planning for a visit

49 Things You Need to Do to Plan Your Best Trip (Free Travel Research & Planning Checklist)

• Updated: 04/06/2024

Before you jet off on your next adventure, ensure you have all your travel research and planning in order. To help, use this ultimate travel research checklist  to guide you through the necessary steps for more enjoyable planning and a stress-minimized trip.

I love to travel, though I do not necessarily enjoy all the tedious steps required to get out the door and start having fun. So, I rely heavily on checklists like this planning list , a packing list , and a prep and close-the-house list  to streamline my departure. Leaning on these saves me time and money and helps to avoid unexpected situations, making for worry-free trips. I hope they can do the same for you.

So, whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time adventurer, I have designed this travel research and planning guide to cover the things you must cross off your to-do list before leaving for a trip. 

From the fun stuff like flights, accommodation, and local attractions—to the necessary details, especially for more complicated international travel, like getting visas , knowing about local customs, and purchasing travel insurance , use this list to explore the world confident you have things covered. 

Table Of Contents

Download your free travel planning checklist here.

Prefer not to print? Jump to my explanation of the 14 stages of trip planning  with 49 separate things you should do below. Otherwise, click the image beneath to access and print my free Travel Planning Checklist .

The Importance of Travel Research

Before setting off on any adventure, it is crucial to do your research. Travel research helps you gather information about your destination, allowing you to make informed decision s and avoid unnecessary stress. By taking the time to research and plan, you can uncover hidden gems, know about local events, find the best deals, and arrange your itinerary to maximize your trip enjoyment. 

Plus, conducting research helps travelers be more thoughtful and respectful visitors by being aware of local customs.

Sign up for my monthly Discovery Newsletter & get a free Trip Budget Calculator !

Learn how to further simplify your trip research, planning, and organization for every stage of your trip in “ 5 Proven Ways to Simplify and Organize Your Travel Research .”

When to Start Planning a Trip

When is the ideal time to start planning a trip? Whenever you decide to go! Though—several months, or at least six months in advance , is generally best. However, some destinations, like high-demand national parks with limited visitor and lodging capacity, may require planning up to 12 months or more in advance. 

Plus, it depends who is traveling . Solo or couple travelers can more easily plan last-minute trips as they tend to have more schedule flexibility (i.e., not following family school break schedules) and can choose from more affordable double or single-room lodging options, which tend to be more abundant.

Because families usually require more of everything , from plane tickets to more spacious lodging and even bigger rental cars, planning further in advance becomes more necessary, especially as it allows them to secure the best of these resources at the best pricing. If you are a family traveler or part of a big multi-generational group, you will want to begin planning further in advance—six months to a year is ideal.

14 Stages of Trip Planning & 49 Tips

How you follow these 14 stages of travel planning depends on how long you have before you depart for your trip and your comfort level with leaving things to the last minute. 

Because I do not enjoy the feeling of big to-dos being undone or last-minute scrambles, I aim to complete all 14 stages of travel planning anywhere from one to several months in advance. Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable playing your timeframes looser. 

Step 1: Decide on Your Destination (7 Questions)

Step 2: International Travel: Understand Visa & Vaccination Requirements & Travel Restrictions/Warnings (4 Tips)

Step 3: On Budgeting, Know What You Can Spend (Budget Template)

Step 4: Set a High-Level Itinerary (Get Shortcuts)

Step 5: getting there, find the best deals on airfare (3 resources).

Step 6: Getting Around, Rental Cars & Local Transportation Options (6 Tips)

Step 7: Choose Where to Stay (Shortcuts & Resources)

Step 8: Decide, Save & Book the Things You Want to Do (4 Tips)

Step 9: Focus on Food, Reserve Restaurants & Learn About Local Dishes (2 Recommendations)

Step 10: Create, Update & Finalize a Detailed Trip Itinerary (Resources)

Step 11: Plan for Emergencies & Unexpected Situations (3 Tips)

Step 12: Packing & Prepping Your Home Before Your Trip (Resources)

Step 13: Make Your Finances Accessible on Domestic & International Trips (13 Tips)

Step 14: Stay Connected While You Travel (Resources)

You may have several destinations in mind for an upcoming trip—or none at all. To get assistance narrowing down your options, consider your travel wants, needs, and limitations by answering the seven questions below to help you figure this out.

How long do you have to travel?

Your work and school schedules or family obligations may dictate the duration of your travel. Or perhaps budget  constraints cap the number of your away-from-home vacation days.

So, before you choose where to go, know how long you can spend there. If your holiday break is limited, you will want to minimize the time or expense of transportation, guiding you to pick closer destinations or places with direct flights.

What do you want to do?

Do you want a warm week lounging on the beach within reach of an easy and affordable nonstop flight? Or are you looking for a city trip with cultural activities? Perhaps the pull of nature is strong, and you want a hiking adventure? Or a bit of all of the above? Know what experiences you or your group would like to have during your time away and pick a place that meets it best.

This question is linked to the one above but digs deeper. Confirm your potential destination offers the right breadth and depth of activities and cultural or culinary highlights. Are there enough things to do and experience to last your trip and meet your wants and needs? Determine whether these options will make for an ideal visit. 

How to get there?

Explore how to get to your potential destination. Does getting there require a multi-day drive? Or a flight with a long layover? Gain a high-level idea of the time and cost involved with the “getting there” part of travel and confirm your time off can easily accommodate long transit times if required. Then, further dive into this step by learning your best options for getting around  once you arrive, here .

When is the best time to go?

To avoid destinations during their rainy seasons and less ideal temperature times, look up historical weather averages for your potential vacation spot before you commit. Use a helpful site like SunHeron  to look at month-by-month temperatures and rainfall for nearly any destination. Doing this will give you a better chance of having the weather be a helper for a great experience instead of a hindrance

What do you want to pay?

It is never fun to start digging into a trip to an incredible place only to realize a few steps in that you cannot afford it. This exact situation happened to us. Several summers ago, we did not plan far enough in advance for a family summer trip to pricey Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Limited availability and expensive lodging options forced us to backtrack and find a more budget-friendly alternative destination—surprisingly, Vail, Colorado.

So, before committing to a spot, set your budget , then do quick hit searches on the costs of available transportation, lodging, activities, and dining to confirm they fit what you can afford.

Is it safe?

Ensuring your health and safety during your trip should be a top priority, especially when visiting an international destination and you are unfamiliar with the customs and language. Before you go, look up travel warnings , read recent traveler accounts on blogs or social media channels, and even message the account owners with your safety questions. Then, check the local news sites. Gathering information about recent on-the-ground experiences will help you decide if this destination is right for you.

Step 2: International Travel: Understand Visa & Vaccination Requirements & Travel Restrictions/Warnings (4 Tips)

This step is for international travel. Before buying your plane tickets, understand entry requirements related to passports and visas, if applicable. 

Ensure you have an up-to-date passport & learn about visa requirements.

For international travel, always ensure your passport will not expire soon and it will be valid for your dates of entry. A good rule of thumb is your passport should be valid for six months after entry . However, sometimes it is less. Confirm exact entry requirements by researching this with the official government customs and tourism organization for the country you plan to visit.

A quick online search should get you the answers you need. For US travelers, check and confirm destination requirements on the helpful “ Learn About Your Destination” page of the US State Department website.

If your passport is expired or set to expire within a validity window, like six months, take immediate steps to renew it. In the US, obtaining a new one can take weeks, if not several months. Get all the details you need about obtaining and renewing US Passports here .

Review travel advisories, security alerts, vaccination & other health requirements.

For US citizens planning to travel abroad, search for your destination on the US State Department website , look for travel advisories, security alerts, and detailed information about health matters, including links to vaccination requirements. Or go directly to the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Destinations page for extensive health recommendations.

Additionally, maintain your safety by booking lodging  in busier and well-known areas and following the tips I recommend here  to prepare for unexpected emergencies .

If traveling to Europe, know about EITAS, a coming-soon travel permit requirement.

Also, if you plan to travel to Europe, learn about the new electronic travel authorization (ETIAS) for visiting Europe. This coming-soon authorization is not a visa. It is a travel permit. As non-EU Schengen members, US travelers must eventually apply for this new travel authorization before entering Europe.

US travelers, enroll in STEP.

For US travelers for an extra measure of security and safety, consider enrolling your trip with the US State Department as part of their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP . Doing this will share your travel status with the US government which will allow you to receive important safety information about your destination country and help the US Embassy contact you in an emergency. Enroll here. 

Step 3: On Budgeting, Know What You Can Spend

Does your budget determine where you can go? Or does your destination determine your budget?  An essential part of your travel planning is being realistic about what you can afford . There are few better ways to ruin the effect of a top-notch vacation than to return home after it, realizing you overspent, and then having to contend with the pain of outsize credit card debt and the regret that comes with it.  Instead, book a trip to a place that meets you where your money is. Memorable travel experiences do not have to cost a fortune.

Use a budget calculator like the one I provide for free with signups to my monthly Discovery travel newsletter , shown above. Or create your own budget that includes the major expense items like transportation, lodging, activities, meals, and incidentals that cover anything from souvenirs to travel insurance to pet sitting.

Once you decide on your destination , determine if you will stay in one place or move around and make multiple stops. Will your path of travel be circular—where you end up in the original place you began so that you are flying into and out of the same airport? Or will it be linear? A linear path means you will fly to one destination and return home from another—requiring plane tickets commonly referred to in the travel industry as open jaw tickets. 

Your budget and available vacation time may dictate staying in one place. Or it will allow you to include several different stops in one trip.  Get shortcuts to quickly determine a high-level itinerary for any destination in this article .

Flights and related on-the-ground transportation costs can often be the most significant expenses of any trip.  To find the best airfare deals, compare prices across multiple airlines. Consider flexible travel dates to take advantage of cheaper fares and rates. Additionally, look to redeem frequent flier miles or sign up for travel credit cards that give you miles bonuses.

Maximize your savings by learning to find the best fare deals using Google Flights Explore and Google Flights price tracker . Or read this overview of how to track down the best airfare deals .

Step 6: Getting Around, Rental Cars & Local Transportation Options (6 Tips)

Familiarize yourself with these six transportation tips for taxis, public transit, rental cars, and safe walking routes applicable to any new destination.

Plan for how to get around.

Knowing in advance how you plan to get around your vacation spot will impact where you decide to book your lodging . If you plan to rent a car and drive, you will want vacation accommodation that provides easy vehicle access—and ideally nearby and free parking. Or, if you plan to rely on ride shares and public transportation, you may want to ensure close lodging proximity to taxi stands or train or bus stops. 

Familiarize yourself with local transportation options.

Before you arrive at your destination, familiarize yourself with the local transportation . Research different options, such as public buses, trains, ride shares, and taxis, to determine the most convenient and cost-effective ways to get around. These alternatives can be very different in international destinations. 

For example, the most recommended rideshare in Malta, which we visited for a spring break trip , was Bolt, followed by a few others I was unfamiliar with, like eCabs and Ryde.

If you learn about these things in advance, you can pre-download the apps , set up an account, and link payment methods before you arrive. Additionally, consider purchasing local transportation cards or passes, as these often offer discounted rates for multiple journeys.

Get rental car tips & gather resources.

If you plan to rent a car, review these 15 rental car tips which will save you money, reduce potential hassles, and explain how to get complimentary upgrades. Then, understand whether you need to buy rental car insurance —something that even the most experienced travelers get confused by—with this thorough overview .

When traveling internationally, research to find out if you need an international driving permit for your destination. If you do, get this permit in advance, as sometimes the paperwork may take a few weeks. Check to see if you need an international driving permit via this helpful article . 

Learn the (local) rules of the road.

For any international travelers, you will want to familiarize yourself with the local driving rules in the country you plan to drive in advance. Doing so can help you avoid unintentional penalties and minimize the chance of on-the-road incidents. 

US travelers can understand driver safety abroad by referencing this State Department page . This page provides helpful country links and outlines local driving rules—from default speed limits to signaling requirements to where to park.

Consider pre-booking an airport pickup.

Especially for international trips, if you do not feel confident about your understanding of local transportation options, make things easy for yourself upon arrival. Consider requesting your lodging to arrange a pickup for you . This reserved ride will likely be more expensive, though it will give you peace of mind that you will not get things “wrong” when you arrive.

Then, when at your destination, ask for assistance from your accommodation manager or concierge to help better explain your on-the-ground transportation options .

After an international overnight flight, our family sometimes pre-books airport taxis, as we did on a visit to Rome . When exhausted and running on empty from a long and likely sleepless flight, it is a relief to know our in-town transportation is reliably taken care of. 

Know safe walking routes.

If you plan to explore a new destination on foot, familiarize yourself with safe walking paths . Research this ahead of time. Or ask once at your accommodation. The front desk staff and management, who generally live locally, are a valuable resource for sharing the best routes, areas, and times for moving around safely.

Step 7: Choose Where to Stay (Shortcuts & Resources)

Pinpointing the right location for lodging is never easy. To figure it out fast—my first stop is to use the “ Where to stay ” button on Google Hotels , which will show neighborhood-by-neighborhood descriptions and ratings for all major destinations, allowing you to quickly zero in on the right neighborhood for you to stay in. See where to find it in the quick clip below.

Alternatively, run an AI or online search on “ best places to stay in [your destination] ” and review the results. Or, reference up-to-date travel guidebooks , which generally provide a helpful point of view on the best areas to stay. 

Additionally, since I find great lodging in top locations has an outsize positive impact on our travel experiences, I put a lot of effort into finding the best places to stay.  Get tips on how to do this for your lodging searches in this article .

Step 8: Decide, Save & Book the Things You Want to Do (4 Tips)

Now that you have the framework of your trip set, it is time for the most fun part—figuring out things you want to do once you get there.

Search for things to do online.

If your best trip experience includes seeing top attractions and activities, you will want to research the top things to do in a destination that best fits your interests. Run AI searches or look online for “things to do in [your destination].”

Travel blogs, social media, and sites like Pinterest or Reddit are helpful for this. Or read a guidebook  or visit Google Travel , searching your destination to get an idea about the top attractions and get recommendations for more things to see or do.

To determine what you want to do most, read reviews from fellow travelers to understand what to expect. Then, consider purchasing tickets or making reservations for the most popular attractions to avoid long queues and secure your spot.

Save your favorites.

My preferred way to keep track of things I want to do in a destination is to save them to a custom list in Google Maps . Doing this gives me quick access to my favorites on my mobile phone via my Google Maps app while traveling. I share why and how to create similar custom lists in this article . 

Check out the guided activity and tour options.

Another good way to round out your research for what to do in any area is by checking out tour booking sites like Viator , Get Your Guide or Airbnb Experiences . Use them to look at the top-rated experiences for your destination. You might discover a cooking class, photo tour, guided hike, history walk, and so much more—activities that could be one of the more memorable parts of your vacation.

Ask for recommendations.

Before your trip, ask your friends, family, and acquaintances for suggestions for what to do in your planned destination if they have already been there.  T hen, when your trip is here, and you finally and excitingly arrive— connect and chat with your lodging managers, taxi drivers, tour guides, servers, and any other locals you can befriend to ask for their recommendations. 

By doing this, we have learned about many things we would have missed if we did not connect with locals, like off-the-radar restaurants, event-related parades, holiday processionals, or the best spots to catch sunsets. While traveling, we value these local recommendations so highly that we often will reshape our entire plan for how we spend a day to accommodate them. 

Step 9: Focus on Food - Reserve Restaurants & Learn About Local Dishes (2 Recommendations)

Does your culinary experience matter to you on vacation? I have a food blogger and cookbook author friend who makes researching places to eat and reserving restaurants her immediate third activity after booking airfare and lodging for any trip. So, if incorporating an epicurean experience into your travel is important, include the two steps below in your pre-trip planning.

Make restaurant reservations.

Search online to get a list of top eateries in your destination. Reference Google Maps, articles, blog posts, or run AI inquiries. Or ask other travelers who have been to the area recently, as they are always happy to share their favorites. Prioritize the places you want to eat and make reservations. If you cannot do this in advance online, do not sweat it. Do it in person when you arrive. Or ask your lodging for dining recommendations and assistance with booking reservations.

Learn about the food before you go.

Although international trips provide ample opportunities for new food experiences, you do not have to go far from home to indulge in regional food specialties while on vacation. For example, on a fall getaway to Door County, Wisconsin , near our hometown of Chicago, we were sure to order cheese curds, a Badger State specialty, paired with local brews. 

Before your trip, search online for “best food to eat in [your destination]” to see what tops the list. On a spring trip to Rome , it was Jerusalem artichokes. When in Malta , it was a rabbit dish and many other unfamiliar foods.

Eating at different places and trying new dishes, drinks, and snacks can be one of the most memorable aspects of your travel. To get a head start, take a global tour from these food guide and cookbook recommendations .

Step 10: Create, Update & Finalize a Detailed Trip Itinerary (Resources)

Now that you have your transportation, lodging, activities, and possibly even your dining planned or loosely set, it is time to put it all down to paper.  Use an online app like TripIt to keep track of your bookings and day-to-day plans. Or go semi-old school like I do and put it in an Excel document . Since I have yet to find an app that functions exactly how I want, I created my own itinerary framework that includes all the elements I prefer.

I share this free framework  downloadable in four file types in this article . In it, I also link to more places to find free or affordable trip itinerary templates. 

Then, for safety purposes , share your itinerary with family and friends so they know where you will be when you are away from home.

Step 11: Plan for Emergencies & Unexpected Situations (3 Tips)

Follow these three recommendations to help you avoid or quickly recover from emergencies and unexpected situations while traveling.

Conduct practical safety prep.

Before each trip, familiarize yourself with local emergency service numbers and healthcare facilities in your planned destination. When traveling internationally—particularly to an area at risk for conflict, know where to find your local embassy or consulate.  Additionally, ensure your family and friends know where you are going and how to reach you. If you created a detailed itinerary  share it with them. Then, continue to check in throughout the trip.

Buy travel insurance.

It is an extra expense every traveler would love to skip. However, given the cost of your vacation and what is at risk—your trip budget, your health, and your property—the cost of travel insurance should be considered an essential and non-negotiable expense, especially for international trips. Read about why to get travel insurance and where to find it in this article .

My preferred resource for buying travel insurance is InsureMyTrip.com , an online travel insurance agent and search engine that I use to shop policies from different insurers, buying from the ones with the highest user ratings.

Know what to do in case of theft.

Do you have a plan for what to do in case your wallet, phone, computer, or passport is taken or goes missing? Do you know how to protect your sensitive data? Or how to quickly replace credit cards or a phone? Or get a replacement passport so you can get home?

If not, familiarize yourself with these steps in case your phone goes missing , or read this account of a traveler who had to navigate getting her phone stolen out of her hand in Cartagena, Colombia.

Then, make front-and-back print and digital copies of all IDs, passports, credit cards, and travel insurance policies, keeping copies easily accessible in case of emergency, theft, or loss. Share copies of all items with a trusted friend or family member who can quickly send them back to you if needed.

Step 12: Packing & Prepping Your Home Before Your Trip (Resources)

Taking care to pack efficiently will make your trip a more comfortable one. Before you go, research weather conditions at your destination and plan accordingly. Make a checklist of essential items, such as toiletries, medication, electronics, and travel adapters. Pack versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched for different occasions and temperatures. And remember a travel first aid kit with essential medical supplies.

Because I bring many repeat items every time we travel, I spent a year carefully crafting, updating, and tweaking a universal and printable packing list to reuse for every trip. Using this helps me avoid “recreating the (packing) wheel” every time I leave home, which helps save time and minimizes prep. 

Access, download, and print this universal packing list , which includes a comprehensive medical kit, here . 

Additionally, since I am a fan of checklists and streamlining tasks, I created a second checklist to close the house and prep for packing—that includes to-do items like buying trip-specific gear or picking up medical prescriptions in advance to avoid last-minute scrambles. Check out the list here. 

If you are new to traveling and packing, get 25 of my best packing tips that I follow for every trip.

Step 13: Make Your Finances Accessible on Domestic & International Trips (13 Tips)

Before you go on any trip, be sure to have a plan for how to pay for all expenses, access your cash, and use your credit cards.

On domestic trips: two tips on spending and cash.

If your getaway is domestic, this step should be relatively easy, as how you spend will be similar to what you do at home. However, there are two things you may want to consider before you leave. Getting extra cash from a local no-fee ATM and ensuring you have up-to-date logins with mobile pay apps like Zelle or Venmo. 

Even in this age of high connectivity, it is still relatively easy to encounter a market vendor, fair, or pop-up snack shop that does not accept credit cards. So, you will want a cash supply handy . Doing this will help you avoid unnecessary and out-of-the-way stops at high-fee and out-of-network ATMs. Sometimes, vendors will also accept mobile payments from apps like Venmo or Zelle. 

For example, during a recent domestic trip to New Orleans, our family enjoyed listening to musicians who accepted tips via Venmo, allowing us to scan their QR code and drop some cash—in appreciation of their talent and time. So, before you leave for your trip, if you use these apps, ensure you are actively logged in and can access your accounts.

On international trips: 11 tips for spending, credit cards, cash, and safety.

Prearranging and maintaining comprehensive and secure financial access requires a few more steps when traveling internationally. Here is a list of 10 things you will want to plan for: 

1. Determine which credit card(s) you plan to use . Ideally, choose the one(s) that offers the lowest, or zero, foreign transaction fees.

2. If you use a mobile hands-free payment like Apple Pay, ensure your default credit card linked to your mobile payment account is the card with the lowest foreign transaction fees. 

3. For travelers who do not already use a hands-free payment method like Apple Pay, consider setting it up, as it is a convenient wallet-free way to pay when traveling. Keeping your wallet tucked away may also make you less of a target for potential pickpockets who tend to mark international travelers.

4. If you plan to use a credit card while traveling internationally, process your transactions in the local currency . At the point-of-sale, avoid converting the transaction to your home currency since this often translates into a less advantageous exchange rate. 

5. Know the currency exchange rate between your home and destination country before you leave home—this will help you better manage your spending and budget. Download a currency converter app like XE , to easily translate local prices to your home currency.

6. Plan to take out the local country currency from an ATM when you arrive. Some travelers prefer to pre-buy foreign currency at their local hometown bank before they leave for their trip. However, we are always comfortable doing this at the airport upon arrival.

Know which local ATMs offer the lowest fees for international visitors for cash withdrawals and which charge the highest—and should be avoided. Visit traveler forums and social media groups , or read guidebooks  to learn this information.

7. Bring back up cash in your own currency , which you can exchange in an emergency. Include small bills if you can. You can often use these in a pinch for tips and when you run short on small denominations of local cash. However, local currency—depending on the country—is generally preferred.

8. Remove all unnecessary credit , identity, membership, and banking cards from your wallet that you do not plan to use while traveling and store them safely at home. Doing this is preventative in case of wallet loss or theft. Keeping so many cards at home means you will have fewer to cancel or replace.

9. Make copies of both sides of your banking and credit cards . Keep print or digital copies accessible. For a backup— share them with a friend or family member who will be staying home and can send them to you in the event of loss or theft. 

10. Have a plan for keeping your wallet and valuables safe while on your trip. Assume on an international trip, you may be a target for pickpockets. Make it difficult for would-be thieves by using secure carrying bags and backpacks with zippered pockets.

Practice never leaving your personal items unattended or on the back of chairs. If you need to set a bag down, wrap a strap securely around a leg or arm. Also, ensure all openings are fully zipped and face inward toward your body. Depending on your destination, consider sewing hidden interior pockets to pants or using money belts under clothes to keep cash and IDs secure.

Another helpful step you can take includes being aware of your surroundings and avoiding being distracted in public by your phone while traveling. It is relatively easy for a cyclist or motorcycle rider to whip by and grab an unlocked phone from unsuspecting hands.

11. Finally, before you go, move ample cash into your checking or ATM-linked account to fund your trip and to fully process automatic bill withdrawals to eliminate the possibility of overdrafts or other unpleasant financial surprises that could happen while you are away. If you do not have auto bill payments set up, pre-pay all upcoming bills before you leave.

Note: Many credit cards and banks no longer require you to alert them when you plan to leave the country as they track trip-related purchases like plane tickets, taxis, and hotel bookings. 

However, check with your banking and credit card companies before you go to understand their travel recommendations and to avoid possible suspicious-activity freezes on your accounts.

This step is easy for domestic journeys, as depending on your data plan, you can ideally use your mobile phone to text and call to stay in touch like you would at home.  However, constant connectivity gets more complicated for international trips. When traveling abroad, you want to determine how you plan to use your mobile phone .

Will you stay off-network and use it only when connected to Wi-Fi? Or pay a daily network international roaming fee—up to a pricey $10 per day with networks like Verizon? Or, instead, buy a data plan from a local network using e-sim technology?

Does this feel complicated? Even to me, a regular international traveler, and others—it does also. Based on your budget and connectivity needs, you will want to figure out which way of staying connected is right for you. To decide, price out international plans from your mobile carrier and then learn more about going the eSIM route with info in this helpful article .

Once you know how you plan to stay in touch, download apps you anticipate you may need to use. When traveling internationally, this may include downloading What’sApp , a global messaging app and voice-over-IP service heavily used outside of the United States.  When abroad, I frequently use this app to communicate with lodging contacts and tour guides and to confirm reservations.

Additionally, be sure to have all lodging or tour booking apps downloaded and updated on your phone. You will want to access the messaging functionality within apps like Airbnb, Booking.com, or other hotel apps, which you may need to use to send and receive communications. 

Hands-down, thorough travel research is the key to a stress-free adventure. By taking time to gather destination information so you can make informed planning decisions, you can ensure a smooth and memory-making journey. 

From researching your destination and finding the best deals to understanding local customs and preparing essential travel documents, each step plays a vital role in creating your best travel experience.

So, before you embark on your next adventure, check off the items on this ultimate travel research checklist. With research and planning complete, you can explore the world with confidence and peace of mind. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for any unexpected challenges or opportunities that come your way. Happy travels!

Related Reading

If you are searching for more travel planning assistance to help you save time and money and to stay organized, check out the related articles below.

• Google for Travel: Plan Better with These 8 Tools
• Why You Will Love Google Maps for Trip Planning
• Travel Better: How to Best Use Google Flights Explore
• How to Save Time & Money with Google Flights Price Tracker
• 5 Proven Ways to Simplify and Organize Your Travel Research
• Rental Car Insurance: When You Need It & When You Don’t
• Pack Faster & Better with This Universal Printable Packing List
• 25 Expert Packing Tips to Help You Travel Better
• Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack

Additional Trip Planning Resources

To further help you with travel planning, I share my go-to resources for every trip below. 

Google Flights. My first research stop for affordable flights for every trip. Learn why here . 

Google Hotels . Use its “ Where to stay ” button to discover the best neighborhoods to base your visit.

Booking.com. For hotel and rental bookings, I appreciate its flexible cancellation, candid user reviews, discounts, loyalty program, and easy-to-use interface.

Viator , Get Your Guide , & Airbnb Experiences . Quickly find and book highly-rated tours and activities on these sites.

Google Travel Things to Do & Google Maps . Find more things to do in your destination on Google Travel, then record where you want to visit on a custom Google Maps list. 

AllTrails . Love to hike? Me too. I religiously use AllTrails to discover hiking and biking trails and download its offline maps to manage my hikes.

Guide Along . 5-star self-guided audio tours that are GPS-compatible for US road trips and national parks. We loved the Glacier National Park tour .

Insure My Trip. I never travel internationally without trip insurance. Learn why here . My preferred place to shop and compare policies is InsureMyTrip.com . 

Plus, check out the 15 travel apps I use on trips, my preferred guidebooks , and my free customizable travel itinerary template , downloadable in four file formats.

About the author:  Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and blogger who loves hiking, exploring the world, and reading. She writes to inspire travel-loving families, adult friends, and couples on her blog,  Gather and Go Travel . Check out  her bio , learn how she became  a blogger , and discover how to  work with her . Sign up for her monthly  Discovery Newsletter  to get her latest travel recommendations and  how-to’s .

Love to travel? Sign up for m y monthly Gather & Go Travel Discovery Newsletter and get a free trip budget calculator .

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. And the income goes to keeping the site community-supported and ads minimal.

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Welcome to Gather and Go Travel , a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, an experienced traveler to over 50 countries and a travel writer, book lover, and blogger. Learn more about me , read our story , and how to work with me .

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How to Plan a Travel Itinerary: The Complete Guide

You’ve chosen your destination, booked your transportation, and maybe even your accommodations. Now…you just have to figure out what in the world you’re going to do while you’re there.

In this post, we’re going to take a deep dive into how to plan a travel itinerary , the nitty-gritty of how to put together your schedule of sites, museums, and activities.

Key takeaways

• Prioritize and list your “must-do” sites and activities.
• Do thorough research on your destination
• Organize your wish list into “must-do,” “want-to-do,” and “nice-to-do” categories.
• Compile all the practical details for each activity, such as operating hours, fees, and booking requirements.
• Build your itinerary by scheduling must-do activities first and filling in with want-to-dos and nice-to-dos.

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  See disclaimer.  

I’m a very detail-oriented kind of person (you know, the kind of person who makes lists for EVERYTHING), so this method of itinerary planning may not be of interest to the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of traveler.

If you’re not as hyper-organized as I am, you can easily modify this method for how you like to travel. It’s logical itinerary planning at its best.

I won’t be going over in this post how I research and plan for dining options since that’s a more complicated topic for me and my husband (as a celiac and a vegetarian) than the average traveler.

That’s probably a topic for a separate post. So, let’s get planning.

Getting started on your itinerary planning

“I’m heading to Rome/New York City/Paris/Mexico City for X number of days. What should I do and see while I’m there?”

I see similar questions all over Facebook literally every day, and I understand why. It can be overwhelming to plan a travel itinerary.

Let’s say you’re planning to spend five days in New York . How do you decide what to do for those five days? Where do you even start your search for the best ideas for sites to visit?

Side note: for simplicity’s sake, throughout this post, I’m going to use the word “site” to refer to anything (not eating) that you will want to make time for on your trip. These could be monuments, national parks, palaces, museums, activities, guided tours, etc.

There’s no real wrong way to plan your itinerary…just kidding. You have to do it my way.

No, seriously.

Okay…let’s get started.

When I’m planning a travel itinerary, I go through five phases of the process before I arrive at my final draft.

• Preliminary brainstorming
• Destination research
• Fleshing out my wish list
• Site/activity research
• Building my itinerary

I know this seems like a lot, but trust me, you’ll want to know you’ve considered all your options before you go on your trip.

You’ll thank me later.

Read More → Travel Planning Resources

Planning an itinerary starts with brainstorming your wish list

So, you’ve booked your trip, but your itinerary is completely blank. Your destination is your oyster, but where and how do you start?

Your first step is to do some preliminary brainstorming. If you’re heading to a top tourist destination, you probably already have some idea of the specific sites you want to visit (e.g., the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, Chichen Itza, etc.).

If you’re going someplace completely unfamiliar to you, your brainstorming phase may be quite short but it can also be less specific if that helps (e.g., important historical sites, whatever the most important art museum is, popular beach, etc.).

To help yourself with your brainstorming, you can ask yourself the following questions:

• What are the famous/popular sites my destination is most known for?
• What are the top, must-do sites or activities I already know I want to do on this trip?
• Why are my spouse’s/travel partner’s must-do sites or activities for this trip? If children are traveling with you, why not include them in the brainstorming? They’ll love feeling like they’ve been a part of planning the trip.
• What are the kinds of activities we most enjoy while traveling in general?

Great! Write all of this down. Don’t worry. Nothing’s set in stone yet.

And the sky’s the limit. We’re not yet worrying about the costs involved or how much time we have.

Write it all down. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

[cue Jeopardy! theme music]

Okay, keep this list handy; it’s time to do some basic research on your destination.

TIP: Keep track of all of your important travel details with a digital travel planner like this . Prefer paper planners? Grab your printable travel itinerary planner pages here.

Research your destination

This is where I start to go crazy with research. I’ll take in anything and everything I can about my destination. The more good information I have, the better equipped I am to make good decisions about my itinerary.

And don’t assume you already know enough about where you’re headed.

Before I started researching Paris, I had never heard of Sacré-Coeur (which is one of the great free things to do in Paris , by the way) or Les Invalides.

We ended up visiting both on our trip.

