Expert Travel-Planning Tips for Your Next Vacation
Being a travel writer for GoTravelDaily has broadened my skills in interesting ways. I’ve developed the nerve to drive narrow mountain roads and the stomach to sample the world’s moldiest cheeses. When it comes to identifying bug bites, I have the knowledge (and probably the anti-itch spray). Best of all, I’ve mastered trip planning to perfection.
If you want to be a travel writer, you need to appreciate a good spreadsheet as much as a tropical sunset. Professional travel writers squeeze every last minute out of their trips, usually on a slim budget. The privilege of traveling the world and writing about it comes with high pressure and tight deadlines. Consequently, travel writers are tireless at finding bargains and professionals at crafting itineraries, ensuring their experiences are as rich as their readers deserve. Having covered more than a dozen countries for GoTravelDaily’s guidebooks, here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
1. Play with Multiple Searches and Planning Tools
When looking for transport and accommodation, treat the internet as a giant, messy laboratory. For flights, combine Google Flights for reference, email alerts, and error fare websites such as AirFare Watchdog or Skyscanner to compare fares across various dates. Regarding hotels, booking directly often yields the best rate, but don’t hesitate to search through aggregators like Booking.com.
Ensure you are comparing like with like: are taxes, breakfasts, and resort fees included? Above all, experiment with multiple tools and approaches. For instance, I once saved hundreds of dollars on car rental by logging out of a loyalty program that I assumed would unlock cheaper prices—loyalty doesn’t always pay!
2. Be Open-Minded in the Early Planning Stages
A little imagination can transform the price of your trip while also opening up exciting detours. If you’re flying, search routes into neighboring airports—even those beyond your desired country (for example, Vienna and Bratislava each have international flights, and they’re just a direct bus ride apart). If a layover significantly reduces your fare, assess whether it could be an attractive part of the trip, perhaps enjoying an airport spa in Singapore or a walking tour of Amsterdam.
If you aren’t traveling long-haul, reconsider the need to fly. For instance, while London to Berlin is a quick plane journey, would a picnic on the Eurostar to Brussels be more enjoyable, followed by an evening of chips and Belgian beer?
By thinking creatively, fueled by travel inspiration from blogs and forums, you might even consider a trip more exciting than your original plan. A series of “what ifs” led me to a holiday in Moldova, where the country’s wine labyrinths and remote monasteries remain among my most treasured travel memories.
3. Clear Paperwork Hurdles Early
The four horsemen of travel failure are passports, visas, cash flow, and insurance. While they may seem dull, these aspects are also the most expensive and time-consuming to fix. Double-check if you need a visa, and examine your passport early—its expiration may need to be three or six months beyond your travel dates. Log in to your online banking to add travel alerts to avoid spending day one of your trip begging to restore your debit card’s functionality.
Ensure you have travel insurance and read the fine print (at least skim it). While you’re in travel-planning mode, request any special meals needed, reserve train or plane seats, and confirm everything else you can manage until the day before your departure. In my experience, it’s these exact details that often get forgotten as the trip approaches.
4. Design a Killer Itinerary (That Won’t Kill You)
Building an action-packed itinerary is a balancing act. A string of one-night stays in different locations can feel more like an endurance race than a vacation; big-ticket cities and outdoor activity hubs deserve at least a couple of nights each. If your itinerary looks too busy, consider trimming a destination or planning day trips from one base to minimize the time spent on packing and hotel check-ins.
Scrutinize the beginning and end of the trip: don’t schedule the best activities for day one (due to transport delays or jet lag) and rethink any long drives or rickety train connections for the last day. Utilize Google Maps to calculate driving times, but be cautious about searching summer routes you plan to drive in winter. I learned that the hard way, driving a snow-covered four-hour detour in the French Alps.
5. Balance Forward-Planning with Spontaneity
Some travelers meticulously plan their trips, while others prefer a carefree approach. The best travelers blend both strategies, as neither thorough planning nor spontaneity works perfectly in every destination.
The key lies in knowing when to apply each method. Therefore, browse travel forums, consult well-traveled friends, and heed advice from disappointed travelers. Understanding which parts of your journey would benefit from meticulous planning (like securing reasonably-priced accommodation in a ski resort) and where you can allow for spontaneity (last-minute accommodations during Europe’s shoulder season or lining up for discounted Broadway tickets) is crucial.
6. Leave a Blank at the End of Every Itinerary
While travel writers often have packed schedules, we always strive to add a free day or two at the end of our trips. Such a day is invaluable for following local recommendations: exploring lesser-visited towns, hiking, or potentially attending an event like a Valentine’s Day party by Lake Baikal—a highlight of my Siberia trip.
Occasionally, the bonus day gets consumed by travel or health mishaps, but it’s useful as a buffer for adjusting plans. For instance, during one assignment in Malaysia, I spent my free 24 hours figuring out which soft drink is best after experiencing food poisoning—it’s 100PLUS, by the way—but at least I didn’t lose a research day.
7. Maintain Tech-Free Backups
I’m typically glued to my mobile phone while traveling. I plot routes using Google Maps and navigate with OsmAnd. I capture reference images with my phone and use voice recording apps for interviews. Although I rely on Google Fi for free international roaming, I occasionally buy a local SIM card—especially during assignments, as it’s handy to have a local number.
Despite my constant connectivity, I always prepare for potential connectivity issues. For example, when my phone overheated during a trip to Bulgaria, I was grateful to have jotted down my travel plans on paper. Therefore, also consider printing boarding passes; phones tend to freeze just when you need to display a ticket or hotel confirmation. While ATMs in most locations accept major cards, it’s wise to carry some local currency—this has proven helpful when the sole ATM in Arrivals is out of order, and the bus driver only accepts cash.
8. Pack a Little for a Lot of Situations
During my early solo trips as a teenager, I often over-packed. It was evident to anyone who saw me struggling under the weight of my bulging backpack, filled with snacks, medical supplies, and enough toiletries for an entire journey.
As I began working on travel writing assignments, I urgently needed to streamline my packing. Unless heading to a very remote location, it’s usually sufficient to pack a little for various scenarios. Limit yourself to one non-perishable food item (for delays or late arrivals) or a single bottle of painkillers (enough to hold you until you reach a pharmacy).
Focus on items with multiple uses: I adore large lightweight scarves for warmth on planes, modest coverings in mosques and churches, or privacy screens in hostel bunks. Allowing some breathing room—in your luggage, itinerary, and expectations—ensures the most fulfilling travels.
