Step by Step: How to Plan a Trip Yourself

Why Plan a Trip Yourself Instead of Using an Agency?

Why plan a trip yourself instead of using a travel agency? Planning your own trip gives you full control over your itinerary, budget, and experience. It’s worth trying at least once—you may find you prefer it and want to do it again.

These are my REASONS:

• 1️⃣. I prefer to refrain from joining group tours because they include places to visit that I’m not interested in. Like those stops in places to buy things you don’t want just because they get a commission if you do it.

• 2️⃣. When you organise it independently, you can plan your time as you want without constantly checking the time. Sometimes, guided tours leave you with too much spare time; other times, not enough.

• 3️⃣. If you choose to get a customised travel itinerary from a travel agent, be ready to spend significant money.

• 4️⃣. In my experience, getting trustworthy travel recommendations from agents can be challenging when deciding on the best places to visit. Frequently, they offer only limited advice in their brochures. If you still need to do some research, why not skip the intermediary altogether?

• 5️⃣. Your trip will be tailored to your preferences without breaking the bank!

If you’re still reading, it’s likely because you believe there must be a more cost-effective and efficient way to travel.

How to Plan a Trip: Steps to Follow

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or planning your first trip, there are specific steps on how to plan a trip for an unforgettable holiday.

Step 1 – Pick the Right Destination FOR YOU

Selecting the perfect destination for your upcoming adventure is vital. Although it may seem apparent, picking a location that meets your travel expectations is crucial.

Since individuals have varying preferences and circumstances, there is no “perfect destination” that suits everyone. 

When deciding on a holiday destination, it’s essential to consider your group’s specific needs. The ideal location for a family with young children may differ from that of a single person travelling with friends who is seeking a lively party scene.

With countless travel options worldwide, it’s impossible to know them all beforehand.

Picking the perfect destination for YOU can be challenging, but rest assured that I’m here to help.

If you are still unsure where to go, have a look at my post titled Where to Go, which offers helpful guidance on selecting the ideal location.

Step 2 – Check the Requirements

Before planning your trip, it’s essential to carefully examine the requirements for travelling to your chosen destination. This will help ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.  It’s better to be safe than sorry!

This is a serious issue. I know individuals who have missed significant events because they overlooked these details.

When referring to requirements, I mean visas, passports, health travel documents, customs regulations, and country-specific recommendations.

I cover everything in detail in my post, Logistics. However, I recommend checking the IATA Travel Centre website for a comprehensive overview of each country’s entry requirements. It offers all the necessary information on passports, visas, and health.

Step 3 – Think about your Desired Travel Plan

It’s time to begin considering the itinerary, even if it’s just a rough idea. It doesn’t have to be flawless, but having some direction can be helpful.

At this stage, deciding whether you want to stay in one place or visit various locations is crucial. This will help with booking transportation and accommodations.

When selecting multiple locations, you need to determine how many days you plan to stay at each location.

How to Determine the Number of Days at Each Place

Here is my method:

• 1️⃣. Create a list with all the main attractions available at the destination. You can find them listed in my post titled Top Tourist Attractions. 

• 2️⃣. Organise them based on importance, starting with the “must-see” ones and ending with those you wouldn’t mind missing if you run out of time.

• 3️⃣. Locate all the places on the map and determine the distances between them.

• 4️⃣. To optimise your daily schedule, consider arranging your destinations close to one another to minimise commuting time.

There are several factors to consider when deciding how many days to spend visiting a place, including:

• Arrival and departure times. If you arrive late or depart early in the morning, you may need an extra night to have more time for sightseeing.
• The duration of travelling between two places is a significant factor to consider. If your commute is lengthy, you may have less time to engage in other activities.
• Your travel experience can be tailored to your desired intensity. If you prefer a leisurely pace with opportunities for relaxation, shopping, or simply doing nothing, you should plan to spend more time exploring the main attractions.

I understand this can take some time, but if you want to save it, check my posts: How Many Days I Need to Visit Each Country and How Many Days I Need to Visit Each City.

You can also check my itineraries in Itineraries. Here, you’ll find them classified in City Guides and Country Guides.

Step 4 – Book Transportation

Now that you have a better idea of the tour you want (visiting one place or more) and how many days you’ll spend at each location, you are ready to book the transportation (flights, trains, buses, boats, rental cars). 

1. I advise you to book the means of transportation first to travel to and from your country of origin and your destination.
2. If you have decided to visit more than one city and have already completed Step 3, so you know how many days you will spend in each place, you can also book transportation to travel between places.

If you have your means of transportation, such as a car or motorbike, then you won’t need to worry about this. However, I strongly suggest performing an interim check to prevent any unexpected issues.

Tips:

*️⃣. When planning your trip, it’s important to consider your itinerary (step 3) before booking transportation. This is especially true if you intend to visit multiple cities. You may be able to save time (sometimes even money) by taking the return flight from the last city on your tour rather than from the one you initially flew into from your home country.

*️⃣. Always compare different means of transport available. Don’t assume one is better than the other until you’ve compared the prices, times, and durations. You may be surprised!

