The process of planning a holiday is an expecting part of your new upcoming holiday adventure, and it’s as some swear by simply purchasing a plane ticket. There is a lot to think about planning a trip, such as obtaining a visa, getting your vaccinations, and devising an itinerary. It can be stressful and time-consuming, but if you follow these 7 tips for planning a trip, you’ll be on your stress-free holiday before you know it!
- Budgeting
- Choose A Destination
- Location Research
- Plan an Itinerary
- Booking
- Plan Your Arrival
- Organise Paperwork
1. Plan a trip budget
The first planning a trip determines how much money you want to spend on your next adventure. Your travel budget will determine where you can go and how long you can stay on your trip.
Visit low-cost travel destinations such as Laos or Thailand if you have a limited budget. Reduce the length of your vacation to allow you to visit more expensive countries such as Portugal or Italy. Alternatively, by going on holiday close to home, you can save money on flights and travel by car or train.
2. Choose a destination
What kind of trip do you want to take?
Consider your options, favourite activities or the best trips you’ve ever taken. Do you prefer excitement or relaxation? City or country? Or maybe you’d like to try something completely different? Some countries may provide more than one type of trip, but it is best to plan a trip based on these categories. As an example:
Adventure
Are you looking for action and adrenaline-pumping experiences? Choose countries with a variety of outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery. Hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, jungle trekking, surfing, and diving are popular activities in Asia.
Relaxation
Imagine yourself lying on the soft white sand, swinging in a hammock, sipping on coconuts under the swaying palm trees. If so, choose countries known for their beautiful beaches or islands. For example, the Maldives, Thailand, or Greece.
Culture
Suppose you enjoy learning while travelling, consider visiting a country with a fascinating history or well-preserved traditions. Cambodia, Oman, and Peru, for example. Understanding a country’s culture and meeting its people is one of the most enjoyable aspects of travelling!
Food
Do you think it’s silly to choose a holiday destination based on its food? Consider again! One of the most delicious and enjoyable aspects of travelling is sampling the local cuisine. Plan a trip around your favourite foods. Consider India, Italy, or Indonesia. Yum!
Transport
Many countries are well-known for their scenic journeys. For instance, consider the famous train journey from Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka, the legendary motorbike loops in Vietnam, or the enthralling Silk Road in Uzbekistan.
When are you going to travel?
You’ve most likely scheduled a specific time off work. As a result, consider the seasons and which countries are best to visit at that time of year when planning a trip.
- Investigate the high and low seasons to determine when a country will be expensive or inexpensive.
- Investigate weather patterns. For example, the Philippines has a typhoon season and two distinct high seasons per region.
- Consider why you are visiting that country. If you’re going to Vietnam for the green rice paddies, go when they’re at their lushest.
- Consider public holidays and festivals. You may want to visit a country for a specific celebration; however, public holidays can sometimes cause disruption.
What are the Visa basic requirements?
It is critical to check the visa requirements for your nationality before planning a trip to another country. In some cases, entering the destination country necessitates using a travel document.
3. Location research
Research is essential when planning a trip, especially one that will take you across the country. To conduct your research, consult the following sources:
- Pinterest and Instagram can be used to plan a trip
Pinterest and Instagram are great places to do travel blogs and photo inspiration. Use hashtags or the search bar to find your destination. This is a great way to discover gems you might not have discovered otherwise.
- To plan a trip, consult travel blogs and guides
Reading, reading, reading! Using travel blogs and travel guides on the internet to develop ideas for what you want to see in a particular country is a great way to get started.
4. Plan a Trip Itinerary
After finishing your research, it’s time to put the puzzle pieces together and plan your day-to-day travel itinerary. Pin the locations from your research to Google Maps to get a clear picture of the distances between them.
5. Booking your trip
It’s that exciting time when you’re finally ready to book that trip you’ve been dreaming about!
- Booking flights or trains
Compare prices from the airline directly. Occasionally, the airline will run a promotion, in which case the price will be significantly lower. Furthermore, stopovers are a great way to save money on your flight while adding another location to your itinerary!
- Booking Accommodation
Use your itinerary to determine where you need to stay and research the best areas to remain. Is it better to be in the centre of town, close to tourist attractions, or near the beach for relaxation?
6. Plan Out Your Arrival
When you don’t know where you’re going after a long train ride or flight, arriving at your destination can be stressful. When planning a trip, remember to.
7. Organise Important Paperwork
Keeping important paperwork organised is an important part of trip planning. Don’t forget to include:
- Apply for a visa
Whether you need one, you can get one online or at your local embassy. Some countries require you to apply for a visa upon arrival, which may necessitate carrying a passport photo. May need to pay a fee, so make sure you have the correct amount in the valid currency.
- Book travel insurance
It is preferable to be safe than sorry!
- Get vaccinations
You may require travel to a high-risk country for certain diseases. It’s not enjoyable, but it’s necessary!
- Buy medication
That you may require for the duration of the trip; for example, if you’re travelling to Africa, you might need malaria pills. This is something to think about when organising a trip.
- Order a travel card
For example, a Wise travel card (formerly Transferwise) will not charge you fees when withdrawing money from a bank in another country. This method also protects your money because if your card is stolen, the thief will not access your main bank account.
- Copy and print your important documents
Keep things safely in your hand luggage, so you don’t lose them; always have a copy on hand. Take extra passport photos for long-term travellers!
