How to Plan a Group Trip with a Big Group

Traveling with a large group is rewarding in so many ways. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. It takes a lot of work to bring a group of 15 (or more) travelers on the same page. There can be a lot of fights, arguments, and confrontations. 

Planning group trips is undoubtedly challenging, but a little patience and a presence of mind go a long way. Each group member has to come forward and play their part, however small it may be. Communication and understanding are keys to traveling with large groups. 

At Jetblacktravel.com, we believe that there's a place for both solo and group travels – whether it's an intrepid journey into the unknown or getting together with friends to enjoy some fun in the sun, there is something for everyone when you travel with us. 

So if you're looking for the ultimate guide to solo and group travel, Jetblacktravel.com will enlighten you with amazing information and tips! Here’s our Instagram page if you wish to see the amazing ventures we’ve been to.

Enough with who we are, let's talk about how to plan a trip with a big group!

Travel with People you know

Traveling with people you love and trust is way more convenient than traveling with absolute strangers. You're spending a big chunk of your hard-earned money, so you want to ensure it's worth it. When you travel with people you know, you're doing more than just exploring the parts of the world. You're not just deepening your relationship and making memories, but you're also opening yourself up for challenges and new perspectives, all while keeping things under budget. Traveling in a group is hard enough already, so you don't want to overcomplicate things by doing it with a stranger. Nonetheless, if you plan to travel with strangers, take the time to get to know them.

Designate a Leader

There should always be a leader. Complications are bound to happen without a leader, especially when traveling with large groups. Designating a leader to oversee all the planning would make a huge difference in running things smoothly. The main task of this person would be to avoid conflict at all costs and find common ground when things go south. Travel leaders would also be responsible for the post-planning part, ensuring everyone has their travel insurance and documents ready. Make sure this person is inclusive and capable of making decisions democratically.

Picking a destination

Picking a destination everyone agrees on might be one of the hardest things about traveling in large groups. Each person in the group would like to go to tons of unique destinations. But how can one meet others halfway? Well, there are a few questions travel leaders might want to address, such as which continent everyone prefers. What type of group travel is it? And what time of year is this trip happening? Once you have your answers, you can evaluate and narrow them down from there. You can also use voting to settle debates by letting the majority rule. Jot down the places each member of the group wants to go to. And filter it out based on everyone's convenience.

Create a Budget

One of the reasons why many people opt for group travels in the first place is because they're way cheaper than solo trips. Considering how sensitive the topic of money is, setting up a budget in advance is crucial for extensive group travels. Ask your traveling mates how much they will comfortably spend on food, accommodation, and other activities. Everyone will have a different amount they're comfortable chipping in, so, again, travel leaders would need to find a middle ground. Creating the budget range would avoid future conflicts and misunderstandings. While at it, ensure you know which currency you're dealing in and their exchange rates. 

Set Up an Itinerary

Traveling to a new place is for a limited time, so you want to ensure you're making the most of every moment. And that is only possible if you have a rough idea of what you will do each day. Setting up an itinerary would help induce much-needed predictability in group travels where things can quickly go wrong. Doing a little research on what your destination has to offer will help a lot. Find out what museums, historical sites, local restaurants, and nearby activities the place can bestow. Remember not to overdo the itinerary. Take visits one place at a time, so you have enough room to squeeze in something you've wanted to do personally, too.

Accommodation

Traveling in big groups comes with its fair share of troubles_accommodation being one of them. When it's a group of 15 people or, sometimes even more, you have to split rooms among multiple people. Large hotels are a good option, but they tend to get expensive with inflation. Other substitutes include private villas, Air BnB, and resorts. While these alternative options are light on the budget, they're often inconvenient in the sense that they're mostly far away from touristy areas. Arranging the accommodation in advance would help keep things in flow. Try to book a place that is central to your planned activities. Having a backup is also a good idea. 

Communication

Communication is one of the critical factors in planning group travels. It plays a significant role in how you will remember this trip in the coming years. Being the connecting force, the group leader must devise a communication strategy that helps in keeping every traveling member in the loop. One way of going about it is to create a social media group where the trip's latest updates are posted daily. It's also a good way of getting everyone's opinion on a particular matter. You can also use this group to stay connected to your travel buddies for future endeavors. 

Concluding…

Planning is undoubtedly one of the most challenging parts of traveling, especially when you're doing it for a bunch of people. However, there's nothing you can't do with a bit of digging and dedication. You might not get this opportunity again, so fill your boots. This list is to help you plan your group travel the best way possible. So, make use of it and have a fun trip with your squad!