Planning a trip can be a daunting task, especially when it's being tackled for the first time. There are so many things to take into consideration: how you’re getting to your destination, finding things to do, creating a budget, and the list goes on!
I'm writing this post to break it down for you as easily as possible. Personally, I love to plan trips because I get to deep dive into research on faraway places and fantasize about my perfect trip, so it hypes me up for what's to come. This step-by-step guide below is how I tend to go about planning my trips, and it'll hopefully take away some of the stress planning can bring.
Let's get started, shall we?
Step 1: What Type of Trip Are You Planning?
So first things first... what kind of trip are you planning? Is it a family vacation, a group trip, or solo travel? Taking note of that first is the most important thing because it will affect all other decisions you make concerning your trip, including your budget. Another thing to consider is whether or not you plan for this trip to be more relaxing and less activity-driven, or filled with adventure and activities all packed into your trip dates.
Step 2: Keep It All Together
Keeping organized is KEY. This is true for most trip planning, and having a space that holds all important research findings and booking confirmations is important. My go-to for group trips are the Notes app for iPhone, or Google Docs because with either of these platforms you can add viewers/editors to the document. This gives access to all information for your trip, and it can be edited as needed in real time. Another great app for use in solo travel or travel in general is the TripIt app. It takes all of your email confirmations for flights, hotels, restaurant reservations, etc and puts it all into one itinerary for you. Check out my post on the best apps for travel here for more detailed info.
Step 3: Choose a Destination
When finally deciding on the destination for your trip, you want to consider a few things:
What's your budget/price range? You may want to choose cheaper destinations like certain Central/South American countries, or countries where the flight may be a little pricey, but once there, your American dollar gets you further (think Bali, Vietnam or Thailand). Are you willing to spend a little more in destinations like Las Vegas, Paris, or Switzerland? (Note that even 'pricier' destinations can be well-traveled on a budget so don't immediately limit yourself!)
What does the destination have to offer in terms of your interests?
What are the current travel restrictions for your destination?
As a woman, and a Black one at that, noting the safety of an area is very important for me. This is especially true for solo travel. I make sure to thoroughly research the destination in terms of safe and unsafe areas of the destination I'll be visiting so I know where to avoid.
*Once a destination is chosen, a quick way to find a general itinerary for your trip is to search 'x trip itinerary' or 'x itinerary x days'. For example, 'Paris trip itinerary' or 'Paris itinerary 7 days'.
Step 4: Pick Your Trip Dates
Now it's time to decide when you'll go on this trip, and for how long. When planning a trip, your best bet is to be as flexible with dates as possible. Everyone's preferences for this will be different, but a few things to consider are:
Weather: What's the weather going to be like during your trip dates? For example, if you plan to visit New York in January, but hate frigid temps, visiting then might not be for you. Also check for a destination's rainy/hurricane/typhoon season and try to avoid that, even though these dates tend to run cheaper flight and accommodation costs.
Peak/Low Season: This also has to do with weather, but make sure to research when the peak and low seasons are for your destination as this will more than likely determine price ranges for flights, etc. December/January flights to Ghana tend to be much higher because that is when many parties and festivals happen there.
Festivals/Holidays: This also plays into the peak/low season of a destination, but be sure to research if any big holidays or festivals will be going on during your preferred trip dates. This could mean sky high flight and hotel prices, or it could mean having no access to certain businesses because of holiday closures.
Step 5: Transportation
Consider the multitude of ways to travel to and within your destination:
Plane - Flights tend to be the priciest portion of a trip, but they don't have to be! There's a multitude of ways to find cheap flights. I also suggest having flights booked at least 2-3 months before you plan to depart.
Cruise/Boat/Ferry - Depending on the destination, taking a cruise can be a great option for travel, while other destinations may require ferry or boat rides to reach them.
Train/Metro - For example, many European countries are easier to explore using their train and metro systems, so take this into consideration when planning your trip!
Bus - Buses are another transportation option, and they are usually a more budget-friendly option, but tend to mean longer travel times.
