If you love to travel, then you know that staying organized can be a game-changer. Some of us are compulsive list-makers and planners and are proud of it. Others abandon vacation planning altogether because they don’t know how to begin or prefer spontaneity. Both types of people (and everyone in between) can benefit from using vacation planners and templates.
Whether you’re planning your trip, getting ready to depart, or are deep into your next adventure, it’s clear that planners, lists, and organizers can be a big help. They can guide you like no other tool can and help you get the most out of your trip.
We have scoured the internet to find the best vacation templates and planners for you. This post offers templates to help you pack, create a vacation overview, and plan your travel itinerary.
There are templates to help you brainstorm before you go and organizers to make sure you don’t forget anything when you leave the hotel to go sightseeing for the day each day.
We’ve thought of everything for you. We hope these templates will help you stay organized and, in turn, help you have the best vacation of your life! Read on and start downloading and using them today.
Best Vacation Planning Templates
1. ViaTravelers Printable Vacation Planner Template
Every trip is different, but if you’re looking for a great vacation packing list to ensure you’re ready to go on any trip, check out our article on the Ultimate Vacation Packing List.
We put this list together for a recent post on our site, and it has everything you’ll need to pack to have a great trip, no matter where you are going. More importantly, our free downloadable vacation itinerary template is easily printable and ready to go for your next trip.
Of course, some things depend on the destination – you wouldn’t pack the same items for a ski vacation as you would for a trip to the Grand Canyon – but some are constants you will need for any journey you plan. This list we’ve made for you is as thorough as it gets!
See Related: Travel Tips for Visiting Mexico on a Budget
2. Blank Vacation Packing List from JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com
Of course, some people prefer to start from scratch and would rather make a list themselves – we get it. That’s where this great Blank Vacation Packing List by Abby Lawson of JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com comes in.
It’s not entirely blank, actually; there are six categories listed. You print it out and fill in the blanks in each category.
Anything you’ll bring on any trip can go under clothing, shoes, accessories, toiletries, entertainment, or miscellaneous, so these categories will guide you as you create your own, personal packing list from nothing. If you get stuck, she offers a checklist-style packing list as well!
3. Travel Bucket List Template from EpicTravelPlans.com
Wait a minute, though – you don’t need a packing list yet –first, you must decide where you want to go! If you love to travel (and if you’re reading posts on this site then you surely do), you probably spend a lot of time daydreaming about your next exciting destination.
However, some of us tend to get overwhelmed by all of the choices out there and as a result, end up going on fewer trips than we should. Overthinking things can be quite an obstacle to living our best lives.
But there’s a solution. When you organize and rank your travel wants and needs, you may find it much easier to narrow down the trips you want to take sooner rather than later. A brainstorming and bucket list can help.
This Travel Bucket List Template is a free download from EpicTravelPlans.com and is not only a one-page template of helpful guidance. The site even explains how to use this vacation itinerary template to your benefit. Download these free itinerary templates now and start turning your dreams into action and adventure.
See Related: Best Places to Visit in Alaska
4. Places to Go, Things to See Template by Scattered Squirrel
Once you’ve settled on a destination, you can continue brainstorming using Scattered Squirrel’s free itinerary template. Scattered Squirrel has a collection of fantastic vacation itinerary templates so you’ll see this site again later on this list.
The Places to Go, Things to See template is great for planning your days at a specific destination. On it, you can list specific attractions you might like to see and experience in your vacation destination.
You can also list prices and there’s room for some notes. Having this information organized and in one place can make it easier to decide what things you can fit in on this trip and what you may need to save for next time. Doing so will be a big help when planning your day-by-day travel itinerary later on.
See Related: What Does a Tourist Look Like?
5. Travel Planner’s Budget Worksheet from SavingYouDinero.com
SavingYouDinero.com is a great site that offers many tips for saving money. The Printable Travel Planner on this site offers multiple pages of travel planning templates that you will find helpful, including another packing list, a trip calendar, a resource list, a to-do list, and more.
The most helpful part of this free download is the Travel Planner’s Budget Worksheet. Almost all of us struggle with staying within our budgets when we travel, but this go-to tool can help.
This worksheet has spaces for you to set a personal budget for many common travel categories, including transportation, lodging, food, and drink, with sub-categories below each heading.
It also has a column for actual money spent to compare what you thought and hoped to spend with what you actually spent at the end of the trip. This comparison can be very eye-opening and can help you in changing and guiding your habits so you can spend even more wisely on future trips!
The Travel Expense Tracker in this packet of template downloads is also great. It will allow you to track your spending during your trip so you can see where your dollars and cents, euros, pesos, or whatever you’re using go daily.
Carry it in your purse or pocket with a pen and write each item you buy and its costs down. You’ll be amazed by how much money you save by tracking your spending.
6. Travel Itinerary Overview Template from Edit.org
Another great tool to see everything organized on one piece of paper is this Travel Itinerary Overview from Edit.org. This planner is impressive because it will allow you to see what you’re going to do and where you’re going to be each day of your trip all on one page.
