1. Before you start researching where you want to go, you should first discuss a budget with your friends and come to an agreement. We all hate it when you’re trying to decide what to eat and finally agreeing on something until someone looks at the menu, sees how much you will be spending, and decides the price is too high. By agreeing on a budget beforehand you can have a clear vision of what you can spend and avoid wasting time. 

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2. Once you've decided on a budget you should research how much it will cost to get there and whether it would be better for you to fly or drive. Driving can sometimes be more cost-effective than flying, however, it comes at the cost of a significant amount of time and effort from the group and adds extra logistical costs depending on the distance to your destination.Flying, especially when you are trying to maximize time, is usually worth it in the long run and allows you to reduce some headaches. If you decide to fly, the next step is to research flights to the destinations you’re considering and figure out how much flights are from your home airport, and see what dates are the most cost-effective or the most convenient for you.

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3. Next, compare destinations and see which one offers what you are looking for, whether it is relaxation, adventure, or something else entirely. Send your options to the group and come to a consensus that allows everybody to stay within the budget and be happy with the location and activities you'll be doing. 

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4. Once you've decided on a destination you can begin to look into where you're going to stay. Hotels and rental homes each have their own pros and cons that you will have to compare to decide what best fits your needs. Location, amenities, cost, and availability are all factors that determine whether the place you are looking at will work for your group. Consider how long it will take to get to activities, the nearest grocery store, or the distance from the airport. If you are going to a big city, is it close to nightlife or restaurants? If it's more rural, does it offer amenities and are you close to activities? Some websites you can use for this are things like Expedia, Kayak, Airbnb, however, these all have their own pros and cons if you decide to use them.  

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5. Next, decide what activities (if any) your group will be doing. Some people would rather wing it when you get there which also works, but keep in mind some activities require reservations booked in advance, or if they are very popular among tourists they can sell out before you arrive. Determine what the costs are, what you’ll need, and when you will be doing them. 

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6. Lastly decide how you'll be getting around town, whether its rental transportation, public transport, or walking! There are plenty of rental car options available all over the globe, the most popular tend to be Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis, once again its important to compare and see which one best fits your needs. 

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7. Once you’ve figured out your logistics, it's time to buy plane tickets, book accommodations, and reserve your activities if necessary!

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This probably still sounds like a lot to do right? That’s where we come in, Travelry understands the time and effort it takes to plan a group trip and how difficult it can be to actually get your trip out of the group chat. We started as a friend group going on our own vacations and after going 10+ trips we knew we could help others achieve an ideal group vacation. That’s why we made the Travelry app where you can browse our marketplace and compare a wide variety of vacations from all over the world and even split the cost with your friends (now you can avoid tracking down who still owes you Venmo's)! Trips on our platform include housing, transportation, and activities, so all you have to do is get your flight! Click the link below or scan the QR code on our homepage to download! 

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