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go on a trip or go for a trip

• Thread starter Sun14
• Start date Jun 17, 2016

Senior Member

• Jun 17, 2016

Hello, my friends, I was wondering whether they mean the same and the difference between them: 1) "I went for a trip last weekend." 2) "I went on a trip last weekend." Thoughts and context: I had a trip last weekend.  

Member Emeritus

I would only use "on" in your context. I went on a trip last week. I went for a walk yesterday. I took a trip last week. I took a walk yesterday.  

Copyright said: I would only use "on" in your context. I went on a trip last week. I went for a walk yesterday. I took a trip last week. I took a walk yesterday. Click to expand...

dojibear said: Click to expand...

Sun14 said: How about： I had a trip last week. Click to expand...

Copyright said: In this circumstance it sounds all right: I couldn't attend my kids' school play on Friday – I had a trip last week. Click to expand...

To me, "I had a trip last week" sounds wrong all by itself if it's supposed to mean "I took a trip." I would only use it if something had interfered with my plans: "I had a trip schedule d for last Friday, but something more important came up and I had to (was forced to) cancel." "I have a trip planned for next Christmas." (presently on my schedule for a future time) trip not taken "I had a trip planned for next Christmas but just lost my job and can't afford it. trip can't be taken  

• Jun 18, 2016

dojibear said: It definitely does not mean "I went on a trip", "I took a trip". Click to expand...

Got it. Thanks for all your kind replies. I was wondering whether had a walk is also not acceptable as had a trip: I had a trip last week.  

Sometimes I focus too much on one meaning. So I went down the list of "have" definitions in our dictionary. I found "experience" (verb) with sample sentence: "Have a good time". I realized I commonly hear this meaning of "have": I had a good trip . I had a nice walk . We had an awful flight.  

dojibear said: Sometimes I focus too much on one meaning. So I went down the list of "have" definitions in our dictionary. I found "experience" (verb) with sample sentence: "Have a good time". I realized I commonly hear this meaning of "have": I had a good trip . I had a nice walk . We had an awful flight. Click to expand...

• Jun 21, 2016

Thinking of various possibilities, I came to the conclusion that I would not use "go for a trip" in any context I can imagine. I would use "take a trip," of course.  

Copyright said: Thinking of various possibilities, I came to the conclusion that I would not use "go for a trip" in any context I can imagine. I would use "take a trip," of course. Click to expand...

Going (Scott’s Cheap Flights) Review: Is This Flight Tool Worth Using?

One of the biggest barriers to entry when it comes to travel is airfare. It can be prohibitively expensive — especially in this post-COVID travel boom.

As anyone who’s spent time searching for flights knows, finding a cheap one can be an arduous and time-consuming task. Unlike other aspects of travel (say, museum entry fees or walking tour prices), flight tickets don’t have a set price. Instead, tickets are volatile and unpredictable. We can’t expect a nonstop journey from NYC to Tokyo to always cost the same amount (though that would be nice!).

And even if you find an affordable deal, it can be easy to get caught in decision paralysis, questioning whether you should really book it, or if you could find something even cheaper (this is something that happened to me a lot when I first started traveling).

But this volatility in pricing can actually be used to a traveler’s advantage — with the right tools.

That’s where Going comes in. It’s a tool designed to help you find cheap flights.

Formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, Going is a membership-based website and newsletter that finds flight deals to over 900 destinations around the world. Most deals are 40-90% off normal prices, meaning members save an average of $550 USD on international economy seats (first-class flyers save $2,000 USD on average).

That’s a huge amount of savings!

Going started back in 2013 when Scott Keyes found an unbelievable deal from NYC to Milan: just $130 USD round-trip. He immediately booked the ticket, went to Italy, and had the time of his life.

When he came back, friends and family kept asking how he found such a great deal. So, he started sending a regular email to friends with the deals he found. By 2015, Scott’s Cheap Flights was born .

Many years — and over two million members — later, Scott’s Cheap Flights rebranded as Going. Same company, new name. Going encourages its members to take a reverse-booking approach to travel, which means choosing your destination and dates based on the flight deals that are available rather than deciding when and where you want to go and then looking for a bargain. It seems counterintuitive at first, but it means you can find incredible deals if you’re flexible.

I’ve known Scott for years and love what he has done with the company. I think he’s created one of the best tools for finding cheap flights there is. But don’t just take my word for it — here’s everything you need to know about Going to decide if it’s right for you!

How Going Works

At its core, Going is a membership website, meaning you have to sign up for some sort of plan to access its deals (one of the options is free, and all the plans offer free trials).

After signing up, it’s a super simple process to set up your account and get deals landing in your inbox:

There are three membership tiers: Limited, Premium, and Elite. While Limited is entirely free, you can take advantage of a 14-day free trial of both Premium and Elite before signing up.

New users can also get 20% off Premium with the code NOMADICMATT20.

The tiers break down as follows:

Limited (free):

• Small selection of deals on economy-class tickets for international travel, 1-2 days after they are found
• Can follow five US departure airports (but you can’t filter flights in any other way)

Premium ($49/year):

• Immediate notification of both international and domestic economy-class deals
• Alerts about rare mistake fares from your home airport (when the airlines incorrectly price a flight)
• Weekend Getaway alerts (for flights departing within the next month)
• Ability to filter what alerts you get
• Can follow up to 10 US airports

Elite ($199/year):

• Everything in Premium
• All mistake fares Going finds
• Deals on all ticket classes
• Unlimited number of departure airports
• Deals on award flights (for booking with points)
• Priority support

Here’s a full breakdown of the plans:

If you’re just looking for the odd flight deal, chances are the Limited plan will suffice for you. However, if you’re looking to travel more and want to really save money, Premium is a must. It has way more perks and offers a lot of value. And if you want deals on booking with points, you’ll need to sign up for the Elite plan as it is the only plan that includes award flight deals.

(If you’re a new user, don’t forget to use the promo code NOMADICMATT20 for 20% off Premium. )

Once you pick a plan and sign up, you’ll want to enter your home airport, as well as any additional airports that you might be willing to travel to for a great deal.

While the major benefit of being a member of Going is that you can just sit back, do nothing, and wait for a bargain to show up in your inbox, you can also search the Flight Deals page :

Here’s an example of what you can see on this page on the Limited Plan vs. the Elite Plan:

The Limited (free plan) view:

The Elite plan view (as you can see, there are hundreds more deals here, and this is filtered for Economy flights only):

How Going Finds Deals

It might be surprising to hear, but most of Going’s deals are found by their (human) Flight Experts using a set of criteria to determine what makes for a “deal.”

That means that they don’t just send you any and every cheap flight, but instead curate a selection of deals. They won’t send you a flight with several long layovers or an overnight layover, and they don’t send deals on budget airlines.

Instead, Going deals consist of nonstop or one-stop flights on full-service airlines with manageable layovers. They also make sure that a deal has at least ten different departure dates, so you’ll never encounter one that requires to you travel on a specific day. In short, they only pick decent flights, which I really appreciate.

On every deal, you’ll see a breakdown with a bit about the flight and destination, as well as sometimes a write-up including helpful tips and information from the Flight Expert who found the deal:

You’ll also see a price history for the flight, so you can see exactly how good of a deal it is. To me, this is super interesting:

Once a deal comes up that you want, all that’s left is to book it. Simply hit the “book” button on Going, which will then take you to the booking site. Usually it’s Google Flights, but sometimes it might be Skyscanner or similar platforms.

As you can see, when you click through, Going has already set all the filters so that the deal it found comes up:

When booking, you’ll want to act fast. Flight prices change all the time, so snag that fare while it still exists. That’s especially the case with mistake fares, as they’re rare and get scooped up or fixed quickly.

Remember, in the US you legally have 24 hours after purchasing a flight to cancel it, so book first and then quickly figure out any required logistics (time off, pet care, etc.), knowing you can cancel within a day if needed.

And that’s all there is to it!

Pros and Cons of Using Going

• Getting cheap-flight alerts delivered to your inbox (saving you a ton of time)
• Simple and easy to use
• Great, hands-on customer service
• Affordable tiers (including a free one)
• Allows for a variety of departure options to streamline your searches
• Paid membership is necessary for the best deals
• Only works if your home airport is in the US (including the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam)
• Award-flight availability is limited (in beta version for the Elite plan)

Should You Use Going?

Going is for travelers who want cheap airfare and can be flexible on dates and destinations in order to get the best deals. Going calls this its “reverse-booking” approach.

Going is for people that don’t have the time or inclination to constantly check for cheap fares, and would rather pay a small fee (the $49/year Premium plan is sufficient for most people) to unlock a world of deals.

Going also works best for travelers who can act quickly once a deal becomes available. While most deals are for travel 2-9 months in the future, since prices change so quickly, you’ll need to be able to book as soon as you get an email alert (but: remember the blanket 24-hour free cancelation policy on all US airlines).

On the flip side, Going is not a tool that will help you find cheap fares to a specific destination for a specific time. (If that’s all you want, simply set up a Google Flights alert for your required dates and destination.) The very nature of the service requires flexibility in order to take advantage of the best deals.

Going is also not for people who would rather spend the time searching for deals themselves rather than pay for a membership. You can find the flights that Going discovers on your own, as they’re publicly available on search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak. However, that takes (a lot of) time, and one person would never be able to find all the deals that Going’s team of over 50 people can! Even I get tired of searching for flight deals sometimes!

I think Going is a great resource to help budget travelers find incredible flight deals all over the world. While you can certainly learn the tips and tricks for doing so on your own, Going saves you the time and energy it takes to look for deals so that you can keep living your life, wait for the perfect one to arrive in your inbox, book it, and get going.

Sign up with promo code NOMADICMATT20 to get 20% off a Premium Plan!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Things to Do Before Going on Vacation: An Essential Checklist

Travel preparations can get complicated! To help you get ready for your next trip, we’ve created this checklist of things to do before going on vacation.

Getting ready to go on a trip can be very exciting, but it’s also a little stressful. From booking your flights to double-checking your accommodation details, it’s easy to forget some of the tasks you need to do before locking up your home and heading for the airport. To help make it easier for you to get ready for travel, we’ve put together a list of things to do before going on vacation that includes tips, hacks, and pre-departure must-dos.

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Things to Do Before Going On Vacation

1. save money for the trip. .

This one is kind of a given but it’s important to save money for your trip. While traveling is certainly a wonderful adventure, it’s decidedly less fun if you’re counting your pennies all of the time or having to skip things that you really want to do because you can’t afford it.

If you’re a woman traveling alone , it’s also incredibly important that you have enough money with you to pay for any unexpected emergencies. I have met many travelers who will stay on the road until they spend their very last cent. This is a really bad idea because you never know what may happen and having access to money can go a long way in helping you get out of a bad situation. 

Also, try not to get into the habit of putting everything on your credit card and worrying about it later. This is a good way to get into debt and that vacation may end up costing you a lot more than you thought in the long run. 

2. Check and re-check your packing list. 

There are generally two types of travelers. First, there are those that diligently prepare a list of things that they need to bring with them on a trip. They will often use handy little packing cubes that make packing a breeze and help you keep your things organized throughout their trips.

