6 Steps to successfully plan your vacations abroad without a travel agent — A beginners’ guide, with apps!

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Traveling abroad is one of the greatest pleasures of life, but it can get pretty stressful, between flight booking, hotel reservations, transportation and budget planning.

Despite this, traveling will add so much relief and meaning to your life. If you are ready to finally embark on a soul-changing experience, then you must plan your trip as much as possible.

A travel agent is very useful, but they include an additional fee for their services.

Keep reading to know what not to miss when planning your anticipated time away. I’ll also be sharing useful apps for travel planning that you can use completely for free.

Step #1: Pick your desired destination.

That place you have been dreaming of going and can finally afford. You deserve to take that plane and create long-life memories.

RESEARCH. Make sure you meet all the requirements to enter the country of your choice, a lot of people have been left stranded at the airport for this reason.

What to consider?

• Check if any specific Visa is required.
• Are you going to only one country or will you visit more?
• Are you more of a cold or hot weather type of person? What season will it be when you visit? This is important to know what to pack.
• Some countries will ask to see your hotel reservation when you arrive, so make sure you have it handy.

Step #2: Define how long you will be there.

The more days you stay, the more you’ll spend.

Of course, you want to enjoy without feeling rushed or missing out, but this is where planning properly will save you heartbreak (and ending up broke). Having an itinerary will help put in perspective the time you will need to sightsee and do all the activities you wish.

What to keep in mind

• Some countries request a minimum amount of money to get by during your stay. You can provide proof of this in cash or with an account balance. A simple Google search will help you know how much to take. Just above the mandatory is enough to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
• Plan your vacations ahead of time. Line them up so you can have a breather before you leave for finishing details, and once you return have a day or two to wind down and unpack.
• If you visit one country, your stay could go from two or three weeks, depending on how much you want to do. If you will be visiting a couple destinations then three to four days by country is usually enough.

Step #3: Draft your budget.

Traveling implies an important amount of money, you definitely don’t want to find yourself in a difficult situation while in a completely different country. Saving up is crucial to enjoy a trip like you deserve.

Flights, accommodations and transportation are just part of the overall budget.

Keep in mind these other expenses

• Packing essentials. These can be divided into many categories, from toiletries, clothes for the season, luggage pieces you need to replace, and so on. Have a check-list to not leave anything behind or make last minute purchases.
• Souvenirs. Not only for yourself, you’ll probably have people looking at you with stars in their eyes when you return, so better not disappoint them.
• Small expenses like eSim cards, attraction entrances, and guided tours can add up considerably, so don’t forget those on your budget.

TIP: If you’re traveling to a country with different currency, consider taking an International Credit or Debit card, as some places might charge a considerable fee for money changes.

Wise is a preferred option. It allows you to manage electronic money and get a physical card to make transactions easier. Not all countries apply.

Step #4: Set the date.

The more time you have to plan, the better the experience will be.

Impromptu trips may be thrilling, but vacations are meant to be relaxing. Take time to set a date that will give you enough window to prepare, plan and save up money.

What to remember

• Plan your trip at least 3 months in advance. One of the main benefits of booking ahead of time is ensuring great deals on reservations and travel plans.
• If your destination is considerably different from your local residence, you might need extra time to gather all the gear, like a winter coat or a fashionable bikini.

Step #5: Make your reservations.

Booking flights and hotel rooms will always be better ahead of time. It’s surprising how much you can save up by booking with at least two or three months in advance.

When it comes to flights, you place your payment upfront, but hotels can let you book a room only with your credit card information and pay just a few days before arrival, this allows last minute changes in case something comes up. Remember to consider the hotel’s cancellation policy.

Some tips

• In some cases, late night flights offer better prices.
• Try to book a hotel in the vicinity of the tourist places you want to meet. Prices might go up the closer you are, but you will be saving up in transportation.
• ALWAYS check how you’ll get from the airport to the hotel, you don’t have to pay an absurd amount of money for this. A lot of scammers take advantage of lost-looking tourists, so try to avoid being a victim of an overpriced taxi ride. Many airports have a bus or train line that will take you where you need to go.

Visiting Europe? Omio is a fantastic app to book your train, bus and flights, comparing prices and times available to travel seamlessly.

Step #6: Plan out your itinerary.

If you are a planning enthusiast like me, then you’ll consider this to be the best part of the process.

Don’t get too wrapped up in following a super strict schedule, the idea is to have clear routes and action plans to make the most of your trip.

Keep in mind these tips to plan out your trip:

• Google drive is your friend. The easiest way to keep all your links, travel info, booking details, and everything in one single place at the palm of your hand.
• You can use my Don’t forget checklist for packing and important documents.
• Have another checklist of places you want to go to and then plan your itinerary around them. You can personalize the routes, including your hotel or Airbnb to keep track of distances. Google Maps is very helpful, although some also suggest Wanderlog due to its many traveler oriented features, including categories for places to eat and pre-existent, proven routes.

Immersing yourself in the city is the best way to meet a new place, and CityMapper is truly the Ultimate Transport App. Just insert your destination and it will show you how to get there by foot, bus, metro, train or a combination of all of them. You can see how long it will take to go from one place to the other, helping you take advantage of every moment of your day (it even gives you updates on traffic!).

All in all, you enjoy your vacations in three different moments: When you plan them, when you live them and when you reminisce about them. So do yourself a favor and book your next vacations that will last you a lifetime.