When it comes to planning a family vacation there are so many things to think about that it can make your head spin. It’s important to take a deep breath and get organized. Getting the family ready for a big trip doesn’t need to be the mammoth task that some make it out to be. With a little practice, you’ll be planning your next family vacation like a pro.

1. Have a clear idea of where you want to go

You need to all be on the same page with the destination. If the kids all want to go to Disneyland and all you want to do is hang out by a pool, there is going to be some friction. To make the trip fun and exciting for everyone there will need to be some compromise on where you’re going.

The best way to handle this is to sit down and let everyone pitch their ideas on where they want to go. It can be even fun to make it into a game where you list out the pros and the cons of each place. It can be a valuable way to teach children how to research and present information.

2. Do your research

The resort may look amazing in the pictures but you should never judge a place by their own promotional materials. To ensure that there are no nasty surprises you should always do your own research and see up to date reviews of where you are going.

You should also be looking at the local area, you may find some really nice places that you can explore during your stay. Restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions can be located before you get onto the plane. This will allow you to start work on your itinerary right away. If you need help mapping out your vacation plans, this is where a travel agent can really come in handy.

3. Make a budget

Your research will include the cost of everything that you want to do. After all, if you are travelling with children, the cost can multiply. When it comes to writing out a budget, you should bear in mind that you will probably spend more than you think, after all, you are on vacation!

4. Know the exchange rate

When you are shopping or looking at a food menu on your trip it’s always a good idea to have a little cheat sheet handy that shows you the cost of something in the local currency compared to dollars. This can be very important when you are looking to understand if something really is a bargain. Also, you don’t want to flash your cash around. It is best to only have a few small bills in your wallet or purse when you are counting out money to pay for something.

5. Airport transfers

If these are included with your package, then great! You won’t need to worry too much about this. If you are planning to rent a car, then you should look into this before you leave home. This will save you money and cut down on any wait times. If you are hiring a private car or getting any pre-arranged airport transfer, make sure that they have your name. A scam that is common in some parts of the world involves drivers pretending to be from a tour company and then charging a lot of money for their rides.

6. Be flexible

There is a good chance that not everything will go according to plan. You may need to make last-minute changes or deal with a delayed flight. When this happens, it’s important to remember that you’re on vacation and to try to roll with it. Grab a drink, relax and enjoy yourself.