7 Tips For Planning A Stress-Free Trip

As fun and exciting as it is to travel, it can also be stressful if you aren’t well-prepared. And preparing for a trip can be taxing in itself!

There are a lot of different things that go into planning and we want our vacation to be perfect. 

I love to travel, but I have found it can cause a lot of anxiety at times, especially when it comes to planning and preparing everything before leaving.

I didn’t want stress to hold me back from getting out and going places.

Traveling is so good for your mental health because it gives you a wonderful opportunity for self-care. It allows you to recharge and also helps you grow as a person. 

But if we’re stressed, it can get in the way of our ability to receive these benefits in full. Eliminating unnecessary anxiety opens you up so you can have the best possible experience while traveling.

I came up with a list of pointers that I like to use anytime I’m getting ready for a trip, and I’m here to share them with you!

Because prepping to travel totally doesn’t have to be hard – and vacations should always be enjoyable!

Here are a few ways you can stress less and be more confident when planning your next trip.

Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Trip

1. Save money in advance

One thing you definitely don’t want to worry about when you’re on vacation is your finances.

Before you start your planning, establish a budget for your travels. Make sure it is something reasonable that won’t break the bank.

Then, start saving money in advance so that when the time comes you have the funds and aren’t struggling financially. 

Take the budget that you set for yourself and subtract the amount you already have saved up for the trip (if any). Spread the remaining amount out over the next few months. 

When you do this, make sure that the monthly amount you are putting towards your travels is actually something you’re able to commit to.

Don’t forget to subtract all living expenses from your monthly income before determining how much you’re able to set aside for your trip.

Once you know how much you can afford to save each month, you’ll know how many months it will take you to save up for your travels! 

Budgeting ahead of time will eliminate a lot of anxiety and help your vacation be so much more enjoyable!

You won’t be stressed about finances prior to going and you’ll be able to rest easy during your trip knowing that you still have some funds to go home to. 

2. Plan trip details

If you don’t know where you are going or what you are doing, there’s a good chance you can expect to experience some stress on your vacation.

Your trip will go smoother and be more enjoyable if you plan it out a little in advance.

Where are you going? Where do you plan to stay? What do you want to see or do? How far away is each location you plan to visit?

You can be as specific as you want when it comes to planning, but having a loose outline with a few concrete details often works really well. 

For example, it is probably a good idea to have sleeping arrangements made for the first night or two of your travels before leaving.

But if you don’t have an itinerary for what you will be doing each day, it’s not a big deal. 

It is also good to have room in your schedule in case there are things that cause your plans to change.

Trips usually don’t go exactly as we planned them to because that is life.

And just like in life, we cannot control everything around us. We can only control ourselves. So plan for life to be life. 

As long as you are prepared and feel confident in what you are going to be doing on your trip, then you probably did a good job planning it out.

3. Research the area

It can really be helpful to get to know the places you are going to visit! 

Spend some time gathering information on the area you plan to go to.

Learn a little bit about the culture or the community. Find out what the area is known for and what some local points of interest may be. 

Getting to know about your destination will ensure you will have a more enjoyable experience when you’re there.

Preparing in advance will help you feel more comfortable with your surroundings and give you a better understanding of what is going on around you – especially if you’re traveling somewhere where you don’t speak the language!

You don’t have to become an expert of any sort, but knowing more about the places you visit will only enhance your experience while you’re there.

4. Create a packing list

This is a huge lifesaver! I cannot remember ever going on a trip without having a packing list.

It’s really useful to make a list of everything that you will be bringing on your trip in advance. That way nothing gets left behind and you can feel well-prepared for your travels.

You can do this in whatever manner works best for you.

I like to make a categorical list separating items based on likeness. Some of the main categories I use are clothing, hygiene items, electronics, carry-on/car bag, work items, and accessories.

Writing out all of the items in a list or organizing your list in other ways is also effective! Find your list style and use it to your advantage.

It can also be beneficial to make a “needs” list and a “wants” list if you are limited on packing space.

That way you’re able to know what you need to pack and how much room you’ll have for other items you want to bring. Don’t forget to leave room for souvenirs! 

5. Pack ahead of time

Want an easy way to eliminate the stress of prepping for a trip?

Plan to pack ahead of time!

This will ensure that you have everything you need and that everything fits in your bag so you aren’t rushing at the last second. 

If you don’t have a packing technique, try this simple method. Get your packing list and gather everything that you want to pack. Set out each item on your bed or the floor and check it off of your list as you pack it.

Try to have your things packed (or at least have everything laid out) 2-3 days before your trip.

That way you’ll have enough time to gather any missing items or make adjustments if everything doesn’t fit in your bag.

If you need to bring a passport or other important documents with you, be sure to have them prepared well in advance.

It can take two months or longer to obtain some important travel documents so getting them in advance will be sure to reduce your anxiety!

6. Create easy access to important information

Speaking of important documents, it is a good idea to keep yours in a location that is somewhat secure and easy to access.

You’ll always know where they are, they will be easy to grab when you need them, and they will be hard to lose/steal.

You can use a bag with a lock if you have one, but it isn’t necessary. There are other ways to keep your documents safe while you travel. Choose what works best for you.

If I have full-sized papers I am carrying, then I will keep them all in a folder tucked inside my carry-on/car bag.

I then keep that bag with me at all times. I keep my documents in a zipper compartment, so I feel comfortable carrying them that way.

I like to use my fanny pack for smaller items like my passport and driver’s license. There is a “secret” pouch on the backside that is perfect for keeping anything of value.

It keeps my important items on my body at all times but also allows me to be hands-free (so I can carry all of my other stuff…). 

7. Gather emergency information

It’s always a good idea to carry some emergency information and be familiar with emergency facilities where you’re traveling.

You can be as detailed or general with this as you’d like. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

As long as you have a general idea of where you could receive emergency care or who could assist you in the case of an emergency, then you will be prepared.

Tell someone who is staying back home where you are planning to go as well.

If possible, have their phone number with you or at least the ability to email back and forth. That way you’ll be able to check in anytime you may need to. 

The chances of an emergency happening are very slim to none, but being prepared for one will help put your mind at ease.

Even if you’re not concerned about an emergency occurring, having a home contact and general contact for emergency help at your destination is never a bad idea.

* * *

Traveling is so good for the soul! It helps us to grow and gives our minds a much-needed break.

Preparing for a vacation doesn’t have to be overly taxing. Take the stress out of planning for your next trip by putting these pointers into practice:

• Save money in advance
• Plan trip details
• Research the area
• Create a packing list
• Pack ahead of time
• Create easy access to important documents
• Gather emergency information

Don’t let stress and anxiety hold you back. You deserve to enjoy your travels to the fullest!

Remember to practice self-kindness as you plan and prepare for your trip. No one is perfect, but there is so much beauty in imperfection. 

Be ready for your next vacation so you can have the experience of a lifetime!

If you’re looking for more reasons on why you should travel, check out my post 6 Ways Traveling can Improve Your Mental Health

How do you like to prepare for a trip? Let me know in the comments below 🙂