Spontaneous or Planned? Which Type of Travel is better?
Spontaneous or Planned?
Which do you prefer?
Here, I am going to explore the differences between spontaneous and planned travel. The question is: which type of travel is better.
We will look at the pros and cons of each way of travelling, to see which one works better for you.
Pros of Planned Travel
Let’s look at the some of the benefits of planning your travel in advance.
If you book your flights months ahead of time, the flights are usually cheaper. That is a big bonus!
You also have time to prepare and pack properly
Check out the following travel blogs with tips about being prepared for your trip in advance:
Ultimate Carry on Packing Tips
How To Be prepared for a long trip
Always Pack these Road Trip Essentials
Top 8 Ways to Be Comfortable On your Flight!
Top 9 things to bring to the beach!
You will also have more options of hotels or accommodations because you didn’t wait until just before you need a place to stay.
You could book that beachfront hotel with a view that you really want because you did it in advance.
Speaking of location, you can also check out different areas of your destination.
Maybe you want to stay in an area with lots of great restaurants and bars, or maybe you want a quiet place away from the downtown busyness.
When you book in advance you can check out the different areas and choose carefully the best location for you.
Perhaps you want a really economical option, that will also more likely be available in advance than at the last minute.
In fact, you can look into, and book your hotel right here!
Also, you will have a chance to research your destination. You can check out the top attractions and the off-the-beaten-path activities too!
Maybe you will even book a few tours or excursions before you go!
Another bonus of planned travel is if you have specific vacation days with your job that you need to take, booking in advance is probably going to be cheaper for you.
You can research and book your tours at the widget below this text.
Another advantage of planning your travel in advance is being able to book your rental car in advance and pick the type of car that you want.
Getting Organized!
If you like planning your travel then a Travel Planner and Organizer can be very helpful for you! Get yours today!
Cons of Planned Travel
Now to look at the downside of planned travel.
You may have booked your flights, hotels, and excursions well in advance and feel very prepared…
…but then you hear about a special festival, event, concert…etc. that’s in town 2 days before you arrive or after you leave.
So, now you have a choice to make, leave it as is and miss out on the event, or pay more money to change your flight, and hotel reservations.
Changing all of your flights and reservations can get expensive!
You may book an excursion in advance, but when the day arrives you’re not feeling well, or you were out late the night before, you hurt yourself… etc.
Perhaps you’re visiting a new place that you’ve never been to before, and you fall in love with it, or maybe even someone there! Hey, you never know…
If you have not yet booked your return flight, you can extend your time there without penalty!
Pros of Spontaneous Travel
Now, lets look at some of the pros of spontaneous travel!
Spontaneous travel can be exciting, one adventure after another…
You can end up somewhere different than you thought or enjoying completely go-with-the-flow surprise activities!
It can feel great to say, ok let’s do it, and then on a whim you change your plans just like that!
Spontaneous travel can allow you to take last minute stand-by flights, or allow you to get a credit by switching flights because it doesn’t matter exactly when you arrive.
Also, you can look online for last minute flight and hotel packages, there may be some great last minute deals!
If you’re flexible with your destination and dates, this can be really helpful for your expenses too!
As mentioned in the planned travel, there may be some concerts, festivals or events announced, that you can revolve your flight and hotel dates around.
If there’s a concert on Saturday book your flight so you arrive by then!
You can also wait to book your train, bus or plane ticket until you know you’re ready to leave and have experienced everything that you want to at that destination!
If you love being spontaneous and the amazing moments that you find in life, a travel journal can help you to remember them long into the future!
Cons of Spontaneous Travel
I have had past experiences where I went some where spontaneously and tried to get a last minute hotel.
It can be challenging, especially if there are special events, or it’s high season there.
There could be a chance that there are no hotels available, or only the largest and most expensive rooms are left.
Or even worse, the dingy old hotels in a less desirable part of town are the only rooms available.
Possibly the remaining available hotels are far away from your desired area.
You usually end up paying more or getting something different than you actually wanted.
I remember this one time, my husband and I left the airport and went to find a hotel spontaneously and ended up staying in a hotel that had a live band playing below us until 4am! We didn’t know when we checked in obviously! lol!
Another point is that you may miss out on experiences because you didn’t take the time to research about fun and interesting things to do at your destination.
When you travel in the moment like this, sometimes you miss the big picture of things going on around you because you’re focused on getting your train ticket, hotel or more.
It can lead to unwanted stress and wasting your vacation or travel time looking for a hotel or ticket, instead of enjoying your time relaxing and having fun!
With spontaneous travel, you don’t have the opportunity to research in advance about your destination and how to get around. If this is the case, check out these Tips To Not Get Lost While Travelling.
What's important to you?
So, as you can see there are benefits and drawbacks to both planned and spontaneous travel!
I think you need to look at your travel time, is it flexible or scheduled?
Do you have a specific goal or reason for visiting somewhere?
Are you just looking to get away?
These questions, plus others, will help you to determine which type of travel is best for you. Feel free to read 21 Reasons that Travel is Important to see what speaks to you!
Maybe your goals and perspectives change at different times of the year for you too!
If you would like to learn more about travel journals and planner check out 19 Ways to Use a Travel Journal!
Final Thoughts
I have had amazing experiences both because I planned travel and because it was spontaneous and unplanned!
I have some amazing stories to tell from unexpected moments like the Bob Marley Tribute concert that I spontaneously went to in Bahamas.
Also, I have some wonderful moments from planned travel, like booking a cottage in high season and enjoying relaxing there.
So, Which do you prefer?
So, let me know what you prefer and why.
(You don’t have to fill in the name, email, website boxes, you can just write your comment).
Do you love the spontaneity of being somewhere new and not knowing what will happen next?
Do you love that you are organized and have planned some great things to do so that you won’t miss out?
Planned or Spontaneous? Which type of travel is better for you?
Besides being a travel blogger, I am also a travel writer, Amazon author and an English teacher. Check out my services here!
The Comments
Krista
The points you make in your blog are so true!
I am typically a planner and like to plan travel and all that goes along with the adventure. However, I had an experience earlier this year where I had to travel last minute. Even though the flights were more expensive, there was a sense of freedom I haven’t experienced before. Packing felt easier, and each step of the travel felt a bit more magical. I was able to be in the moment, and really immerse in the experience, because nothing had been planned.
I haven’t heard about changing flights for a credit before. That sounds very inticing especially if the traveller was being spontaneous. How does someone get those credits?
Thank you for your amazing and informative blog!
Lorraine Black
> KristaHi Krista, thanks for sharing! It sounds like you had a great trip recently. Nice! Sometimes there may be flight issues, or it’s overbooked etc. they will ask for volunteers to switch flights for a later time, you usually always get a credit for doing this.
Wishing you a wonderful next trip! I wonder if it will be planned or spontaneous? 😉