Here are the questions I keep in mind as I do this research:

• What is my destination known for? Is it art, the natural landscape, history, architecture, etc.?
• What season will it be at my destination? Are there any popular seasonal activities I’d like to try while I’m there?
• Are there any special holiday events or festivals taking place there that I’d be interested in attending?
• What is the weather typically like there that time of the year and month? In other words, will I be comfortable spending long periods outdoors, or will I want to spend more time indoors?
• What are the public transportation options at my destination? Is there a good metro/public transportation system or will I have to rely on taxis, ride-sharing, or walking to get around?
• Where are my accommodations in relation to the major site on my list?
• Does my destination offer any kind of city or museum pass?

Side note: If you haven’t yet booked your accommodations, now is a good time to take a look at a map. Do a large number of must-do sites on your wish list cluster in a certain area? If so, you might want to consider booking accommodations nearby to simplify your transportation needs. This isn’t always a good idea but consider it.

Read More → Is it Worth it to Use Booking.com?

Read More → Booking.com or Direct with Hotel: Which is Better?

Where do I find this information? Here are a few suggestions:

• Do some simple Google searches and look around the different results for up-to-date information about your destination.
• Head over to Pinterest to discover what travel bloggers ( ahem ) have to say.
• Buy some good travel guidebooks and start reading.
• Watch YouTube videos about your destination.
• Armed with this pile of new information, you’re going to go back to your list.

Flesh out your wish list

As you researched your destination, you likely noticed certain sightseeing ideas or recommendations coming up over and over again.

• If they’re already on your brainstorm list, great! Leave them there.
• If you’ve never heard of or considered them, but they now sound interesting, add them to your list.
• If there’s something you’ve changed your mind about, go ahead and take it off your list if you really want to, otherwise, leave it on the list. You can always remove it later.

It’s okay at this point if your list has far more ideas on it than you can possibly fit into your trip. We’ll work on narrowing it down later.

After doing my research, I discovered a lot more ideas for things to do in Paris and sites to visit than were on my first brainstorming list. But…what if you’re finding the opposite to be the case?

What if you’ve booked yourself a round-trip plane ticket to your destination, but you’re finding only enough you’re interested in doing to fill a much shorter time than you’re planning to be there?

You have a couple of options:

• If you haven’t booked your accommodations yet, or you can still change/cancel your reservation, consider adding a destination to your trip. For example, if you’re flying into and out of Zurich, Switzerland, but are finding more that interests you perhaps in Lucerne (or beyond), consider spending at least a portion of your trip outside Zurich.
• If you have booked your accommodations and your reservation cannot be changed, consider adding day trips to your itinerary. For example, if you’re staying in Florence, Italy, you could take the train to Pisa or Lucca for the day.

By now you should have a good sense of what your itinerary could look like; it’s starting to take shape.

Specific site or activity research

Okay, so you have this beautiful, and probably fairly lengthy list of things you’d like to see and do on your trip.

Now you get to do research on each of these items individually. Yay! Seriously…I love this part.

To start, you’re going to break down your wish list into four sections. If your list is pretty long, you can re-write it into these four sections, but if it’s on the shorter side, it’s okay to do this mentally.

Must-do sites.

These are the places people traverse the globe to see…the Eiffel Tower, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pyramids of Giza, Great Wall of China. You get it.

These are the non-negotiable ones. They go in the itinerary no matter what.

Want-to-do sites.

These are the second-tier sites for your trip, the things you want to make room for, but won’t necessarily dissolve into tears if you can’t manage it.

Examples from my travels would include the Rodin Museum (Paris), Trevi Fountain (Rome), or walking the entire High Line in New York City.

Nice-to-do sites.

These are the minor sites and activities that will become the filler in your itinerary. On my itineraries, these are things like “sit on the Spanish Steps” or “buy cheese from a fromagerie.”

I don’t care if we do this or not.

These are the sites that are first on the chopping block once we start to build the actual itinerary. Or you may have cut them already once you did your destination research.

Now that you have your sites grouped, the next thing to do is your research. For at least each of your must-do and want-to-do sites you need to know the following:

• What days of the week is it open and what are the operating hours?
• What is the entrance fee (if any)?
• What is the best day of the week to visit?
• Do you need to book tickets or make a reservation ahead of time? If so, how far in advance can you book/should you book?
• Where is it and how do I get there? I especially want to know how far it is from my accommodations and how far it is from other major sites on my list.

Side note: The My Maps feature in Google Maps is an invaluable part of this phase of the itinerary planning process for me. You can pin locations, organize and color code sites to visit, and even add personal notes.

Narrowing it down

Okay, now you have even more information about your destination. Here’s where you start making some changes to your list.

At this stage, I may move sites from one section of my wish list to another. Something might move up on the list, for example, if I discover that it’s very near one of my must-do’s, or if it’s free to visit.

This is how we ended up going to Les Invalides; it wasn’t anywhere near the top of our list, but it’s right across the street from the Rodin Museum (which was something I wanted to do) AND it’s covered by the Paris Museum Pass. It was super easy to just pop in for a bit after the Rodin Museum, but we probably wouldn’t have made a separate trip.

Something might move down the list (or come off the list entirely) if I learn it’s very out of the way or more of a financial investment than my particular budget for this trip can support.

Should I purchase a city or museum pass?

Let’s revisit the city/museum pass question from the destination research phase.

If your destination offers one (or a few), take the time to consider if it’s worth it for you to purchase for your trip. We used the Museum Pass on our trip to Paris (and highly recommend it), but decided against buying the Firenze Card for our trip to Florence, Italy .

Here are some criteria I use to judge whether a city or museum pass is worth it for us to purchase for a particular trip:

• What sites are covered? Will you have to book entrance to many of your must-do/want-to-do sites separately or are most covered by the pass?
• Does the pass offer you unlimited entry to covered sites or can you use it one time only?
• Will you save money if you buy the pass? It’s not necessarily a deal breaker if it doesn’t. The convenience of not having to book entrance reservations to sites ahead of time can outweigh some financial disincentives.
• Does the pass cover any public transportation you’re planning to use or just site entrance fees?
• For how many days is the pass valid versus how many days you will be at your destination? For example, we chose not to buy the Firenze Card on our trip to Florence, because it’s only good for 72 hours, and we were spending 8 nights there. Purchasing two cards each would have cost us far more than paying for our chosen sites individually.

How do I decide what to cut from my itinerary?

This part of the process is highly personal. Only you can really decide if a particular site or activity is “worth it” to you.

The decision to buy or not to buy a city or museum pass may affect how you narrow down your list. If you have to purchase entrance tickets to all of your sites individually, you may end up having to spend more money to see everything (or cut sites to stay within your budget).

Or if you do decide to purchase a pass but a site on your list is not covered, you may find yourself considering leaving it off your list.

On the other hand, if you have a pass you may see more sites overall because you’ve already paid for admission.

…If that makes sense.

At this stage of the itinerary planning process, if there’s anything on my list that makes us say “meh” it goes on the “I don’t care” list.

Build the trip itinerary

Okay. You’ve done your research, you’ve decided whether you’re buying that city pass and you’ve refined your site wish list.

You’re ready to build your itinerary! I’m going to use our recent trip to Paris to demonstrate how I put it all together.

The non-negotiables get top priority.

For each full day on your trip, choose one or two of your must-do’s or want-to-do’s: one first thing in the morning and one for later that day.

Your must-do’s (your non-negotiables) go on the schedule first and as early in your trip as you possibly can.

If you arrived in Paris on April 14, 2019, and decided to put off seeing Notre-Dame until later in the week, you were probably pretty disappointed on April 15 as the world watched the devastating fire that closed it down.

Don’t. Put. It. Off.

For our trip to Paris, we each had one non-negotiable: the Louvre and the Palais Garnier. We did them both on our first full day there.

Then add any other must-dos that require advanced booking or warrant a full day on your itinerary or both. So, I needed to choose days for Versailles and the Eiffel Tower.

My research told me that I should plan a full day at Versailles and that it is quite busy on the weekends and on Tuesdays (when the Louvre is closed).

I also learned that the Eiffel Tower is open every day until late, that I should plan to spend about three hours there, and that I needed to book tickets for the summit as far ahead as possible.

Add in your want-to-do’s.

With the must-dos scheduled, I’m ready to schedule the want-to-do’s. I added Musee d’Orsay and Musee Rodin, then Musee de l’Orangerie, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, etc.

Nice-to-do’s fill in any remaining gaps.

I then fill in the rest of the itinerary with the nice-to-do’s, leaving our last full day intentionally blank.

When staying in one place for four days or more, we try to keep our last full day completely open. This is so we can return to any place we want to see again, or so that we can add more of the items from our “nice to do” list depending on what we’re in the mood for. It helps us create a good balance between sightseeing and relaxation .

If you’re taking a trip that includes multiple stops, you can just repeat this process for each place you’ll be staying.

Keep in mind as you’re planning a trip itinerary that if you’re bouncing from city to city every other day, you’ll be spending a lot of time traveling from one destination to the next.

I do feel like I need to say, that even though you now have a meticulously planned itinerary it doesn’t mean you can’t be spontaneous. We often find that we spend far less time at some sites than we think we need to allow for, giving us time to do even more on our trip than we hoped.

Or sometimes we just don’t feel like doing something on our schedule…and that’s okay too.

Now you have the tools to build the perfect itinerary for your next trip. Enjoy!

More articles to help you plan your travel itinerary

• 5 easy steps to planning a trip
• Travel planning resources you need
• The best travel guides (online resources and books)

Pin this post!

Darcy Vierow is a busy professional and travel planning expert with years of experience maximizing travel with limited time and on a less-than-average salary. Her tips have been published by Forbes, MSN.com, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, Aol, Newsbreak and GOBankingRates. Read more about Darcy Vierow .

10 Comments

Absolutely love this perspective on travel! It beautifully captures the essence of what it means to explore the world. Travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations; it’s about slowing down, immersing yourself in new cultures, savoring moments, and absorbing the rich tapestry of life that the world has to offer. 🌍✈️🌏

My sister wants to travel for her honeymoon, so she’s interested in starting to plan it this month. I liked what you explained about choosing a destination and the places you’d like to visit, so I’ll share this with my sister right away. I appreciate your insight on considering what you want to see and visit and booking accommodation near those places.

You are so much more organized than we are – we usually book places the day of or the day before and figure out what we are doing day by day. We like to leave things pretty wide open to see what happens and what we find. This is such a great guide though for planning a vacation!

Thanks for your comment! Yeah, I actually have a hard time just going with the flow…it’s something I’m working on.

This is so perfect! I enjoy the entire planning process, so this definitely speaks to me. I particularly enjoy researching locally owned restaurants and off the beaten path places. Thanks so sharing such a great way to plan

Thank you for your kind comment!

This post resonates a lot with me as like you, I too plan extensively before I travel. I believe planning well helps us make the most of our time and also gives more peace of mind. Excellent tips!

Thank you! And I definitely agree with you about how helpful good travel planning is for traveling well.

It is so helpful to find a guide on how to organize and plan a trip! For a lot of people (me included) this is the most traumatic experience about traveling as you want everything to go perfect and smoothly. I plan trips all the time and this guide was literally how I do my planning! Thank you so much for sharing and I hope it helps a lot of travelers out there too!

Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comment. I really do hope a lot of travelers find this guide helpful.

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10-Step Guide for Planning a Trip

Home | Travel | 10-Step Guide for Planning a Trip

Planning a trip can be stressful if you’re not sure where to start or you’re afraid you’ll forget something important.

I have to admit that I love travel planning , but part of that is because I use a detailed checklist and the most helpful websites. So, if you don’t know how to organize a trip and you want to avoid feeling overwhelmed, I’ll help you out with this guide. Below, I’ll share the steps I typically follow as well as the best apps and websites to book your flights, tours, and accommodation so you can travel cheaply .

Guide to planning a trip in 10 easy steps

These are the steps that I always follow when I’m planning a trip , although I might skip one or two depending on the type of trip and where I’m going:

• Search for flights
• Apply for a visa
• Book the accommodation
• Set up your transportation
• Decide which attractions to visit
• Book a tour
• Get travel insurance
• Apply for a commission-free credit card
• Buy a SIM card
• Pack your suitcase

Remember that, depending on the destination and your reason for traveling, you may not need to do all these steps. So, rather than worrying about checking off a long to-do list, enjoy the process of planning your trip itinerary . For me, making a travel plan is almost as much fun as traveling itself!

Things to do before planning a vacation

Before I give you a detailed look at my checklist for planning a trip , I want to point out that choosing your destination is the real starting point. Not only is deciding where to go an important part of any travel plan , but it’s also a good idea to learn some crucial information about it. For example, you should research things like the best time to visit and what the weather will be like when you go.

Once you’ve chosen a destination and you have a solid timeline for when you’ll visit, you can begin the trip planning process. If you want some travel inspiration, here are some beautiful places to go, as well as some information about them:

Best Countries in Central America

Best countries to visit in Africa

Best countries in South America

Best Caribbean Islands

1. Search for flights, the first step to planning a trip

Once you’ve chosen your destination and travel dates, one of the first things to do to organize your trip is to look for flights. This is usually one of the most tedious steps, but you can make it much easier by reading our guide on how to find cheap flights .

We always use Kiwi and Skyscanner since they make it super easy to find the best prices on flights. Moreover, if you’re not sure where you want to travel but you want to take a cheap trip, you can choose the “Anywhere” option and see the best deals, listed from the lowest price from your selected airport.

Kiwi and Skyscanner also show you the cheapest dates to travel, which is extremely useful if you have flexibility in your trip plan calendar . Don’t forget to activate flight alerts to receive notifications when a ticket price changes. That way, you can jump on the best deal before it runs out.

While I hope you don’t have to use it, AirHelp is a handy website to turn to if your flight is canceled or delayed. This company handles the claims process for you, although they will take a commission fee from your compensation. You can learn more about how to get compensate for delayed flights  in our guide, where I show you how to get up to $600 in compensation .

2. Apply for a visa, a must-do when planning a trip abroad

Step number two of planning a trip is to check what type of documentation you’ll need to enter the country you’re traveling to. Even if you already have the proper paperwork, double-check that it won’t expire before or during your trip.

For example, if you’re planning a vacation to Europe, you should be fine with a valid passport, and travel insurance for Europe . The same applies if you’re visiting Australia, New Zealand, and most countries in South America. But be aware that most countries in Asia and Africa require a visa.

For those cases, I highly recommend going to the iVISA website to check what kind of documentation you need for your destination. We’ve used iVISA several times without any problems and consider it to be one of the best travel planning websites .

3. Book the accommodation, an important step in any trip plan

Another crucial part of organizing a trip is booking your accommodation. There are lots of trip planning apps to help with this, although we almost always use Booking . Here, you can find hotels, villas, apartments, and other types of lodging to suit any budget, which is why we consider it to be one of the best options.

The main advantage of using Booking.com to plan our travels is that we can pay right on the website, and cancellations are usually free until 24 hours before the trip. Also, if you use the website frequently, you can upgrade to the Genius plan, which offers the best deals and discounts. So, if you want to find cheap hotels anywhere in the world, even if you’re planning a multi-city trip , I highly recommend Booking.com .

4. Set up your transportation, an essential part of any travel plan

The next step in this trip planning checklist is to think about transportation once you get to your destination. You can either use public transportation or rent a car.

We prefer renting a vehicle because it grants us more freedom to explore places that might be off the beaten path. That said, some cities and countries have very good public transportation systems, so it’s up to you. When creating your travel itinerary , think about the destination and what you want to do during your trip. That should help you decide whether or not to rent a car.

If you decide to go with a rental, I recommend going through DiscoverCars . Without a doubt, this is the best option for renting a car, especially if you’re not used to organizing road trips . A nice thing about DiscoverCars is that it shows you a comparison of different rental websites, so you’re guaranteed to find the cheapest rental cars .

Of course, if your planned travel route is more like a cross-country trip, take a look at Motorhome Republic , which offers the best prices and conditions for motorhomes. We’ve used this app several times to plan trips around Iceland and the United States, and it’s always been a positive experience.

Again, many cities and countries have great public transit networks, so if you plan on getting around by bus or train, you can get low ticket prices on Omio . Simply enter your destination, and the website will compare bus and train tickets from different companies to find the best deal for you. You can even search for the cheapest or fastest route. Flixbus is often listed on Omio since its prices are some of the lowest and they operate all over the world. We’ve used Flixbus on several trips around Europe, but you can also use Flixbus in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and more.

Public transportation or renting a car, tips for planning a trip

Finally, you may be planning your vacation to an island destination like the Canary Islands, where ferry transport is more common. In that case, I recommend getting your tickets through Direct Ferries , which offers excellent ticket prices for all kinds of time slots. We’ve used this site for our trips to the Canary Islands and Indonesia.

To sum up, organizing your transportation can be a bit stressful, but these travel planning tips and websites will streamline the process for you .

5. Decide which attractions to visit, the most fun part of planning a trip

Among all the steps for planning a trip , choosing which attractions to visit is one the most enjoyable. Step number five in this travel planning checklist is looking at which attractions and activities (free and paid) are available at your destination.

If you’re going to see a show or a concert, Hellotickets can be useful in reserving tickets in advance. That said, if you’re visiting a city that has lots of things to do and offers attraction passes or cards, I recommend getting one. This way, you can access several top attractions while getting the maximum savings. So, if you’re visiting a popular city, check if it offers the Sightseeing Pass , the City PASS , or the Go City pass.

Depending on the destination, some of these cards may also include certain tours or tickets for the sightseeing bus . So again, I highly recommend this option, especially if you’re planning a vacation in a metropolitan city.

Regardless of where you’re going, I suggest making a list of all the tourist attractions you want to visit to better organize your trip . Remember, it’s usually better to focus on seeing things that really interest you, rather than trying to cram as many attractions as possible into your itinerary or planner .

6. Book a tour, a key step in many tourist plans

The next thing to do when planning for a trip is to book any tours you’re going to take at your destination. A tour or excursion can help you discover little-known places and learn more history about the city you’re visiting.

While not every destination calls for a detailed tour plan , some places are known for incredible excursions, like seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, or taking a walking tour through New York.

When we’re creating a travel itinerary and we know we want to take a tour, there are two websites we use. First, Civitatis offers interesting excursions and some free tours around the world, while GetYourGuide has an extensive list of tours in practically any destination.

Using these online trip planner websites is super easy since all you have to do is enter your destination and hit the search button. You can filter the results by category, price, duration, and more, so they’re two of the best trip planning apps out there.

You don’t want to skip this step, especially if you’re not sure how to plan a trip or you’re visiting a place for the first time. Booking a tour or two will help you make the most of your trip, and since a guide will lead you, it’ll be an informative and entertaining experience.

7. Get travel insurance, something you can’t forget when planning a trip

Another must-do when you’re travel planning is to get travel insurance coverage.

No one likes to think about it, but unforeseen events can and do happen while traveling, and in those moments, having travel insurance makes all the difference. The worst-case scenario would be getting sick or hurt while abroad and not having any of your extra medical expenses covered.

Currently, we have annual multi-trip insurance with Heymondo , which is the best travel insurance on the market with the best coverage-to-price ratio. You can even get a travel discount with Heymondo just for being our reader.

5% OFF your travel insurance

In addition to medical assistance for injury or illness, Heymondo covers baggage loss or delay, medical quarantine expenses, and more. You’ll also have Heymondo’s 24/7 chat, which is available to help you should you run into an emergency while abroad.

I can’t recommend travel insurance enough, and while it’s probably the least enjoyable part of planning a trip , it’s the most important. This is particularly true in countries like the U.S. or Japan, where medical treatment is very expensive. Plus, if you opt for trip cancellation insurance , you’ll be covered if an unforeseen event prevents you from traveling.

Best travel insurance

Cheap Travel Insurance

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Cancellation

Europe travel insurance

Travel insurance for the USA

Medical Travel Insurance

The best only medical travel insurance

Cancel for any reason insurance

The best cancel for any reason plans

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Best family travel insurance

Best insurance for traveling with kids

8. Get a no foreign transaction fee credit card, another important part of your trip plan

Another important thing to remember when planning your itinerary is to get a travel credit card . If you’re going abroad, you’ll want a card with no foreign transaction fees , so you can make payments or ATM withdrawals without the pesky currency exchange fees. Fortunately, you can take advantage of some great options on the market.

We use the Revolut debit card, which you can get for free and use at ATMs and stores around the world. With Revolut, you can withdraw up to $1,200 a month from foreign ATMs without fees, as well as exchange up to $1,000 a month.

We also carry a Wise credit card with us, which comes in handy when we need to withdraw more money and want to avoid extra fees. With Wise, you can spend money in over 50 currencies.

For more information about the Revolut card and the Wise card , I recommend reading our full reviews of each .

9. Buy an international SIM card, a must-do when you plan to travel

One of the most common concerns we hear about how to plan a trip is related to mobile data. We’ve looked at all the possible options for getting Internet for travel , and have found Holafly to be the best solution.

The Holafly eSIM card, which you can get here , is a prepaid digital SIM card that you can use to get Internet while abroad. It’s cheap, quick to arrive in your email inbox, and allows you to keep your number on WhatsApp and other mobile apps.

All you have to do is select the country you’re planning a trip to and choose the best international SIM card for the number of days you’ll be there. Depending on the destination, you can find cards for five to 90 days. After selecting your eSIM, you’ll receive the digital card via email, and you can scan the QR code to activate it. This means you can even buy it when you’re already abroad, so it’s the most convenient option.

There’s no doubt that the Holafly eSIM card is the best mobile data option, but you can learn more about it in our full review.

5% OFF your international eSIM card

If your phone does not support eSIM cards , you can also opt for a physical SIM from SimOptions , which is another very good option.

10. Pack your suitcase, the last step when planning a trip

Now that you’ve done all the tedious steps to plan your itinerary , all that’s left to do is pack your suitcase. If you’re traveling for the first time or you need new luggage, you’ll have no problems finding backpacks and suitcases on Amazon .

For longer trips, we’ve been using this large suitcase (30 inches) for years, and it still holds up. When we’re planning a trip for the weekend or the short term, we use this small suitcase (21 inches) and this carry-on bag .

If you’re curious about how we plan for a backpacking trip , we follow the steps above and depend on this backpack (80L), which is ideal for longer trips. If you’re taking a backpacking trip and want some tips, check out our guide on how to prepare a backpack for long-term travel.

Whether you’re packing a suitcase or a backpack, remember to check the temperatures at your destination so you can bring the appropriate clothing and footwear. Also, don’t forget your toiletries and a small first aid kit since even getting ibuprofen while abroad can be difficult. Other essentials you can’t forget while planning your trip include your passport, wallet, phone charger, and power bank.

These days, you can keep most documents on your phone, but I still recommend bringing along physical copies of your boarding pass, reservations, and insurance policy just in case.

Finally, if you find yourself in a scenario where you don’t have a place to keep your suitcase and you don’t want to drag it around the city with you, you can opt for a luggage storage service. We’ve used Nannybag and Bounce a few times and it made all the difference in how enjoyable our trip was. I also recommend keeping Apple Airtags in your luggage so you can locate it in case it gets lost or stolen.

Bonus step: Pack your photography gear, an essential part of our tour planning

One of the best parts of traveling is seeing amazing landscapes and architecture, which brings me to my bonus travel planning tip . If you love photography as much as we do, don’t forget to bring your camera and other gear with you. We always pack the essentials, especially for our photo tours , and we always keep our equipment well protected.

If you don’t have travel photography gear , you have two options. You can buy what you need on Amazon or B&H Photo , or you can rent the equipment from LensRentals , which I recommend if you’re only going to use it for that trip.

You can get all the details on where to rent camera gear in the U.S. in our guide. I think renting the equipment is a great idea if you’re not a dedicated photographer and don’t plan on using it too much. Plus, you save 15% in LensRentals with our code ATLAS15.

Other tips when planning for a trip

Now you have all the top tips for planning a trip from start to finish. Before I say goodbye, I want to recommend some trip planning apps that can make organizing your trip even easier.

Maps.me has become a must-have travel app for us, even on our weekend getaways. This online travel planner app gives us maps of places all over the world, which we can access even when we lose Internet connection.

Another great tool is TravelSpend , which makes planning a trip with friends super easy since you can organize the travel expenses and determine who pays what.

Of course, travel planning is a process that takes time and effort, but if you follow the advice in this guide and use the websites I mentioned, it’ll be much easier. If you have any questions or want to share your trip planning experiences or tips, leave me a comment below. I’d be happy to hear from you!

Until then, good luck, and have fun planning the trip of your dreams!

Ascen Aynat

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

16 Easy Steps for Planning Your Next Trip

I remember when I started planning my first trip around the world. I had no idea what I was doing.

When I decided to quit my job and travel the world , I walked into a bookstore and bought Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on Shoestring . Buying that guidebook was my first step toward long-term travel. It made the trip seem more real, more tangible. It made it all seem possible.

While helpful, the book didn’t exactly prepare me for planning a trip around the world. Back then, there weren’t really travel blogs, sharing economy websites, and apps like there are today. I was excited and determined — but I was lost. I had to figure it out as I went, hoping I didn’t miss anything important.

Trip planning can be a daunting task. Where do you begin? What’s step one? What’s step two? What’s step three?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when you haven’t done something like this before — and especially considering just how much information there is out there these days. Blogs, social media, and guidebooks have never been more plentiful. There’s a firehose of information out there that can sometimes make the task of planning a trip even more challenging and overwhelming.

After a decade of traveling the world , I’ve planned countless trips and vacations for myself, friends, family, and even group tours. In the beginning, it was trial by fire and I learned a lot of lessons the hard way . However, that helped me develop an efficient checklist that ensures I don’t miss anything important during the trip planning process.

After all, I don’t want to get to my next destination and then realize I forgot something. And neither do you!

There is a lot of information on this website ( and even more information packed into my book ), but one question that comes up frequently is, “Matt, how do I put this all together? How do I plan a trip?”

In a continuing effort to help you get out the door and into the world, I’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip. It works for any kind of trip — no matter how long you’re going for! Just follow this checklist and you’ll be off in no time!

Table of Contents

Step 1: Decide Where You Want To Go

Step 2: decide the length of your trip, step 3: research your costs, step 4: start saving money, step 5: get a travels rewards credit card, step 6: switch to no-fee atm cards, step 7: stay focused and inspired, step 8: check for last-minute deals, step 9: book your flight, step 10: book your accommodation, step 11: plan your activities, step 12: sell your stuff, step 13: automate your bills, step 14: pack, step 15: buy travel insurance, step 16: enjoy your trip.

If you want to jump ahead, simply click on any of the links above.  

It’s a lot easier to mentally get behind “I am going to Paris in the summer” than “I’m going to Europe” or “I’m going somewhere.” Not only will your trip become more concrete for you and easier to commit to, but it will make planning easier as well…because you know what to work towards. Get specific with your plans. Get detailed. The more focused and concrete your goal, the easier it will be to actually reach it.

Resources for picking your travel destination:

• 200+ In-Depth Destination Guides
• 10 Destinations Under $50 Per Day
• The 10 Best Places to Visit as a Budget Traveler
• The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World

How much does it cost to travel? That depends!

Without knowing how long you’re going away for, I can’t answer that question. And it’s a question you need to answer so you can start planning!

In order to figure out how much you need to save you’ll need to know how long your trip will be.

Are you going away for a week? A month? A year?

The length of your trip is a huge factor in determining how much money you need. Spend some time mulling that over until you have your answer.

For example, after you say “I’m going to Paris this summer,” add “for X days.” That way you can start to narrow down just how much money you’re going to need to save. “I am going to Paris for 10 days” is a trip that you can plan for. It’s an attainable goal.  

So you know where you’re going and how long you’ll be there, but to really nail down how much money you need, your next task is to research the costs in your destination at the style of travel you want.

Do you want to backpack, or would you rather stay in luxury hotels?

How much are hostels, hotels, restaurants, and attractions?

Knowing will allow you to estimate how much money you’ll need for your trip. Here is how to research costs:

• Buy a guidebook.
• Check out my travel guide section .
• Google prices for specific things you want to do, such as scuba diving, bungy jumping, winery tours, etc. ( Get Your Guide is a good place to start for that)

You don’t need to do more than that. There’s so much information on the web that if you go down the rabbit hole of overplanning, you’ll get lost and confused by the firehose of information. Stick to those three things and you’ll be set!

In our example, if you are going to Paris for 10 days and need at least $75 USD a day (not including your flight), you know you need to save $750 USD (though round up to $800-900 USD since it’s good to have extra) for your trip.

If you were to travel around the world for a year, you’d need $50 USD a day .

Here are some other insightful posts that will help you better estimate your costs:

• 5 Ways to Make Your Money Last When You Travel
• How to Know the Travel Info You Find is Legit
• How I Research My Solo Travel Destinations

People bleed a lot of money every day through small purchases: a coffee here, a snack there. All of that adds up. In order to make changes to your spending habits, you first need to understand them. Making a list will do just that. It will also put your financial needs into a better perspective.

For example, if you need $2,000 USD for the trip you’re taking in eight months, that means you only have to save $8.33 USD per day. Couldn’t you find a way to save $8 USD per day? Heck, your daily coffee is most of that!

If you’re struggling to save money, here are 23 ways to cut your expenses and save money for travel . This will help you get started and on the road to saving money in no time!  

These days, most cards have welcome offers of up to 100,000 points when you meet their minimum spending requirement. That’s enough miles for a free flight almost anywhere in the world!

If you want a free flight, sign up for the cards that help with that. If you want free hotel rooms, get a hotel card. Either way, sign up for a travel credit card and start earning points today. As long as you can pay off your monthly balance, you’ll get free travel credit.

You don’t need to sign up for very many cards either; pick one or two and focus on those. Do this the moment you decide you want to travel. Don’t wait — waiting equals lost miles, which means less free travel.

Collecting points and miles is what all the experts do to cut their costs and travel longer. It’s what has kept my costs down and me on the road for so many years. While the best cards are only available in the US, there are still plenty of options for Canadians as well as folks from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

For more information on travel credit cards and using points and miles, check out these posts:

• Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card
• The Best Travel Credit Cards
• How to Earn Points by Paying Your Rent
• The Ultimate Guide to Points and Miles
• How to Use Points and Miles in Canada

Once you’re abroad, you’re going to need money. While many countries accept credit cards, in the majority of countries cash is still king. That means you’ll need to use ATMs to withdraw the local currency.

And that also means you’re going to get dinged by ATM fees.

If you’re just away for a week or two, paying a few dollars in ATM fees isn’t the end of the world. But if you’re away for a longer period, those fees add up and chew into your travel budget — a budget you’ve worked hard to grow. Don’t give banks any of your hard-earned money.

How? By using a no-fee ATM card.

I use Charles Schwab , but there are lots of other banks (don’t forget to check your local banks) that don’t charge ATM fees. Additionally, you can join a bank in the Global ATM Alliance .

By using a no-fee ATM card you can avoid those pesky ATM fees, leaving you more money for what it was intended for: travel.

Here’s exactly how you can avoid ATM fees while traveling .  

While you get closer to your goal, make sure that you keep feeding your desire to travel. Travel planning can be exhausting and overwhelming — especially if you don’t have support from your friends and family (and especially if your trip is still months away). It can often get discouraging and feel out of reach at times.

Luckily, there are tons of ways to stay focused and keep your spirits high thanks to the amazing community we have on this website. Here are some inspiring travel stories to help keep you inspired to travel:

• Why It’s Never the Perfect Time to Travel
• 13 Travel Books That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
• How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mindset and Say Yes to Travel
• 8 Ways to Stay Motivated to Travel

Additionally, be sure to join our online travel community The Nomadic Network . Not only will you find support (and tons of tips) online, but we also host regular in-person and virtual events all around the world. These are a great way to get inspired, meet other awesome travelers in your area, and get travel advice.  

Okay, you’re inspired, prepared, and on your way to saving money for your trip. But before you go buy that flight or book that hotel, check for deals you might have missed. You may dream of Paris but maybe there are great deals to Berlin right now. Or maybe you can get a seven-day cruise for 70% off, a package deal to Hawaii for the price of your flight to Paris, or 50% off sailing trips around Greece.

These days, there is always a deal to be found — especially if you’re flexible with your dates and/or destinations. Some deal websites worth checking out are:

• Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
• The Flight Deal
• Holiday Pirates

Fortunately, there are still many ways to avoid being the person on the flight who paid the most for their ticket. My two favorite sites for finding cheap airfare are:

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is the best website for searching multiple destinations at the same time.
• Google Flights – Like Skyscanner, Google Flights is great for open searches to multiple destinations.

For the best deals, book your flight about two-three months in advance. Here are two articles on how to score a cheap flight:

• How to Find Cheap Flights
• Booking Flights: Everything You Need to Know

For trips longer than two weeks (or if you are going to be traveling long-term) just book your first few days. That will ensure you have a place to go on arrival. Once there, you can get insider advice from your hotel/hostel staff as well as other travelers. You can then use that info to plan your next steps.

