How to build a trip itinerary

Here, DK Eyewitness Editor Rachel Laidler suggests five simple steps to help you build your perfect trip itinerary.

One of the best parts of planning a trip is thinking about where in the world you want to visit. This is the time to daydream about all the places and experiences you’ve ever had on your bucket list, whether that’s hiking in the snow-capped Himalayas or admiring renowned artworks in New York City’s Guggenheim.

But eventually you’re going to have to narrow down this myriad of possibilities to just one destination. There are countless ways of going about this, from picking a place based on the type of trip you want to take – whether it’s a museum-filled city break or sunny beach escape – to letting the seasons guide you. Why not head to Japan in spring to see the cherry blossoms burst into bloom, or make that trip to Costa Rica in January for balmy temperatures and an abundance of wildlife?

If you’re stumped for ideas, don’t worry – let us inspire you! Where To Go When, which covers the world’s most unforgettable destinations month-by-month, gives you plenty of options to play with. 

Once you’ve pinned down where you want to go, it’s time to decide how long to spend there. Sometimes you’ll have a clear idea of your timeframe, especially if you’re planning a shorter city break, but other times it takes a little longer to work out.

One good tip is to look at how far you’ll have to travel to reach your destination. If you’re heading to a far-flung spot such as, say, Chile or Thailand, you’d probably need at least ten days to make it worth your while; but if you’re planning to hit up a destination closer to home, a long weekend could be more than enough time.

Another way is to decide how much of a city or country you want to explore: you'd most likely need around three weeks for that epic road trip around New Zealand, but if you’re sticking to the centre of Amsterdam, a couple of days should do it. Or why not make it about the pace? Some people love the idea of jumping from sight to sight and place to place, soaking it all in as quickly as possible. Others might want to slow it right down, taking their time to explore gradually and immerse themselves in local life.

Now that you have the bare bones of your itinerary, it’s time to get down to details and read, read, read. Not only is researching your destination a great way to get you excited about your trip, it also helps you to narrow down what you really want to see and do – whether that’s gazing awe-struck at the Taj Mahal or winding through one of Morocco’s bustling souks. 

This is also a great time to think about where you’ll rest your head. Often the number of options can be overwhelming, but it can be useful to ask yourself some of the following questions. Do you want to stay in the same place each evening or hop about? Would you prefer to be amongst the hustle and bustle, or in a quieter neighbourhood? Are you after 5-star luxury or do you prefer to keep things simple? 

For this step, there’s nothing handier than a travel guide to give you inspiration and information in equal measure (but, admittedly, we might be a bit biased).

Once you’ve got a list of where you want to visit, try to plan out each day of your trip. That’s not to say you need an hour-by-hour breakdown (unless that’s your jam, we won’t judge!), but working out exactly what you want to see and when will save time on the ground once you arrive. 

Don’t forget to think about where to refuel, too. From picking out the coolest coffee shops to making a note of enticing restaurants, it’s a good idea to have a couple of options in mind for when you get hungry (or, in my case, hangry).

That said, try not to pack out your days too much. Always leave a couple of hours (or days, if you’re away for longer) free to be a little spontaneous.

For the last step, grab yourself a map and mark out your route. There’s nothing better for visualising your trip than by circling the sights you plan to visit and working out how best to get from A to B. It’s a great way to get a feel for your destination and, when you’re on the ground, it’ll help you to navigate with ease. 

Plus, after you’ve come back from your trip, this much-graffitied map will make the perfect souvenir, reminding you of what was undoubtedly an epic holiday.

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