The season of summer is here, and it’s time for family vacations. As we get ready for summer to begin, let’s share some of the best family vacation planning tips so that you can make the most of your trip.
Start planning now
Due to the increasing number of people traveling, holding off on booking until the last minute can lead to higher prices when it comes to accommodations and flights.
Get everyone on board with where you’re going
If there’s one member of the family that doesn’t want to go, it can be hard to plan the trip. This is why it’s important that the itinerary includes a variety of activities and accommodations that everyone can participate in.
Find the best flights
Clear your browser every time you search for flights, as the airlines are known to manipulate prices based on your searches. I recently experienced this myself, as the cost of flying increased by about $100 per person.
The TSA lines are expected to be significantly longer this summer due to the increasing number of travelers and the understaffing at airports. If you’re planning on traveling this summer, make sure that you apply for Global Entry early so that you can avoid the airport queues. Also, plan a decent stopover to ensure that you can catch a connecting flight.
Chart your itinerary and print backups
Getting organized for a long trip can be a challenge, especially if you have a number of different flights and hotels. One thing that might be helpful is making a list of everything you’re hoping to do to set it out before putting it on a calendar app or a travel itinerary app.
If you’re always running low on phone battery, keep a copy of all your documents, such as airline tickets and reservations, in case you can’t access them digitally. It’s also important to secure a copy of your IDs and passports so that they can be easily accessed in case of loss.
Make lists and use packing cubes
It’s always a frustrating feeling not to have something important to carry with you when you travel. Having a list of all the necessary items in your bag can help keep you organized and avoid forgetting anything.
Packing cubes can be handy when you have to move from one place to another. While people use them to organize their outfits, I find it useful to pack different items into one bag to keep my suitcase organized.