Can travel planning be a hobby?

by Laura, co-founder of Sundays Online

For years, I would’ve said no.
Not because I didn’t love it — I did. I do. Trip planning is one of the few things that reliably fills my cup. But anytime someone asked what my hobbies were, I’d list what I felt were normal: travelling, running, interior design. I never thought to include one thing that I thoroughly enjoyed — planning the trip itself.

It took me a long time to realize that trip planning is more than a task to check off. It’s a creative outlet. It’s problem-solving with a sense of imagination. There’s something deeply satisfying about starting with a goal — “plan a fun weekend getaway,” “figure out how to get from Point A to Point B,” “build three perfect days in a new city” — and shaping it into a plan that feels intentional. Seeing all those pins on a map or a beautifully organized sheet gives me an actual serotonin hit.

When Planning Became a Lifestyle

In 2022, post-pandemic, I traveled a lot — twelve trips that year. It was my way of making up for lost time, but it was also something deeper. After two years of cancelled plans and uncertainty, planning felt like a way to reclaim a little control. To daydream again. To build something to look forward to.

When I wasn’t on the road, I was thinking about the next adventure. Researching restaurants, mapping neighborhoods, comparing transit routes. MyMaps and Google Sheets were practically extensions of my brain. And yet, I often felt guilty for how much time I spent on it — like it wasn’t “productive” enough to justify all those hours tinkering with lists and maps.

Only later did I understand: that time wasn’t wasted. It was grounding. It was joyful. It was mine.

Planning as Care (for Future You)

Trip planning is logistical, yes — trains, planes, automobiles, connections, timelines. But it’s also emotional. It’s empathy for your future self.

It’s saying:
We’re arriving late, so let’s book a quiet dinner nearby.
We’ll be jet-lagged — let’s schedule that massage for the next morning.
We’re going to want a slow afternoon — let’s leave space for it.

Good planning isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about anticipating how you’ll feel, what you’ll need, and what will make the trip memorable for the right reasons. It’s crafting an experience that supports the version of you who will actually be living it.

So yes — travel planning is absolutely a hobby.

It’s relaxing. It’s fulfilling. It’s creative.
And for many of us, it’s a quiet ritual of joy long before the trip even begins.

If anything, the planning is part of the adventure — the first chapter of the story.

If you’re passionate about travel planning as well, sign up here to test the beta version and get early access.