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What are the Best Tips for Trip Planning?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

The best tips for trip planning include researching your options before making a decision, yet also being prompt in booking deals to avoid them being sold out. Not putting off travel planning, but rather working from a list of what to book and when can help you stay on track to creating the best trip possible. Building a good relationship with travel agents who are knowledgeable about the areas you want to go to can make your trip planning more accurate.

Knowledgeable agents can advise you which trips that appear to be bargains actually are as well as ones that really aren't. For instance, a discount cruise can look appealing until you factor in the hot weather conditions at that time of year coupled with the fact that the cabin being discounted has no air conditioning. For some people, conditions like this can ruin their vacation by making it much less enjoyable, so it's important to get an accurate idea of what exactly a certain travel offer entails, rather than just getting swayed by the price.

Make sure both you and a friend have copies of your travel itinerary.
Make sure both you and a friend have copies of your travel itinerary.

Some travel agencies have checklists available for planning a trip. These can be extremely helpful in trip planning. It can be easy to get caught up in planning what sights to see or which hotels would be great to stay at and forget about having a smart travel back-up plan. Being organized with a back-up plan in case something goes wrong is one of the most crucial trip planning tips. Being as prepared as possible needn't involve a lot of extra planning time or take the fun out of anticipating a great vacation or business trip.

It's important to know how much money is available to spend on a vacation while planning.
It's important to know how much money is available to spend on a vacation while planning.

It's always a good idea to leave your travel itinerary with a trusted friend or family member before you leave. Preparing copies of all of your important travel papers and identification and leaving a set with the friend or family member is also advisable. If something happens and you are without the documents or identification you need because your wallet or purse was stolen or your luggage was lost by the airlines, you can ask your contact at home to send you copies. While copies of identification and documents aren't always acceptable as the genuine items, having them often speeds up the process of solving the problem. Make sure to arrange for travel insurance and traveler's checks rather than cash only during your trip planning.

Discussion Comments

ZsaZsa56

There are various trip planning websites that can help you book airlines and find hotels and alert you to attractions. They are really easy to use and often the service is free or low cost. I have tried to do the work myself independent from anyone else or any other service and it can be a real pain in the neck.

Ivan83

If you are traveling by car and you do not have a GPS system make sure that you have your driving directions planned out before you start your trip.

You can use Mapquest or Google maps to make it easy on yourself.

tigers88

Sometimes you have to know when a trip is too complicated to plan yourself and seek out some professional help. Although they are not as common as they once were, travel agents still exist and they are more eager than ever to help you find exactly the trip you want.

They can use their expertise and professional contacts to navigate some of the more complicated or arcane aspects of planning a trip. Their service will only lead to a better vacation and you will save yourself a lot of confusion and frustration before it starts.

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    • Make sure both you and a friend have copies of your travel itinerary.
      By: Marzky Ragsac Jr.
      Make sure both you and a friend have copies of your travel itinerary.
    • It's important to know how much money is available to spend on a vacation while planning.
      By: Africa Studio
      It's important to know how much money is available to spend on a vacation while planning.
    • In some instances, it may be wise to purchase travel insurance for your trip.
      By: HappyAlex
      In some instances, it may be wise to purchase travel insurance for your trip.
    • Hotels should be researched prior to booking to ensure the right accommodations are found.
      By: poplasen
      Hotels should be researched prior to booking to ensure the right accommodations are found.