Some prefer to carefully plan every detail of their life years ahead, while others embrace a more spontaneous, go-with-the-flow approach. This difference in attitude also extends to travel!
Some travelers set off with a detailed itinerary, knowing every destination, hotel, and meal they’ll enjoy. Others, however, book the ticket and let the adventure unfold. But which approach is better?
In this article, we’ll explore both perspectives and highlight the key benefits of planning versus going with the flow.
Travel with Plan
Better Time Management
Many travelers have a limited amount of time for their vacation, making every moment valuable! You don’t want to spend your precious holiday figuring out plans or waiting for a bus you could have booked in advance.
By planning your routes and destinations ahead of time, you can ensure that your trip is as efficient as possible. Booking tickets, accommodations, and tours in advance not only saves you from last-minute hassles but also gives you a clear schedule to help structure your itinerary.
Better Money Management
If time isn’t a constraint on your travels, then budget certainly is! Every dollar you spend shortens the duration of your trip—it’s as simple as that. Therefore, it’s crucial to be mindful of how you manage your finances. There’s a reason why backpackers opt for budget hostels and survive on instant noodles!
Planning ahead allows you to secure the best possible deals. Whether it’s for tickets, accommodations, or tours, having the time to search ensures you find the most affordable options. On the other hand, if you prefer to be spontaneous, you may end up with limited choices and spending more than you initially planned.
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Make Sure You Can See Everything
Before we embark on a trip, we usually have a clear idea of the sights we want to visit! A trip to Japan almost certainly includes a stop in Tokyo, and no visit to London would be complete without seeing Buckingham Palace. This is why many people plan their travels around the attractions they want to experience.
Without some level of planning, there’s no guarantee that you’ll actually get to see everything on your list. Attractions may only be open on specific days or at certain times. Some may require advance booking or might not be available when you hoped. All these uncertainties make spontaneous travel a bit risky. While planning doesn’t always guarantee you’ll see everything, it definitely increases your chances!
No Hidden Surprises
You step off the bus in a new city, hoping to find a budget hostel, but UH OH—no luck, they’re all full. You reluctantly head to the nearest hotel, but DOUBLE UH OH—it’s fully booked too. Now you’re stranded in an unfamiliar place with no place to stay, and your stopover just turned into a nightmare.
Transport tickets, accommodations, and even some attractions can get fully booked, especially during peak travel times. The idea of being spontaneous and carefree sounds great until you find yourself without a place to sleep or a way to reach your next destination. The only way to avoid this scenario is by booking everything in advance.
You Can Properly Prepare
If you know you’ll be traveling through snowy mountains, humid rainforests, and scorching deserts all in one trip, you can pack the appropriate clothing and gear ahead of time. Without planning for such diverse environments, you’ll either have to make do without the right essentials or spend extra money to buy them on the go—a real hassle for budget travelers.
But it’s not just about clothes! Some countries are significantly more expensive than others, so you’ll need to bring enough money to cover your expenses. If you don’t plan accordingly, your adventure could end sooner than expected. And there’s one more thing…
You Can Better Prepare for Visa Issues
One of the most frustrating parts of travel is dealing with visas. Fortunately, many countries now allow visa-free travel for a limited time, ranging from a few days to a few months. However, the specifics can vary widely depending on your passport.
If you decide on a spontaneous detour to a country you hadn’t planned for, you might find yourself unable to enter without the proper visa. By knowing your destinations and their visa requirements in advance, you can prepare for this well ahead of time!
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Ensure That Everyone Is Happy
Unless you’re a solo traveler, many people prefer to explore with a group or a travel companion. However, traveling with others means balancing different needs and opinions. It’s common for fellow travelers to have differing ideas about where to go or what to do, making it challenging to reach a compromise on the spot.
By planning ahead, you can sort out all the details before the trip begins. This helps prevent misunderstandings from turning into major disagreements. More importantly, it ensures that everyone is on the same page—or at least content—with the plan well in advance!
Travel with No Plan
It’s Not Always Necessary
Can Easily Adjust
Once you’ve booked a hostel or an airline ticket, you’re locked into those plans—unless you’re okay with losing that money! While reservations provide security, they also greatly restrict your freedom.
When nothing is set in stone, you can change your plans on a whim! You can create your itinerary as you go, doing whatever you want, whenever you want, and with whoever you choose! That’s why travel is often viewed as the ultimate expression of freedom, so why put limits on that?
No Deposits
The dreaded deposit can be a real headache for many travelers. Once you’ve paid, you’re financially tied to a plan that you might wish you could change. Even worse, unexpected events like a canceled flight or bad weather could throw off your schedule—but will you get that money back? Probably not.
With no plans, there are no deposits—it’s that simple! You’re not locked into any commitments, and you don’t have to worry about losing a significant amount of money. You can just buy your ticket or pay for your room on the spot, without taking on any financial risk!
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No Freedom For New Discoveries
As we’ve mentioned, when planning a trip, you usually have a few sights in mind. But the truth is, you don’t really get to know a country until you’re actually there! There are countless hidden gems and local secrets that you might never discover unless you stumble upon them or hear about them from locals.
Being spontaneous allows you to adjust your itinerary whenever something new and exciting comes your way. You can make sure you have the flexibility to fit in everything, or at least experience the very best! It gives you the freedom to explore beyond the typical tourist spots.
Plans Always Change
Think back to last year, last month, or even last week—chances are, most of your plans didn’t go exactly as expected. Unforeseen events like unexpected bills, sudden work shifts, or even global pandemics can disrupt your plans in an instant, making all that careful planning feel like a waste of time.
The same applies to travel. Unexpected things are bound to happen, whether they’re pleasant surprises or challenges. Meticulously planning every detail of your journey often doesn’t pan out as intended. It’s fine to have a general idea of what you want to do, but expecting everything to go according to plan is unrealistic.
Unlimited Solutions to Problems
Attention all passengers, Flight Number such-and-such has been delayed by another 6 hours. We apologize for any inconvenience.” Suddenly, that bus ticket and expensive hotel room you booked at your destination are wasted—oops. And now, what’s your next move?
This is where the laid-back travelers simply shrug it off and come up with a new plan on the spot. When things go wrong, you’re free to handle it however you like, without any constraints or tight schedules. Just go with the flow, and see where it takes you.
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What’s the Right Answer?
There isn’t a single right way! The key is striking a balance between planning and leaving room for spontaneity. Certain things, like transportation and accommodation, need to be planned because they’re essential to your trip and might be fully booked if left too late.
Beyond that, meticulous planning isn’t really necessary. It’s helpful to have a general idea and a list of must-do activities, but you don’t want to restrict your freedom and spontaneity. Just like in life, it’s all about finding the right balance.
[…] Read: Plan or No Plan: Which is the Best Way to Travel? […]
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