How to plan a Trip: 8 Steps

In this article, you will learn how to make a plan for a trip so that it leaves only the best impressions after. We will tell you step by step how to plan a trip, what should be considered when choosing a transport and why it is so important to budget a trip in advance.

How to Plan a travel itinerary: 8 Steps

We have created a step-by-step guide for you that will help plan your trip on your own.

Step 1. Choosing a destination and duration of the trip

When choosing a vacation spot, be guided by your preferences. But if you are making a plan for a trip for family vacation, consider the availability of entertainment for children — parks, cinemas, water parks.

After choosing a place, determine how long it will take you to get there and back. Thus you can calculate the optimal number of vacation days.

Step 2. Transport and accommodation

Clarify where the bus and railway stations you need are located, how municipal transport runs, and whether there is an airport nearby. Get as much information as possible. Be sure to have extra time for connections.

Register on rental services websites, subscribe to mailing lists of local hotels. Think if you have acquaintances in the country of travel. Firstly, this is a pleasant communication, and secondly, you can arrange an overnight stay in advance in case of an unforeseen situation.

At the same time, you should be careful and attentive so as not to become a victim of scammers.

Read also: How tourists are deceived: 8 fraud schemes

Step 3. Travel budget

If you don't know how to plan a trip, follow the next tips. After you choose the place, number of days and transport, you need to draw up a budget for the trip.

The budget should include:

• transport expenses;
• housing;
• meals;
• entertainment;
• insurance.

Add at least 10% to the amount received for unforeseen expenses. It would be useful to read how much tourists spend on average per day in this country or area in travel blogs, how much is a common tip.

Want to save? Travel in the off season. It is better to book domestic flights 4-8 weeks in advance, international flights 3-6 months in advance. Early booking usually helps to save money.

Yesim's mobile internet app will help you save on communications — a simple registration process, good pricing and customer service worldwide.

Step 4. Preparing Documents

If you ask experienced tourists how to plan a trip yourself, they will advise you to carefully approach the issue of preparing documents.

• Check the expiration dates of your passports.
• If you need a visa, get it in advance.
• Purchase travel insurance — it will be useful in case of an accident, loss of luggage or unforeseen weather conditions.
• Check if you have all the necessary vaccinations and what is the current epidemiological situation in the country of your visit.

Are you planning to pay abroad with your bank card? Make sure that it has funds and permission from the bank to make financial transactions abroad.

Step 5. Buying tickets and booking accommodation

There are many online services for buying tickets and booking accommodation. Mobile applications for tourists will help you quickly find the best travel and accommodation options.

After choosing and booking accommodation, print out the reservations and write down the contacts of the landlord or hotel separately. Find out check-in hours.

When you look for information on how to plan a travel itinerary on your own, you may come across such a thing as couchsurfing. This is an international hospitality service for travelers. The essence of couchsurfing is that people host you for free at home, and then you invite them to your place. This option is suitable for maximum immersion in the environment, helps to make new acquaintances. Before couchsurfing, carefully read reviews about people, find this address using Google Maps, see where it is located and whether it is convenient to get to it.

Book and buy tickets directly from the carrier, not from third-party resources. Register on the official websites of airlines and collect bonuses — they will be useful for your next trips.

Read also: Travel apps: TOP-11 of the best

Step 6. Make a List of Places You Want to See

Travel blogs, social networks and reviews on major resources will help you make decisions. Make a list depending on your preferences: a gastronomic tour, a relaxation tour, and maybe walking tours every day to a new area of the city.

Specify the opening hours of the museums, whether they are available for independent visits or if you need to pay for a tour.

Step 7. Finishing things

Preparing a plan for the trip, try to finish all urgent matters before leaving. If children or animals are left at home, leave clear instructions on what to do, how to feed, what to wear.

Leave relatives or friends the coordinates of the places where you will be staying, accommodation contacts and a route map.

If you are worried that they will not be able to cope without you, take care of a good Internet connection in order to be in touch 24/7.

One of the most profitable options for connecting to mobile Internet abroad is provided by Yesim, which operates globally.

Step 8 Gathering Things

Make separate lists for each category:

• clothes;
• gadgets;
• medicines;
• hygiene products;
• documents.

Choose clothes according to the weather as well as cultural norms in the country where you are going.

Keep paper copies of documents with you, and send electronic copies to your email. Be sure to check if you remember the password for your mailbox.

Read also: What to bring on a trip: a checklist of necessary things

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