How To Plan A Group Trip And Still Keep Your Friends - Essence | Essence
Home • Travel

Here's How To Plan A Group Trip With Your Girls Without Losing Friends

Planning an epic girls' getaway doesn't have to be a headache.
Here's How To Plan A Group Trip With Your Girls Without Losing Friends
Photo Credit: @brokeassgirltravel
By Danielle Pointdujour ·

In theory, it sounds simple and epic. After all, assembling your girl squad and planning a dope getaway full of girl talk, drinks, and fun in the sun should be a breeze right? Wrong!

From disagreements on budget and location to battles between #TeamSleep and #TeamSleepWhenIDie, traveling with a group can be a major nightmare. If anyone knows how crazy planning group trips can be, its travel influencer Mally Williams (@brokeassgirltravel). The Kansas City, Missouri native’s cheeky personality has made her a fave on social media among Black women of all ages looking to see some world on a budget. So when the demand came for Williams to start planning her own group trips, Broke Ass Girl Travel, she wasn’t sure she was ready for the stress but knew if she handled things right, the experience could end up being food for the soul and forge new sisterhoods.

How To Plan A Group Trip And Still Keep Your Friends

“There’s nothing like traveling with friends or new people who eventually become bffs. Group trips are a great opportunity to form new lifelong relationships and practice skills like communication and getting along,” says Willams. “It’s also a chance to build a sisterhood and network. Taking that break and forming those bonds is so important for our self-care as Black women and shouldn’t be missed.”

ESSENCE caught up with the self-proclaimed ‘fake blogger’ to get her tips on how to plan a seamless, headache-free group trip that will keep our friendships intact and create memories that last a lifetime.

01
Set Budgets and Boundaries to Manage Expectations
Make sure you create a budget so people know if your trip is something that they can realistically swing. Be as detailed as possible, by walking through every day of the trip in your mind, because when creating a budget all the small costs will eventually add up.

You should also make sure to set boundaries so guests know exactly what to expect in order to avoid disappointment. Set clear boundaries about time spent together or apart. When I send my guests an itinerary, I like to remind them that they can either stay with the group or venture off on their own. I let them know what activities I will be attending and when I’ll be taking a break.
Here's How To Plan A Group Trip With Your Girls Without Losing Friends
Photo Credit: @brokeassgirltravel
02
Be Flexible With Locations, Dates, and Activities
This is one of the greatest tips to help you save while traveling, especially in groups. The more flexible you are with dates and times, the more likely you are to find great deals. Airlines and hotels are eager to fill empty seats and rooms, so that can equate to huge savings for you if you can find those empty dates.

Also, in regards to flexibility of activities, it can help everyone get along if everyone gets to do the types of things they like or they are willing to separate. If you set expectations and boundaries early, no one will feel forced into schedules or activities they don’t want to be a part of.
Here's How To Plan A Group Trip With Your Girls Without Losing Friends
Photo Credit: @brokeassgirltravel
03
Research All Options To Get The Best Price
A huge part of finding deals is taking the time to search for lots of different options. For example, on a group trip I planned where we cruised around the Middle East, when looking for the activities I looked at several options: What’s the cruise offering? If I buy online with a retailer how much is it? If we get it locally or on-site how much is it? Is there a groupon? If I combine it with other activities does it all come out cheaper? Looking at your trip from all angles will help you find great deals and get you the most trip for everyone’s buck.
Here's How To Plan A Group Trip With Your Girls Without Losing Friends
Photo Credit: @brokeassgirltravel
04
Everybody Can Come, But Everybody Can’t Plan
You know that saying “too many chefs spoil the pot”? That is extra true when it comes to group trips. Too much individual input can cause chaos and build resentment, which can make planning a total nightmare. Once budgets and expectations have been set (See how this tip sets the tone?), one person should be fully in charge of making the main decisions for the entire group. If there’s someone who would rather stay in a different hotel or skip and activity or two, that’s totally fine.
Here's How To Plan A Group Trip With Your Girls Without Losing Friends
Photo Credit: @brokeassgirltravel
05
Everybody Is Going Until It’s Time To Pay
When you plan group trips, everyone wants to go, but trust me, in this situation actions beat words. If they are not willing to put down a deposit and pay regularly they’re NOT going. And even when they pay a deposit, they still might drop out so prepare yourself early for the disappointment, and try not to take it personally. Just be sure to leave a little wiggle room in your plans to account for flakes and continue on your adventure!
Here's How To Plan A Group Trip With Your Girls Without Losing Friends
Photo Credit: @brokeassgirltravel
TOPICS: