Planning a summer trip takes consideration and thoughtfulness before it’s time to hit the road! From your travel dates to what you plan to do, there are a lot of hoops to jump through and details to figure out. If you’re going with your entire family or group of people, it gets even more complicated. Thankfully, a tried-and-true way of planning a great summer trip is called making a list! This article covers how to plan a great summer trip using essentials you’ll want to include on your summer trip planning list! Let’s get started.
Decide Where You’re Going
First, you’ll need to decide where to spend your summer trip! Knowing your location can help you out a lot with packing essentials. If you know you’ll be camping in a state park, you’ll be more likely to remember the essentials you’ll need like sleeping bags, tents, and cooler totes.
Plus, you can begin to work on the financial end of things by booking flights or establishing driving routes, and seeing the cost of hotel rooms per night with each stop you’ll make along the way. If you aren’t sure where to travel, talk with everyone in your group and see if there is a location that resonates with everyone involved.

Make A Packing List
Once you’ve determined where you’ll be traveling this summer, it’s time to create a packing list. The good news is that you can find tons of pre-established packing lists online. These lists can be helpful guides in ensuring that you pack the go-to items with you for your trip. Next, you’ll want to consider the more challenging items to pack.
Any food or perishables should be packed appropriately. Note if you’ll need ice, special wrapping, or if something needs to be refrigerated as soon as you get to your destination. Double-check your list when you’re done to make sure you have everything, and cross things off as you go.
Book Your Stay
You’ll need to determine whether you’ll be driving or flying to your destination. From there, you can determine how many stays you’ll need to reserve at various hotels or other temporary arrangements. If you need ferry service like St Barts Ferry to reach your destinaton, you must consider that also when fixing your budget.
Look for cheap flights and discounts online and make the most of your money. You should also consider if you’ll be passing through any areas where relatives or friends live. You might be able to coordinate staying with them overnight to save money. If you’re traveling with pets, make sure your stays are pet-friendly!
Pack Your Carry-On Bags
Whether you’re flying or driving, you’ll want a bag to keep with you, with all the things you’ll need by your side as you travel. You can keep a box of tissues, pen and paper, your laptop, phone, and other things that will make getting to your destination more enjoyable, with you.
Make sure that you check that all the items you take with you are airport-approved. If not, your items may be confiscated! Check to ensure that any liquids you bring with you, such as contact solution, are placed in the appropriate sized containers that the airport determines as acceptable to take with you on your flight.
The Bottom Line
Planning a great summer trip requires patience and commitment to the process. There are many details to get worked out, and it will take all you’ve got to get things situated! Use the suggestions above as a guide and plan a great summer trip this year! Safe and happy travels, everyone!