Planning a trip can be stressful. But getting the right steps in order can help ease the stress of planning.

Over the years I’ve planned a handful of trip. I found a system that has worked for me. Here are the steps I take when planning a trip.

Choose The Destination: This is always the first thing I finalize because for me, once I confirm the location it’s much easier to plan the rest of the trip. When it comes to choosing your destination, also consider what type of trip you want to have—relaxing beach, adventure mountains, city exploration.

Choose the Duration of the Trip: After confirming the location, I decide how long of a trip it’s going to be. This is important because planning a weekend trip requires more time and resources in comparison to a week long trip.

Set a Budget: This can also be the first step! Whether it’s the first or third, I think it’s important to set a budget. This way the activities and accommodation you plan are within budget. This will also vary depending on location and duration of the trip.

Accommodation/Transportation: This is crucial once you finalize where you’re going and for how long. Then you can ask the question where are you staying and how are you going to get around. Remember to do research if you’re unsure!

Plan Your Itinerary: If you’re a type A person and have everyday down to the second, that’s great! If you’re more type B and spontaneous and don’t need an itinerary, that’s great too. I like to live somewhere in-between the two. I like to have a plan when I travel. This is so that I don’t waste time trying to figure out things to do. However, I leave room for spontaneity. This is important because things can happen: an excursion may not be available, a restaurant may be closed, there may be construction, other issues. It’s important to have a plan and be flexible.

Knowing your budget will also help with what type of activities you want to indulge in. Have fun planning here!

Those are the 5 steps I use when planning a trip. If you want a more comprehensive trip planning guide, check out my Trip Planning Checklist. You can grab it for free here.

If you’re not a planner, that’s okay too! Use this checklist as a guide, a companion. Do what works for you and leave out the rest. It’s a resource to help you start your trips on a great foot.

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How to Plan a Trip | 5 Steps to Planning a Trip