By Audrey Tan
I’ve always been more of a go-with-the-flow type of person when it comes to travelling. While this sometimes works, this carefree attitude has landed me in some dire situations that took all the fun out of the trip. I’ve learned the hard way that some travel planning is necessary to ensure you have a good time.
Now, with years of travelling under my belt (36 destinations and counting), I have a tried-and-tested checklist, my very own DIY travel planner. It includes everything one should consider before a trip to be on top of everything while travelling so that the only surprises are the fun ones!
Don’t worry—it’s not one of those super tedious lists. So, if you’re a beginner or just want to do a littttttle bit of planning for your DIY travels, this article is for you!
Destination And Dates
Choosing a destination and deciding on when to go typically take up most of my travel planning. To select a destination, think about what you want to do and the vibe you’re looking for on your next trip. For example, do you prefer a laid-back trip, or do you want to do a lot of activities? Do you want a beach vacation or a foodie adventure?
I always save travel posts on Instagram in location-specific folders so I can check them out whenever I’m planning my next holiday. This will help a lot when planning your trip so you can plan to visit some new and surreal destinations you have spotted online.
It’s essential to consider the weather and travel season. Every destination has its travel season, typically coinciding with the best weather to enjoy it. To avoid crowds and possibly save you some money, consider travelling during off-peak periods. Although this could mean dealing with some imperfect weather, personally, I’d rather beat the crowds and wear a rain jacket!
If you don’t already have a specific travel destination on your bucket list, you can get inspiration from browsing Skyscanner or Kiwi because you never know what amazing deals you can find. Once you find a good deal, book it and then plan the rest of your trip around it.
Booking Flights
Book at least 2 to 3 months in advance to save a bit of money on flights. If you haven’t heard about Skyscanner, it’s a website where you can scout for the best and cheapest flight options. It is always the first website I visit as it gives me a bird’s-eye view of all the flights and connections from available airlines. From here, I can easily view the best timings and connections and often find fantastic deals.
While browsing for flights, another thing to consider is luggage. Some flights include checked-in baggage in the ticket, whereas most require an additional charge, which can significantly increase the ticket price.
Tip for long layovers: I try to avoid long layovers, but most of the time, it’s the cheaper flight option. To make the layover more worthwhile, check if the airport at your layover destination has any offers for transiting passengers. This is usually possible at major airports like Singapore or Doha, where you may be able to book a 4 to 5-star hotel for a fraction of the price and even book yourself on a short sightseeing tour for free. However, these deals only work if you book with the airline itself, so call ahead and find out more before booking.
Selecting The Right Accommodation
Some places have multiple airports, so check which one you’re landing at before booking accommodation. Google Maps is your best friend before and during the trip, as it can help you explore possible accommodation locations. Plus, if you download the map for your destination, it works offline, so you don’t even need to pay or keep looking around for WiFi. Just bookmark the places you want to visit before.
From here, you can quickly triangulate a suitable area to stay. Consider things like accessibility (public transportation, walkability) and whether there are shops and eateries within walking distance for days when you don’t feel like venturing far. Then, browse accommodation options within that area on sites like AirBnB, Klook, Booking.com, etc., to find your stay.
Itinerary-wise, Google Maps can literally show you the way. It’s free and easy to get on your phone, works offline, and is easy to use. It can help you get organised and visualise all the places you want to visit in one place. If you’re travelling with others, you can also easily share information. It’s perfect for road trips and walking trips.
With just this little bit of planning, your next holiday will be a breeze. Carefully considering the elements above and doing some online research before your trip can make it significantly less stressful: your holiday self will thank you!