make your stay more convenient. And hey, don't forget to browse Pinterest for articles on the best areas to stay. It's a treasure trove of insider tips and recommendations that can help you find the perfect spot for your getaway!
Visa and entry requirements:
Before embarking on your travels, it's crucial to check visa requirements and entry/exit regulations for your destination. You can do that on the official US government website here. Ensuring you have the necessary documentation can prevent any last-minute hassles or disruptions to your trip. Here, you can find up-to-date information on entry requirements, visa types, safety advisories, and more, tailored specifically for US citizens traveling abroad. Taking a few moments to review this information can help you navigate the entry process smoothly and enjoy a stress-free journey.
Itinerary:
We recommend Wanderlog to craft your itinerary seamlessly. Its free version ensures everything stays organized, while the paid version goes the extra mile by optimizing our route for efficiency. Remember to incorporate some downtime into your schedule! Exploring can be exhilarating, but it's essential to factor in rest to combat jet lag and travel fatigue, allowing yourself ample time to savor the experience fully. When deciding how long to spend in each location, compile a list of must-see attractions and gauge how many days we'll need to cover them all. Price is another factor to consider; for instance, in pricey destinations like Paris, we condensed our visit to two jam-packed days, whereas in more budget-friendly spots like Bordeaux, we indulged in a leisurely five-day stay, spreading out our activities for a more relaxed pace.
Setting a budget:
Begin by calculating a daily budget, taking into account expenses such as flights, accommodation, tours, food and other anticipated costs. Next, determine the total budget required for the entire trip. For assistance with this task, utilize our Master Budget Planner. This tool simplifies the process and offers structured guidance to ensure financial planning precision throughout your journey.
Bonus tips
Use a rewards credit card to buy Airbnb gift cards before your trip for additional savings. For example, we have this credit card that gives us 5% back on Amazon purchases. You can purchase Airbnb gift cards on Amazon: a $500 Airbnb gift card will give you $25 in rewards. Right now they are offering Amazon Prime members a $100 amazon gift card when you sign up AND there is NO ANNUAL FEE! It’s a no brainer!
Check shopping portals like Rakuten for deals on platforms such as VRBO, select hotels, and airlines.
Utilize hotel branded credit cards like this one for Marriot, this one for Hilton, or this one for IHG to get FREE hotel stays around the world.
Essential Apps and Websites for Travel Planning:
These websites/apps have instrumental to our trip planning. Wether you are a beginner or an expert at travel planning, these are essential.
Google Flights: Find and compare flight options with ease.
Skyscanner: Explore flight deals and flexible travel options.
Rome2Rio: Plan your route and transportation between destinations.
Airbnb: Discover unique accommodations and get budget insights.
Booking.com: Explore hotel options worldwide.
Agoda: Particularly useful for hotel bookings in Asia.
12GoAsia: For booking transportation in Asia.
Klook: Great for booking tours and experiences in Asia.
GetYourGuide: Find and book tours and experiences at your destination.
Pinterest: Gather travel inspiration and research the best areas to stay.
Visa Website (US): Check official visa requirements and regulations.
Excel Spreadsheets: Organize your budget and expenses systematically.
Master Budget Planner: We created this so everyone can budget for any size/length trip!
Wanderlog: Create and optimize your travel itinerary effortlessly.
YouTube: Search for specific locations to visually explore and get a feel for your surroundings.
Onward Ticket: Traveling to a country that needs proof of an exit ticket? This website allows you to purchase a flight reservation that lasts for 48 hours. It literally takes less than 5 minutes to buy one. Trust us- we’ve used this to get into Vietnam, Turkey and many more countries that require an exit ticket. We literally book them while we are in line to check in at the airport.
Exactly how we plan for a trip
Let's delve into our travel booking process! The first step involves maintaining a running list of dream destinations, neatly categorized by continent and country for extended trips. Following this, I (Evan) handle the detailed planning – researching flights, accommodation, hotel/Airbnb prices, and local culinary delights to assess if our budget aligns with the selected destination. Ensuring safety, we conduct a quick Google search for potential political unrest or other concerns. Visa requirements are also on our checklist for decision-making.
Creating an Excel spreadsheet streamlines our tracking process. Once we've pinpointed affordable locations, we turn to Pinterest, YouTube and GetYourGuide for unique insights into things to do, see, and eat. The spreadsheet becomes a repository for notes, soon to be transferred to Wanderlog. We also utilize Google My Maps to keep track of restaurants and cafes we want to visit. This comes in handy when we are actually at the destination and need to find somewhere to eat as we’ve already done the research.
When it comes to booking flights, flexibility is key. We prioritize flexible dates for the best prices, using Google Flights to scout for the most cost-effective options. Checking points with airlines is a smart move – Evan recently snagged a flight to Orlando for 16,000 points on American Airlines, a fortunate result of previous flights. We always book directly with airlines to avoid complications; third-party websites may offer better prices but can lead to issues with luggage, seat selection, and handling cancellations or delays.
Post-flight booking celebrations involve a little dance, a cocktail, or a coffee – the hard part is done! Moving on, I scour Pinterest for the "best neighborhoods to stay in X" before narrowing down choices on Airbnb or Booking.com. Utilizing filters like "wifi," "entire place," or "shared room," I read recent reviews and save options to a wishlist for a collaborative final decision with Lemon.
With accommodation booked, we sync it via email with the Wanderlog app to list all our stays and start planning our itinerary. Everything we want to do is plugged into the app, we then organize by day, with Wanderlog optimizing routes to prevent backtracking. The itinerary includes restaurants, museums, attractions, and more. We ensure balance in our plans, considering Lemon's love for exploration and my preference for downtime. If a day seems too packed, we adjust accordingly. We appreciate Wanderlog's collaborative feature, allowing both of us to view and edit our itinerary on our phones.
Budgeting comes next, using the earlier price research and adding it to an Excel spreadsheet. We've even created a Master Budget Planner for others to use. Costs like accommodation and flights are known factors, while others like tours, food, and drink are estimated. Dividing the total by the number of days gives us a daily budget, helping us stay on track.
Lastly, our packing strategies differ – Lemon sticks to essentials, while I seek inspiration for outfits based on the destination's season. For example, I will search Pinterest for “Outfits for London in spring” to get inspiration. I then see what I already own and usually end up buying a few new articles of clothing. The key lesson we’ve learned over the last 2 years is to prioritize comfort over style. Our shared love for mix-and-match clothing ensures hassle-free daily outfits. We’ve also created a packing list that you can have for free! Click here to learn more about it.