While you can book more than your first few nights, you might end up wanting to change your plans once you land. I prefer having flexibility, which is why I always just book my first few nights and go from there.

Here are my go-to sites when it comes to finding the best deals on accommodation:

• Hostelworld – Hostelworld has the largest selection of hostels and is my go-to site for finding affordable hostels.
• Agoda – Agoda has the best results if you’re heading to Asia (though they sometimes have good US deals too).
• Booking.com – Booking.com is the best overall platform for finding budget hotels and guesthouses.

If you’re on a tight budget or you want to connect with more locals during your travels, consider joining platforms like Couchsurfing or BeWelcome . These communities allow travelers to stay with locals for free as a sort of cultural exchange.

Long-term travelers can also try housesitting or WWOOFing as well as they both offer free accommodation (in exchange for pet sitting or farm work respectively).  

Search online for discounts as well. While some countries offer cheaper prices in person, others give discounts to those who book early/online. Research which is which for your itinerary so you can save money.

For shorter trips, you can also book your activities in advance to ensure you get tickets. For longer trips, book as you go.

Additionally, before you leave home, have a rough idea of what activities are priorities for you. That way, if you run out of time or money, you can focus on your top activities so you don’t miss out. Also, make sure to double-check that there are no holidays or other obstacles that will prevent you from certain activities as well.  

If you are going on a long-term trip (six months or more), consider selling your stuff in order to earn extra money for your trip. Start doing this about 60 days before you leave. Some sites to use are:

• Gumtree – An online classified site with a focus in the UK and Australia.
• Amazon – The biggest online store in the world.
• Craigslist – Online global classifieds that have both local and global reach.
• eBay – Another global online classified site.
• Facebook Marketplace – Great for finding people near you (so you don’t need to ship your items).

If you aren’t going to be gone that long, skip this step. If you are going away long-term but want to keep your stuff, move it to a friend’s house or keep it in storage. A good storage company in the US is Public Storage . It’s one of the most affordable options out there.  

Get rid of your mail, go paperless, and set up online bill payment for your recurring bills to ensure you won’t miss any while overseas. If you are still going to get paper mail, use a service like Earth Class Mail , which will collect and scan your mail for you. (If you are going on a two-week trip, you don’t really need to worry about this, so you can skip this step, too.)

If you have the option (and don’t want to pay for a mail service), you can also have all your mail sent to a friend or family member.

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you cancel any phone plans you have or switch your plan to one that is more travel-friendly. T-Mobile is great for travelers going on trips under 3 months. For any trips longer than that, you’ll want to cancel your plan and just buy SIM cards abroad as that will be much cheaper.  

I travel with a 45L REI bag and then a smaller day bag.

Unless you’re heading to multiple climates and need bulky winter gear, you don’t need a massive 70L bag stuffed to the top. Here’s my suggested packing list to help you take just the right amount of stuff and avoid overpacking ( here’s a list for female travelers as well ).

While what you pack will depend on where you are going, remember that you don’t need to pack everything you own. You can buy things you need on the road. You can do laundry overseas. At the end of the day, you have to carry everything you bring. So bring less!

There are a few extra items you might want to pack beyond your everyday clothes, though. Some things I like to bring with me are:

• First aid kit
• LifeStraw bottle with built-in filter
• Packing cubes (to stay organized)
• Travel lock (for hostel lockers)
• Travel adapter
• Quick-dry towel

Additionally, make sure you bring any prescriptions with you so you have enough for the duration of your trip. If that’s not feasible, bring a doctor’s note and prescription with you so you can fill it abroad.  

While a lot of people think, “I’m healthy, I don’t need travel insurance . I won’t get sick,” travel insurance is much more than just medical protection. It covers you when your camera breaks, your flight is canceled, a family member dies and you have to come home, or if something gets stolen.

Yes, it’s an added expense. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. I never leave home without it because I’ve seen first-hand just what can happen on the road.

I never thought I would pop my eardrum while I was scuba diving in Thailand or break my camera in Italy .

I didn’t know I would get knifed in Colombia .

My friend never thought he would break his leg hiking.

Another friend didn’t expect her father would die and she would have to fly back home.

Unfortunately, bad things can happen when you’re traveling. True, these events are few and far between. But they can cost tens of thousands of dollars to handle on your own. If you’re not prepared to pay out of pocket, buy travel insurance.

To help you figure out the best plan for you and your trip, here’s my ultimate guide to picking a good insurance company . It will show you how to pick a good plan that covers you for when you get sick, your flights get canceled, if you get injured, something gets stolen, or your trip is delayed.

Here’s a breakdown of my recommended travel insurance companies so you can see what company offers the best plans for your needs and budget:

• SafetyWing – Super affordable plans for budget travelers.
• Insure My Trip – Best for senior travelers.
• Medjet – Provides additional evacuation coverage to ensure you get home should an emergency occur.
• Insured Nomads – In-depth emergency and non-emergency coverage for long-term travelers and digital nomads.

For more information on travel insurance, you can check out these posts:

• What Does Travel Insurance Actually Cover?
• Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
• Do You Need Medical Evacuation Insurance?

Additionally, make sure you know your rights as an airline passenger. For example, delayed flights to/from Europe often mean you’re entitled to compensation (beyond anything insurance-related).

Learn how to ensure you are compensated if your travels are delayed or your flight is canceled .  

If you’re feeling nervous, don’t worry — that’s perfectly normal. You’re about to embark on an amazing adventure — and that’s a huge change. Feeling anxious or nervous or unsure is something every traveler experiences. But you’ve made it this far. Trust your planning, follow your instincts, and you’ll have the trip of a lifetime. I guarantee it.

By using this post as a guideline for your trip planning, you can better organize and prepare for your trip. You’ll check all the boxes, not miss anything, and have plenty of money for your vacation. It can be as simple as booking a flight and packing or as complex as rearranging your entire life to go backpack the world forever.

But, no matter how long your trip may be, this list will help you stay organized and motivated as you plan your trip and step out into the world.

P.S.  – Yes, I did leave out visas and vaccinations, because needing those isn’t as universal as the other stuff on this list, but don’t forget to check if you need those, too!  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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• Planning Travel

How to Plan a Trip

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Amy Tan . Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 94% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 553,235 times.

Before planning a trip have a current passport. Purchase traveler's checks. Keep the receipt in a safe place in case of being stolen. Whether for travel or pleasure, schedule some fun. All trips are meant for adventure, relaxation, and enjoyment. By planning well, you can ensure you that you and your family or friends can enjoy a hassle-free trip with only the good kind of surprises to ensue.

Planning Help

Choosing the When, Where, and How

• Keep in mind weather and climatic conditions, merits and demerits of the place, types of recreation (beaches, culture, shopping), and facilities (transport, eating out, etc). What clothes are suitable? How removed from civilization will you be? What does your destination require?

• Do you want to go during the off-season or while tourism is booming? The off-season will offer discounts, but it will also mean closed doors and reduced availability.
• When it comes to weather, do you want to deal with winter or the rainy season? How about when it's hot and muggy?
• And then there's ticket prices – if you're flying, when is it the cheapest to fly? If you are planning to fly on a long weekend , then you should book the tickets well in advance to get the best deal.

• Make a list. Write down the places you want to visit, including restaurants, museums, malls, and other places of interest. This will help give you ideas and prevent being completely lost when you arrive and do not know what to do.
• Include how you're going to get around. Does your itinerary involve cab rides? Using the subway? Trekking on foot? If you are taking public transportation, make sure you know how that's done wherever you're going.

• Companies that help you in the actual "planning" phase of your trip, would be like Gap Travel Adventures, Get A Trip.com, the Automobile Club of Southern California Travels Division (and their counterparts in each of the 50 States), and the American Express Corporation, whereas the giant travel conglomerates, such as Expedia, Travelocity ,Orbitz.com and Priceline (the 4 largest travel vendors in "gross profits" within the United States), aim at the end booking process.
• The five things you can do to help yourself and your budget (that you don't need a travel agent for) are the following: 1) Book your flight and hotels at the same time, not separately 2) Be willing to fly mid-week and off-hours 3) Be willing to fly or land at a neighboring airport within 30 miles (48 km) of each other 4) Pay an all-inclusive price when possible, so that meals and gratuities are included, and 5) The actual season you travel – i will differ the rates by 30-40%.

Figuring Out the Logistics

• Always add some wiggle room, overestimating rather than underestimating. There are always costs you don't foresee or things you want to do that you haven't accounted for.
• If the trip is more than you are willing to spend, make cuts where you can. If it ultimately means cutting the trip short, so be it.

• Ditch that daily sugary latte. If you get a $4 coffee drink three times a week, that's $12 a week, and about $50 a month. That's $300 in six months right there.
• Eat from home more. Restaurants are great, but they're expensive. If you cook at home, you can save money not only because it's cheaper, but because you'll have leftovers that can last you days.
• Quit the luxuries for a while. That last drink on Saturday night? Pass. A movie next week? Nope. Heck, cable? Who needs it when you have Netflix? Take a look at what little things are fun, but that you could live without.

• It is said that you should book airfare around two months out for the best deals – this is that happy place where airlines start discounting their trips to sell tickets, but haven't yet jacked prices up because they're last-minute.
• If you're going somewhere that speaks a different language, take the time to brush up on the basics. You'll be glad you did, and the people you interact with will be, too.

• Many airlines also pair with major retailers, like Target, Amazon, and Apple. If you buy from those stores, you get miles. What's not to like? You're shopping there anyway – you might as well get a free flight for it.

Setting Your Plans in Stone

• And anything else for that matter, too. Many attractions have ticket sales online where you can skip the lines and go right in. Sure, the idea of waiting in line right now doesn't sound so bad, but for three minutes of work right now you can not waste hours of your vacation standing in a line with strangers wishing past you would've had better sense.

• Only you know if you are one of these people that changes their mind often, or often does re-scheduling – or if you are one of these people that will fly out in a hurricane, no matter what!

• Keep your passport, travel documents, visas, and similar items in a safe pouch. You may want to make copies, too, and keep them in a safe place. It will make it so much easier to replace anything that you lost.

• If applicable, put vacation notices on your e-mail, and remember to set your answering machine. Those messages will just have to wait until you get back.

Wrapping Up the Details

• Traveling in a car? Make sure to get lots of foodstuffs, water, and things to do. A CD on tape about a road trip or your specific destination will be great to get you in the mood. Consider "On the Road," " Lost in My Own Backyard," "A Walk Through the Woods," or "Washington Schlepped Here," amongst others. Good music is a must, too.

• Stick to basic pieces and a couple pairs of shoes – it's really all you need in terms of clothes regardless of how long your trip is. A few basic shirts and a few basic pants, shorts, or a skirt will do the job. You can then mix and match as necessary.
• Roll your clothes when packing. This will save you a ton of room and mean you can buy that authentic-looking tiki torch when the mood strikes.
• Create and use a checklist for packing, which helps consistently remind you of all the odds and ends of packing. You don't want to arrive at the airport and remember you forgot the needed documents at home.

• Don't be tempted to take work or home problems with you – then all this planning will be for naught, making it feel like you're still mentally back home. Leave that laptop and your phone off – now is all about exploring and going on an adventure.

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• If planning a trip on a severe budget is your number one priority, there are literally hundreds of money saving tips for the actual daily travel plans, that can save you in the hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If peer reviews are more important than shopping by rates, than websites like Trip Adviser.com and some of the top ranked travel blogs, like with Budget Travel and Travel Zoo.com all have stellar reputations for providing unbiased reviews. In Europe, a similar counterpart would be found within Auto Europe.com (full service European travel vendor, not just cars) The Asian markets probably have the widest variety of travel providers. The only reason mentioning names is relevant, is according to Forbes Research many of the other smaller affiliate travel resources have been known to delete from their databases the low-25% of the negative reviews, thus obstructing true peer review analysis. This does not mean however, that one should not consider one of these smaller travel affiliates, though one should do their research and due diligence on that company's trust factor. Many have value-added services the larger companies do not have. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Start learning the language of the country you are going to if you are traveling overseas. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Don't keep sharp objects in your luggage. Security has been greatly beefed up, and your luggage may be checked. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
• Traveling can be hectic. If traveling to a new place, make sure you keep medication (especially for children). Keep your documents and precious possessions safe. Mugging and theft is common. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.theglobetrottingteacher.com/how-to-successfully-choose-your-travel-destination/
• ↑ Amy Tan. Travel Planner. Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.
• ↑ http://www.seat61.com/spreadsheet.htm#.VBx5XvldUss
• ↑ https://www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-tips-and-articles/how-to-budget-for-a-big-trip/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2772aa0
• ↑ http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/planning-a-trip/
• ↑ http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-tips/how-to-find-a-cheap-flight/
• ↑ https://www.travelpulse.com/news/features/the-importance-of-travel-insurance-3.html
• ↑ http://www.roadtripamerica.com/tips/How-To-Plan-A-Great-Road-Trip.htm

About This Article

To plan a trip, start assessing your costs by determining where you will stay, like a hotel or a hostel. You should also go online and compare flight prices a couple months in advance for the lowest rates. Additionally, be sure to consider ways of getting around your destination, like rental cars or subways, based on the place you’re traveling to. If you’re traveling internationally, get your necessary documents in order 6 months in advance, like a passport and travel visa, and keep them in a safe place. For more tips on planning a vacation, like how to make a budget, keep scrolling! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Plan a Trip

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Have you avoided traveling during the pandemic? Travelers who’ve stuck close to home for the past two years are now looking to resume their wandering ways — maybe you are too.

But where to begin? Perhaps you haven’t planned a trip in a while and need a refresher. Or maybe you just got a new passport and don’t know where to start. We’re here to offer some helpful advice on how to plan your next trip, from choosing dates and accommodations to earning rewards points toward your next big vacation .

Be flexible with your destination and travel dates

Many want to travel to a specific place, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Japan in March, Greece in August, and Turks and Caicos in December all sound lovely, but be aware that high-demand destinations come with a high price tag, especially if you have specific travel dates in mind.

We’re not saying to throw a dart at a map to choose your next vacation, but we do recommend being open to a variety of destinations. Let a fare deal guide your travels.

» Learn more: How to shop for flights

For example, summer is a popular time to visit Europe. However, the autumn and winter months are when you’ll find some of the best flight deals to the continent. It’s also when accommodations are more affordable. So, take the opportunity to explore the world by following the price instead of the destination.

Additionally, be flexible with travel dates. Yes, a nine-day trip can help you include weekends and use less paid time off, but often flights cost more when your dates are nonnegotiable. We recommend being open to flying midweek to take advantage of the lowest fares.

If you want to redeem frequent flyer miles for an award flight, follow a similar strategy but book as soon as you find dates with low-level redemption rates. They can disappear quickly if others are shopping for flights using miles too.

» Learn more: Plan your next redemption with our airline points tool

Research what to do at your destination

If you’re visiting for the first time and are unfamiliar with your destination, it might be difficult to decide what to do once you get there. Cappadocia, a region in Turkey, is famous for hot air balloon rides. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is known for some of the best scuba diving. Finland offers reindeer safaris.

Unless someone you know has been to these places and shared details about their trip, you wouldn’t know this information without first doing some research.

So, if you’ve already booked your flights and know how long you’ll be at your destination, it’s time to learn more about the place. For example, if you have two weeks and are flying to Istanbul, search online for “two-week Turkey itinerary” and read through several travel blogs for ideas.

You’ll likely find out about the relaxing hammams in Istanbul, the magical hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia, the ruins in the ancient city of Ephesus and the beautiful beach towns of Bodrum Peninsula. Put together an itinerary based on your interests and decide how many nights you want to spend in each city.

» Learn more: How to find cheap things to do in any city

Book accommodations

Unless you’re going on a short trip to one city, book your hotels after you create an itinerary. For a multi-city trip, decide how many nights you want to stay in each place and book your accommodations accordingly.

If you have hotel loyalty points , look up which hotel chains are present in each location and determine whether a redemption offers good value or if it’s better to pay cash instead.

» Learn more: The most valuable hotel rewards programs this year

If you’d rather stay in a boutique hotel or a guesthouse, look up your options on a site such as Booking.com. The website is a travel agency for lodging, where you can find anything from hostels to five-star hotels. If you sign up for its loyalty program and reserve many stays through the site, you can get discounts on hotel bookings, complimentary breakfast and upgrades at participating properties.

Learn how to get around in your destination

If you’re going on a road trip across the United States, this doesn’t apply to you as your choice of transportation has already been decided.

However, if you’re headed abroad and have multiple cities on the agenda, learn how to best travel around the country. For example, train travel is well-established in Germany, and you shouldn’t have problems traveling between Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich. However, visiting the Greek islands requires either flying or taking a ferry.

Rome2rio is a helpful website for planning transport in any geographical location. Enter two cities and find out the best ways to travel between them, including by bus, train and rideshare.

Open a travel rewards card

Signing up for a travel rewards card before a trip is a great idea. You can pay for everything with one card and meet the minimum-spending requirement faster than you would at home.

We recommend applying for a card that earns bonus rewards on travel and dining. For example, the American Express® Green Card earns 3 points per dollar spent on travel, transit and at restaurants. Use it to pay for lodging, public transport and dining out and earn triple points on most of the spending you do while traveling. Terms apply.

The Citi Premier® Card earns 3 points per dollar on air travel and hotels, at restaurants and in supermarkets, so again, many relevant bonus categories are covered. If you book a hotel totaling at least $500 through the Citi ThankYou Rewards portal and use the Citi Premier® Card to pay for it, you’ll receive a $100 credit back, once per calendar year.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is another great card to use on a trip and earn bonus points. With this card, you’ll earn 3 points per dollar on dining and 2 points per dollar on travel. You can also get an annual $50 credit when booking a hotel through Chase's travel portal.

» Learn more: The best travel card welcome bonuses right now

Set up lounge access

Many premium travel cards offer airport lounge access. After you book your flights, find out which airports have lounges and how many guests you can bring. Plan your lounge visits based on your layovers.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card come with Priority Pass Select membership that includes restaurant credits (though the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will lose its restaurant benefit Jan. 1, 2023). You have to enroll in the benefit prior to traveling to get your membership activated before your trip.

If you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express , you have many lounge options. Cardmembers receive access to the following lounges:

Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta Air Lines).

Escape Lounge.

Lufthansa Business Lounge (when flying any class with Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa or Swiss International Air Lines).

Lufthansa Senator Lounge (when flying business class with Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa or Swiss International Air Lines).

Plaza Premium.

Priority Pass (no restaurant credit). Enrollment required.

The Centurion Lounge.

Terms apply.

Buy travel insurance

Although many travel credit cards come with built-in travel protection benefits, such as trip delay, baggage loss and auto rental collision damage waiver, you'll get more protection and higher coverage limits if you buy a separate travel insurance plan.

To compare rates, you can use a travel insurance aggregator, such as Squaremouth (a NerdWallet partner), that helps travelers find plans from multiple insurance providers. Enter your trip parameters and some personal details to find the right coverage for you.

When you’re ready to plan a trip

Planning a trip can be intimidating, but putting all the puzzle pieces together to create a beautiful travel picture feels great. Be open to nontraditional destinations and offseason travel dates to get the best deals. Become familiar with your credit card’s perks, or get another card for travel spending while on vacation. Finally, buy a travel insurance policy and have fun.

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through NerdWallet. To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express , see this page .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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How to Plan a Trip: Your Step-by-Step Travel Planning Guide

Home » Blog » Travel Tips » How to Plan a Trip: Your Step-by-Step Travel Planning Guide

Planning a trip overseas, whether long or short, can seem overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! In this article, we’ll show you how to take the stress out of travel planning, by laying out a simple step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip that’ll ensure you don’t forget anything.

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the idea of planning a trip because it seems too, well…  overwhelming ?! 

There’s a lot to think about when planning travel: from getting a visa, to figuring out transportation, to booking accommodation and getting local currency, it can be downright stressful.

And it’s a bit contradictory, right? Stressing out over planning what is supposed to be a relaxing vacation. We’ve definitely been there. Many times , in fact. 

But we’ve learned our share of lessons along the way and now we’re here to help. 

In this article, we’ll show you how to plan a trip without the stress by laying out a simple step-by-step guide that’ll ensure you don’t forget anything.

Here’s exactly what you need to do to take a travel daydream and turn it into reality.

So whether you’re planning a 2-week getaway or a journey with no end date in sight, these steps will take you from the brainstorming phase to stepping foot in your destination. We think you might actually   have fun  planning your next trip.  That’s a dare .

Alright, take a deep breath, because we’re digging right in!

How to Plan a Trip

• Step 1: Figure out your travel budget
• Step 2: Decide on your travel style/partner(s)
• Step 3: Choose a destination
• Step 4: Book flights
• Step 5: Book accommodation
• Step 6: Research things to do
• Step 7: Get travel insurance
• Step 8: Minimize travel risks
• Step 9: Pack your bags
• Step 10: Last-minute prep

Step 1. Figure out your travel budget

Before you can even begin to plan a trip, you need to take a good look at your finances and figure out how much money you have to spend on your adventure. This will dictate a lot of the future steps including where you can travel to and for how long. 

This step might sound scary, but we’ve broken it down for you so you can create your very own customized travel budget. We’re even sharing  exactly how we afford to travel and stay on budget .

If you have the time before you go, follow these  simple steps to save money for your travels .

Step 2. Decide on your travel style / partner(s)

Is this a short vacation, a 3-week trip overseas or long term travel that you are planning for? 

…And who’s coming with you?

Take a moment to answer this question… Are you going to be traveling solo or with a partner? A group of friends, or with your family and children in tow?

The answer to this question can help shape your trip quite a bit. For instance, a solo trip to Tahiti may not be the best choice, as this popular honeymoon destination is going to be swarming with couples on romantic getaways. Likewise, party-centered Ibiza might not be the best place for a wholesome family vacay.

• Traveling Solo? Traveling solo is an incredibly freeing experience, and there are  many great cities around the world for solo travelers .
• Want a romantic getaway? Romance isn’t just limited to beaches and resorts. Check out our roundup of some of the  top romantic destinations for every type of traveling couple , some of which might be a little unexpected.
• Looking for a perfect family vacation spot? There are destinations all over the world that are  amazing spots to bring your kids !

If you are planning on traveling with a partner, don’t book your flights without  asking them these questions first…

Step 3. Choose a destination

This step may seem obvious for some, maybe you already know exactly where it is you want to travel and that’s why you’re planning this trip in the first place. For those of you that have a destination nailed down, there are still a few things we’d suggest you consider, you can skip right down to the research step.

For those of you that have the itch to travel, maybe even the vacation time set up, but still have no idea how to narrow down just one place, we suggest looking at a map. No really! Hear us out…

Literally look at a map, and start circling all the cities, towns or attractions you want to visit. Look on  Instagram  for inspiration. Don’t limit yourself. What do you want to do? What do you want to see and experience? When planning a route, we typically look at other trusted bloggers’ recommendations.

And no need for paper maps anymore, go digital! Here’s a great tutorial on  how to use Google My Maps . It’s game-changing. 

We figure out how many nights we can stay in each city and how we’re going to get from city to city. We have many itineraries on our  Itineraries page  where you can see examples of our travel routes and recommendations. We also suggest taking a look at  Lonely Planet travel guides . 

Once you think you’ve nailed down a place, or places…

Do your research

Don’t forget to do a little digging and make sure that the time of year you plan to travel is optimal. We have failed to do our research a few times and it ended up really affecting our trip.

Asking yourself the following questions can really save you the troubles or headaches down the road:

What will the weather be like?

• Will it be the wet season? Hurricane season? Super-duper-unbearably hot?

Example:  We traveled in India during the hottest months of the year and literally could not do much outside some of the days because it was 110 °F (43.3 °C). After that, we vowed never to make the mistake of traveling without really understanding the weather first.   

Is it peak tourism season? Low season?

• Will it be hard to get a hotel because it’s peak season? Will the lines and crowds at tourist attractions be ridiculous? 
• Likewise, if you are traveling during low season, should you expect a lot of the businesses to be shut down? Will closures hinder your chance to see and experience everything you were hoping to?

Example:  We visited Croatia in July – its busiest month of the year – and found ourselves super frustrated with the crowds and jacked up prices. We ended up shortening our time there because we were not enjoying it as much as we expected.

Hold up! Before you start a Googling storm, we’ve got some good news: there are some resources out there that make this process for researching so much faster!

• If you know WHERE you want to go,  Travelendar  (combination of travel + calendar) will tell you what time of year is best to visit.
• If you know WHEN you want to travel, check out this list that breaks down  which destinations are best to visit each month of the year .
• We’ve also done the research for you, nailing down the pros and cons of visiting during different times of the year for a number of popular destinations such as  Japan ,  Bali ,  New Zealand  and  Iceland .

But don’t worry if you don’t know where OR when you want to travel… check out this  calendar of events around the world  for inspiration!

How cool is that?!

These events span all destinations and interests: from European music festivals (like Sziget Festival in Budapest, pictured above!) to cultural celebrations to naturally occurring events like the migration patterns of wildlife in Africa. 

When you find an event that interests you, click on it to learn more.

Pace yourself

Thinking about your pace will determine how many of the places you circled above you’ll realistically be able to see.

Do you want to pack in as much as possible, or do you want to choose a couple places and really get to explore them? Do you want to travel slow and take in the culture to really understand how locals live?

Or do you want to tick places off your list and move from city to city, seeing as much as you can? Maybe a happy mixture of slow and fast? This all depends on the amount of time you have and your budget.

Find out visa requirements

Investigate if you need to obtain a visa for the country or countries you’re thinking of traveling to. You may not need one for the first country you arrive in, but will you need one for the other countries in your itinerary? Can you get a visa online, visa on arrival, or do you need to get it in your home country?

For instance, if you’re traveling to Vietnam, Americans need to apply for a visa ahead of time (and  here’s the best and cheapest way to get one ).

If you don’t know if you need a visa, check out your home country’s visa websites:

• USA citizens
• UK citizens
• Canadian citizens
• Australian citizens
• Singaporean citizens

Step 4. Book flights

You know where you want to go? Check. Have your visa? Check. 

Now here comes our favorite part: It’s time to book a flight!

First, you’ll need to answer these questions: What airport will you fly into? Are you going to make a round trip and fly out of the same airport? Or are you departing out of a new place? 

Tips for getting the best deals on flights:

• Know when to buy.  Depending on where you are flying to and from, there are different recommendations for how far in advance you should buy your flight.

• Play around with breaking the flight up.  For example, instead of searching for a flight from Minneapolis to Japan, we’ll search Seattle to Japan. Then we find a flight from Minneapolis to Seattle. This allows you to have a layover in a cool city, and can be a lot cheaper. 
• Another good gateway into Asia is flying through China. You can usually find one way tickets to China from major US cities for around $350! 
• Sign up for price alerts.  Many search engines allow you to sign up for alerts between destinations. You’ll get email notifications when the fare goes down, so you can jump on it!
• There are tons of credit cards that give you miles for purchases.  Find the  best travel credit card for you here . If you’re inclined to get an airline credit card, think about the major airlines at your home airport. You’ll most likely be booking flights with that airline so might as well rack up the points.

Don’t forget to sign up for the frequent flyer miles program  with flight you choose! Many airlines are part of a broad network and the miles are sometimes transferable.

Understanding WHY a flight is cheap is important. Make sure you think about the arrival time at your destination. The cheapest flight might get in at 2 in the morning and you’ll have to wait for hours for your guesthouse to open, or hotel check in time. 

On the flipside, if you depart super early in the morning, you may have a difficult time hailing down a taxi that early (and have to pay a premium for the ride). Sometimes the absolute cheapest fare will actually cost you more in the end.

If your trip doesn’t involve taking a flight,  check out these  tips for planning an epic USA road trip . 

When searching for a flight we like to use  Skyscanner  first because it allows you to search across the entire month to find the cheapest flight.

Want more tips for finding the best deal on airfare?  You’re in luck, because we have an entire article dedicated to  how to find cheap flights !

Are you a nervous flyer? Don’t let the anxiety of flying prevent you from traveling. Check out these  tips for fearful flyers  that will help put you at ease.

Step 5. Book accommodation

Depending on how long your vacation is you may choose to book all your accommodation ahead of time or none at all.

For instance, if you only have two weeks, it might be best to arrange your hotels or hostels online so you don’t waste precious time trying to figure out accommodation when you’d rather be exploring. Plus, you don’t want to run the risk of everything being booked up! 

If you’re traveling long term, however, you may just book a few days at a time. Or you may prefer to wing it and walk into hotels once you arrive in a town.

We put a lot of consideration into where to book our accommodation when planning a trip. 

First, we want to consider location. We may start to research things to do in a destination before this step so we have a better idea of where we will want to visit and what the most central location will be for us. 

If a city is known for its nightlife, we might consider staying in a quieter neighborhood. If accommodation costs skyrocket the closer to the city center you get, we may consider saving money to stay somewhere further out. 

Transportation

We also consider transportation in a new city. If the city is very walkable, we’ll want to stay right in the center. If Ubers or public transportation is easily accessible, we may consider saving money by staying further outside the center. We recommend doing plenty of research on transportation options and costs before nailing down your accommodation. 

Length of stay

If we are planning to stay in one location for a longer period of time (a couple weeks or more), we like to have a place that feels a bit more like “home” than a hotel. We love to cook, so a place with a kitchen allows us to enjoy our passion and save money on dining out at the same time! We usually use  Airbnb  or  Booking  to find apartment-style rentals in new cities. 

If we have a short layover in a city, or are staying just a few nights, we might splurge on a hotel, or even try to save money by booking a hostel.

Everything you need to know about Airbnb :  You’ll find loads of info on how to book Airbnbs, red flags to watch out for when booking, and our favorite Airbnbs.

Booking resources

Depending on where in the world we’re traveling, we switch up our booking sites. Here are our favorites:

• Asia:  Booking  or  Agoda  (we find Airbnb is only available in certain cities/countries and not in others in Asia)
• Europe:   Booking , Airbnb or  Hostelworld
• USA:   Airbnb  (we rarely stay in hotels in the US and Hostels aren’t nearly as prevalent in the US as elsewhere in the world)
• South & Central America:   Hostelworld ,  Airbnb or  Booking

Step 6. Research things to do

When talking about how to plan a trip, this is where the fun really starts … We LOVE doing research to find out what kinds of adventures we can have in a new destination. 

Here are a few of our favorite resources for researching travel destinations:

Pinterest :  Probably the first place we look when we get curious about a new place. We use Pinterest as a search engine (just like we would use Google!) and we have found in our experience that there is TONS more helpful content on travel there than if we were to try and sift through the first page of Google. We love that you can save articles in organized boards as well to return to later (you may have noticed the Pins we create at the bottom of all of our own articles). 

Bloggers:  We are constantly looking to other bloggers we trust for advice on new destinations. We have some we follow closely so we always know where to check if they have information on a place. We like to read a few different suggested itineraries for new cities to figure out what the can’t-miss attractions are and get ideas on how to plan our own itinerary. We leave comments on posts and reach out via social media if we are still left with questions after reading a blog post about a new place. 

Airbnb Experiences :  Sometimes just checking out what’s offered on Airbnb Experiences is a great way to get ideas of cool things to see and do in a new place. You might even find an experience or 2 you want to sign up for!

Trip Advisor:  We like to check reviews for things on trip advisor to see what other travelers have to say about certain experiences or attractions. There can be some seriously good advice on there! 

Step 7. Get travel insurance

Even though you might be safer abroad than in your home country, accidents happen everywhere and you should always be covered. We never leave home without travel insurance and neither should you.

One of the most popular travel insurance companies is  World Nomads . They cover anyone worldwide and are extremely easy to use. We were covered by them when we trekked to Everest Base Camp  and were very happy with our experience. Fill out the info below to get an instant quote:

For more information on how to pick a policy and what we look for in travel insurance,  check out our detailed travel insurance comparison article .

Be sure to read our  essential travel safety tips  for more detailed advice about how to stay safe and protect your belongings while traveling.

Step 8. Minimize travel risks

When breaking down the steps for how to plan a trip, this is an important one. There are plenty of steps you can take before you even set foot in a country to minimize your risk of something going wrong. 

Register on your country’s Smart Traveler program

For Americans, you should sign up for the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP). Through STEP you’ll get emergency updates that would affect your travels, such as bad weather or civil unrest or protests.

It will also give you easy access to your embassy in the country you’re visiting. Lastly, if anything bad were to happen to you on your travels, you’d be easier to track down. Check your country’s travel department for similar programs. 

