9 Tricks to Make Planning Your Next Trip Easier

Going on a vacation is a fun opportunity for everyone involved. You can take some time to acquaint yourself with a new area of a country, try new foods, experience a different culture, or explore. You can also build up many new memories. When it comes the time to get ready for a vacation, there are some tips that can make it easier to plan.

1. Save Some Money Beforehand

One of the things that can make planning easier is saving some money. Saving beforehand will allow you to set a budget for your trip. If you have enough money, you'll be able to avoid some of the concerns when eating out, paying for museums or tours, and other small expenses.  

Your budget may impact what time of year you travel, what accommodations you book, and how you get to your destination. With this knowledge, the preliminary choices you have to make are immediately made easier. After all, there's no reason to include a five-star hotel on your list if you know you cannot afford it ahead of time.

2. Planning Early Is Planning Smart

Often, last-minute planning serves as a significant source of stress and frustration before travelling. According to a study shared in Harvard Business Review, planning more than a month ahead contributes to a positive vacation experience. This is also an excellent time to research activities. Groupon and LivingSocial are budget-friendly resources for selecting activities in many cities, and their deals are time-sensitive.

Also, make sure everything is OK with your health. Visit a travel clinic to see if there is any vaccine to inject before leaving for a certain destination. Don’t forget to have your travel insurance on in case of emergencies.

3. Take Destination Lists into Account

*Photo by Mike's Alaska Travels on Flickr

If you're concerned with hitting all the locations on your list, planning is the time to ensure you can. If you have a list of possible destinations available ahead of time, you'll take less time trying to decide where to go once you get there. Taking everyone's considerations into account can ensure everyone in a family is reasonably satisfied with the choice. Consider how you'll travel from place to place, what can fit into one day, and so on.

4. Do Research on Your Destination

Wherever you want to go, you must research the place. You need to find out what is there to see, what attractions there are, and what are the best things to do.

You need to know what neighbourhoods are safe to walk or drive to, what hotels you can stay in and if it agrees with your budget.

Questions like these are crucial, and to find all the answers, you can check online travel blogs and guidebooks. There are also websites like Tripadvisor, where you can discover anything you need to know in a particular city or country.

5. Plan Your Transportation

*Photo by visualcause on Flickr

When you have finished listing your destinations, it is time to plan your itinerary. In other words, you need to find out how long it takes to go from one destination to the other, and what is the best means of transportation for that purpose.

Understanding public transportation in another country is sometimes tricky. It is essential to know if it is better to travel by bus, train or taxi. Use this pre-trip time to secure your method of transportation, whether you are flying, renting a car, or taking a train or bus. Perhaps renting a car is the best option, and in that case, what tips should you follow to get the most suitable deal on a vehicle?

6. Look at Gas Prices

Especially if you are renting a car, an awareness of gas prices is key. Gas prices can vary widely over different areas and even over different seasons. In some countries, the gas prices are too high, and taking your own vehicle is not worth it. 

You might also consider renting a car that gets better gas mileage if your regular vehicle is a gas guzzler. This will be a better idea for a long road trip when the gas prices are high.

7. Cluster Your Activities

*Photo by Dennis Jarvis on Flickr

Now that you’ve decided what to do on your trip, it’s time to schedule your activities. Clustering your activities by area is an effective way to maximise your vacation time. 

Combining activities and tours by location decreases the stress associated with navigating a new place and reduces the time spent travelling from one destination to another. A word of advice: Don’t overschedule your trip. Some flexibility in your schedule allows the opportunity for adventure.

8. Book Hotels and Attractions Ahead of Time

Booking could be a critical task depending on when you decide to take your trip. If concerts or sporting events are going on in a given location, hotel rooms could come at a premium, if you can find them at all. 

Be sure to book before you leave and ensure you have somewhere to stay. Even if you are sure that the time you are travelling is not very busy, try to book your first night at least, so you will not be wandering around helplessly. 

9. Read Online Reviews

Reading online reviews may take a bit of time, but will certainly be worth it. It will allow you to skip out on prominent attractions that might not be worth the visit, and it can also help you avoid lodging options that are not exactly up to the standards. Websites like Tripadvisor allow visitors to post reviews about sites and attractions. Be sure to check them out. 

Online reviews of hotels and serviced accommodations are also a great help and will stop you from choosing an accommodation that is not suitable for you.

Planning should not be a major hassle if you're looking to take a great vacation. By taking some of these steps to streamline your plans, you can ensure you’ll have the trip of a lifetime.