7 Tips on How to Plan Your Next Group Trip

The most interesting and popular tourist destinations for travellers worldwide are often very crowded and, at times, very expensive. Add to that the money you must put in just to get to the destination. Travelling alone usually becomes costly and if you want the best outcome, travelling in groups is often a great compromise. Planning your trip is vital. Things, however, can be different when it comes to group trips. Here are a few things you should consider while planning your group trip.

1. Look For a Proper Accommodation

Perhaps, the most important thing to plan for is the choice of accommodation. Do you want to stay in a hotel, a self-catering apartment or a motel? Does everyone want to stay together or go separately?

While certain groups might stick together day and night, some want to have a little flexibility when it comes to choosing their own accommodations, hotels, or hostels. 

If you know that talking to and travelling with a group will exhaust you socially, it might be good to get a private room to help relax after a long day of touring. If you love the group atmosphere, you might consider sharing a rented apartment or luxury suite together. You’ll save money, strengthen your bonds, and have a more comfortable place to stay.

2. Select a Leader

To prevent chaos and disorder on your trip, it is much better to select a member as the leader of the group. He or she will be in charge of most of the planning and will be able to mediate when disputes arise.

A good leader has to be firm but, at the same time, democratic. He or she has to be able to listen to everybody and take most of the responsibility for the trip. Sometimes, there can be several leaders in charge of different things, and this division of labour might be necessary for an enjoyable trip with friends.

3. Set a Budget Limit

The group together has to decide how much money they are willing to spend. And then everybody has to chip in a fair amount, making it a trip budget. The leader or the organiser can then use that money for group accommodations, meals, transportation and other activities the group does together. The budget has to be carefully predicted and spent so that the group doesn’t end up broke in the middle of the vacation.

Each individual can still spend their own money for personal expenses or buying favourite items, but that would be separate from the group budget. In the end, if there is some money left, the leader can split it up equally. 

4. Plan in Advance

Nothing is more important than pre-planning. Your plan will include the range of activities everyone will do as a group or individually, the places you will stay, and the attractions you will see.

While it is great to have a plan, don’t be overzealous or strict about things. Always have some leeway on how the vacation goes and what will happen. There must also be some time left for each individual to do what they want, some alone time, or an opportunity for everyone to go through their own personal adventure. 

5. Rent a Car

*Photo by Nick Rice on Flickr

Some tourist destinations are in remote locations and require a tour bus, ferry, or boat to get you there. Walking tours are another way to see a new place but can get exhausting. If you have time to yourself for extra exploring, the best way to enjoy one is to drive through using a rented car or van. This will allow you to take in the scenery at your own pace from the comfort of your car. 

If your group allows, you can even rent a car individually for yourself. Talk to your guide about what sights the group might miss that day and see if you can reach them on your own outside the group. A car will give you the freedom to go where you wish as well.

6. Create a List of Attractions and Preferences

*Photo by mike dewar on Flickr

It is also a good idea to list all the things people in the group like as a whole, as well as things they like individually. This way, the group will have a better grasp of each other’s preferences and desires. There might be some activity everyone likes while something else is only pleasant for only a few.

Creating such a list is a great way to harmonise the group and avoid unnecessary disputes and conflicts. For instance, the group can split up based on their preferences, and a few of them spend the day shopping while others go sightseeing.

7. Have a Routine

It is good for the group to decide on their daily routine. When is everyone going to wake up? What time is the breakfast and how long should it take? Should the group lunch together and can do it separately while doing their own stuff during the day? What time at night should the lights go out? Questions like these have to be answered and pre-planned.

It is better to take it easy and not be harsh on such routines. However, having a plan of the day in mind will help everyone to do their activities calmly and with much less stress.