Get all necessary Immunizations ahead of time

Before setting foot in a new country, you’ll want to be sure to protect yourself from foreign disease. Use the  CDC website  to research vaccinations and medications you might need in the destination(s) you are planning to visit. We’d also advise visiting your doctor before a longer trip to make sure all of your health concerns are taken care of. 

Scan your documents and email yourself a copy

Scan a copy of your passport and any credit cards you’re bringing, and email it to yourself. Do the same for your travel insurance documents and receipts of the valuables you’re carrying. If anything happens to these while you’re traveling, you’ll have an electronic version.

Know common scams

While you’re in research mode, do a quick search of common scams in your destination. Being aware of popular scams is often all you need to avoid falling victim. 

We have run into plenty of known scams on our travels, especially in bigger cities like  Bangkok , and have even fallen victim to some ourselves. Unfortunately, scams are a risk you run in traveling, and sometimes unavoidable, but the more informed you are, the better prepared you will be to avoid getting caught in a tourist trap. 

Bring backup credit cards

If you are traveling in a group or as a couple, you have a bit of a support system (assuming you each bring at least one credit card). 

This tip is particularly geared towards solo travelers. 

You will always want to bring a backup credit card (and perhaps a backup debit or ATM card as well) in case of emergencies. We’ve been in situations abroad where our cards have been stolen (sometimes it’s not always obvious as it happens with a swipe and we still have the card in our possession) and if you don’t have a backup, you will have a very hard time accessing your money. 

For this reason, we like to keep our back ups in a separate location in our luggage (one in our hand luggage, one in our suitcase) and then leave one behind at our accommodation in case we were to be mugged. It may sound a bit extreme, but it’s always good to be prepared!

Secure your belongings

It should go without saying that you’ll want to keep your belongings, and especially your valuables in secure places while traveling (you know, use a purse with a zipper for less-easy access and don’t hang it on the back of your chair on a crowded street corner cafe). There are some items you can purchase ahead of time to help keep your belongings safe while traveling. 

• Basic travel locks
• Bluetooth tracking luggage locks
• Hidden pocket scarf
• A camera bag disguised as a purse

Step 9. Pack your bags

It’s starting to feel real now isn’t it?! Your trip is coming up fast and it’s time to get packing!

Packing for a trip can be quite the puzzle. You want to be prepared and make sure you don’t forget anything, but at the same time, don’t want to feel weighed down by too much stuff.

If you’re a self-proclaimed over-packer, or someone who always ends up using only half the things in their suitcase on every trip… I’m right there with ya! We recommend planning out your packing ahead of time so you are not rushing at the last minute to get everything you need stuffed into your oversized suitcase. 

One tip is to lay everything you think you will need for a trip out on a flat surface (your bedspread works great for this) and then take away half — yes half! — of it. That is how much stuff you should realistically be trying to pack. 

Another rule of thumb we like to try and stick to is packing in a carry-on for any trip shorter than one month .

This may seem incredibly daunting to some, but trust us when we say, you’ll be much happier trying to navigate the cobblestone streets of Europe or lifting your luggage onto a train if it’s smaller than a 50 pound bag!

Below are some essentials you’ll want to make sure you pack for any trip:

• Passport/Identification
• Wallet/credit cards (and backups!)
• Chargers for  all  of your electronics
• Kindle  or e-reader
• Travel pillow
• Insulated water bottle

Think about your electronics

This is a big one not to forget! If you are traveling abroad, you’ll want to look into the outlet situation you can expect in your destination and how it compares to that of your home country. 

A quick Google search will show you what type of outlets you’ll find in the country you’re visiting. Here’s a great  website for electrical outlets . Look at the voltage too, and check the compatibility with any electronics you’re planning to bring along. A great purchase is the  travel converter with adapters . 

Packing resources

Use these packing resources for tips and ideas to help you pack for your next trip:

• How to Pack for 3 months in a Backpack
• Ultimate Packing Guide for Long Term Travel
• Eco Friendly Travel Gear Packing List

Step 10. Last-minute prep

You’ve made it to the final step! Your trip is just around the corner and all that’s left is doing a little research and making some last-minute arrangements.

Data/Internet access

Research the best way to gain access to data or Internet while you’re in your destination. If you’re traveling within your home country, this shouldn’t be a problem.

However, if you are traveling abroad, you might want to consider purchasing a prepaid local SIM card when you arrive. This will be the cheapest way to gain access to data abroad. 

Use our  ultimate guide to getting an international SIM card , including helpful tips for using your phone abroad.

Download some helpful apps

• Google Translate:  Type in something you want to say, and it’ll translate the phrase into any language you select. You can even take a picture of a menu written in an entirely different language (like Korean, for example), and it will translate what is written. It is amazing!
• Google Maps:  Before going to a new location, we typically download the offline map for our destination in our Google Maps app. If you have your GPS turned on, the app will show your current location with a blue dot even when you don’t have data or WiFi turned on. This is super helpful if you’re on a long bus ride and want to know exactly where you are, or when you’re lost wandering around in a big city. 
• GlobalConvert:  This app makes it easy to convert anything from currency to distance to temperature. (Super handy for Americans unfamiliar with the metric system.) And the best part is, it works offline!
• Time Buddy:  If you’re traveling on the other side of the world, this app makes it super easy to figure out time difference between where you are and your home country.
• Trail Wallet:  Yeah, yeah, I know, we’ve talked about this one a lot. But it has seriously changed how we travel. This app converts seamlessly through currencies and shows you exactly where you are in regard to your budget. Download this app and you’ll be able to travel longer. Seriously. 

Have a plan for currency

On long-term trips, we typically withdraw money from a local ATM as soon as we enter a new country. We NEVER use currency exchanges as these tend to take a big percentage (like 30%). Plus ATMs are much more efficient.

Our Charles Schwab card ( more info here ) reimburses all ATM fees, so we only take out small amounts at a time.

Tip: Just remember to decline the currency conversion rate offered by the ATM. When you do this you are referring to the conversion rate set by your bank instead. And in our experience, the banks always give a more fair conversion rate and than the pre-set ATM conversion rates.

Notify your bank of your travel plans

This is a step that can sometimes be overlooked, but can put a serious damper on your travel plans when you enter a new country only to find your bank has automatically shut off your debit card because it thinks you are attempting a fraudulent withdrawal. 

Learn the language (at least a few phrases)

We’re not insinuating that you must be able to have a conversation in the local language before visiting a foreign country. But learning a few key words or phrases shows locals that you are trying, and people usually respect this.

You’d be surprised how far learning “hello” and “thank you” can get you. Some other helpful words to learn no matter where you are traveling are: “bathroom”, “delicious” and “beautiful”.

And don’t forget about numbers. Write down the numbers 1 through 10 in a small notebook and translate them. Knowing a few numbers makes it a lot easier to order at restaurants. 

If you have any allergies or medical conditions, it’s a good idea to write it out and translate it to the language of your destination country. For instance, “I am a vegetarian,” or “I am diabetic”. Print it out in the local language (and the phonetic spelling) and carry it in your wallet. It will definitely come in handy. 

Refine your manners

A little research can go a long way. Certain gestures you might use everyday, like a thumbs up or okay sign, are offensive in some cultures. Avoid awkward situations by researching some basic manners in the country you’re visiting. 

Where to first?

You’re ready to take the leap! However, the first few hours in a new country can be a little overwhelming (and the most likely time to get scammed). That’s why you should have a plan of how to get from the airport to your hotel (or wherever you’re headed first).

We typically write down the address (in the local language and in English) of our first hostel/hotel in a small book or in the notes app on our phone so we can show taxi/bus drivers, that way we don’t fumble over mispronouncing street names.

It’s also helpful to save the locations of your accommodation, local embassy, hospital and attractions you want to visit in your maps (that you’ve downloaded offline of course!) before leaving.

Book transportation ahead of time or get specific instructions on how to find public transport. Read our  travel tips , other blogs, or guide books on what is the best means of transportation in the specific country you’re visiting. If you have a plan and know what you’re doing, you’ll start off your vacation on the right foot.

Confirm reservations

It’s easiest to call or write to confirm reservations for things like accommodation and transportation before you find yourself in a foreign country with a canceled Airbnb reservation and nowhere to go. Confirm all your important reservations and keep copies of your confirmation receipts in your email.  

And there you have it, 10 simple steps for how to plan a trip to anywhere in the world. 

Following these steps will take some of the stress out of trip planning, but it is important to remember that even the best laid plans often go awry. This is particularly true with travel as there are just too many factors outside of your control.

And that’s okay.  In fact, that is half the fun of it! It’s what makes travel such an incredible  learning experience  and why we keep going back for more.

Need help planning the perfect trip?

Be sure to check out our  Travel Planning page  for resources on everything you need to know about how to plan a trip, from packing to budgeting and more! Or you can read some of our favorite articles about planning your next trip below. 

• How We Afford to Travel & You Can Too!
• How to Find Cheap Flights: 17 Expert Tips
• How We Pick the Best Travel Insurance
• Cheap Travel Hacks to Save You Money

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We want to hear from you!

If you still have more questions about how to plan a trip—both international or otherwise—leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to find you the answers you’re looking for!

Comments (15) on “ How to Plan a Trip: Your Step-by-Step Travel Planning Guide ”

What considerations should you make regarding the timing of your trip, as recommended in the article?

It’s great that you talked about how we’d plan a trip and choose the things we want to do. We’re excited about traveling for our next vacation, and we’d like to start booking hotels and tours, so we’ll follow your tips to help us out. Thanks for the insight on finding all kinds of adventures for our vacation trip.

Bautiful blog and very informative ! Thanks for sharing

Hey guys! Honey is here. Two days back I returned from my vacation and enjoyed myself a lot there. I didn’t face any booking issues regarding stay and tickets reservation. This time I have got 10,000 off on my bookings through the usage of BOB cards and I gained that offer info from Saveplus. You guys must fly! Go on.

Thanks for reminding me to check out my finances first before planning a trip. I have allotted a part of my monthly budget last year so I could travel overseas but it might not be too safe because of the pandemic. I think it would be better to visit something local and just book a Kentucky bourbon tour.

This is a wonderfully structured article! Loved reading it!

Thank you very much for your very pragmatic info. May I have some names of reliable bloggers for my research please? Nic

Your blog is very informative. You have written every thing in deep.

Thank you for great information !

I like that you shared your thoughts with us. I am living in my camper van and I like to read more thoughtful articles like this one. Thanks for the amazing and beautiful post….

Thanks so much for the kind words!

What a wonderful post on how to plan a trip! You have some good points and tips! I also wrote a post on how I planned for my East Coast Trip, check it out on my blog http://innapishtoy.com/2018/05/19/planning-packing-trip/

Thanks for sharing Inna.

Good one content katie. I am impressed. It is very useful for my winter holidays.

So happy to hear it was helpful!

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18 Simple Steps To Plan Your Next Trip Or Vacation

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: May 15, 2019  - Last updated: October 15, 2023

I always love planning my next trip during my free time. I haven’t met one person in my lifetime who didn’t have a desire to travel.

Some people had a stronger wish to see more countries but there was never an individual that didn’t say traveling was a goal of theirs.

Although this is my personal experience, I would wager that a vast majority of people wish to see at least one other country and culture.

There is something liberating and exciting about packing a bag, buying a flight, and hitting the open road. Unfortunately, many people are distracted or discouraged by all of the requirements for planning a vacation.

In an attempt to help people navigate this red tape, I have compiled a list of steps you can take to travel. Here are 18 steps for teaching you how to plan a vacation:

Table of Contents

Step 1: Choose A Destination

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Choosing a destination is the first step in planning a trip. Many people are too vague when they talk about traveling. In this way, travel becomes more of an idea than a fixed decision.

Defining a destination is the best way to solidify your desire to travel. A destination can be a clear goal for which to work. It’s easier to work towards a trip to Rome. Nobody can begin planning a trip to “somewhere” without wasting time and resources.

Choosing a destination is the beginning of the realization of your dream to travel. Without this first step, you may be wondering how to plan a trip forever.

Step 2: Determine A Length For The Trip

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When planning a vacation, many people worry about the cost too early along in the planning process. Without first determining a length for a trip, it is nearly impossible to estimate the costs.

Once you’ve determined a location for your vacation, it is time to choose a length of time. Some people will have a pre-determined vacation length due to work or other professional constraints.

For those who don’t have these restrictions, visas or savings may also help determine the length of a trip. No matter how long you choose to travel, it is important to have a defined length to simplify the rest of the planning process.

Step 3: Conduct Research On Costs And Expenses

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Now that you’ve determined the location and length of your trip, it’s time to conduct some research regarding costs. It’s very difficult to determine the cost of a trip without learning more about the destination.

The style of your travels will also help determine the overall cost of the trip. For example, travelers who want to stay in nice resorts and eat at expensive restaurants will end up spending more.

On the other hand, budget backpackers who sleep in hostels and eat at street stalls will spend much less. Once you decide on a traveling style, you’ve got to understand the costs that your trip will incur (i.e. cost of restaurants, hotels, attractions, hostels, etc.)

This information will help you estimate the price of your trip overall. Here are a few travel tips for determining the costs of your trip by location:

• Purchase a guidebook on that particular location.
• Join online chats or forums that discuss pricing in certain destinations.
• Conduct a Google search for the prices of specific items, accommodation, or attractions.
• Read related blog posts on travel websites.

These resources should provide more than enough information to develop an accurate estimate of your trip’s overall cost. There’s a plethora of information online regarding prices for restaurants, attractions, hostels, and groceries in locations around the world.

Avoid the temptation to go overboard in the planning process.

Here’s an example:

If you’ve determined that your trip of 10 days will cost an average of $70 per day (excluding flight), then the vacation will cost $700 overall.

This provides you with a clear goal for which to aim when planning and saving for the trip. You will always be wondering how to plan a trip if this step isn’t covered.

Step 4: Start Making And Saving Money

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After you’ve determined the overall cost of your trip, it’s time to collect that amount of money. It’s advisable to keep a detailed list of your weekly and monthly expenses to have a clear idea of where your money is being spent.

This also makes it easier to determine in which areas spending can be cut or eliminated altogether. People tend to incur a lot of unnecessary expenses on a daily basis.

Although these smaller expenses may seem minuscule in comparison to the cost of your trip overall, each dollar counts. You may not realize how much money can be saved until you cut these expenses.

It’s a great idea to breakdown your required savings into a daily amount.

For example, if you need $700 for a vacation you’re taking in five months, you’ll need to save around $4.66 per day. That’s nearly the price of a cup of Starbucks coffee.

Step 5: Apply For Travel Rewards Credit Cards

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Every credit card comes with some added benefits. While some of these focus on cashback rewards, there are others that offer travel deals. When saving for a trip, it’s important to sign up for some of these travel credit cards in order to receive their benefits.

There are credit cards that offer free hotel stays, discounted flights, restaurant deals, and more. Many cards offer 50,000 points/miles or more towards their flight programs after you exceed their spending requirements.

This minimum spending threshold is usually around $1,000 for the first three months of having the card. These miles could earn you a flight to your destination.

It’s important to sign up for a card that offers the rewards which you prefer. If you want to earn a free flight, sign up for cards associated with airlines. If you prefer to have free hotel stays, apply for a hotel card.

It’s not necessary to sign up for every credit card that offers travel rewards. It’s better to choose a few that are pertinent to your personal needs and preferences.

A majority of the “professional” travelers have mastered the art of collecting miles and points through credit cards that offer travel rewards. Utilizing these cards correctly could mean the difference between a week-long vacation and years of travel.

Step 6: Find An ATM Card That Doesn’t Charge Fees

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Although larger expenses will take a larger chunk of money, the real enemies to your savings account are small, reoccurring expenses. ATM fees are an example of these small charges that should be avoided at all costs.

Before embarking on your trip, it’s important to find a card that doesn’t charge fees to withdraw money from an ATM. Charles Schwab and banks within the Global ATM Alliance don’t charge these fees.

Step 7: Remain Inspired And Focused

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Planning for a trip can be a daunting and stressful process. This is especially true when your family members or friends aren’t enthusiastic about your vacation. Unfortunately, this lack of support often leads many people to lose their own excitement and desire to travel.

It’s important to remain inspired and focused before your trip begins. Luckily, there are many ways to keep that flame alive before embarking on your journeys.

Here are a few of these methods:

• Read inspiration books about travel and adventure.
• Read personal blogs that travelers write about their experiences.
• Follow some full-time travelers on social media and engage with their content.
• Stay up-to-date on news regarding your chosen destination.
• Watch movies about traveling.
• Don’t listen to naysayers or detractors.

Step 8: Look For Last-Minute Discounts And Deals

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Before you purchase a flight or book a hotel, it’s important to look for last-minute discounts or deals. If you find the right offer, you could save hundreds on your vacation.

Even though you’ve already chosen a destination, it can’t hurt to look for last-minute deals. You might find an offer that’s too good to pass up.

Instead of a trip to Rome, you may opt for a two-week cruise around the Mediterranean that is 50% off. These deals are often good enough to make travelers reconsider their chosen destination.

Flexibility is one of the most important factors of a successful and budget traveler. It’s a large planet, and there are endless places to visit . If you end up choosing destination B over destination A, you can still have an amazing vacation.

If you’re a flexible traveler, you could save a significant amount of money. These savings can be put towards a longer vacation.

Here are a few websites that are worth checking for last-minute discounts and deals:

• Holiday Pirates
• Scott’s Cheap Flights
• The Flight Deal

Step 9: Take Care Of Any Country-Specific Requirements

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Each country is going to have specific requirements that may differ from other destinations. Visas and vaccinations are the most important requirements to keep in mind when planning your dream vacation.

For example, most countries in Europe don’t require U.S. citizens to apply for a visa. Instead, a U.S. passport acts as a tourist visa. However, other countries such as China and Nepal require U.S. citizens to apply for a visa in order to enter the country.

The same is true in regards to some vaccinations. There are some countries that require proof of vaccinations upon arrival.

It’s imperative that you check any country-specific requirements before embarking on your flights.

Step 10: Book The Flight

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After you’ve applied for the travel credit card and met the minimum spending limit, you should receive your reward miles.

In the past, it was easy to book flights using these miles or points without any hassle. Today, the process is slightly more difficult due to a lack of availability. More travelers have started participating in these reward programs.

In order to find the best deals, it’s important to book a flight well in advance. Spending reward miles is the same as spending money on a flight. With each passing day, more travelers will purchase tickets on the same flight and the ticket prices will rise.

When redeeming points for a flight, the cost of the ticket will show in points instead of dollars. The cost of the ticket in points will continue to rise the longer you wait to purchase the ticket.

In order to find your desired flight at an affordable rate, it’s crucial to book ahead of time.

Fortunately, there are many resources that can be used to save money on a flight. Here are a few of the best sites to use when searching for a flight:

• Momondo – This is a great platform to use when searching for super cheap flights.
• Skyscanner – This is the best website for comparing the costs of flights depending on location and date.
• Kiwi – This website is a great option for finding routes that are lesser-known. Flights on Kiwi are operated with smaller carriers.
• AirTreks – Aitreks is the best site for searching deals on flights with multiple destinations or round-the-world tickets.

In order to find the cheapest deals, it’s important to book your flight at least two months before the departure date.

Step 11: Book The Accommodation

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Once your flights have been confirmed, you can safely book your accommodation. It’s advisable to wait until your flight bookings have been confirmed. A delay or schedule change by even a day could cost a lot of money.

Booking accommodation after your flight dates have been confirmed helps to protect against these potential issues.

If you’re traveling with a fixed schedule, it’s important to book all of your accommodation before leaving. This will result in better deals, more availability, and lower prices overall.

If your trip will last longer than a few weeks, it’s enough to book accommodation for the first few days.

Once your travel dates are determined, there’s no reason to wait for booking accommodation.

If you love to stay in hotels, you should consider signing up for loyalty programs or hotel credit cards to save some money in the long run. Although hotel rooms are cozier and more convenient, they are also significantly more expensive.

Marriott has an excellent rewards card that offers a hefty sign-up bonus equivalent to a one week’s stay. Starwood offers an American Express card with excellent deals as well, but the spending threshold for this card is significantly higher.

Here’s a list of the best sites for finding cheap accommodation:

• HostelWorld – This is the best platform for finding a wide selection of cheap hostels.
• Agoda – Although this site isn’t as popular as others, Agoda will yield the best results when traveling in Asia.
• Booking.com – While Booking.com is known for its pricey listings, this platform is still great for finding affordable accommodation in the form of hostels, guest houses, vacation rentals, and more.

For those budget travelers who desire accommodation for free, there are some viable alternatives. You can start by contacting hosts on site like WWOOF, Be Welcome , or Couchsurfing and ask if they will host you for a night or two.

Step 12: Plan Some Activities

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No vacation would be complete without some fun activities. It’s helpful to outline some of the places you want to see and activities which you’d like to do.

Prepping this outline before a trip will make it more likely that each activity can be done. This preparation will also help you decide if any budget adjustments are required.

Step 13: Sell Your Belongings

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If you’re planning to travel for more than six months, you should consider selling some belongings. This will accomplish a few worthwhile goals.

First and foremost, you’ll have some extra cash to spend on vacation. You may be surprised by how much money all of your stuff is worth. Secondly, you won’t have to pay for storage while you’re gone.

Here are some excellent sites for selling your stuff:

• Gumtree – A site for selling goods with a specific focus in Australian and UK markets.
• Amazon – Amazon is the largest online marketplace in the world. This means more potential buyers.
• Craigslist – Craigslist is an online platform full of global classifieds.

For those long-term travelers who wish to keep their belongings, storage units can be rented for as low as $50 per month. If you don’t have this much money to spend, you can house your belongings at the home of a friend or relative.

Step 14: Automate The Bills

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Even though you may be leaving for a trip, that doesn’t mean other aspects of your life will change as well.

Before you leave for a trip, set up all of your mail for paperless options. You should also contact your bank to set up automated bill payments. This simplified the payment process and ensures you don’t miss any due fees when traveling.

If you still need to receive paper mail, you can use a service like Earth Class Mail. These services will open and scan your mail while you’re traveling.

If you’re only planning to travel for a few weeks, these steps may not be necessary.

Although some people choose to make these changes without traveling. Online mail is much faster, easier, and more environmentally friendly.

Step 15: Notify Your Credit Card Companies

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There’s nothing more frustrating or potentially hazardous than having your credit card flagged during a trip. Credit card companies often utilize automatic blocks on cards when they are used abroad. This is a way to keep users safe from hackers.

However, having your card blocked during vacation could be an unintended consequence of these protections. In order to ensure you always have access to a card abroad, it’s imperative to notify your credit card companies.

Most companies will ask which countries you’re traveling to and lift the protections for these places.

Step 16: Pack, Pack, Pack

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Most travelers have mixed feelings about packing. Although it’s an exciting step in the traveling process, it can also be stressful reducing your belongings for a trip.

It’s important to find a balance between having what you need and packing too much. Overpacking will lead to uncomfortable walks, higher transportation fees, and an overall hassle that can be avoided by taking less.

You can always buy more items abroad if you forget something important. It’s more difficult to get rid of belongings if you have taken too much.

A good rule of thumb when packing is to remove 20% of what you pack originally. The leftover amount should be enough for a trip lasting a few months.

Less is certainly more when you consider how long you’ll have to drag this bag around while on vacation.

Step 17: Buy Travel Insurance For Coverage

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Many people make the mistake of forgetting about travel insurance or forgoing the coverage altogether. Some individuals don’t think their chances of getting sick on vacation are high. In their eyes, there is no reason to buy travel insurance while on vacation.

It’s important to realize that travel insurance covers much more than sick visits or regular doctors appointments. When you travel for longer periods of time, you’ll need much more than medical protection.

This type of insurance covers travelers when their luggage is stolen, a flight is delayed or canceled, an expensive computer breaks, and much more. Most travel insurance will even cover a flight home if a family member gets sick.

Travel insurance is a must-have for travelers to a foreign country. You don’t know what could happen, and a majority of health plans that operate in the U.S. won’t be able to cover you abroad.

I never expected my eardrum to pop while scuba diving or lost my camera in Prague. My friend didn’t expect to break his foot while hiking. Another friend of mine certainly didn’t think her friend would pass away, and she would have to fly home so early into her trip.

Travel insurance is a minimal cost that can end up saving you thousands of dollars if something bad were to happen. Fortunately, there are many different providers that can customize a plan for your particular trip.

For example, a trip to the Himalayas will require coverage in higher altitudes than a trip to Guam. It’s important to consider what you’ll be doing on the vacation to determine what kind of coverage is sufficient for your particular case.

World Nomads is my favorite provider of travel insurance. I have been using this platform for over 10 years and have never had any issues.

For those travelers older than 70, Insure My Trip is the best provider for seasoned travelers.

Step 18: Have Fun On Your Trip

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While there are many blogs for teaching readers how to plan a vacation, a majority of these websites forget about the most important component of traveling: having fun.

Once you’ve finalized all of your bookings and activities, it’s time to focus on enjoying the trip. You may be surprised by how many people spend months or years dreaming about a vacation only to hate it in the end.

While some people genuinely have bad experiences abroad, many of these travelers suffer from a poor attitude or bad perspective.

Taking your dream trip can be the most exciting and exhilarating experience of your life. However, it takes some positive thinking, patience, and a proactive attitude.

Next time you’re stuck wondering how to plan a vacation, use these 18 steps to make the process much easier.

In fact, you should share these strategies with any friend or family member who isn’t sure how to plan a trip.

Travel Planning Tips: the Easy and Organized Method

By: Author Aly Smalls

Posted on Published: May 8, 2019  - Last updated: October 23, 2023

Share with your friends!

You’re going on a holiday! Or planning to take one. Awesome and exciting news, but now what? There is so much information out there these days. Between Pinterest, Instagram, travel blogs, youtube and review sites like TripAdvisor, travel planning can get overwhelming fast. While having access to millions of pieces of valuable information is great, sometimes it’s too much.

In this post, I’m sharing my go-to resources and step-by-step guide to planning any trip, vacation or holiday . Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a 6-week holiday, this method will work for you.

Travel planning can become overwhelming very quickly if you don’t have a method to stay organized and stay motivated.

Each time I’m planning to travel myself, I always start with referencing this list of tips I’ve collected from planning my own trips and holidays over the last several years.

Before I get into it, I should qualify myself so that you can determine whether I’m legitimate enough to be sharing my advice! In the last 5 years, I’ve solely planned and taken several 5-week trips to southeast Asia and Europe.

And for the last 10 years I’ve been frequently travelling western Canada, the United States and enjoyed several trips to Mexico .

And as my home base is just a few hours’ drive from both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, I frequently visit these beloved gems several times a year.

Whether it’s a weekend road trip or a bucket list holiday, I’m sharing my best travel planning tips, tricks and advice for any trip you’re taking.

Some links in this post contain affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The Most Exciting Part of Travel Planning: Inspiration

There are different reasons for choosing when and where to go on a trip, so it’s important to identify where you fit in to help you stay organized and within your scope. First, ask yourself where you’re at:

Do you have a weekend, a week or more to go somewhere but you need to choose a destination from scratch?

Are you building a trip around a set itinerary? Perhaps you’re already travelling to visit friends & family or headed somewhere for business

Are you planning a trip around a unique or favorite place to stay? You’d be surprised how often this happens! Sometimes you find a cool Airbnb, somewhere to go glamping or even just a favorite hotel.

Are you planning a trip around cheap flights you booked?

I’ve fit into each one of these situations and there are different timelines and planning involved with each.

I bring this up at the beginning, because many people get excited about a trip or get a burst of inspiration, but then get burnt out with trip planning quickly.

So let’s dive into my travel planning method and resources below!

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How to Research for Your Trip

Research is the beginning stage of planning any trip, and often the most exciting. So once you’ve decided where you’ll be traveling, how do you find out what kinds of things you can do?

I like to get a sense of a destination from across different platforms online.

Use different websites and apps to help you get a better sense of what types of activities and sights there are for the type of travel style you’re interested in.

Pinterest: My Number 1 Site for Travel Research

My first stop in doing any travel planning is Pinterest. Pinterest is basically a visual search engine and it’s full of extensive travel posts and articles by fellow travel bloggers.

Start with a broad search, such as typing in the name of the city or country you’re planning to visit. You’ll notice that Pinterest will then recommend more categories to help you narrow down your search.

I usually read the first few posts that capture my attention and then continue to narrow down my search based on what I find out in my research.

Tip for staying organized and motivated when travel planning:

The best thing about Pinterest is that you can save the ideas to your own travel planning boards . Then you can refer back to them at a later time.

It’s easy to get overloaded with information and forget important details.

Create specific travel boards on your Pinterest profile with all the great articles you read so that you can reference them later. Doing this keeps me from going crazy!

You can also invite your friends to collaborate and view your boards.

So if you’re traveling with friends and creating an itinerary together, you can easily save and share great travel articles about your upcoming destination.

Instagram for Travel Research

I also love using Instagram for researching my travel plans. You can search via geotags or hashtags for your upcoming destination. This provides another angle to the information you’re seeking.

It’s also one of the best trip planning resources for finding timely information. For example, some blog posts or reviews can be a year or two old (or more) by the time you’re reading them.

But you can search Instagram in chronological order.

And Instagram has grown so much in the last couple years that more and more users are now posting great tips and information to complement the photo they post, so you can actually learn a lot of great tips this way.

Google Reviews and TripAdvisor

When you’ve determined activities or places to visit, I love using Google reviews and TripAdvisor to read more information. I use both of these platforms regularly in two ways:

To determine if something is worth visiting or not; and

To read up on all traveler tips about how to have the best experience.

TripAdvisor not only has reviews, they have forums for every destination. I usually browse through the destination forums or search for something specific.

You can even pose your own questions that are usually promptly answered by destination experts.

Another great feature over at TripAdvisor is the all new trip planning element.

You can now save activities and information to your profile to keep all your ideas in one place. This can also be shared with your friends and family.

How to Determine Your Travel Budget

Now that you’ve got an overview of your destination and the types of activities you want to do, it’s time to think about your budget for the trip.

At this point in your trip planning process, you should start to gather a sense of what things cost and what your budget should be. Doing this will help the rest of your trip planning at this stage.

Depending on what your budget is or how much you plan to spend (or not spend) will help you narrow down your itinerary and help you pull things together.

Transportation: Think About ALL Costs

Whether you’re flying to your destination or taking a road trip, there are always extra costs. Plan for them!

If you’re flying, you might need to either rent a car, or take a taxi, Uber or Lyft. Or you might need to hop on group tours or bus tours. These all cost different amounts.

If you’re driving or taking a road trip, keep in mind that fuel prices can differ significantly from state to state or province to province.

Remember that if you’re traveling to or within Europe and you’re thinking about renting a car, most vehicles are manual transmission and you’ll have to pay extra for an automatic transmission vehicle.

If you’re traveling to a city with an excellent subway or metro system, it’s usually worth buying tickets for the length of your visit (24hrs, 3-day pass, etc.).

Rome2Rio is probably the best site out there to determine the best method of transportation between destinations.

Plug in your ‘point a’ and ‘point b’ and it will tell you all your options for getting there and how long it will take.

Accommodation Tips for Developing Your Travel Budget

Start looking at accommodation prices. I always start with Booking.com to get a sense of what accommodation prices are looking like for my preferred travel dates.

What a lot of people don’t know about using Booking.com is that you can search specifically by Villas , Guest Houses , B&Bs and apartment style accommodations.

Then I usually check Airbnb, VRBO and Homeaway to round out my overall search and determine how much vacancy is still available.

Before I commit to hotel (or overall accommodation), I try to determine the best neighborhood/area to stay in. This has major budget implications.

Sometimes staying further away from the center of town is the best option for cheaper accommodations. But you also have to consider extra costs related to time & transportation to get back and fourth. Sometimes cheaper not always worth it. And sometimes it is.

One of the best things I love about using Booking.com is that many places offer free cancellation .

So if I’m still in my research phase and notice that there’s not a whole lot of vacancy, I like to scoop up rooms that allow for free accommodation and then I have a more peace of mind knowing that I have a bed booked but can change my mind if something better comes up.

I’ve booked everything from beach side Mexican villas, to off-grid cabins in the middle of the forest to cool hotels in Banff with underground hot tubs. All found on Booking.com !

How to Build Your Travel Itinerary

By this point you’ve pretty much decided where you’re going, how long and what types of things you want to see, do and eat.

One of my biggest travel planning tips is to not book too many things in advance!

