There’s a lot of advice out there about traveling alone, and while it’s often praised, I have to say that if given a choice, I’d prefer going on trips with friends. It’s not that I dislike solo travel—I’ve done it a fair bit—it’s just that I enjoy having my buddies around when I’m on vacation.
Traveling with friends helps create experiences that bring you closer and gives you fun stories to share later. Plus, having someone to count on during your trip is a bonus, especially when you need a little push to make the most of each day. Of course, if you’re that friend motivated to wake everyone up to catch the sunrise, kudos to you for helping us make new local friends wherever we are!
Planning a group trip, however, can be a challenge. It often feels like trying to coordinate everyone is just too chaotic. After organizing many group vacations—and with another one around the corner—I thought I’d share some simple travel tips to help you plan a trip with friends more smoothly.
1. Before reaching out to everyone, try narrowing down the possible holiday options. You probably know what your friends enjoy, so select destinations based on practical reasons like affordable flights, a place you’ve all wanted to visit, or great hotel deals. Having clear reasons makes it easier for everyone to agree and helps cut down choices if you have several options.
2. When making decisions, use a poll or voting system and have everyone pick their preferences. This straightforward approach works best if you’re traveling with close friends you can be honest with and enjoy spending time with.
3. Sharing a rental property is often cheaper than booking separate hotel rooms. However, if hotels are preferred, contact the hotel beforehand to inquire about discounts for bulk bookings. You might be surprised at how much you can save, making it a win for everyone.
4. If you opt for a shared rental, assign rooms randomly rather than letting emotions dictate who gets the best room, unless someone really needs a specific one for health reasons. Random selection avoids long, unnecessary discussions.
5. Give everyone a role, like organizing flights, hotels, excursions, or handling finances. This approach ensures everyone contributes, preventing anyone from feeling overwhelmed.
6. Create a shared money pool with equal contributions from everyone. It simplifies managing joint expenses like accommodation taxes or grocery budgets. If there’s any leftover money, dividing it back among everyone is straightforward.
7. Lastly, be considerate of everyone’s preferences. Some people might be more laid-back and won’t voice their opinions, so keep them in the loop to avoid misunderstandings later.
In summary, the key to a successful group holiday is avoiding unnecessary arguments from too much choice. Ensure everyone has a say and contributes to the planning, just make sure you also do your part to ensure everyone has an amazing time!