Seven steps to help you plan any trip!

Have you been putting off planning a trip because its sounds daunting, or are you unsure where to start? 

 

I first felt like that, too. However, since then, I have planned a few trips and learned many steps to make planning easier. 

 

Follow these seven steps to help you plan any trip and bring you closer to getting your foot on that plane.

 

1. Save money

Have you been dreaming about going on an adventure, a year-long world exploration, a hiking expedition, or a family lake vacation? 

 

Maybe you have not yet decided where to, how long for or when but have always dreamt of visiting some places? 

 

Well, to do any of this, you need money. 

Who can find a chunk of money available now, you ask?

 

I am the first to agree, so I recommend saving money as your priority. 

 

Once you know what you are spending money on, it is easier to adjust and prioritise what the next steps are.

 

Making  a clear expense list will show you how much you can save and how long you need to save a certain amount for your holiday budget.

 

I know it’s easier said than done, and believe me when I say the temptation to spend is real, but you can make this possible with budget planning, financial tips, and some sacrificing.

 

2. Specify your destination

Now your piggy bank is full, it is time to choose where to spend your hard-earned money.

 

There are endless choices when it comes to picking your travel destination.

 

Maybe you already have one in mind or need some inspiration.

I have three favourite platforms to get me inspired:

 

YouTube Channels – watch tons of videos to see what’s out there and what other people enjoy.

 

Check out some of my favourites Karl Watson, Eva zu Beck or Sailing La Vagabonde.

 

Instagram – follow travel accounts for beautiful photos, for example, @incredible_europe, @vacations which usually have the destinations on the picture linked.

 

Travel Bloggs on Pinterest or Google – read travel stories, helpful tips and unique experiences

 

Still finding it challenging to decide, ask yourself a question based on the below points:

 

Weather: do you prefer the warm months or the colder months? (Remember, some countries have seasons opposite of where you are.)

 

Activities: for example, you might want to dive in and see an amazing reef, or perhaps you would love to see the Northern Lights.There are only so many destinations that have these phenomena.

 

Finances: travelling at certain times, like Christmas and Easter, will cost you considerably more.

 

Duration: this might also play a significant role if you can only travel a few days at a time – some trips might require lengthy flights, in which case such trips are not worth considering. 

 

Time of the year: Whilst peak and off-peak seasons will determine the busyness of the place you visit, others, like tropical countries that have dry and wet seasons, will determine what kind of weather you can expect when visiting.

 

 

3. Check entry requirements

For domestic trips, some of you could skip this step; however, travelling to foreign countries will require extra research. 

 

Visit the country’s official websites to find all the essential details for safety and security, travel warnings and restrictions or any visa questions.

 

For information, some visas will be issued at the time of entry to the country; however, in some cases, these need to be sorted before the trip at the country’s embassy. 

 

Other documents like a working holiday visa or a new passport must be obtained in advance. 

 

Remember that travelling to another country usually requires your passport to be valid for the whole duration of your trip.

 

4. Set your budget

Write a list of things that are going to cost you money, and then make a rough calculation of how much things are going to cost while you research these: 

 

Travel expenses:

Flights:

Snapping up the best flight deals often requires you to be flexible and able to book quickly.

 

Assuming that going directly to an airline might not guarantee you the cheapest flight. 

 

However, explore search engines like Skyscanner, Kayak, Momondo, and Google Flights and take advantage of some of their superpowers, like user-friendly filters that show you how prices vary depending on which dates you fly or the cheapest airport to fly from. 

 

If you are not pushed for time, consider looking at indirect flights that could save you extra money. 

 

Trains:

Travelling by train could be so much easier without the hassle of the airport.

 

It is also a great way to get from one city to another if you are doing a longer trip with different stops. 

 

Sleeper trains are also popular while travelling vast distances.

 

Coaches:

Affordable option for shorter or longer trips. You can find these possibly in every country. 

 

Coaches are available from city to city or for organised trips from a city to nature parks and other attractions located further out.

 

Rental Cars:

Fancy a road trip on your holiday? 

 

Car hire is a convenient way to explore places that are not so accessible by public transport. 

 

You can always stop and go wherever or whenever you wish or share it with friends or other travellers to split the cost. 

 

Another great and very affordable way to travel by car is car relocation – usually available in most countries where you help car companies to relocate a car to a different part of the country while you explore. They provide a full tank of fuel and sometimes extra days to complete the journey.

