From weekend getaways with your besties to epic family vacations, trips come in all shapes and sizes. But the basics of planning a trip are universal, from booking your flights and accommodation to researching local attractions and activities.
One of the first things you’ll want to do when planning a trip is decide what kind of traveler you are. This may seem like a simple question, but it can actually influence all of your trip decisions. For example, are you a budget traveler looking to save money or are you more of a luxury traveler who’s willing to splurge?
You’ll also need to consider the time of year you want to go and where you want to visit. There are often better times to visit certain destinations, such as seeing the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C or driving the Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier National Park.
Another important decision is how long you want your trip to be. This can be influenced by how much you want to see and do and how far away your destination is. If it’s only a three-hour flight, you can get away with just a few days, but for longer trips, more than that may start to feel rushed and tiring.
Next, make a list of the places you really want to experience during your trip and then create a schedule of when you want to do them. Don’t overplan your trip though; it can be difficult to stick to a regimented schedule while on vacation and you might end up missing some great experiences. plan your trip