While I may be a fan of solo globetrotting, I’ve always loved the idea of planning a huge group holiday. Getting all of my friends together and escaping for a long weekend of day trips and catch ups. What could be better? However, organising a trip with a large group of people can be awkward. Here are my top tips for big trips!
A Group Leader
Before anything is planned, make sure you dedicate a group leader for your trip. Seriously, while you may think this could cause drama (after all, everyone wants to be in charge), it will actually be easier in the long run. The leader will be the person in control of booking everything and collecting all the money. Make sure that the person you go for is super organised and isn’t going to lose all the paperwork – or accidentally spend all the money!
Group Planning
It’s a good idea to set an evening aside for a bit of holiday planning, with you all together. Trying to plan a group trip on Whatsapp is going to be a nightmare! Plus, it’s a good chance for you all to catch up and get excited about your upcoming holiday. Everyone can bring their own ideas to the table, which should prevent the ‘leader drama’ I mentioned earlier too.
Finding Accommodation
Trying to find any kind of accommodation that fits in a big group can be a bit of a nightmare. Self-catering is going to be your best option, as it means you can all stay together – and potentially save some pennies too. Sites such as Group Accommodation have been designed specifically for larger groups, so you don’t have to filter through tiny two-bed apartments before you find something big enough for you all. Self-catering also means you can stock up on all the food and drink you like, without it costing a small fortune!
Ask for Discounts
When you’re booking tickets for anything – from day trips to train and plane tickets – see if they offer a group discount. It’s very much one of those, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get” moments. Plenty of places will offer a group discount if you have a certain amount of people, so make sure you ask. This is another job for your, hopefully, very organised group leader.
Make a Folder
This is a job for the leader, essentially, but everyone could also make their own. In fact, if there is a large group of you, it’s always a good idea to have more than one. Print off all of your confirmations, holiday insurance, copies of passports – and put them in a pretty folder. You can also turn this into some kind of scrapbook for all your photos and memories, once you get back.
Travelling with a large group doesn’t need to be stressful, as long as you’re ready to get organised! It’s the perfect way to catch up with old friends and explore a bit more of the world. If you’ve followed my top tips, you’re bound to have the best of times.
Disclosure: This is a collab post!
The London Mum says
Yes to having a leader! It’s really needed! x
Anosa says
Tell me about it.
Anna Maria says
I love travelling in groups, the discount idea is so good, you never know they might actually agree. x
Anosa says
You never know indeed, until you ask
Melanie Edjourian says
I must admit travelling with a large group can be hard. Sometimes there are 9 of us going abroad together and we all want to do different things so we generally mix things up and do some things together and others separate 😉
Anosa says
I think that’s the only way it can be done. Being restrictive with a large group can be both good and bad idea at the same time.
Leslie Hernandez says
The largest group I have ever traveled with was five of us and it was my parents and my two sisters and me lol… we had an ok time. I would love to travel with a group of friends but we can never agree on a time and date everyone is so busy 🙁
Anosa says
I know the feeling, to make matters worse for me we are mostly in different countries and time zones so it’s hard
Charlotte says
Definitely worth asking for discounts when you’re travelling in a party. Great post! x
Anosa says
So true and thanks
Laura says
Great idea on asking for discounts. If you’re going to be putting a lot of business someones way, they could always give you a little deal! xxx
Anosa says
I know right.
Harriet @ Toby&Roo says
I’m a big believer in “if you don’t ask, you don’t get” too!
Anosa says
So true
Little Steps says
Great tips, even though I’m not a fan of group travel. I do like to go on my own and do my own thing 🙂
Anosa says
I am more of a solo traveler than group traveler kind of person.
Whitney | Afro Mermaid says
Needed these tips as I always end up being group leader woe is me haha x
Anosa says
Hahaha, glad we shared them on point
Hannah Heartss ❄️⛄️ says
So many great tips – the idea of a folder is brill to keep organised x
Anosa says
Absolutely, organisation is the key with all travel plans
Beautyqueenuk says
There are some great tips here, I like the idea of using a folder too x
Anosa says
Thanks Rachel
Jenni Grainger says
Great tips, I used to love organising a group holiday with my friends and that was somehow easier to organise than one with a toddler haha x
Anosa says
Hahaha I think with adults we can suss out what we want with a toddler you go with the flow
Aileen Adalid | iAmAileen.com says
As a traveler as well, I can absolutely agree with the tips that you mentioned here! Great job on compiling this 😀 For sure, this would help anyone in planning a group trip!
Anosa says
Thanks Aileen
Jennifer Borget says
I love these tips! Especially the ‘Make a folder’ one, I’d never thought of doing that, but I bet it’d save me a lot of time and stress!
Anosa says
I bet it would be very helpful indeed having everything in one place
Kristy says
I love intimate family trips with just me and my crew, but there is also so much fun to be had when we get away with bigger groups of friends or family. All of the details can definitely get stressful, but the memories of the trip far outweigh that stress! Great tips!
Anosa says
That is so true, it’s nice to go away just as a family but also nice with friends and extended family
Laura Dove says
Fab tips. I’ve never been in charge of organising group travel but I have travelled as part of a large group. It was quite nice to have somebody else organise it all!
Anosa says
It’s always nice to have someone else organise but only if you can rely on the organiser
Melissa Dixon says
These tips sound like they would help me enjoy my time while away on a trip. A big part of not traveling for me is the anxiety that comes with lack of preparing. I think this will help me out and I will bookmark this site for our next getaway.