Car/Bike - This includes the purchase of a rental car, or using ride service apps like Uber, Lyft, Grab, and GoJek.
Step 6: Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation, there are so many options to choose from, but choosing the right place to stay will depend on the preferences of you and/or your group. Some options include:
-Hotels
-Hostels
-Airbnbs
-Home stays
-Villas
-Couchsurfing (yes, this is an actual thing! There is a website/app and everything! I've never done it, but I know people who have and the reviews were positive. While there is always a risk, I have seen women suggest staying with other women or families.)
Step 7: Activities & Sights
Here is where a lot of the nitty-gritty planning will come into play, depending on the type of trip you're hoping to have. This can range from lounging by the pool all day doing absolutely nothing, or having a jam-packed day filled with sight-seeing and adventurous outdoor activities. There are a host of different sites that can give you suggestions on things to do, as well as serve as ticket purchasing sites. Here are a few of my go-tos where I tend to find the best deals.
Trip Advisor
Get Your Guide
Viator
Groupon
Airbnb Experiences
Tip #1: Always read through the reviews! It will give you insight into whether or not the experience is as advertised, or whether its worth purchasing.
Tip #2: Don't be afraid to ask for help! I like to join different travel Facebook groups so that I can ask for suggestions on things to do from people who either live in the location or who have already visited. A few that I like are The Travel Corner, The Solo Female Travel Network, and Black Folks Travel Too! Trip Advisor forums are great to get information like this as well.
Step 8: Food and Drink
In terms of finding great places to eat and drink, I like to check out tons of different platforms to see what interests me and my tastebuds. You can check through hashtags on Instagram like #(city)food #(city)restaurants or #(city)bars. Tik Tok is also a platform that I've recently discovered that has great recommendations as well. You can search the same way with hashtags or geotags. Another option is to check on YouTube and watch food vlogs to get an idea of what a city has to offer. You can also just ask Google to help you out; simply searching 'Best restaurants in x city' or 'cool bars in x city' will turn up lots of results for you to go through.
Step 9: Plan What to Pack
Okay, so your trip is all booked and planned out, and now you need to get a packing list together. Of course this will all depend on the destination, your activities, and the weather, but here's a general guide of what to bring.
Identification (Driver's license, ID, Passport) *Don't forget to make copies of these in case you lose them!
Money: Cash, Credit/Debit cards
Phone
Any extra forms (Negative PCR test, proof of vaccination, etc.) or visas
Theft-resistant backpack, crossbody bag, bum bag or fanny-pack
Portable charger
International adaptor (if needed)
Comfortable shoes
Toiletries
Sunscreen
Undergarments
Light jacket or sweater
Pajamas
Quick Tip: Always pack an extra pair of undergarments and change of clothes in your personal item/carry-on if you're checking your bag on a flight! This way, if your bag doesn't get to your destination at the same time as you, you'll have at least one backup outfit to wear until you get your luggage.
Save Your Confirmation Emails!
Anything that you book in advance, keep the email confirmations handy! You will most likely need them for confirmation later on in your trip, and will be necessary if any booking hiccups occur. Again, the TripIt app keeps everything for you all in one easy to find location. Super clutch.
Is There an App for That?
-TripIt (Trip planning/organization)
-Google Docs (Trip planning/organization)
-Google Maps (Directions & Transportation options)
-Google Translate (Language translation)
-Currency Converter (Tracking currency exchange abroad)
-Splitwise & Tab (Ideal for group trips when tabs need to be split)
-HotelTonight (Last minute hotel deals)
Great Sites for Bundle Deals
These sites are great to find bundle deals and vacation packages on hotels, flights, car rentals and more! (If you really want someone else to do the hard work for you and still come out with a pretty good deal)
A planned itinerary for your trip can help you avoid lots of different issues and miscommunication, but it's also great to leave room for free time, unexpected changes, and/or time to just go with the flow in your daily plans! Structure is nice, but spontaneity is what can make your trip one you reminisce on for years to come. Happy wandering!