And then there are the rest of us. We are the ones that throw the things that we need into our bag without too much thought and hope that everything magically fits. This could be because we are barely unpacked from one trip before we are getting ready for the next (yah!) or because we simply don’t have the time or the energy to really prepare before the very last minute.

Regardless of what type of traveler you are, it’s always a good idea to have at least a mental checklist of the things that you will need and that you double-check that you have everything. Even if you’re constantly on the road and think you have packing down to a science, you should still take a quick look through your bags to make sure that you aren’t missing anything. I once flew to Singapore for a business conference with a suitcase full of light-colored shirts but only the black bra that I was wearing. Yikes.

3. Research transportation options.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you may find yourself forgetting to research transport options in your destination until the very last minute (I am very, very guilty of this). However, not researching transport options before you book your flights can end up wasting you a lot of money in the end. 

This is particularly true if you’re arriving or departing early in the morning or late at night. Most airports do not offer 24-hour public transport options or car rental. If this is the case, you may find yourself paying inflated prices for taxis or hotel pick-ups. While in some cases this is unavoidable, try not to book flights that have odd departure or arrival times until you have confirmed how much transportation will be on the other end. 

4. Organize a house sitter.

Depending on how long you will be traveling and whether or not you have pets, you may want to consider hiring a house sitter or a pet sitter. The job description of a house sitter can be someone who stops in every few days to water the plants and make sure that nothing catastrophic has happened. A pet sitter is a person who stays in your house for the duration of your vacation, feeding and loving your pets and taking care of any issues that arise.

If you don’t have any animals, it’s still worth considering getting a house sitter if you’re going on a long trip just for the peace of mind that someone is keeping an eye on everything. 

In case you don’t have a trusted housesitter and aren’t even quite sure how to find one, you may want to check out Trustedhousesitters.com . For a small annual fee, they help match people looking for housesitters with those who are looking for a place to house sit. 

5. Contact your bank. 

Another really important thing that you must do is contact your bank and your credit card company to let them know that you will be traveling. If they are not made aware of this, they may block your credit cards and debit cards when you try to use them in a foreign country.

Depending on the bank, this is usually relatively straight forward and you may even be able to do it online or through their app. It only takes a few minutes but it can save you major headaches in the long run.

Pro tip: If your credit card doesn’t work when you try to make a purchase, try contacting your bank immediately to tell them you’re trying to make a purchase overseas. It’s likely that they can just release the hold on the purchase immediately and when you try again, the transaction will go through. 

6. Turn down the thermostat and water heater.

If you live in a cold climate, don’t forget to turn down the thermostat before you lock up. This will keep your furnace from heating an empty home and can save you money on your next utility bill. The suggested temperature is around 55-60 degrees. This is enough to keep your pipes from freezing, but it’s not so high that it will eat up a lot of electricity. 

While you’re doing this, don’t forget to turn your water heater to vacation mode or to turn the temperature down to around 50 degrees. 

7. Eat all your perishable foods and clean your disposal.

We’ve all done it before. Just a few days before we go on vacation, we go to the grocery store and buy a ton of food. For some inexplicable reason, most of it just happens to be fresh fruit and vegetables. There is no reason why we do it but it seems that our logic is temporarily overrun and we soon find ourselves at home with a kitchen full of food wondering what the heck happened.

At this point, there is really only one thing to do—it’s time to eat all your perishable foods. Salads and sandwiches may be the only thing that you eat for the next few days but it sure beats throwing away food or coming home to a kitchen that resembles a petri dish! 

While you’re cleaning out your fridge, make sure that you also clean out your garbage disposal so that you don’t come home to a stinky sink. You simply need to throw in a half cup of baking soda and some vinegar. Once it has sat for 10 minutes, you can turn on the hot water and flush it out. it’s easy, fast, and definitely worth taking the time to do!

8. Make close friends or family aware of your travel plans.

If you’re about to head off on an adventure, make sure that someone in your family or a close friend knows what your travel plans are. While it’s nice to think of going completely off-the-grid for a few days, not letting anyone know where you’re going could end up making the difference between life and death.

Make sure to leave the phone numbers of the hotels or guesthouses that you will be staying at. Do not forget to let them know if there are any changes that happen last minute so that they know how to get in contact with you if necessary. If you buy local SIM cards at your new destination, make sure that they have those phone numbers too in case you’re unable to contact to wifi or data. 

I personally like to check in on Facebook when I am at the airport waiting for my flight and when I arrive at a new destination. I only mention what city I am in rather than an exact location (that can cause other safety issues, especially for female travelers) and it makes me feel a little safer that someone knows roughly where I am in the world.

9. But do not broadcast your travel plans on social media.

At the risk of contradicting my last statement, you also need to make sure that you don’t make it too obvious that you’re on vacation or how long you will be away. This is unfortunately a way that many burglars are able to know that no one is home and it may make your home a target for robbery.

10 Turn on your home security system.

If you have a home security system or a video doorbell, make sure that they are turned on and working properly before you leave. While it’s great to have everything set up, it’s not going to be very useful if it isn’t working. You may also want to let the alarm company know that you will be on vacation so they can monitor if there are any unexpected entries into your home. 

11. Hold your mail at the post office.

Another easy way for robbers to find out that no one is home at a house is when mail starts piling up outside. It’s always a good idea to have your mail held even if you generally do not get much mail anymore. 

If you’re expecting a package that has been delayed, you can also let any neighbors with whom you have a good relationship know so they can keep an eye out for it. 

12. Make digital copies of all of your important documents.

Before you set off on your adventure, it’s important to always have digital copies of your important documents, especially your passport, health insurance card, driver’s license, COVID vaccination card, etc. This can be extremely helpful if your bag or wallet gets stolen and you need to replace anything.

If you’re traveling abroad , it’s also a good idea to have a printed copy of your passport with you at all times. Depending on where you are, carrying your passport with you may not be safe and a paper copy is usually sufficient if anyone needs to see it. 

13. Set up an out-of-office response on your work email. 

There is very little that can be worse than being on vacation and seeing an urgent email pop up in your inbox (stop checking it!) that you absolutely must respond to. Setting up an out-of-office response before you leave can let the other person know that you’re out of the office so they can find another way to resolve the issue or, at the very least, it buys you some time so that you don’t need to respond to it right away. 

14. Unplug appliances at home.

Even when appliances are not on, they can still drain your electricity as long as they are plugged in. It’s a wise idea to switch off and unplug things like your TV, microwave, toaster, washing machine, etc. before you leave. This not only can save you some money from your electricity bill but it can also help the environment. 

15. Put all of your valuables in your carry-on luggage.

While we always recommend that you travel as lightly as possible , there are some things that you simply can’t leave home without. Make sure to put everything valuable that you’re bringing with you in your carry-on luggage. This includes your laptop, tablet, jewelry, money, camera, etc. 

You never know what happens to your luggage when it’s out of your sight, and if you have everything of value with you, you can rest assured that it won’t disappear somewhere along the way. However, keep in mind that the only way that you can be absolutely sure that nothing will happen to it’s to keep your bag under the seat in front of you. Sadly, there have been reports of people’s things getting stolen from the overhead bin and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

16. Check in online.

If you’re taking a flight, make sure to check in online before heading to the airport and download a copy of your boarding passes on your phone. This can save a lot of time at the airport. Considering what a zoo they have become, this can make a big difference as to whether or not you make your flight.

17. Pre-order any specialty meals.

If you’re taking a flight where they are serving complimentary meals, make sure to order a special meal at least one day before you leave if you have any dietary restrictions. Most airlines will only let you request a meal at least 24-48 hours in advance and, trust me, the last thing that you want is to be sitting there hungry watching everyone dig into their meals around you. 

18. Buy travel insurance. 

When you’re organizing your trip, it’s easy to forget to purchase something that, frankly, you hope that you will never need to use. Yep, you guessed it, I am talking about travel insurance. Unless you have an international health insurance plan, it’s important to remember that most American health insurance policies will not cover you if you’re out of the country.

Costing roughly around $1 per day for a decent policy with a low deductible, travel insurance is very inexpensive and can save you a ton of money in the event of an unexpected illness or an emergency. There are some travel insurance aggregators that make it easy to find a policy that works for you so make sure to put this at the top of your to-do list. 

19. Pay any upcoming bills.

If you don’t have all of your bills on auto-pay, make sure to pay any outstanding or upcoming bills before you leave. Coming back to a mountain of late fees can be a real buzz-kill after an amazing vacation. 

20. Turn off your water.

If you’re going to be away for more than a few days, it’s always a good idea to turn off your water supply before you leave. This can help prevent any potential flooding that could occur as a result of broken pipes or leaks. 

This is very important if you live in a cold environment where there is the chance that your pipes may freeze and burst. Water in your pipes can freeze after just six hours of being at 20 degrees or below and the last thing that you want to do is come home and find a huge mess.

21. Have your car serviced.

If you’re heading out on a road trip, it’s also a very good idea to have your car serviced at least a week before you leave, especially if it’s an older model. This can help you catch any small issues that could become much bigger ones while you are on the road, putting an abrupt end to your vacation. 

22. Carry your necessities in your carry-on.

If you’re planning on checking luggage, make sure to keep any necessities that you may need for the first day or two of your trip with you in case your bag gets lost. This includes things like contact lens cases, glasses, a toothbrush, underwear, a spare change of clothes, and a bathing suit. 

If you’re traveling abroad, it’s also very important to carry travel adapters with you as well as your phone, laptop, and tablet chargers. If you don’t have an adapter, you can order them from Amazon before you go. Although you can sometimes get them at the airport, they are generally very expensive and not as good of quality as what you can find online.

Ready to roam?

We hope that this checklist has left you feeling a bit more prepared for your next trip. If you need some more tips and tricks, make sure to check out our list of the “ Dos and Don’ts of Air Travel ,” our international travel checklist , and the other expert travel advice contained within our Explorer Blog !

There are some important things to do before going on vacation . Unplug non-essential appliances, turn off your water, and consider turning down the heat and hot water heater.

While preparing to leave for vacation , lock your doors and windows and notify your security company that you’ll be away. Hire a house sitter if possible, and don’t announce your vacation on social media!

If you’re taking a trip, use a checklist of things to do before vacation so you don’t miss any key preparations. Don’t forget to download the Let’s Roam app to access fun adventures while you’re away!

Featured Products & Activities

Going Review (Scott’s Cheap Flights): Worth it in 2024?

As a traveler, rebrands don't mean much if the deals don't get any better. Is Going, formerly Scott's Cheap Flights, still bringing you the best flight deals? Discover what has changed and remains the same in this review of Going.

Airfare's a big deal when planning a trip, right? We're all on the hunt for the most affordable deals or the occasional "oops" fare that airlines drop.

I mean, who doesn't love a travel bargain?

Cue Scott's Cheap Flights . This big name is known to many budget travelers as one of the best travel deal websites in recent times. But it's recently shaken things up a bit.

Now, the travel deal site is rebranded as "Going."

Why the change-up, and what's new since the switch? Let's dive into the latest on "Going"!

What Is Going?

Going is the rebranded name of the company formerly known as Scott's Cheap Flights. It's an email subscription service for alerting travelers about great airfare deals.