If I try to pack too many things into each day before I’m at my destination, it’s almost always a let down. 2 reasons:

Either I end up doing it all and am too exhausted by the end of the day/week trying to cram it all in.

I can’t fit everything in like I had planned to and become disappointed in my travel planning abilities or myself as a traveler.

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell how long it will take you to travel between destinations. Sometimes you spend more time than you allowed in your schedule.

This could either be by choice because you end up loving the attraction/experience way more than you thought you would, or maybe lineups and queues were a lot longer than anticipated.

Story time to explain why this is my biggest travel tip!

Let me explain why I refuse to book and plan my entire itinerary in advance.

On my first visit to Paris , I was only visiting the city for about 3 days. In my first full day there, I had planned to visit L’Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral (as well as a couple other places).

I stayed in Montmartre, which is gorgeous and a very Parisienne experience, but a longer ride on the metro from all of these famous Paris attractions.

The first stop of the day was L’Arc de Triomphe. As I got off at the correct metro station and started to make my way through the tunnels and up the street, there were federal police blocking every exit.

As it turns out, the french President was in town that day and was moments away from parading down the Champs-Élysées (the famous high-end shop-lined avenue that leads to the Arc).

At that point, the Arc wasn’t accessible to the public until the President’s address was finished.

While I hadn’t planned to spend a lot of time in this area besides its main attraction, I figured it’s not very often that the president is in town. And as politicians are always fashionably late, I ended up hanging out here much longer than expected.

After leaving the area to beat the mass exodus of the crowds when the President was closing, we did end up making it to the Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.

But didn’t have time to visit the Arc, so that had to be moved to the next day. No big deal right? Well the next day we had planned to visit the Palace of Versailles. Ok, bump it to the following day.

Well, turns out the following day was Monday, which is the one day of the week when many museums are closed. Didn’t know this before visiting Paris!

After a couple of travel experiences similar to the one above, I now plan my trips accordingly. First, build your list of absolutely must-do activities and experiences .

Remember that there may not be time to cram everything in, so go through the exercise of what you don’t want to miss on the trip. Then make a second list of your ‘would like to do if there’s time’ list.

With your must-do list, check the hours of operation by a quick google search.

This is where I read more reviews to find out the best tips of what time of day to visit and things to bring with you, appropriate clothing attire, whether it’s cash only, etc.

My Favorite Travel Itinerary Tool

I love using Travelchime . It’s linked with Google Maps so you can save all of the places you want to visit (like restaurants and attractions) as well as your accommodations.

You can also make notes and share with your travel partner(s) so that everyone has access to the itinerary.

For my must-do list, I always book online ahead of time. This guarantees I won’t miss out, and you often save a little money by booking online ahead of time. Here are my favorite booking sites for short tours and day trips:

Urban Adventures offers unique day-tour itineraries. You can choose between food & drink tours, active tours and even create you own.

Get Your Guide is another great booking site where you can browse through all the available tours for the city or region you’re visiting.

At the very least, each of these sites are another great planning tool in your research phase .

It’s a great starting point to find out what kinds of awesome things you can experience!

When you’re building your second list of ‘things to do if there’s time’ I always look for free things to do. There are always free things like walking tours or street art, etc.

Pinterest is usually the best place for this. These are great things to know ahead of time to have on hand if you find yourself with some extra time and wanting to explore more of the area while sticking to your budget.

I do the same things with restaurants and types of food I want to try. Some places have famous restaurants that you’ll want to book a reservation ahead of time.

And sometimes I like to take a quick look at the top rated places to eat close to the ‘must-do’ attractions I’m visiting.

The reason I do this is I’m very prone to getting ‘hangry.’ I’m sure a lot of you have experienced this!

This hits me especially hard when I’m travelling because sometimes your days are so jam packed you get hungry at odd times and traveling on an empty stomach can be disastrous.

So I like to do some homework ahead of time because sometimes when you’re in the moment, it’s hard to know what’s good in the area, especially if there’s a language barrier.

If all else fails and I don’t have a good idea of where to eat, ask a local and this usually results in an amazing recommendation.

The Best Travel Booking Resources

When you’re ready to book your flights, accommodations and tours or things to do, below is my list of trip planning resources and tips that I used every single time.

How to Book the Best Flight Deal

If you haven’t already booked your flight, get on Skyscanner now! I love using this site because it finds and compares all the best flight prices and will provide suggestions about where you can save money if you’re flexible with your schedule.

There are even a few secret hacks to help you get the best prices using this site.

Travel hack for finding cheapest flights : with Skyscanner you can select a whole month for your travel dates and it will automatically suggest the cheapest flight dates .

You can even select this option for finding the cheapest flights anywhere in the world if you’re looking for some wanderlust inspiration!

My number one flight booking tip: download the Skyscanner app now ! Trust me on this one. Download the app and set your alerts (found in the top left corner when the app is open).

It will monitor and track prices and notify you when a good price comes up for the destination or dates you want.

Secret tip for checking in for your flight: arrive at the airport nice and early. Instead of going to the automated kiosks to print your boarding pass, wait patiently in line to speak with one of the agents to assist you with check-in. Always be friendly and efficient.

Politely ask if it’s a full flight. If it’s not, you could again politely ask if an upgraded (or better) seat is available.

Sometimes you might not always get upgraded, but sometimes they will find you a row in which you’ll be the only passenger. This is still a good outcome in my opinion!

The Easiest Sites to Use to Book Your Accommodations

Booking.com is my go-to site for booking accommodation. If I’m looking for a hotel, it always seems to have the lowest rates, the most options and many include free-cancellation to allow a little more flexibility.

My best tip for find great places to stay: use the map feature. Sometimes if you’re unfamiliar with an area, it’s hard to tell where things are located within proximity to each other.

Use the map feature and zoom out and move it around to open up more options of surrounding areas that might work for your trip.

If I’m looking for something a little more ‘homey’ or unique, I always head over to Airbnb and VRBO . You can find great deals with both of these services.

For instance, on a recent trip to Las Vegas, my friends and I opted to rent a house through VRBO . As there were 10 of us, it worked out to be around $25USD per person per night!

Check out my complete guide and 12 tips to choosing the best vacation rental (including money saving tips)!

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Things To Do a Week Before Departure

Start packing! To avoid over-packing, I like to lay out everything I want to bring.

Then I look at it and realize that I have way too much, so over the course of a couple of days I challenge myself to reduce my pile to half! It’s also a good time to make sure you’ve packed important travel accessories to make your trip go that much smoother.

Download Google Maps for the city, road trip route or region that you’re visiting. Why? So that you can access it offline , as you may not have Wifi right away.

On Google Maps, save or star your accommodation so you can show your Uber driver easily if you’re traveling somewhere that there might be a language barrier.

If you want to guarantee Wifi access, consider purchasing or renting a pocket wifi device, like Skyroam . You can connect up to 5 devices and you can carry your wifi with you everywhere you go. Perfect for when you’re on a train or a long road trip and would like to do some travel planning!

Buy your travel insurance . No one likes to buy travel insurance, but for the extra few dollars, the peace of mind is worth it.

I use World Nomads on my trips to Europe and Southeast Asia. You can choose between standard and explorer plans, and pricing is different based on where you’re going how long you’ll be travelling.

It takes 2 seconds to get a quote , so you might as well plug in your details and then you can always decide later.

World Nomads is a great fit for the adventurous or active traveler , because they cover specific activities and sports equipment.

A Recap of Travel Planning Websites and Apps I Use:

Travel research:.

Pinterest , Instagram , TripAdvisor , Google Reviews

Transportation:

Uber and Lyft , Rome2Rio

Accommodations:

Booking.com , VRBO , Airbnb

Travel Itineraries and Tours:

Travelchime , Get Your Guide , Urban Adventures

Travel Insurance:

World Nomads

If you liked this post, feel free to save it to your travel planning board!

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• Travel Tips

How To Plan A Trip: An Easy Travel Planning Guide

Published: November 16, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Rodi Kindle

• Plan Your Trip

Introduction

Planning a trip can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re embarking on a solo adventure, a romantic getaway, or a family vacation, careful planning is crucial to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. From choosing the perfect destination to booking flights and accommodations, travel planning requires careful consideration of various factors. In this easy travel planning guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to plan your trip effectively.

Travel planning allows you to make the most of your time and resources, ensuring that you don’t miss out on any must-visit attractions or experiences. By following these recommendations and tips, you’ll be well-prepared to create a memorable and stress-free travel itinerary.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or this is your first time planning a trip, this guide will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice to help you make the most out of your travel experience. So, let’s dive into the essential steps of travel planning and get ready for your next adventure!

Step 1: Determine your destination

The first step in planning any trip is deciding on the destination. Consider your interests, preferences, and the type of experience you’re seeking. Do you want to relax on a tropical beach, explore historic landmarks, immerse yourself in a different culture, or embark on an outdoor adventure? Research various destinations and make a list of places that align with your interests.

Factors to consider when choosing a destination include the time of year, weather conditions, and your budget. If you’re traveling during peak tourist season, popular destinations may be crowded and prices for flights and accommodations could be higher. Alternatively, visiting during the off-peak season may offer more affordable options and fewer crowds.

Think about the distance you’re willing to travel and the transportation options available to reach your chosen destination. Consider whether you prefer a domestic or international trip, and take into account any visa requirements or travel restrictions.

Furthermore, take the time to research the safety and political situation of your potential destinations. Check for any travel advisories or warnings issued by your government, and read reviews from other travelers to gain insight into the current state of your desired location.

Ultimately, the choice of your destination should align with your interests, budget, and the kind of experience you’re looking for. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can move on to the next step of the planning process.

Step 2: Set a budget

Setting a budget is an essential step in travel planning as it helps you determine how much you can realistically spend on your trip. Consider your financial situation and allocate funds for transportation, accommodations, meals, activities, and any other expenses that may arise during your journey.

Start by determining how much you are willing to spend overall on your trip. This will give you a rough estimate of how much you can allocate to each aspect of your travel, such as flights, accommodation, and daily expenses.

Research the average costs of your chosen destination to get an idea of how much you need to budget. Take into account the cost of living, transportation, attractions, and dining options in the area. Consider whether you prefer a luxurious or budget-friendly experience, and adjust your budget accordingly.

Be sure to factor in any additional expenses such as travel insurance, visa fees, and transportation to and from the airport. It’s also important to set aside some extra funds for unexpected expenses or emergencies that may arise during your trip.

Consider ways to save money during your trip. Look for deals on flights and accommodations, consider alternative modes of transportation such as buses or trains, and opt for budget-friendly dining options like street food or local eateries.

Keep track of your expenses as you plan and throughout your journey. This will help you stay within your budget and make adjustments if necessary. Use online travel budget calculators or mobile apps to assist you in managing your finances effectively.

Remember, setting a budget allows you to plan your trip within your means and ensures that you can fully enjoy your travel experience without financial stress. So, take the time to assess your expenses and allocate your funds wisely before moving on to the next step of travel planning.

Step 3: Decide on the duration of your trip

Deciding on the duration of your trip is an important step in travel planning as it helps you determine how much time you can allocate to each destination and activity. Consider your schedule, budget, and the attractions you want to explore.

Start by assessing the amount of time you can take off from work or other commitments. Take into account any travel restrictions or visa limitations that may affect the duration of your trip.

If you have a specific destination in mind, research the recommended duration for visiting that location. Some places may require a longer stay to fully experience their culture, attractions, and activities, while others can be explored in a shorter timeframe.

Consider your travel pace and personal preferences. Do you prefer a leisurely trip with plenty of downtime, or do you prefer a fast-paced adventure packed with sightseeing? Factor in travel time and any jet lag that may affect your energy levels upon arrival.

If you plan to visit multiple destinations, allocate sufficient time for each location based on your interests and the activities you wish to engage in. Remember to account for travel time between destinations and consider the feasibility of fitting everything into your desired timeframe.

Keep in mind that a longer trip may require a larger budget due to increased accommodation, dining, and transportation costs. Balance your desire to spend more time in certain locations with the overall cost of your trip.

Once you have determined the duration of your trip, you can move on to the next steps of travel planning, such as researching and gathering information about your chosen destinations and booking flights or transportation.

Remember, the duration of your trip should align with your interests, budget, and available time off. So, take the time to carefully consider these factors to ensure a well-balanced travel experience.

Step 4: Research and gather information about your destination

Researching and gathering information about your destination is a crucial step in travel planning. It allows you to familiarize yourself with the local culture, attractions, customs, and practical information essential for a smooth and enriching travel experience.

Start by reading travel guides, online resources, and blogs to gather insights about your chosen destination. Look for information about popular tourist sites, local customs, transportation options, safety precautions, and visa requirements.

Check out travel forums and social media groups to connect with fellow travelers who have been to your destination. Seek their advice, recommendations, and firsthand experiences to gain valuable insights and tips.

Research the best time to visit your destination. Consider factors such as weather conditions, peak tourist seasons, and any festivals or events that may be happening during your trip. This information will help you plan your itinerary and determine which attractions or activities to prioritize.

Learn about the local culture and customs. Familiarize yourself with local greetings, etiquette, clothing norms, and any specific cultural practices or taboos. This will help you show respect to the local community and avoid any cultural misunderstandings.

Research transportation options within your destination. Find out about public transportation systems, availability of rental cars, and the cost of taxis or ridesharing services. Knowing how to get around will help you save time and money during your trip.

Look for recommendations on accommodations, dining options, and local cuisines. Read reviews and compare prices to find the best options that fit your preferences and budget. Consider the proximity of your accommodation to major attractions and amenities.

Make a list of the top attractions and activities you want to experience. Prioritize them based on your interests and available time. Research entry fees, operating hours, and any restrictions or reservations required for certain attractions.

By conducting thorough research and gathering information about your destination, you’ll be well-prepared to create an itinerary, make informed decisions, and make the most out of your travel experience.

So take the time to delve into the details and immerse yourself in the charm and wonders your chosen destination has to offer.

Step 5: Book flights or transportation

Once you have determined your destination and gathered information about it, it’s time to book your flights or transportation. This step is crucial, as it often affects your budget and can impact the overall logistics of your trip.

If you’re planning to travel by air, start by researching flights to your destination. Use flight comparison websites or online travel agencies to find the best deals and compare prices. Consider factors such as flight duration, layovers, and airline reputation.

Flexibility in your travel dates can help you find cheaper flights. Consider flying during off-peak seasons or on weekdays, as prices tend to be lower during these times. Be sure to book your flights well in advance to secure the best rates.

If you’re traveling by other means of transportation, such as trains, buses, or ferries, research the schedules, fares, and availability. Look for reliable booking platforms or official websites of transportation providers to make your reservations.

Consider the proximity of your accommodation to the airport or transportation hubs. It’s convenient to choose accommodations that offer easy access to public transportation or provide shuttle services to and from the airport.

When booking your flights or transportation, it’s essential to consider travel insurance. Travel insurance provides coverage for unexpected events such as flight cancellations, delays, or medical emergencies. Consider purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself and your investment.

Before finalizing your bookings, double-check the details to ensure accuracy. Verify the departure and arrival dates, times, and terminals. Make note of any luggage restrictions or additional fees that may apply.

Once your flights or transportation are booked, it’s a good idea to set up travel alerts or notifications to stay updated with any changes or delays. Save electronic copies of your itineraries, e-tickets, or reservation confirmations for easy access during your trip.

Booking your flights or transportation early ensures that you have the best options available and allows you to focus on other aspects of your travel planning.

So, take the time to research and make your bookings, ensuring a smooth and seamless journey to your destination.

Step 6: Find accommodation

Finding suitable accommodation is a crucial step in travel planning as it directly impacts your comfort and overall experience during your trip. Here are some steps to help you find the perfect accommodation.

1. Determine your budget: Set a budget for your accommodation. Consider how much you are willing to spend per night and allocate a portion of your overall trip budget to accommodations.

2. Research the options: Use online travel platforms and booking websites to explore various types of accommodations. Consider factors such as location, amenities, and reviews from previous guests.

3. Consider your preferences: Determine the type of accommodation that suits your needs. Options include hotels, hostels, guesthouses, vacation rentals, or even unconventional options such as homestays or house swaps.

4. Location: Consider the location of the accommodation in relation to your planned activities and attractions. It’s convenient to stay in a central location or near public transportation for easy access to the places you want to visit.

5. Read reviews: Take the time to read reviews from previous guests to get an understanding of the quality and service provided by the accommodation. Look out for any common issues or concerns mentioned in the reviews.

6. Compare prices: Compare prices of different accommodations that fit your criteria. Consider any added charges or fees, such as resort fees or taxes, when comparing prices to ensure you are getting the best value for your money.

7. Book in advance: Once you have found the perfect accommodation, book it as soon as possible to secure your reservation. Popular accommodations can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons.

8. Check the cancellation policy: Before making your reservation, carefully read and understand the cancellation policy of the accommodation. This will help you navigate any potential changes or cancellations in your travel plans.

9. Contact the accommodation: If you have any specific requests or questions, reach out to the accommodation directly. This could include inquiries about special amenities, room preferences, or any other concerns you may have.

10. Confirm your booking: After making your reservation, double-check your booking confirmation for accuracy. Take note of any important information, such as check-in and check-out times or any special instructions given by the accommodation.

By following these steps, you can find the perfect accommodation that meets your needs, budget, and preferences, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay during your trip.

So take the time to explore your options and secure your ideal accommodation in advance.

Step 7: Create an itinerary

Creating an itinerary is an essential step in travel planning as it helps you organize your time, prioritize your activities, and make the most out of your trip. Here’s how to create an effective itinerary:

1. Identify your must-see attractions: Make a list of the top attractions or activities you don’t want to miss in your chosen destination. Research their opening hours, ticket prices, and any specific requirements.

2. Consider time and logistics: Take into account the duration of your trip and the time it takes to travel between attractions. Be realistic about how many activities you can fit into each day, allowing for breaks and downtime.

3. Prioritize your interests: Determine your main areas of interest – whether it’s historical sites, museums, outdoor activities, or cultural experiences. Allocate more time for the activities or attractions that align with your interests.

4. Plan for flexibility: While it’s important to have a schedule, leave room for spontaneity and unexpected discoveries. It’s impossible to predict everything, so allow yourself time to explore and embrace new experiences.

5. Group activities by proximity: Cluster activities or attractions that are located close to each other. This will help you maximize your time and reduce travel time between destinations.

6. Consider the local culture: Take into account any cultural or religious practices that may affect the opening hours or availability of certain attractions. Plan your itinerary accordingly to make the most of your visit.

7. Explore local cuisine: Include time for trying local dishes and exploring different dining options. Research popular local foods or restaurants in each area you plan to visit and add them to your itinerary.

8. Pace yourself: Avoid overloading your itinerary with too many activities in a short amount of time. Give yourself time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Remember, quality experiences are better than rushing through a long list of attractions.

9. Utilize travel apps and resources: Make use of travel apps or websites that offer itinerary planning tools or suggestions for your destination. These resources can help you create a well-structured and efficient itinerary.

10. Be mindful of your energy levels: Take into consideration your own energy levels and travel preferences. Avoid cramming too many strenuous activities in a row, and allow for rest or leisurely exploration.

Remember that an itinerary is a tool to guide you, but it’s okay to deviate from the plan if you discover new opportunities or if unexpected circumstances arise. Flexibility and spontaneity can lead to unexpected joy and memorable experiences.

So, take the time to create a thoughtful and well-balanced itinerary that allows you to fully enjoy your trip and make the most out of your chosen destination.

Step 8: Pack your bags

Packing your bags is a crucial step in travel planning, ensuring that you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable trip. Here’s how to pack efficiently:

1. Make a packing list: Create a comprehensive packing list to ensure you don’t forget any essentials. Include clothing, toiletries, travel documents, electronics, and any other items you may need.

2. Check the weather: Research the weather conditions of your destination during the time of your visit. Pack appropriate clothing and accessories, such as jackets, hats, or sunscreen, to suit the climate.

3. Pack versatile clothing: Opt for clothing items that can be mixed and matched easily. Choose neutral colors and versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down to maximize outfit options while minimizing luggage weight.

4. Consider local customs: Take into account the cultural or dress norms of your destination. Pack appropriate clothing that respects local customs, especially if you plan to visit religious sites or conservative areas.

5. Pack travel-sized toiletries: To save space and comply with carry-on restrictions, transfer your toiletries into travel-sized containers. Remember to adhere to airline regulations regarding liquid quantities.

6. Organize your belongings: Use packing cubes or separate bags to categorize and organize your clothes and belongings. This will not only keep your suitcase tidy but also make it easier to find what you need during your trip.

7. Keep important documents together: Gather all your travel documents, including passports, tickets, accommodation reservations, and any necessary visas. Keep them in a secure and easily accessible place.

8. Pack essential electronics: Bring along the necessary electronics for your trip, such as smartphones, cameras, chargers, and adapters. Consider the voltage requirements of your destination and pack the appropriate adapters.

9. Don’t forget medication and first aid: If you take any prescription medications, ensure that you have an ample supply for the duration of your trip. Pack a basic first aid kit with essentials like band-aids, pain relievers, and any necessary medications.

10. Travel with essential valuables: Keep your valuable items, such as cash, credit cards, and jewelry, in a secure bag or pouch that you can carry with you at all times. Consider using a money belt or a hidden travel wallet for added security.

Remember to pack light and avoid overpacking, as it can be cumbersome and may incur additional luggage fees. Consider doing a trial pack beforehand to ensure that everything fits and that your luggage is within weight restrictions.

By following these packing tips, you’ll be well-prepared for your trip, ensuring that you have everything you need while avoiding the stress of overpacking. So, pack smart and travel with convenience and peace of mind.

Step 9: Plan your meals and dining options

Planning your meals and dining options is an important step in travel planning, especially if you’re a food lover or have specific dietary requirements. Here’s how to make the most of your culinary experiences during your trip:

1. Research local cuisine: Familiarize yourself with the local cuisine of your destination. Look for signature dishes, traditional specialties, and popular food markets or street food scenes. Researching local cuisine beforehand allows you to anticipate and embrace the flavors of your chosen destination.

2. Make a dining wish list: Create a list of restaurants, cafes, or food stalls that you’re interested in trying. Read reviews, consult travel guides, or seek recommendations from locals and fellow travelers. Prioritize your list based on your preferences and budget.

3. Consider dietary restrictions: If you have specific dietary restrictions or allergies, research restaurants or eateries that cater to your needs. Look for places with gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options, and ensure that you communicate your dietary requirements clearly when ordering.

4. Explore local markets: Visit local markets or supermarkets to immerse yourself in the food culture of your destination. Purchase fresh ingredients, local produce, or unique snacks to enjoy during your trip. It’s a great way to experience the local lifestyle and culinary offerings.

5. Learn basic phrases: If you’re traveling to a destination with a different language, learn basic phrases related to dining, such as “hello,” “thank you,” and “menu.” This will help you communicate your preferences and dietary needs to restaurant staff.

6. Embrace street food: Street food can offer some of the most authentic and delicious culinary experiences. Research popular street food markets or vendors in your destination. Follow local recommendations and observe cleanliness and hygiene practices when selecting street food options.

7. Be open to culinary adventures: Don’t be afraid to try new dishes or flavors. Push yourself outside your comfort zone and embrace new culinary experiences. You may discover unexpected favorites and create memorable food memories.

8. Consider meal timings: Take into account local dining customs and meal timings. Some cultures have specific meal times, such as a siesta or late-night dining. Adjust your plans accordingly to ensure you don’t miss out on local dining experiences.

9. Allow for spontaneity: While it’s good to have a plan, allow room for spontaneous dining experiences. Leave a few empty meal slots or explore local recommendations from friendly locals or fellow travelers you meet along the way.

10. Stay hydrated and practice food safety: Drink plenty of water, especially in warmer climates, and be mindful of food safety practices. Wash your hands regularly, opt for bottled water in areas with unsafe tap water, and choose restaurants or street food vendors with a good reputation for cleanliness.

By planning your meals and dining options in advance, you can truly savor the flavors and culinary delights of your destination. So, research, embrace, and indulge in the local food scene during your trip.

Step 10: Prepare necessary travel documents

Preparing the necessary travel documents is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth and hassle-free trip. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Check your passport: Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned travel dates. If it’s expiring soon, renew it well in advance to avoid any last-minute complications.

2. Apply for visas: Research the visa requirements of your destination country. Check if you need a visa and apply for it early to allow sufficient processing time. Follow the instructions provided by the consulate or embassy and submit all required documents.

3. Organize travel insurance: Travel insurance provides crucial coverage in case of medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost belongings. Research and purchase a travel insurance policy that suits your needs and provides adequate coverage for the duration of your trip.

4. Make copies of important documents: Make photocopies or take pictures of your passport, visa, travel insurance, and other important documents. Leave copies with a trusted person at home and keep digital copies accessible while traveling.

5. Check entry requirements: Research and familiarize yourself with the entry requirements of your destination. Check if you need to present return tickets, proof of accommodation, or other supporting documents upon arrival.

6. Research health and vaccination requirements: Check if there are any specific health requirements or vaccination recommendations for your destination. Consult your healthcare provider or a travel clinic to ensure that you are up to date on any necessary vaccinations.

7. Register with your embassy: Consider registering with your home country’s embassy or consulate at your destination. This allows them to provide assistance or contact you in case of emergencies or unexpected situations.

8. Check travel advisories: Stay updated with any travel advisories or warnings issued by your government for your destination. Adjust your travel plans accordingly and be aware of any safety or security concerns.

9. Prepare a travel wallet: Organize all your travel documents in a secure travel wallet or folder. This makes it easy to access them when needed and helps keep them safe and organized throughout your journey.

10. Share your itinerary: Inform a trusted family member or friend about your travel plans. Share your itinerary, contact details, and any important information with them. In case of emergencies, they will know how to reach you and provide necessary assistance.

By preparing and ensuring that you have all the necessary travel documents in order, you can travel with peace of mind and avoid any potential complications or delays. So, take the time to check and organize your travel documents prior to your departure.

Step 11: Make necessary reservations and bookings

Making necessary reservations and bookings is an important step in travel planning to secure accommodations, activities, and transportation during your trip. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Book accommodations: Based on your research and preferences, make reservations for your accommodations in advance. Consider factors such as location, amenities, and budget. Popular accommodations can fill up quickly, so ensure you book early to secure your desired options.

2. Reserve transportation: If you plan to use public transportation or rent a car at your destination, make any necessary reservations in advance. Look for deals or discounts and ensure your transportation arrangements align with your itinerary.

3. Purchase attraction tickets: For popular attractions, consider purchasing tickets in advance to skip the long lines and secure your entry. Many attractions offer timed entry or online ticket options that allow for a more seamless experience.

4. Arrange for guided tours: If you’re interested in guided tours or activities, book them in advance to secure your spot. This allows you to plan your itinerary more effectively and ensures availability for popular tours or experiences.

5. Reserve dining options: If you have specific restaurants or dining experiences in mind, make reservations ahead of time, especially for popular or highly sought-after establishments. Booking in advance guarantees you a table and avoids disappointment.

6. Consider transportation between locations: If you plan to visit multiple destinations during your trip, book transportation tickets or passes between locations. This could include flights, train tickets, or intercity bus passes.

7. Research and book special experiences: If you’re interested in unique experiences such as cooking classes, adventure activities, or cultural performances, research and make the necessary bookings in advance. These experiences often have limited availability.

8. Check cancellation policies: Before finalizing any bookings, make sure to review the cancellation policies. Life is unpredictable, and having flexibility in your reservations can be beneficial in case of any unforeseen changes in your travel plans.

9. Stay organized: Keep a record of all your reservations, confirmations, and receipts in a centralized place for easy reference. This helps ensure a smooth travel experience and allows you to stay organized throughout your trip.

10. Double-check details: Before your departure, double-check all your reservations and bookings to ensure accuracy. Confirm dates, times, and any specific instructions provided by the service providers.

By making necessary reservations and bookings in advance, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your important travel components are secured, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip to the fullest.

So take the time to plan and make your necessary reservations, ensuring a well-prepared and smooth travel experience.

Step 12: Plan for transportation at your destination

Planning for transportation at your destination is an important step in travel planning to ensure smooth and convenient travel within the area. Here’s how to navigate transportation options effectively:

1. Research transportation options: Familiarize yourself with the available transportation options at your destination. This may include public transportation systems such as buses, trains, or trams, as well as taxi services, ridesharing apps, or bike-sharing programs.

2. Learn about local public transportation: Understand the local public transportation system, including routes, schedules, and fares. Study maps of subway or bus routes and identify key stops or interchanges that will be relevant to your itinerary.

3. Consider purchasing travel passes or cards: Depending on your length of stay and anticipated usage, determine if it’s worth purchasing travel passes or cards that offer unlimited or discounted rides on public transportation. These passes can save you time and money.

4. Plan for airport transfers: If you’re arriving at an airport, research and decide on the most convenient mode of transportation to your accommodation. Options may include airport shuttles, public transit, or pre-arranged private transfers.

5. Check for ridesharing or taxi services: If you prefer more flexibility or convenience, look into ridesharing apps or taxi services available at your destination. Check if they are widely used and reliable for getting around.

6. Consider walking or cycling: Depending on the location and infrastructure, walking or cycling may be a feasible and enjoyable mode of transportation for shorter distances. Research pedestrian-friendly areas and bike rental options if applicable.

7. Navigate driving regulations: If you plan to rent a car at your destination, familiarize yourself with local driving regulations, including license requirements, traffic rules, and parking availability. Research and book car rentals in advance to secure the best rates.

8. Stay informed about disruptions or closures: Check for any planned closures or disruptions to public transportation routes or services during your travel dates. Stay updated through official transport authority websites or mobile apps to avoid any inconvenience.

9. Embrace local culture and etiquette: Be respectful of the local culture and etiquette when using public transportation. Familiarize yourself with any unwritten rules, such as offering seats to elderly or pregnant passengers, and follow local customs for purchasing tickets or validating passes.

10. Stay safe and be aware of scams: Use trusted transportation services and be cautious of potential scams. Avoid unlicensed taxis, be mindful of your belongings, and stay vigilant while using public transportation, especially in crowded areas.

By planning for transportation at your destination, you’ll be able to navigate the area efficiently and maximize your time exploring the attractions. So, research your options, consider convenience and cost-effectiveness, and choose the transportation modes that best suit your needs.

Step 13: Research local customs and etiquette

Researching the local customs and etiquette of your destination is an important step in travel planning. Understanding and respecting the cultural norms of the place you’re visiting can enhance your travel experience and help you connect with the local community. Here’s what you should do:

1. Learn basic greetings: Familiarize yourself with common greetings and phrases in the local language. Learning to say “hello,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” shows respect and can help break the ice in your interactions with locals.

2. Dress appropriately: Respect the local dress code and customs. In some cultures, modest attire is expected, especially when visiting religious sites or conservative areas. Research the clothing norms and pack accordingly to avoid any unintended cultural offense.

3. Respect religious customs: If your destination has religious traditions, familiarize yourself with the customs and practices related to them. Follow any dress codes or guidelines when visiting religious sites, and be mindful of appropriate behavior and photography restrictions.

4. Observe local customs and traditions: Familiarize yourself with local customs and traditions, such as greetings, gestures, or table manners. Understanding and respecting these cultural nuances can enrich your interactions with locals and demonstrate your appreciation for their way of life.

5. Be aware of gestures and body language: Gestures and body language can vary across cultures and may have different meanings or interpretations. Research common gestures to avoid any unintentional misunderstandings or offense. When in doubt, observe and follow the lead of locals.

6. Respect personal space: Different countries and cultures have varying concepts of personal space. Be mindful of personal boundaries and avoid unnecessary physical contact unless it’s customary or welcomed in the local culture.

7. Follow local dining etiquette: If you plan to dine at local restaurants or with locals, be aware of proper dining etiquette. Pay attention to table manners, serving customs, and any specific traditions, such as tasting a dish before adding seasoning.

8. Know appropriate tipping practices: Research the tipping customs of your destination. In some countries, tipping is expected, while in others, it may not be common practice. Understand the appropriate amount and the preferred method of giving tips.

9. Respect local customs and traditions: Be mindful of and respect local customs, festivals, and traditions. Familiarize yourself with any practices or events happening during your visit, and observe them respectfully, even if you don’t fully understand them.

10. Smile and be polite: A friendly demeanor, a smile, and basic politeness can go a long way in any culture. Approach interactions with locals with an open and respectful attitude, and be open to learning from their customs and traditions.

By researching and embracing the local customs and etiquette, you can show respect for the local culture, connect with the community, and create meaningful experiences during your trip.

