How to Plan a Trip with Friends
Traveling with friends can be a fun and memorable experience. When done right, you can make your bonds stronger than ever, and come away from the experience with many unforgettable memories. However, if you fail to plan your trip well, you might end up arguing amongst yourselves, or simply having a miserable time. Here are a few tips on how to travel with friends and keep your sanity (and friendship) intact:
Book a Parking Space in Advance
One of the most frustrating and anxiety-inducing things you can experience before going on a trip is driving around in circles at the airport, looking for a place to park your car. Book a parking slot in advance via a service like ParkON, so you don’t risk being late for your flight. Simply search for an available parking lot on your travel dates, reserve your slot, and pay online, all in under five minutes.
ParkON offers parking in more than 200 parking lots strategically located near all major airports in the United States, including Los Angeles International, LaGuardia and Miami International. They guarantee the best prices, and secure airport parking, so you won’t have to worry about leaving your car while you enjoy your trip.
Get on the Same Page
Mismatched expectations are a sure way to cause disagreements or negative feelings. Before planning your trip, talk to each other and make sure you’re all on the same page about what you want to get out of it.
Are you aiming to have an adventure and try new things, or to do as many activities as you can pack onto your itinerary? Or are you simply hoping to relax and unwind, going with the flow and not really mapping out every moment of your day? A group trip won’t work if everyone wants to get something different out of it, so work together and establish your goals as a group before you begin planning.
Decide on a Budget
Money can be an awkward subject to discuss, but if you’re planning to go on a trip with friends, it’s important to establish a clear budget before you leave. It might not be a good idea to plan a trip with someone who wants to spend significantly more or less than you do. You should decide on a budget that is comfortable and suitable for everyone, to avoid any awkward situations where one person wants to splurge on dinner in a fancy restaurant, and another doesn’t have the funds to go along.
Take Turns
It can be exhausting to plan an entire trip on your own from start to finish. You might be the most organized person in your group of friends, but if you have to do all the work yourself while your friends simply go with the flow and enjoy themselves, you might end up feeling resentful, and you won’t be able to enjoy your trip.
Try and divide tasks equally, putting one person in charge of booking flights, another in charge of securing accommodations, another in charge of scouting for restaurants, and so on. This way you’ll avoid putting the burden of planning the trip all on one person, and you’ll all get a chance to relax and fully enjoy your trip.
Traveling with friends can be very challenging, but if you plan carefully and communicate well, it can also be very rewarding. You’ll be able to have a trip you won’t forget, and you might come home with stronger, more solid friendships as well.