The business was founded in 2013 by Scott Keyes as a hobby after he bagged a great deal for a trip from New York to Milan.

Since then, the company has grown in size and membership. Today, Going has over 2 million followers waiting to be alerted to deals and mistake airfares.

Going claims that the deals it sends to its subscribers stand out from ordinary offers and are usually massive cuts ranging between 40% - 90%.

What's With the Rebrand?

According to its founders, the primary purpose of rebranding is to switch to a more inclusive name that captures the love for travel.

It's also meant to reflect the whole team behind Going, who work hard to bring subscribers the best deals on the internet.

Scott has also explained that the name was chosen to represent the company's efforts to go beyond cheap flights, hinting that they'll likely expand into other travel avenues in the future.

What's Changed?

So far, the main difference is in the focus and appeal. The website and social media channels look fresh, but the service remains unchanged.

Going is still an email subscription service that sends emails about cut-price airfares. The team uses manual and automated methods to search for discounted tickets online.

Going doesn't charge commission on the deals its followers use but earns money through subscription fees.

Going Pros & Cons

What's great about going, easy to use.

Existing Scott's Cheap Flights subscribers don't have to worry about signing up again. You can log into Going using the same email address.

If you're new, you can sign up easily using your email. You can also purchase a membership plan for a friend or family member who loves traveling. It's a valuable gift for people who travel frequently.

Amazing Deals

The company uses a "Bestie Test" that ensures the flight details it sends are low-cost and convenient, with good routing, minimal layovers, and a reliable airline provider.

The team only picks good deals to send their best friends or family.

Special Discounts

Going offers a discount of 25% for Premium membership for active military personnel, veterans, students, teachers, and healthcare professionals. You must verify your identity to claim the discount if you belong to one of these categories.

You can also get a month of Premium or Elite membership free by introducing a friend to the service.

• Informative

Going's website has a resources section with tips and guides on planning vacations, traveling on a budget, and navigating different travel restrictions.

There's also a glossary to familiarize yourself with the terms commonly related to air travel.

What are the Drawbacks of Going?

No mobile app.

A mobile app would make Going's flight alert system much more convenient. But the word is that it's in the making. The app will be available for Android and iOS devices. It'll likely include a real-time interactive map showing all the cheap flights.

Only in the US

Going still has yet to expand its departure airports beyond the US, which is disappointing. But this is one of the improvements the company hopes to make soon.

I, for one, cannot wait until Going can help out with more destinations worldwide!

The Name Itself

I came across mixed views on the new name. Most of Going's followers don't like it because it takes away the personalized touch that Scott's Cheap Flights had.

The new name is also pretty generic, making it more challenging to search for it online. Adding an extra term like "Going login" or "Going Scott's Cheap Flights" helps with this.

Has Going Increased Paid Membership Fees?

No, the membership price for Going remains the same as for Scott's Cheap Flights. For those new to the service, there are 2 paid membership options:

Premium memberships with Going cost $49 annually. With this tier of status, you'll get access to the following benefits:

• Alerts for uncommon mistake fares from your chosen airport,
• Instant updates on economy-class deals, both international and domestic,
• Ability to customize which flight alerts you receive,
• Options to track flight deals from up to 10 US airports,
• "Weekend Getaway" notifications (for upcoming flights within the next month).

To become a Going Elite member it's more pricey, costing you $199 per year. If you choose the elite plan, you'll receive benefits like:

• Alerts for every mistake fare found by Going,
• Access to deals across all ticket classes,
• Track cheap flight deals from an unlimited number of departure airports,
• Specials on award flights (perfect for those using points),
• Priority customer support,
• Plus, everything that's included in the Premium package.

Is Free Membership Still Available?

Yes! The Limited plan from Going is still free, and you'll get flight alerts now and then covering international destinations. If you decide to sign up for a free membership, you'll only get access to a limited amount of benefits, including:

• Limited variety of international economy-class ticket deals,
• Track deals from up to 5 US departure airports (without additional flight filtering options).

One thing to note is that you'll be shown the deals 1-2 days later than paid users.

Does Going Offer Free Trials?

Yes! Regardless of the plan you decide to try out, you can get a 14-day free trial to try out Going.

Using Going

Our Scott's Cheap Flights review talked about how to use the deal website—but I'm going to give everyone a little refresher here!

Setting Up Your Account

The first step is to pick between the plans I just mentioned. And once you have a membership, you'll want to fill out critical information, like your home airport and the additional ones.

You can also edit your "deal settings" so that you only get deals sent to you if they fit specific criteria. This feature is more useful if you're on a paid plan.

Get Sent Deals!

Based on this information you've given the Going team, you'll receive deal alerts through email!

You can also go to your dashboard and look up any current deals Going is showing you. If you're a free member, there won't be as many deals visible on this page compared to if you were a paying member.

NEW: Flight Search Feature

That said, members now have access to a flight search! This is new, considering Scott's Cheap Flights was only an alert service, and you couldn't particularly choose to get sent a deal for one of the popular destinations.

Generally, people who use Going must be flexible with their schedule and their next trip destination.

Booking With Going

Have you found a deal you can't resist? It's time to book!

To secure your flight tickets, you must hit the "book through Google Flights" button. It'll take you straight to that flight deal's specific dates and details. And you'll be able to do the booking through a trustworthy and easy-to-navigate platform.

Talk about travel planning made easy.

So, How Does Going Actually Find Deals?

You may have been using this service since it was Scott's Cheap Flights, or you could be brand new and exploring.

Now that you know more about the "why" of the name change, membership pricing, and using Going, you might wonder how it offers such fantastic deals on flights.

When it comes to scouting the best flight deals, Going has a unique approach. It doesn't just rely on algorithms. Instead, human touch makes all the difference.

After you've set up an account and chosen your airports, Going's team of Flight Experts gets to work. These experts sift through potential deals, using specific criteria that ensure only top-quality flights get recommended.

The Going team looks at factors like how the price stacks up against usual fares, travel dates, overall travel time, and airline quality.

The best thing is that they won't bombard you with just any cheap flight. So instead of receiving daily notifications via email, you'll only get deals that matter. A promise of quality over quantity!

Also, you'll get to say goodbye to tedious layovers or deals with budget airlines. Going experts do their best to present you with nonstop or one-stop flights on full-service carriers, ensuring shorter layovers.

One notable feature is the selection process. Every deal they send has at least ten different departure dates, meaning you aren't boxed into flying on a single specific day. Plus, each deal has a detailed breakdown—from insights about the destination to valuable tips from the Flight Expert who spotted the offer.

Curious about how good a deal is? They include a price history for every flight, which adds a layer of transparency.

What Do Users Say About Going's Service?

Most followers continue to benefit from Going's flight alerts delivered to their email inbox and are satisfied with the overall service. Going remains one of the best travel deal sites for enthusiastic travelers.

But, while writing this review, I encountered several complaints from users that the deals they receive aren't as fabulous as the company claims.

Another common complaint is that Going continues to charge subscription fees even after users cancel their membership. Lack of good customer support is something many people also mention.

Is Going Worth It?

Short answer—yes. If you're a regular traveler, subscribing to one of the paid memberships is worth the money.

And if you're more of a once-a-year traveler, you can still find value from the free membership.

Going is suitable for you if you're a flexible traveler. Someone who's willing to take a trip based on incredible flight deals. That means that you won't always get to pick the time or the destination, but you'll be saving big bucks!

The deals recommended by Going, formerly Scott's Cheap Flights , are verified as legit before sending them to you. This way, despite how unbelievable they may seem, you don't have to worry about credibility.

Who's Going not for? People have specific destinations and vacation schedules to stick by.

Or those of us who like to search for our own deals. Going's team pulls publically available deals and alerts you to them, which means you can find them on your own! But that takes a lot of extra time and effort.

Also, if you're into travel credit cards and points, Going may not be the best site for you as the award-flight availability is low. It would also require you to get the highest-priced membership to access these deals.

So, I believe it is a great resource for some people, namely the flexible and adventurous traveler. But there are many other options for those who don't travel like this!

For some alternative services to compare, check out other reviews of Matt's Flights and Dollar Flight Club .

Our Rating: 4.5/5

• Easy to use
• Great flight deals
• Special discounts
• No mobile app
• Only covers US departures
• Generic name
• Inconsistent customer service

Time to Get Going?

Whether you plan on bagging last-minute discounts or booking your flights months in advance, you need a handy travel planner to organize the arrangements. Pilot's got you covered!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Reviews 4.5.

Most relevant

Direct flight from Roanoke to Chicago

I got a notification about a deal from Roanoke to Chicago, and it came at just the time I was thinking about visiting family near Chicago. Not only was the price really good but it was a direct flight. No layovers! I’m happy.

Date of experience : July 15, 2024

I feel scammed!

I feel like the deals that I see in your Going app arr a scam I'm not completely sure yet but that's my feeling right now. I had a regular membership and was looking for a fare to CUN from DFW. A great fare showed up however I had to upgrade to Premium to view it. I immediately upgraded and then it said that there was no fare deals available from DFW to CUN. I feel like it was a scam to just get me to upgrade and pay the yearly fee. I don't want to rush to judgement however I'm not sure what ro think right now!!!

Date of experience : June 29, 2024

Reply from Going

Hi there! We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to voice your frustration and concern. You're valid, and just based off the experience you described, it sounds like a textbook bait & switch. That is not how we like to conduct ourselves, nor how we want our members to think of Going, but it's on us to meet those expectations and we didn't this time around.  While we can't take back what occurred on the Going app, we'd love to make this right and help set you up for success going forward. If you like, please email us at [email protected] so that we can further assist 💚️  The Going Team

Hope These Ideas can Help You

We have found fabulous deals with Going and saved hundreds of dollars. I recommend it to people all the time. It's ideal for people like us who live within two or three hours of several major airports - Philadelphia, Newark, JFK, Dulles, Baltimore. Our most recent find was just last week. Going advertised United Airlines nonstop fare from Newark, NJ to Tokyo for under $1,000. We checked Google Flights and found that American Airlines' price was almost identical, (this often happens as airlines compete with each other.) American was a better match for us, timewise. When fares are low, corresponding "miles" or "points" are also low. It's the best time to buy tickets with miles. We scored nonstop JFK to Tokyo tickets for 63,000 points! That's a premium economy (upgraded) ticket, with free checked bag, free changes, free seat selection, etc. It's also for October, which I understand is a beautiful time to visit Japan. None of that would have happened without Going. So, check out Going's deal, then check competing airlines, and consider using points. And, make your best deal. Happy trails, fellow flyers!

Date of experience : June 22, 2024

Hi Jan, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this message! We're so thrilled to hear about all the money you've saved with your Going membership. And that points deal to Tokyo is awesome! We hope you have an amazing time! The Going Team

Thank you for adding the Points option…

Thank you for adding the Points option to the membership! I've booked my first points because of you to one of my dream places with Emirates for under 72k RT from East Coast to the Mediterranean non-stop. Oh, I forgot to mention that I was able to book one of my legs is in Business class. I've been doing the miles game since 1992 and I'm a million miller for life with AA, but this is the best deal I've ever gotten for an Int'l flight with points. THANK YOU!

