The idea of a vacation is to enjoy relaxing somewhere exotic with cozy weather and exciting cultural attractions. To make sure your travels are as stress-free as possible, you should get a head start on your itinerary. But how far in advance should you enlist the help of a service to plan a vacation? Below the team at Professional Travel Services, Inc. in Mountain Home, AR, look back on their 40 years of experience in the travel industry to provide tips on when you should reach out. 

Here are three factors to keep in mind when planning a vacation: 

• Your Means of Travel: One of the biggest components of having a vacation planned is how you’ll get to your destination. Since this is often a significant investment and requires booking ahead of time, it’s important to have it taken care of first. If you’re flying overseas, have your flight booked about six months ahead of your trip. For domestic flights, consider signing up for airfare alerts that send you a text or an email when prices drop. You can score deals well ahead of time, between 6-8 months before you want to leave.

If you want to travel by rental car, an agency will have the service booked two weeks in advance to ensure you have a ride waiting for you. As for travelers who enjoy taking the train, it depends on where you’re headed. Some trains require reservations and accept bookings three or so months in advance, such as Eurail®. American Amtrak® trains offer early bird prices for passengers booking their ride as far in advance as possible. The lowest fares are typically purchased at least 14 days before the trip. 

• The Time of Year: Are you hoping to visit Cancun for spring break? Since this is one of the busiest times of the year, many travelers book their flights more than six months in advance to ensure they can get a seat. A quality travel agency will look into your destination’s busy seasons and factor that into how far ahead you should start planning for flights, hotels, and other activities.
• Your Personal Preferences: To secure peace of mind while planning your vacation, you also have to express your personal preferences to your agent. Would you rather pay a little more and book far ahead of your vacation so you know you’re set? Or, maybe you’re fine with waiting until the last minute—recognize what you’re comfortable with and keep it in mind going forward.  

These three factors will help you and your travel agent plan your vacation with ease. If you would like assistance with booking your travels, from finding flights to getting a rental car and booking a hotel with ocean views, call Professional Travel Services, Inc. at (870) 425-7666. Visit their website to learn about exclusive VIP offers and how they can help you see the world.