
Vacation Planning Checklist
Thinking about getting out of town? These steps―and sites―will help you plan your trip.
Transportation
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Book a flight, if necessary.
Find the best deals by checking out sites such as airfarewatchdog.com.
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Plot your route, if driving.
Visit sites like mapquest.com, randmcnally.com, and aaa.com for directions from Point A to Point B.
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Get your car serviced, if driving.
Fill up the tank, inflate your tires, and check the oil.
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Check your flight status.
Before you leave for the airport, go to flightstats.com for up-to-date arrival and departure information at most major airports (along with estimated wait times for security lines).
Accommodations
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Reserve a hotel room.
Such sites as orbitz.com and hotels.com have many options, but some chains (Hyatt and Starwood, among them) offer the lowest fares by booking through their websites.
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Or book a B&B or inn.
Check bedandbreakfast.com or iloveinns.com for information on rooms and rates.
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Or find a house rental.
Research international and domestic rental properties on rentalo.com and vrbo.com.
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Or locate a home exchange.
Choose a destination, then swap your abode with like-minded folks you’ll find listed on homeexchange.com or intervacusa.com.
Activities
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Search recommendations of restaurants and services.
Locals write about major cities on yelp.com and gridskipper.com.