I Remember Planning My First Trip Around the World
When I started planning my first trip around the world, I didn't know what I was doing.
When I decided to quit my job and travel the world, I walked into a bookstore and bought the first travel-related book I saw. Buying that guidebook was my first step toward long-term travel. That book made the trip feel more real, more concrete. It made me feel like everything was possible.
The book was useful, but it didn't exactly prepare me for planning a trip around the world. Back then, there weren't many travel blogs, sharing economy websites, or apps like there are today. I was excited and determined, but I was lost. I had to learn everything along the way, hoping I wouldn't miss anything important.
Travel planning can be a daunting task. Where do you start? What is the first step? The second step? The third step?
If you've never done anything like this before, especially considering how much information there is these days, it can be overwhelming. Blogs, social media, and guidebooks have never been more abundant. A flood of information can sometimes make travel planning even more difficult and overwhelming.
After ten years of traveling the world, I have planned countless trips and vacations for myself, friends, family, and even group tours. In the beginning, I learned many lessons the hard way through trial and error. However, this helped me develop an efficient checklist that ensures I don't miss anything important during the travel planning process.
After all, I don't want to realize I forgot something when I arrive at my next destination. You wouldn't want that either!
There is a lot of information on this website (and even more information in my book), but a frequently asked question is, “Matt, how do I put it all together? How do I plan a trip?”
In my continued efforts to help you get out the door and explore the world, I created this step-by-step guide on how to plan a trip. It works for any type of trip, no matter how long you are traveling for! Just follow this checklist and you'll be on your way in no time!
Table of Contents
Step 1: Decide Where You Want to Go Step 2: Decide on the Duration of Your Trip Step 3: Research Your Costs Step 4: Start Saving Money Step 5: Get a Travel Rewards Credit Card Step 6: Switch to ATM Cards That Don't Charge Fees Step 7: Stay Focused and Inspired Step 8: Look for Last-Minute Deals Step 9: Book Your Flight Step 10: Book Your Accommodation Step 11: Plan Your Activities Step 12: Sell Your Belongings Step 13: Automate Your Bills Step 14: Pack! Step 15: Buy Travel Insurance Step 16: Enjoy Your Trip If you want to get ahead, you can click on any of the links above to continue.
Step 1: Decide Where You Want to Go
Determining where you want to go sets a goal to work toward. Many people speak vaguely about travel. They don't say where they are going, they just say they are going to go. Choosing a destination is extremely important because it gives you a concrete goal.
Saying “I’m going to Paris in the summer” is much easier than saying “I’m going to Europe” or “I’m going somewhere.” Your trip will become more concrete for you and easier to commit to; it will also make planning easier because you know what you are working toward. Be specific in your plans. Be detailed. The more focused and concrete your goal is, the easier it will be to achieve it.
Resources for choosing your travel destination:
- 200+ Detailed Destination Guides
- 10 Destinations to Go for Less Than $50 a Day
- Top 10 Places to Visit for Budget Travelers
- The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World
Step 2: Decide on the Duration of Your Trip
How much does the trip cost? That depends on how long you are going for!
I can't answer that question without knowing how long you'll be away. And this is a question you need to answer to start planning!
To determine how much you need to save, you need to know how long your trip will last.
Are you going for a week? A month? A year?
The duration of your trip is a major factor in determining how much money you need. Spend time thinking about this.
For example, after saying “I’m going to Paris this summer,” add “for X days.” This way, you can start to narrow down how much money you need. “I’m going to Paris for 10 days” is a plannable trip. An achievable goal.
Step 3: Research Your Costs
You know where you’re going and how long you’ll be there, but to determine how much money you actually need, your next task is to research the costs in your destination that fit your travel style.
Do you want to travel by backpack, or stay in luxury hotels?
How much are hostels, hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions?
Knowing this allows you to estimate how much money you will need for your trip. Here are ways to research costs:
- Buy a guidebook.
- Check out my travel guide section.
- Search Google for prices of specific things you want to do, such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, or wine tours (Get Your Guide is a good starting point for this). You don't need to do more than this. There is too much information on the internet, and if you go down the rabbit hole of over-planning, you will get lost in the flood of information and become confused. Stick to these three things and you’ll be done!
