(Updated version of “My 10 Step Guide to DIY Holidays”)
Fancy a bespoke, tailor-made holiday designed exactly for you and your loved ones? Then this is your ultimate DIY travel guide!
Friends often ask me how I manage to afford so many great holidays. The simple answer is: I don’t use a travel agent – I plan and book my own trips. By organising DIY holidays, I can create exactly what I want at a much lower cost.
Designing and booking your own travel means you’re in complete control – from the flights to the adventures. Your holiday is perfectly tailored to your needs and often comes in far cheaper than most package deals.
Yes, it takes more time and effort, but that’s part of the fun! So get inspired, do a little research, and enjoy planning a DIY travel adventure, created especially for you, by you!
👉 Get Your Free DIY Holiday Planning Checklist
Make planning a trip yourself simple and stress-free with our ‘how to’ guides in the DIY Travel Planning Hub for tips on flights, accommodation, transport, itineraries and more – all in one place.
Contents
- Introduction to DIY Holidays
- My 10 Steps for DIY Holidays
- Step 1. Decide What Kind of Trip You Want
- Step 2. Book Your Flights and Accommodation (but not necessarily in that order)
- Step 3. How to Book Flights for a DIY Holiday
- Step 4. How to Book Accommodation When Planning a Trip Yourself
- Step 5. Research Local Transport and Getting Around
- Step 6. Plan Your Itinerary (Without Over-Scheduling!)
- Step 7. Arrange Travel Insurance and Essential Documents
- Step 8. Pack Smart for Independent Travel
- Step 9. Be Organised
- 10. Enjoy the Freedom of DIY Travel!
- What If Things Go Wrong?
- Is ‘All Inclusive’ Really Worth It?
- Why DIY Travel?
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Introduction to DIY Holidays
DIY travel simply means organising your own flights, accommodation and itinerary – without using a package or travel agent. It gives you flexibility, independence, and satisfaction of knowing you’ve built your dream trip yourself.
Here are my 10 easy steps for how to book a trip yourself– whether it’s your first time or you’re just looking to fine-tune your travel planning skills.
My 10 Steps for DIY Holidays
Step 1. Decide What Kind of Trip You Want
Get Some Inspiration
- Check out the travel agent brochures or websites for ideas, then copy the concepts for your own DIY version – at a fraction of the price.
- Research which areas or regions appeal to you most.
- Watch vlogs and read blogs (like this one!) for ideas.
🌟 Tip: Join destination-specific Facebook groups and travel forums. You’ll find first-hand advice from locals and experienced travellers who can answer almost any question.
Set a Realistic Budget
Money can make or break a holiday so set your budget early. Be honest about what you can afford for flights, accommodation, activities and daily spending.
When you’re learning how to book a trip yourself, knowing your limits will help you prioritise what matters most – whether that’s a central hotel, great food, or unforgettable experiences.
- Get a rough idea of costs and decide on a budget.
- Use Google to find out when the cheapest times are to fly to your chosen country, and what the weather is like at that time of year.
Step 2. Book Your Flights and Accommodation (but not necessarily in that order)
Sometimes I choose a destination because I’ve found cheap flights, and sometimes it’s because there’s somewhere specific I really want to visit.
That’s the beauty of DIY travel – it’s flexible! If flights aren’t released yet, I often book my accommodation and sort the flights later. Many places let you change dates if needed, so you can adjust plans around the best possible deals.
Sometimes I ‘book end’ the accommodation I’ve chosen with other accommodation in order to benefit from the cheapest flights.
What is “Bookending”?
Villa holidays often have Saturday changeover days so flight prices on Saturdays are usually the highest. By flying midweek and staying in a cheap hotel before or after your villa stay, can save hundreds.
We’ve saved ourselves a fortune this way by extending our holidays for less!
Step 3. How to Book Flights for a DIY Holiday
Once you’ve chosen a destination and rough dates, it’s time to book your flights yourself.
For European trips, check:
👉 EasyJet
👉 Ryan Air
👉 WizzAir
✈️ Ways to Get the Cheapest Flights
- Find out when EasyJet future flights are released – their prices are usually lowest on release day! Prepare to get up at 6am that day to get the best deals.
- Look out for worldwide flight sales from major airlines.
- Use Skyscanner to compare flights, hotels and car hire.
👉 SEARCH FLIGHTS ON SKYSCANNER
- Consider indirect flights or stopovers – great for seeing more places and often much cheaper.
- Join Jack’s Flight Club for cheap flight alerts.
- Compare prices on Google flights and Kayak.
- Set up price alerts on your browser or apps.
- Think carefully about luggage – clever packing saves money!
🌟 Tip: You don’t always need to pay for seat reservations. Save that cash for cocktails instead 🍹
🌳 Eco-Tip: If you prefer greener travel, consider ferries, trains and coaches. You can also pay extra to ‘offset’ your carbon footprint. See my Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel.
🔗 Blog to read: Guide to Finding Cheaper Flights
Step 4. How to Book Accommodation When Planning a Trip Yourself
My go-to sites are Booking.com for hotels and apartments and Vrbo for villas. You can even compare them on Skyscanner.
🌟 Tip: Skyscanner’s hotels tab lets you check prices across multiple platforms – perfect for DIY travel planning.
🏠 Airbnb
I have used Airbnb a few times but I find their site a bit clunky and the hidden costs annoy me. Owners have cancelled on me before – so use with caution!
🌍 Multi-Centre Holidays
We often explore multiple areas during one trip. It’s easy to book multi-centre holidays yourself – just choose locations within reasonable travel distance.
🔗 Blog to Read: Guide to Booking Multi-Centre Trips
⚠️ I recommend booking with reputable sites rather than directly with owners just incase something goes wrong.