So take the time to learn and appreciate the customs of your destination, and enjoy your journey with cultural sensitivity and understanding.

Step 14: Make a checklist of essentials to bring

Making a checklist of essentials to bring is a crucial step in travel planning to ensure you have everything you need for a comfortable and stress-free trip. Here’s how to create a comprehensive checklist:

1. Travel documents: Include your passport, visa, travel insurance documents, identification cards, and any necessary permits or licenses for your destination.

2. Money and cards: Bring sufficient cash in the local currency and consider carrying a mix of payment options, such as credit cards, debit cards, or a travel money card. Don’t forget to notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans to avoid any issues with your cards.

3. Medications and prescriptions: Pack any necessary medications, along with copies of prescriptions or doctor’s notes. If you have specific medical conditions, consider wearing a medical ID bracelet or carrying relevant medical information in case of emergencies.

4. First aid kit: Include a basic first aid kit with items such as adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, antihistamines, and any special prescriptions or medical supplies you may need.

5. Clothing and accessories: Pack clothing suitable for the climate and activities at your destination. Include underwear, socks, comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate attire, swimwear, and any specialized gear required for activities such as hiking or skiing.

6. Toiletries and personal care items: Bring travel-sized toiletries, including toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, soap or body wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, and any essential personal care items you use on a daily basis.

7. Electronics and chargers: Don’t forget your essential electronics, such as phone, laptop or tablet, camera, chargers, adapters, and power banks. Consider bringing a portable Wi-Fi device or SIM card if you need internet access on the go.

8. Travel accessories: Include a travel adapter, travel pillow, lightweight towel, reusable water bottle, earplugs, eye mask, and any other accessories that enhance your comfort during the journey.

9. Entertainment and reading materials: Pack books, magazines, or e-readers to keep you entertained during travel or downtime. Don’t forget to bring headphones or earphones for listening to music or watching movies.

10. Miscellaneous items: Consider items such as a travel lock, a universal sink plug, a portable umbrella, a reusable shopping bag, a pen and notepad, and any other personal items that you find essential or useful in your day-to-day routine.

Remember to tailor your checklist based on your specific needs, the nature of your trip, and the destination you’re visiting. Keep in mind any restrictions or guidelines in place for carry-on luggage or liquids when packing.

By using a checklist, you can ensure that you have all the essentials you need for a comfortable and organized trip. So take the time to create a comprehensive checklist, double-check it before departure, and enjoy a worry-free journey.

Step 15: Ensure travel safety and security

Ensuring travel safety and security is a vital step in travel planning to protect yourself and your belongings during your trip. Here’s what you should do:

1. Research the destination: Familiarize yourself with local safety and security conditions of your destination. Check travel advisories or warnings issued by your government, stay updated on current events, and be aware of any potential risks or concerns.

2. Secure your accommodations: Choose accommodations in safe areas and research their security measures. Consider factors such as secure locks, in-room safes, and 24/7 reception or security staff.

3. Protect your belongings: Take precautions to protect your belongings from theft or loss. Use luggage locks, carry a theft-proof bag, and be mindful of your surroundings. Avoid displaying expensive items and keep your valuables secured in a hotel safe or a hidden travel wallet.

4. Use reliable transportation: Opt for licensed transportation services and be cautious when using public transportation, especially in unfamiliar areas. Research reputable taxi companies or use ridesharing apps that have a reliable track record.

5. Stay connected: Ensure you have a way to stay connected with family, friends, or emergency contacts during your trip. Share your itinerary with a trusted person and keep them updated about your whereabouts.

6. Register with your embassy: Consider registering with your home country’s embassy or consulate at your destination. By doing so, they can provide you with important updates or assistance in case of emergencies or unexpected situations.

7. Practice caution with strangers: Be cautious when interacting with strangers and avoid sharing personal information or details about your travel plans. Use common sense and trust your instincts when approached by unfamiliar individuals.

8. Use secure Wi-Fi connections: Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks, especially for accessing personal accounts or making financial transactions. Whenever possible, connect to secure and password-protected networks or use a trusted virtual private network (VPN) for added security.

9. Stay informed about local laws: Research and familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations of your destination. Be respectful of local customs, traditions, and social norms to avoid unintentional offenses or legal issues.

10. Purchase travel insurance: Travel insurance is essential for protecting yourself against unforeseen events or emergencies. Make sure your insurance policy provides coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations, and lost or stolen belongings.

Always prioritize your personal safety and security during your travels. Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and take necessary precautions to mitigate risks. Remember, being proactive and prepared can greatly contribute to a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

So, take the time to ensure travel safety and security, and embark on your journey with confidence and peace of mind.

Step 16: Enjoy your trip!

After all the planning and preparations, it’s finally time to embark on your much-awaited trip! Here are some tips to help you make the most of your travel experience:

1. Embrace the adventure: Approach your trip with an open mind and a spirit of adventure. Embrace new experiences, try local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the local culture.

2. Stay flexible: Despite careful planning, unexpected situations may arise. Stay flexible and adapt to any changes or detours that come your way. Sometimes, the most memorable experiences happen when plans change.

3. Engage with the locals: Interact with the locals and learn about their customs, traditions, and way of life. Engaging with the local community can provide unique insights and create meaningful connections.

4. Seek off-the-beaten-path experiences: While popular tourist attractions are worth visiting, don’t be afraid to explore lesser-known places or hidden gems. You may stumble upon hidden treasures and have a more authentic experience.

5. Take breaks and relax: Travel can be exhilarating but also exhausting. Allow yourself time to rest and relax. Take breaks from sightseeing, enjoy leisurely meals, and recharge to fully appreciate your journey.

6. Capture memories: Take photos, keep a travel journal, or create videos to capture the memories of your trip. These mementos will allow you to relive your experiences and share them with others.

7. Try new activities: Step out of your comfort zone and try new activities that are unique to your destination. Whether it’s learning to surf, taking a cooking class, or going on a thrilling adventure, these experiences can create lifelong memories.

8. Stay mindful and respectful: Remember to be respectful of the local customs, traditions, and environment. Practice responsible tourism, minimize your impact on the environment, and leave a positive impression wherever you go.

9. Stay present in the moment: Put away your devices and take time to fully experience your surroundings. Be present in the moment, savor the sights, sounds, and flavors around you, and create meaningful connections with the places you visit.

10. Embrace the unexpected: Travel is full of surprises and the unexpected. Embrace and appreciate the unexpected moments or detours that come your way, as these can often lead to the most incredible and memorable experiences.

Remember, the purpose of your trip is to enjoy, relax, and create lifelong memories. So, be open to new experiences, embrace the unknown, and allow yourself to fully enjoy the journey.

Wishing you a fantastic trip filled with exploration, adventure, and unforgettable moments!

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How to plan your dream vacation

Sometimes you crave a vacation — but actually taking one feels out of reach. Maybe you're struggling to find the time or save up the money. Or maybe you just can't seem to launch those plans out of the group chat. Overcome that planning inertia and take the big trip of your dreams. Here's where to start your search, organize your logistics and enjoy yourself.

MARIELLE SEGARRA, HOST:

You're listening to LIFE KIT...

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

SEGARRA: ...From NPR.

Hey, everybody. It's Marielle. You remember the early part of the pandemic when the days of isolation stretched into months? At night, I would lay on the floor of my apartment with my eyes closed and listen to guided meditations, to try to take myself to a happier place. One time the prompt was something like, picture yourself doing something that brings you great joy. The first thing that popped into my head was an image of me wandering the cobblestone streets of some small European village, probably in France. The sun was shining, and every step I took was a feast for the eyes. Medieval houses, colorful flowers resting in vases on outdoor tables, patisseries with gorgeous pastries in the window, just waiting to be eaten.

I didn't realize until that moment just how much I missed traveling and how badly I wanted to look at something outside of my four walls or the blocks of my neighborhood. The next year, I took a three-week trip to the U.K. and France, and I ate those pastries and wandered until my feet hurt and filled a hole that had been growing inside of me.

Big trips can do that. Lale Arikoglu knows what I'm talking about. She's the articles director at Conde Nast Traveler.

LALE ARIKOGLU: On a really basic level, I think it's just being able to have a break from the crush of regular life, whether that's work or childcare or school, wherever it may be, you know, the opportunity to just take yourself out of your routine and be somewhere else and get to immerse yourself in that place to me is, like, the main draw of it.

SEGARRA: Now, when we talk about a big trip, that could mean different things depending on your travel style and your budget. You know, it might be a long road trip or an extended stay at a cottage in the woods or a multi-city tour on another continent. But it's typically something you save up for and plan months in advance. Lale has a big trip coming up. She's going to Peru.

ARIKOGLU: I've been waiting to do it for a long time. The reason to go there is for a friend's wedding. And now I'm building a trip around it, and it's going to be about ten days long with multi-stops, you know, having to choose multiple places to stay. And logistically, you know, it's actually taking some thought and some planning. One of the things that we're going to do when we're there is hike Machu Picchu. There's a group of us going. And Machu Picchu - it's a dream to see and experience.

SEGARRA: Now, it's easy to get bogged down in trip planning. And it might stop you from booking the thing entirely, but Lale says, do it. It's worth it.

On this episode of LIFE KIT, Lale shares her best tips on planning the big trip of your dreams. We'll talk about where to start your search, what logistical questions you should ask yourself and how to actually relax and enjoy yourself once you're there.

SEGARRA: Let's say I do want to take a big trip, right? I'm feeling that itch to travel, but...

ARIKOGLU: Right.

SEGARRA: ...I don't have a destination in mind yet or a duration. I'm really starting from scratch. Where does the planning start?

ARIKOGLU: When you start the planning, you've really got to think what you want to get out of the trip. You know, If you really just want to decompress and relax and rest, then you probably don't want to do some like multi-stop European city trip, right? You probably don't want to hike Machu Picchu. Perhaps it is that you're incredibly bored of your surroundings, and you need adventure and you need excitement. And therefore, you're going to be thinking of some really different destinations. It might be that you're traveling alone for the first time. You've decided to do a solo trip. You know, where is a place that might feel comfortable for you as a solo traveler, but still feels like it's taking you out of your comfort zone? So I think it's sitting with yourself and thinking, OK, what is, like, the goal here? That's takeaway one. Ask yourself what do you want to get from this? Set the mission of your trip.

It feels like another really important detail at the beginning is budget, right? Like, how much money do you realistically want to spend on this trip or can you afford to spend?

ARIKOGLU: And, you know, that's going to look different for everyone. If we're talking big trips, rarely are they spontaneous, right? You're planning for a long time. So that also allows you to save and finance for it. No, there's lots of great savings apps that can just, you know, that take a little bit of money out of your paycheck every few weeks, and you can kind of start, like, a travel fund that way. I think that's quite a nice way to do it. But I think, you know, you can do a big trip on a budget. It doesn't have to be, I think, a lavish, international trip. I mean, you know, we're going into spring and summer, there are so many incredible national parks to see, there are so many amazing, very diverse, different cities. There's, like, so much on your doorstep, so I think you can really argue, you don't have to cross continents to have a big trip. And so if that feels a more affordable way to get away for a couple of weeks, then, you know, look in your backyard.

SEGARRA: Right. I wonder, too, like, part of budget, besides money, is also time. Like, how much vacation time do you have? Do you have any tips for people who don't have that much vacation time?

ARIKOGLU: So I think if you look at the calendar and you look at where the holiday weekends fall, There are some tricks to being able to kind of, like, turn your limited number of vacation days into - kind of you can stretch it out if you bookend it with a holiday weekend or something like that. But on the flip side, it's also most expensive time to travel, right? There is an argument for choosing shoulder season, so that's not traveling to a destination when it's at its peak. And this is great for your own personal experience, but it's also in terms of helping that destination deal with overtourism, overcrowding. If we're talking about Europe, for example, the summers are getting hotter. So avoiding those really intense, hot, summer seasons can actually be really advantageous for your own travel plans.

SEGARRA: Yeah. That seems like maybe the next thing to consider as you're planning a big trip before you start looking at destinations is what time of year are you looking to travel?

ARIKOGLU: Definitely. And that's more of a luxury for some people because If you're having to navigate school holidays, then you're a little bit more limited. But again, it's sort of when you're thinking about carving out those goals and what you want to get out of the trip. Maybe it's the seasonality that's really important. Maybe it's all you want is hot weather and a beach. You know, if you're planning some summer travel, you could totally flip things on its head and go experience winter somewhere. I went to Patagonia when it was entering into their fall in Chile, and it was a really magnificent time to be there, and it was when New York City was going into spring. It felt like upside-down land to be choosing to do that, and it was so wonderful. It was great.

SEGARRA: Yeah. I think there's a lot of room for creativity there. And also, as you said, like, it opens up more possibilities if you consider going places during the shoulder season.

ARIKOGLU: And you get to be in a place and actually be in the place with the people who live there. One thing in August, if you go to Europe, everyone who lives there has, you know, gone off somewhere else on vacation to escape the heat and the tourists, and so, you know, you're in Rome with just all the other tourists and none of the Romans.

SEGARRA: All right, so takeaway two. Before you land on a destination, think about your constraints. What time of year do you plan to travel? For how long? What budget are you working with? If you're short on time, you can make use of holidays or pick a destination closer to home. If you're short on money, think creatively. You know, maybe you do a road trip through some parks or cities nearby.

SEGARRA: It seems like another thing to consider here is, how much do you like crowds? Because for me, it kind of ruins a trip or an experience if everywhere I go is super crowded. I get very overwhelmed by that and overstimulated.

ARIKOGLU: And it's also, you know, who are the crowds? Because there's been times when I've gone somewhere and I've gone and done the same bucket list site that everyone else is, and you're sort of standing there and you're thinking, What am I actually here for? Well, what is the purpose of this? What am I getting out of it? What am I giving to this destination other than just being another member of the crowd?

SEGARRA: Yeah. I think that's an important question, right? 'Cause, like, we have been talking about what are you looking to get out of it, for the most part. But there's another side to this - right? - and it's what am I giving? And also, what am I taking? Like, am I taking too much from this place?

ARIKOGLU: I think about that a lot. When you're planning, be really thoughtful about where you're spending your money. When you're choosing a hotel, is it a hotel that is locally owned? What restaurants are you booking? Where are you shopping? Where are you buying your souvenirs? You know, I think there's lots of ways to be really thoughtful about, you know, how you spend your money, and that can go into your budgeting, as well.

SEGARRA: I know there are certain places that at a certain time, at least, they said, please, tourists, like, please stop coming or stop coming during this time.

ARIKOGLU: Yeah. When a destination says that, I mean, it's something to be taken so seriously because they're usually destinations that have an infrastructure or an economy that really relies on tourism. So things have to have gotten pretty bad for a destination to say, take a beat, not right now, and listen to that, and, you know, the place will be better for it when you do go see it.

SEGARRA: I picture it as if you were, like, going to - going over, like, a friend's house uninvited, or, like, if they were like, please, today's not good. Like, our whole family's sick, like, we're all throwing up, and then you were still banging on the door, like, hey, what are you doing? Can I come stay over?

ARIKOGLU: I think that is a perfect analogy. Perfect. And no one wants to be that person.

SEGARRA: No.

ARIKOGLU: I'd hate to be that person.

SEGARRA: That'd be weird behavior.

ARIKOGLU: Yeah.

SEGARRA: Takeaway three, travel responsibly. Research the places you're interested in, and make sure they want tourists at the time you're looking to visit. When you're booking, consider putting your money toward the local economy rather than international chains. Also, learn about whatever destination you choose. Be open to the cultural practices and languages there. And be a respectful visitor.

Anything else that people would want to figure out before they start narrowing down or looking at destinations?

ARIKOGLU: I think it's also thinking about who you want to travel with. Someone can be your best friend, but they can be your worst roommate. I think travel's kind of the same, so kind of finding someone to travel with or a group of people to travel with who you're aligned with in the planning stage, rather than when you get there and then you suddenly discover you all want to do different things. So I think communicating right off the back what you all want out of the trip and what you're excited about and also being really honest with each other about finances.

If you're on a group trip, I mean, it's like splitting the bill, but a thousand times worse. And so I think if you can kind of, like, set some parameters at the start and be really honest about what you feel comfortable spending money on because inevitably, there is going to be some people on the trip who want to spend more money on some things than others.

SEGARRA: Yeah. And it seems like that conversation, there should be some form of that before you book anything.

ARIKOGLU: Yes, 100%. And, you know, I think even if you don't feel comfortable doing it, speaking up if something just feels too expensive.

SEGARRA: All right. So takeaway four, figure out who you're traveling with. You might prefer to travel alone, or if you're going with friends, partners, or family, just make sure you're on the same page about what you want from the trip - the pace, the activities and how much money you can spend.

SEGARRA: OK. So it sounds like we've given people a lot of things to consider before they choose a destination. Once they've done this soul searching, how can they start to find destinations that fit those desires and limitations?

ARIKOGLU: For me, part of the fun of travel planning is doing the research, whether it is a trusted travel publication or reading some books you love or going on to - you know, there's, like, a ton of just, like, online communities of people who love swapping travel tips and actually, I think, can be really helpful.

SEGARRA: Yeah. I think it can be helpful maybe to in the brainstorming stage to just, like, not go in too deep but just make a list of places that seem exciting to you and that might fit your parameters. Like, I have a Google Doc, and it's just, like, places that I would be really excited to go.

SEGARRA: When you are considering a destination, how helpful is social media - is - like, seeing where your friends are going or where influencers are going? Is it a good idea to follow those trends?

ARIKOGLU: I think it can be useful in picking things you want to do once you're there, particularly if it's, like, based around, like, big events or openings. You know, we have our best places to go list that runs every year. It could be, like, new train routes, new hiking routes, new museums that have opened, things that are happening in destinations centered around an anniversary. So, you know, kind of consulting those sorts of lists and rounds up as well can be very helpful. But I think, you know, going back to what we were talking about in terms of over tourism or overcrowding - you know, on social media, you will see people at the same spots time and time again. And they're usually spots where just around the corner, there's also something equally beautiful to see.

SEGARRA: Yeah. Like, I remember when Santorini was really popular. And it's like, whew - like, if you could actually see what was going on behind that photo, like, you would hate being there because it's so - it's just way too many people...

ARIKOGLU: Right. Right.

SEGARRA: ...All lining up to take a picture in - against that beautiful backdrop.

ARIKOGLU: Exactly. And, you know, it's Santorini. It's all beautiful. It's all amazing.

SEGARRA: OK. So takeaway five is to choose a destination. And cast a wide net when you're brainstorming 'cause you never know what's going to catch your eye. Also, Lale says, do your best to think outside of the current travel trends. Though you can use them for inspiration.

So once you've got a destination in mind, how can you start to sketch out the details of the trip? And I guess I should say, how much detail do you really need to figure out?

ARIKOGLU: So I was going to say, don't overschedule yourself, and don't overbook yourself. I think I've been guilty of doing that before, and then you realize that you have no downtime. It might seem like you're being really efficient, but you need a little bit of spontaneity on your trip. Don't overschedule. If there are a few key things you really want to do that you feel you will be crushed if you don't get to do it, then book it. Make sure that's arranged all in advance. So maybe it's finding one thing on each day of your trip. That's what you center your day around and you can frame your itinerary around that, but I wouldn't overschedule.

SEGARRA: Yeah. And then I think when you look at these things potentially sketched out on different days, then you say like, you know, that seems too busy. What's the most important to me here? Like, which of these activities do I want to book ahead?

ARIKOGLU: Right. You know, if you're suddenly realizing - you're like, I am cramming a lot in if I try to go to these three places, then choosing which one to let go.

SEGARRA: Yeah. 'Cause that's always a consideration, too. Like, if you're flying somewhere far, you might think, well, I'm already going to Poland, should I also do Germany?

SEGARRA: There's that impulse, you know? Or I'm going to Poland, so I want to see all of Poland. But that can make for a very frenetic kind of trip.

ARIKOGLU: And you wouldn't tell someone who was visiting America to be like, well, you've come all the way to America, so if you're going to New York, then you also need to go to New Orleans.

SEGARRA: Right, right. Exactly. That's Takeaway 6 - keep your schedule light and malleable. Lally recommends picking only one activity to do for each day of your trip and then building a flexible itinerary around those.

You know, it occurs to me that another element of a big trip when I'm going into them - I know that something's going to go awry during it.

ARIKOGLU: Always (laughter).

SEGARRA: Yeah.

SEGARRA: I remember being in Barcelona when I was in college. I went by myself for, like, a week. And I speak Spanish, but it wasn't fluent at the time. And I just got - I just missed being able to easily say what I wanted to say, and I went into, like, a Wendy's or something because I just wanted something kind of American. And I got some chicken nuggets. I couldn't think how to say nuggets in Spanish. Like, I was like, is that even a word, like, in Spanish, or did they just say nuggets? And I just broke and started speaking in English because I was trying to only speak Spanish. And I was like, I give up. Like, can I get some chicken nuggets, please?

ARIKOGLU: The true American in you comes out screaming at chicken nuggets in a foreign McDonald's.

SEGARRA: Yeah, yeah, give me my nuggies.

ARIKOGLU: (Laughter).

SEGARRA: Yeah, I just - like, sometimes you just need to go roll up into a ball and eat your chicken nuggies and be by yourself for a minute and then come back out, you know?

ARIKOGLU: Yeah. I mean, like, travel so much of the time is sort of, like, infantilizing because you're so powerless. But it's, like, the same in an airport. You're just sort of powerless at a certain extent when things go wrong. And I think my approach to it - to sort of very taxing and challenging air travel schedules, with connections and potential miss flights and lost luggage and all the things that come with that - is to sort of just give myself up to the airport gods, and just as soon as I'm, like, through TSA, just be like, what will be will be. I'll get there eventually and just, like, I'm powerless. And that's been, like, for me, quite liberating. And it also means that I'm not the person screaming at some poor gate agent when things go wrong.

SEGARRA: Yeah, it's a moment of - it's actually an opportunity for mindfulness. Like, I think that could even be helpful going into a big trip, to tell yourself, like, something is going to go wrong. Yeah, just keep that in mind.

ARIKOGLU: Oh, my God, so much of travel is about being tired and hungry.

SEGARRA: We're really selling this.

ARIKOGLU: I know.

SEGARRA: (Laughter).

ARIKOGLU: I'm like, my whole job is to travel. It's great.

SEGARRA: Isn't it terrible? Yeah.

SEGARRA: I try to remind myself, like - what is the point? - like, go back to those goals. What is the point of this? It's to have a good experience, to meet those needs, to give myself what I've been craving.

ARIKOGLU: Exactly. And I don't know. This sounds a little cheesy and a little trite, but anyone who gets to travel is really lucky. Ultimately, it's a real privilege that you get to do it. And it's such a freedom and it's such a special thing.Don't make it stressful.

SEGARRA: That's our final takeaway. Something on your trip is bound to go wrong. So once you're there, sit back and try to surrender. After all, traveling in the first place is a treat.

SEGARRA: OK, jet-setters, time for a recap. First, figure out what you want from this vacation. Decide your budget and time constraints. Commit to traveling ethically. Make sure you're aligned with the people you're traveling with. When you choose a destination, cast a wide net and have fun with the research. Don't overschedule yourself, and once you're there, relax and roll with the punches. For more LIFE KIT, check out our other episodes. We've got one on how to find cheap flights and another on how to pack your suitcase like a pro. You can find those at np.org/lifekit. And if you love LIFE KIT and you just cannot get enough, subscribe to our newsletter at np.org/lifekitnewsletter. Also, we love hearing from you, so if you have episode ideas or feedback you want to share, e-mail us at [email protected].

This episode of LIFE KIT was produced by Margaret Cirino. Our visuals editor is Beck Harlan and our digital editor is Malaka Gharib. Meghan Keane is our supervising editor and Beth Donovan is our executive producer. Our production team also includes Andee Tagle, Clare Marie Schneider and Sylvie Douglis. Engineering support comes from Robert Rodriguez. I'm Marielle Segarra. Thanks for listening.

Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

How to Plan the Perfect Customer Visit [+ Agenda Template]

Published: August 02, 2021

Now that the world is opening back up, it’s time to get out there and meet your customers face-to-face. For many newer customers, this might be their first time getting to spend time with you — especially as conferences have moved online.

Creating that connection is invaluable. But before you book that plane ticket, it’s essential to create a plan. Planning the perfect customer visit will ensure that you meet your goals and that your customer meeting will be successful. Here’s a look at how you get there.

Why plan a customer visit?

Jason Lemkin, the founder of SaaStr and EchoSign, has said “ I never lost a customer I actually visited. ” That’s a bold statement — one that's worth taking note of. But why? What is it about customer visits that has such a big impact on customer loyalty?

First of all, you get to make a stronger impression with your customers. No matter what you sell, you aren’t just selling a product — you’re also selling the people behind it.

Your vision, your passion, your knowledge are all play into the perceived value of your product or service. All of these elements come across more strongly when you visit in person. A Zoom call just isn’t enough time to go deep.

Secondly, you get to see how your customers are using your product in person. Are they constantly printing out reports to pin up on a wall? Are you seeing teams walk across the sales floor to point out something on a screen? What kind of working environment and equipment do they have? What other types of software are they using?

Everything happening behind the scenes paints a much clearer picture of who your customers are. And when it comes time to renew or jump on that next customer success call, you’ll have a lot more knowledge ready to draw on.

Finally, meeting your customers in person is a huge motivational boost! When you’re behind a screen for so long, it can start to feel like what you do doesn’t matter — or that you’re not making any real connections. But a visit to a customer’s office can change all that, and really light up your idea of “why” you do this at all.

61 Templates to Help You Put the Customer First

Email, survey, and buyer persona templates to help you engage and delight your customers

• 6 buyer persona templates
• 5 customer satisfaction survey templates
• 50 customer email templates

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

5 Potential Goals of Your Customer Visit

Going into a customer visit with goals in mind will help you get the most out of your time there. Here are five goals to consider when planning a customer visit:

1. Understanding Their Business Goals

If you’re visiting a client, you’re likely hoping for a long term relationship. Understanding what their future goals are can help align your product with their needs. These in-depth conversations would rarely come up over a quick phone call.

2. Gathering Feedback

Customer visits provide a unique opportunity to gather honest and in-the-moment insight into what your customers need and want. When you sit next to someone who uses your product in their daily work, there’s a lot more space to have this feedback arise. And documenting it for future sales opportunities and your product team is one of the more productive actions you can take during a customer visit.

3. Referrals

In-person visits are a great time to ask for and give referrals. Ask, “Are there any other companies that you work with that you could see our product being helpful for?” Alternatively, if a pain point is mentioned by the client and you know the perfect company to help solve it, don’t be afraid to build that connection. It’s just another way you can bring value to your customers.

4. Uncovering Opportunities for Cross-Selling or Upselling

While your primary objective shouldn’t be pitching your offering at every opportunity, you might uncover a problem that your product or service can help solve. Noting these potential value-adds can make for more effective, thoughtfully targeted upsell and cross-sell conversations.

5. Testimonials and Case Studies

Customer visits can be a unique source of sales content, including pictures for case studies, video testimonials, and strong evidence-based customer stories. If you plan on making this one of your primary goals, consider asking your client to set the stage for these kinds of materials before you visit so you already know who you’ll be speaking to, before coming onsite.

How to Plan an Onsite Customer Meeting

By putting more effort in before you go, you’ll have a much better chance of achieving your goals and impressing your clients. Here are some key actions to consider when planning your customer meeting.

Thoroughly prepare before the visit.

Before you arrive, make sure you’re up to date on the state of the customer's account. Who are they usually talking to at your company? What customer service tickets have they raised lately? Are there outstanding issues that need to be addressed? These will come up during your visit.

Secondly, understand the current ecosystem your customer is working within. Is your customer in the news? What’s happening in their industry? What threats and opportunities are arising in their business? Being prepared and knowledgeable about their inner workings will make a better impression than coming in blind.

Decide who you’re meeting with.

Start by setting up a meeting with relevant company leadership. That could be the CEO, the founders, or the VP of the functional team you're working with — depending on the company's scale. Bear in mind, while this contact might be the "reason" for your visit, they're probably not who you'll be spending the most time with.

Once you have a meeting scheduled with the company's leadership, plan the rest of your day around meeting with the team leaders and employees using your product — as well as any teams that are open to signing up or expanding the current seat count or contract scope.

Make dinner reservations for you and your clients.

Traditionally, a customer visit includes taking your client out for a nice dinner as a token of appreciation. It also offers a chance for you to get to know each other outside of the limits of the work environment and form stronger relationships.

That being said, this is not a social visit. Keep your goals in mind — even outside of work hours. If you’re familiar with the restaurants in the area, choose a place that has options for every diet and has a good atmosphere for conversations. If you’re not familiar with the available options, ask the client where they’d recommend.

Complete the wrap-up report.

After the visit is over, you still have work to do. Create a wrap-up report for your internal teams back at the office. It should cover key elements of the visit like any confidentiality agreements put in place and who at your company you can share contact information or sales figures with.

Identify any action items that came up during the visit. Include any positive highlights during the meeting as well as any risks or opportunities that arose. Create a copy of the report for your client as well, to show that you were listening to their concerns and that you’re going to follow up with them.

Customer Visit Agenda Template

Use this sample agenda to plan your own customer visit.

10 am: Welcome/Office Tour (30 minutes, w/ Stacy, Raul)

• Get settled, set up a desk or boardroom for the day

11 am: Executive Meeting (1 hour, w/ Stacy, Thomas, Ankit, Shireen)

• Overview of status, product usage, any updates
• Add any bullet points you need to cover here
• Upcoming changes or challenges for the business
• New Opportunities
• Areas of concern

12pm: Lunch

1pm: User Meetings (4 hours, rotating through Marketing teams)

• Overview of new features
• Gather feedback from users
• Sit with teams to review workflow

5pm: Wrap Up meeting (30 minutes)

• Process or configuration change recommendations
• General questions and answers
• Items to be addressed as part of maintenance
• Enhancement opportunities

6:30pm: Dinner at Restaurant

Internal Notes

• At the bottom of your agenda, include internal notes that are meant to be shared with your team only.

Plan for success

It’s time to get back out there and meet your clients face-to-face. By planning your customer visit ahead of time, you’re sure to achieve your goals and come out with a stronger understanding of what your clients need.

Don't forget to share this post!

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• How To Plan A Trip In 5 Simple Steps

23 Mar 2023

It is an adventure you’ve always dreamt of, but haven’t been able to plan and execute properly. Here are some useful pointers on how to plan a trip, that put an end to the cluttered chaos by streamlining your vacations to perfect harmony and pure bliss.

Vacations often start off as a wonderful idea and then eventually end up being a nightmare to manage. Often overlooked, a lot of thought and brainstorming goes into perfectly organizing touring plans. The lack of know-how on how to plan a trip often reflects during “unseen hurdles” on a vacation.

With a little bit of preparation and effort in maintaining a personalized trip planner, travelers can overcome 90% of their difficulties they may face during a trip. Here are some handy trip planning tips that will keep your prepared for the proverbial rainy-day.

1. Pick your destination

If you are wondering how to plan a trip with friends or family than you should probably start from either some stunning pics that gone viral on social media, the scenic setting of a movie, or an irresistible story of a friend’s last trip abroad. Touring plans, more often than not, are triggered by external factors.

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Must Read: 30 Travel Hacks You Must Know If Just-The-Girls Trip Is On Your Mind

Things to keep in mind before selecting a destination

• There’s nothing to say when a traveler’s mind wishes to visit the beaches, mountains, or a forest. However, picking the right destination according to the season is a key factor in understanding how to plan a trip successfully.
• Check out the best time to visit all destinations. Usually, the ideal season to visit beaches and mountains is completely different.
• Consider the cost factor while picking a destination. Some places are more enjoyable in a luxury budget than others. Going to a luxury destination during the shoulder season (a few weeks before or after the official ‘busy season’) can result in some good discounts on hotels and flights.
• Safety of travelers is a prime concern people specially when you are concerned of how to plan a family vacation. Pay attention to it before stating off the journey (especially when female travelers are included).
• Ease of accessibility or lack thereof is also a factor that can sway the decision of visiting a destination or not. Generally, the popular destinations have a lot of daily flights, trains, and good highway infrastructure to support the tourist influx.

2. Decide the duration of your trip

There is a fine line between getting bored and enjoying every moment at a destination. However, no destination has a predefined ideal duration. Wondering how to plan your road trip? It often depends on the touring plans and purpose of the visit of the travelers. Some travelers like to see new cities every day, whereas some travelers prefer taking it slow by witnessing and enjoying the subtle nuances of places they visit. This is a key aspect of your trip planning which can help your itinerary and budget both. Additionally, Travel Triangle also offers customize itinerary so if you are concerned of how to prepare an itinerary for a trip, no worries!