Date of experience : June 25, 2024

Hi Isa, That is AMAZING! Our team is so thrilled to hear this, and so happy we were able to help you score such an amazing deal in business class on Emirates using your points. 😍️ We hope you have an amazing time on your  Mediterranean adventure and look forward to bringing you many more great deals in the future! The Going Team

A destination I never thought of going. Easy to book.

Date of experience : July 11, 2024

So happy to hear that you had a great experience planning your next trip! The Going Team

Going to Yelliwstone- Finally!

I'd researched visiting Yellowstone National Park a couple of times, but high airfare & an exspensive destination = no go. Going's alert of a fare drop to West Yellowstone, and it's reminder that 2 one-way fares can work better made me reconsider. It took a bit, but I'm booked out on United & return via American. Thanks GOING 👍

Date of experience : May 26, 2024

Hi Sandy, That is so awesome!! We're thrilled to hear we've been able to help you find a deal to Yellowstone, and hope you have an amazing time on your trip! 😊️ The Going Team

Great deal for travel to Europe

Scored a great deal for travel to Europe. More than makes up for the subscription price. Absolutely recommend Going for anyone traveling by air.

Date of experience : June 13, 2024

Hi there, That's awesome! We're so happy to hear we were able to get you such a great deal on your trip to Europe and look forward to bringing you many more great travel deals 😊️ The Going Team

More travel, less money!

We love to travel and Going has made it possible for to see more of the world by finding great prices for us. We booked round trip to Barcelona from Miami for $206 each and New Zealand for $840! Thanks, Going!

Date of experience : June 11, 2024

We are beyond thrilled to hear about the amazing deals you were able to score! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, and we can't wait to see what parts of the world you score a deal to next 😀️ The Going Team

I recommend Going to everyone I know who loves to travel

I’ve booked several deals that Going has alerted me to, and gone to places I’d only dreamed I’d visit one day. I appreciate that the service filters out ‘economy airlines’ whose nickel and diming makes it so their cheap flights aren’t actually a deal. Going only sends deals that have significantly lower prices than average and on airlines that generally include your carry-on/first checked bag. I recommend Going to everyone I know who enjoys traveling.

Date of experience : May 07, 2024

Hi April, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this review! We are SO thrilled to know that we've been able to help you with travel to some of your dream destinations 😊️ The Going Team

Fun deals and quick, helpful customer service. My alerts didn’t update from free to premium but the service team fixed it right away. I was able to book a $78 flight to plan a surprise visit to a friend so I’ve already made back my annual fee.

Date of experience : May 21, 2024

Hi Dmitri, Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review. We're so happy to hear we were able to help you score a great price on a flight to visit your friend and we're looking forward to bringing you many more deals in the future 😊️ The Going Team

Saved at least $250 and lots of time

Going kept me informed of deals on flights to my chosen destination, one that is busy at the time of year I want to travel. It saved me at least $250, and following the Going links made booking very easy.

Hi there, We're so happy to hear you're already saving money and finding great deals using our service! We really appreciate the kind review and hope there are many more great deals in your future :)  The Going Team

Worth a try

There have been some money saving deals and good traveling tips since becoming a member and I’m glad I tried out the membership. However for me, it isn’t working that Going uses Google Flights for booking discounted airfare. My work blocks access to non work related sites on my Google work account and for personal reasons I do not want to set up a private Google account. I use other online providers that don’t happen to work with the provided Going links for booking.

Date of experience : March 31, 2024

Hi Susan -  Thank you for providing feedback and giving us a try. If you need any assistance, please reach out to [email protected]  using the email address you signed up to Going with, we'd be happy to further assist.  The Going Team

Always has useful information in…

Always has useful information in messages. No fluff. Very easy to use website. Has literally saves our family hundreds.

Date of experience : June 08, 2024

Hi Dennis, Thanks for taking the time to leave us this note! We're thrilled to hear we've helped you and your family save so much on travel ✈️! The Going Team

Money Saver

We have saved hundreds of dollars over the years by being a member of Going. Plus some deals were too good to pass up which encouraged us to travel to places we never had considered prior to joining.

Date of experience : April 20, 2024

Hi Jennifer! Thanks for choosing us for your travel adventures! We're so thrilled to hear we've been able to help you save so much on your trips, as well as explore some new places  🌍  - The Going Team

Quick, easy, relevant information

Quick, easy to digest information. The only reason I don't have a premium membership is another flight deal service offered a lifetime membership at the rate of a 1 year membership here.

Hi Mike, Thanks for the feedback! We're glad to hear that you've found our deals and newsletters have useful and easy to understand 😊️ The Going Team

CLEVELAND TO DUBLIN

I was notified of a great price to fly round trip on Aer Lingus Cleveland to Dublin in November and booked it yesterday. I was a little disappointed today to see a mistake fare for several hundred dollars cheaper from a different city that I could have made work. However, I’m happy to be going to Dublin in November and glad that Going notified me of the deal.

Date of experience : May 13, 2024

We are beyond thrilled to hear about the amazing deal you were able to score! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review 😀️   The Going Team

I really like my Elite subscription, and this is what…

I really like my Elite subscription. I like the emails of flight deals, especially the ones on my list, of those I most want to follow. What I don’t like is that you show so many deals at the lowest level of Economy. I wish you had different grouped emails, and that I was getting ones with the higjer than basic levels of Economy, and Premium Economy (which I do get, and which I’m signed up for)

Date of experience : April 27, 2024

This is helpful to hear, Peter! Thank you!  The Going Team

They find great deals on places we want…

They find great deals on places we want to visit and often save us money on tickets we've already booked.

Thank you! We appreciate your kind words and are SO happy that we could help you and your family see the globe 💚️🛫️ The Going Team

All of my trips that I have wanted to…

All of my trips that I have wanted to go on, Going (Scott's cheap deals) has always helped me get to my destination. My dream of going to Fiji is coming true this year with their team finding this amazing deal. My previous trips to Bali and Spain have also been through these guys. It's amazing what they do and so incredibly grateful!

Date of experience : April 05, 2024

We are beyond excited to hear this! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, and we hope you continue to explore parts of the world you (used to) only dream about 🙂 The Going Team

No hesitation - Going is a great tool that everyone should know about.

Going saved me hundreds (thousands?) of dollars on flights this year. My son is studying abroad so finding inexpensive flights to get him there and back, get us there to visit him and get him opportunities to explore new parts of the world left me wondering how we would afford it. Took a chance and bought the Going Prime membership and it paid off, many times over! In addition to helping me find great deals, Going also provided great articles on travelling in general. How to travel better; how the industry works; dispelling myths; using points; when and where to travel inexpensively.... all great stuff. Highly recommend Going whether it's the free version or the paid version, depending on your need, without any hesitation. Get going!

Date of experience : February 17, 2024

Thank you for your fantastic review! 😀️ We're thrilled to hear that Going has helped you save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on flights this year. It's wonderful to know that our Elite membership has proven to be a valuable investment, especially for facilitating your son's study abroad experience and your family's visits. Happy travels, and thank you again ✈️ The Going Team

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The Ultimate Packing List

Christine Sarkis

Ashley Rossi

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis .

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times , Conde Nast Traveler , and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008 . She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : The Trtl Pillow . It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto : Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at [email protected] .

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "A week in a bamboo beach hut on India's Andaman Islands."

Travel Motto : "Travel light, often, and in good company."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window—best view in the house."

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Packing mishaps range from inconvenient (heading to the Caribbean without a swimsuit) to disastrous (discovering you left the country without your wallet), but most are preventable. We’ve created this ultimate packing list to help you pack well every time.

The Ultimate Packing Checklist

To see the ultimate packing list, scroll down the page or click here for an editable PDF version that you can save or print out. To customize the list, simply download or print it, then edit for your specific needs. You can also download the editable, mobile-friendly checklist here .

Clothes to Pack

• Dress Shirts
• Casual Shirts
• Sweatshirts
• Laundry Kit
• Leisure Shoes
• Hiking Boots
• Dress Shoes
• Collapsible Tote

Shop Our Clothing Packing List

Toiletries to Pack

• Dental Floss
• Conditioner
• Styling Tools
• Facial Cleanser
• Face Lotion
• Moisturizer
• Contact Lenses
• Contact Solution
• Shaving Supplies
• Makeup Remover
• Menstrual Products
• Birth Control/Medication
• Nail Clippers
• Hand Sanitizer
• First-Aid Ointment
• Insect Repellent
• Pain Relievers

Shop Our Toiletries Packing List

Miscellaneous Items

• Laptop/Tablet
• Film/Memory Card
• List of Medications
• Banking Contacts/Information
• Electronic Chargers
• Emergency Contacts
• Copy of Passport
• Plug Adapter

Shop Our Miscellaneous Items List

What to Pack in Your Carry-on

• Books or E-Books
• Travel Blanket
• Travel Pillow
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Change of Clothes
• Empty Water Bottle
• In-Flight Medications
• Passport/Visa/ID
• Credit/ATM cards
• Insurance Cards
• Maps/Directions

Shop Our Carry-On Essentials List

Packing Tips for Clothes and Other Items

When packing for a vacation the most important things to keep in mind are the length of your trip, the weather, and any non-standard clothing or gear you might need.

Your first step when packing is to decide if you’ll be checking a bag or only taking a carry-on and then curate the amount of clothing you’ll need based on that decision. Typically, you should avoid checking a bag in situations where you have a layover since the likelihood of your bag going missing goes up with every connection . You might also want to avoid checking a bag if you absolutely need items in your bag on arrival—for example, if you’re going on a cruise.

If you’re packing more minimally, focus on packing layering clothes in more neutral colors. That’s not because we don’t like fun colors and patterns; it just means that neutral-colored clothing is more versatile, so you can wear these items more than once when you’re tight on space.

How to Pack in Just a Personal Item Sized Bag

Also invest in clothing that does double duty, like multi-use wraps , crushable hats , self-cooling and heating fabrics like merino wool layers , bug-repellent clothing , wrinkle-resistant shirts, quick-drying activewear and undergarments, casual sneakers, UPF-proof clothing , and compressible jackets … just to name a few. Look toward popular athleisure brands like Lululemon , prAna , and Athleta for comfortable yet stylish travel clothing.

When curating your packing list, you should keep in mind the length of your trip and decide on quantities from there. For a shorter trip (three to five days), you can probably manage with the following: one pair of underwear and socks per day, one pair of pajamas, one to two dressier outfits, one to two activewear or athleisure outfits, one to two casual outfits, and one to two pairs of shoes. For a longer trip (over a week), you can manage with one pair of underwear and socks per day, two pairs of pajamas, three dressier outfits, three to four casual outfits, two pairs of shoes, and two activewear or athleisure outfits.

And if you’re able to do laundry on your vacation, you can probably manage with even fewer items. Just don’t forget to pack a travel laundry kit .

Scrubba Untouched Review

Also make sure to bring along accessories like a money belt, scarf or sarong (can be used for things like an airplane blanket , coverup at the beach, or to throw over your dress on a cool evening), and a collapsible tote or day bag for any extra items you might acquire on your travels. If traveling to a city or destination that is prone to pickpocketing, make sure to pack some pickpocket-proof clothing and gear .

