Where to find information for trip planning?
Planning is an important part of any trip. There's so much to remember: departure date, hotel, check-in and check-out times... It's enough to make your head spin! How not to get lost in such a flood of information, if even experienced travelers can easily get confused?
Don't worry: the internet is full of travel planning services that will significantly ease your preparations. No, no, you won't have to spend precious memory on memorizing — just save the information from this article or share it with a fellow traveler.
Built-in planning apps
It's great when you don't need to download anything. And spending hours searching for a useful travel app is also not ideal. So let's start with what's already on your smartphone.
1. Notes. No kidding — an app for all occasions. You can enter the most relevant flight data there: date, time, flight number, and future trip expenses.
Important: don't turn the empty space into a case for storing all, absolutely all, travel information, down to the alignment of planets in the sky. You'll get confused pretty quickly. Write only about the essentials. And if needed, you can even play with fonts and colors. It will turn into an interesting digital planner.
2. Excel spreadsheets. Another indispensable application. Especially convenient when you are planning a budget. We recommend making several columns:
- number of days on the trip;
- allowable expenses;
- must-visit places;
- exchange rate;
- total (overall expenses).
Optionally, add or remove some items to make the table best suited to your needs.
3. Photo albums. Saw a beautiful photo somewhere on social media? Don't hesitate, take a screenshot! It's best to create a separate album. It will be something like inspiration for future travels. And when you're ready to relax — look for suitable locations in your cherished album. A good option would be to check the map at this moment and plan your future route. It's very energizing for the upcoming trip, by the way.
Our advice: don't be shy about combining apps. Let beautiful photos complement your notes, and finances facilitate route planning. This way, you'll get the most complete picture of your ideal trip.
Planning apps you need to download
We've already covered built-in apps. So what about installable ones? In fact, they are much more convenient: more functionality and cool features that will ensure you don't forget anything. Here are a couple of our recommendations.
1. Visit a City. All travel information is gathered in one place — from booked flights to excursions and upcoming expenses. You can find out about all events and opening hours of attractions in just two clicks. And if you don't know where to go, Visit a City will suggest interesting options.
2. HOTSGO PLAN. In addition to allowing you to conveniently plan your trip, HOTSGO PLAN also shares ground transport schedules and even fare costs! Each entry can be edited by yourself or with friends, and you can also attach photos.
3. My travel tracker. In the app, you can not only plan your daily route but also share bright moments with other people. It's an alternative to social networks. True, without cats and restaurants, but with inspiring landscapes.
4. TripIt. Even if you forget about an upcoming flight, TripIt will automatically remind you of the trip. In addition, you can add your itinerary receipt and other important documents to the app so you don't lose them on your phone.
5. Wanderlog. Helps plan your trip right up to hotel arrival. It builds fast routes and guides you through the most picturesque locations. You can collaborate with friends and also add your plans to Gmail. Well, just in case you want to show off your vacation a little in your work calendar.
Where to find visa information
The most reliable source is the websites of consulates or visa centers. However, the information there is often written in complex language. By the time you figure out one point, the day will be over, and you'll have no energy left for the trip.
A great alternative is Telegram channels. All unclear information is presented in a concise and simple language. By the way, we also have a Telegram channel. There, we not only share all the latest visa news but also boost your mood for the whole day!
Where to book a hotel
Don't forget about hotel booking. Doing it at the last minute is quite difficult: desired rooms might be occupied, and walking around the city after a flight looking for something interesting is also tiring. Therefore, we recommend thinking about choosing your vacation accommodation in advance. We will simplify your search and share a few interesting websites:
- Ostrovok. A convenient service for finding accommodation both in Russia and abroad. It will not only help you choose a hotel but also offer nearby leisure locations to choose from;
- Booking.com. Allows you to find the coolest hotels anywhere in the world. And thanks to numerous filters in the search engine, you can easily find accommodation that suits you perfectly;
- Airbnb. Will select hotels for every taste and preference. Do you want to live in a castle, for example? Or maybe you're looking for a house with an unusual history? The service will offer a hundred options and tell you about all the intricacies of each dwelling.
So, this is the list of recommendations. All that remains is to do the small things: find tickets on Kupi.com, pack your bags, and plan your future trip. We wish you pleasant adventures and fulfilled plans!
