10 Easy Steps To Help Plan And Book Your Next Adventure
Planning your next adventure isn’t always easy; I’ve done it enough times to know.
Over my years of exploring the world, I’ve refined my process of picking and planning my next trip, which helps make sure things run smoothly.
So, here are the 10 easy steps I recommend, in order, to help you get your dream trip booked.
Step 1: Choose Your Destination
The first step to any trip is deciding where to go. Having a concrete destination not only makes the trip feel real, but also gives you a clear goal to work towards.
It’s much easier to commit to “Costa Rica is next on my bucket list, so I’m going there” than simply saying, “I’m travelling.”
A specific location makes planning more straightforward, as you can focus on gathering details for that place.
As part of my destination research, I always check for visa and vaccine requirements–Don’t forget to do that.
If you’re stuck on where, there are so many resources for inspiration on the destinations for you–like this website!
Step 2: Research Costs And Set A Budget
Once you know where you want to go, the next step is to research costs at your destination, and work out a budget for your trip.
This includes insurance, visas & vaccines (if needed), accommodation, food, activities, and any additional transport costs.
Consider whether you want to travel on a budget or in luxury? Having an estimate of daily expenses helps you understand how much you need to save.
The internet makes it so easy to research costs these days!
Step 3: Plan Your Must-Do Activities
Outline the major activities you want to do while you’re there, and check if you need to book anything in advance.
You can use the budget you’ve now set to help decide what you want to do, and what you can afford to do!
I’d recommend researching discounts online for early bookings on activities you want to do, or decide whether it’s cheaper to buy tickets in person at your destination.
Tips for planning activities:
- Prioritise your top experiences in case the budget runs short.
- Look up local holiday dates that could affect your plans.
Step 4: Decide On How Long You’ll Go For
Now that you’ve got an idea of the costs of your chosen destination, and your must-do activities while you’re there, you can make a decision on how long you’ll be travelling.
The duration of your trip will depend on what you want to do while you’re there, but also what you can afford, so it’s a good idea to decide on those first, and then work out how much time you’ll need.
Sometimes I have to go back and re-evaluate my budget or chosen activities if time is short!
Step 5: Start Saving
Now, if you haven’t already got a travel fund put aside, you need to start saving. Track your current expenses and look for areas where you can cut back.
Small daily savings can add up quickly. I’d recommend giving yourself a deadline to save, and then divide your budget by the amount of days you have, so you can get an idea of the required savings per day!
Consider cutting unnecessary expenses like that daily coffee or takeaway lunch to put more towards your travel fund.
Tips for saving:
- Set a daily savings goal.
- Find ways to reduce spending with tips on how to save for your next adventure.
Step 6: Get A Travel Rewards Card
While you’re saving for your trip, if you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to consider signing up for a travel rewards credit card to accumulate points or miles for flights and accommodation.
This is something I personally do for the benefits it has, but obviously it requires its own separate research–Make sure you’ve done your own thorough research on this.
Earning points and miles through travel credit cards allows me to enjoy numerous free flights, complimentary hotel stays, and other travel perks every year, and most cards these days have welcome offers to get you kick-started!
Step 7: Book Your Flight
Once you’ve saved up and hit your target budget, or you’ve accumulated enough miles with your travel card, it’s time to book your flight.
I use tools like Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare multiple destinations and dates–It’s always a good idea to shop around for the best deal.
I always try to book flights 2-3 months in advance, for the best prices.
Step 8: Secure Your Accommodation
For trips shorter than two weeks, it’s often worth booking all your accommodation in advance, especially if you’re travelling during peak season–Don’t leave it late, because as availability drops, prices increase.
For longer adventure trips, where you might be moving around a lot, you can consider booking only the first few nights; This gives you the flexibility to adjust your plans once you arrive and get local advice on where to stay next.
My go-to sites for accommodation are Hostelworld and Booking.com.
Step 9: Purchase Travel Insurance
The best time to buy travel insurance is right when you’ve booked your getaway–don’t wait until the day before you go! And definitely don’t skip it altogether.
Travel insurance is a must, and getting it right away covers you for things like cancelled flights.
Trust me, I know the added expense isn’t welcome, but it covers everything from medical emergencies to trip cancellations and theft. Even if you’re healthy and cautious, unexpected things can happen on the road, and insurance offers peace of mind.
I always compare different policies to find one that suits me. As a UK traveller, I recommend using Go Compare to find the best options.
Step 10: Pack
As your long awaited adventure approaches, all that’s left to do, aside from organising travel to the airport, is pack!
I always recommend packing smart for your trip. Figure out what you need, and avoid the temptation to bring everything–pack only the essentials, and items specific to your destination’s climate/activities.
If you’re travelling light, you’ll enjoy more freedom and flexibility on your trip. Remember, you can always buy anything you’ve forgotten along the way!
For me, the first thing in the bag, aside from my passport/travel documents, is my Water to Go filtered water bottle. I would urge any traveller to have one wherever they go! And don’t forget your universal plug adapter.
Once you’ve followed these steps, all that’s left to do is enjoy your trip! By keeping things simple and staying organised, you can focus more on the adventure and less on the logistics. Safe travels!
