How to Plan an International Trip
Planning a trip—whether it’s just for 3 days or an epic 10-month adventure (yep, we planned one of those ourselves!)—can feel pretty overwhelming. Where do you even start? How do you pick the best destinations? What about places to stay? And, of course, can you actually afford it? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! By the time you finish this post, you’ll be feeling confident and ready to plan your trip like a pro.
To save you time, we’re jumping right into our step-by-step approach to trip planning. The more you read, the deeper we’ll go, including some awesome PRO TIPS you won’t want to miss. Plus, at the end, we’ll share our go-to travel resources to make your planning even easier.
Ready? Let’s dive into how to plan a trip that’s just right for you!
How to plan a trip. A step by step guide.
1. Decide Where to Go:
Make a list of potential destinations.
2. Flight Research:
Use Google Flights and Skyscanner to find the best flight deals.
3. Accommodation Research:
Check Airbnb or Booking.com for accommodation prices.
Explore hotel options, considering loyalty program points.
4. Tours and Experiences:
Utilize GetYourGuide to discover tours and experiences at the destination.
Not sure what you want to do? Use YouTube to search for a destination and see what other people did.
5. Find the best Area to Stay:
Use Pinterest to find blog posts about the best areas to stay in and make sure the article is recently updated.
6. Visa and Entry Requirements:
Check visa requirements and entry/exit regulations.
7. Safety Check:
Research the safety conditions of the chosen destination.
Be sure to check the weather for the time of year you will be visiting. For example, it’s better to go to Thailand during it’s dry season than wet season.
8. Flight Booking:
Secure your flights.
9. Accommodation Booking:
Book accommodation after thorough research.
10. Set a Budget:
Calculate a daily budget based on flights, accommodation, and anticipated expenses.
Determine the total budget for the entire trip.
We created a Master Budget Planner that you can get for yourself by clicking here.
11. Itinerary Planning:
Use Wanderlog to input and organize your itinerary. This can also be shared with friends/family if traveling in a group.
12. Start Your Packing List:
Utilize our free packing checklist below to ensure you never forget essential items.
13. Stay Connected
Use an eSIM for data abroad and avoid roaming fees.
Use a VPN to keep your data safe and access content form other countries.
14. Money Abroad
Bring at least two 0 foreign transaction fee credit cards.
Get a Charles Schwab debit card to pull out local currency.
Deciding where to go:
Start by jotting down a list of destinations that really get you excited. Think about what you want most from your trip—whether it’s discovering vibrant cultures, soaking up breathtaking nature, or exploring amazing historical sites. Then, check out the weather and peak travel seasons for each place to make sure your timing is spot on and you dodge any surprise weather. After that, take a look at flight prices on sites like Google Flights to find the best deals that fit your budget. Following these simple steps will make picking your perfect vacation spot a breeze!
Flight Research:
When it comes to booking flights, we always start with Google Flights, and you should too. It’s the best tool out there for researching flights and finding deals. Use the filters to narrow things down by airline, number of stops, or flight times. If you’re not set on a destination, the “Explore” map is a game-changer—it shows you where you can fly within your budget. And don’t skip the calendar view; seeing prices across different days makes it easy to spot when shifting your trip by just a day or two can save you serious money.
We recommend always comparing round-trip fares with two one-way tickets. It sounds odd, but sometimes booking flights separately—sometimes even on different airlines—can be cheaper than a traditional round-trip. You’ll also want to check nearby airports. Flying into or out of a smaller airport and then catching a train or bus to your final destination can cut costs and sometimes even get you there faster.
Now here’s one rule we always stick to: book directly with the airline. Yes, third-party sites can look cheaper, but if your flight gets canceled or delayed, you’ll be glad you booked direct. Airlines are far more likely to help you out if you purchased through them instead of a middleman.
Don’t overlook layovers, either. Instead of thinking of them as wasted time, see them as opportunities. Airlines like Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Icelandair actually encourage this by offering stopover programs with free or discounted hotel stays and tours. That layover can turn into a bonus trip.
If you have some flexibility, sign up for a deal alert app like Daily Drop Pro. These apps send you notifications when prices drop, and the savings can be huge if you’re open to jumping on a flight quickly. And finally, here’s a little trick we use every time—search in incognito mode or clear your cookies. Flight prices can rise if the system knows you’ve been looking at the same route again and again, and this simple step helps avoid that.
