Girls’ trips aren’t just fun, they’re genuinely good for us.
Recent studies around women’s wellbeing and social connection show that time spent away with friends can reduce stress, improve mood, strengthen relationships and even increase overall life satisfaction. For mums in particular, short breaks away from everyday responsibilities have been linked to improved mental health, renewed energy and a stronger sense of identity beyond work and family life.
In other words, girls’ trips aren’t indulgent – they’re restorative.
The challenge? Making them actually happen without the planning becoming stressful or overwhelming. Between budgets, kids, work schedules and different ideas of what a “holiday” looks like, it’s easy for good intentions to stall.
With a few honest conversations early on and some smart planning decisions, a girls’ getaway can feel easy, enjoyable and genuinely nourishing for everyone involved.
Start With the Money Conversation (Earlier Than You Think)
Money is often the quiet tension point in girls’ trips, so it’s best to talk about it upfront, casually and without judgement.
One simple option is to set up a shared savings account, with everyone contributing a small amount weekly or fortnightly. It spreads the cost, avoids pressure closer to the trip and makes the getaway feel achievable rather than overwhelming.
It also means decisions around accommodation, dining and activities are grounded in reality from the start.
👉Planning feels a lot easier when the foundations are clear – I’ve shared exactly how to do that in my Ultimate Group Trip Planning Guide.
Make the Planning Part of the Fun
If you’re planning well in advance, use that time to your advantage.
Planning doesn’t need to feel like admin. It can actually be part of the experience – dinners out, wine nights, casual catch-ups where the trip is the focus. Dreaming, laughing and throwing ideas around builds excitement and helps everyone feel invested.
By the time you leave, the connection is already there.
👉There are simple ways to keep everyone included without slowing decisions – I share them in how to get everyone involved in planning your group trip.
If Kids Are Involved, Talk About Time Away Early
If kids are part of your life, this conversation matters more than almost anything else.
Everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to time away, and that directly affects where you go, how long you travel for and what the trip looks like.
Some people are comfortable with a full week away. Others prefer a long weekend. There’s no right or wrong – but being honest early avoids disappointment later and ensures the trip works for everyone, not just a few.
Timing Matters – Start With When People Can’t Go
When planning a girls’ trip, it’s often easier to start by working out when people can’t go, rather than trying to pick dates straight away.
Once you factor in kids’ birthdays, family commitments, school holidays, work deadlines and other non-negotiables, the available dates usually narrow themselves down quickly. What’s left is a much smaller – and far more realistic – window that actually suits everyone.
This approach helps avoid the frustration of getting attached to dates that were never going to work, and it’s one of the biggest reasons starting early is so helpful. More notice means more flexibility and far less stress.
The goal is to choose dates where you can head away feeling relaxed and present, not filled with guilt and being pulled in different directions at home.
What Kind of Holiday Does Everyone Actually Want?
Before booking anything, it’s worth asking one simple question:
What do we actually need from this trip right now?
If life is full-on with kids, work and routines, the dream might be:
- Rest and relaxation
- Sleep-ins
- Spas, beaches and doing very little
If everyday life is quieter or more rural, the pull might be:
- City stays
- Shopping, dining and shows
- Being close to entertainment and energy
Getting aligned on the type of trip early sets the tone for everything else.
Talk Accommodation Early (It Can Make or Break the Trip)
Accommodation is one of the biggest decision points on a girls’ trip — and one that’s best discussed early.
Start with space and privacy preferences. Some people love having their own hotel room and space to recharge. Others prefer staying together, sharing common areas and enjoying long, relaxed evenings together.
Options to consider:
- Individual hotel rooms in the same property
- Multi-room apartment hotels
- Holiday homes or villas
- Resort stays with separate rooms close together
If you’re looking at a resort getaway, be clear about whether people are happy to share rooms or prefer their own. That choice alone can change budget, destination and availability.
Eating Out vs Eating In
Food is another important factor.
Some girls’ trips are all about eating out every meal. Others prefer flexibility — especially on longer trips — with the option to make breakfast, lunch or a few relaxed dinners at home.
Accommodation with kitchen or kitchenette facilities can help balance budget without taking away from the experience.
The Bathroom Rule (Non-Negotiable)
For girls’ trips, this one matters:
Plan for at least one bathroom per 2–3 people.
Anything less quickly becomes stressful, especially when everyone is getting ready at the same time.
👉 Choosing the right accommodation style can change the entire trip – this guide to group accommodation options makes it much easier.
Decide Early How Travel Will Be Booked
Another simple decision that saves stress later is how travel will be booked.
Will one person book flights and transport for everyone, or will people book individually?
Booking together can make it easier to:
- Sit together
- Manage changes
- Keep everyone on the same itinerary
If booking individually, align on flight times, baggage rules and arrival plans early so no one feels stranded or rushed.
Choose One Planner (But Share the Load)
Girls’ trips work best when one person leads the planning, even if everyone contributes ideas.
Too many decision-makers can slow things down. One coordinator keeps momentum, while others help with research, suggestions and feedback.
Choose the Destination Once the Group Is Aligned
Once budgets, timing, travel style and accommodation preferences are clear, choosing a destination becomes much easier.
This is the moment to focus on places that genuinely suit your group – whether that’s wine regions, beach towns, cities or resort escapes.
👉 If you’re still deciding where to go, I’ve pulled together some of my favourite tried-and-tested ideas in this guide to the best girls getaways.
A Stress-Free Girls’ Trip Is About Connection, Not Perfection
The best girls’ trips aren’t perfectly planned – they’re thoughtfully planned.
They allow space for different needs, flexibility when plans change and time to simply be together. When expectations are clear and decisions are made early, the whole experience feels lighter and far more enjoyable.
Because in the end, girls’ trips aren’t just holidays – they’re an investment in friendship, wellbeing and yourself.
👉 For practical tips on handling bookings, schedules and group dynamics, read how to manage group travel like a pro.
The Group Travel Guide 
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