Dreaming up the perfect vacation is easy. Actually, making it happen? Not so much. From limited time and budgets to overwhelming destination options, travelers face many hurdles when planning trips. Missing key details or lack of preparation often sabotage getaways, turning them into stressful disasters instead of rejuvenating breaks.
Don’t let your next vacation go down that route. Here are five of the most common trip planning pitfalls and tips to dodge them:
Pre-Trip planning plays a critical role in the execution of a good trip. Whether it’s buying concert tickets for a weekend away or picking a Swiss Peak to summit, it's important to make these decisions ahead of time. Last-minute scrambling almost never results in the best experience.
Avoid the time crunch by starting to research and book at least 2-3 months in advance. Outline must-see sights, build in buffer time between activities, and schedule transportation between destinations. Failing to plan for key logistics like airport transfers, public transit, or car rentals can derail trips fast. Map out routes and modes of transportation required, and book things like train tickets and shuttle transfers in advance. This is especially critical as group size increases and logistics become more of a challenge.
We recommend that groups with fewer than 5 people should have their lodging and all transportation planned out, including transit at the destination and between locations and activities. It can also be helpful to create a detailed hourly itinerary for all the activities you want to accomplish. For groups of this size, sometimes a general list of the top 3-5 activities can suffice. It depends on the individuals and personalities in your small group.
With groups greater than 8 people a very detailed daily/hourly itinerary is a must. In addition to the lodging and transportation, activities should be determined and booked in advance where possible. Creating a detailed itinerary will result in a much smoother transition from place to place, avoid long wait times and reduce the anxiety of trying to make decisions on the fly while trying to gain consensus from the group at large. See a detailed itinerary creation tool at ellipsistravel.com.
We’ve all been on trips that felt more like forced marches than relaxing experiences. Oddly, the issue is usually not the overall number of events, but the amount of time allocated to each event. When activities are not allocated enough time, the end result is that the whole trip will feel exhausting and rushed. We recommend always including a buffer period at the end of each day and ample time between activities to allow for flexibility, spontaneity, and unforeseen delays. When booking in advance is required, booked events, including transit, should not be placed back-to-back.
Lastly, when possible, take the early transit option. Studies show that people spend less time waiting for transit earlier in the day especially if it is scheduled. Schedule early and spend your vacation having fun.
Spending too much money on travel is incredibly common. Nothing feels worse than having a great trip and then realizing that the bank account is empty, and the credit card is maxed. Prior to the trip, set up a realistic budget and stick to it. Project daily spend targets making sure to allow for unexpected splurges as well. Remember travel can fit all budgets with a little creativity. Once on the trip, track your daily spending and allocate your remaining budget as necessary over the remainder of the trip. Don’t blow through the whole budget early in the trip. Having a set budget will allow for a worry-free vacation!
Neglecting to research and adhere to local laws and customs can result in trip interruptions, detainment fines and unintended insult to the citizens of your destination. Research the destination country's laws, including entry requirements, visa regulations, and any specific laws relevant to tourists (e.g., photography restrictions, dress codes, alcohol consumption, etc.). Understand the local customs, traditions, and cultural practices prevalent in the destination. This includes behavior in public spaces, greetings, and gestures, as well as social norms related to communication and dress. By understanding and respecting local customs and laws, travelers can avoid negative interactions and enjoy a fuller cultural experience.
Spending in a foreign country can create a red flag for suspicious card activity. Check with your financial institutions to determine if advance notification of travel is required. This would also be a good time to research your card benefits for exchange rate fees, conversion rates and travel insurance. The card you use at home may not be the best to use when traveling internationally.
It’s also a good idea to have backup payment options in the form of local currency or additional credit cards. Determine whether your local bank has a foreign bank partner from which no fee ATM withdrawals can be made in local currency. It may make more sense to obtain the currency of your destination prior to departure. With sufficient notice, different currencies can be ordered from local banks. It’s never a good idea to travel with “lots” of cash however some may be necessary.
Trip planning may take effort, but ultimately pays off with an unforgettable experience. Follow these tips to minimize stress and make the most of your precious vacation time and money. The world is waiting - get out there and explore it!