Depending on the type of trip you’re going on, you may need to invest in some special travel gear. We’ve tested out everything from waterproof baby carriers to interchangeable heels , so you can trust our recommendations. If you’re headed out on an organized group tour , you’ll most likely get a packing list from the tour provider, which should make your trip planning easier. If not, do your research online (one tip is to look at locations on Instagram and see what people are wearing) and consult this story for other handy lists of tips.

For more active trips, make sure you have a sturdy pair of hiking boots, quick-drying clothing, a day pack, snacks, and any necessary equipment. Check out our specific packing lists for hiking trips and camping trips .

Another type of trip that you may need to pack slightly specific items for is a cruise . Make sure you pack non-standard items like seasickness remedies, formal wear, dress shoes, and your bathing suit. Beach vacations also require different items like water shoes, towels, sunscreen, and maybe even snorkel gear. Luckily for you, we also have a specific cruise packing list and a beach vacation packing list .

Lastly, you need to consider the weather. For warm-weather destinations like jungles and Caribbean islands, you can obviously skip the coats and gloves, but if you’re headed out on a ski vacation then you’ll need a whole slew of things like goggles, a neck gaiter, snow boots, and more. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a specific Caribbean vacation packing list , a Mexico vacation packing list , and even a ski trip packing list .

10 Secrets I Learned Working in a Hotel

To help keep things organized, we love using packing cubes and/or compression sacks. They’re especially useful for when you’re traveling to multiple destinations in one trip.

Wondering how to pack all of your items? Enter the great debate of the rolling vs. folding method! While this is definitely a personal preference, we put two editors to the test to find out which method is in fact, more space-saving. Watch the video below to see the answer.

How to Pack Toiletries and Medications

Whether it’s important medication or your favorite lipstick, forgetting any type of toiletry can range from being mildly inconvenient to becoming a serious problem. For toiletries, make sure to pack your essentials, like medication, contacts, and any other items that you might not be able to purchase or replace during your travels. (Put them in your carry-on bag, not your checked suitcase.) However, if you forget items like a toothbrush or razor, you can typically call the front desk at the hotel for a spare.

We also recommend traveling with some type of a travel first-aid kit , which includes items like tweezers, first-aid ointment, bandages, travel-sized hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Make sure to check TSA guidelines if you’re traveling with medication , as well as the policies and regulations at your destination.

Packing Tips for Everything Else …

Traveling without tech items like your phone, laptop, tablet, or camera can be a major bummer. For those traveling abroad, you’ll also want to remember to pack electronic adapters and converters . Other tech-related items for photographers to pack are a sturdy camera bag , backup batteries, and memory cards, as well as lens cleaner. And don’t forget smartphone essentials like a backup charger, waterproof case if you’re headed out on the water, and a phone stand or tripod for photos.

A travel packing tip we’ve learned the hard way? Travel with a copy of your passport, credit card, and bank contacts, as well as a list of medications and your emergency contacts.

If you are traveling abroad, we have an entire checklist for you, but the most important thing to note here is your passport and visas . Make sure that your passport is up to date, has as least six months of validity, and has enough blank pages for any stamps. Another tip for international travel? Give yourself plenty of time to apply for any visas that you might need and to arrange for a visit to a travel clinic if any special medications or vaccines are needed. You should also familiarize yourself with any remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions at your destination.

There are also some items that you may not think to pack, but should, like an electronic tracker , duct tape , toilet paper, a decoy wallet, or a whistle.

The 10 Best Expandable Suitcases

What to Always Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

In case you’re separated from your checked bag or other items, you should always make sure that you have your ID, wallet, house keys, medications, valuables, camera, phone, laptop, tablet, pen, cash and cards, glasses, and copy of your itinerary with you on the plane.

Other items that you might want to have handy with you include entertainment for your flight, comfort-promoting items like a blanket or pillow, as well as an empty water bottle to fill up post-security (here is a list of our favorites ), a change of clothes (just in case your luggage is lost or delayed), snacks, and gum.

If you’re looking to pack carry-on only, you guessed it: We also have a separate packing list and tips for that, as well as the best bags to use for carry-on only .

What to Pack to Stay Healthy While Traveling

The pandemic has significantly changed the way we travel and, by extension, the items we prioritize in our luggage. While many destinations have loosened or entirely lifted COVID-19 restrictions, some venues and events may still require a mask or proof of vaccination/negative COVID test to enter. Plan ahead to see if any activities on your itinerary have restrictions in place.

Sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer , while always a good idea to have on hand at the airport , have become absolute carry-on musts. Wiping down areas like your tray table, airplane seat armrest, and hotel television remote can spare you from a variety of common travel bugs.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Ashley Rossi contributed to this story.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

You Might Also Like:

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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11 Things You Should Do the Day Before You Leave for a Vacation

It's the eve of your departure — the day before you leave for that long-overdue vacation you've been dreaming of for months. But before you embark on your trip, there are some important steps for you to take.

Here are 11 items to cross off your to-do list before you head out.

Alert your credit card company.

To ensure your credit card works while you're traveling, your credit card company needs to know your travel plans. If you've waited this long though, you may have to call instead of submitting an online form.

And there's one other very important thing. "Make sure you have enough available credit on your credit cards," said Tammy Levent, CEO at Elite Travel Management Group .

Contact your cell phone company.

Traveling abroad? Call your service provider to help you set up the cheapest plan for making calls, sending text messages, and accessing Internet from your smartphone. Many cell phone companies — including AT&T , Verizon , and T-Mobile — offer affordable day passes to U.S. customers for International talk, text, and data plans.

Notify your home security system operator.

"If you're leaving two weeks or longer, it's a good idea to tell your local police department you'll be gone," Levent said. "If you ask, they may do extra runs by your house."

Confirm all reservations.

Double-check all your reservations: your flight, hotel, car rental, restaurants, attractions, and any other services or experiences you've planned. You don't want any surprises at a check-in counter.

If you have access to a printer, it's not a bad idea to print out confirmations. If you don't, write down confirmation numbers (and customer service phone numbers) and keep the paper easily accessible in your wallet or carry-on.

Make advance payments on bills that have due dates during your trip.

Don't want to get hit with late fees? Make sure all credit cards, housing expenses (e.g., rent, utilities), and other monthly bills will be paid on time.

Check the weather.

This may seem like an obvious one, but "many travelers forget to do it," said Levent. Check the forecast for your destination and your hometown when you'll be returning, and pack appropriately. Consider putting a car cover on vehicles parked outdoors to protect them from inclement weather.

Eat, throw out, or give away any perishable food.

The last thing you want is to return home to a stinky fridge. Also, run the dishwasher, take out the trash, and clean the sink to be sure there's no food in the drain that could rot or attract bugs while you're away.

Leave an itinerary with a friend or family member.

Your emergency contact should have a copy of your travel plans, Levent advises.

Clean out your wallet.

Sift through your wallet and remove any items you don't need on your trip. Leave loyalty cards, gift cards, extra credit cards, and any other unnecessary contents at home.

Place a hold on your mail delivery.

This is a smart move if you're going away for more than a couple days, Levent says. Alternatively, you could arrange for a neighbor to collect your mail until you get home.

Bring in outdoor furniture.

Don't leave any outdoor wares (e.g., patio chairs, cushions, pool equipment) unguarded, especially lightweight items that are easy for thieves to steal.

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going on a trip

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

• I'm going on a trip to Europe next week.
• She loves going on trips to the beach.
• They are going on a trip to visit their relatives.
• He is excited about going on a trip to the mountains.
• We are planning on going on a trip to the countryside.

Alternatives:

• taking a trip
• embarking on a trip
• heading on a trip
• setting off on a trip
• planning a trip

going for a trip

• They are going for a trip to the mountains.
• She is excited about going for a trip to the beach.
• We are planning on going for a trip to Europe.
• He loves going for trips to visit new places.
• I'm going for a trip to see my family.
• heading for a trip
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Last updated: March 26, 2024

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49 Things You Need to Do to Plan Your Best Trip (Free Travel Research & Planning Checklist)

• Updated: 07/02/2024

Before you jet off on your next adventure, ensure you have all your travel research and planning in order. To help, use this ultimate travel research checklist  to guide you through the necessary steps for more enjoyable planning and a stress-minimized trip.

I love to travel, though I do not necessarily enjoy all the tedious steps required to get out the door and start having fun. So, I rely heavily on checklists like this planning list , a packing list , and a prep and close-the-house list  to streamline my departure. Leaning on these saves me time and money and helps to avoid unexpected situations, making for worry-free trips. I hope they can do the same for you.

So, whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time adventurer, I have designed this travel research and planning guide to cover the things you must cross off your to-do list before leaving for a trip. 

From the fun stuff like flights, accommodation, and local attractions—to the necessary details, especially for more complicated international travel, like getting visas , knowing about local customs, and purchasing travel insurance , use this list to explore the world confident you have things covered. 

Table Of Contents

Download your free travel planning checklist here.

Prefer not to print? Jump to my explanation of the 14 stages of trip planning  with 49 separate things you should do below. Otherwise, click the image beneath to access and print my free Travel Planning Checklist .

The Importance of Travel Research

Before setting off on any adventure, it is crucial to do your research. Travel research helps you gather information about your destination, allowing you to make informed decision s and avoid unnecessary stress. By taking the time to research and plan, you can uncover hidden gems, know about local events, find the best deals, and arrange your itinerary to maximize your trip enjoyment. 

Plus, conducting research helps travelers be more thoughtful and respectful visitors by being aware of local customs.

Sign up for my monthly Discovery Newsletter & get a free Trip Budget Calculator !

Learn how to further simplify your trip research, planning, and organization for every stage of your trip in “ 5 Proven Ways to Simplify and Organize Your Travel Research .”

When to Start Planning a Trip

When is the ideal time to start planning a trip? Whenever you decide to go! Though—several months, or at least six months in advance , is generally best. However, some destinations, like high-demand national parks with limited visitor and lodging capacity, may require planning up to 12 months or more in advance. 

Plus, it depends who is traveling . Solo or couple travelers can more easily plan last-minute trips as they tend to have more schedule flexibility (i.e., not following family school break schedules) and can choose from more affordable double or single-room lodging options, which tend to be more abundant.

Because families usually require more of everything , from plane tickets to more spacious lodging and even bigger rental cars, planning further in advance becomes more necessary, especially as it allows them to secure the best of these resources at the best pricing. If you are a family traveler or part of a big multi-generational group, you will want to begin planning further in advance—six months to a year is ideal.

14 Stages of Trip Planning & 49 Tips

How you follow these 14 stages of travel planning depends on how long you have before you depart for your trip and your comfort level with leaving things to the last minute. 

Because I do not enjoy the feeling of big to-dos being undone or last-minute scrambles, I aim to complete all 14 stages of travel planning anywhere from one to several months in advance. Alternatively, you may feel more comfortable playing your timeframes looser. 