For example, when moving around China, despite the distances, it’s generally cheaper and more reliable to travel by bullet train than by plane.

*️⃣. Use and compare search engines to find the best rates. There are some excellent ones out there.

*️⃣. If you can choose, always pay with a credit card because most credit cards automatically include consumer protections, such as travel insurance and product warranties that cover you if the company goes bust.

• ✈️ Flights: Compare the best flight prices with Kayak.
• 🚗 Car Rentals: Explore destinations at your own pace by using Discover Cars or Auto Europe to compare reliable car rental providers.
• 💺Transport (Bus and Train Tickets): Compare schedules and easily book intercity bus and train travel with Omio.

Step 5 – Book Accommodation

Now that you have secured your tickets to your destination, it’s time to make your accommodation arrangements.

I will never recommend visiting places without making any prior bookings. This is because you might end up paying more than planned or even failing to find accommodation.

Some places, like Croatia, are famous for providing non-bookable lodging options. These are private homes with signs that say “sobe” (which means “rooms”), where you can stay for a fair fee and even get breakfast. You don’t need to reserve in advance, but during the busy season (summer), it can be challenging to find an available room, and you may have to sleep in your vehicle. I know this from my own experience.

Before starting your research, ask yourself the initial question of what type of accommodation you are seeking.

You are probably familiar with the different types, but if you have any doubts, see my post, Types of Accommodation, for clarity.

Tips:

*️⃣. It’s crucial to consider the location because that can add extra time and money to get to the places if you need to rely on public transport. 

The most affordable accommodations are often far from the city centres and may not always be the best option. When making your decision, it’s essential to consider the time and cost of commuting.

*️⃣. It’s always a good idea to consider opting for ‘free cancellation‘ whenever possible. This can be useful if your plans change or you come across a better option later on.

*️⃣. Like with transportation, I recommend using search engines to compare prices before booking to get the best deal.

*️⃣. See my publication, Travel Cheap, to find out how to save on accommodation.

🛏️ Accommodation: Find hotels and unique stays at great prices worldwide with Booking.com. 

Step 6 – Complete the Itinerary for Your Trip

You already know where you are going and how long you will spend in each place; we’ve also booked transportation and accommodation. So, you’re almost ready to go.

Still, to further refine how to plan a trip, you can use the following sub-steps.

Sub-steps to Refine your Itinerary

1️⃣. Opening Times

In step 3, you created and prioritised a list of the attractions you don’t want to miss. So now, you should check the opening times to avoid going on a day or at a time when they are closed.

Moreover, certain attractions offer a day of free admission you can use.🤑

Always refer to the official website, as other sources may not be up to date. I made that mistake in the past.

2️⃣. Free Tour

Book a free walking tour for the first day. There are different options in each city, in different languages. It’s not totally free since it’s tip-based, but you pay based on your satisfaction at the end of the tour. They are local guides passionate about their city, sharing many stories and curiosities about the area.

It will help you to comprehend the city you are exploring and gain a broader perspective.

🚶‍➡️📷 Free Tours: Join a fun and informative free tour to explore top sights with a local guide at Freetour.com.

3️⃣. Book the Tickets

Book the tickets, if necessary. Some attractions have limited availability, and you can only get in during the high season if you book in advance. It is crucial to note the places you don’t want to miss under any circumstances.

📷 Tours & Activities: Book fun experiences, guided tours, and skip-the-line tickets in advance with GetYourGuide or Viator.

4️⃣. How to Move Around the City

Check what the best way to move around the city is:

• Is it a small city where you can walk around?
• How far are the places you want to visit from each other?
• What are the available options?
  • Bus
  • Tram
  • Train
  • Underground
  • Taxi
  • Car rental
• Do they have transport passes?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to the best way to move, as every city is unique. I understand this may not be the answer you were hoping for, but it is true.

• 🚐 Transfers: Pre-book your airport or city transfers to avoid stress on arrival with Welcome Pickups.
• 🚗 Car Rentals: Explore destinations at your own pace by using Discover Cars or Auto Europe to compare reliable car rental providers.
• 💺Transport (Bus and Train Tickets): Compare schedules and easily book intercity bus and train travel with Omio.

5️⃣. Where to Eat and Drink

Search for highly rated restaurants and bars near your hotspots. Getting to know the destination also means tasting the local cuisine and drinks. 😋

Once you have completed all these steps, you are ready to finalise your trip details with Travel Logistics.

Travel Kit

To help you organise your adventure, I’ve gathered the best tools I use and recommend for booking flights, hotels, local transport and more. These links support this site at no extra cost to you.

Safe travels! 🌏✈️

I hope this article has been helpful to you and that you now know how to plan a trip. 

If you have any questions or need help, please fill out the contact form; I’ll be happy to help.

Additional Information

You can also check my Itineraries. Here, you’ll find them classified in City Guides and Country Guides.

Remember to check Cook up Your Trip. There, you will find everything you need to organise your trip from start to finish.

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• https://www.pinterest.co.uk/cookingupamazingtrips