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Question: When should I start planning my trip? Answer...

  • Writer: SueQ Travel
    SueQ Travel
  • Mar 26
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jun 28


Person at computer trying to plan travel.

Planning a trip is no small feat.


There are a lot of details to consider such as flights, accommodations, food, transportation, and what you’re actually going to do once you get there.

Knowing when to start planning a trip is important to save money and avoid last-minute stress. If you’re traveling internationally, I recommend starting the planning process six to twelve months in advance, especially if you're traveling during peak seasons or heading to a bucket-list destination where experiences book up fast.

For example, I’m traveling with a family to Europe this summer, and we didn’t think about the fact that it’s the Year of Jubilee until more recently. Thankfully, we started planning over a year ago and locked in great prices on flights, accommodations, and excursions. Now that it’s getting closer to travel time, accommodations are booked up, excursions are crazy expensive, and flight prices have skyrocketed. We are so glad we booked early.

Now, just a heads-up. Flights can only be booked up to 11 months in advance, so once they’re available, start looking.

For domestic trips, three to six months of planning is usually enough, but the earlier you start, the better deals you’ll find, especially on flights.

If you’re traveling to a popular destination, early booking gives you the best shot at snagging your preferred accommodations, often at a cheaper rate.

Sure, last-minute deals exist, but planning ahead means better prices, better availability, and way less stress.

Planning a trip and need a reliable place to book experiences? Check out our affiliate* Viator! Just type in your destination and travel dates, and you’ll get a smorgasbord of ideas and options. Whether you're looking for city tours, food experiences, or unique adventures, Viator has plenty to choose from! For example, we quickly curated a Europe list! Check it out!



Happy Planning!


*As an affiliate, we do earn a commission for any bookings, but it’s at no cost to you. Win-win!


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