How to Organize a Travel Notebook

A three-ring binder allows easy access to important travel documents.

Many people are comfortable "winging it" through their travels with loose plans and little documentation, while others are more comfortable being armed with a handy and organized travel notebook. Organizing your travel notebook, with important details clearly marked, can help your travel plans go more smoothly and eliminate a great deal of stress.

Things You'll Need

• 3-ring binder
• Dividers with pockets
• Paper
• Hole puncher

Instructions

1. Determine categories for your notebook and write each category on a divider. Tickets, transportation and contact information are crucial categories to help your vacation run smoothly. Place these in the front of your notebook. Consider additional categories such as budget, maps, meals and activities.

2. Organize your tickets and transportation information. If you have physical tickets, secure them in the pocket of your "Tickets" or "Transportation" divider. Print any electronic tickets along with your travel itinerary, punch holes and insert them just after the "Tickets" divider. Print any directions you may need, such as which subway to take to the hotel or how to get to the bus station. Punch holes in your printed directions and place them just after the "Transportation" divider.

3. Arrange contact information, such as a hotel reservation desk, tour guide or a U.S. Embassy contact, alphabetically by business name. Hand-write these important addresses, names and phone numbers on a blank page and insert it just after the "Contact Information" divider.

4. Print and insert any additional information that will add value to your trip. For example, add well-rated restaurants to your "Meals" category and historical landmarks to your "Activities."

References

• Take Control Organizing: Setting Up Your Travel Notebook!
• Twenty-Something Travel: Creating a Travel Notebook