Girls TripThere’s nothing quite like a trip away with your girls — the laughing, the late-night chats, the matching pyjamas, the “just one more drink” that turns into three. But before you get to the fun part, there’s the planning part, and that’s where a lot of girls’ trips either come together beautifully or fall apart before they’ve even left the group chat.
After years of putting these trips together for women just like you, here’s my step-by-step guide to planning a girls’ trip that actually happens — and one everyone comes home talking about for years.
1. Pick your dates first, not your destination
It’s tempting to start with “where should we go?” but the truth is, dates are what make or break a group trip. Get everyone’s availability sorted first — even if that means picking a date six or twelve months out. The earlier you lock it in, the easier everything else becomes, and the less likely it is that life gets in the way.
2. Talk about budget honestly, upfront
This is the conversation nobody wants to have, but it’s the one that saves friendships. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and what feels like a reasonable splurge to one friend might be a real stretch for another. Have an open, no-judgement chat about what everyone’s comfortable spending before you start looking at destinations — it’ll narrow things down fast and save awkward conversations later.
3. Choose a destination (or let someone else do it for you)
Once you know your dates and budget, the destination often picks itself. If your group loves lying by a pool with a cocktail in hand, a cruise or an island escape might be perfect. If you’re all about exploring new cities and culture, Europe could be calling. And if decision-by-committee sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen, this is exactly where a travel planner (hi, that’s me) comes in — I can put together a shortlist based on what your group actually wants, so you’re choosing between great options instead of staring at a blank map.
4. Consider a cruise if you want the least stress
If I’m being honest, cruising is one of the easiest ways to do a girls’ trip. You unpack once, everything’s included, there’s something for everyone onboard, and nobody has to be the one who plans every single day. It takes a lot of the logistics headache out of group travel — which means more time for you all to actually enjoy each other’s company.
5. Book early, especially flights and deposits
The best trips (and the best prices) go early. Once your group has agreed on a destination, don’t sit on it — flights and accommodation only get more expensive, and popular sailings or trips can sell out well in advance. A deposit is often all it takes to lock in your spot and your price.
6. Assign a “trip captain” (or let someone else be it)
Every girls’ trip runs smoother with one person keeping an eye on the details — payments, deadlines, the group chat. It doesn’t have to be you! This is another spot where working with a travel planner takes the pressure off one friend having to chase everyone else for money and paperwork.
7. Plan a few things, but not everything
The best girls’ trips have a balance of planned highlights — a dinner booking, an excursion, a sunset cruise — and completely unplanned time to just be together. Don’t over-schedule it. Some of the best memories happen in the gaps between the itinerary.
8. Pack smart, not stressed
Matching outfits are fun, but comfortable shoes are essential. Pack for the activities you’ve actually planned, leave room in your suitcase for anything you’ll inevitably buy along the way, and remember: nobody has ever regretted packing a portable charger.
9. Let yourself enjoy it
You’ve done the planning — now let it go. The point of a girls’ trip isn’t a perfect itinerary, it’s the time together. Some of the best trips I’ve helped plan have gone slightly off-script, and they’re the ones everyone remembers most fondly.
Ready to start planning your own girls’ trip? Whether you already know where you want to go or have no idea where to start, that’s exactly what I’m here for. Head over to girls-trip.co.nz to browse trip ideas across Europe, the Islands, cruising and solo-friendly adventures, or get in touch and I’ll help you put together something your whole group will love.