These are the exact strategies we use when booking flights, and they’ve saved us thousands over the years. Follow these tips and you’ll be booking smarter, saving money, and maybe even sneaking in an extra adventure along the way.
Accommodation Research
When it comes to choosing accommodations, we recommend sites like booking.com, airbnb and Agoda (for Southeast Asia). No matter which site you use, make sure to filter reviews by “most recent.” This gives you the freshest perspective on a property, which is especially important in a post-COVID world where management, cleanliness, and services may have changed.
On Airbnb, we almost always look for Superhosts. These are experienced hosts with consistently great reviews, which helps guarantee a smoother stay. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience, consider booking just a room in someone’s home instead of an entire apartment. Sure, you’ll sacrifice some privacy, but you’ll often gain unforgettable interactions with locals—like insider food tips, neighborhood gems, or even shared meals.
For those of you who want to stretch your budget even further, hotel-branded credit cards are a game changer. We’ve stayed in hotels for free or at a huge discount just by using points earned through our cards. [Read more about how we use hotel credit cards here] (link to your blog post).
Another way to save money is by exploring local stays. In Bali, for example, you can find charming family-run guesthouses for a fraction of the price of a resort. In Europe, we’ve even seen hostels set inside historic buildings like converted churches—unique, memorable, and budget-friendly.
These little strategies—using the right booking sites, reading recent reviews, leaning on hotel points, and being open to alternative stays—help us find accommodations that fit our budget without sacrificing comfort or experience. If you take the same approach, you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also unlock a side of travel that feels a lot more personal.
5. Tour Planning:
When it comes to planning tours and activities, we usually start with GetYourGuide. GYG offers a huge variety of options, from cooking classes to guided day trips, and they come with flexible cancellation policies—many tours can be canceled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That flexibility is priceless when plans shift on the road.
In parts of Southeast Asia, like Bali, Thailand, or Malaysia, we’ve found it’s often better to book certain tours on-site. Not only can it save you money, but it also feels more authentic when you’re dealing directly with local guides. On the other hand, for popular spots in Europe and Japan, you’ll want to plan ahead. Tours there often sell out weeks in advance, so booking online is the safer bet.
PRO TIP: book a food tour for your second day in a new destination. It gives you a crash course in the local cuisine, teaches you what to order, and sets you up with confidence for the rest of your trip. Another favorite of ours is a free walking tour. They’re offered in cities all over the world (just google “free walking tour [city name]”), and they’re a fantastic way to get oriented while learning from a local. Just remember—“free” doesn’t mean completely free, so be sure to tip your guide.
Finally, always check museum hours and policies before you go. Some museums are closed on certain days, and others offer free entry on specific afternoons. A little research means you can maximize your cultural experiences without blowing your budget.
By mixing online booking platforms with on-the-ground opportunities, plus sprinkling in food and walking tours, you’ll end up with a well-rounded travel experience that feels both adventurous and smartly planned.
6. Finding the best area to stay:
When you’re deciding where to stay, safety and budget should always come first. We always start by looking closely at the location of a hotel or Airbnb on the map—not just the price tag. Staying outside the city center can look like a great deal, but make sure to factor in transportation costs and time. Sometimes that “cheap” room ends up costing the same (or more) once you add in daily rideshares, metro tickets, or long commutes.
That said, sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra to stay right in the middle of the action. If you’re only visiting for a few days, being able to walk everywhere can save you hours and make your trip way more enjoyable. We’ve found that the convenience of being central often outweighs the small savings of staying farther away.
Another thing we recommend is doing a quick search for the “best neighborhoods to stay in [your destination].” Pinterest is actually one of our favorite places for this—it’s full of blog posts and guides that break down neighborhoods with honest, real traveler experiences. Between that and reading recent reviews, you’ll quickly get a feel for which areas are safe, lively, or better avoided.
The key is striking a balance: save where it makes sense, but don’t sacrifice safety or convenience just to shave a few dollars off your nightly rate. In the long run, choosing the right location can make or break your trip.
7. Visa and entry requirements:
Before embarking on your travels, it's crucial to check visa requirements and entry/exit regulations for your destination. You can do that on the official US government website here. Ensuring you have the necessary documentation can prevent any last-minute hassles or disruptions to your trip. Here, you can find up-to-date information on entry requirements, visa types, safety advisories, and more, tailored specifically for US citizens traveling abroad. Taking a few moments to review this information can help you navigate the entry process smoothly and enjoy a stress-free journey.
