How to plan your trip—without the stress, overwhelm, or endless tabs.
I'm someone who needs a plan—but not a rigid one. I like knowing where I'm staying, having a rough sense of what I want to see, and leaving room for spontaneity.
My planning process is about gathering just enough information to feel prepared, without falling down the rabbit hole of research paralysis. I aim for calm confidence, not a perfect itinerary.
Here's how I approach planning a trip, along with the tools and timelines that work for me.
Atlas Obscura (unique hidden spots), Reddit travel subreddits, Instagram location tags, Pinterest for visual planning, TikTok for destination previews
Wanderlog for collaborative trip planning with maps and routing, PackPoint for smart packing lists, Splitwise for splitting costs, Apple Notes or Google Docs for itineraries, Google Calendar for bookings
Citymapper for public transit, Google Maps (offline mode), Google Translate camera feature, Bolt or Free Now for rides in Europe, Grab for rides in Asia, Trail Wallet for expense tracking
The goal isn't a perfect plan—it's feeling prepared enough to be present. I've learned that the best moments often happen in the unplanned spaces between activities. Plan enough to feel secure, but leave room for the unexpected.