Trip With Your Friends & Family: 10 Tips To Make It Easy

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Trip planning can be a tough job. You have to make sure that everyone is on the same page, has their dates available, and agrees on the destination. If you’re planning a group trip with friends or family, then this article will give you some tips for how to plan an unforgettable getaway!

Figure out the destination

Where are you going? When will you be traveling? How long do you want to go for? Once this is decided, make sure everyone agrees on it. It would suck if half of your group wanted to go skiing in January and the other half wanted a tropical island vacation!

Create an itinerary

What are each of your days like at the destination? Establishing an itinerary ahead of time can help eliminate any conflicts or surprises that may arise once you arrive. If someone has certain religious holidays they need to observe then plan around them accordingly so that no one feels left behind because they have fewer activities scheduled during those times. People might also have allergies to animal fur so finding places with pet-free accommodations might be a benefit to some people.

Figure out who’s paying for what

You don’t want anyone feeling like they’re spending too much money or not enough, so it’s important that everyone knows exactly how much they should expect to pay ahead of time. If someone doesn’t have the cash on hand then set up an installment plan with them (i.e., charge their credit card $100/month until you get back). You can also discuss splitting costs evenly but make sure everyone agrees before committing! The last thing you want is protests after your trip because half of your group feels like they paid more than others…unless that was the agreement beforehand πŸ™‚

Pick a departure date

The whole point of planning this trip is to make sure everyone can go. If one person has work or school during that time, then it’s going to be difficult for them if they have to miss out on everything! Also, depending on where you’re going, there may also be certain dates when places are more crowded and other times when they aren’t as much. Be mindful of those factors too because they might affect your overall experience at the destination.

Book your accommodations

You don’t want to be stuck in a place that the majority of people aren’t happy with. Research reviews place first and sees what others are saying before committing! Also, make sure it’s within everyone’s budget so no one feels overcharged or cheated out on an experience they didn’t plan for. The last thing you need is someone feeling like their money was wasted because there were bedbugs at their hotel…yuck!

Decide who is going where during meals/activities

Some friends might have dietary restrictions so maybe sit down together ahead of time and discuss plans beforehand if this happens often (maybe half the group goes vegan while the other doesn’t If someone wants to stay behind and rest, then be sure to give them that option. No one should feel obligated to go on activities if they don’t want to or have a medical condition that makes it difficult for them.

Make plans ahead of time

Some places might require reservations so do as much research as possible online beforehand and try your best to book things before you get there! You also want to make sure everyone can read the same language at each destination because nothing is more frustrating than not being able to understand what’s going on…unless you’re fluent in another language, hahaha πŸ™‚ If this isn’t an option but people are still interested in seeing certain sites/attractions, then split up into smaller groups instead of having half the group wait around while the other half goes.

Have a backup plan

If everyone wants to do the one activity but it’s booked solid then see what else you can come up with that might work instead! You also want to make sure someone is always checking for updates about cancellations and last minute deals since those are things where people sometimes get lucky and end up coming out on top πŸ™‚

Keep track of your budget

Once you figure out who’s paying for what, use a spreadsheet or other tracking method so no one feels cheated later down the road because they paid more than necessary…or didn’t pay enough in their opinion! This should be updated as often as possible throughout planning so nothing falls through the cracks. Once everything’s settled, make sure to compare the budget with actual expenses and make corrections as necessary.

Plan on having fun

Trips don’t always go according to plan, but if you can manage your expectations beforehand then it’ll be easier for everyone! Sometimes things happen that are out of anyone’s control (i.e., weather changes or activities might get canceled last minute) so just roll with whatever comes your way :). The most important thing is making sure people have a good time no matter what happens along the way πŸ™‚

We hope that this article has helped you plan your next group trip. With these tips, you can make sure everyone is on the same page and ready to go! Let us know if there are any other questions we can answer for you. If not, have a great time with your friends or family members on your trip!