How to Plan Your Trip in 5 Easy Steps

I remember my first travel experience to another country. It was soooo easy, because…I really didn’t have to plan anything. I just came to a travel agent and said “I have $3000 cash. Where can I go tomorrow?”

I remember how excited he became and how fast his eyes were moving when looking at the screen of his computer trying to find the last minute offers for me. I didn’t have to do anything. Just say “yes” or “no” to his suggestions.

He did find a 5 star luxury hotel for me with a nice beach and perfect room amenities. And I did spent 7 laziest days in my life just not doing anything except eating and lying on the beach, coming back to eat, going back to the beach, sleeping, waking up late, going to the beach again…

On the 4th day of my vacation, I thought to myself – OMG, this is so boring! So, since that time, I started planning my next trips by myself – going anywhere I want any time I want and staying there as long as I want. After all, I’m a freelance teacher and can work from anywhere I want!

So, I put together a few planning tips and tricks for you that will help you get an idea of how to prepare for your next trip thoroughly.

1. Choose the country you want to go and do your research in advance

No matter what your next travel destination that you choose, you need to do your research first. You are a solo traveler and need to make sure that the country you are going is safe for your life and health.

• Make sure you research the crime rates of that country. This is especially important if you are a female traveler. In some countries, the crime rates vary depending on the state. Make sure you choose the right state for your trip.
• Learn about the country’s history, culture and traditions. It will not only raise up your level of interest once you’re at the spot but also boost up your awareness level. You need to know what to expect from the place and the people.
• Check the average prices on food, accommodations, sightseeing, taxi, public transportation making sure they are within your budget.
• Find the touristic attractions you’d like to visit in that country. You can buy a map of the area you’re going or print it from the internet and mark the places of interest you want to see. This method will perfectly suit you if you are an old-fashion traveler.
  
  If, however, you are friends with your phone, the best and easiest way to navigate your trip in a foreign country is a mobile app. Google the apps that would match your travel destination with such keywords, as “Paris sightseeing map“, “Barcelona tourist app“, and the like.
  
  

2. Book your flight

If you are a budget traveler, each penny makes a difference. That’s why you should be familiar with the main websites that provide the cheapest airplane tickets. When I first started traveling, I knew only Orbitz.com and Booking.com. I knew them, I trusted them, and I didn’t want to try anything new.

Later I came to realize that the ticket price depends on the duration of the flight, the price of oil, the timing of purchase, the timing of flight, and the empty middle seats, and that buying the cheapest flight tickets does not mean getting the poorest quality of the airplane and the service.

So, I started researching the apps that find the cheapest airplane fare, such as KIWI.com, Priceline.com, Kayak.com. Good news is when you keep purchasing the tickets from one of those platforms and become their regular customer, they will start giving you discounts on your next trips.

There are also a number of low-cost flights that provide cheap flight fares for you. The biggest disadvantage of the low-cost flights is that you will have to travel light, meaning no luggage, just the carry-on bag. Among other disadvantages, you will also need to check in online within a certain time frame, such as 36 hours before the flight. If you fail to do that, you will have to pay more at the airport.

Always try to book your flight at least 1 month in advance to get the best deal!

3. Book your accommodation

Most travel websites, such as Orbitz.com or Booking.com provide full package for your tips at a lower price. I’m not a big fan of packages, since you get a discount at the price of your own comfort. What it means is that you will either get a 48 hour flight or a junky hotel in an unsafe area.

My recommendation is to choose your flight and accommodation separately. It may take a little bit more time to find what you want but you will be way more satisfied with the level of your comfort.

If you are going on a short (up to 1 week) trip, Booking.com is the best place to find a decent budget hotel or a nice hostel with good amenities. But if you are planning to stay longer (up to 1 month) in another country, then Airbnb.com is definitely for you!

The advantage of the Airbnb.com is that the longer you are staying at a place, the bigger discount you will get. This website is also good in case you are planning to move to another country/state/city and don’t know how much time you will stay there.

In most countries, you have to pay a security deposit and sign at least 1 year lease if you want to stay in a comfortable house or an apartment. You don’t have to deal with any sort of deposits with Airbnb.com. Just pay for 1 month, make sure to contact the host in advance and explain your intentions to possibly stay for a longer term.

4. Get your travel insurance

It doesn’t matter where you go, but you need to make sure to buy a travel insurance before you go there. You never know what emergency might happen during your travel, and you need to make sure if you do get the medical help, you will have the money to pay your bill without running bankrupt. That’s where travel insurance agencies come in handy.

There are many insurance companies that offer affordable prices, and in the modern world of the internet and technology, you don’t need to be physically present at the insurance agent’s office to make a deal. I recommend to buy your insurance from the agency that is based in your hometown, as it may be cheaper. Some that I know and have used in the past are WorldNomands, IMGlobal, Clements.

5. Research about the public transportation from the airport to your hotel

Taxi is always easy and stress-free. However, it’s not always affordable for a budget traveler, considering that in some countries the taxi rates are too high. That’s why you need to make sure you know how to get from the airport to your hotel. This is especially important if you had a long flight and need to arrive to the place where you can rest quickly enough.

That’s why I highly recommend you to research the different ways to get to your hotel in advance. You can Google the directions and print them beforehand or use a navigation app once you have arrived to your destination. If your cell service is limited and your app works from the internet only, you can always use the free WIFI the airports usually provide.

That’s it! Now you have fully prepared yourself for your next trip: you know about the country, its culture and traditions, you have secured yourself with information about the crime level, you know what to expect from people and their behavior, and, most importantly, you have booked your ticket, accommodation and can easily get to your hotel room.

And remember – whatever your travel destination is, each travel experience is unique in its own way, with its goods and bads, with its ups and downs, and any sort of discomfort or dissatisfaction that you may encounter is not worth of your stress. So, enjoy it to the fullest!