HOW TO PLAN A TRIP IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS

1. PICK YOUR DESTINATION

It’s most likely the result of some stunning photos that have gone viral on social media, the scenic setting of a movie, or an enticing story about a friend’s recent trip abroad. Touring plans are frequently triggered by external factors.

Things to keep in mind before selecting a destination

• When a traveler’s mind desires to visit the beaches, mountains, or a forest, there is nothing to say. However, understanding how to plan a trip successfully requires selecting the appropriate destination based on the season.
• Find out when is the best time to visit each destination. The best time to visit beaches and mountains is usually different.
• When choosing a destination, keep the cost in mind. Some locations are more enjoyable to visit on a luxury budget than others. Going to a luxury destination during the shoulder season (a few weeks before or after the official ‘busy season’) can result in some good hotel and flight discounts.
• Safety of travelers is a prime concern people should address before starting on their journey (especially solo female travelers).
• Ease of accessibility or lack thereof is also a factor that can sway the decision of visiting a destination or not. Generally, the popular destinations have a lot of daily flights, trains, and good highway infrastructure to support the tourist influx.

2. DECIDE THE DURATION OF YOUR TRIP

There is a fine line between being bored and having fun at a destination. No destination, however, has a predetermined ideal duration. It frequently depends on the travelers’ touring plans and the purpose of their visit. Some travelers prefer to see new cities every day, whereas others prefer to take it slow and enjoy the subtle nuances of the places they visit. This is an important aspect of your trip planning that can help both your itinerary and your budget.

Things to keep in mind before deciding the duration of a trip

• A good trip planner must accurately estimate the number of days needed to visit a destination. A road trip planner would make a trip last longer, whereas a trip planned with flight tickets might be a little shorter.
• Trips, where the destination is within 8 hours, can also be done on a weekend provided that the night time is utilized for traveling.
• A trip with a lot of urban destinations will need more time in the sightseeing, and therefore a longer trip duration. Whereas a trip to a tropical beach town would not involve much sightseeing and hence, the duration can be shorter.
• When planning a trip that lasts more than seven days, it is best to leave one day free. This provides a buffer against things like flight/train delays, traffic jams, weather delays, or a change of heart to stay longer at a particular destination.

3. BOOK FLIGHTS, TRAIN, OR BUS TICKETS, AND ACCOMMODATION

Booking tickets for your flight, train, or bus transfer well in advance after the ideation stage is complete is an important step in learning how to plan your trip to perfection. Because flight and train tickets are subject to availability and price increases over time, booking a few months in advance will help you avoid unexpected costs on your initial budget. Whether you want to discover the hidden gems of Goa or sample the local cuisine of Rajasthan, planning ahead of time can help you have a stress-free journey.

Things to keep in mind while booking transfers and accommodation

• Only book the cheaper non-refundable flight or train tickets if you are absolutely certain of your vacation plans. Otherwise, it is advisable to book refundable tickets if booking well-in-advance.
• Flight prices fluctuate a lot, keep a track on flight prices by using Google Flights Tracker.
• Expect a surge in prices of flights and accommodations if you are booking tickets for a vacation that falls during the peak season of that particular destination.
• Use credit cards that give frequent flyer miles and points on every rupee spent on booking flights and hotels to earn great rewards and cash-backs.

4. PLAN THE DAY-WISE ACTIVITIES AND COURSE OF ACTION

When tour plans are made on a whim and a gut feeling, it always sounds fascinating and adventurous. The disadvantage of taking such trips is that the scheduling may go haywire on many days due to everything being so last-minute.

Things to keep in mind while planning day-wise activities

• Depending on the budget and time-at-disposal, getting a rough idea of what activities should be done on what day is a vital ingredient in understanding how to plan a trip perfectly.
• Transfers between destinations should be kept as much as possible during the evening/night. This will provide enough time for sightseeing and activities as most of them are only possible during the day-time.
• Most of the times, it is better to book activities like water sports, adventure sports, boat-rides, and safari rides at the destination itself to get a better price and some scope for bargaining.
• In the trip planner, keep only one or two activities in a day if the purpose of the trip is to relax and take it easy during the vacation.
• At some places, popular tourists activities like skiing, boating, scuba diving etc are closed during offseason. Check the availability of activities before going to the destination.

5. PACK DILIGENTLY AND MAKE ALL THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS

After you’ve made your reservations, it’s always a good idea to pack your belongings with the destination and the impact of external factors in mind. Weather, sociopolitical situations, and holiday seasons can all have a negative impact on travel plans. Travelers should do some research before embarking on their vacation to avoid having to change their plans due to these scenarios.

Things to keep in mind while packing for a vacation

• An extra shirt, sweater, pair of jeans, or jumper can always prove handy during trips where the weather is expected to be cold or rainy.
• Things like sunscreen, lotion, or mosquito repellent sound like unnecessary items but they are very vital in preventing any skin-related diseases
• As a part of cultural sensitivity and responsible tourism, travelers must research about the destination they are visiting. Reading about the do’s and don’ts is advisable in order to avoid causing any conflict or disrespect to the local people of the place to be visited.