10 Easy Ways to Plan a Trip for an Unseasoned Traveling Family

Are you feeling overwhelmed or anxious about taking your family on a big trip? In this episode, I share 10 tips that will help you to navigate the trip-planning process and plan amazing family vacations.

Here are 10 suggestions to help you plan your family trip!

1. Hire a local guide

If you feel comfortable booking flights and accommodation, but aren’t sure what to do once you arrive at your destination, then hiring a guide might be the right option for you! This is a fun way to learn more about the history of the area and to see the highlights of the destination from a unique perspective. Another benefit to hiring a guide is that they typically provide transportation! You can look up “Travel guide in [city name]” and read reviews to find great guide options.

2. Hire a travel agent

There are varying levels of trip planning that travel agents can do for you depending on your wants and needs. You can have them plan out each moment of your trip from the time you leave your house. Or you could have them coordinate your flights and drivers. They can plan activities and find hotels for you! This option can also save you a ton of research and planning time! It will cost you a bit more money, but it might be worth it to you!

3. Hire drivers to travel between cities

We have had great success hiring drivers from mydaytrip.com to help us get from one city to another! Sometimes it can be stressful to navigate in unfamiliar areas, which is why we love to hire drivers who are familiar with the city. This website has options for drivers in SO many countries! You also have the option to choose between luxury and normal cars. They also offer options to stop at different destinations along the way! 

4. Invite friends (or get their ideas)

Once you know where you want to travel, if you have friends who have already been there, you could consider inviting their family to come as well! Or if you have friends who love to plan and travel, you could bring them along. We have been on many trips with other families, and it’s always a great time! If you’d rather go with just your family, reach out to these friends for tips and ideas!

5. Trust yourself

When you are heading into a new place, trust yourself! Know that you are smart and capable and that you’ll be able to work through anything that happens. Just start planning and everything will fall into place.

6. Talk to the hotel concierge for ideas

If you are staying in a bigger city, a lot of hotels will have a concierge in the lobby. These people are there to help their guests have a great experience while visiting their city, so take advantage of their help and knowledge. Ask about everything from tours to restaurants and activities.

7. Hop-on Hop-off tour

These tours are available in many big cities. They’re great options because (like the name suggests) you can hop on and off the tour bus at the stops you want to see, and then get back on another bus when you’re done. This is a great option if you don’t want to worry about driving and parking around the city.

8. Start with an adventure close to home

If you have not traveled much and are feeling a little anxious about it, start by planning activities closer to home. Maybe there are tours and activities close to your home that you haven’t tried out yet. This also gives you the opportunity to practice planning activities.

9. Hire a tour guide for the day

Once you know of a specific activity that you want to do, you can find a day tour! This is a convenient way to see what you want to without having to plan any details or logistics. 

Click here to read my blog post about the pros and cons of going on group tours.

10. Message me!

If you are feeling a little unsure about planning your family vacation, reach out to me and send me a DM on Instagram @thistraveltribe! I would love to help you in any way that I can. I can help you come up with ideas for your trip, point you toward guides, and answer any other questions that you may have!

Lisa AndrewsComment