Step 1: Decide on Your Destination (7 Questions)

Step 2: International Travel: Understand Visa & Vaccination Requirements & Travel Restrictions/Warnings (4 Tips)

Step 3: On Budgeting, Know What You Can Spend (Budget Template)

Step 4: Set a High-Level Itinerary (Get Shortcuts)

Step 5: getting there, find the best deals on airfare (3 resources).

Step 6: Getting Around, Rental Cars & Local Transportation Options (6 Tips)

Step 7: Choose Where to Stay (Shortcuts & Resources)

Step 8: Decide, Save & Book the Things You Want to Do (4 Tips)

Step 9: Focus on Food, Reserve Restaurants & Learn About Local Dishes (2 Recommendations)

Step 10: Create, Update & Finalize a Detailed Trip Itinerary (Resources)

Step 11: Plan for Emergencies & Unexpected Situations (3 Tips)

Step 12: Packing & Prepping Your Home Before Your Trip (Resources)

Step 13: Make Your Finances Accessible on Domestic & International Trips (13 Tips)

Step 14: Stay Connected While You Travel (Resources)

You may have several destinations in mind for an upcoming trip—or none at all. To get assistance narrowing down your options, consider your travel wants, needs, and limitations by answering the seven questions below to help you figure this out.

How long do you have to travel?

Your work and school schedules or family obligations may dictate the duration of your travel. Or perhaps budget  constraints cap the number of your away-from-home vacation days.

So, before you choose where to go, know how long you can spend there. If your holiday break is limited, you will want to minimize the time or expense of transportation, guiding you to pick closer destinations or places with direct flights.

What do you want to do?

Do you want a warm week lounging on the beach within reach of an easy and affordable nonstop flight? Or are you looking for a city trip with cultural activities? Perhaps the pull of nature is strong, and you want a hiking adventure? Or a bit of all of the above? Know what experiences you or your group would like to have during your time away and pick a place that meets it best.

This question is linked to the one above but digs deeper. Confirm your potential destination offers the right breadth and depth of activities and cultural or culinary highlights. Are there enough things to do and experience to last your trip and meet your wants and needs? Determine whether these options will make for an ideal visit. 

How to get there?

Explore how to get to your potential destination. Does getting there require a multi-day drive? Or a flight with a long layover? Gain a high-level idea of the time and cost involved with the “getting there” part of travel and confirm your time off can easily accommodate long transit times if required. Then, further dive into this step by learning your best options for getting around  once you arrive, here .

When is the best time to go?

To avoid destinations during their rainy seasons and less ideal temperature times, look up historical weather averages for your potential vacation spot before you commit. Use a helpful site like SunHeron  to look at month-by-month temperatures and rainfall for nearly any destination. Doing this will give you a better chance of having the weather be a helper for a great experience instead of a hindrance

What do you want to pay?

It is never fun to start digging into a trip to an incredible place only to realize a few steps in that you cannot afford it. This exact situation happened to us. Several summers ago, we did not plan far enough in advance for a family summer trip to pricey Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Limited availability and expensive lodging options forced us to backtrack and find a more budget-friendly alternative destination—surprisingly, Vail, Colorado.

So, before committing to a spot, set your budget , then do quick hit searches on the costs of available transportation, lodging, activities, and dining to confirm they fit what you can afford.

Is it safe?

Ensuring your health and safety during your trip should be a top priority, especially when visiting an international destination and you are unfamiliar with the customs and language. Before you go, look up travel warnings , read recent traveler accounts on blogs or social media channels, and even message the account owners with your safety questions. Then, check the local news sites. Gathering information about recent on-the-ground experiences will help you decide if this destination is right for you.

Step 2: International Travel: Understand Visa & Vaccination Requirements & Travel Restrictions/Warnings (4 Tips)

This step is for international travel. Before buying your plane tickets, understand entry requirements related to passports and visas, if applicable. 

Ensure you have an up-to-date passport & learn about visa requirements.

For international travel, always ensure your passport will not expire soon and it will be valid for your dates of entry. A good rule of thumb is your passport should be valid for six months after entry . However, sometimes it is less. Confirm exact entry requirements by researching this with the official government customs and tourism organization for the country you plan to visit.

A quick online search should get you the answers you need. For US travelers, check and confirm destination requirements on the helpful “ Learn About Your Destination” page of the US State Department website.

If your passport is expired or set to expire within a validity window, like six months, take immediate steps to renew it. In the US, obtaining a new one can take weeks, if not several months. Get all the details you need about obtaining and renewing US Passports here .

Review travel advisories, security alerts, vaccination & other health requirements.

For US citizens planning to travel abroad, search for your destination on the US State Department website , look for travel advisories, security alerts, and detailed information about health matters, including links to vaccination requirements. Or go directly to the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Destinations page for extensive health recommendations.

Additionally, maintain your safety by booking lodging  in busier and well-known areas and following the tips I recommend here  to prepare for unexpected emergencies .

If traveling to Europe, know about EITAS, a coming-soon travel permit requirement.

Also, if you plan to travel to Europe, learn about the new electronic travel authorization (ETIAS) for visiting Europe. This coming-soon authorization is not a visa. It is a travel permit. As non-EU Schengen members, US travelers must eventually apply for this new travel authorization before entering Europe.

US travelers, enroll in STEP.

For US travelers for an extra measure of security and safety, consider enrolling your trip with the US State Department as part of their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP . Doing this will share your travel status with the US government which will allow you to receive important safety information about your destination country and help the US Embassy contact you in an emergency. Enroll here. 

Step 3: On Budgeting, Know What You Can Spend

Does your budget determine where you can go? Or does your destination determine your budget?  An essential part of your travel planning is being realistic about what you can afford . There are few better ways to ruin the effect of a top-notch vacation than to return home after it, realizing you overspent, and then having to contend with the pain of outsize credit card debt and the regret that comes with it.  Instead, book a trip to a place that meets you where your money is. Memorable travel experiences do not have to cost a fortune.

Use a budget calculator like the one I provide for free with signups to my monthly Discovery travel newsletter , shown above. Or create your own budget that includes the major expense items like transportation, lodging, activities, meals, and incidentals that cover anything from souvenirs to travel insurance to pet sitting.

Once you decide on your destination , determine if you will stay in one place or move around and make multiple stops. Will your path of travel be circular—where you end up in the original place you began so that you are flying into and out of the same airport? Or will it be linear? A linear path means you will fly to one destination and return home from another—requiring plane tickets commonly referred to in the travel industry as open jaw tickets. 

Your budget and available vacation time may dictate staying in one place. Or it will allow you to include several different stops in one trip.  Get shortcuts to quickly determine a high-level itinerary for any destination in this article .

Flights and related on-the-ground transportation costs can often be the most significant expenses of any trip.  To find the best airfare deals, compare prices across multiple airlines. Consider flexible travel dates to take advantage of cheaper fares and rates. Additionally, look to redeem frequent flier miles or sign up for travel credit cards that give you miles bonuses.

Maximize your savings by learning to find the best fare deals using Google Flights Explore and Google Flights price tracker . Or read this overview of how to track down the best airfare deals .

Step 6: Getting Around, Rental Cars & Local Transportation Options (6 Tips)

Familiarize yourself with these six transportation tips for taxis, public transit, rental cars, and safe walking routes applicable to any new destination.

Plan for how to get around.

Knowing in advance how you plan to get around your vacation spot will impact where you decide to book your lodging . If you plan to rent a car and drive, you will want vacation accommodation that provides easy vehicle access—and ideally nearby and free parking. Or, if you plan to rely on ride shares and public transportation, you may want to ensure close lodging proximity to taxi stands or train or bus stops. 

Familiarize yourself with local transportation options.

Before you arrive at your destination, familiarize yourself with the local transportation . Research different options, such as public buses, trains, ride shares, and taxis, to determine the most convenient and cost-effective ways to get around. These alternatives can be very different in international destinations. 

For example, the most recommended rideshare in Malta, which we visited for a spring break trip , was Bolt, followed by a few others I was unfamiliar with, like eCabs and Ryde.

If you learn about these things in advance, you can pre-download the apps , set up an account, and link payment methods before you arrive. Additionally, consider purchasing local transportation cards or passes, as these often offer discounted rates for multiple journeys.

Get rental car tips & gather resources.

If you plan to rent a car, review these 15 rental car tips which will save you money, reduce potential hassles, and explain how to get complimentary upgrades. Then, understand whether you need to buy rental car insurance —something that even the most experienced travelers get confused by—with this thorough overview .

When traveling internationally, research to find out if you need an international driving permit for your destination. If you do, get this permit in advance, as sometimes the paperwork may take a few weeks. Check to see if you need an international driving permit via this helpful article . 

Learn the (local) rules of the road.

For any international travelers, you will want to familiarize yourself with the local driving rules in the country you plan to drive in advance. Doing so can help you avoid unintentional penalties and minimize the chance of on-the-road incidents. 

US travelers can understand driver safety abroad by referencing this State Department page . This page provides helpful country links and outlines local driving rules—from default speed limits to signaling requirements to where to park.

Consider pre-booking an airport pickup.

Especially for international trips, if you do not feel confident about your understanding of local transportation options, make things easy for yourself upon arrival. Consider requesting your lodging to arrange a pickup for you . This reserved ride will likely be more expensive, though it will give you peace of mind that you will not get things “wrong” when you arrive.

Then, when at your destination, ask for assistance from your accommodation manager or concierge to help better explain your on-the-ground transportation options .

After an international overnight flight, our family sometimes pre-books airport taxis, as we did on a visit to Rome . When exhausted and running on empty from a long and likely sleepless flight, it is a relief to know our in-town transportation is reliably taken care of. 

Know safe walking routes.

If you plan to explore a new destination on foot, familiarize yourself with safe walking paths . Research this ahead of time. Or ask once at your accommodation. The front desk staff and management, who generally live locally, are a valuable resource for sharing the best routes, areas, and times for moving around safely.

Step 7: Choose Where to Stay (Shortcuts & Resources)

Pinpointing the right location for lodging is never easy. To figure it out fast—my first stop is to use the “ Where to stay ” button on Google Hotels , which will show neighborhood-by-neighborhood descriptions and ratings for all major destinations, allowing you to quickly zero in on the right neighborhood for you to stay in. See where to find it in the quick clip below.

Alternatively, run an AI or online search on “ best places to stay in [your destination] ” and review the results. Or, reference up-to-date travel guidebooks , which generally provide a helpful point of view on the best areas to stay. 

Additionally, since I find great lodging in top locations has an outsize positive impact on our travel experiences, I put a lot of effort into finding the best places to stay.  Get tips on how to do this for your lodging searches in this article .

Step 8: Decide, Save & Book the Things You Want to Do (4 Tips)

Now that you have the framework of your trip set, it is time for the most fun part—figuring out things you want to do once you get there.

Search for things to do online.

If your best trip experience includes seeing top attractions and activities, you will want to research the top things to do in a destination that best fits your interests. Run AI searches or look online for “things to do in [your destination].”

Travel blogs, social media, and sites like Pinterest or Reddit are helpful for this. Or read a guidebook  or visit Google Travel , searching your destination to get an idea about the top attractions and get recommendations for more things to see or do.

To determine what you want to do most, read reviews from fellow travelers to understand what to expect. Then, consider purchasing tickets or making reservations for the most popular attractions to avoid long queues and secure your spot.

