trips worth every dollar
Plan your trip
Where to go, what it should cost and what to book first: the way we plan every trip. Plan a trip that is worth every dollar.
The plan in five steps
How we plan every trip
The order matters: lock in where and how much first, and the rest gets easy.
- 1
Pick where
Not sure yet? Search flights to "everywhere" from your home airport on Skyscanner, then watch the trip before you commit.
- 2
Set a budget
Decide what a day should cost, then spend on what matters most to you. Every destination page lists a typical daily budget.
- 3
Build the itinerary
Route, nights, bookings and costs in one place, so you can see what the whole trip costs before you book any of it.
- 4
Book it smart
The details that save the most money and stress: insurance, the right card and paperwork like an international driving permit.
- 5
Pack once
Carry-on packing lists by trip and the packing system we designed for it.
Planning guides
Plan it step by step
The guides we wish we had before our first big trip: when to go, how to plan, and what to do the week before you leave.
Steal our itineraries
Trips you can copy
Day-by-day plans and guides from trips we took ourselves. Copy one, then make it yours.
ItineraryBali: Our 10-Day Itinerary You Can Totally Steal
GuideJapan Travel Planning Guide: Itineraries, Budget and Getting Around
GuidePeru on Two Budgets: Where to Splurge and Where to Save
ItineraryIceland: Our 10-Day Itinerary You Can Totally Steal
ItineraryGreek Island Hopping: Our 10-Day Itinerary You Can Totally Steal
ItineraryItaly: Our 10-Day Itinerary You Can Totally Steal
ItineraryCroatia: Our 7-Day Itinerary You Can Totally Steal
ItineraryFinland: Our 5-Day Itinerary You Can Totally Steal
ItineraryYucatán Road Trip: Our 10-Day Itinerary You Can Totally Steal
Itinerary2 week USVI Itinerary (with our dog)
GuideThe Ultimate Maui Travel Guide
GuideHow to Decide Between Experiences on Kauai
GuideWhat to do on the big island
GuideUltimate Tulum Travel Guide
GuideIsla Holbox, Mexico: The Car-Free Island With Our Favorite Beach in Mexico
GuideAmalfi Coast Guide: How to Drive It, Where to Stay and When to Go
GuideYour Quick Reference Guide to Bacalar Mexico
GuideSkiing in Europe vs. USA
Watch and learn
How to travel smarter
Budgets, bookings, insurance and the money side of travel, straight from our YouTube playlist.
8 Travel Tips to Save Time and Money
13K views
5 Ways to Quit Your Job (and Travel)
27K views
Airbnb House Tour and Tips
22K views
How to Pack a Suitcase to Maximize Space
244K views
Is travel insurance worth it?
17K views
How to Drive in Bali
15K views
Next step
Pack for it
Packing lists by trip and the carry-on system we designed after years of living out of one bag.
