Overwhelmed with travel planning? Experts share essential tips to curate your next trip

Travel planning can an exciting yet daunting task for individuals especially for those who tend to get confused between options and overthink their travel choices However it is an activity that travellers look forward to and actively engage inAs we welcome the second month of 2025 many Indian travellers have planned their getaways for the year ahead According to Skyscannerrsquos lsquoWanderlostrsquo report released in January 2025 nearly half of Indian travellers were already planning their next trip in the first month of the yearTravel decisions in the beginning of the yearMohit Joshi Travel and Destinations Expert Skyscanner reveals ldquo49 per cent of Indian travellers already started planning their upcoming holidays in January They saw it as a month of making important decisions with 89 per cent people considering it to be the month to plan ahead for the year Even though we were fresh off the holidays Indian travellers were still excited to travel and plan their upcoming tripsrdquoHighlighting some findings from the report he adds ldquoThere are several motivating factors behind these travel decisions 45 per cent Indian travellers are inspired by the desire to explore new destinations with the hope of meeting new people 44 per cent people view travel as an opportunity to bring positive change into their lives and for 43 per cent travellers the excitement of having something to look forward to drives their decisionmakingrdquoThere are several reasons why people tend to make important decisions in the first few months of the year Dr Faye Begeti Neurology Doctor and Neuroscientist reveals ldquoThe beginning of the year sparks ldquobigpicture thinkingrdquo where we reflect on the past year and set new goals rather than getting absorbed by the minutiae of everyday life This time encourages planning and decisionmaking and focusing on achieving life goals Exploring our surroundings through travel is often a part of thatrdquoNavigating travel planningPlanning the perfect trip entails several factors from selecting the destination and working out budgets to booking flights and accommodations and more All this can often feel overwhelming According to the report for 75 per cent of Indian travellers the process of planning a trip can feel overwhelming Key stressors like the fear of making a lessthanperfect choice cost concerns and overthinking hold many back from planning their holidaysExplaining why this occurs Dr Begeti states ldquoTravel planning can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of choices leading to decision fatigue ndash especially after a long day at work when our mental energy is already depletedrdquoTips to ease travel planningThere are several ways to overcome feelings of overwhelm and confusion and easily curate your next valueformoney vacation which is a major factor influencing Indian travellersrsquo decisionsJoshi shares the following hacks that can help one explore different destinations and save moneyPrice alerts This feature will monitor the flight prices and notify you when they change and come under your budgetMixing and matching airlines and airports This can get you potentially cheaper fares For example you might fly out with one airline and return with another or depart from one airport and return to anotherMulticity routeindirect route For longer journeys booking a trip that includes a layover can often be more economical Additionally you get the added benefit of exploring a new destination during the layoverApart from cost considerations many travellers also prefer to align their trips with their current state of mindldquoItrsquos important to consider what your brain truly needs from a holiday rather than being influenced by what you see on social mediardquo remarks Dr BegetiShe shares the following suggestionsIf yoursquore feeling stressed or overwhelmed a naturefocused retreat can help restore calm Nature has been shown to reduce cortisol the stress hormoneIf yoursquore feeling bored or disengaged try a city break or an adventure holiday that offers new experiences and excitementAdditionally some travel platforms also have AI features that let you select destinations based on your preferences and ideal getaway descriptionsTravel and mental wellbeingTravel is intrinsically connected to mental and physical wellbeing for many It can have a significant impact on ones mood and habitsldquoBreaking out of our daily routine and having new experiences offers novelty which can boost wellbeing A change of scenery and stepping away from daily problems can help us gain perspectiverdquo reveals Dr BegetiShe further states ldquoBeing in a new place can have a positive effect on our habits New locations disrupt the cues that trigger bad habits making it easier to form new ones Features like the lsquoEverywherersquo search on Skyscanner can inspire you to discover new places and go somewhere yoursquove never been before I also often encourage trying new healthy foods or physical activities while travelling alongside indulging This reset can spark positive behaviour changes that can continue once we return homerdquoTravelling and travel planning is also connected to the ldquofeelgood hormonerdquo ndash dopamineDr Begeti explains ldquoDopamine thrives on anticipation making the buildup to a holiday just as exciting as the trip itself Many people even say the anticipation is more exciting than the event itself Our brains like having something to look forward to which is why some start planning their next holiday as soon as their current one ends sometimes even while on vacationrdquoldquoIf yoursquore finding planning stressful combine it with activities that boost dopamine like enjoying a hot drink lighting a candle or playing music to provide a shortterm boost and make it more enjoyablerdquo she concludesAlso ReadFrom Gudauri in Georgia to Tromso in Norway most trending international destinations for Indian travellers in 2025