8. Book Flights:
Once you’ve spotted the perfect flights, it’s always best to book directly with the airline instead of through a third party like Expedia or eDreams. Sure, third-party sites might show a slightly cheaper price, but if anything goes wrong—like a canceled flight—the airline will usually send you back to the booking site to sort it out, which can be a real headache. Before you hit that “book” button, take a quick look at the airline’s cancellation policy and try to use a credit card that includes travel insurance. Lots of cards offer great perks like trip cancellation coverage and lost baggage protection—just make sure to read the fine print so you know exactly what’s covered.
9. Book Accommodation
Now that you’ve done the research, it’s time to actually book your stay. Before you hit “reserve,” take a few minutes to double-check the details. Look closely at the cancellation policy—some places allow free cancellation up until a certain date, while others lock you in the moment you book. Also keep an eye out for resort fees, service charges, or cleaning fees, which can add a surprising amount to your total bill.
We always recommend paying with a credit card that includes built-in travel insurance. Many travel cards cover things like trip interruptions, lost luggage, or even emergency medical care abroad, but the coverage varies, so it’s worth reading the fine print of your specific card. Using the right card not only gives you peace of mind but can also earn you valuable points or miles toward your next trip.
If you’re booking on Airbnb, we like to send a short message to the host right after reserving. We introduce ourselves, mention how excited we are to explore their city, and let them know we’re clean, quiet, and respectful guests. It sets the right tone from the start and can make your host more eager to go above and beyond during your stay.
Here’s a pro tip: never move communication outside of the Airbnb app. Even if a host asks for your WhatsApp number (which you can give for convenience), keep all important communication within the Airbnb platform. If something goes wrong with your booking, Airbnb will only review messages sent through their app when deciding how to help. And if you do run into an issue with your stay, report it to your host immediately instead of waiting. The sooner you raise the concern, the more likely it is to be resolved smoothly.
Taking these extra steps means fewer surprises and a better overall experience, no matter where you choose to stay.
10. Set a Budget:
One of the most important steps in planning any trip—especially on a mid-range budget—is figuring out your numbers. Start by breaking things down into a daily budget. Think about what you’ll spend on flights, accommodation, tours, food, and any other extras like transportation or activities. Once you have that daily number, multiply it by the number of days you’ll be traveling to get your total trip budget.
To make this step easier, we created a Master Budget Planner (link to your freebie/affiliate). It’s the exact spreadsheet style we’ve used to plan every one of our trips to more than 30 countries. It takes the guesswork out of travel budgeting by helping you see your costs clearly and stay on track—without the overwhelm of doing it all manually.
11. Itinerary:
For organizing our trips, we swear by Wanderlog. It keeps everything in one place—flights, hotel reservations, restaurant picks, and sightseeing plans—so we don’t have to juggle a dozen different apps or notes. The free version is more than enough to keep things organized, but the paid version takes it a step further by actually optimizing your route so you’re not zig-zagging across the city all day. One feature we especially love is the ability to invite travel buddies to collaborate on the same itinerary. It’s perfect when you’re traveling as a group and want everyone on the same page.
You can even connect Wanderlog to your email so that all your flight times and hotel bookings automatically sync. From there, you can create custom lists—places to eat, bars to check out, must-see attractions—and organize them by category. It makes building your days super simple and way less overwhelming.
That said, don’t forget to leave some downtime in your schedule. Travel can be exciting but also exhausting, especially with jet lag. Giving yourself a few open blocks of time means you can actually enjoy the destination instead of running from one activity to the next.
When deciding how long to spend in each city, we usually make a list of our must-see attractions and figure out how many days we realistically need to cover them. Price plays a role too. In expensive destinations like Paris, we’ve crammed everything into two action-packed days to save money. But in more affordable places, like Bordeaux, we stretched our trip into five days so we could slow down, relax, and enjoy at a gentler pace.
This balance of planning with flexibility helps us see the highlights without burning out—and Wanderlog is the tool that ties it all together.