You can fill out this user-friendly travel planner right on the Edit.org website, allowing you to change and update it as needed as your plans expand or change. The example shows full sentences, which may be your style, but bullet points would also work, if not better, for some.
This travel itinerary template is very professional looking, and outlining your daily itinerary for your travel companions will impress them immensely. It will also help keep everyone in your group on the same page – no pun intended.
See Related: Tips & Things to Know Before Going to Alaska
7. Vacation Planner Overview Template from Scattered Squirrel
Often it’s helpful to have all the pertinent information about the necessary details of your trip in one place and on one sheet of paper as a complete travel itinerary overview. You may know all of the information about your trip when you start to think about it.
Or, you might have your times and dates and flight information written down in a few different places, or it might be stored in various emails or different apps on your phone.
Even though you may not realize it, this disorganization of information is causing you subconscious stress that you don’t want or need. Putting all that data in one place will make your life a lot easier and make you calmer about your next road trip more than ever.
The Vacation Planner Overview template, another offering from Scattered Squirrel, covers all the bases. You can see everything you need to know about your trip at a glance and without shuffling through several papers. You can see your departure date, arrival time, accommodations, return travel plans, and contact details for the activities you have booked in advance.
You can also create an hour-by-hour, weekly overview of activities to view your upcoming fun at a glance. You don’t have to stick to your daily itinerary and schedule – it’s a vacation, but listing what you plan to do daily can help keep you focused so you can do everything you want to do while at your destination. It’s wise to do that part in pencil to make changes as you go!
8. Vacation Day Planner from Scattered Squirrel
This final vacation planner template is one of the best on this list. If you’re someone who benefits from following a very specific travel itinerary, then you must give this one a try.
A vacation itinerary template like this will allow you to plan your day in order. You can list what you’d like to do in the morning, mid-day, and evening based on how you want to fill your rapidly passing vacation hours. When you work it out on paper like this, you can try to develop a flow of activities that makes sense.
Of course, you’re not required to follow what you wrote on your template, even if you wrote it that morning. On vacation, everything is flexible and changeable. You must always be ready for a bit of opportunity and awesome adventure that also takes you off the schedule.
What’s more, this template includes a space for a list of items to bring along. This can greatly help anyone, especially busy families or a group traveling together. It can often be challenging to ensure you get the door with everything you need on a vacation far from your normal routine or when trying to organize numerous individuals.
Finally, one of the best features of this template is the Highlights of the Day block. This can be used in two separate and different but equally great ways. One way to use it is to list the main things you wish to accomplish on the day in question – the things on the overall day planner that you don’t want to miss.
Or, you could leave this space blank as you go through the day and then return to it before bed and use it as a diary to help you remember all the details and parts of the day that you liked best. If you’re someone who likes to scrapbook or keep tickets, maps, and other papers as souvenirs from your trip, this day planner can become both a diary and a memento from your trip.
A travel itinerary template is a structured document or guide to organize travel plans. It typically includes travel dates, accommodation, transportation, and activities or attractions to visit daily. A well-structured itinerary template can make travel planning more efficient and ensure all vital travel details are easily accessible.
Difference Vacation Itinerary Template and a Trip Itinerary Template
The difference between a vacation itinerary template and a trip itinerary template is largely semantic and contextual. Both serve the purpose of organizing travel plans including details such as travel dates, accommodation, transportation, and planned activities.
A vacation itinerary is often used in contexts implying relaxation or leisure-focused travel, while a trip itinerary might be used for any kind of journey, including a business trip. If you need a specific option for business trips, download a business travel itinerary template as it will cater to specific crucial details like meetings and specific travel schedule details. Ultimately, the choice between the terms depends on the specific context or personal preference
FAQs
How do I make a vacation itinerary?
Making a vacation itinerary involves researching your destination, listing key attractions, scheduling activities, and organizing travel logistics. Begin by noting down travel dates, flight details, and accommodation bookings.
Then, allocate time slots for sightseeing, meals, and leisure activities. Ensure the itinerary includes practical details like transport options, opening hours of attractions, and emergency contact information.
How do I make my own trip itinerary?
Creating your trip itinerary involves research, planning, and personal preferences. Start by researching your destination thoroughly, highlighting points of interest, and noting any cultural or logistical specifics.
Schedule your activities based on your interests and proximity to your accommodation, leaving ample time for rest and spontaneity. Include flight times, hotel check-in and check-out times, and transport information for seamless travel.
Which is the best trip planner?
The best trip planner depends on individual preferences, but widely used and highly rated platforms include Google Trips, TripIt, and Roadtrippers.
Google Trips allows for comprehensive planning with the ability to access information offline, TripIt consolidates all your travel information in one place, while Roadtrippers specializes in route planning and discovering off-the-beaten-path attractions. It’s recommended to choose the tool that best aligns with your specific travel needs and preferences.
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