We each have our own travel philosophy. Some view travel as a time of exploration and feel that a schedule could get in the way of curiosity. Others believe that having an itinerary makes for a smoother, more successful trip. Some of us like to go all out and make detailed spreadsheets. Perhaps we go overboard. However, there are numerous reasons why a travel itinerary can be as important as choosing where to go and where to stay. Whether loosely fashioned or a detailed plan, it can make or break your trip!

Pros

Making an itinerary will force you to do your research ahead of time. Prioritize all the attractions you want to visit. Note their hours of operation. You can then arrange your day to visit the places that open early first, before others that open later.

Through your research, you will be able to learn which places or attractions sell tickets ahead of time. It will save you time waiting in line, and occasionally might earn a discount.

If you have a travel itinerary you can estimate the cost of your travel beforehand. Knowing how much you are likely to need makes it easier to plan your budget.

Having a tentative plan of what places you’ll be visiting and activities you’ll be participating in helps greatly in efficient packing. Instead of four pairs of shoes, you’ll know that you may not need those hiking boots after all. It will also help when you’re choosing what to wear each day.

An itinerary is a simple way to keep everything organized in one place. You’ll have ready access to confirmation numbers, important email addresses and any phone numbers in case of emergencies. Include travel insurance information; medications required; emergency numbers such as hospitals, embassy, and police stations; passport number; credit card information and customer service numbers.

If you have an itinerary, you can note recommendations you have received from families and friends beside the days they would be feasible. If you have time available, you can reference the list and try out a recommendation.

When you return home, your itinerary is a great way to remember exactly where you visited and things you saw, especially if you don’t keep a travel journal.

Cons

For those who believe traveling is all about pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, planning your vacations minute to minute will eliminate spontaneity. You may prefer to arrive at a new destination with nothing but your hotel reservation, return flight, and opportunity to stumble upon new places and things. Had you come bogged down with a pre-planned, day-to-day agenda of museums, bus tours, and restaurant reservations, that would never have happened.

Pre-ordering tickets is probably only wise if it is a must-see place, as it binds you to a time and a day which isn’t always worth it unless you know for sure that you will visit.

Following an itinerary will rob you of that scary, excited feeling of not knowing where you’ll be headed or what you’ll be doing next. Such a feeling makes the experience 100 times richer. Your adventure will certainly never to be forgotten. 

How to get started

1. Gather all the information you may need: flights, hotels, day trip information, etc.

2. You can create your itinerary by hand if you must, but a digital version is easier. This way you can copy and paste hotel addresses and flight numbers without fear of reversing a number or missing part of an address.

3. Next, start filling in day-by-day information you may need.

4. You should save your itinerary in a place where it can be easily accessed. Email it to yourself or save it on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

5. Smartphone batteries sometime die, and we don’t always have access to WiFi, especially when traveling, So, you should copy your itinerary onto a flash drive and keep it in your luggage, just in case.

6. Print a copy for yourself and store it with your passport, boarding passes, maps or anything else you’d normally access while traveling.

7. If you’re taking a long trip you may want to make an extra copy to leave with a trusted relative, neighbor or friend. But think carefully. Don’t hand this out to anyone you don’t completely trust. 

8. While traveling, store your itinerary in a clear plastic sleeve. Add other necessary documentation such as receipts, boarding passes, and tickets. The itinerary always goes on top, followed by the accompanying documents.

Creating an itinerary, no matter how limited, will give you peace of mind and simplify your travel routine.

Select Contact Me from the website’s menu and request a free list of Itinerary Components from which to choose, together with a Travel Itinerary template that can be completed electronically.