Plan Smarter, but not Solo!
8+ Weeks Before Departure
For trips to popular destinations during busy season, make sure to plan far ahead for better prices and availability!
🔲 Agree on the basics
- Trip vibe (relaxation, celebration, adventure, etc.)
- Rough budget (flights, hotel, spending money)
- General dates + duration
🔲 Create a group poll (Google Form or Doodle)
- Destination options
- Preferred dates
- Must-do activities
🔲 Set roles + responsibilities
- Trip lead
- Lodging researcher
- Activities/dining planner
- Budget tracker
- Group chat communicator
- Photo coordinator
6–7 Weeks Before (Give more time for busy season, popular destinations!)
🔲 Book lodging
- Airbnb, hotel, or resort reserved
- Split cost evenly or note payment plan
🔲 Confirm who’s in (RSVP cut-off)
- Only book for confirmed attendees
- Create shared doc with names + roles
🔲 Purchase or track flights
- Share flight info in group chat or doc
- Set Google Flights alerts if waiting
4–5 Weeks Before
🔲 Draft itinerary
- Add activities, dining, downtime
- Include travel times, dress codes, reservation links
🔲 Make restaurant + activity reservations
- Group dinners
- Spa appointments
- Tours/classes
🔲 Start shared budget tracker (e.g. The Splitwise app is great for this!)
- Add lodging and big ticket items
- Estimate per-person total
2–3 Weeks Before
🔲 Plan fun extras
- Matching outfits or theme night?
- Gift bags or in-room surprises?
- Shared Spotify playlist?
🔲 Finalize transportation
- Rental car or airport transfers
- Rideshare plan for nights out
🔲 Create a packing list
- Daywear, dinner looks, weather gear
- Group theme outfits or accessories
- Essentials (passport, meds, chargers)
1 Week Before
🔲 Share final itinerary + emergency info
- Contact numbers
- Lodging details
- Trip lead info
🔲 Confirm reservations
- Double-check dates, times, confirmation numbers
🔲 Check weather + adjust packing
🔲 Group check-in
- Last-minute questions
- Coordinate airport arrivals or pre-trip meet-up
During the Trip
🔲 Track shared expenses in real time
🔲 Capture group photos and solo moments
🔲 Be flexible because every group trip needs buffer time
🔲 Consider rotating responsibilities (who calls the Uber, who checks the time, who grabs snacks)
After the Trip
🔲 Share a photo album (Google Photos or Dropbox)
🔲 Wrap up payments (who owes what to whom)
🔲 Send a thank you text or photo recap
🔲 Nominate the next trip planner