 

Accommodation:

Compare various accommodation types to find what will be most suitable for the trip you have in mind. 

 

Airbnb, Booking.com, and Trivago are my most used for booking beautiful hotels, affordable apartments to rent, lively campsites or unique tree houses.

 

Other popular types of accommodation: Hostels and Bed &Breakfast

 

Activities:

Part of setting your budget will be all the fun stuff you decide to occupy your time with. 

 

It is essential to account for admission costs to your favourite sights, bike hire, and more extreme activities like bungee jumping, helicopter rides, or organised days out. 

 

You might not be 100% able to find all the information and price lists but put some money aside just in case this opportunity arises.

 

Food and eating out:

Trip Advisor or Google are handy in finding out where to eat and how affordable each place is. 

 

Also, consider checking out my favourite platforms from step 2 to find more ways to save on food. 

 

Not a big foodie? 

 

Usually, you can find plenty of places to eat your favourites from home, like pizza, chips and burgers. 

 

But if you feel adventurous, try traditional cuisines in local quirky, rustic restaurants tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the town.

 

Insurance:

Do you also think that this is not needed? 

 

Having travel insurance is not only essential but mandatory in some places. 

 

Find a list of affordable travel insurance companies that offer quotes based on your details. 

 

I used these few before Staysure, AXA Assistance, and Aviva. 

 

Car insurance is crucial if you are also planning to hire a car. 

 

Whilst some car hire companies might offer car insurance as part of a package, other companies might be worth checking out for better deals.

 

Extra costs:

Don’t forget about some miscellaneous expenses such as Visa fees, vaccinations, parking costs and tolls (if travelling by car), transportation fees during your holiday and ATM fees, just to name a few.

 

 

5. Book flights and accommodation

Now you researched how to find the best deals, it is time to make a final decision and set some dates in stone. 

 

This should be an easy step assuming you have a valid passport sorted and know what or if any visa is required for your trip.

 

You can plan the rest of your itinerary by booking your flights and accommodation. 

 

Pre-booking all your accommodation or transport is not always necessary, especially if planning a more extended trip. 

 

This way, you have extra flexibility in case you change your mind or direction.

 

 

6. Decide on attractions to visit/ activities to do

This is definitely my most exciting task when planning a trip, in my opinion.

 

Having fun things to do when you arrive at your destination is also important. 

 

Although mindlessly scrolling through old city streets can be so much fun and rewarding, sometimes, it is better to have a few attractions dotted on the map if you want to see all there is. 

 

Even though it could be as easy as visiting Google to advise you of the best places, these are almost always the most crowded.

 

My suggestion would be to go on walking tours (these are sometimes free) or contact local guides to experience that place in a fresher way.

 

To save some extra time, consider how far the attractions are from each other and think of how you will get to them. 

 

Can you walk or would you have to take public transport? 

 

Another way to save time, even though this might cost you more, is to consider hiring a bike or sightseeing bus tour with the advantage of hopping on and off as you wish. 

 

If you unexpectedly find yourself in a city or town and have a few hours to spare, find ai local visitor information centre to find the best things to do there.

 

This is the most convenient way without spending hours on the internet researching.

 

One thing I would keep in mind is always to leave some spare time to do whatever you want. Sometimes being spontaneous could be more exciting.

 

If you arrange too much, it might feel like a chore, making you feel rushed, stressed and overwhelmed. 

 

It’s supposed to be your holiday so don’t forget to enjoy it!

 

 

7. Preparation is the key.

Organise all your documents. 

 

I would suggest printing a hard copy of all your documents, such as travel insurance, car insurance if you are considering a car hire and a copy of your passport.

 

Yes, you heard that correctly! 

 

In case you misplace your passport, having a copy will make it easier to apply for a temporary one to get you home. 

 

There are also travel planner apps like Wanderlog and TripIt to help you stay on top of everything.

 

Finally, make a packing list. 

Nothing is more frustrating than forgetting something, and buying it on holiday could cost twice as much. 

 

My favourite tool to avoid such a situation is Pinterest. Pin a few lists for inspiration, or make your own based on the ones you read.

 

Hooray!!! You are now on the way!!

 

Are you an experienced traveller? If so, what are the main steps that help you to plan your trip?