You can’t predict the future, but you can prepare for it. When it comes to travelling, planning helps you get from point A to point B faster and with less hassle. 

With the right preparation, an upcoming vacation or business trip can feel like less of a stressful journey and more of a welcome change in pace. Planning will not only help you stay on track when booking flights, hotels, and rental cars but also save you money.

Prepare for your next getaway or business trip soon, here are 10 reasons why careful planning will make your life much easier. Prepare now, and enjoy the moment later!

1. It’s cheaper to plan ahead

Planning will allow you to find the best deals on flights and accommodations. Airlines will often offer incredibly cheap fares if you can book your ticket three or four months in advance. If you wait until the last minute, however, you’ll end up paying a lot more for the same ticket. 

Hotels are the same way: The earlier you book your room, the more likely you are to get a great rate. If you wait until the last minute, you’re likely to pay a lot more. If you are travelling for business, you may be eligible for discounted rates if you book your flight and hotel at least 21 days in advance. Hotels may also offer discounted rates if you book your room at least seven days in advance. These discounts can add up, so it’s worth waiting if you can.

2. You can lock in your travel dates

If you have a specific date that you have to be somewhere, you’ll want to lock in your travel dates as soon as possible. If you have a wedding or business meeting that you have to attend, you don’t want to leave it to chance that there will be available when you try to book your flight. 

Once you have your dates locked in, you can search for tickets and accommodations at your leisure. When travelling for work, you’ll want to check your company’s travel policy to see if they have a required travel window. If they do, you’ll want to make sure you book your travel dates during that time. If your company doesn’t have any required travel dates, you can book when it works best for you.

3. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting

When you book your flight and accommodations at the same time, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting. Many times, flights and hotel rooms are booked together. If you book your flight and room separately, you might end up with two different itineraries. 

If you want to make sure that everything is synchronized, it’s a good idea to book everything at once. 

When you are on business travel, it can be helpful to keep your travel plans separate from your accommodations. That way, you can get to and from the airport hassle-free and you won’t have to worry about missing any appointments or meetings.

4. It will be easier to find the best deal

If you’re searching for flights, hotels, or car rentals, booking everything at once will make it easier to find the best deal. If you book all of your travel at the same time, you can search for the best deal on all of your bookings at the same time. Many airlines will offer special deals on travel weekends, so you might be able to get a better deal if you book your travel during one of those weekends.

When you book everything at once, you can also use travel booking websites to find discounts on your travel. A lot of these websites will offer you a coupon for booking your travel at the same time. If you find a deal or a coupon that works for you, it’s a good idea to book your travel as soon as possible. These deals often expire, or they may not be available every day of the week.

5. It will give you more time to research

If you’re booking all of your travel at the same time, you’ll have plenty of time to do research. 

When booking your travel separately, you may feel pressured to find the best deal as quickly as possible. If you book everything at once, you can take your time and do thorough research on each piece of your trip. 

If you have a business trip coming up, you’ll want to make sure you have enough time to research where to go and how to get there. You’ll also want to make sure you have enough time to research the best hotels in the area and the best flights to get you there. If you’re booking everything at once, you can take as much time as you need.

6. You will be able to determine your must-see destinations

If you’re travelling across the country or just to the next county, you need some destinations in mind. Otherwise, you could end up wasting a lot of time driving around aimlessly, trying to come up with places that sound interesting. 

If you take the time to plan your journey and come up with a few must-see destinations along the way, you can make your trip much more productive and meaningful. You can also make sure you have the time allotted in your schedule to get there. You might find that some of the places you want to visit are right by your starting point. Or, you may want to plot out a detailed course for your easier journey that takes you to many different destinations. No matter what you’re looking for, planning your best journey time and the route can help you find it.

7. Locate the best route

As you plot out your stress-free journey, you may also want to find the particular route to make sure you avoid traffic, toll roads and other hazards. 

If you have your car, use public transport, or are renting one, you can simply plug your starting point and ending point into a navigation system to get the best alternative route. But if you’re travelling with a group or another mode of transportation, you may have to consult other sources. 

You can check weather and road conditions to look for potential hazards that might slow you down or will give you a more stressful journey. You can also check out traffic congestion to find out how to avoid major traffic jams, busy times or other issues that could make your trip take longer than it should.

8. Your luggage will be organized

If you book your flight and hotel room at the same time, your luggage will automatically be organized. If you’re flying, everything in your suitcase will be labelled with your flight information. 

If you’re staying at a hotel, your luggage will be neatly packed away in your hotel room. If you book your flight and hotel room separately, you’ll have to label your luggage and try to keep it organized at the same time. 

If you have a business trip coming up, you’ll want to make sure your luggage is organized. You’ll want to make sure your important items are packed in your carry-on bag. You’ll also want to make sure your dirty clothes are packed away in your checked bag so you don’t have to worry about them throughout your trip. If you book your travel at the same time, you’ll be prepared and organized when you get to your destination.

9. You won’t have to rush when you arrive

If you book your flight and hotel room at the same time, you won’t have to rush when you arrive. You’ll have a place to stay and somewhere to be the next day. 

If you book your flight and hotel room separately, you may need to rush and find a place to stay during your layover or you may need to find a place to stay immediately upon arrival. 

While on business travel, you’ll be able to get to your hotel and get some rest so you can be ready for your first day of work. If you’re travelling for pleasure, you’ll have time to explore the city and find some good spots to eat and drink. You won’t have to rush and worry about where you’re going to stay.

10. It helps you plan for any costs

While you’re planning your journey, you can think through any potential costs along the way. For example, if you plan to stop at national parks or other attractions along the way, you can factor those costs into your overall budget. At the same time, you can also keep an eye out for deals that might help offset these costs. 

And if you plan to travel during a peak season or other time when many attractions have higher-than-normal costs, you can budget for that too.

11. You’ll know what to pack

As you plan your journey, you can think about what you’ll need for each leg of your trip. If you’re driving through the desert, you’ll want to pack lots of sunscreen and water. If you’re visiting the mountains, you’ll want to pack warm clothing just in case the weather changes quickly. 

As you think through your journey and the climates you’ll encounter, you’ll also get a better idea of what to pack, which can help you avoid overpacking and keep your suitcases from being too heavy.

Bottom line: The more you plan, the more you’ll get out of your journey

Planning is just another way of taking control. It can help you control the time you spend on your trip, control the people you travel with, and control your experience once you get to your destination. If it sounds like a lot of control isn’t necessarily a bad thing, then planning your trip may be just the thing for you.