Anosa says
Preparing well in advance (if possible) and knowing what to expect definitely helps
Kira L Curtis says
I tend to just travel with my boyfriend but it would really be lovely to have a big group of friends and all go somewhere together!
Anosa says
It would be nice definitely
Lisa @Bitesforbabies says
Traveling in a big group is always tricky! It’s hard to please everyone. My girlfriends and I go away every year and we always pick a place that has something for everyone.
Anosa says
It can certainly be tricky and yes you can never please everyone there is always something someone doesn’t like
Stella Kashmoney says
Great post with helpful tips. I always ask for a discount.
Anosa says
Thanks
Tanya Brannan says
The largest group I have travelled with is 10 and we had an amazing time in St Lucia – we had ideas of the things we wanted to do and stuck to it. We didn’t run into any problems but your tips would have helped even more x
Anosa says
Oh wow that sounds really love and glad all went ok
Hungry_Healthy_Happy says
Lots of great tips here. Although, I could never travel in a large group. I either go with my husband or by myself.
Anosa says
I am more of a solo traveler myself but I also enjoy traveling in large groups
Bethany Naismith says
These are such good tips! I’ve never travelled in a big group, always do it myself, but next year I’m planning so I’m definitely keeping all of this in mind!
Anosa says
Glad to hear it
Kara says
Hubby has been on a few stag weekends with his friends and its always a disaster as they all wander off unless someone is organising them
Anosa says
Hahaha that’s usually the case with most stab and hen dos
Clairejustineo says
These are great tips, I have never travelled in a large group but with 4 children it feels like a lot 🙂 I will stumble for future reference 🙂
Anosa says
Hahahha I bet it does I can only imagine
Jemma Andrew-Adiamah says
These are great tips! I’ve never really travelled in a large group before except for with my family.
Anosa says
Thanks Jemma, traveling with family is always the best
Heather W says
I’m a corporate event planner and yep – discounts! You can save so much money with higher head counts. You can also get some great concessions written into contracts, too! I don’t always travel with large groups, but when I do negotiation is key!
Anosa says
Thank for sharing that Heather, I hardly travel in large groups myself but when I do these tips are handy to remember
Rhian Westbury says
I always find that I am the organiser when it comes to certain group travels, but I don’t like feeling like I’m taking over too much x
Anosa says
I know the feeling but with most of my friends I need to take over completely otherwise nothing happens lol
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
I haven’t taken a trip with a really large group in a while. These are great tips on how to make the most of the trip. I think being prepared with a folder with all the essentials is very smart. Gettign a discount on the fees is also a great idea.
Anosa says
So true, I am always in search of the best deals and discounts wherever possible
Liz Mays says
I think this is a good plan of action. It would be fun to plan something big with my sister and some friends.
Anosa says
Absolutely and hope you do some day
Susanna says
I love the idea of group travel, but it never seems to work out! Great tips there, need to see if the girls fancy a jaunt!
Anosa says
Tell me about it, for me unless I do everything it usually falls to the waste side
Tara | C&CO. says
These are some great tips, a group leader is important!
Anosa says
So true and thanks
Stockpiling Moms says
I love all of these amazing tips for group travel! I plan several trips for my friends and this will come in handy. I love creating the folder idea the most! Thanks!
Anosa says
The creating a folder seems to be a hit with a lot of us
Newcastle Family Life says
I love the idea of travelling with a big group of friends, I wish that I had of travelled more before I had children xx
Anosa says
I am doing that now, though more solo travels than group travels before I have kids
Ana De Jesus says
I have traveled as a family before but many of my trips have been solo. Great tips to keep in mind x
Anosa says
Same as me then, thanks Ana
Angela Milnes says
good tips. We usually travel as a family but sometimes travel with youth and this would come in handy.
Anosa says
Thanks Angela
stressymummy says
Great tips there and I am always happy to find an excuse to buy a pretty folder! I have lead school visits and as long as you are organised, it can be really rewarding
Anosa says
So true being organised saves a lot of trouble and stress
Joanna says
Great tips I’ve never travelled with a large group of friends I mainly go to places with my husband and son. I like the idea of the folder and feel this would be a good idea to use on our family holiday.
Anosa says
I have done it a handful of times and only 1% was stressful because the majority I was the group leader.
Jess Powell says
Fab tips – I always find travelling so stressful, so I love these ideas!
Anosa says
Thanks Jess
Annie Brooks says
What a great post and very true! I am more of a solo traveller myself
Anosa says
You and me both, I usually avoid large group travels except family
Jenn Padgett says
These are great tips. I don’t often travel in a large group, but i do camp with one. I can sure relate some of these tips to that. Like, putting a group leader in place. It seems there is always some kind of confusion. It would definitely help.
Anosa says
I always look at the people I am traveling with and if I am not confident in there skills I nominate myself as group leader and reduce the stress
North East Family Fun says
I like the idea of making a folder (esp if it’s pretty). I LOVE organising group getaways but it can be stressful xx
Anosa says
I organise solo getaways and do a few group ones but swore never again lol
Alexshebar says
Traveling with large groups is one of the banes of my existence, so these are excellent tips. Thank you!
Anosa says
You’re most welcome, large group travels definitely test the best of us
Cathy Glynn says
I will bear these in mind when we are booking wedding accommodation etc for my son, thank you x
Anosa says
You’re welcome
LaaLaa says
Good ideas for group trips, someone really does need to be in charge otherwise everyone’s trying to do the one job and it’s too much. Organisation is always key!
Anosa says
So true, I always make sure I am either the group leader as I like being organised or know who is and has there lists together