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How many months into the year is it when you are reading this? And how many trips have you actually booked already for the year ahead?

Are they all the travel you hope to take? Do you have travel goals for this year? And are you on your way to achieving them?

For most of us, the answer is probably no.

But, why not? What is holding you back?

READ MORE: 10 Reasons to Travel Anyway

Many of us have a bad habit of over-complicating things, and planning travel does not have to be one of them.

All you need is to “Just do it”:

1. Pick dates

2. Ask for the days off of work, if needed – although this could also be for a weekend trip outside of work hours, where the only person needed for the decision is YOU

3. Pick one or several locations you’d be interested in – the more flexible you are, the easier it is to definitely take a trip

4. Find the best/cheapest option and BOOK A FLIGHT!

***Congratulations*** now you’re traveling somewhere!!

When I recently booked my flight to Denver, I was excited and posted on Facebook that I was “all set.” My sister, who I’ll be visiting, countered with a long list of things yet to be determined – where we’re skiing, where we’ll stay overnight by the slopes, and arranging my ski rental.

My perspective?

If I’ve booked the ticket, I’m going on the trip! The rest is just details.

Of course we’ll figure out where to ski and arrange a place to sleep. Ski rental spots abound. But I’m so excited to be traveling! And now that I’ve booked a flight, I will be =)

How much effort or research does it usually take you to book a trip? And at what point do you feel like you’re “set” for your travels?

READ MORE: Practical Guide for Achieving Your Travel Goals This Year

With two flights booked this week, I was just tossing around another weekend trip with a friend. We’ve discussed going away somewhere for the weekend before, but have never gone anywhere.

Why not, you say? Well, we’ve never booked flights.

What will make the difference this time around – whether or not we book flights to actually go somewhere. Then, it’ll be a trip.

So, my challenge to YOU —

• Forget about all of the reasons not to go.
• Forget about the cost keeping you grounded. Depending on location, your time away can be cheaper than what you’d spend staying at home.
• Forget about whether you have a travel buddy or not.

With or without a travel buddy, pick a day sometime in the next week, and book!

READ MORE: How to Plan Solo Travel in 8 Easy Steps

(If flights are very expensive where you are, or at the time you’re looking to travel, you’re not off the hook – find a good bus or train fare and lock it down.)

Or use one of these excellent mailing lists or website features to help inspire you:

Mailing Lists to Join (I subscribe to all 3!)

Airfare Watchdog

This is focused mostly on US departing cities, but offers a lot of information about international destinations as well, and is targeted to your preferred departure point.

The Flight Deal

This is a US-centric newsletter offering great deals on itineraries. Their motto is “Just because it’s a great fare doesn’t mean it’s a great deal” provides a bit of an insight into their philosophy. It’s very friendly to browse deals on their website as well.

Scott’s Cheap Flights

Offers a free and premium version. If you’re planning to book one of the heavily discounted deals or mistake fares, paying for the premium version could be worth your time. Even with just the free version, you’ll get deals e-mailed and access to the private Facebook group.

Searching Online for Cheap Destinations or Itineraries

Kayak Explore
This is one of my all-time favorite website features. Not only can you compare fares on multiple airlines with lots of details specified, like flight time, budget, and number of stops, but you can also search without a specific destination in mind! To browse possible flight options, you can even zoom in on certain regions of the world and see which destinations fall within your budget anytime, or on a set of specific dates.

TIP! Not all discount airlines will have their fares appear on Kayak, so also check those websites directly for any discount airlines at your departure and arrival city before booking.

Skiplagged

This site is similar to the Kayak Explore feature above, with the ability to customize your departure city and browse options anywhere in the world. Skiplagged specializes in heavily discounted fares you won’t see on other sites, although do be aware of any flight results using the controversial practice of a ‘hidden city’ flight, as airlines have begun to crack down on passengers who don’t fly all the legs of their itinerary.

With a little flexibility on destination and dates, and some clever internet sleuthing, there is a trip out there in your budget and waiting for you.

You know what this means – no excuses!

So browse some possible options, and commit to booking that next flight in the week ahead.

You can do it.

Happy travels!
Lana

Have you booked all your travel for this year yet? What obstacles usually keep you from booking a trip? Are there any other resources you find helpful for booking flights that I missed? Let me know in the ‘Comments’ below!

And when you do book your next flight, keep me posted with where you’re heading!

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