6+ Itinerary Planner Templates – PDF
Most of us like the idea of being spontaneous, of just going with the flow and letting nature take its course, of letting our feet take us somewhere we’re sure we are bound to be, when we want and need to wander off and forget everything else just for a little while. But while it’s tempting to give in to the whims of your inner vagabond and adventurous self, going somewhere without a sample plan is risky.
Travelling without a specific direction is even more riskier. Sure, you’d want that unbridled taste of freedom but let’s get real. We all live busy lives, making a living and we all have to face reality after a much needed break, and the best chance to make the most out of it, is having an itinerary, or knowing where to go, while you’re on a trip. You can also read daily planner samples.
Interactive Tour Planner Sample
Itinerary Plan Sample
Efficient Itinerary Planning
You get to save more time, do more and simple budget better. You’re more ready if you know a little of what to expect and most of the time, it really wouldn’t be any less exciting than just hopping on a plane and decide when you get to your destination.
Be Realistic
The best way to make sure you’ll return from your trip feeling ready and refreshed is to be realistic in setting your itinerary. Avoid trying to see everything there is to see and do in one trip because in most cases, this would drive you to run from one place to another and attraction after attraction, having little time for sleep and never really getting to enjoy anything you went there for. There would be little time to relax and explore the destination. Leave yourself some room to breathe instead. For example, when you feel tired after a long flight and have a jet lag, consider some extra time for a power nap, rest or even sleep the day after arriving. You can also like daily agenda planner templates.
If you plan on visiting different cities, think of at least spending up to three nights in each of those places. You didn’t go on a holiday just to whiz around and puff you’re bound on the next train to another city. This will help you have more balance of sightseeing, exploring and of course, relaxing. Also consider being generous with the amount of time you spend for each attraction or tourist destination. You can also see sample agenda planners.
Avoid just passing around just so you can cross a tourist attraction off your bucket list, that doesn’t make sense, and there’s no point in having trips if you’re always in a hurry. Anyway the worse that can happen is that you get to spend less time than planned making you earn some free time to just do whatever you want, like check out something different that you haven’t explored or haven’t though of exploring in the location or just simply take in the whole atmosphere of where you’re at. You may also see agenda planner templates.
1. It’s about making the most out of it
Who wouldn’t want to make the most of his trip and really milk it by booking a flight bound to make you jet-lagged and then planning on a whole day’s worth of adrenaline pumping activities on day his first day despite what could be a six or eight-hour time difference. However by the end of the trip, you’ll be more exhausted instead of feeling refreshed and be tired at work on your first day back. You can also read printable day planners.
Don’t overdo it. If you want to squeeze in as much attractions and activities as you can manage, as well as meals and excursions you have included in your itinerary, but find yourself in a 4-hour sleep at night with no room for flexibility, you have to add an extra day or cut some of the activities you had planned. You can also like best daily planners.
Efficiency vs Budget
When planning out your means of transportation, get your priorities straightened out before writing this down on your itinerary, from the beginning. Which one holds more weight, simple budget or efficiency? If you are traveling on a budget, as most tourists and travelers really do (who wouldn’t want to save money, to make the trip more memorable, right?), then take the flight that makes a stop in another city, a connecting flight, before you reach your destination, because it would cost less than a direct one and it’s an option that makes more sense. But if you’re someone who has a budget to stretch, and money to spare with less time on your itinerary, a direct flight will be a better pick.
Knowing your priorities can also be applicable to accommodation. The hotel you checked out of the city limits might have a great price but you should also consider the travel time from the airport and how much it would cost getting to and for the city every day that you’re there. Will the money you have budgeted for accommodation outweigh the amount of time spent getting around each day? If yes, you’re likely better off shelling out a few extra dollars on a hotel inside the city. It seems more practical. You can also like daily planners.
Take time to weigh your options and priorities, what’s more important and what you think would work best for you, your budget and your time, then base your decisions around those factors. You can also like word daily planners.
Think Logically
When developing an itinerary plan and deciding how to spend your days at one of your dream destinations would require logical and practical thinking to make sure that you won’t miss out on anything, not activities nor food or excursions, and definitely not the whole experience. You don’t want to keep running from one side of the city to another trying to catch everything but ending up with no actual experience at all. You may also read sample daily planners.
For example, you’re headed for a 3-day trip to Paris, the city of love and have three feet long of a list of things you want to experience, see, and do. When planning what you want to see on what day, try to be organized. Use a map to check the places on your list so that you won’t be spending too much time asking for directions which would be challenging if you don’t speak French. After making sure which train or whatever means of transportation to ride or drive, plan what you want to do before going to one area and moving on to the next item on your list. You can also see sample daily organizer planners.
You would have to do the same for accommodation. For example, if you’re planning to only stay two nights and arrive and leave by train, it might be a good idea to book a place near train stations and the to save time. Having a plan isn’t a foolproof way of making your vacation stress-free and worthwhile. But being logical about those plans may make a big difference to your trip. You may also see weekly meal planners.
Be Flexible
Being good at planning an itinerary doesn’t mean losing your chances at spontaneity. You still need adventure. That’s what traveling is for. Giving way to adventures. Letting lose. And just because you have a schedule you intend to follow doesn’t mean you cannot break it nor skip a thing or two. You don’t have to follow everything to a T. No one can, so allow yourself some flexibility because that’s what you deserve. You can also like best daily planner templates.
You never know what you come across to along the way. Maybe you’ll meet strangers or locals who would make you experience what it really means to be in Morocco or Catalonia. Maybe there’s more to do in Cambodia than just see the Ankor Wat. Maybe you want to see how the French community live in New Orleans and not just take part in Mardi Gras. Many things can happen. And sometimes the most unexpected things will make your trip more memorable so don’t let an opportunity pass to discover the unknown. You can also like sample cute daily planners.
Research
Before embarking on a trip, it makes sense to do some research on your destination, to guide you through your itinerary-planning stages. The internet is filled with travel blogs and most of them are reliable. Go to TripAdvisor, Wiki Travel and any other website or blog that will help you find out more about the place or country you plan on visiting before booking a flight. Check their tourist requirements and secure proper paperwork if you’re planning on visiting a country or a continent halfway around the world.
Research yearly events on your destination because it might be a big factor in getting tickets and accommodation, as well as budget. If you’re big on music festivals, you might want to see what date Coachella, Isle of Wight or Glastonbury is going to be this year. Otherwise, you’ll have trouble booking a flight near the dates or find reservations for accommodation where it’s gonna be held. You may also see printable weekly planner templates.
Itinerary Planning System Example
Tour Planning Sample
Planning of Trip Itineraries
Trip Planner Template
Some travelers have the tendency to be overly ambitious, planning European tours in five days and expecting to get all destinations covered which is impossible. Do some serious planning if you want to visit more than one country and make the best out of what a continent can offer. The map is your best friend to figure out and decide what activities and locations you would want to prioritize. You may also see sample home school daily planners.