While it’s true that booking through a travel agency can save you a lot of time, provide security, and sometimes even offer attractive deals, it will often cost you more than organizing your own vacation (I say often because some agencies offer unbeatable value for money, as we experienced in South Africa ). You’ll also have less freedom to tailor your itinerary and schedule to your preferences. With few exceptions, we always organize our trips ourselves, and I have never regretted it, quite the opposite! I also take great pleasure in putting everything in place to ensure that my stay goes as smoothly as possible.
1. Choose the destination
Don’t take this step lightly, as it will be crucial to the success of your trip! Several criteria must be considered
- Your budget: a holiday in Norway or Thailand will have very different costs. Be sure to consider all aspects of the trip in your calculations: What are the entry requirements? Will you need to rent a vehicle? Are any vaccinations required?
- The formalities for entering your chosen country: for some destinations, you need to plan well in advance (think of the USA, for example…). So make sure you have enough time before rushing off. The period in which you leave: always check the weather at your destination, but also on any local events or festivals at the time of your trip (it can be a good idea to attend, but it can also dramatically increase the budget you need to plan).
- What’s yourtravell style, backpacking adventure or relaxing on the beach? Not all destinations may suit your personality and desires. Similarly, depending on whether you’re traveling with family, as a couple, or solo, some destinations may be less suitable.
- The time you have available: if you’re going away for a week, it might not be worth going to the other side of the world or spending several days on the road to get to your destination!
If you don’t have a specific idea, are flexible with dates, and want to take advantage of attractive promotions, take a look at the last-minute offers.
2. Book your train, bus tickets… (if necessary)
Buy a train ticket
As travelers become increasingly aware of their environmental footprint, trains are making a strong comeback. For us, they’ve become our top choice for travel in Europe, along with buses. There are regular daytime trains, but also night trains where you can travel in a sleeper cabin.
To find cheap train tickets, book as far in advance as possible. In many countries (France, England, etc.), train companies apply fares that increase as the travel date approaches.
Where can I find train tickets?
For travel within Europe, we recommend using a booking platform like Omio, which allows you to find train connections between point A and point B and book with multiple train companies. This will save you from having to use national company websites, which are not always very clear or do not allow you to obtain tickets in electronic format.
Buy a bus ticket
We’ve seen the emergence of quite a few low-cost bus companies in recent years. If you have the time and are open to this type of travel, they often offer unbeatable prices.
Where can I find bus tickets?
Once again, the Omio platform allows you to book with several bus companies in different countries.
3. Complete the formalities
It’s best not to leave this step until the end, as some formalities need to be completed several weeks in advance. Find out (online, in your travel guide, at the embassy of the country you’re visiting, etc.) what documents you’ll need to enter the country you’re traveling to (for example, to travel to the United States, you’ll need ESTA authorization). The type of formality may depend on the length of your trip . Finally, it can be worthwhile to take out travel insurance (these several types cover different risks, from the cancellation of your vacation due to personal problems to the loss of your luggage or your repatriation in case of illness while abroad). If you travel frequently, like us, it is sometimes more advantageous to take out annual insurance that will cover you for all your trips. We have Allianz Travel insurance, which we are very happy with.
4. Define your route
The degree of precision with which you accomplish this step depends on your character (more organized or a fan of improvising on the spot) and your travel style (you may want to spend your entire stay in the same city, or you want to see as much of the country as possible). To help you, consult travel guides, online forums, or travel blogs. Another good idea is to look at brochures or websites for organized tours offered by agencies to see the itineraries they propose for your destination and perhaps draw inspiration from them. A good tip: always check that your itinerary is realistic by researching travel times between your stops and available transportation options (if you’re not renting a car). I recommend the which allows you to visualize transportation options between two geographical points and is generally quite reliable.
5. Book your accommodation(s) (if you wish)
Some travelers prefer to book their room on arrival. Personally, I prefer to book in advance to avoid stress and wasting time once I’m there. This also allows me to comfortably read traveler reviews and choose the accommodation that’s most likely to suit me. And it doesn’t prevent me from changing my reservations once I’m there if I want (generally, there are few or no fees for cancellations made 48 hours in advance; check the terms and conditions). To book my accommodations, I generally.y The advantage is that you often have the option to cancel your reservations up to 48 hours before your arrival, which allows you to change your plans if you wish. For a more authentic and personal experience, you can also opt for couchsurfing or Airbnb (I invite you to read my article on homestays for more information ). Here too, it’s best to do your research in advance (not too far in advance for couchsurfing, but not the day before either: aim for about 3 weeks before arrival) and have a backup plan in case you can’t find anything or if your host cancels at the last minute (which unfortunately sometimes happens).
6. Organize your local travel
It’s not always necessary to plan every detail of your travel, but generally, it’s helpful to at least plan your journey from your destination to your accommodation. In some cities, taking a taxi will cost you significantly more than using public transport, so it’s worth checking. There are also private shuttle services that you can book in advance. Sometimes, the hotel has its own shuttle service, so again, be sure to inquire! If you are planning long journeys during your trip, it may be helpful to book a domestic flight or train tickets in advance (this is what we did to travel by overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai).
7. Book some activities (optional)
Again, it all depends on your travel style, budget, and expectations. For some activities, you’ll get better prices by booking in advance or avoiding queues (for example, for visits to famous monuments Personally, I like to find unusual activities online before I go. That’s how we ended up exploring Bangkok’s canals in a traditional boat with a French expat, taking food tours in Portland and Dublin, and trying coasteering in Wales. Planning ahead also allows you to compare prices and avoid tourist traps. However, that doesn’t stop me from choosing an impromptu activity once I’m there, if an opportunity arises.