travel planning:
logistics
I get asked a lot about how I plan trips, what tools I use, how I find things to do, etc. Here are a few of my best recommendations!
Deciding where to go
Before planning a trip, you need to know where you’re going! You might get ideas from friends, pin some idyllic places you see on Instagram, or find a dream spot from watching a nature documentary or travel show. You may be travelling for work, to attend a wedding, or to visit a friend or family member out of town and want to add some adventure onto your trip. These are all great places to start in finding where to go for your next trip.
On the other hand, you may just want to go to “the beach” or “explore a new city” and you’re looking for something cheap, something within driving distance, or just the coolest place you can find. You can also start with your type of trip, and then explore where you can reach by car, where you can fly nonstop, or where you can get the cheapest lodging (AirBnb’s “explore” feature is great for this type of travel).
Travel
Once you’ve determined a destination (or maybe before, depending on your style), you need to figure out how you’re going to get there. From the Midwest a LOT of destinations are within driving distance. For me, I prefer to fly when possible (especially if I would otherwise be spending more than 6 hours in the car to reach my destination).
If you’re flying, Google Flights is a very helpful tool in searching for lowest-price flights from different airlines. If your travel dates are flexible, be sure to use the price graph and date grid to identify the cheapest days to fly. Before you book, be sure to check travel times, layover times, and what’s included in the price of your ticket (do you have to pay extra for a carry-on, for example).
While I recommend always checking Google Flights before booking travel, it doesn’t search all airlines. For example, Southwest and Allegiant Air are both left out of the Google Flights search engine, and you’ll need to go to each airline’s site to look up what they have to offer.
I typically fly with Southwest airlines, and have yet to regret that decision. Staying within a single airline means I can rack up points and perks with the airline each time I fly. My household also uses a Southwest Rewards credit card (you can check it out here), which gets us extra points on purchases. I also earned Companion Pass with an intro offer when opening the card. Between points and Companion Pass, my husband and I are currently able to fly with Southwest for free for about 18 months.
I like to book my flights as far in advance as possible (I always know when Southwest is dropping their next batch of travel dates). I then watch my flight to see if prices drop before my trip. Flight prices tend to be lowest on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. With Southwest, you can “change” your flight at any time if the price drops: simply go to your flight and click “change flight.” You can select the same flights you’re already on, and the difference in price will be credited back to your account to use later.
Knowing your preferences is the easiest way to find the best flight. For me, I REALLY hate wasting time with layovers, and will pay extra to fly nonstop to my destination whenever possible. I also dislike early morning flights (anything that requires me to be awake before 6:00am to catch a plane), but I have no problem getting in around midnight. I try to look for flights that match my preferences whenever possible.
Transportation
Depending on where you’re going, you may or may not need a car when you arrive at your destination. Be sure to do your research ahead of time to determine where you’ll be visiting and what transportation options are available. Many big cities have good public transit that is better than driving yourself around. Alternately, if you’re planning to spend most of your time at a resort or in a single walkable area, getting an Uber or Lyft from the airport may be a better option rather than paying to park a car for most of your trip.
If you’re getting a car, Turo is a great option for renting a car from locals. I’ve used this several times with mostly great success. Like anything, be sure to read reviews and details before booking your vehicle so you know what you’re really getting. Turo is often much cheaper than a rental car company, and is sometimes more flexible. You can be very specific about what type of vehicle you want to rent, so this is the ideal option for booking a unique car for your trip. Most rentals are conveniently located on airport property, and you rarely have to interact face-to-face with your trip host to get your car.
You can also check car rental prices through your airline, on Hotwire, Priceline, or similar sites, and through sites like Sixt.
Lodging
Booking the right lodging is KEY to any great trip, but you have MANY options. I always shop around to get the best deals, but I often end up booking through AirBnb. I often have flexibility with dates when I’m travelling, so I like to use the “flexible” option under the “check-in” section so I can really see all my options. I also like to use the map view, to make sure I’m booking something in the area I want to stay, that’s not too far from my planned activities.
While I often end up booking through AirBnb, I always shop around with VRBO (very similar to AirBnb, and sometimes the prices are different for the exact same place), and with Google (just search “hotels in [your destination]”).
No matter what your search feature, setting your filters is KEY. Sites like AirBnb and VRBO allow you to select the type of place you’re looking for (I always book “entire place” lodgings), as well as features and amenities you’re looking for. Is a pool or hot tub crucial? Is this a long trip that will require you to do laundry during your stay? Use filters to only view places that meet your requirements. Additionally, I also filter by price (sometimes cheaper places appear after you set your upper price limit), and by guest rating (I look for places rated 4+ stars).
If you need flexibility, be sure to book something with a good cancellation policy. I like to make my bookings as far in advance as possible, and then check a few more times before my trip to see if prices have dropped and I want to change my booking.
It can take a while to learn all the ins-and-outs of travel planning and finding what works for you. For me, planning the trip is half the fun. If we’re friends, feel free to ask me for help, I’m happy to meet up for coffee or get on a video call sometime and walk you through the steps I follow when planning a trip!