So your spring break travel plans are ON and you’ve decided on a holiday budget – Let the travel planning begin!

Based on how much you’re willing to spend, you can pick a destination – It could be one that’s close-by like Oman, Egypt and Lebanon, or maybe some place farther away and more exotic like Sri Lanka, Thailand or Europe. It’s all fun and games when you pick your holiday destination. But once that’s done, begins the big responsibility of execution – Flights, accommodation, and planning your complete travel itinerary.

If you’re feeling lost and wondering where to start, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s how you can take the stress out of travel planning.

Getting there…

If you’re a money-savvy traveler, what would be your primary concern? Finding cheap flights to your chosen holiday destination, of course. And the best way to do that is to compare your options to find one that fits right in your budget.

Insights from leading global travel search website Skyscanner, reveal the most popular destinations among UAE residents traveling this spring break. So let’s say you’re planning to travel between March 23rd and  April 8th, here is how much it will cost you in terms of flight expenses.*

Destination Cost of a return flight ticket
Manila AED 1,863
London AED 2,435
Bangkok AED 1,668
Amman AED 1,219
Colombo AED 1,265
Cairo AED 1,202

*Ticket fares are calculated based on average prices for the routes, paid up to March 9th, 2017

You can also access Skyscanner’s flight comparison tool through Souqalmal.com.

Staying there…

Once you have the flights sorted, the next step would be to decide where you’re going to be staying. This decision would vary based on your budget, who you’re traveling with, what’s currently available, and your personal preferences. So, while a solo traveler wouldn’t mind staying in a youth hostel, a family with young children would most likely opt for a kid-friendly hotel or short-term rental accommodation.

Besides flights, Skyscanner also allows you to browse and filter through thousands of great deals on hotels, resorts, hostels, bed & breakfast’s and apartment all around the world.

[Related: 5 ideas to holiday on a shoestring budget]

Before you travel…

Flights – check, hotel – check. Next, make a checklist of everything else you need to take care of before you travel. Here’s a list of five important must-do’s before you hop on that flight:

  • Get a travel insurance policy that provides you adequate cover for yourself and your family.
  • Make sure you have your holiday pocket money sorted. If you’re planning to carry some cash, browse around to get the best conversion rate. In case you’re using your credit or debit card, inform your bank of your travel plans, so your card doesn’t get blocked when you use it abroad.
  • Secure your house before you leave. You can breathe a sigh of relief if you already have home insurance.
  • Do some research around local activities and how much it costs to explore the surroundings so you don’t get ripped off later. If you’re planning to drive around, book a rental car beforehand. Check if you can make a prior online booking for some local attractions to take advantage of discounted packages.
  • Read up on any travel warnings and advisories, and inform your close friends and family of your travel dates and local whereabouts.

While you’re there…

When you get there, you’re probably going to be too excited to start exploring, but don’t forget to pay attention to your safety! Here are a few tips to help you stay out of trouble while you’re abroad:

  • Prioritize your safety and be aware of your surroundings. Carry around a map, and skip shortcuts & dodgy looking spots.
  • Keep your personal belongings in sight, and secure your wallet and travel documents. Don’t keep all your money in one place, split it to minimize risk of theft.
  • Avoid drawing attention to yourself. Don’t wear flashy jewelry, and try using smaller denomination bills for local transactions.
  • Speak to the hotel concierge about which places are safe to visit and which ones you should avoid. Leave your contact details with the hotel reception before you step out.

And most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy and make the most of your holiday!

[Related: A 5-point checklist for solo travelers]