- How to Plan a Perfect Trip Itinerary Introduction
- 1. Set Up a WhatsApp Holiday Planning Group
- 2. Research Your Trip Itinerary
- 3. Decide on Duration and Budget
- 4. Book Your Accommodation
- 5. Research Flights:
- 6. Decide on Transport:
- 7. Book Trips and Tickets
- 8. Find Restaurants
- 9. Plan for Spontaneity and Rest days
- 10. Use My Trip Itinerary Template
- 11. Make a Packing List
- 12. Other Things to Consider When Trip Planning
- 13. Trip Planning Essential Documents
- 14. Enjoy Your Trip
Free downloadable Trip Itinerary Planner Template for subscribers
How to Plan a Perfect Trip Itinerary Introduction
Planning a perfect trip itinerary is one of the essential components of a successful DIY holiday. Turning up and winging it may seem like a spontaneous and fun thing to do but if you haven’t done your research you could be sorely disappointed.
Firstly, popular attractions tend to be ‘prebook’ only and can often have huge queues. Secondly, getting from A to B might take a lot longer than you think. Ultimately, some things might sound great in theory but in reality are not all they were hyped up to be. Reading reviews on Trip Advisor is always a good idea.
If you are planning a DIY trip, follow these helpful essential steps to ensure you don’t miss anything vital and to give you peace of mind knowing that you have booked a perfect itinerary.
Hopefully, if you’re reading this guide about how to plan a perfect DIY trip itinerary, it means that you have already decided on your destination. Now you’re ready to make some decisions about what you are going to do on your trip. If you are not quite ready for this stage, read my Guide to DIY Holidays.
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1. Set Up a WhatsApp Holiday Planning Group
If you are going with other people, it’s a good idea to set up a WhatsApp group or similar so you can easily share ideas and essential information. Find out everyone’s preferences for their dream trip – what would be their top priority if they only had one wish? You can take votes on everything from accommodation preferences, to day trips and restaurant choices and keep everyone well informed.
2. Research Your Trip Itinerary
Buy a travel guide, read blogs and watch vlogs, join destination groups on social media. Make a rough outline of what you want to do and the route that would be best to take. If you are staying in one area this is easy but if you intend to have a multi centre holiday then you will need to map out your journey. Make Google your new best friend.
3. Decide on Duration and Budget
After your research you will have a better idea about how long your trip should be and how much it will cost. Search flight prices, accommodation prices, average restaurant prices and other costs to get an idea of how much you will need to budget and whether it will be better to book budget accommodation and self cater or whether you can afford to go higher end.
If you are organising a Disney trip, ski holiday or similar, bear in mind that tickets for attractions and ski passes can be very expensive.
4. Book Your Accommodation
Once you have mapped out your journey and decided on the duration and budget, you can book your accommodation. Are you going to stay in one place or does it make sense to book more than one accommodation? Ensure the accommodation suits all your requirements. See Everything you need to know about booking accommodation on Booking.com for helpful advice.
5. Research Flights:
Think about your trip itinerary. Would it be easier to fly in one airport and out from another or do a circle. Take into account transfer costs. Use Skyscanner to find out cheaper times to fly. See Tips for booking cheaper flights for advice.
6. Decide on Transport:
Look up the public transport system. Decide whether you need a car or driver, or if public transport will suffice. Do you need to book organised trips?
You can book transfers with your airline or hotel. Hotels will usually give you information about how to get there. Search for car hire on Sky scanner.
👉 How to Get Around Abroad – Planning Transport Tips
7. Book Trips and Tickets
Decide on the absolute places you want to go for your perfect holiday itinerary. Look at Viator, Get Your Guide and Attractiontix and compare prices on these sites. Sometimes it can be cheaper to book direct but not always. I find that for ticketed venues it is usually cheaper to book direct. If you are booking a day out like a boat trip, you might prefer to book with a booking site like Viator so you can have a free cancellation option and not have to pay until nearer the time.
Check the distances and time it takes to travel from one attraction to another and how much time you need there.
Book your Theme Park Tickets with AttractionTix
We love to book a free walking tour with GuruWalk for when we first arrive, especially in a new city.
8. Find Restaurants
Look up restaurants on Trip Advisor and read the reviews. This is essential if you have dietary requirements or you are in a large group. Book if necessary. Look at what trips you have planned so far and make compatible dinner reservations.
9. Plan for Spontaneity and Rest days
You may be thinking this is a contradiction but it makes sense not to over plan everything – do leave a chance for spontaneity and rest days. Research some options and leave it open. Don’t overstretch yourself – you’re on a break after all – plan for a few relaxation days.
10. Use My Trip Itinerary Template
Put together your itinerary with all the information you need and send it to each person in your group or post it on your group chat. Make sure you have dates, times, flight numbers, reference numbers, addresses, telephone numbers and vital information.
Click here for: Extra content for subscribers. Free downloadable Trip Itinerary Planner Template
11. Make a Packing List
Look up the weather forecast and google suggested packing lists for your destination. Do you need insect repellent, temple clothes, sun screen, water filters, child car seats, etc?
12. Other Things to Consider When Trip Planning
Currency Is it best to buy currency before you go, or exchange money or use your card there?
Sim card Will you need to buy a Sim card at the airport when you arrive?
Map or Google maps – Download the area you are travelling to from google maps on to your phone.
Language book or Google translate – what language do they speak?
13. Trip Planning Essential Documents
Travel Insurance
Ensure you have quality travel insurance and if possible use your credit card for added assurance.
See my guide: How To Protect Your DIY Holiday
Visas
Check the destination and if there are any Visa requirements.
Vaccinations
Check online and with your doctor if you need any vaccinations well before you go. Some vaccinations need to be administered 6 months before you travel.
Documents
Passports are up to date, driving licence and international driving licence if required.
14. Enjoy Your Trip
Congratulations! You have booked your perfect trip and given consideration for everyone’s wishes. You have found the ideal accommodation, booked your transport, trips and restaurants. Everything is organised and accounted for down to your packing list and documents. You have everything you need and insurance if anything goes wrong. It’s time to relax and enjoy your bespoke holiday created by you.
What have been your best DIY trips so far? Let me know in the comments.
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.
See more DIY Travel Guides below:
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