Planning for travel: How I plan for a trip + Q&A

I like to travel, but before I can go anywhere I have to plan the journey. In this LIVE video I share my method for travel planning and tips to hopefully make it easier for you.

Show notes:
Big trip: 3-12 months out

Little trip: 3 weeks prior

First thing: Decide on the destination and roughly the timeframe.

I usually have a "set" of destinations in mind.

Flight considerations:: Flight cost, Flight duration (connections), Airline, Alliance, Class of Service, Revenue or Award

If an award ticket always the saver ticket, usually business class. Make sure to check other airlines website for availability and CALL. Partner airlines almost always have the best availability.

Award tickets: Think of creative routings, look at an airline route map, SAN to NRT on JAL, LAX to VIE on Austrian

United miles: At least 3 cents per mile

If booking on short notice what seats are available? Exit row economy plus?

What are the ontime statistics for the flight? Tip: Early morning flights are the most ontime. High revenue flights also most ontime.

Might I be changing the flights quite a bit? Then Southwest -- no change fees.

Tools I use: Kayak, Google Flights, ITA Matrix, Airline Websites (actual and partner), and calling the airline.

Use month long views, flexible dates, pick some random specific dates and write down the best ones.

Picking a hotel:
Start with TripAdvisor
Read FlyerTalk threads
Look for blog reviews on the hotel

I like Marriott&Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton (in that order). Best Western and Holiday Inn basically don't exist for me. Radisson nice internationally.

I tend towards large business hotels, but also like the boutique mini chains, Autograph Collection and Andaz.

I avoid domestic Courtyards like the plague.

Factors for hotel decision: Cost, Quiet rooms, Good AC, Good Location (public transport), Good and cheap (free?) Breakfast, Lounge access, close to restaurants & grocery store.

For big chain hotels I always book thru the hotel website. For international trips often Expedia. For Japan: Rakuten.

Tip:. Check special hotel rates: AAA, Senior, other?

Some hotels have bizarre minimum stay requirements (Andaz Maui I'm talking about you!)

I almost always book refundable and changeable hotel reservations.

If I don't know specific cities yet, I'll start with a full booking at arrival airport city and shorten reservation later.

Buy a few travel books -- Rick Steves for Europe. Select from the most popular on Amazon.

Watch YouTube videos. Read wikitravel,
Look for other people's itinerary for similar trip length.

Develop general itinerary in Google Docs. Also Google keep. Detailed down to what city per day and where we sleep. What mode of transport? Car, train, plane?

Generally at least 2 nights in a hotel, prefer 3. Generally prefer trains, then car, then planes

Make new hotel bookings or change if new destinations. Check prices of existing reservations.

A month out: Book train tickets or buy rail passes. Print out ideal train times. Determine airport to hotel transportation. Print out major attraction info.

Right before I go: Check the weather -- Make sure I've packed appropriately. Also be on the lookout for possible weather delays. Change flights if Weather Advisory allows. Check hotel prices again, change to non refundable if available. Make sure I have enough money in my ATM card account. Download Google maps offline.

Night before: Decide which travel buddies are going.. Finish final packing of luggage.


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[jaredebeling]

Skyscanner is by far the best in my opinion

[Maria-jnvf]

Many great ideas in this video, especially the fact that you can re-book your hotel a few days before you go if you can find it at a cheaper rate, provided you have booked a refundable rate in the first place.

[lillymagnolia]

Thank you! This has been one of the most useful videos I have seen on travel.

[gilbertocarmona]

This video will be useful forever! A lot of timeless tips!

[erikoteh]

I'm a big fan. Thank you for your videos.

[diannewang]

I agree with the tours. In 2014, I did Paris & Provence with Trafalgar. Everything was good, for the first day or two, the coach was ok but after that it just all blurred into one (getting on and off all the time and seeing lots of hotels). On a Saturday when many others went to Monet’s home in Giverny, I asked the hotel about Versailles and they told me to take the local SNCF train (I was in the La Defense district at the time). Got a ticket at the local train station and off I went. It was pretty good.

[scottman]

Great job and great travel planning tips! I'm glad I was able to watch this back as I am usually asleep for the night when the streams are live (the downside of being in the Eastern time zone). I also am a big fan of the Rick Steves guidebooks as I have a few of them myself. Although he's not perfect, he does a great job, and I personally recommend them. It's pretty cool how you are heading to Switzerland in a few weeks. Around the same time, I'll be down in Croatia, Bosnia, and Slovenia for nine days and then Barcelona for three days. It should be exciting! I'll look forward to the Switzerland videos after you get back!

[jaredebeling]

This is a fantastic video! Thanks for all you do!

[MANIESALWAYSGOING]

Thank you for this awesome video... Love your enthusiasm ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ great job!!!

[glorygp]

Excelent information.
I have a question, do you think it's better to withdraw money from an ATM or at the exchange offices in the airports?

[relaxsleeplearn]

Chris any suggestions for travel insurance?

[guygaffney]

Can you do more California videos more about Santa Monica Hollywood boulevard more details please

[adriannab.]

I was in vegas this past july and we went to circus circus....NEVER AGAIN. lol. it was gross.

[byakko]

did you like Stay in Four Season Hotel in Bora bora. it is Yes or no .

[jaysato]

United?! dont get pulled out of your seat!

[mpower]

Why do you always swallow and sipping on drinks when you talk ???