If you are like us we have a long travel list and a short list. Some countries move up and down the list based on a recent blog or article we've read or a discussion with a friend who has just come back from a trip. Do you have a 5 year travel plan outline? 2 years planned out? 1 year? ... or fly by the seat of your pants and book a couple of weeks before you leave.
Generally, how far in advance do you book your trip?
We'd love to hear your stories and process!
Reply to this My travel plans depend on where I want to go. I've booked some things (such as the eclipse last year) more than a year in advance, and others I booked it that morning. In general, I research how far in advance I need to get cheap airfares, lodging reservations, and attraction tickets, and then book close to that limit. For my big road trip I had a whole spreadsheet of when to start reserving various places.
As for the general where-to-go plan, I have vague ideas several years out, and make them concrete about a year in advance.
Reply to this Ezra,
How far out do you book your airline tickets to get your cheapest fares? Do you generally use the major airlines?
Reply to this It depends on the destination. Within the US it's around 2-3 months, earlier for more popular routes. I tend to stick to major airlines, with a major preference for Southwest.
Reply to this Hi all, I like to plan my trips way in advance. And not because it can help me to save money, but because I really enjoy the process. I enjoy reading and learning about the place - what to see, unique experiences, cultural activities, hidden gems, real stories, etc. This gives me more time to enjoy the process.
Plus, it gives me something to wait for! I love the anticipation. I do have a list of the places that I want to see the most, but it only grows with every blog post I read, with every movie or friends stories I hear.
Reply to this Margaret,
I agree. We love the reading, research and planning. It is joyful to think of all the things you might see. Yes, our list continues to grow just as your does.
Happy travels.
Reply to this Hello All!
I plan to visit the UK next month for a few days. What do you recommend to visit first?
Reply to this Hello Dominick,
How many days and where are you landing?
Reply to this I atleast try to have 7 to 15 days in my hand after the ticket booked... it really help to get the things done and get ready for the trip 😊
Reply to this It totally depends on the Airline your are choosing to travel with, however, best time to book flights on lowest airfares is 7-8 weeks prior the departure date.
Reply to this I always plan my trip like 2-3 months in advance. I get cheaper flights and i can contact <snip>property management Florida for cheaper rental houses.
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Reply to this 1 to 2 months in advance. When I was younger I tend to plan and book early ( like 6 months ahead) until like got really busy! i go when its convenient for me and my wallet :P
Reply to this When we travelled BC (Before Covid), we liked to book at least 3 to 4 months before the trip. We needed to do this for work reasons, however, as already mentioned in a couple of responses, I really loved the research and planning leading up to the trip. But given this new world we live in, I think we may now need to book as close to the travel date as possible - so much can change in a matter of weeks or even days! Having said that, we plan to keep our travels quite local this year... in the hope that things will be much safer and more stable in 2022.
Reply to this I plan at least a year out for overseas trips so that I an use my frequent flyer miles which I can book 330 days in advance of my return flight. Thus I need to know when I'm departing and returning, and what I do in between. I also plan in advance as I enjoy doing so; imagining that I am taking the trip as I plan. I often write a Planning Blog in the process, as New bloggers sometimes ask how one plans a trip. Finallly, planning helps me budget, and avoid major unplanned expenses. Of course, with Covid, I've had to change my plans, but when planning made sure that the flights, rental car, and hotel reservations were fully refundable. I always have a Plan B.
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