Trip Planning: What to Do Before Booking

Since we aren’t able to travel right now, I have been daydreaming and planning future trips I want to take. Even if you can’t pick a travel date, you can still be planning your next adventure and learning all about your dream destination(s). I want to share with you some ways you can use this time at home to your advantage and how you can still get ahead in your travel planning before booking a ticket.

Research the Destination

First things first, when planning a trip, you need to research the destination you have in mind. What makes it special? Why do you want to visit it? Is it safe to travel there? Is there a language barrier? Where are the good and safe places to stay? When is the best time of year to visit?

Research as much as you can about the destination that you have in mind to get an idea of the place you will be visiting. Find insider info on the destination by reading blogs and articles from locals who live there or people who have traveled there. Ask around in travel groups for advice and recommendations.

Pick Trip Activities

Find out what activities there are and which ones you want to add to your itinerary at the destination you have in mind. Are there any restaurants, landmarks, or other places that you want to make sure to visit while there? Any bucket list adventures you want to accomplish while there? Include these on your activity to-do list for your trip.

Make a Trip Budget

After you have your to-do list for your trip, start figuring out the pricing for everything. Make sure to take note of any exchange rates between your local currency and the currency of the country you are visiting. Take into account hotels, transportation, and any activities you are planning to do that cost money. You may not know the exact amount for all meals or souvenir shopping, but creating a general budget will help you to save up for the trip and have an idea of what to expect to pay while traveling.

Check Your Passport

If traveling internationally, make sure to have your passport ready. If this is the first time you are traveling internationally, allow yourself plenty of time to get your passport before your trip. Passports can take quite a while to get. I believe when I applied for mine, it took me about 6-8 weeks to receive it. You can pay to have it expedited, but it is not cheap, so I would just give yourself plenty of time before your travel dates to get it done.

For current passport holders, double-check the expiration date on it before traveling internationally. I have heard that some places won’t allow you to enter their country if your passport expires within 6 months of when you arrive. If your passport is up to expire within 6 months of your travel dates, it would probably be worth it to just renew ahead of time. Also, some countries require a certain number of blank pages in your passport for stamps, so double-check that too.

Research Visas

Make sure to research the visa laws wherever you are traveling. Some countries require a visa (not just a passport) to travel there. If the place you want to travel requires a visa, make sure to apply and get your approval before purchasing your ticket. Some visa applications can take a while to get approved, and you don’t want to risk having to cancel your flight if you don’t have the visa yet.

Check Vaccine Requirements

Make sure to double-check if the place you are traveling to requires any medical exams or vaccines prior to entry. Some countries require you to be up to date on certain vaccines or get secondary ones if you travel there. It doesn’t hurt to get a quick physical/exam before traveling to make sure everything is up to date. Some places may require the vaccines to be in your system a certain amount of time before you enter their country, so check this before booking.

Shop Around for Flights

Do your flight research and take your time shopping around before booking a ticket. Traveling in the off-season for your destination and using major airports can help you save. Take a look at layover times and locations. You want everything to run smoothly and be able to navigate airports as best as possible when traveling.

Shop Around for Living Arrangements

Do some research and shop around on living arrangements while on your travels. Is a hotel, resort, rental home, or hostel the best fit for your price and space preferences? Your choice may be different if you are a solo traveler vs. traveling with your whole family. I personally love Airbnb because it is a great alternative that can provide more space and better pricing oftentimes. Look around and see what works best for you.

Once I have these most time-consuming items taken care of and the best prices figured out, then I start the actual booking process. If you’re unable to travel for any reason, use that time to get ahead by getting some of the prep work done early. That way, when you’re able to travel again, you’ll have less to do. What is the #1 thing you do before booking a trip? Let me know in the comments below. Happy planning!