How to Plan a Group Trip

How to plan a group trip is one of the first questions we ask ourselves every year when spring break rolls around or the idea of a multi-couple’s vacation comes to mind.  At first it sounds like an overwhelming task, but it actually can be done very easily.  With a little organizing and planning ahead, you’ll be right on your way to making great memories.  Here are a few tips you may want to keep in mind when planning your group trip.

1. Create an Event Page or Group Chat
A space where everyone can talk together will get the most up to date info and ideas passed around. Avoid one on one emails since people will most likely be left out on important details this way.  An event page will allow you to easily share what you think your group would want for the trip, from excursions to lodging options.  It’s a great way to brainstorm all your ideas.

2. Pick a destination.
Now that you have everyone together in one virtual place on the internet, now it’s time to decide where this trip will take place.  Will it be the beach?  Perhaps a ski resort?  Keep tossing those ideas out there and soon enough you’ll come to a decision.  If you’re having trouble deciding, researching travel review sites will help you get an idea of the different activities and sights to see that are available at each location.

3. Set a Date
This is most likely the toughest part, but it’s also one of the most important.  Everyone has different schedules, and the larger the group, the more challenging the scheduling can get.  Make sure there are no time conflicts for the chosen date, then allow yourself enough time to book the trip.  Setting deadlines will ensure everything is done in a timely manner.

4. Reserve a Place to Stay
As soon as you pick a destination, you’ll need to reserve a place to stay to ensure the trip can happen. Keep in mind your financial situation may be different than someone else’s, so not all budgets are the same.  Once you have an idea on each group member’s budget, you can take it from there.  The last thing you want to do is make a friend feel pressured into paying for something they really can’t afford. However, this is also the time you can save some money with group rates.  The more people sharing a place to stay, the more people you also have to pitch in to the cost.  What may seem like a lot of money might not even be much once you split the cost between the group.

5. Collect Money Before You Book
Before you book a trip, make sure everyone has paid for their portion of the trip.  Don’t accept an IOU and take the chance of never seeing the money or not receiving it in a timely manner due to unforeseen circumstances.  Have your group use the safe and secure Square Cash app to send money to the person in charge of booking the trip.  The benefit with this is Square Cash is a free app that allows anyone to quickly send money between friends without waiting to cash out. With Square Cash, money is deposited directly to your bank account by safely linking to your debit card, so there’s no waiting for funds. By doing this, you will have everything you need upfront to get everything booked. Now all you have to do is enjoy your trip!