Travel Planning Like A Pro In 5 Easy Steps

Exploring ancient temples in Egypt.

Dreaming of your next big adventure but feeling overwhelmed by where to start? Do you see travel influencer content and wonder why your travels don’t look like that? Do you wonder how they find so many hidden gems, and always find the best food, accommodation and authentic experiences? Travel planning doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. With a little organisation and creativity, you can turn your dream trip into a well-executed reality. Here’s my five-stage guide to travel planning like a pro:

1. Get Inspired

The first step to any trip is daydreaming about where you want to go. Use your favorite social media platforms to gather ideas and start visualising the perfect getaway. Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are gold mines for travel inspiration.

• Instagram: Search hashtags, browse reels, and follow travel influencers. Save photos, videos, and itineraries into a shared folder if you’re traveling with someone else.

• Pinterest: Create mood boards with pins for dreamy locations, must-see attractions, and tips.

• TikTok: Dive into short, snappy videos for everything from local cuisine to hidden gems.

Once you start engaging, the algorithms will take over, filling your feed with even more ideas. I usually spend a few weeks (sometimes months) in this phase, letting the possibilities simmer until I have a clear vision of my trip.

2. Research Like a Pro

Now that you know where you want to go, and have a folder full of inspo, it’s time to dig deeper. Research will help you shape your trip based on your travel style. Love adventure? Seek out blogs and vlogs from thrill-seekers. Prefer a luxury escape? Dive into resort reviews and high-end itineraries.

Here’s what you’ll want to research:

• Practical Info: Weather, currency, visas, language, and vaccinations.

• Transportation: Flights, local transport options, and driving requirements.

• Accommodation: Hotels, Airbnbs, hostels, or even houseboats—find what suits your vibe.

• Things to Do: Famous landmarks, hidden gems, tours, and events.

• Cuisine: Local dishes and the best places to eat—because food makes the trip!

Pro tip: Bookmark blogs and save articles for easy reference. Travel guides (both physical and digital) are also a must for detailed tips and advice.

3. Map It Out

It’s time to visualize your trip! Use Google Maps to create a custom travel map.

• Plot all the must-see spots you discovered during the inspo and research stages.

• Group them into categories like attractions, restaurants, and accommodations.

• Add notes for each pin, such as opening hours, ticket prices, or personal tips.

Mapping everything out gives you a sense of proximity and helps you decide where to stay and how much time to dedicate to each area. It also makes it easier to spot activities or locations that may not be worth the detour.

Travelling solo? Read The Ultimate Guide To Taking Your First Solo Trip - Everything You Need To Know.

4. Build Your Itinerary

Once your map is set, it’s time to create an itinerary. Start with the essentials and fill in the gaps with your must-do activities.

• Use your Google Maps list to plan out each day.

• Check opening hours, peak times, and travel distances to create a realistic schedule.

• Allow for some flexibility—travel is full of surprises, and sometimes the best moments are unplanned!

Personally, I don’t like to over-plan. I’ll usually have my flights, accommodation and car hire planned in advance (as well as any tours likely to sell out), but I like to go with the flow and plan the day to day activities on the ground once I’m in a destination. I love to leave space for spontaneity and local recommendations.

Whether it’s a jam-packed adventure or a relaxed retreat, your itinerary will be your travel blueprint.

5. Book It All

Now for the fun part—making it official!

• Flights: Use Skyscanner to find the best deals and the cheapest times to travel. Where possible, book directly with the airline for more ease when making changes to your itinerary.

• Accommodation: Consolidate bookings where possible, with platforms like Expedia for convenience. Not only does it keep all your bookings in one place, but you’ll also earn loyalty points on many platforms, leading to discounts and bonuses.

• Extras: Pre-book activities that are likely to book out, such as car rentals, tours or entry tickets for popular attractions. Now is also the time to purchase travel insurance.

Before your trip, organise all confirmations. Add them to your calendar, screenshot key details, and print backups in case of tech or wifi issues. (Because you never know when you’re going to leave your phone in a taxi or drop it down a waterfall)

Travel planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By breaking it into these five manageable stages, you’ll have everything covered and can look forward to a stress-free adventure. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a bucket-list trip, a little preparation goes a long way in creating memories that last a lifetime.

Discover 10 Travel Mistakes You’ll Never Make Again (and How to Avoid Them).

So, where will your next adventure take you?

Disclosure: This blog includes affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use these links to make a purchase.