Schools out, jobs out... whatever your circumstances are, you've decided to take some time out of education or work to travel. Let the fun begin. There's just one issue. Not knowing where to begin. There are so many questions to ask yourself when planning a trip: Will I be safe? Can I afford it? What time of year should I go to avoid tourists? That is why we are going to help you break it down into bitesize chunks. Consider this a checklist for any trip you now embark on.
This is phase one and before we even look at places to go, what we want to see, and experiences we want to try, we have to look at some key criteria to ensure your safety and efficient travels. Travel is full of hiccups and frustrations; that's part of the fun, which can be restricted with some good knowledge of these areas. Travel can also be quite overwhelming, especially first time out so with our many years of travel experience, we have put together this guide for you on things to consider when planning a trip.
When planning a trip abroad, safety is a number one priority for travellers. You want to be safe, and comfortable and secure in the places you visit, especially when travelling alone. The main areas we look at when looking at our destinations are: will I feel comfortable walking around alone, especially at night? If I have a medical emergency, will I get the help I need? Are there immunisations I should be aware of before I travel to this destination? You certainly want a feeling of reassurance that you are ok when travelling abroad on your gap year. You can check out our other blog on tips for staying safe as a female solo traveller, for more detail.
Accessibility is another important factor to consider when planning a trip abroad. Are there direct flights from your home country? How long will it take to get out in an emergency? Are there regular coaches running through the country to travel from A to B with ease and safely? You also want to know that you are being cost-effective with good transport links and not having to change multiple times or have to take too many flights. This can help settle the nerves knowing there are hop-on, hop-off bus services like in Peru, for example. Make sure to use websites like Rome2Rio to begin to plan out your journeys and see how accessible the routes are for your dream gap year adventure.
Language, language, language... This plays a significant role in enriching your travel experience. There is nothing more frustrating than travelling to a foreign destination and not being able to communicate with local people. While language barriers can be challenging, learning some basic phrases or considering English-friendly destinations can enhance your interactions with locals. This means that you will find it easier to navigate your way around certain destinations, countries, and more. If you are planning on heading out to Latin America, why not try a Spanish course before you go or when you arrive? It is a great way to find your feet by signing up to a language school and embarking on a 2-week Spanish language intensive course.
One of the biggest concerns for first-time travellers or gap year students embarking on a global adventure is budget. How are you going to afford the trip? Are you travelling to a destination that is considered 'budget-friendly'? 3 main areas to look out for when considering budget: accommodation, activities and transport. You can get a pretty good idea of affordability through these. In my experience, Thailand was a very affordable place where I could travel on £15-£30 a day, whereas Costa Rica was more like £50-£70 a day. Adds up!
Ask yourself these questions:
If you are open to several different places, compare flight prices on Skyscanner/Google Flights from your host airport. It may not be the exact place you decide to go but if there is overland transport from that destination to where you need to be, this can save you a few bob.
Some budget-friendly destinations for your trip include Portugal, Bali, Greece, Vietnam, Thailand, Guatemala, Eastern Europe, and Morocco.
If time is on your side, why not consider working from abroad? Check out my blog on Ways to Make Money When Travelling.
Maybe you've got certain days off from work, or maybe the weather and how busy the place will be are factors to consider. It all plays a part. You should research when peak season is. Bear in mind that Europe's hotspots post-COVID have experienced a surge in tourism numbers from as early as March... Travelling during the off-peak season means there will be fewer crowds and prices will most likely be cheaper. I was in Rome and Venice this April and it was WILDLY busy & hot.
Okay, flights are booked and now it's important to get your travel insurance. There are several different options you can go for but the most important is to make sure your plan covers you for medical insurance. Make sure it covers multiple destinations if you're planning to do lots of travel. Read the small print, and check that you have a gadget cover. If you are planning on working remotely as a digital nomad, some insurance policies won't cover you unless you specify this! Yeah, nearly caught me out.
I hope this helps. Enjoy your travels!
