Planning a trip is the most important highlight of any vacation. Here at Whomyraah, brings you the most sought travel itinerary for most countries, but your travel style might not be the same as ours. So, we will lay out our checklist to give you the chance to use this or tweak it as per your preference.
Step 1: Check Visa Requirements
If you are travelling domestically, you don’t really have to bother about visas. However, if you are travelling overseas, you must make sure you have a visa to travel there. Each country has its own set of rules, which you should ensure are being followed after talking with the respective visa consulates.
Pro tip: For some passports, visas take AGES to process, so always check early to avoid panicking at the last minute! Also, some destinations offer visa-on-arrival or e-visas, which can save a lot of hassle.
Step 2: Book Airtickets
Next on the list is flight tickets, and Skyscanner is our go-to when booking any flights. The best thing is that flights are comparable, and most of the time, the flights provided are the cheapest. Before clicking that ‘book now’ button, you should check:
- If it’s cheaper to book two one-way tickets instead of a round trip (you’d be surprised!)
- If flying mid-week saves me cash (spoiler: it usually does!)
- If my credit card can get me extra miles or perks
- If nearby airports offer better rates than the main airport
Generally, avoid booking during peak season and choose the shoulder season for a financial balance. The money saved can go into exploring offbeat locations for more days.
Step 3: Research the Destination
Once the flight tickets are booked, research the location, popular places, instagrammable spots, must-try foods, cultural events, and offbeat locations that intrigues you. Jot down all these points in your little journal and then research them individually to sketch up an itinerary.
Google Maps is your best friend here. Plot out major locations and check if travel distances are actually worth the hassle. Nothing worse than realizing you planned two back-to-back activities that are five hours apart!
Also, try to avoid redundancy. For instance, if you are in Luxor-Egypt and have the option to explore the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens checkout beforehand if you would prefer seeing two similar sites in one same day. Once sorted, jot down the entire itinerary and confirm it. However, make sure to leave a little room for spontaneous detours for unplanned exploring!
Step 4: Book Accommodations Based on the Trip’s Purpose
For hotel bookings, we recommend you use either Booking.com or Airbnb if you are booking through a third party. Other times, book directly through the property to accumulate membership points. While choosing accommodations consider one of three things:
- Relaxation mode? 5-star luxury, beach views, and room service, please!
- Sightseeing mode? A comfy hotel near key attractions so you don’t waste time commuting.
- Cultural immersion? A traditional boutique stay with local charm and maybe even a private butler for the full experience.
Also check:
- Free breakfast (because who doesn’t love a good buffet spread?)
- Late check-out options (because early flights are NOT my thing)
- Walkability score ( you will love wandering without worrying about taxis!)
- Safety ratings (because feeling secure is always the key!)
Step 5: Decide on Guided or Solo Exploration
Once your itinerary and hotel booking are outlined, research whether it is better to hire a personal tour guide or explore alone. Each location has its own set of vibe. We recommend you to choose a travel guide based on the following questions:
- Is this place easy to navigate solo? (If not, guide it is!)
- Do I need historical context to enjoy it? (Museums, ancient ruins, guides make a huge difference)
- Will hiring a guide give me access to hidden gems? (Yes? Take my money!)
- Is there a language barrier that might make things difficult? (if yes, stick with travel guides)
Step 6: Confirm Internal Transportation
After booking individual travel guides, its time to arrange internal transportation, domestic flights, limousines, cruises, rental cars, or local trains to ensure smooth internal travel. If you like to have your plans aligned try booking your transportations in advance. There is no harm in paying a bit more than you would have if booked upfront, saves you quite a bit of hassle. Additionally, to avoid last-minute transportation chaos and ensure you have a stress-free journey do not forget to check:
- If trains or buses are a better alternative than flights
- Whether car rentals or ride-sharing apps are more budget-friendly
- If certain modes of transport offer scenic routes worth experiencing
- If the public transport system is reliable and efficient
Step 7: Go with the Flow
Flights, accommodations and internal transportation ticked! The rest? Leave it to the spontaneity of the journey but make sure to always:
- Talk to locals (they have the BEST food recommendations)
- Keep one day open for random discoveries (some of the best travel moments aren’t planned!)
- Try something out of my comfort zone (Local Cooking Class? Beachside Yoga Session? Why not?!)
- Capture everything but also take moments to enjoy without screen
And there you have it, our ultimate checklist for planning any overseas trip. Whether you’re a meticulous planner or a spontaneous adventurer, feel free to tweak this to suit your own travel style. Happy exploring!
