Going on a trip is exciting; so many places to visit, restaurants, and sightseeing. You want to make sure you get to see all! The best way to cover all your bases is by planning your trip.
Today, I will give you one of the best travel hacks to save time and money on your next trip.
Your destination is picked; let's start with transportation. Are you flying or by land (car, train, bus)? Do you need a rental car at your destination? The general rule is that travelers should search for flight tickets one to three months before domestic flights. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance.
Car rental pricing can vary substantially depending on where you're looking. Here's a general rule of thumb: Check at least three travel agency sites before booking, I like to use Expedia, but there are many apps to help your search quickly and conveniently. It's a not-so-well-kept-secret that rental car agencies often charge more for cars rented directly from the airport. It’s essential to plan for transportation and get familiar with the area you'll be visiting. What type of public transportation are available, and what cost and service hours? If you are considering using Uber or Lyft, make sure it is available where you plan to visit
Accommodations, just like the rental car, should be booked in advance; compromising can be a game changer, and a hotel outside of the city can be cheaper, for example, on my last trip to Salem, MA. I booked a hotel 20 minutes from Salem, saved money, and it was a short drive to the main attractions in the city.
Now that you have your bookings, it’s time to plan your itinerary! Make a list with two columns and name them as must-sees and if we have time.
Here is an example
Must See | If we have time |
History Museum | Local Market |
Downtown | Founders Monument |
| |
👆This is the best way to know your travel priorities beforehand and save time while sightseeing. Gather addresses, business hours, and any other relevant information like admission costs, this will save you time, plus you can do an accurate budget plan with this info.
Time to map it! Pull your map and make groups of places close to each other, and Voila! You have a clear view of how your trip will go.
Remember to plan your meals around the area you'll be visiting; Open Table and Yelp are great tools for finding restaurants and eateries.
Itineraries are super helpful, especially if you are in a time crunch or have a lot of places to visit. Stick to the plan but allow yourself time to enjoy your visit.
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