Plan your trip
Plan your trip
The practical half of travel: paperwork, budgets, timing and transport, in the order you actually need them.
A planning order that works
Plan in this sequence and you will waste far less time: pick your travel window, check the visa effort for your shortlist, price flights into each option, then choose. Booking accommodation before you have confirmed entry requirements is the most common and most expensive mistake.
Once the destination is fixed, book the one thing that sells out, whether that is a permit, a course or a festival ticket. Leave everything else flexible until you are two or three weeks out.
What to sort out, and when
- 3 to 6 months outPassport validity, visa research, flights, anything permit-limited.
- 6 to 8 weeks outAccommodation for the first and last nights, insurance, vaccinations if needed.
- 2 to 3 weeks outInternal transport, one or two key activities, an offline map of each city.
- Last weekCard notifications, copies of documents, a printed first-night address.
Passports, visas and entry
Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, and many also want proof of onward travel. Check the official government source for your own nationality rather than a third-party summary, because requirements change with little notice and the penalty for getting it wrong is being denied boarding.
Keep a photograph of your passport page, your insurance policy number and your first night's booking somewhere you can reach without data.
When to go
Shoulder season, the month either side of peak, is usually the best combination of weather, price and crowd levels. In tropical regions the deciding factor is rain rather than temperature, and in mountain regions it is snowmelt and hut opening dates.
If your dates are fixed by work or school, reverse the process: start with the month and find the destinations that are at their best in it.
Getting around
Where a rail network exists, it is almost always cheaper, calmer and better placed than domestic flights for journeys under six hours. Long-distance buses cover the gaps in most regions, and a rental car earns its cost only when you are leaving the main routes.
Book the first transfer from the airport in advance, especially if you land at night. Everything after that you can usually arrange locally for less.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I apply for a visa?
Allow at least six weeks for most consular applications and longer in peak season. Electronic authorisations are usually faster but can still take several working days.
How much should I budget per day?
As a rough guide, budget travel runs under 40 USD a day, mid-range 40 to 120 USD, and comfortable travel 120 to 300 USD, excluding flights and before local price differences.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, and buy it when you book rather than before you fly, so cancellation cover applies from the moment you have money committed.
What is the best time to book flights?
For long-haul trips, six to ten weeks out is usually the sweet spot. Set a price alert as soon as your dates are firm and book when the fare drops below your target.