Save your favorites.

My preferred way to keep track of things I want to do in a destination is to save them to a custom list in Google Maps . Doing this gives me quick access to my favorites on my mobile phone via my Google Maps app while traveling. I share why and how to create similar custom lists in this article . 

Check out the guided activity and tour options.

Another good way to round out your research for what to do in any area is by checking out tour booking sites like Viator , Get Your Guide or Airbnb Experiences . Use them to look at the top-rated experiences for your destination. You might discover a cooking class, photo tour, guided hike, history walk, and so much more—activities that could be one of the more memorable parts of your vacation.

Ask for recommendations.

Before your trip, ask your friends, family, and acquaintances for suggestions for what to do in your planned destination if they have already been there.  T hen, when your trip is here, and you finally and excitingly arrive— connect and chat with your lodging managers, taxi drivers, tour guides, servers, and any other locals you can befriend to ask for their recommendations. 

By doing this, we have learned about many things we would have missed if we did not connect with locals, like off-the-radar restaurants, event-related parades, holiday processionals, or the best spots to catch sunsets. While traveling, we value these local recommendations so highly that we often will reshape our entire plan for how we spend a day to accommodate them. 

Step 9: Focus on Food - Reserve Restaurants & Learn About Local Dishes (2 Recommendations)

Does your culinary experience matter to you on vacation? I have a food blogger and cookbook author friend who makes researching places to eat and reserving restaurants her immediate third activity after booking airfare and lodging for any trip. So, if incorporating an epicurean experience into your travel is important, include the two steps below in your pre-trip planning.

Make restaurant reservations.

Search online to get a list of top eateries in your destination. Reference Google Maps, articles, blog posts, or run AI inquiries. Or ask other travelers who have been to the area recently, as they are always happy to share their favorites. Prioritize the places you want to eat and make reservations. If you cannot do this in advance online, do not sweat it. Do it in person when you arrive. Or ask your lodging for dining recommendations and assistance with booking reservations.

Learn about the food before you go.

Although international trips provide ample opportunities for new food experiences, you do not have to go far from home to indulge in regional food specialties while on vacation. For example, on a fall getaway to Door County, Wisconsin , near our hometown of Chicago, we were sure to order cheese curds, a Badger State specialty, paired with local brews. 

Before your trip, search online for “best food to eat in [your destination]” to see what tops the list. On a spring trip to Rome , it was Jerusalem artichokes. When in Malta , it was a rabbit dish and many other unfamiliar foods.

Eating at different places and trying new dishes, drinks, and snacks can be one of the most memorable aspects of your travel. To get a head start, take a global tour from these food guide and cookbook recommendations .

Step 10: Create, Update & Finalize a Detailed Trip Itinerary (Resources)

Now that you have your transportation, lodging, activities, and possibly even your dining planned or loosely set, it is time to put it all down to paper.  Use an online app like TripIt to keep track of your bookings and day-to-day plans. Or go semi-old school like I do and put it in an Excel document . Since I have yet to find an app that functions exactly how I want, I created my own itinerary framework that includes all the elements I prefer.

I share this free framework  downloadable in four file types in this article . In it, I also link to more places to find free or affordable trip itinerary templates. 

Then, for safety purposes , share your itinerary with family and friends so they know where you will be when you are away from home.

Step 11: Plan for Emergencies & Unexpected Situations (3 Tips)

Follow these three recommendations to help you avoid or quickly recover from emergencies and unexpected situations while traveling.

Conduct practical safety prep.

Before each trip, familiarize yourself with local emergency service numbers and healthcare facilities in your planned destination. When traveling internationally—particularly to an area at risk for conflict, know where to find your local embassy or consulate.  Additionally, ensure your family and friends know where you are going and how to reach you. If you created a detailed itinerary  share it with them. Then, continue to check in throughout the trip.

Buy travel insurance.

It is an extra expense every traveler would love to skip. However, given the cost of your vacation and what is at risk—your trip budget, your health, and your property—the cost of travel insurance should be considered an essential and non-negotiable expense, especially for international trips. Read about why to get travel insurance and where to find it in this article .

My preferred resource for buying travel insurance is InsureMyTrip.com , an online travel insurance agent and search engine that I use to shop policies from different insurers, buying from the ones with the highest user ratings.

Know what to do in case of theft.

Do you have a plan for what to do in case your wallet, phone, computer, or passport is taken or goes missing? Do you know how to protect your sensitive data? Or how to quickly replace credit cards or a phone? Or get a replacement passport so you can get home?

If not, familiarize yourself with these steps in case your phone goes missing , or read this account of a traveler who had to navigate getting her phone stolen out of her hand in Cartagena, Colombia.

Then, make front-and-back print and digital copies of all IDs, passports, credit cards, and travel insurance policies, keeping copies easily accessible in case of emergency, theft, or loss. Share copies of all items with a trusted friend or family member who can quickly send them back to you if needed.

Step 12: Packing & Prepping Your Home Before Your Trip (Resources)

Taking care to pack efficiently will make your trip a more comfortable one. Before you go, research weather conditions at your destination and plan accordingly. Make a checklist of essential items, such as toiletries, medication, electronics, and travel adapters. Pack versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched for different occasions and temperatures. And remember a travel first aid kit with essential medical supplies.

Because I bring many repeat items every time we travel, I spent a year carefully crafting, updating, and tweaking a universal and printable packing list to reuse for every trip. Using this helps me avoid “recreating the (packing) wheel” every time I leave home, which helps save time and minimizes prep. 

Access, download, and print this universal packing list , which includes a comprehensive medical kit, here . 

Additionally, since I am a fan of checklists and streamlining tasks, I created a second checklist to close the house and prep for packing—that includes to-do items like buying trip-specific gear or picking up medical prescriptions in advance to avoid last-minute scrambles. Check out the list here. 

If you are new to traveling and packing, get 25 of my best packing tips that I follow for every trip.

Step 13: Make Your Finances Accessible on Domestic & International Trips (13 Tips)

Before you go on any trip, be sure to have a plan for how to pay for all expenses, access your cash, and use your credit cards.

On domestic trips: two tips on spending and cash.

If your getaway is domestic, this step should be relatively easy, as how you spend will be similar to what you do at home. However, there are two things you may want to consider before you leave. Getting extra cash from a local no-fee ATM and ensuring you have up-to-date logins with mobile pay apps like Zelle or Venmo. 

Even in this age of high connectivity, it is still relatively easy to encounter a market vendor, fair, or pop-up snack shop that does not accept credit cards. So, you will want a cash supply handy . Doing this will help you avoid unnecessary and out-of-the-way stops at high-fee and out-of-network ATMs. Sometimes, vendors will also accept mobile payments from apps like Venmo or Zelle. 

For example, during a recent domestic trip to New Orleans, our family enjoyed listening to musicians who accepted tips via Venmo, allowing us to scan their QR code and drop some cash—in appreciation of their talent and time. So, before you leave for your trip, if you use these apps, ensure you are actively logged in and can access your accounts.

On international trips: 11 tips for spending, credit cards, cash, and safety.

Prearranging and maintaining comprehensive and secure financial access requires a few more steps when traveling internationally. Here is a list of 10 things you will want to plan for: 

1. Determine which credit card(s) you plan to use . Ideally, choose the one(s) that offers the lowest, or zero, foreign transaction fees.

2. If you use a mobile hands-free payment like Apple Pay, ensure your default credit card linked to your mobile payment account is the card with the lowest foreign transaction fees. 

3. For travelers who do not already use a hands-free payment method like Apple Pay, consider setting it up, as it is a convenient wallet-free way to pay when traveling. Keeping your wallet tucked away may also make you less of a target for potential pickpockets who tend to mark international travelers.

4. If you plan to use a credit card while traveling internationally, process your transactions in the local currency . At the point-of-sale, avoid converting the transaction to your home currency since this often translates into a less advantageous exchange rate. 

5. Know the currency exchange rate between your home and destination country before you leave home—this will help you better manage your spending and budget. Download a currency converter app like XE , to easily translate local prices to your home currency.

6. Plan to take out the local country currency from an ATM when you arrive. Some travelers prefer to pre-buy foreign currency at their local hometown bank before they leave for their trip. However, we are always comfortable doing this at the airport upon arrival.

Know which local ATMs offer the lowest fees for international visitors for cash withdrawals and which charge the highest—and should be avoided. Visit traveler forums and social media groups , or read guidebooks  to learn this information.

7. Bring back up cash in your own currency , which you can exchange in an emergency. Include small bills if you can. You can often use these in a pinch for tips and when you run short on small denominations of local cash. However, local currency—depending on the country—is generally preferred.

8. Remove all unnecessary credit , identity, membership, and banking cards from your wallet that you do not plan to use while traveling and store them safely at home. Doing this is preventative in case of wallet loss or theft. Keeping so many cards at home means you will have fewer to cancel or replace.

9. Make copies of both sides of your banking and credit cards . Keep print or digital copies accessible. For a backup— share them with a friend or family member who will be staying home and can send them to you in the event of loss or theft. 

10. Have a plan for keeping your wallet and valuables safe while on your trip. Assume on an international trip, you may be a target for pickpockets. Make it difficult for would-be thieves by using secure carrying bags and backpacks with zippered pockets.

Practice never leaving your personal items unattended or on the back of chairs. If you need to set a bag down, wrap a strap securely around a leg or arm. Also, ensure all openings are fully zipped and face inward toward your body. Depending on your destination, consider sewing hidden interior pockets to pants or using money belts under clothes to keep cash and IDs secure.

Another helpful step you can take includes being aware of your surroundings and avoiding being distracted in public by your phone while traveling. It is relatively easy for a cyclist or motorcycle rider to whip by and grab an unlocked phone from unsuspecting hands.

11. Finally, before you go, move ample cash into your checking or ATM-linked account to fund your trip and to fully process automatic bill withdrawals to eliminate the possibility of overdrafts or other unpleasant financial surprises that could happen while you are away. If you do not have auto bill payments set up, pre-pay all upcoming bills before you leave.

Note: Many credit cards and banks no longer require you to alert them when you plan to leave the country as they track trip-related purchases like plane tickets, taxis, and hotel bookings. 

However, check with your banking and credit card companies before you go to understand their travel recommendations and to avoid possible suspicious-activity freezes on your accounts.

This step is easy for domestic journeys, as depending on your data plan, you can ideally use your mobile phone to text and call to stay in touch like you would at home.  However, constant connectivity gets more complicated for international trips. When traveling abroad, you want to determine how you plan to use your mobile phone .

Will you stay off-network and use it only when connected to Wi-Fi? Or pay a daily network international roaming fee—up to a pricey $10 per day with networks like Verizon? Or, instead, buy a data plan from a local network using e-sim technology?

Does this feel complicated? Even to me, a regular international traveler, and others—it does also. Based on your budget and connectivity needs, you will want to figure out which way of staying connected is right for you. To decide, price out international plans from your mobile carrier and then learn more about going the eSIM route with info in this helpful article .

