Planning a trip with friends or family should be exciting, not exhausting. Yet somehow, coordinating schedules, splitting costs, and getting everyone on the same page can feel like herding cats. If you've ever found yourself drowning in group chat notifications or chasing people down for their share of the Airbnb deposit, you're not alone. The good news? Group travel planning doesn't have to be chaotic. With the right approach and tools, you can transform the stress into smooth sailing—and actually enjoy the planning process as much as the trip itself. Group travel comes in all shapes and sizes. You might be organizing a family reunion with 20 relatives, planning a weekend getaway with your college friends, coordinating a corporate retreat, or joining a special interest group for a photography expedition. Each type brings its own dynamics, but they all share common advantages. The financial benefits alone make group travel attractive. When you're splitting the cost of a beach house,…