12. Start Packing:
The first step in packing for any trip is deciding whether you’ll check a bag or go carry-on only—that one choice sets your packing limits. We like to stick with a capsule wardrobe, where everything mixes and matches so you can create multiple outfits without overpacking. Our trick? Lay out everything you think you’ll bring, then edit it down twice, removing anything that isn’t versatile or essential. It works every single time.
13. Stay Connected
One of the most overlooked parts of trip planning is figuring out how you’ll actually stay connected once you leave home—not just with Wi-Fi and cell service, but also with money, safety, and digital access. Here’s what we do (and what you should too):
Phone & Data – Forget expensive roaming plans from U.S. carriers. Instead, grab a Saily eSIM. It’s affordable, easy to install before you even leave, and works instantly when you land. No more searching for SIM card kiosks at the airport. If you want to know more about eSIM’s, click here.
Money & Credit Cards – Make sure the credit card you’re using has no foreign transaction fees—otherwise you’ll be throwing away money on every purchase. Most travel cards also give you built-in protections like trip insurance and lost luggage coverage, which is a lifesaver if things don’t go as planned.
Wi-Fi Security – Public Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, and coffee shops is convenient but not always safe. That’s why we always use NordVPN. It keeps our data secure, and as a bonus, it lets us stream our favorite shows abroad or access sites that might be blocked in certain countries.
Staying connected abroad is about more than just Instagram—it’s about being able to navigate, pay safely, and protect yourself online. With the right tools, you’ll travel smarter and stress less.
14. Money Abroad
When it comes to money while traveling, our biggest rule is this: always carry at least two credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. That way, if one gets lost or compromised, you have a backup. Using a travel card also means you’re not throwing away money on those annoying 3% fees every time you swipe.
But here’s our number one travel hack: get yourself a Charles Schwab debit card. It’s free to open an account, and this card refunds all ATM fees worldwide. We cannot stress enough how much time and stress this has saved us. Instead of ordering currency from your bank before you leave or wasting time hunting for the “best” exchange kiosk at the airport, you can walk up to any ATM, pull out local currency, and know you’re getting the best rate possible.
One more pro tip: when the ATM asks if you want to accept their conversion rate, always decline it. Let your bank handle the conversion—Charles Schwab will give you the true exchange rate without sneaky markups.
This simple setup—two credit cards plus the Schwab debit card—has made managing money abroad one of the easiest parts of our travels.
Bonus tips
If you plan on booking Airbnbs, use a rewards credit card to buy Airbnb gift cards before your trip for additional savings. For example, we have this credit card that gives us 5% back on Amazon purchases. You can purchase Airbnb gift cards on Amazon: a $500 Airbnb gift card will give you $25 in rewards. Right now they are offering Amazon Prime members a $100 amazon gift card when you sign up AND there is NO ANNUAL FEE! It’s a no brainer!
Check shopping portals like Rakuten for deals on platforms such as VRBO, select hotels, and airlines.
Utilize hotel branded credit cards like this one for Marriot, this one for Hilton, or this one for IHG to get FREE hotel stays around the world.
Essential Apps and Websites for Travel Planning:
These websites/apps have instrumental to our trip planning. Wether you are a beginner or an expert at travel planning, these are essential.
Google Flights: Find and compare flight options with ease.
Skyscanner: Explore flight deals and flexible travel options.
Rome2Rio: Plan your route and transportation between destinations.
Airbnb: Discover unique accommodations and get budget insights.
Booking.com: Explore hotel options worldwide.
Agoda: Particularly useful for hotel bookings in Asia.
12GoAsia: For booking transportation in Asia.
Klook: Great for booking tours and experiences in Asia.
GetYourGuide: Find and book tours and experiences at your destination.
Pinterest: Gather travel inspiration and research the best areas to stay.
Visa Website (US): Check official visa requirements and regulations.
Excel Spreadsheets: Organize your budget and expenses systematically.
Master Budget Planner: We created this so everyone can budget for any size/length trip!
Wanderlog: Create and optimize your travel itinerary effortlessly.
YouTube: Search for specific locations to visually explore and get a feel for your surroundings.
Onward Ticket: Traveling to a country that needs proof of an exit ticket? This website allows you to purchase a flight reservation that lasts for 48 hours. It literally takes less than 5 minutes to buy one. Trust us- we’ve used this to get into Vietnam, Turkey and many more countries that require an exit ticket. We literally book them while we are in line to check in at the airport.
