Why Planning Your Travels in Advance is Essential

In a world where spontaneity in travel is almost fetishized, meticulous planners – a group with which I proudly identify – tend to get a bad rep. “You’re dull,” they say, “planning itineraries in advance is boring.” In my humble opinion, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

However, in this era of travel restrictions, we must all become long-term planners; and there are some very good reasons to embrace it. Here are some of the benefits of planning a trip a (very) long way in advance.

Planning Ahead Can Help to Save Money

Extra legroom. An extra night’s stay. Heck, who wouldn’t want a hotel upgrade? Maybe it’s the fact I’m over 30, but I find a little bit of luxury – whatever that means to you – can take a trip from ‘meh’ to memorable. Consequently, the more time you have before you go, the more money you can save for those “treat yo’ self” moments.

Staunch budget traveler? You do you. Traversing the globe on a few dollars a day can be an enlightening, life-affirming, addictive experience – but it never hurts to add a bit of slack to the shoestring, so to speak. Planning in advance provides a chance to squirrel away more funds, which can be handy in emergencies.

With all this time on your hands, you can also afford to shop around, wait for flash sales and – where it makes sense to do so – make reservations well in advance. Paying for transport, accommodation, and activities over the course of a few months helps spread the cost too.

Take the Time to Craft the Perfect Itinerary

Paid leave is precious. Travel is a privilege. If you want to squeeze every last drop out of your next adventure, I implore you to consider my secret weapon: the humble spreadsheet. It might sound as sexy as a bedbug-ridden bunk, but hear me out. When time away is limited, plotting out your ideal itinerary, day-by-day, can help you make the most of it.

There are numerous advantages to this approach. You can sense-check the pace at which you plan on moving between destinations, factoring in travel days, planning backup options for rainy days, and juggling things around as necessary.

You’ll know where you’re likely to be on weekends (this can affect what you choose to do, as major attractions will be busier during these times) and you can plug in your pre-bookable big-ticket items while saving room for spontaneity.

Plan Activities and Events in Advance

Ever stumbled across the dreamiest of digs on social media, only to find they’re booked solid for the foreseeable? Planning your travels well ahead not only gives you the widest choice of accommodation – including quirky-cool home rentals – but it also offers the best chance of snagging sell-out gig and theatre tickets, elusive restaurant reservations, and a table for drinks in the trendiest spot in town.

The only way to harness this travel superpower is to know what you’re looking for, which means doing plenty of research early on. Admittedly, there is a joy in striding into a randomly-selected neighborhood café in hopes it’ll be the city’s next undiscovered gastro hotspot, but there’s more fun in trying food at that limited-capacity pop-up place all the locals have been raving about. Scour guidebooks, magazines, blogs, and social media to discover the events and attractions you simply can’t miss, and then check their availability ASAP.

Get to Know the Destination Before You Arrive

Some people prefer to know very little about their chosen destination before they go – and I understand the logic, to a degree. Nevertheless, understanding the history, geography, and culture of a place you’ll soon be immersed in is beneficial. Being aware of local customs, taboos, and current affairs can only make you a more engaged, respectful, and responsible traveler. So get reading in the run-up to your departure!

Want to impress the locals? Consider tapping into the destination’s cultural offerings – books, films, music, language – to prepare you. This insight could serve you well during your travels.

Achieve Packing Perfection

Packing. Love it or hate it, it’s hard to get right. However, for once, you have the gift of time. Take this opportunity to craft the ultimate capsule wardrobe; stock up on (or locate those pesky) adaptors, spare chargers, and all the other travel essentials you usually scramble for at the airport. Moreover, get your digital life in order – including essential apps, curated playlists, and a clean camera roll ready for your travel snaps.

Enjoy the Anticipation

The instant gratification of last-minute getaways can be thrilling. However, slowing down and mindfully planning a future trip can help us appreciate the true value of travel, instilling a sense of gratitude and wellbeing. Practice patience, relish the anticipation, and remember to enjoy the here and now. Moreover, if you aren’t able to travel at the moment, what else are you going to do?

This article was first published Mar 25, 2020 and updated Jan 1, 2022.