How to Plan a Trip in 6 Simple Steps — A Stress-Free Approach

I’ve loved planning trips for as long as I can remember. The genuine curiosity and the thrill of exploring new countries, cultures and places are what engage me and keep me going every single time.

It wasn’t until I spoke to a close friend of mine that I realised not everyone feels the same way. Some people are simply not good at trip planning. Others genuinely dislike it. That never really crossed my mind, because in our household, I’m the one who takes care of everything — simply because I love it.

That’s why I decided to start my blog with this article — to help anyone who is like my friend (and most likely my husband 😂) and outline my process of planning the perfect trip.

1. Define the “Why” and the Vibe of the Trip (and Then Choose Your Destination)

Not knowing why you’re travelling is not a great place to start. It might seem irrelevant, but understanding whether you want relaxation, adventure, culture, food, or a mix of everything sets the tone for the entire trip.

So here is the first question to get you started:

Why am I going?

Relaxation? Adventure? Culture? Food? Something else?

To give you an example: many people go to Bali either to chill on the beach or to party in fabulous exotic clubs. I went there for the first time with my husband, who loves to relax and take it easy. I, on the other hand, like to be on the go — immersing myself in the culture, visiting temples, talking to locals, and learning about how they live. As you can see, the same destination, but different people = different interests = different trips. I decided on a mix: relaxation combined with culture.

Next: Decide your pace.

Slow and chill? Packed sightseeing? Or something in between?

In our case, I planned some days for temple visits and exploring, and other days for beach clubs or simply enjoying the resort. We stayed at Conrad Bali (highly recommended, especially off-season).

Finally: Consider who’s coming with you.

Travelling solo? As a couple? Family? A group of friends?

This shapes everything — from pace and budget to accommodation and activities.

2. Set Dates & Duration

This may seem obvious, but dates and duration can completely change your experience — especially depending on the season.

Bali, for example, looks like a perfect year-round destination, but it still has low and high seasons. Our first visit happened during the low season, which I loved: fewer people, better hotel availability, friendlier staff, and lower prices. The downside was high humidity, but after living in Malaysia for 10 years, I’m quite used to it.

Personally, I’ll take off-season travel any day over crowds, long queues, and overpriced hotels.

Important!

• Check work, school schedules, events, and especially local holidays

• Be realistic about how much time you actually have. Some destinations sound amazing, but if you’re not curious, adventurous, or have a budget for activities, you might end up... bored. (After all, how many days can you really sip piña coladas on a beach?)

Pro tip: Add buffer days

I used to hit the ground running from day one and immediately start sightseeing, then push myself until the very last minute before heading to the airport. While it can save money, it also increases stress.

Now, I always plan buffers:

• Arrival day: rest, shower, get familiar with the area, chat with hotel staff (they’re underrated and full of local tips)

• Last day: local market for gifts, a short walk, or simply relaxing

It makes the whole trip feel calmer and more enjoyable.

3. Plan Your Budget (with room for reality)

Start with a rough budget for:

• Flights

• Accommodation

• Food

• Activities

• Transport

• Souvenirs

I’ve visited over 30 countries, some more than once, and I can honestly say: I’ve never stuck perfectly to my original budget. Not because I lack discipline — but because I always fall for souvenirs. (And cocktails 😹.)

I never used to care about gifts, but I picked up the habit from my husband. Now I love bringing them for my friends and family, especially my parents. And honestly, how can you say no to cute Mexican hat fridge magnets, iconic coasters with La Calavera Catrina, koala-themed mugs from a sanctuary in Australia or a flavoured moonshine from the Mob Museum in Vegas?

So if you are planning on buying gifts and you don’t want to miss out, always have some extra budget in your travel “piggy bank”. 🙂

Pro tip: Decide what’s non-negotiable

When I plan any trip, my husband always gets angry because I come up with long (and expensive) lists of things we should do. Or at least, I want to do. But this is not me being spoiled; this is my system:

1. I list everything I’d like to see and do.

2. Then I highlight the absolute musts.

3. Finally, I cross off the things and places that I can’t afford or are not so important to both of us.

For example, going to Australia for the first time and not seeing koalas was simply not an option. I could skip dinners out or nightlife — but I had to see koalas. Period.

How you can apply it to your trip planning:

• Identify top experiences you truly care about — not everything is “must-see.”

• Check opening hours, ticketing, and seasonal availability.

• Build a flexible framework (for example: sightseeing in the morning, rest in the afternoon — or vice versa if you’re not a morning person)

• Don’t overcomplicate the process — I use a simple Google Drive spreadsheet template for every trip. If you’d like a copy, subscribe and comment “copy”, and I’ll send it to you.

4. Pre-book and Research Food Places

Food deserves its own planning step — especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan.

This used to be one of the most stressful parts of travel for me, which is exactly why it became one of the pillars of Grumpy Nomad Cat.

As I explore the world, I’ll explore veg-friendly food spots for you, so you never feel stuck or disappointed with your options. (Most posts, tips and reviews coming soon!)

Pro tip: Pre-book your flight meal & confirm with the hotel

On long-haul flights, meals are usually included and customisable. Check your airline’s options carefully, though — some vegan meals can be very basic (fruit and bland vegetables), while vegetarian or Indian vegetarian meals are often more filling yet still plant-based.

I’m a vegetarian, my husband is vegan, so we usually order different meals and share. If he gets paneer, I steal it. 🤭 If I get dal and rice, that’s obviously his.

Double-check if your hotel offers vegan and vegetarian breakfast options. You'd be surprised how many times I ended up seeing only fruits or plain bread. Eggs are probably the most common vegetarian option...

5. Map Out Logistics

I will just cut to the chase here, as this step is pretty straightforward:

• Compare flights, trains, and buses for price, timing, and convenience.

• Choose accommodation based on location, not just luxury — wasting time in traffic or not being able to walk anywhere may end up being very frustrating and time-consuming.

• Use Google Maps, but remember: cities look different in real life. If you plan to walk, check whether the area actually has sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.

  
  

• If you opt for car or bike rental, make sure you can drive safely in the given country. (I would not suggest inexperienced drivers get behind the wheel in some Asian countries, especially in India or Vietnam.)
  

• Research weather carefully — you don’t want rain every day unless that’s your thing.

I personally like to travel off-season, and I once planned a family trip to Vietnam in December, which is actually their “winter.” Anywhere we went, there was only a handful of people, and despite the rain, the temperature was still quite nice and warm. We loved it!

On the contrary, I’ve been to Vegas twice and still haven’t seen the Grand Canyon, or any other Canyon for that matter — not because I didn’t plan, but because both times the parts of the valley I wanted to see were closed due to very high temperatures.

6. Prepare the Practical Stuff:

• Passports and visas

• Travel insurance

• Vaccinations if needed

• Packing list (you can just have one master template and reuse it as I do)

• Emergency contacts, backup plans, and copies of important documents

How to plan a trip — Your Final Check & Some More Pro Tips:

🌺 Don’t overbook — the best experiences often happen when you’re relaxed and “go with the flow”.

🌺 Leave buffer time for naps, wandering, unexpected discoveries, or even delays.

🌺 Leave room for spontaneity & be open to local advice — some of my best plans changed after chatting with locals.

🌺 Be flexible — more often than not, things won’t go as planned. Weather can change, places may close, you can get into a fight with your spouse or a family member…

🌺 Review your plan: does it feel exciting and doable?

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