For example, if you are going to Paris for 10 days and need at least $75 USD per day (excluding airfare), you know you need to save $750 USD for your trip (though it’s good to save a little extra, like $800-900 USD, because it’s good to have extra money).
If you were traveling around the world for a year, you would need $50 USD per day.
Some other useful posts to help you better estimate your costs:
- 5 Ways to Stretch Your Money While Traveling
- How Do You Know if Travel Information is Valid?
- How Do I Research My Solo Travel Destinations?
Step 4: Start Saving Money
Saving money for travel in a piggy bank Before you start saving money, you need to know how much money you have and how much you spend. Start writing down all your expenses now so you can identify what you are spending money on and how you can cut back.
People spend a lot of money on small purchases every day: a coffee here, a snack there. It all adds up. To change your spending habits, you first need to understand them. Making a list allows you to do this. It also puts your financial needs into better perspective.
For example, if you need $2,000 USD for a trip you’ll take in eight months, that only means you need to save $8.33 USD per day. Can’t you find a way to save $8 a day? Even your daily coffee makes up most of that!
If you are struggling to save money, check out the post titled 23 Ways to Cut Expenses and Save Money for Travel. This will help you get started and be on your way to saving money in no time!
Step 5: Get a Travel Rewards Credit Card
An image of a man using a travel credit card to shop online on a laptop While saving money, get a travel credit card so you can take advantage of bonuses for earning miles and points for free flights and hotel stays. Collecting points and miles from travel credit cards is the way to get tons of free flights, free hotel stays, and free travel perks every year — and without extra spending!
Nowadays, most cards offer welcome offers of up to 100,000 points once you meet the minimum spending requirement. That's enough miles for a free flight to almost anywhere in the world!
If you want a free flight, sign up for cards that help with that. If you want free hotel rooms, get a hotel card. Either way, sign up for a travel credit card and start earning points today. As long as you can pay your monthly balance, you get free travel credit.
You don't need to sign up for too many cards; choose one or two and focus on them. Do this as soon as you decide to travel. Don't wait — waiting means lost miles, which means less free travel.
Collecting points and miles is what all the experts do to lower their costs and travel for longer. This is what allowed me to keep my costs low and stay on the road for years. While the best cards are available in the US, there are also many options for Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders.
For more information on travel credit cards and using points and miles, check out these posts:
- Points and Miles 101: A Guide for Beginners
- How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card
- Best Travel Credit Cards
- How to Earn Points by Paying Your Rent
- The Ultimate Guide to Points and Miles
- How to Use Points and Miles in Canada
Step 6: Switch to ATM Cards That Don't Charge Fees
When you go abroad, you will need money. While many countries accept credit cards, cash is still king in most countries. This means you need to use ATMs to withdraw local currency.
This also means you will encounter ATM fees.
If you are away for a week or two, a few dollars in ATM fees isn't the end of the world. But if you are away for a longer period, these fees add up and eat away at your travel budget — a budget you worked so hard to build up. Don't give your hard-earned money to banks.
How? By using an ATM card that doesn't charge fees.
I use Charles Schwab, but there are many banks that don't charge fees (don't forget to check your local banks, too). You can also join a bank that participates in the Global ATM Alliance.
By using an ATM card that doesn't charge fees, you can avoid those annoying ATM fees, so your money can be used for travel.
You can find exactly how to avoid ATM fees while traveling right here.
Step 7: Stay Focused and Inspired
As you get closer to your goal, make sure you keep fueling your desire to travel. Travel planning can be tiring and overwhelming — especially if you don't have support from friends and family (and especially if your trip is still months away). Sometimes it can be discouraging and seem unattainable.
Fortunately, thanks to the wonderful community we have on this website, there are many ways to keep you focused and your morale high. Here are some inspiring stories about traveling:
- There is Never a Perfect Time for Travel
- 13 Travel Books That Will Awaken Wanderlust
- How to Change the “I’m Too Poor to Travel” Mindset and Say Yes to Travel
- 8 Ways to Stay Motivated to Travel Also, make sure to join our online travel community, The Nomadic Network. Not only can you find support (and tons of tips) online, but we also organize regular in-person and virtual events all around the world. These events are a great way to get inspired, meet other amazing travelers in your area, and get travel advice.
