Looking to plan your next trip but don’t know where to start? Here’s how to plan your vacation in 6 steps.
Choose where to go
Whether you know exactly where you’re going, have a few destinations in mind or have no idea where you want to travel to next, choosing a destination is a good place to start. Make a list, talk it out with your travel partner or partners and decide where your next adventure will be.
A few other factors, like how much time you have and your budget, can impact this decision, so read on.
Pick your dates
How long do you want to travel for? Think about how many days it would take to do everything you want at your destination. This can be different depending on the type of trip. For example, 4 days on a cruise or at an all-inclusive resort might feel just right. But you might want a week to explore a new city, or even 2 weeks to travel around a different country.
When do you want to go? Do you want to go somewhere right away or have something to look forward to for months? Do you want to travel during the off season or peak season? The off season can come with lower prices and smaller crowds, but the weather might not be ideal, or you might not be able to do the activities you wanted. Peak season can be crowded and expensive but may bring more opportunities for activities on your list. Is there something you want to see, like the cherry blossoms in Japan? Consider these questions when you choose your dates.
This is also a good time to consider whether your dates are firm or flexible. If you work from home or don’t have anywhere to be, you might be fine with a slightly longer vacation or flexible dates. Or, maybe you have to go on specific days.
Figure out how much you want to spend
What’s your budget? This impacts how long you can spend in a certain place, what you can do and where you can stay. Regardless of your budget, you can still plan a great trip, whether you’ll be staying in luxury hotels or camping in a national park. Think about how much you’d like to spend, and figure out what your trip will look like from here.
Book
Once you have your budget, location and dates, you can book travel and accommodations. Research hotels and flights, compare prices and reserve. Consider whether you need a rental car. If you do, compare options. Keep in mind, if you have an eligible Citi credit card you can use the Citi Travel® site to book your car rental, hotel, flights and attractions.
Put together your itinerary and book activities
Now it’s time for the details. Research any activities you want to do. Look at tours and book in advance, if possible. You can also check out restaurants and make reservations if that will be part of your trip.
To stay organized, make a spreadsheet or document that includes your flight and hotel information for each day and which activities you have planned. You might not do everything, but it can help to give yourself options in advance — that way, you won’t have to spend time figuring out what to do when you’re on vacation.
Pack
In reality, packing can start weeks before the trip. Do you need anything new, like hiking boots or a packable raincoat?
It can help to plan before you start packing. How many outfits will you need? Will you do laundry? Consider the weather at your destination and any activities you have planned. What do you need to feel comfortable on the plane? Pack your suitcase accordingly.
That’s it! All that’s left is to get where you’re going and enjoy your destination.
