How to Plan a Trip
Learn how to plan a trip, from adventure trips and camping to city getaways, with Alpacka My Bags.
Learn how to plan trips with ease with the help of travel tips, packing hacks, accommodation-finding guides, and more from Alpacka My Bags.
Planning any type of travel can become overwhelming, and that’s why I’m here to help. It doesn’t need to be a hassle!
After many mishaps on my own adventures, I want to share with you the best methods for planning a trip, packing tips for travel and how to avoid overpacking, accommodation tips, language learning basics, and more.
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7 Questions to Ask Yourself When Travel Planning
1. What is your budget?
Figuring out your travel budget is important; it helps you narrow down your options, determine your length of stay, and help you plan your itinerary. You should know how much you can spend so you can make the most of your trip!
2. When are you traveling?
Do you have dates off of work already? Is there a holiday or season you really want to experience in another place? The next step in the travel planning process is figuring out when you are going to travel.
If you don’t have dates picked yet, it can help you save money. Flexibility often means being able to find cheaper flights and hotels.
3. How long are you traveling?
How long will you spend traveling? If you have a few days to work with, you can plan an epic city getaway somewhere like Chicago. Or maybe you’re taking a few weeks to travel around to Italy.
4. Where do you want to go?
Are you planning a dream vacation to a destination you’ve been dreaming about for years? Or do you just want to go where your wallet and time off can take you? Either is reasonable!
If you’re not sure where you want to go, start with your budget. Road trips, local destinations, and national flights are going to be cheaper, yet just as fun, as international flights, resorts, and luxury vacations.
5. What do you want to see or do?
There might be specific activities you know you want to do, like skiing or hiking. Or maybe there are famous sights you want to see, like the Roman Forum. If there are specific things you know you want to do, this will help you decide where to go.
6. Who are you going with?
You can plan an amazing solo adventure, a fun getaway with your partner or best friend, or a group trip with family and friends. Who you’re traveling with can make a big difference in where you go and what you do.
If you’re traveling with a larger group, take everyone else’s budget into consideration. Book accommodations and activities that allow for many people. Make sure to keep everyone on the same page if you’re the designated travel planner *ahem that’s me in my family*.
7. Are you ready to start booking your trip?
Once you know when you are traveling, where you going, how long you are staying, who’s going with you, and how much you can spend, it’s time to begin the booking process!
If your destination requires flights, I recommend booking those first as they’re often the most expensive part of a trip. Next up, book your accommodations. A good place to look for cheap hotels is on Booking.com.
Plan your transfer from the airport to your accommodation. You may need to book a shuttle, or simply know what train to get on, but it’s a good idea to know how you’ll get to your accommodation before you arrive at your destination.
If there are certain activities you want to do, search ahead of time to see if you can buy tickets in advance. Some might require you to do so, others you can purchase the day of. Browse the activities in your trip’s destination on Get Your Guide.
General Travel Planning Tips
Hey new travelers! I want to help you become the traveler you dream of being. Learn how to start traveling, how to save money on booking trips, how to make the most of part-time travel, and more.
There is no better way to learn about the world than by traveling and experiencing it for yourself. Here’s how you can start traveling too!
5 Tips for Minimalist Packing for Travel
Master the art of minimalist packing for travel with these 5 essential tips! Say goodbye to overpacking and hello to stress-free travel.
30+ Women’s Travel Essentials
Explore the ultimate list of women’s travel essentials for stress-free packing. From versatile bags to practical accessories, it’s time to travel with ease!
How to Plan a Ski Trip for Beginners
Learn how to plan a ski trip with our step-by-step guide. Discover budget-friendly tips, best ski destinations, safety precautions, and more.
Finding the Best Accommodations
Your accommodation is your home away from home when you’re traveling. It’s important to find the best place to stay for your trip so you’re comfortable, can sleep well, and have a place to relax after long days of exploring.
What is your budget? This is a great place to start as you don’t want to spend your entire trip’s budget on a hotel. Are there any services or amenities you will need, like parking?
It’s like an art, being able to search through the plethora of hotels, Airbnbs, hostels, and Vrbos, and finding the holy grail that matches your budget and your needs.
So how do you find the best accommodation for travel? Let’s start here!
Airbnb vs Hotel: How to Pick the Best Accommodation
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7 Best Hotels in St Augustine: Beachfront and Downtown
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How to Visit Florence, Italy on a Budget: Where to Stay + Eat
Find the best hotels in Florence, Italy on a budget. Discover affordable places to eat and things to do while exploring this charming city.
Packing Tips for Travel
Where are my chronic over-packers at? I used to be in the same boat! Only after many uncomfortable days of lugging around an incredibly heavy suitcase or jamming my bag in the plane’s overhead compartment, did I realize over-packing was not the way to go.
I’m here to share my beloved packing tips for travel to help you plan and prepare for any trip! From packing for a specific destination to adventure activity gear to seasonal packing checklists, I’ve got you covered. Dive in below and get your bags ready!
What to Wear in Winter in Canada: The Ultimate Packing Guide
Discover the ultimate packing guide for what to wear in winter in Canada. Stay warm and stylish while exploring the snowy wonderland with these tips!
What to Wear in Chicago: Ultimate Year-Round Guide
It’s the ultimate seasonal guide on what to wear in Chicago! Stay cute and comfortable in the Windy City year-round with our packing tips.
What to Wear in LA: Year-Round Packing Guide
Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Prepare for your adventure with the ultimate LA packing list. Here’s what to wear in LA during every season.
Explore Our Travel Guides
Not sure where exactly you want to travel to yet? Browse some of my most recent travel guides to inspire your wanderlust! An epic adventure awaits you.
Now is the time to start booking your next trip so you can save money, pack well and prepare, and be able to make the most of your trip!
Where will you be heading next? Find our travel guides, itineraries, and recommendations by location and activity here!