Step 8: Look for Last-Minute Deals
Okay, you’re inspired, prepared, and have started saving money for your trip. But before you buy that flight or book that hotel, check for deals you might have missed. You might dream of Paris, but maybe there are great deals to Berlin right now. Or maybe you can get a package holiday to Hawaii for the price of your flight to Paris, or 50% off sailing trips around Greece.
Nowadays, it is always possible to find a deal with flexible dates and/or destinations. Some deal sites worth checking:
- Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
- The Flight Deal
- Holiday Pirates
Step 9: Book Your Flight
A commercial plane taking off toward a golden, glowing sunset After you have used your travel credit card and received your sign-up bonus, book your flight using your miles. It’s harder to use miles these days because there is less availability, so book early to ensure you get the flight you want.
Fortunately, there are still many ways to avoid being the person who pays the most for their tickets. My two favorite sites for finding cheap airfare:
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Skyscanner – Skyscanner is the best website for searching multiple destinations at once.
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Google Flights – Like Skyscanner, Google Flights is also great for open searches to multiple destinations. For the best deals, book your flight about two to three months in advance. Here are two articles on catching a cheap flight:
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How to Find Cheap Flights
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Booking Flights: Everything You Need to Know
Step 10: Book Your Accommodation
At Luna’s Hostel in Panama City, full of backpackers just hanging out and having fun If you are traveling for less than two weeks and have a specific schedule, you can book your accommodation for the duration of your trip, which will give you peace of mind (or if you are visiting during peak season).
For trips longer than two weeks (or if you are going to be traveling long-term), only book your first few days. This ensures you have a place to stay upon arrival. Once you are there, you can get insider information from hotel/hostel staff and other travelers. You can then use this information to plan your next steps.
You can book more than just your first few nights, but you might want to change your plans when you land. I prefer to be flexible, so I always just book my first few nights and go from there.
The main sites I use to find the best deals on accommodation are:
- Hostelworld – Hostelworld has the widest selection of hostels and is my go-to site for finding affordable hostels.
- Agoda – Agoda gives the best results if you are going to Asia (sometimes it offers good deals in the US as well).
- Booking.com – Booking.com is the best general platform for finding budget hotels and guesthouses. If you are traveling on a tight budget or want to connect with more locals during your trip, consider joining platforms like Couchsurfing or BeWelcome. These communities allow travelers to stay with locals for free as a cultural exchange.
Long-term travelers can also try options like housesitting or WWOOFing, which offer free accommodation in exchange for pet care or farm work.
Step 11: Plan Your Activities
Nomadic Matt pretending to be lost in Asia with a group of backpacker friends To set your budget correctly, identify the main activities you want to enjoy during your trip and their costs. By making last-minute adjustments to your savings, you can ensure you have enough money. This will also help you determine whether you need to book for the tours or activities you choose.
Research online for discounts. While some countries offer cheaper prices in person, others provide discounts for those who book early/online. Learn how you can save your money by researching which method applies in which country.
For short-term trips, you can book your activities in advance to get your tickets. For long-term trips, book on the road.
Also, before you leave home, get a rough idea of the activities that are priorities for you. That way, if you run out of time or money, you can focus on your most important activities and not miss any of them. Also, make sure there are no holidays or other obstacles that will block specific activities.
Step 12: Sell Your Belongings
If you are going on a long-term trip (more than six months), consider selling your belongings to earn extra money for your trip. Start doing this about 60 days before your trip. Some sites you can use:
- Gumtree – An online classifieds site focused on the UK and Australia.
- Amazon – The world’s largest online store.
- Craigslist – Online classifieds with both local and global reach.
- eBay – Another global online classifieds site.
- Facebook Marketplace – Great for finding people near you so you don't have to ship your items. If you won't be away for that long, skip this step. If you are going to be away for a long time but want to keep your belongings, move your items to a friend's house or put them in storage. A good storage company in the US is Public Storage. It is one of the most affordable options.
Step 13: Automate Your Bills
Get rid of your mail, go paperless, and set up online bill pay for your recurring bills to ensure you don't miss any bills while abroad. If you still receive paper mail, use Earth Class Mail, a service that collects and scans your mail. (If you are going on a two-week trip, you can skip this step.)
If you have the option (and don't want to pay for a mail service), you can also have all your mail sent to a friend or family member.
