Setting up a Notion board for travel planning
A big part of traveling is the planning—and for me, Notion is my go-to tool for keeping everything organized and stress-free. Notion is an all-in-one organizational platform that has become essential to my travel planning process. It helps me track every idea, plan, and reservation in one centralized hub. And the best part? Notion is completely free for personal use!
Why Notion is a Game-Changer for Travel Planning
One Central Hub:
Everything you need—ideas, itineraries, research—is all in one place. No more scrambling through emails or notes when you need an address or reservation detail.Accountability:
Writing down travel ideas makes them feel more tangible, motivating me to turn dreams into action.Collaboration Made Easy:
Share pages with friends or travel companions for seamless trip planning. Everyone stays on the same page (literally).
Step 1: Create a Page for Travel Planning
Start by creating a dedicated page in Notion and label it something like “Travel Planning.” Use cover images and emojis to make it visually appealing and easy to navigate—because who doesn’t love a little flair in their organization?
New to Notion? Here is how you set up your first page: https://www.notion.com/help/create-your-first-page
Step 2: Set Up a Kanban Board
A kanban board is the perfect way to visually track your travel plans as they progress from idea to execution. On your Notion page, create a kanban board with customizable columns. Each column holds subpages where you can brain dump ideas, organize details, and keep everything on track.
This is what my current travel plans look like in Notion using kanban boards
Here’s how I structure my board:
Not Started:
This is where all my travel ideas go—dream destinations, bucket-list spots, or casual suggestions from friends. Some ideas stay here forever, but writing them down holds me accountable and ensures I don’t forget them.In Progress:
When a trip idea starts taking shape, it moves here. This column houses all the details—flight itineraries, accommodation addresses, dining and activity ideas, and a general schedule. It’s also where I keep links and research for restaurants, attractions, and local gems.Completed:
After a trip, I move the plans to this column for future reference. This system not only keeps my travels organized but also makes it easy to share tips and publish content about my experiences.
“A huge part of staying organized is keeping your kanban board tidy and in motion. When you move trips to the Completed column, it clears space for new ideas and keeps your planning momentum going. Plus, looking back at your completed trips can be a fun way to reflect and inspire future adventures.
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Step 3: Use Subpages for Each Trip
Each trip gets its own subpage within the kanban board, making it easy to organize and track its progress. These pages don’t have to be fancy—just practical. I use them to store helpful links, addresses, itineraries, and any notes I might need during the trip. Keeping the subpages within the kanban board allows me to assign a status to each trip, ensuring all my plans are visually laid out in front of me for a clear, streamlined planning process.
Once your kanban board is set up, the magic happens by creating subpages for each trip to bring your plans to life. I’m constantly referencing my Notion doc while on vacation—it’s a game-changer to have everything organized and accessible right from your phone using the mobile app. Having all your travel details at your fingertips makes exploring stress-free and seamless!
See a demo of one set up in Notion that you can duplicate for your own planning! Click here!