Once you know how you plan to stay in touch, download apps you anticipate you may need to use. When traveling internationally, this may include downloading What’sApp , a global messaging app and voice-over-IP service heavily used outside of the United States.  When abroad, I frequently use this app to communicate with lodging contacts and tour guides and to confirm reservations.

Additionally, be sure to have all lodging or tour booking apps downloaded and updated on your phone. You will want to access the messaging functionality within apps like Airbnb, Booking.com, or other hotel apps, which you may need to use to send and receive communications. 

Hands-down, thorough travel research is the key to a stress-free adventure. By taking time to gather destination information so you can make informed planning decisions, you can ensure a smooth and memory-making journey. 

From researching your destination and finding the best deals to understanding local customs and preparing essential travel documents, each step plays a vital role in creating your best travel experience.

So, before you embark on your next adventure, check off the items on this ultimate travel research checklist. With research and planning complete, you can explore the world with confidence and peace of mind. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for any unexpected challenges or opportunities that come your way. Happy travels!

Related Reading

If you are searching for more travel planning assistance to help you save time and money and to stay organized, check out the related articles below.

• Google for Travel: Plan Better with These 8 Tools
• Why You Will Love Google Maps for Trip Planning
• Travel Better: How to Best Use Google Flights Explore
• How to Save Time & Money with Google Flights Price Tracker
• 5 Proven Ways to Simplify and Organize Your Travel Research
• Rental Car Insurance: When You Need It & When You Don’t
• Pack Faster & Better with This Universal Printable Packing List
• 25 Expert Packing Tips to Help You Travel Better
• Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack

Additional Trip Planning Resources

To further help you with travel planning, I share my go-to resources for every trip below. 

Google Flights. My first research stop for affordable flights for every trip. Learn why here . 

Google Hotels . Use its “ Where to stay ” button to discover the best neighborhoods to base your visit.

Booking.com. For hotel and rental bookings, I appreciate its flexible cancellation, candid user reviews, discounts, loyalty program, and easy-to-use interface.

Viator , Get Your Guide , & Airbnb Experiences . Quickly find and book highly-rated tours and activities on these sites.

Google Travel Things to Do & Google Maps . Find more things to do in your destination on Google Travel, then record where you want to visit on a custom Google Maps list. 

AllTrails . Love to hike? Me too. I religiously use AllTrails to discover hiking and biking trails and download its offline maps to manage my hikes.

Guide Along . 5-star self-guided audio tours that are GPS-compatible for US road trips and national parks. We loved the Glacier National Park tour .

Insure My Trip. I never travel internationally without trip insurance. Learn why here . My preferred place to shop and compare policies is InsureMyTrip.com . 

Plus, check out the 15 travel apps I use on trips, my preferred guidebooks , and my free customizable travel itinerary template , downloadable in four file formats.

About the author:  Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and blogger who loves hiking, exploring the world, and reading. She writes to inspire travel-loving families, adult friends, and couples on her blog,  Gather and Go Travel . Check out  her bio , learn how she became  a blogger , and discover how to  work with her . Sign up for her monthly  Discovery Newsletter  to get her latest travel recommendations and  how-to’s .

Love to travel? Sign up for m y monthly Gather & Go Travel Discovery Newsletter and get a free trip budget calculator.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. And the income goes to keeping the site community-supported and ads minimal.

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Welcome to  Gather and Go Travel , a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, a world traveler to 50+ countries, a travel writer/blogger, and a book lover. Learn more  about me , read  our story , and how to  work with me . Get my latest updates, how-tos, and trip ideas in my monthly  Discovery Newsletter .

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Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces trade mission to Europe

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is going on her second trade mission to Europe, with a trip that will include a visit to an airshow in the United Kingdom

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday said she's traveling to Europe for her second trade mission there as governor, which will include a visit to an air show in the United Kingdom.

The Republican governor announced she's traveling to the Farnborough Air Show, which begins July 22, to pitch the state to aerospace companies. Sanders said she will also visit major business partners in Germany.

During the trip, Sanders plans to meet with companies that have a presence in Arkansas such as RTX, Lockheed Martin and Albemarle, and other companies looking to do business with the state, her office said.

Aerospace is the state's largest industry, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, with more than $850 million in aircraft parts exported in 2023. Sanders' first overseas trade mission as governor was to the Paris Air Show last year.

“As we cut taxes, grow our workforce, and invest in education, we’re becoming an even more attractive state for investment,” Sanders said in a statement. "This trip will be crucial to getting that news out to some of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the world.”

Sanders' office said the trip will also include First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald, Economic Development Commission Executive Director Clint O'Neal, Chief of Staff Gretchen Conger and Deputy Chief of Staff Judd Deere along with other economic development commission officials. The trip is being paid for by the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation, Department of Commerce and the governor's office.

Sanders last year signed a law restricting the public release of records about her travel and security.

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What hospital did Trump go to? The options in Butler, Pa.

During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, former President Donald Trump faced a security scare when several popping sounds were heard while he was speaking. Trump appeared to clutch his right ear as Secret Service agents quickly moved in to protect him. 

His campaign said he was taken to a nearby hospital, but it’s not clear which medical center the GOP candidate was rushed to.

There are at least three hospitals in the area.

Butler Memorial Hospital, located in Butller, is part of the Butler Health System. It offers a comprehensive range of medical services, including emergency care and trauma services.

Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, is a Level I trauma center known for its advanced medical care and trauma services. It is approximately 35 miles south of Butler, providing a nearby option for specialized trauma care.

UPMC Presbyterian, also located in Pittsburgh, is another Level I trauma center. Like Allegheny General, it is about 35 miles south of Butler.

Summer Olympics: Want to go from Ohio to Paris? Here's what it will cost you

Want to cheer on Team USA in Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics? Maybe you're hoping to see Columbus native Simone Biles compete with the U.S. women's gymnastics team? Or, if basketball is more your speed, see Akron natives LeBron James and Steph Curry take on the world in Team USA men's basketball ?

If you haven't solidified your travel plans yet, the trip will cost you. Here's a look at how much.

When are the next Olympics? Here's when you can catch the 2024 Summer Games

How much are flights to Paris? Here's what tickets will cost you

First off, you need to get to Paris. (Don't forget your passport, which needs to be current).

If you're flying in on Thursday, July 25, the day before the opening ceremony, here's what a round-trip ticket could cost, per Google Flights . (Of course, actual ticket prices will vary depending on when you want to travel, any special deals you find or how many airline miles are available to use).

• Out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport , tickets to Paris range from $1,700 to $2,600 for a flight departing July 25 and returning July 27. There are no direct flights. With one layover, flights are 10 to 12 hours. Flights with more than one layover can cost less but take 15 or more hours with overnight layovers.
• If you're departing John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, tickets cost between $1,100 and $2,500 for the same dates. All flights show one to two layovers, with a total travel time of between 10 and 21 hours.
• At Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport , one direct flight is available for more than $3,800, with a travel time of roughly 8 hours. Flights with one or more layovers range from $2,000 to $4,000, with travel times of between 10 hours and 40 hours for overnight layovers.

Total bill so far: $1,100-$4,000

What will a hotel in Paris cost? Here's how much it costs to book a room

Now that you're in Paris, you need a place to stay. But the city has no shortage of hotels available. Using Expedia as a reference for a stay, from July 26-28, here's a look at the range of rates for available rooms.

In the center of Paris, which is just south of the Olympic Village, lodging will cost you between $140 for a basic hotel room and $2,000 or more for a short-term apartment. In the neighborhood surrounding Olympic Village, rooms are going for between $500 and $2,000.

If you're willing to stay farther away, the prices drop a bit, starting around $300 for a room. Also, you might have hotel points to use or find a package deal that will drop the price.

Total bill so far: $1,240-$6,000

How much to get into Olympic events? Here's what event tickets will cost

Now that you're squared away with a place to sleep, it's time to watch the games. Tickets are available from the official Olympics website , and vary wildly depending on the sport.

For example, tickets for artistic gymnastics qualifying rounds on Saturday, July 27, cost between 175 and 260 euros ($191-$284), and that rises to 425 euros ($464) for the finals. Tickets for swimming events range from 85 to 980 euros ($93-$1,072). On the less expensive side, tickets for the Argentina vs. Morocco soccer match are available starting at 15 euros ($16).

Total bill : $1,256-$7,072

If you choose to go the budget route for flights, hotels and event tickets, you could end up spending less than $1,300 on the essentials that don't include food. At the higher end of the spectrum, it could cost you more than $7,000 for a short Olympics jaunt to Paris without food factored in.

When do the Olympics start?

The Olympics kick off with the  Opening Ceremony  in Paris from 1:30 to 5:15 p.m. ET on July 26. They will conclude Aug. 11.

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Trump offers dramatic account of assassination attempt at Republican convention

Donald Trump described on Thursday how he narrowly survived an attempt on his life, telling a rapt audience at the Republican National Convention in his first speech since the attack that he was only there "by the grace of Almighty God."

Clarence Thomas accepted a free yacht trip to Russia and got flown out on a complimentary helicopter ride to Putin's hometown, 2 Democratic senators say

• Democratic senators have accused Justice Clarence Thomas of accepting undisclosed gifts and trips.
• They say he accepted gifts such as a yacht trip to Russia and a chopper ride to Vladimir Putin's hometown.
• The senators want an investigation into potential tax fraud and ties between Thomas and Harlan Crow.

Two Democratic senators have accused Justice Clarence Thomas of accepting a free trip to Russian President Vladimir Putin's hometown.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon filed a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland on July 3, asking to open an investigation into the Supreme Court judge.

The letter said there was a "serious possibility of tax fraud" and accused Thomas of having "secretly accepted gifts and income potentially worth millions of dollars."

The letter's appendix , which lists 35 undisclosed gifts, shows a "yacht trip to Russia and the Baltics" and a "helicopter ride to Yusupov Palace, St. Petersburg," both listed under the year 2003.

St. Petersburg, Russia, is Putin's birthplace and where he grew up. The president now resides in Moscow.

The appendix list is titled "Likely Undisclosed Gifts and Income from Harlan Crow and Affiliated Companies." Harlan Crow is a real-estate developer and the former chairman and CEO of the Trammell Crow Company.

The senators cited a ProPublica report from May last year detailing Thomas' hushed-up financial ties to Crow.

The report said that apart from the Russia trip, Crow also funded Thomas' grandnephew Mark Martin 's boarding-school fees, which cost "more than $6,000 a month."

In their letter, the senators wrote that other gifts from Crow included "multiple instances of free private jet travel, yacht travel, and lodging," as well as "gifts of tuition for Justice Thomas's grandnephew," "real estate transactions," "home renovations," and "free rent for Justice Thomas's mother."

In September, Thomas said he'd accepted three trips on a private plane owned by Crow . He didn't mention any other gifts.

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Whitehouse and Wyden aren't the only Democrats who've voiced concerns over Thomas' sketchy financial ties.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York filed articles of impeachment against Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito on Wednesday.

"Justice Thomas and Alito's repeated failure over decades to disclose that they received millions of dollars in gifts from individuals with business before the court is explicitly against the law," her statement reads.

Representatives for Thomas, Whitehouse, Wyden and Crow didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Watch: Why Clarence Thomas' lavish vacations with a GOP donor are in the spotlight

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