Plan a first-time trip abroad

Get the non-negotiables sorted first

Start with passport validity and visa requirements, because these can take weeks and block everything else. Check that your passport has at least six months left after your return date, then look up entry rules on your government's travel advisory page. Do this before booking any flights, since a fare you can't use is the most expensive mistake a first-timer makes.

Build the skeleton around flights and lodging

Pick your dates and fix your flights, then book accommodation in the first city you'll sleep in. Anchoring the first night means you won't arrive exhausted and searching at midnight. Keep the rest of the trip loose so you can move things around if something runs late.

Fill in days, not hours

Choose one main activity per day rather than a timed schedule. Group nearby sights together to save transit time, and leave at least one unplanned afternoon. Once you have a rough route, set aside a fixed amount for a buffer, roughly ten percent of the total budget, to cover surprises.