Suggested Read: Things You Ought To Know Before Traveling

Things to keep in mind before deciding the duration of a trip

• A key aspect of a good trip planner is to correctly estimate the number of days required to visit a destination. A road trip planner would elongate the duration of a trip whereas, a trip planned with flight tickets could be a little shorter.
• Trips, where the destination is within 8 hours, can also be done on a weekend provided that the night time is utilized for traveling.
• A trip with a lot of urban destinations will need more time in the sightseeing, and therefore a longer trip duration. Whereas a trip to a tropical beach town would not involve much sightseeing and hence, the duration can be shorter.
• It is advisable to keep a vacant day in touring plans that exceed 7 days. This gives a buffer to things like flight/train delays, traffic jams, weather hold-ups, or a change-of-heart to extend one’s stay at a particular destination.

3. Book flights, train, or bus tickets, and accommodation

After the ideation is complete, booking tickets for your flight, train or bus transfer well in advance is an important step in learning how to plan your trip to perfection. Since flight and train tickets are subject to availability and prices rise over time, getting the bookings done a few months in advance will help you avoid additional costs on your initial budget. Whether you are planning to explore the hidden places in Goa or savour the local flavour of Rajasthan , advance booking can help you with a hassle-free journey.

Suggested Read: 10 Packing & Luggage Hacks For The Smart Traveler

Things to keep in mind while booking transfers and accommodation

• Only book the cheaper non-refundable flight or train tickets if you are absolutely certain of your vacation plans. Otherwise, it is advisable to book refundable tickets if booking well-in-advance.
• Flight prices fluctuate a lot, keep a track on flight prices by using Google Flights Tracker.
• Expect a surge in prices of flights and accommodations if you are booking tickets for a vacation that falls during the peak season of that particular destination.
• Use credit cards that give frequent flyer miles and points on every rupee spent on booking flights and hotels to earn great rewards and cash-backs.

4. Plan the day-wise activities and course of action

It always sounds fascinating and adventurous when touring plans are made on a sudden impulse and gut feel. However, the downside of going on such trips is that there could be many days where the scheduling can go haywire because of everything being so last-minute.

Suggested Read: Travel Etiquettes Around The World

Things to keep in mind while planning day-wise activities

• Depending on the budget and time-at-disposal, getting a rough idea of what activities should be done on what day is a vital ingredient in understanding how to plan a trip perfectly.
• Transfers between destinations should be kept as much as possible during the evening/night. This will provide enough time for sightseeing and activities as most of them are only possible during the day-time.
• Most of the times, it is better to book activities like water sports, adventure sports, boat-rides, and safari rides at the destination itself to get a better price and some scope for bargaining.
• In the trip planner, keep only one or two activities in a day if the purpose of the trip is to relax and take it easy during the vacation.
• At some places, popular tourists activities like skiing, boating, scuba diving etc are closed during offseason. Check the availability of activities before going to the destination.

5. Pack diligently and make all the necessary adjustments

After the bookings are done, it is always advisable for your trip planning to pack your stuff keeping in mind the destination and the influence of external factors on it. The unpredictability of weather, socio-political scenario, or a festive season can adversely affect travel plans.  In order to avoid alteration of touring plans due to these scenarios, travelers should do a bit of research before starting their vacation.

Further Read: Travel Myths Busted: Don’t Let These Cliched Fables Ruin Your Travel Experiences

Things to keep in mind while packing for a vacation

• An extra shirt, sweater, pair of jeans, or jumper can always prove handy during trips where the weather is expected to be cold or rainy.
• Things like sunscreen, lotion, or mosquito repellent sound like unnecessary items but they are very vital in preventing any skin-related diseases
• As a part of cultural sensitivity and responsible tourism, travelers must research about the destination they are visiting. Reading about the do’s and don’ts is advisable in order to avoid causing any conflict or disrespect to the local people of the place to be visited.

Vacations are experiences that change people for the good. With a better understanding of how to plan a trip, travelers can enjoy their sojourns without any malice or unfortunate occurrence. Book a tour package to your dream destination with TravelTriangle and enjoy a responsible, thoughtful, and considerate way of traveling.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Trip Planning In India

Which are some of the offbeat destinations to plan budget trips in India?

Amidst an array of awe-inspiring destinations in India, there are some offbeat destinations that can easily be planned for an ultimate budget trip. Some of these destinations are: 1. Digha - West Bengal 2. Savarkut - Maharashtra 3. Maval - Maharashtra 4. Hampi

Which destinations in India can be explored on a very low budget?

Some incredible places in India can be explored on a very low budget. Some of them are: 1. Pushkar 2. Ooty 3. Lonavala 4. Nainital 5. Rishikesh 6. Hampi

Which place is best to travel for 2-3 days in India?

The best place for a 2-3 day trip in India would depend on your location. If you are located in North Delhi, then Shimla and Jaipur would be a good choice. For people living in South India, Mysore and Coorg must be on the list. For West India, head to Alibaug or Mahabaleshwar. Northeast can head to Pelling or Darjeeling. And East Indians would love to visit Sunderbans or Puri.

What is the best place to visit in South India with a low budget for a 3 to 4-day tour?

Hampi, Coorg, and Ooty are some of the best places to visit in South India if you are a budget traveler.

Which is the cheapest city in India?

Kolkata, Chennai, and Bangalore are arguably the cheapest cities in India. It is affordable for a majority of Indian citizens to rent out a place in these metro cities. Also, the dining options here are pretty cheap compared to other metro cities.

How can I travel cheaply in India?

If you plan to travel cheaply in India, you can live for free at an ashram in Pondicherry, drink at shacks in Goa that serve vodka shots for INR 60 per glass, travel by state-owned buses in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and prefer staying at homestays.

How much does a meal cost in India?

A meal in India costs INR 100 at street joints, INR 250-500 at medium-level restaurants, and over INR 1,000 at upscale restaurants. Make sure you taste the local street food while you’re in India. The flavor and the aroma of Indian cuisine is distinct and usually hits all your senses.

Which is the cheapest country to visit from India?

There are various countries that you can consider visiting from India on a low budget. Some of them have been listed below: 1. Malaysia 2. Sri Lanka 3. Bhutan 4. Nepal 5. Thailand 6. Laos 7. Singapore

What are some of the best tips to keep in mind while planning budget trips in India?

If you are thinking how to plan a vacation on a budget to India, make sure to go through the following tips. These tips would certainly come in handy while planning your budget trip and will allow you to have a seamless vacation. Check them out: 1. Research thoroughly - Make sure you research in depth about your destination. Research about the best budget hotels, pocket-friendly restaurants, and transportation options. 2. Travel during the off-season - If you intend to have a vacation that is easy on your pockets, it is vital to travel during the off-season, when the demand is less and prices are not inflated. 3. Travel in a group to share costs related to accommodation and transportation. 4. Travel to offbeat places in the country. Places that are already very popular amongst tourists would naturally cost you more. It is wise to travel to unexplored places and save some bucks! 5. Find accommodation in homestays. Homestays are relatively cheaper than hotels. You can also look for accommodation in budget-friendly hostels. 6. Travel via public transport instead of taxi/cab. Keeping these tips in mind would surely aid you while planning your ideal budget trip in India.

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Disneyland Planning Guide 2024: Start Here to Plan Your Disneyland Trip

We cover everything from finding the best hotel near Disneyland to the most recent Disneyland updates to advice on saving money on Disneyland tickets. Our guide to planning a trip to Disneyland is laid out in the order of steps you would go in as begin planning to make it as simple as possible for first time guests and well-seasoned park goers!

You can read all about what Disneyland is like right now and the  Disneyland reservations system in our guides.

Common Questions:

• Where to find best discount Disneyland tickets?
• Where to find cheap Disney World tickets?
• How to find discount Universal Studios Hollywood tickets? 
• What should I bring to Disneyland? 
• Which are the best hotels near Disneyland?
• Which airport is closest to Disneyland?
• When is Disneyland least crowded?
• Should I go to Disneyland or Walt Disney World?
• How much does Disney FastPass cost in 2024?
• How do I navigate Disneyland with a wheelchair?

In this planning guide:

When to Visit Disneyland 2024

Your first step to planning a Disneyland vacation is to first decide on when you would like to visit the park! There are special events to consider throughout the year along with your own schedule to consider. In order to help you decide when is the best time to visit Disneyland consult our Disneyland crowd calendar which includes crowd predictions along with monthly events for the entire year.

Visiting Disneyland during the summer is often the most obvious choice for guests due to summer vacation for school aged kids. This is a great time to visit Disneyland as you will enjoy longer operating hours and newly introduced events or entertainment. Our guide to summer at Disneyland covers the pros and cons of a summer vacation at the resort. Spring at Disneyland can be another great time to visit, especially if you're looking for discounts for on-site Disney hotels and cheaper airfare.

Also consider the Disneyland Park hours and Disney California Adventure park hours when planning.

The holiday season is also another popular time to enjoy the parks as Disneyland goes all out for both Halloween and Christmas . You can enjoy seasonal ride overlays, an abundance of decorations, seasonal treats and themed entertainment. Picking what time of year to visit Disneyland will alter your resort experience in regards to the type of entertainment you may experience at the park, decorations, crowds, weather and even prices.

Prices will always be higher during holiday weeks like spring break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Labor Day, etc. Crowd levels also usually coordinate with these higher prices. Our guide to experiencing crowds at Disneyland help you prepare for surviving anything. Be sure to read our top Disneyland tips here .

You may also want to take into account the usual yearly refurbishments that may take place at Disneyland when picking your trip dates- these are just the yearly ride closures for usual maintenance or closures for seasonal overlays that happen each year.

You may also consider visiting for a birthday or anniversary which are great milestones to celebrate on Disney! In fact, Disney will help you celebrate those special birthdays and anniversaries .

Regardless of what time of year you pick, there is always a pro/con to each and every day of the year is just as magical as the rest!

Disneyland's New Reservation System 2024

Once you've picked your dates for your Disneyland vacation your next step is to purchase your tickets! You can save nearly $20 per ticket for travel when you book with our recommended travel partner  Get Away Today . They offer the best discounts while providing top notch customer service. They have worked with Disney for over 30 years selling millions of 2-5 day discount Disney tickets and give our Mickey Visit readers (who book through links on our website) an exclusive discount rate on tickets. I highly recommend going that route for your Disneyland theme park tickets. You can read more about the different ticket options, how many days you need and more in our discount Disneyland guide. 

If you're looking to do Disneyland on a budget, I've got you covered in our budget tips for Disneyland guide. Our list of budget tips will help you save money on park tickets, hotel, dining, and includes information on how to save 5% on Disney gift cards!

It's not enough to just have your theme park tickets to Disneyland, you also need to make a reservation for each day of your visit once you've purchased your tickets! This is extremely important because reservations can run out as your trip dates get closer and since this new reservation system has been implemented it hasn't been uncommon to see guests without a reservation be turned away at the gates… even if they have tickets.

Theme park reservations are available on a 90 day rolling basis for one day tickets and Magic Key Holders and a 120 day basis for multi-day ticket holders (available via our travel partner) in order for Disney to access guest availability and you should reserve your park days the instant you purchase your park tickets. You can easily change these later if you need to but better to book them once you've picked your dates. Our guide to the Disneyland theme park reservation system can walk you through how to make a reservation.

What Disneyland Hotel To Stay In

There are two types of hotels to choose from when visiting the Disneyland Resort. You can either stay at an on-property hotel that is owned by Disney or stay at a Disneyland Good Neighbor hotel, a third party hotel approved by Disney. There is a large price different between these two but the on-property Disney hotels all place you within the “Disney bubble” of being able to access Disneyland by walking through the popular Downtown Disney District which connects the entrance to the theme park and the hotels.

Downtown Disney contains plenty of shopping, restaurants and live entertainment. It's a great place to spend your arrival day to get your family in the Disney mood before their full day at the parks.

The are three Disney owned hotels with three different price tiers: Paradise Pier Hotel , the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Each of our reviews for these hotels detail the perks each offer along with the theme, dining and Disney details the hotels offer. You can also set aside a day of relaxation at the newly imagined Tenaya Stone Spa inside the Grand Californian with a full body massage, foot treatment, facial, and more! Plus they even offer fitness classes , some inside the parks before they open.

You can also bundle your Disneyland tickets and hotel into one Disneyland all inclusive vacation package. You can find more information on exclusive discounts, the best places to find powerful discounts, and when to book your package in our Disneyland vacation packages guide.

For guests that are looking to save money or prefer the variety the off-site hotels offer at Disneyland, there is a plethora of options near Disneyland! This is actually one of the best perks Disneyland has over Walt Disney World. Due to its close proximity of being centrally located in the city of Anaheim it's a breeze to use a hotel nearby and walk to the theme park each day. In fact, some of the off-site hotels are actually fewer steps to the entrance gates than some of the Disney owned hotels.

Our comprehensive guide to hotels at Disneyland covers our favorite hotels near Disneyland plus includes a detailed list of our personal reviews of these hotels with tips on how to save money by booking through our trusted travel partner. If you're the type of family that plans to spend numerous hours in the park and little time at your hotel, you can save hundreds by staying off-site at a no frills (but clean!) hotel and spend that money saved inside Disneyland instead.

Traveling to Disneyland

The Disneyland Resort sits in the middle of numerous nearby airports giving you plenty of options to fly in to the resort. My personal two favorites are Long Beach Airport and John Wayne Airport due to their close proximity (less than 20-30 minutes away!) and their small size. It makes traveling a breeze and I always chose to pay a bit more to fly into Long Beach over Los Angelas Airport which is a much larger airport. LA is also much further away and you will have a longer car ride to Disneyland with plenty of traffic to hold you up.

You can read more about the airports and transportation options to and from the airports in our Disneyland transportation guide. 

Where to Eat on Your Disneyland Vacation

The Disneyland Resort provides a wide variety of different types of food. You will find classic amusement park food mixed in with upscale restaurants. The food quality is outstanding and whether you are eating a corn dog or pork shank, it will be the best you have ever had.

Disneyland classifies their dining options in two categories: table service and quick service. Table service is defined as restaurants where you are seated with a typical waiter/waitress and offer advance dining reservations you can reserve 60 days in advance. You can book a reservation on the  official Disneyland website or call the reservation hotline at (714) 781-3463. Most of the restaurants are Disneyland that are considered table service book up in advance so its highly recommended you book reservations for the ones you're interested in.

Quick service refers to walk up locations which typically also offer mobile ordering you can use with the Disneyland app or just a regular walk up line. This is a quick grab and go option and also tends to be more cost effective. Most of the quick service locations at Disneyland offers really great food!

One popular experience that you shouldn't overlook, especially if you have kids, is the character dining at Disneyland! You can find character dining inside the park and at the Disney owned hotels offering a variety of experiences from Princess dining to dinner with Goofy! You can read more about each experience offered in our full guide to character dining at Disneyland .

Another popular dining experience at Disneyland is the option of reserving dining experiences that come with reserved seating for popular nighttime entertainment! These experiences are called dining packages and are offered for the popular nighttime spectaculars at Disneyland. This is a great way to combine a great dining experience while also taking the hassle out of saving a spot for a popular show in advance.

Read through our full guide to dining at Disneyland to see a review of all the different restaurants at Disneyland, tips on saving money on food and how to get the best dining reservations.

Disneyland 2024 Packing List

Once you've made all your theme park reservations, dining reservations and have all those finer details made the next big question becomes…. what should I pack? You want to be prepared for your Disneyland vacation but you also don't want to be so overburdened in the parks you're tipping over backwards with a giant backpack! Our Disneyland packing list helps cover everything you should bring so you come prepared.

Disneyland will have you covered with essentials if you do find you forgot something crucial but you will pay a higher price. It's good in a pinch especially if you forgot something you need immediately in the moment like headache or stomach medicine. Yes, you can even find medicine at Disneyland!

If you want to avoid that giant backpack from tipping you over, you could always rent a locker ! Disneyland offers daily locker rentals which is a great solution if you find yourself wanting to store the extra snacks or lunch you brought, the jackets you no longer need or the extra souvenirs you bought.

Disneyland has a great selection of souvenirs which can easily run your wallet down before you have a chance to blink. But there's some souvenirs that are more timeless than others and help preserve the memory of your trip. Read through my top recommendations to the best Disneyland souvenirs to see what are the most unique souvenirs you can find at the parks that are longer lasting memories than the typical t-shirt.

A great idea for Disneyland souvenirs that doesn't break the budget and that kids love are to collect the pressed pennies around the Disneyland.

Another popular item to collect and trade at Disneyland are Disney pins which you can trade with other guests and inside the Disney shops. Our guide to Disney Pin Trading gives an overview of this time honored tradition.

And if you find yourself wanting to purchase something that's too large to pack into your suitcase, Disneyland also gives you the option to ship your souvenirs back home. This is especially helpful since purchasing lightsabers has become a popular option! You can also find shipping options from many of the local stores in Downtown Disney which is a good option if you find yourself splurging on the big Lego set!

Disneyland 2024 Park Ride Touring Plans

Disneyland Resort includes two theme parks: Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park . Disneyland is the original theme park which is home to all the classic rides such as Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mad Tea Party plus the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is also the theme park where you can find the popular Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge! California Adventure Park opened in 2001 and is now home to favorites such as Cars Land, Pixar Pier plus the new addition of Avengers Campus.

You can orient yourself with our map of Disney California Adventure and map of Disneyland Park .

The great thing about Disneyland and one of the biggest differences from Walt Disney World is how easy it is to park hop! Disneyland and California Adventure are located mere steps away from each other making it incredibly easy to walk between each other throughout the day if you wanted. So in the case of visiting Disneyland, I highly recommend you purchase a park hopper ticket .

One of the biggest questions we get from guests about to visit Disneyland is: how do we beat the crowds? There are two quick and easy methods to doing this that can work well for families of all dynamics. Arrive early or stay until park closing. Or you can hit the hotel in the afternoon for a nap and do both! Crowds will always be dramatically more manageable- even during peak travel times- in the morning and end of the night. Nighttime doesn't require much strategy, just stay until after the fireworks end and hang in there until the park closes. Most families will leave after the fireworks and the lines will decrease significantly- even on holidays! And don't forget about using single rider lines!

For more detailed touring plans, we've put together a step by step touring plan to managing Disneyland in the morning . This guide will give the best list of rides to go on first along with what time to arrive so you have a clear plan when you arrive. We have a similar touring plan for California Adventure in the morning giving you a specific game plan to follow so you don't miss out on any of the newly added attractions and popular rides.

Disney Genie+ is a paid program at Disneyland that replaced the previous FastPass/MaxPass program at the parks. This paid service includes access to quicker lines to 15 attractions in both parks plus the option to pay for access for certain individual attractions. Essentially for certain attractions there's two line options: a standby line and a Lightning Lane.

The Genie+ program gives you access to the Lightning Lane which is significantly shorter than the standby line. It costs $20 per person, per day and include your access to ride reservations plus all your photo downloads for the day. Disneyland has professional photographers stationed around the park to take your picture in front of iconic areas like the castle, the main entrance, Main Street, U.S.A., etc. You can also purchase these photos separately through their service called Disneyland PhotoPass .

You reserve a return time in advance via the Disneyland app to use the Lightning Lane and you can book a return time every two hours or after you have redeemed your last booked Lightning Lane reservation. There is also the option to purchase access to the Lightning Lane to select popular attractions individually but these attractions aren't included in the general per day purchase.

I highly recommend you read more about the Disneyland Genie+ program in our guide so you're prepared before your visit. Our guide features the basics of what this paid service can do, the free service that's included for all guests plus tips on how to best maximize its use and get your moneys worth!

Don't forget to spend some time in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge featuring two great themed rides such as the chance to pilot the Millennium Falcon and the infamous e-ticket ride Rise of the Resistance which is said to be one of the best rides Disney has ever done! Explore Star Wars themed shops, dining plus the chance to build your own droid and lightsaber .

Avengers Campus is the newly added Marvel themed land which opened in California Adventure in 2021 featuring a Spider-Man themed ride, opportunities to meet Marvel characters, an Ant-Man focused food eatery and brewery plus a built to scale Quinjet.

It's also a good idea to check the  Disneyland Height Requirements to get the full information on ride height requirements plus the ability to do rider switch – this allows parents with children that don't meet height requirements to only wait in line once so they both can ride!

First time visiting Disneyland or feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry, everyone feels that way their first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth because there's just so much to see and do! Have your family pick a few must see rides and make those priority knowing you won't be able to do it all. Our first timer guide for Disneyland can also help you with those essential tips to make sure you know the basics.

Fireworks and Nighttime Entertainment at Disneyland 2024

One of the aspects that makes Disneyland so special is the nighttime spectaculars with the most infamous being the Disneyland fireworks shows . Fireworks take place nightly during peak seasons (Spring break, summer, Halloween and Christmas) and on weekends. Each time of the year will feature a different fireworks show as some are changed out seasonly depending on what event is being celebrated at the parks. These fireworks are a must see Disney experience with state of the art projections, lighting effects and some featuring original musical scores.

Aside from fireworks, the biggest nighttime spectacular show in Disneyland is Fantasmic! which debuted in 1992 and has been a beloved part of Disneyland entertainment ever since. Fantasmic! includes fireworks, live performers, water effects, pyrotechnics, music, watercrafts, decorated rafts, animatronics, and projections on the Rivers of America in Frontierland. Our full  guide to Fantasmic! includes everything you need to know including tips on getting the best spot.

The big nighttime spectacular over at Disney's California Adventure is World of Color! This breathtaking show uses nearly 1,200 fountains capable of shooting water 200 feet up into the air equipped with LED rings to create vivid colors and beautiful water screens. Guests can watch the water dance along with perfectly timed pyrotechnics and momentous music as they enjoy memorable scenes from their favorite Disney and Pixar films. Our extensive guide to World of Color gives you an idea of what to expect and helps you figure out how to get the best spot!

You can also find plenty of unique daytime entertainment around Disneyland such as the Disneyland marching band, the Dapper Dans along with the The Tale of the Lion King, the adaptation of the Lion King, coming to the Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland this year.

Disneyland Parades 2024

Parades at Disneyland change seasonally with the popular A Christmas Fantasy parade running during the holidays with the Frightfully Fun Parade taking place during the ticketed Halloween event Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure. During the summer the current parade will often switch out with various options which we detail, along with our best tips for getting a good viewing spot, in our Disneyland parade guide . 

Disneyland Characters 2024

Characters at Disneyland are another great piece of Disney magic that you cannot miss on your trip! You can meet a variety of beloved Disney characters like the classic Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Pixar characters in California Adventure to Marvel heroes and Star Wars favorites. Character autographs are a big part of meeting characters and its one of the most exciting parts for kids to collect during their trip. This also makes for a great memory and souvenir!

If you want to meet a variety of characters at once, you can enjoy character dining in Disneyland and the Disney resort hotels. These meals offer a buffet selection that guests can enjoy while characters roam throughout the restaurant interacting. This is a great way to meet popular characters without waiting in lines or searching for them in the park.

Tips for Families at Disneyland

Families traveling to Disneyland can find plenty of options at Disneyland to make their visit more comfortable as Disney considers how to best serve their guests needs in the best way they can.

You can begin your planning by seeing which hotels we recommend for kids at Disneyland plus find the best dining options with the best kids meals !

If you're traveling to Disneyland with an infant I highly recommend reading through our guide to traveling with babies to Disneyland so you're prepared for everything you need to know. This guide covers information information on the Baby Care Centers plus tips on rides that you can bring babies on, how to survive hot days, and more. Baby Care Centers are two centers located in both theme parks that offer private nursing rooms with chairs, changing rooms, kid-sized toilets, feeding areas and a fridge to store breast milk. Parents with toddlers can also find plenty of toddler friendly activities and rides in the park- especially in Fantasyland!

There's also plenty do for all ages whether you take advice directly from an eight year old on how to enjoy Disneyland or cruise our list on the best things teens will love in Disneyland and California Adventure ! If you're looking for an adult only day, there's also a variety of activities adults will enjoy at Disneyland if you get a break away from the family.

Pregnant mothers can also find tips on which rides they can enjoy along with how to manage comfort in our guide to being pregnant at Disneyland.

Parents traveling alone with their kids to the park can also read my best tips on taking your kids to Disneyland by yourself based on my own trial and error of years of visiting the parks. On the flip side, if you're traveling with a large family or group you can read our guide on navigating Disneyland in a large group effectively. Or perhaps you're traveling to Disney alone and planning your solo Disneyland trip for the first time!

Most of all, be realistic on your trip to Disneyland with your kids and manage expectations with your family . Disney has something for everyone, even those in your group that be a bit less enthusiastic about a day in Disneyland .

We also cover tips on how to stay safe at Disneyland in our lost Children in Disneyland guide with full information on Disneyland's lost child protocol and tips to keep everyone together. If you're looking for tips on traveling safety, our guide to traveling safe with kids has you covered with our best tips on traveling safely and effectively with small children- especially if this is will be their first trip!

And don't forget to plan a creative way to announce your Disneyland trip to your kids!

Disabilities at Disneyland 2024

One of the best things about Disneyland is the strides towards inclusivity it has taken by ensuring that the theme park goes above and beyond for guests with disabilities. Disneyland strives to make their parks accessible for all guests and offers accommodations that may go overlooked for many guests that may benefit from them.

All of the attractions at Disneyland are wheelchair accessible with each attraction having varying degrees of accessibility from staying in the wheelchair on an accessible boat on “it’s a small world” or transferring directly to the ride vehicle. Disneyland offers a variety of assistive listening systems to handheld captioning devices for guests with hearing disabilities. There is also sign language interpretation available for select live experiences and character interactions on certain days of the week.

DAS (Disability Access Service) is a tool that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have provided its guests for those who cannot wait in a normal line queue for a variety of medical reasons. DAS grants qualifying guests a return time (equal to the standby wait) for the attraction, one at a time, and then guests can access the Lightning Lane to ride. Guests that have a mobility disability can access rides without using DAS since all line queues are wheelchair accessible.

Disneyland also offers an extensive range of dietary accommodations at their restaurants for guests that may have allergies or certain dietary preferences like vegetarian/vegan diets . Disneyland is also a size inclusive park with many ride vehicles fitting larger sized guests, our guide offers some insight on what to expect with ride vehicle size at Disney.

Read more about disabilities at Disneyland in our comprehensive guide so you're prepared for any accommodations you or your group may need.

Universal Studios Hollywood 2024

If you're looking to add a day at another theme park to your Disneyland trip, many guests decide to add on a day at Universal Studios Hollywood which is a great addition to your Southern California vacation. You can also bundle your Disneyland tickets with a day at Universal Studios Hollywood making the process of adding a day to this park easier than ever.

The popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter along with the infamous studio tour to see real movie sets, the Jurassic World ride, the Simpsons focused area plus the new Pets ride. Universal Studios Hollywood is also known for its movie quality stage shows with the show Waterworld being a fan favorite at this park.

Beach Day at Disneyland 2024

Many families pair their Disneyland trip with a visit to a local beach to enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather. Disneyland is a close drive away or ride share away from some of the most beautiful beaches in California. Our full guide to planning a beach day for your Disneyland trip covers beach recommendations, transportation advice and tour reviews.

Top Disneyland Lists 2024

Looking for top must dos at Disneyland? Our top lists give you simple check lists to add to your Disneyland planning guide so you don't miss out on anything at the Happiest Place on Earth.

• Top 8 Must Do Rides at Disneyland
• Top 8 Must Do Rides at California Adventure
• Top 8 Disneyland Rides to Do at Night
• 10 Overlooked Details of Magic, History, and Tradition at the Disneyland Resort
• Top 9 Relaxing Places at Disneyland
• 10 Underrated Rides at Disneyland- Don’t Miss these Gems!
• 12 Movies To Watch Before Your Disneyland Vacation
• Top 5 Historic Disneyland Restaurants You Can't Miss
• Top 12 Disneyland Christmas Must Sees

Let Us  Help You Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!

That should be everything that you need to plan your Disneyland vacation. If you still have questions about planning, see our Ask Us page .

Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for a Disney Parks vacation! We have a team of writers working hard to keep you updated weekly on events in the parks and tips for navigating the magic. Subscribe to our  free deals newsletter to receive helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere.

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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The Best Time to Visit London

Weather & Climate

London's Airports

Neighborhoods to Know

Driving in London

Public Transport in London

London's Top Attractions

Free Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

London's Best Parks

Museums in London

Theater in London

Live Music in London

Shopping in London

One Week in London: Itinerary

Day Trips From London

Beaches Near London

The Best Fish & Chips in London

London's Top Restaurants

Eating With Kids in London

London's Best Bars

Craft Beer in London

Your Trip to London: The Complete Guide

Buree Lalitathada / EyeEm/Getty Images

London is a popular travel destination thanks to its culture, lively food scene, and royal ties. The British city attracts millions of visitors every year (more than 40.9 million in 2019! ), including many Americans, who find London easy to navigate (especially since the main language is English). Whether you're planning an extensive trip to explore London or including it as a stop on an itinerary of other European cities, there are a few things to keep in mind when planning. Consider what you want to see and do, and plan accordingly. And don't forget the umbrella.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: London welcomes travelers all year, but the best times to visit can be spring and late fall thanks to the mild weather . Summer can be especially crowded, so you may find fewer lines and throngs of tourists during more off-peak times. The winter holidays can also be a great time to visit London, which gets very festive and well-decorated in December.

Language: English is the primary language spoken in London and the U.K., however Londoners come from all over the world, so it's not surprising to hear multiple other languages spoken around the city.

Currency: The currency in the U.K. is the pound sterling   , also known as GBP or just "the pound."

Getting Around: Transport for London has a vast network of public transportation options, including the Tube, buses, trains, and boats. It's recommended to avoid driving into the city center and use public transportation, or opt for a taxi or Uber. Black cabs are the official taxis in London and easy to hail anywhere around town.

Travel Tip: London is a very walkable city and one of the best ways to see different areas is to go by foot. Plan your days by neighborhood or general area, and stroll from attraction to attraction to make the most of your experience. For example, see Kensington Palace, Hyde Park and Notting Hill in the same day, or hit up the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tate Modern in one swing.

Things to Do

There's a lot to see and do in London, from historical sites like Buckingham Palace to cultural institutions like the National Portrait Gallery. A trip to London typically consists of a mixture of iconic attractions, including Big Ben and the London Eye, and neighborhood exploration in areas like Notting Hill. Consider purchasing a London Pass to make the most of popular attractions. Don't miss theater in the West End, shopping around Covent Garden and snacking in London's many outdoor markets, including Borough Market and Broadway Market.

• Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens
• The Tate Modern
• Westminister Abbey

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on what to see if you only have a few hours , what to do in the West End and things to do when it rains .

What to Eat and Drink

London's food scene is an eclectic mix of British and international eateries, with cuisine from all over the world available in the city's diverse neighborhoods. A classic experience is to dine (and grab a pint) in a local pub, which can be a great way to try British dishes like fish and chips and bangers and mash. London's ever-growing food scene isn't limited to just those well-known dishes, though: Look for hip spots like The Barbary, Barrafina and Caravan to experience a vibrant melange of internationally-inspired dishes.

London is also well-known for its impressive cocktail bars, many of which are nearly a century old. Don't miss a martini in The American Bar or Dukes, and consider exploring newer cocktail spots like Satan's Whiskers in Bethnal Green. Of course, you'll also want to book an afternoon tea somewhere classy. Look for high-end spots like Fortnum and Mason, The Savoy Hotel and The Ritz to make the most of your experience.

Explore our articles on the best restaurants with views , the best spots for afternoon tea and the best places for brunch .

Where to Stay

London is a large city, with many different areas, but most visitors find that it's convenient to stay centrally. Central neighborhoods like Covent Garden, Mayfair, Marylebone, Victoria and Kensington provide easy access to many popular attractions, as well as nearby restaurants and nightlife. Staying in adjacent areas like Fitzrovia, Pimlico, St. John's Wood and Southbank can be a good way to avoid crowds but keep the journey to the tourist spots quick and hassle-free. While many visitors elect to stay in a hotel, there are also many options for Airbnb and other vacation rental services. Those who want to splurge should look into iconic hotels like The Connaught, The Ritz and the Mandarin Oriental, which overlooks Hyde Park.

Explore our articles on the best budget hotels , the quirkiest places to stay and London's diverse neighborhoods .