🏩 How to Find the Perfect Accommodation
- Choose your level of luxury and budget. We tend to mix it up a bit so we have some luxury and some mid range or basic accommodation.
- Use filters to narrow results and save time.
- Always check the reviews and location carefully. Is it within walking distance to restaurants, places of interest, etc? Or will you need transport? Read the descriptions thoroughly. How many beds are actually in the room? Are the owners nice?
- Watch for hidden extras.
🌟 Tip: Choose free cancellation options, just in case you change your mind. Plus, you can book at the cheaper rate if the price drops and cancel your original reservation.
🔗 Blog to read: Booking.com Guide
Step 5. Research Local Transport and Getting Around
One big advantage of booking a trip by yourself is flexibility once you arrive. Check the local bus routes, metro passes, car hire or bike rental options.
Download offline maps and transport apps before you travel – they’ll make exploring much easier (and save data too).
👉 Planning How to Get Around Abroad – 10 Essential Steps
🚗 Reserve Car Hire or Transfer
Driving abroad can be a fantastic experience – but check local rules first. If you’re not confident, use public transport or private transfers.
Most accommodations will happily book your transfers, and tours often have hotel pick up.
🚗 You can book car hire and transfers on Booking.com and Rentalcars.com, or via your airline.
🌟 Tip: Download Google Maps for offline use – perfect if you lose signal.
Car Insurance Options
- 1️⃣ Book your own insurance, (cheaper, but you’ll pay upfront for any damage).
- 2️⃣ Take out the rental company cover (more expensive but less hassle).
👶 Car Seats
Most car companies have the option to rent car seats.
🌟 Tip: We love Bubble Bum inflatable car seats – ideal for families and easy to pack.
🔗 Blog to read: Hiring a Car Abroad
Step 6. Plan Your Itinerary (Without Over-Scheduling!)
This is where your DIY travel planning skills really shine. List the places and activities you want to see, then group them by location or travel day to make the most of your time.
Leave room for spontaneity – some of the best travel moments happen when you wander off-plan!
We tend to have some free days and some excursions pre-booked.
⚠️ Some tours and attractions (like Disney or major museums) need booking months in advance. Don’t miss out!
Book online via:
👉 Viator
👉 Klook
🌟 Tip: Compare prices – sometimes it’s cheaper to book directly or visit independently.
Free Walking Tours
We love GuruWalk Free Walking Tours – they’re fun, insightful and budget-friendly!
Reserve Restaurants
If you’re travelling during busy periods or with a large group, book restaurants ahead of time. Use TripAdvisor for reviews, menus and contact details.
🔗Blog to read:How to Plan a DIY Trip Itinerary
Step 7. Arrange Travel Insurance and Essential Documents
This step isn’t glamorous , but it’s vital. Sorting your travel insurance, passports, visa and health documents early will save you last-minute stress.
When you book a holiday yourself, don’t skip this part – it protects you and gives you peace of mind once you’re on the road.
Good cover should include:
- Cancellations and delays
- Lost luggage
- Theft
- Illness / death / injury
- Accommodation issues
Always pay by credit card for added protection.
🔗 Blog to read: See my Guide to Protecting Your DIY Holiday:
Step 8. Pack Smart for Independent Travel
When you plan and book a travel trip yourself, chances are you’ll be moving between places. Pack light, choose versatile clothes and don’t forget travel essentials like adapters and documents.
Packing cubes, refillable bottles, and a small daypack can make life on the move so much easier.
🔗 Blog to Read: Travel Packing Tips :How To Pack Smarter
Step 9. Be Organised
Type up your DIY travel itinerary and include:
- Booking references
- Contact numbers
- Hotel addresses
Print important documents, check your passport dates, visas, and download any travel apps you’ll need.
Step 10. Enjoy the Freedom of DIY Travel!
You’ve planned, researched and book everything yourself – now it’s time to relax and enjoy it!
Once of the best parts of DIY travel is the sense of freedom it gives. You can change plans, linger longer, or skip tourist traps entirely. Once you’ve learned how to book a trip by yourself, you’ll never look at package holidays in the same way again.
Look forward to your well earned, bespoke vacation!
What If Things Go Wrong?
Even package holidays can go wrong – flights delayed, hotels close, things happen. The difference with DIY travel is that you’ve done the research and know your options.
you can thoroughly research everything you book to ensure it will be perfect for you.
If you’ve booked refundable rates and have good insurance, you’ll handle hiccups easily.
Is ‘All Inclusive’ Really Worth It?
I’m not a fan of all-inclusive packages. They often reduce local business income, limit your food choices, and aren’t always good value.
However, I understand they suit families with young children or those staying somewhere remote.
DIY holidays give you flexibility – eat where you want, try local cuisine, and often spend less!
Why DIY Travel?
So, why bother learning how to book a trip by yourself?
Simple: to save money and gain freedom.
Booking your own holidays helps you afford destinations you never thought possible. I’ve often been told my budget was “too low” by travel agents – yet by booking it myself, I’ve managed to create dream trips within budget.
If you’re new to it, start small with a weekend break, then build up your confidence.
Check out my Destination Travel Blogs for real examples of DIY holidays I’ve planned – and tips on how you can do it too!
👉 Get Your Free DIY Holiday Planning Checklist
Make planning a trip yourself simple and stress-free with our ‘how to’ guides in the DIY Travel Planning Hub for tips on flights, accommodation, transport, itineraries and more – all in one place.
Love planning your own trips? Come and chat with other DIY travellers in our Facebook Group – Share ideas, find hidden gems and get inspired!
See more DIY Travel Guides below:
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