9 Common Vacation Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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Vacation Planning Mistakes

Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Nasir Hanif

If you’re like most people, you probably start planning for your vacation a few months in advance. But are you making the same mistakes everyone else does? 

Here are some tips to help you avoid common vacation planning mistakes and make the most of your time away.

1. Making Assumptions

Assuming that you know everything about the place you are going without reading any reviews or articles first is a bad idea. This is especially true for well-known places, such as Disney World or Hawaii. You should start with a simple Google search to learn a little bit more about the place and browse some articles before moving forward in your planning. When planning a vacation you must do your due diligence.

Just like making assumptions, going into a vacation without preparing anything isn’t smart. Even if you are planning on having a relaxing vacation, you should still do some research beforehand. 

This way, if something bad happens or an emergency pops up at home, you’ll be prepared for it, and you won’t put your trip in jeopardy.

2. Trying to Do Too Much

This is one of the most common mistakes that people make while on vacation at popular vacation destinations. You should try to do as much as possible, but don’t overdo it.

The first thing that you should do is make a list of all of the activities that you want to do and set up a time duration for each of them.  When planning your trip, start by adding some buffers: if something goes wrong, you should be able to postpone your visit or cut it short.

Don’t forget, at the end of each day, you need to relax and unwind. If not, you’ll burn out sooner rather than later.

3. Not Packing Properly

Packing for a vacation is difficult because you have to pack everything that you’ll need during the trip. This is especially true when planning a family vacation. Plus, you also have to remember that you’re going to a different climate and a different time zone.

Most of the people who forget things on vacation do so because they have trouble recalling what they’ve packed when they get home from work or from being busy with their everyday lives.

In order to avoid this problem, start your packing list at least two weeks before you leave. Then, go through it every other day. Also, don’t forget to take into account the activities that you have planned for the duration of your trip.

4. Not Being Flexible Enough

This is one of the most common vacation planning mistakes. A lot of people fall into this trap because they want everything to go according to plan. But things rarely do.

If you are too rigid with your activities, you’ll risk being disappointed or having to cut your vacation early. This is especially true if the weather isn’t cooperating. Nobody wants to be stuck inside day after day.

5. Not Making Reservations in Advance

We live in an era where everything has a price tag attached to it, and some people take advantage of that. If you don’t make a reservation for a specific attraction or restaurant, there’s a possibility that it won’t be available for your date.

This is especially true during popular times of the year, such as Christmas and Spring Break. If you aren’t sure about something, always book in advance.

Also, be sure to tell your job about your vacation in advance and request your paid time off.

6. Not Doing Enough Research

While you shouldn’t do too much research, it’s also a bad idea not to research your destination at all. Even if it’s a place that you have been to before, take some time and learn more about the new attractions or hotels that are there. You don’t want to miss out on something cool, especially when on vacation with friends.

If you’ve already done the research and know what to look out for, it’s easier to plan your trip. Also, don’t forget about learning a few words of the spoken language of the country that you’re visiting.

7. Buying Plane Tickets at the Last Minute

Plane tickets are very expensive, and you should always book them as soon as possible. During busy times of the year, like Christmas and Spring Break, they tend to go up in price.

If you wait to buy plane tickets, you risk spending more money than necessary. Also, if your plans change for some reason (such as an emergency at work), it will be hard to find a replacement date that still lets you book a ticket for cheap.

8. Not Telling Loved Ones Where You’re Staying

Before you go on vacation, make sure that your family or friends know where you’re staying. You never know what could happen if they don’t know where to locate you in case of an emergency.

You should also check in with them when you arrive at your destination and let them know when to expect your return. If they are worried about you, they can remind you of things that need to get done.

9. Not Asking Hotel Staff for Help

Hotel staff members are there to serve their guests. Most of them enjoy doing what they do. Whether it’s helping you with your luggage or giving advice about the surrounding area, hotel staff can help you. 

Don’t try to figure things out on your own when you don’t have to.

Avoid Common Vacation Planning Mistakes 

Planning a vacation is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. By following the advice in this article, you can avoid common vacation planning mistakes and make your vacation planning process smoother and less complicated. 

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