Also, make sure you cancel any phone plan or switch to a plan that is more suitable for travel. T-Mobile is great for trips shorter than 3 months. For longer trips, cancel your plan and buy a SIM card abroad; it will be much cheaper.
Step 14: Pack!
Two travel backpacks, ready and waiting for adventure. Time to pack for your trip! It might be tempting to take everything “just in case,” but when it comes to travel, less is more. You don’t need to pack 5 sweaters or 8 pairs of shoes. You can manage with less, I promise. Once you get used to it, it will be quite liberating!
I travel with a 45-liter REI pack and a smaller daypack.
Unless you are traveling across multiple climates and need bulky winter clothes, you don’t need a massive, overstuffed 70-liter bag. Here is my recommended packing list to help you pack the right amount of items and avoid overpacking (a list for female travelers is here too).
What you take with you will depend on where you are going, but remember that you don't need to take everything with you. You can buy things you need on the road. You can do laundry abroad. After all, you will have to carry everything you take with you. So, take less!
That said, there are a few extra items you might want to bring along in addition to your daily clothes. Here are some things I like to bring with me:
- First aid kit
- LifeStraw bottle with a built-in filter
- Packing cubes to stay organized
- Travel lock (for hostel lockers)
- Travel adapter
- Quick-dry towel Also, make sure to pack your medications so you have enough for the duration of your trip. If that is not possible, bring them with a doctor's note and prescription so you can have them filled abroad.
Step 15: Purchase Travel Insurance
Many people think, “I’m healthy, I don’t need travel insurance. I won’t get sick,” but travel insurance is more than just medical protection. It protects you when your camera breaks, your flight is canceled, a family member passes away and you have to go home, or something gets stolen.
Yes, it’s an extra expense. But it is always better to be safe. I never leave home without buying travel insurance, because I have seen firsthand what can happen on the road.
I never thought I would puncture my eardrum while diving in Thailand or break my camera in Italy.
I didn’t know I would get stabbed in Colombia.
My friend never thought he would break his leg.
Another friend didn’t expect that his father would pass away and he would have to return home.
Unfortunately, bad things can happen while traveling. True, these events are rare. But handling them on your own can cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you are not prepared to pay out of pocket, buy travel insurance.
To help you find the best plan for you and your trip, here is my ultimate guide to choosing a good insurance company. This will show you how to choose a good plan that covers you when you get sick, your flights are canceled, you get injured, something gets stolen, or your trip is delayed.
Here is a breakdown of the travel insurance companies I recommend so you can see the companies that offer the best plans for your needs and budget:
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SafetyWing – Super affordable plans for budget travelers.
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Insure My Trip – Best for older travelers.
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Medjet – Provides extra evacuation coverage to ensure you get home in an emergency.
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Insured Nomads – Comprehensive emergency and non-emergency coverage for long-term travelers and digital nomads. For more information on travel insurance, you can check out these posts:
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What Does Travel Insurance Actually Cover?
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Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
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Do You Need Medical Evacuation Insurance? Also, be sure to know your rights as an airline passenger. For example, delayed flights to or from Europe often mean you are entitled to compensation (beyond anything related to insurance).
Learn how to ensure you get compensation if your trip is delayed or your flight is canceled.
Step 16: Enjoy Your Trip
A person jumping into water from a cliff while traveling the world And now, everything is coming together. It’s time to go on your trip and have fun! Go to the airport, board the plane (don’t forget your passport!), and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You deserve it!
If you’re feeling nervous, don’t worry — that’s completely normal. You are about to embark on a great adventure — and that’s a big change. Feeling anxious, nervous, or uncertain is something every traveler experiences. But you made it to this point. Trust your plans, follow your instincts, and you will have the trip of a lifetime. I guarantee it.
By using this post as a guide for your travel planning, you can organize and prepare for your trip better. You will check all the boxes, won’t miss anything, and will have plenty of money for your vacation. It can be as simple as booking a flight and packing, or as complex as rearranging your entire life.
However, no matter how long your trip is, this list will help keep you organized and motivated while planning your trip and stepping out into the world.
Note: Yes, I skipped visas and vaccines, because needing them is not as universal as the other things on this list, but don’t forget to check if you need those too!
