Plan it or Wing it? Striking the perfect travel balance.

Running a busy BnB brings us into regular contact with travellers from around the world, exposing us to the many different styles of planning an overseas adventure. Before moving to the mountains, Miguel and I travelled extensively, and we (I) always planned our journeys well in advance. Flights and accommodation were booked months ahead, and our day-to-day itineraries were carefully scheduled before the trip even began.

Our six-week trek across Japan, for instance, had what some (Miguel) might consider a gruelling schedule, with each day meticulously planned as we moved from city to city. However, this level of preparation allowed us to experience an infamous summer festival spanning an entire region in northern Japan, something we would have undoubtedly missed had we left our travel arrangements to chance. By securing transport, accommodation, and timings beforehand, we ensured that no opportunity was lost.

At our BnB, we regularly receive bookings made months in advance – fellow planners like ourselves. On the other hand, we also accommodate on-the-day bookings, often as a result of last-minute cancellations. As someone who prefers to map out my travels meticulously, I still find it surprising that some people choose to journey more spontaneously. Yet, I can appreciate that both approaches come with their own advantages and drawbacks.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of planning a vacation in advance:

Pros of being a prepared traveller

Better deals – flights and accommodations are usually cheaper the earlier you book, saving you money for the rest of your trip!

More availability – you will have the pick of the best flights, accommodations and experiences if you start making your plans with time to spare. Our BnB is usually fully booked a few months ahead, and we often receive messages from travellers who want to be kept in the loop of any last minute cancellations, as they’ve missed their opportunity to book with us!

Easier to budget – you will have a much clearer idea of the cost of your trip, and can start saving for it, if you book in advance. No hidden surprises if you’ve booked ahead of time and can put the necessary funds aside.

Less stress – I think this is the reason I prefer to plan my trips, nothing is left to chance and I know exactly when I’ll be staying and how to get there. It can be a bit daunting travelling to a new place, but being prepared takes away some of the trepidation I might have about staying in a new place. On top of this, I get to be excited about all of the little details before I travel! 

Cons of planning ahead of the trip

Less flexibility – if you find something cool and unexpected on your trip, your schedule might not allow for it.

Overpacked itinerary – having too many things tightly packed into your holiday schedule can be exhausting and feel pressured and rushed. Ask my husband about our first weeks in Japan and he’ll tell you how we set our alarms for 6am and walked around 20km a day in order to cram in all of the sights!! We did eventually slow the pace and realised we could not see everything this time round. 

Unexpected changes – pre-made plans can go out of the window if you experience delays, changes or cancellations to your flights or accommodation at the last minute. If you’re a traveller who likes to be prepared, this can be particularly unnerving and stressful.

Let’s take a a look at some of the pros of going with the flow:

More spontaneity and adventure – with no concrete plans you’re open to anything! New experiences and hidden gems are just waiting to be found, who knows what adventures await!

Less pressure – without a strict schedule or specific transport to catch there are no limits to your adventures, which means you can relax and go at your own pace.

Opportunities for serendipity – travelling without boundaries or time constraints can lead to more unplanned meet-ups with locals and fellow travellers, exciting, unplanned adventures are just waiting to be had!

And finally, the downside of winging your next trip:

You risk not finding suitable/affordable accommodation – this is definitely the scary part of leaving things to the last minute, arriving at your chosen destination to find that everywhere is fully booked already! During peak season this is much more likely, and it may be more expensive to book at the last minute.

Wasting time – how do you decide what to see/where to go if you haven’t made plans in advance? You could end up wasting precious holiday time trying to find out where the best places are, or worse, missing the best spots altogether.

Higher costs – if money’s no obstacle then perhaps a last minute getaway whatever the cost is a no-brainer! For the majority of travellers who are looking for something within a certain budget, pricey flights and accommodation could be the difference between getting a holiday or not.

For me, finding the balance between planning it but maintaining some flexibility for last minute decisions is important. I love to know where I’m going and what I can do there, but, if an opportunity comes up to do something spontaneous on the trip, well I’m up for that too!

I’d love to know what your thoughts are on this: are you a planner or do you prefer to wing it? Let me know in the comments!

Happy travels! Rachael x