Getting There

Most travelers arrive in London by plane, flying in to nearby airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and City. Visitors coming from Europe can also arrive via the Eurostar, which comes into to St. Pancras Station, or via ferry. Trains link London with the rest of England, as well as Scotland and Wales, and cruise ships typically port in the nearby city of Southampton. Most travelers don't rent a car when visiting London, but a car can be handy if you plan to explore other areas of the U.K.

• Heathrow International Airport: Heathrow, located west of London, is the primary airport used by international travelers. It can be accessed by Tube, train, bus or taxi, and it's recommended to look into public transportation when arriving during rush hour. The Heathrow Express gets passengers from the airport in to Paddington Station in only 15 minutes (and is significantly cheaper when booked more than 30 days in advance online).
• Gatwick Airport: Gatwick, also known as London Gatwick, is located to the south of central London and can boast cheaper flights than Heathrow. It's also a hub for EasyJet, a budget airline. The airport is best accessed via the Gatwick Express from Victoria Station or a train from London Bridge Station.
• London Luton Airport: Luton can be found to the north of London and is frequently used for flights to the rest of Europe. Look for the Thames Link train or bus services to access the airport since a taxi can be quite expensive.
• London Stansted Airport: Stansted, also to the north of the city, is an international airport, but typically used for shorter flights rather than big international arrivals. Trains and buses are the best way to get to and from Stansted, which can be an inconvenient and disorganized airport experience.
• London City Airport: Located on the Royal Docks, London City is popular with short haul flights to Europe, but also services the U.S. via New York City. The airport is fairly central, so taxis or public transportation are both good options.

Explore our articles on how to get to Heathrow and how to get to Luton , as well as our guide to London's airports .

Culture and Customs

While London can feel similar to the U.S., there are a few differences, particularly when it comes to tipping. All restaurants and bars will include a service charge (usually 12.5 percent) on the bill, so there's not need to leave extra cash. If you do, 10 to 15 percent is customary   . Tip taxi drivers a few pounds if you appreciate their service, but unlike in the U.S. employees in the U.K. don't expect large tips.

One other important thing to be aware of is that British culture is fairly reserved. When using public transportation, especially the bus or the Tube, keep your voice low and be polite. Londoners also appreciate a good queue, so never skip the line or push your way to the front.

Money Saving Tips

• Take advantage of free museums. Many of London's museums are free to enter, including the British Museum, the Tate Modern and the Tate Britain. This can be a great way to see iconic spots without spending any of your travel budget.
• Get a free view. While high-up attractions like the London Eye and the Shard's viewing gallery can be pricy, the Tate Modern's 10th floor viewing deck is free, as is Sky Garden , which allows visitors to book a complimentary ticket in advance online.
• Picnic in one of the parks . On a sunny day, Londoners love a good park outing. Head to Marks & Spencer or Pret to stock up on sandwiches and drinks, and find a spot in one of London's many parks. Some of the parks, including London Fields, even allow portable BBQs.
• Purchase a London Pass. The London Pass includes entry to over 80 attractions, so can help save money if you plan to do a lot of sight-seeing. It also allows for fast-track entry at several of the attractions, which can be great when visiting during a busy time of year.

For more tips, explore our articles on the best free things to do in London , how to travel around London with your kids for free and the best free museums .

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Apple Finally Plans to Release a Calculator App for iPad Later This Year

Apple is finally planning a Calculator app for the iPad, over 14 years after launching the device, according to a source familiar with the matter.

AppleInsider last week reported that macOS 15 will feature a revamped Calculator app with a resizable window, integration with the Notes app , a sidebar that lists recent calculations, and more. While we have not independently confirmed those details, it is possible that the updated Mac app will be based on the new iPad app.

The lack of an official Calculator app on the iPad has been a long-running meme on social media, given it is such a basic tool. In the meantime, iPad users must rely on third-party calculator apps in the App Store, such as PCalc and Calcbot.

In June 2020, Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi told tech reviewer Marques Brownlee that the company simply "hadn't gotten around" to releasing a "great" calculator app for the iPad. "That day may come," he added.

The first beta of iPadOS 18 is expected to be released immediately following the WWDC keynote, and the update should be widely released in September.

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Watch as your favourite F1 stars compete for a podium finish at the spectacular Lusail International Circuit – taking place on the weekend of 29 November to 1 December 2024. See you there!

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Qatar has been a proud hub of Formula One action since first hosting the racing event in 2021, and then in 2023. This year will be the penultimate race in the series, before the final race takes place in Abu Dhabi. The country will once again show its passion for sport, with race fans joined by dignitaries, royalty and VIPs.

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Middle East Crisis U.S. Won’t Suspend Aid, for Now, to Israeli Unit Accused of Abuses

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• Israeli police detaining protesters during a demonstration by Israeli and American rabbis near the Erez crossing into Gaza. Reuters
• Palestinian children waiting for a water supply tank in Rafah, southern Gaza. Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Damage in the area of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon. Ramiz Dallah/Anadolu, via Getty Images
• Walking past posters in Tel Aviv of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
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Blinken says the U.S. could take action if Israel fails to hold its troops accountable.

The Biden administration, which has been under pressure for its support of Israel’s war in Gaza, will not withhold military aid from a troubled military unit accused of human rights violations in the West Bank, so long as Israel continues with steps to hold the members of the unit accountable.

In an undated letter, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken told the House speaker, Mike Johnson, that the United States was working with Israel to address charges against the unit, the Netzah Yehuda battalion. Though the letter did not mention the battalion’s name, a U.S. official confirmed that Mr. Blinken was referring to Netzah Yehuda, which has been investigated for crimes in the West Bank predating the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack that set off the war in Gaza.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss delicate diplomacy, said that the Biden administration could still take action against Netzah Yehuda if it concludes that Israel has not taken sufficient steps to hold its members to account.

The letter, obtained by The New York Times, said the State Department had determined that Netzah Yehuda had committed “gross human rights violations” against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

U.S. officials had reached similar findings about two other Israeli military units and two civilian units, the letter said, but in those cases the Biden administration had decided not to withhold military aid because Israel was already acting to “bring to justice” culpable service members.

Mr. Blinken assured Mr. Johnson in the letter, reported earlier by ABC News , that the United States “will not delay the delivery of any U.S. assistance, and Israel will be able to receive the full amount appropriated by Congress.”

Under federal statutes commonly known as the Leahy law , the U.S. government must deny aid to foreign military units found to have committed gross violations of human rights without accountability. The law allows for the targeting of individual units without cutting off entire foreign militaries.

It was not clear what practical effect any such move might have, given that funding of specific Israeli units is hard to track, and it is unclear whether the units mentioned in the letter receive American training or equipment.

Still, the news last week that U.S. officials were considering withholding aid from Israeli military units for abuses prompted a furious response from Israel and from Mr. Johnson, a strong supporter of the current Israeli government. Mr. Johnson said this week that he had called the White House in protest and had received an assurance in writing that none of the billions in additional U.S. aid to Israel approved by Congress this week would be affected.

The Biden administration has faced growing calls to restrict American aid to Israel over its military offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attacks in October. President Biden so far has declined to place conditions on U.S. aid over Israel’s devastating tactics in the Gaza war, though he has taken several steps in response to violence by Israelis in the West Bank, including placing sanctions against several Israeli settlers for what the U.S. has called “extremist” acts of violence against Palestinians.

In his letter to the Republican House speaker, Mr. Blinken said that two Israeli battalions and “civilian authority units,” none of which he named, had committed human rights abuses but that he had “determined that the Israeli government has conducted effective remediation of the units involved.” He defined remediation as a process in which a foreign government takes “effective steps to bring to justice the responsible members of the unit.”

In the case of Netzah Yehuda, which he did not cite by name, he said that “there has not been effective remediation to date” but that the Israeli government “has presented new information regarding the status of the unit, and we will engage on identifying a path to effective remediation for this unit.”

Mr. Blinken is planning to travel to Israel next week for meetings with Israeli leaders to discuss efforts to free hostages from Gaza and an impending Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, an Israeli official said on Friday. It was not immediately clear whether he would discuss Netzah Yehuda. Mr. Blinken has discussed the matter by phone with senior Israeli officials in recent days.

Under the terms of a 10-year security agreement that the United States and Israel reached in 2016, the United States must consult with Israeli officials before placing restrictions on security assistance. That consultation is ongoing, according to the U.S. official.

Netzah Yehuda, which was created to accommodate the religious practices of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community, has been repeatedly accused of mistreating Palestinians.

In January 2022, according to witnesses, its soldiers bound and gagged a 78-year-old Palestinian American who died of a heart attack while in military custody. An investigation concluded that the two soldiers who bound the man thought he was sleeping. The soldiers faced disciplinary action but no criminal charges were brought.

The unit was transferred in 2022 from the West Bank to the Golan Heights in northern Israel, according to Mr. Blinken’s letter.

Mr. Blinken added that no other Israeli units had been found culpable of rights violations under the Leahy Law and that the administration’s deliberations “will have no impact on our support for Israel’s ability to defend itself against Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah or other threats.”

— Michael Crowley reporting from Washington

Blinken will make another wartime trip to Israel.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will visit Israel next week, an Israeli official said on Friday, as talks on a cease-fire deal that would allow for the release of hostages held in Gaza appear stalled and tensions have risen between Israel and the United States over the war.

The Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of lack of authorization to speak publicly on the matter, said talks with Mr. Blinken would center on hostages and an impending Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Mr. Blinken last visited Israel in March, when he warned that its plans to invade Rafah , where more than a million displaced people are sheltering, would pose severe risks to civilians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with those plans, saying that such an operation is necessary to eliminate Hamas battalions in the city.

Still, the Biden administration has stuck by Israel as mediators have failed to broker even a temporary cease-fire in Gaza that would give Palestinians some respite and allow for the release of hostages abducted in the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel .

The United States has proposed a deal through Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries in which Hamas would release 40 of the most vulnerable hostages in exchange for a six-week truce and the release of hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. A senior Biden administration official who briefed reporters on Thursday on condition of anonymity under official ground rules put the blame solely on Hamas for blocking the deal.

The official said that while Israel had signaled it would accept those terms, the response from Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader hiding underground in Gaza, had been “totally nonconstructive.” Hamas has since signaled that it is not completely rejecting the deal and is willing to sit down again, the official said, adding that the United States and its partners would test that in coming days.

President Biden and the leaders of 17 other nations called on Hamas on Thursday to release all the hostages in a joint statement that appeared intended to send the message that the world is not entirely against Israel and that Hamas is the main impediment to ending the war.

Peter Baker contributed reporting from Washington.

— Patrick Kingsley reporting from Jerusalem

Israel fires into Lebanon after a deadly Hezbollah missile strike.

An Israeli man was killed in an anti-tank missile attack from Lebanon, the Israeli military said on Friday, the latest in a growing string of civilian casualties on both sides of Israel’s northern border as tit-for-tat strikes intensify with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah .

The Israeli military said in a statement that the man had been carrying out “infrastructure work” when two anti-tank missiles were fired late Thursday into the area of Har Dov in northern Israel, a disputed sliver of land where Israel, Lebanon and Syria meet. Also known as the Shebaa Farms, the area is claimed by Lebanon but occupied by Israel, and has long been a crucible for violence.

Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful regional proxy , described the overnight attack as an “ambush,” claiming that two vehicles had been destroyed in a combined missile, artillery and rocket assault on an Israeli military base in the area. The Israeli military statement did not say whether a base had been hit.

Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, identified the man killed as Sharif Suwayed, 35, and said that his truck had been hit while he was working to improve defenses at a military base, modifications that were being carried out at night to protect against Hezbollah attacks. The Israeli military was investigating, the broadcaster reported.

Israeli forces responded by striking Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon, among them a weapon storage facility and military compound, according to a military statement. Lebanese state media reported on Friday that multiple towns had been targeted by heavy Israeli bombardment, damaging dozens of houses. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, the heaviest between the sides in nearly two decades, has shown no sign of subsiding. Israeli strikes inside Lebanon have begun to creep deeper into the country’s interior, though the hostilities for now have been confined largely to areas along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

In Israel, 19 soldiers and civilians have been killed in the recent violence, which began after Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel in support of the deadly Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7.

More than 70 civilians have been killed in Lebanon, along with roughly 270 Hezbollah fighters, the group has said, a figure that exceeds its losses in the 2006 war with Israel .

Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, said this week that its strikes had eliminated half of Hezbollah’s commanders in southern Lebanon, although experts expressed skepticism about that claim . They also have cast doubt on whether targeted killings of commanders could achieve Israel’s goal of pushing Hezbollah farther from the border, reducing the threat of attacks and allowing the tens of thousands of Israeli civilians displaced by the fighting to return to their homes.

Patrick Kingsley contributed reporting from Jerusalem.

— Euan Ward Reporting from Beirut, Lebanon

A baby born in Gaza after her mother was killed in an Israeli strike dies less than a week later.

A baby who was delivered through an emergency cesarean section after her mother was killed in an Israeli strike died on Thursday, a relative said, less than a week after news of her birth brought a glimmer of hope to war-torn Gaza.

The baby, who was born prematurely after a strike in southern Gaza that also killed her father and sister, suffered respiratory problems, and doctors were unable to save her, said her uncle, Rami al-Sheikh.

“I buried her in her father’s grave,” he said in a phone interview on Friday.

The mother, Sabreen al-Sakani, was killed along with her husband, Shukri, and their 3-year-old daughter, Malak, when an Israeli strike hit their home in the city of Rafah shortly before midnight last Saturday. Rescue crews took the bodies to the Emirati Hospital in Rafah, where doctors performed a cesarean section on Ms. al-Sakani, who was 30 weeks pregnant.

The girls’ uncle said that Malak had wanted to name her little sister Rouh, the Arabic word for soul. The extended family decided instead to name her after her mother, Sabreen.

Sabreen weighed just three pounds at birth, said Dr. Mohammed Salama, head of the neonatal intensive care unit at Emirati Hospital. Her birth was captured on video by a journalist from the Reuters news agency, who filmed doctors providing artificial respiration to her after she emerged, pale and limp, from her mother.

Instead of a name, doctors initially wrote, “The baby of the martyr Sabreen al-Sakani” on a piece of tape across her chest.

“The baby was delivered into a tragic situation,” Dr. Salama told Reuters, adding, “Even if this baby survives, she was born an orphan.”

— Hiba Yazbek Reporting from Jerusalem

Drone attack kills 4 workers in an Iraqi gas field, but no one claims responsibility.

A drone attack on a large gas field in Iraq’s Kurdistan region killed four workers and plunged much of eastern Kurdistan into darkness because it relies on gas to fuel its electrical plants, according to a Kurdistan regional government spokesman.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. While Iranian-backed armed groups have bases in the area, there are many competing interests in Kurdistan, leaving it unclear whether the attacks are part of the larger regional fight between Iran and Israel, which has intensified during the war in Gaza.

The Kurdistan region’s president, Nechirvan Barzani, condemned the attack and called on the government in Baghdad to investigate. “These attacks endanger the peace and stability of the country,” Mr. Barzani said, adding, “The representatives of the Iraqi federal government must do their duty to prevent these attacks and find the perpetrators from any side and punish them according to the law.”

Iraq’s joint command in Baghdad issued a statement calling the attack “sabotage,” confirming that a drone was used. The statement said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani had ordered an investigation.

Friday’s drone attack was the second so far this year on the Khor Mor field in Sulaymaniyah Province. The last one, in January, did not inflict casualties.

“Four Yemeni workers have been killed, and the field has been severely damaged, which will cause electricity shortages,” said Peshawa Hawramani, a spokesman for the Kurdistan regional government.

Almost a million people in Sulaymaniyah Province were left without power, along with thousands more in adjacent provinces. It took about 24 hours to restore electricity after the last attack, but because the damage was greater this time, Kurdish authorities said it could take longer. While hospitals and security services have large generators, many ordinary residents have access only to limited power from shared generators.

Claims of responsibility were never made for previous attacks on the gas field, which is operated by Dana Gas, based in the United Arab Emirates, and a related company, Crescent Petroleum.

While the drone attack could stem from the regional conflict between Iran and Israel, there are other tensions in the region — between internal Iraqi factions and between Baghdad and Kurdistan. There has been a multiyear effort by the Iraqi federal government in Baghdad and the courts to reduce the Kurdistan region’s control over its natural resources.

At the same time, there is tension between Iran and Iraq over any efforts by Iraq to expand domestic gas production. Iran sells about $4 billion of gas to Iraq each year because Iraq does not have enough gas to fuel its electricity plants. Kurdistan and the Iraqi government had been discussing expansion of the Khor Mor field.

Kamil Kakol contributed reporting from Sulaymaniyah Province, Iraq .

— Alissa J. Rubin Reporting from Baghdad

Rabbis are arrested near the Gaza-Israel border at a rally to highlight starvation.

Police arrest group of rabbis and activists near gaza, the israeli police arrested rabbis and peace activists near the border with gaza..

[singing] You can arrest us, but we’re going to walk slowly, our way towards the crossing.

Seven rabbis and peace activists were arrested on Friday near the border with Gaza after they tried to take food supplies into the territory, according to two participants and the campaign group that organized the effort.

The detainees were among a group of roughly 30 rabbis and activists from Israel and the United States who were stopped by police officers as they tried to reach the Erez crossing, a major transit point between Israel and northern Gaza.

Organized by Rabbis for Ceasefire, a peace movement based in the United States, the effort was intended to build support for a truce and to highlight rising reports of starvation in Gaza . A global authority on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, has predicted an imminent famine in northern Gaza, the area of the territory closest to Erez.

The protest was timed to coincide with the week of Passover , a Jewish festival that celebrates the biblical story of the liberation of Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt.

“We were making the point that Jewish liberation is bound up with Palestinian liberation, that we want freedom for all,” said Toba Spitzer, a rabbi from Boston who attended the protest but was not arrested.

The group had tried to drive into Gaza with a pickup truck carrying half a ton of rice and flour but was stopped roughly a third of a mile from the border, Rabbi Spitzer said. The effort was largely symbolic and the organizers expected it to fail given the restrictions along the border; the supplies will now be donated to needy Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Rabbi Spitzer said.

The Israeli police did not respond to requests for comment.

The author Ayelet Waldman of Berkeley, Calif., was among those arrested, her husband, the author Michael Chabon, said on Instagram .

There are widespread food shortages in Gaza. Israeli restrictions on where convoys can enter the strip, Israeli bombardment and widespread damage to roads, the collapse of Gazan agriculture, and a breakdown in law and order have all made it harder to distribute aid safely.

Aid groups and United Nations officials have accused Israel of systematically limiting aid delivery. Israel denies the assertion, blaming the shortages on logistical failures by aid groups, and has recently increased the number of trucks entering the strip.

Israeli officials say that the Erez crossing, which was primarily used for pedestrian traffic before the war, is difficult to use for aid delivery because it lacks the right infrastructure and was also badly damaged during the Hamas-led raid on Israel in October.

A majority of Jewish Israelis oppose the delivery of more aid to Gaza, according to a poll conducted in February by the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based research group.

Israeli protesters regularly gather at another crossing point farther south, trying to block aid convoys entering Gaza .

— Patrick Kingsley and Rawan Sheikh Ahmad Reporting from Jerusalem and from Haifa, Israel

The U.S. Army has begun work on a floating pier to move aid from ships into Gaza, the Pentagon says.

Army engineers on Thursday began construction of a floating pier and causeway for humanitarian aid off the coast of Gaza, which, when completed, could help relief workers deliver as many as two million meals a day for the enclave’s residents, Defense Department officials said.

The construction on the “initial stages of the temporary pier and causeway at sea” means that the project’s timing is in line with what Pentagon officials had predicted, Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Defense Department’s press secretary, said. The construction is meant to allow humanitarian aid to bypass Israeli restrictions on land convoys into the besieged strip.

General Ryder said that defense officials expected the project, ordered up by President Biden early last month, to be completed early next month. The facility is meant to include an offshore platform to transfer aid from ships, and a floating pier to bring the aid to shore.

Aid organizations have welcomed the plan, which will be an addition to the airdrops of humanitarian supplies that the U.S. military has been conducting over Gaza. But aid workers say, and defense officials have acknowledged, that the maritime project is not an adequate substitute for land convoys. Such aid convoys fell sharply when the war began more than six months ago and have only partly recovered .

Some U.S. military officials have also privately expressed security concerns about the project, and General Ryder said that the military was looking into a mortar attack on Wednesday that caused minimal damage in the area where some pier work is supposed to be done. However, he said, U.S. forces had not started moving anything into the area at the time of the mortar attacks.

The floating pier is being built alongside an Army ship off the Gaza coast. Army ships are large, lumbering vessels, so they have armed escorts, particularly as they get within range of Gaza’s coast, defense officials have said.

The United Nations says famine is likely to set in within Gaza by the end of May.

Aid workers have described bottlenecks for aid at border crossings because of lengthy inspections of trucks, limited crossing hours and protests by Israelis, and they have highlighted the difficulty of distributing aid inside Gaza. Israeli officials have denied that they are hampering the flow of aid, saying the United Nations and aid groups are responsible for any backlogs.

Senior Biden administration and military officials detailed a complex plan in a Pentagon call with reporters on Thursday afternoon, explaining how the pier and causeway are being put together, and how it is supposed to work. Army engineers are constructing the facility aboard Navy ships in the eastern Mediterranean. One official said that the “at-sea assembly of key pieces” of the pier began on Thursday.

Biden officials are insistent that the Pentagon can carry out aid deliveries through the floating pier without putting American boots on the ground in Gaza. Officials described a complicated shuttle system, through which aid would be loaded onto Navy ships in Cyprus and transported to a causeway — a floating platform — at sea.

The Pentagon’s military acronym for the project is J-Lots, for Joint Logistics Over the Shore.

The causeway at sea is different from the floating pier where the aid will be offloaded into Gaza. An engineering unit with the Israeli military will anchor the floating pier to the Gaza shore, a senior military official told reporters in the Pentagon call.

Shuttle boats run by aid organizations, the United Nations or other countries are then expected to transport the aid to the floating pier, where it is to be loaded onto trucks driven by “a third party,” the official said. He declined to identify the third party.

The official said that Israel was dedicating a brigade to provide security for the American troops and aid workers working on the pier.

The operation is expected to bring in enough aid for around 90 trucks a day, a number that will increase to 150 trucks a day when the system reaches full operating capacity, the official said.

— Helene Cooper Reporting from Washington

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Detroit Lions' 2024 NFL Draft Grades

All Lions provides its grades for the Detroit Lions' 2024 NFL Draft class.

• Author: Logan Lamorandier

In this story:

The 2024 NFL Draft has concluded, and the Detroit Lions have their new class of rookies finalized. Naturally, it’s time to grade the Lions’ haul. General manager Brad Holmes did his typical wheeling and dealing, moving all around the board.

While Holmes has demonstrated that he is an elite-drafting GM, it doesn’t mean I can’t give my opinion on each selection. Obviously, the Lions ' scouting department has done much more homework, and knows much more about each prospect than I ever could. Holmes has rightfully earned the trust of the fans when it comes to his selections.

As I point out every year, I don’t do my draft grades on an A-to-C scale, like most draft evaluators. A “C” from me is considered average, and isn’t necessarily a bad grade .

Grading scale: •   A = Great •       B = Good •       C = Average •       D = Poor •       F = Horrible

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

(First round, No. 24 overall)

•       6-foot •   189 pounds •       4.50-second 40-yard dash •       37-inch vertical •       Logan’s big board rank: No. 16 •       Personal selection: DT Jer'Zhan Newton

As Arnold fell down the draft board, Holmes couldn’t resist getting so close to a top corner and not coming away with him. In doing so, he gave up a third-rounder to move up five spots. Yes, cornerback was the Lions' biggest position of need. But, was it worth giving up a Day 2 pick, instead of "settling" for another talented corner, such as Arnold’s teammate, Kool-Aid McKinstry? That’s a tough call for me.

As a player, Arnold does so many different things well. There’s a reason many analysts had him as the top cornerback in the entire draft. The first-team All-American led the highly competitive SEC in both interceptions (5) and passes defended. It is important to note that Arnold was also targeted (64) a healthy dose more than most of the other top cornerbacks in the class. Maybe that is because of McKinstry playing on the opposite side, who saw just 36 targets. Overall, Arnold allowed an impressive 49.1 passer rating against in 2023.

More quick than fast, Arnold has fluid hips, and is very sticky on wide receivers. Despite basketball being his first love and being recruited as a safety, his instincts as a corner and ability to read routes are top-notch.

In the run game, he is physical, and he had the highest Pro Football Focus run-defense grade (90.2) of any FBS defensive back in the draft. Arnold also has the versatility to play outside and in the slot.

Perhaps the best football is still ahead of Arnold. Recently turning 21 years old, Arnold has continued to improve every season. Outside of elite top-end speed, Arnold is about as complete a prospect as possible.

What grade do you give #Lions GM Brad Holmes for selecting #Alabama CB Terrion Arnold? — Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) April 26, 2024

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri

(Second round, No. 61 overall)

• 5-foot-11 • 183 pounds • 4.51-second 40-yard dash • 4.38-second short shuttle • Logan’s big board rank: No. 53 • Personal selection: OG Cooper Beebe

Maybe it was a bit of surprise drafting back-to-back cornerbacks. Considering another corner was the Lions' best player available, though, it never hurts to add youth or depth at a weaker spot on the team.

Before the combine, Rakestraw had some first-round buzz. After average testing with a slender frame, the hype cooled down, and he was solidified more in the range of a second-round selection. Despite his size, he plays much bigger and looks for contact. I don’t think it’s a mistake that Holmes grabbed the top two run-defense-graded cornerbacks in this draft class – Rakestraw finished only behind Arnold in that department.

Rakestraw has more similarities to Arnold , as well. The Missouri product has excellent burst, fluidity, inside-out versatility and route recognition. Neither player has great timed deep speed. Despite impressive 10-yard splits, the "flying 20" – the last 20 yards of a 40-yard dash or usually “top-end” speed – was well below average.

In coverage, Rakestraw can play in multiple schemes. However, his zone-coverage grade of 85.2, compared to his man coverage grade of 56.6 in 2023, was quite the disparity. For ball production, Rakestraw gets his hands on plenty of passes, yet only recorded one interception in his college career.

There is an injury history associated with Rakestraw, too, as he tore his ACL in 2021 and dealt with a groin injury last season that supposedly hampered him during the draft process. Maybe the lingering injury played a part in the 4.51 40-yard dash at the combine. Still, he then ran a 4.56-second 40 at his pro day a few weeks later.

Overall, Rakestraw’s intangibles and on-field aggressiveness make him a unique talent.

What grade do you give #Lions GM Brad Holmes for selecting Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw, Jr. in the second round? — Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) April 27, 2024

Giovanni Manu, OT, University of British Columbia

(Fourth round, No. 126 overall)

• 6-foot-7 • 352 pounds • 5.03-second 40-yard dash • 23-reps bench press • Logan’s big board rank: n/a • Personal selection: S Jaden Hicks

The Lions gave up a 2025 third-round pick to select Manu in the fourth round. Manu was originally put on my radar after all the top-30 visits -- including with the Lions -- he went on after an unreal pro day. You just don’t see many 352-pounders run as fast as he did. Not that a 40-time is all that important for a lineman, it just demonstrates the type of athlete he is. More importantly are his agility drills, in which he did not perform as well. Perhaps he was not as adequately trained in the short shuttle and 3-cone drill as combine athletes, though.

I won’t lie, I couldn’t watch much film on Manu . The common theme in evaluations is that Manu is extremely raw and needs a few years of seasoning. Given the lack of tackle depth, a more pro-ready swing tackle would have been preferred by me.

This pick feels a lot like the selection of Brodric Martin last year. A big ball of clay with some promise who was picked a lot sooner than many expected. At its ceiling, this pick could look great in the future if -- and it’s a big if -- Manu progresses and lives up to his full potential. The Philadelphia Eagles took a risk on left tackle Jordan Mailata, albeit just a seventh-round pick in 2018, and they were greatly rewarded. Mailata also had much better movement skills and longer arms than Manu, though.

At the end of the day, I am relying on Holmes knowing much more than most. It just seems like a lot given up and a very large risk at this stage of the draft.

What grade do you give #Lions GM Brad Holmes for drafting British Columbia OT Giovanni Manu in round 4? — Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) April 27, 2024

Sione Vaki, RB/S, Utah

(Fourth round, No. 132 overall)

• 5-foot-11 • 210 pounds • 4.62-second 40-yard dash • 39.5-inch vertical • Logan’s big board rank: No. 196 • Personal selection: CB Kris Abrams-Draine

The big question is what position will Vaki play. He was a safety during his time in Utah, and led the team in total defensive snaps last season. However, due to injuries in the offensive backfield, he was called upon at running back. He proceeded to rush for 317 yards, to go along with 203 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

For someone weighing 210 pounds, he is a good linear athlete. He also improved his 40-yard dash time to 4.51 seconds at his pro day. The second-team All-American safety played plenty of deep snaps, but he seems to do his best work close to the box when he can come downhill in run support. Vaki isn’t necessarily a reliable tackler, though, posting a 14.3 percent missed tackle rate in 2023. When he hits a ball carrier, they feel it. In coverage, he seems to lack instinct and is rarely in position to make plays on the ball.

If the Lions plan to use him on the offensive side of the ball, he would likely be a depth option at best.

No matter what position Vaki settles in at, his special teams value will be immediate. This guy is just a football player, with an excellent work ethic and high-end character.

What grade do you give #Lions GM Brad Holmes for drafting Utah S/RB Sione Vaki Utah in round 4? — Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) April 27, 2024

Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU

(Sixth round, No. 189 overall)

• 6-foot • 284 pounds • 4.85-second 40-yard dash • 25-reps bench press • Logan’s big board rank: No. 113 • Personal selection: CB Kamal Hadden

Although I didn’t love the previous two selections, the last two selections of Holmes' draft might be my favorite ones. The Lions needed a defensive tackle that can quickly get into the backfield. The redshirt junior doesn’t have great length, yet uses his hands really well to help make up for it.

Wingo's 1.63-second 10-yard split is rare. That’s faster than a lot of EDGE players, and it’s coming from a compact 284-pounder. At the college level, he never really reached his full potential, after being named SEC All-Freshman while at Missouri. He wasn’t ever overly productive, either, which was probably the reason he was still available in the sixth round. Even though he racked up 4.5 sacks in 2023 while missing five games due to a groin injury, his 7.2 percent pass-rush win rate last year is nothing extraordinary. Wingo rarely ever leaving the field could also have something to do with an average win rate, though. He is the definition of an "iron man." Even with the groin injury last year, the team captain was set on returning for the Tigers' bowl game. That’s rare in today’s age.

At this stage in the draft, really any type of on-field usage is considered a win. Yes, Wingo might only be a pass-rush specialist at the next level, but interior rushing ability is important.

What grade do you give #Lions GM Brad Holmes for drafting LSU DT Mekhi Wingo in round 6? — Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) April 27, 2024

Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College

(Sixth round, No. 210 overall)

• 6-foot-3 • 314 pounds • 5.13-second 40-yard dash • 4.53-second short shuttle • Logan’s big board rank: No. 149 • Personal selection: WR Brenden Rice

The Lions were able to get a potential future starter in the late sixth round, in my opinion. Mahogany has the power, mauler mentality and agility that the coaching staff will love – an impressive combination. Known more as a run-blocker, that’s not to say he is a liability in the pass-blocking department. There are some flaws he could clean up. Still, the first-team All-ACC guard didn’t allow a sack or even a QB hit on 422 pass-blocking snaps in 2023.

Behind the starters, the Lions needed interior depth, and I am comfortable with Mahogany coming in right away and filling that role.

What grade do you give #Lions GM Brad Holmes for drafting Boston College OG Christian Mahogany in round 6? — Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) April 27, 2024

OVERALL GRADE:

Brad Holmes could do pretty much whatever he wanted this draft, and I would trust his judgment. Despite being a bit critical on a couple of selections, the talent he acquired at positions of need is highly encouraging. If the Lions had better cornerback play last season, that could have been potentially the difference between making the Super Bowl and falling short in the NFC Championship Game. I have no problem with their top four original picks (No. 29, 61, 73, 92) all being allocated to upgrade their secondary.

Holmes has had some excellent drafts during his tenure in Detroit, yet this might be my favorite so far in terms of the value at each selection. There wasn’t any top-10 overall picks like in years past, so maybe this class won’t be quite as impactful early on. However, I still see plenty of meaningful contributions coming from these prospects immediately and even more into the future.

Final Grade: A-

What final grade do you give #Lions GM Brad Holmes for his 2024 draft? — Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) April 27, 2024

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