10 Things Avid Travel Planners Do

We know that ‘holiday planning’ sounds like it defeats the purpose of a holiday. But for some, it can be a thrill to plan every activity they want to enjoy during their travels. Avid travel planners bring planning and fun at the heart of travel by considering practical aspects but leaving enough room for imagination and exploration. So we listed the 10 things avid travel planners do before they embark on a new travel adventure.

If you’d rather have someone else plan out the perfect getaway for you, Right Holidays are experts at thinking of every step of your holiday and creating a travel itinerary that’s comprehensive yet not tiring.

1. Buying plane, train or bus tickets

If you are solo travelling, you might just pick your departure date and be on your way. However, family or group trips require more forethought. Booking about two months early for flights or trains is usually a good idea, especially if you want to travel on the same plane or train.

Arranging good departure and arrival times is also important to make the most out of the trip. So, the recommended arrival time at your destination is usually before 13:00 depending where you’re going. However, if you’re looking to save more money, then we recommend booking evening flights as they’re usually cheaper (unless you’re off to Asia).

2. Choosing a place to stay

Once you’ve chosen your destination and got your flights, it’s time to find a place to stay. Whether you’re staying at a hotel, bed and breakfast, or a hostel, the most important information to check are reviews, location, distance to the airport or train station. You don’t want to take a taxi everywhere, nor do you want to stay in a loud neighbourhood and lose much-needed sleep.

3. Make sure to double-check your travel documents

This could seem like the most obvious tip on the list, but you’d be surprised how many people burn their plane tickets because they didn’t realise their passport had expired. So the best thing to do is double-check your essential travel documents: your passport, a map (offline or just paper) of the place you’re visiting, your flight or train reservation, your accommodation and your transfer (bus, train or taxi) reservation documents. Also remember, depending on your preferred destination, you might need vaccinations before you travel.

4. Get a travel insurance

If you’re travelling to a foreign country where you’ve never been before, it is a good idea to get travel insurance. The kinds of recommended travel insurance are: trip cancellation insurance, flight cancellation insurance, medical insurance, etc. Get your insurance when you’ve already booked your flights and accommodation. Then you can start budgeting for your trip.

5. Plan your travel budget in advance

Almost always, travellers end up spending more than they planned. If you are on a tight budget, it’s important to think of the extras and alternative ways around spending too much. If you’re a foodie, you can list out great restaurants and street food stands where you can eat incredible food at fair prices. Other expenses to consider will be the transport costs, museum entries, tours, or other activities. Since public transport is almost always the cheapest option, make sure to check out the weekly pricing of tube/underground/metro tickets for your destination.

6. Plan your arrival to your destination

When you don’t plan your holidays, the first day of your trip can get lost when you’re trying to familiarise yourself with new surroundings, find directions, find a place to eat etc. Avid travellers like to plan out the day of arrival so that they can squeeze valuable activities and rest. To plan your first day; you can book a transfer to get to your hotel and look up a nice restaurant near where you’re staying to have dinner before you get to your room to relax.

7. Plan your day of departure

Similarly to your day of arrival, your day of departure should be well throughout so you can still make it on time to your plane or train, but also enjoy the last day of your holiday. Make sure to pick an easygoing activity like a museum visit, plus a stop at your favourite café before you make your way to the airport or train station. Make sure that your house keys, car keys, travel documents etc are in order so you don’t have to look for anything at the airport or when you get home.

8. Check the weather at your destination to pack accordingly

Even if you decide not to plan anything for your trip, you should check the weather at your destination in order to pack clothes that won’t let you down (especially if you are headed somewhere rainy and windy). Always include clothing options that you can layer and comfortable shoes.

9. Search experiences at your destination

Whether you’re a foodie, music or sports fan, there will be special activities you would enjoy. So have a look at what the locals at your destination like and where they go. Think about the traditional and new experiences locals like. For example, music fans who are headed to Portugal can enjoy the heartfelt Fado music, as well as new funk, jazz or electronic music bands. You can also book private tours with locals to get more in touch with the culture.

10. Map out your surroundings

This will help you save time and money on travel. If you don’t need to spend your time figuring out where everything is, you’ll have more time to explore everything. So mapping out where your hotel is, how close it is to landmarks, which restaurants nearby are worth eating at, and when you should walk, take the public transport or a taxi can be essential information.

After all that planning, treat yourself to a cup of coffee, you deserved it! Remember, things may still not go all according to the plan, but, travel is best enjoyed when you are relaxing, being spontaneous and open-minded.