How to Plan a Friends Trip

The group chat is full to the brim with idyllic destinations you want to visit, but do they actually come to fruition? Time to start planning your friends trip and finally see what these locations have to offer. We know the planning stages are not fun for all, but they are crucial to ensure your trip has the best start. So, whether you opt for the warm region of Italy, or the rugged landscapes of Scotland, we can help move the conversation along and see that the plans finally make it out of the group chat. 

• Top 5 Steps to Planning a Friends Trip 

Top 5 Steps to Planning a Friends Trip 

Planning a trip with your best friends can lead to some of the most unforgettable adventures of your life. But coordinating a group of people with different schedules, budgets, and preferences can be tricky. The good news? With a little organisation and teamwork, you can pull off a friends trip that’s fun for everyone. 

Here’s how to make it happen in five simple steps: 

Getting Everyone on the Same Page 

Before we even begin to dive into the details of how you’re going to arrive at the destination, or what time to reserve dinner to secure the local cuisine, you need to have an open and honest conversation with your friends. 

Questions you might want to think about: 

• What do you want from the trip?  

• What’s everyone’s budget? 

• Is there anywhere people don’t want to go? 

• Do you want to stay local or happy to travel further afield? 

Essentially you want to try and figure out what will make the group satisfied as a whole. Is this a relaxing getaway to the rugged, yet beautiful Scottish Highlands, an action-packed adventure touring Italy and the bordering countries, or something that could combine both? Find out everyone’s must-haves and deal-breakers to make sure you’re on the same wavelength. Be sure to take small-group tours into consideration too. Not only is the planning done for you, but you still have the freedom of the mini vehicle to explore at your own pace. 

Our travel tip: The best discussions can be those that happen in person, so see if you can find a time to meet as a group to talk about your plans. Alternatively, if you’re all in different locations or are struggling to find a time that works, use a shared document or group chat to keep track of ideas and suggestions. This way, everyone stays in the loop. 

Choosing the Right Destination 

Finding a destination that suits everyone can be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. Consider places that offer a variety of activities so everyone can find something they’ll enjoy. For instance, a taking a trip from Barcelona might appeal to foodies, history buffs, and beach lovers alike. 

When considering your destination, our top tips to think about are: 

• Your budget – Locations vary in price, even when located in the same country. Be mindful of everyone’s budget when selecting a destination. Picking a spot that’s affordable for the whole group will help avoid tension later on. 

• Travel time – Depending on your starting location and your trip duration, ideally, you’d like to have the most time in your chosen destination. So, thinking about how long it could take you to arrive is important. 

• Seasons – Do you want to travel during Spring, height of summer, or somewhere in-between? Always best to double check if your destination accommodates guests during the off-peak season as some may not, eg. some of the Scottish Islands depend on ferries to transport guests from mainland and during off-peak they’re more relied upon by locals.  

Divide and Conquer the Planning 

Planning a group trip can feel overwhelming, so divide the responsibilities as evenly as you can. Assign roles like booking travel accommodations, researching activities in the area, or organising transportation to different people. This not only lightens the load but also gets everyone involved. That is of course unless one person thrives at organising and happy to take the lead. 

Our travel tip: Use free apps or tools like Google Sheets to keep all the trip details organised and accessible to everyone. 

Creating a Flexible Itinerary 

While it’s good to have a plan, avoid over-scheduling your days, especially if you’ve only planned for a short trip. Leave some room for spontaneity and downtime so everyone can recharge and enjoy the group trip at their own pace. Include a mix of group activities and time for individuals to explore on their own if they’d like. Fun things to consider doing as a group could be finding local food tours to experience the countries cuisine, taking a trip to see the destinations UNESCO World Heritage sites, or maybe the calming sound of the lakes are something you need to experience to relax from the chaos of the group.  

Our travel tip: Build in some buffer time between activities to prevent the trip from feeling rushed or stressful. This is also important if it’s the first time you’ve all visited a location, as sometimes distances may be over estimated (or underestimated) which could impact some of your bookings. 

Communicating and Compromising 

One of the most important considerations when travelling with friends means you’ll occasionally need to compromise. Not everyone will want to do the same thing all the time, and that’s okay! The key is to communicate openly and respect each other’s preferences. Depending on the group size, you could break of into small groups to experience activities or shared interests and then meet up again after to discuss. This way everyone still gets what they want out of the group trip, and it can be fun to hear other stories. 

Our travel tip: If disagreements arise, take a vote or split into smaller groups for certain activities. Remember, the goal is for everyone to have a good time. 

Allow Us to Do the Planning for You 

Being an award-winning, small-group tour provider, we can help make the trip with your best friends a reality, without the fuss. Seeking the lesser-known trails, stories only locals know, and viewpoints to make your Instagram followers envious, our years of experience make organising easy. Trying to plan a trip with your friends, and a large group of 8+? Contact our private tours team who can make the experience of visiting your chosen destination truly unique. Whether you’re travelling to celebrate a birthday, a milestone or just a much-needed time away together, our team go above and beyond to provide every aspect.  

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