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Gap Year Travel Planning
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Planning your gap year can take months to accomplish with so many things to consider such as financing the year, flights, accommodation, visas, deciding what to purchase and the list goes on. Not planning for a gap year is a bad idea as you may run out of money, pay thousands if no insurance has been taken out or simply get bored.
Some of the benefits of planning effectively for your gap year include being able to set a more realistic budget and also making the most of your time, money and opportunities while travelling.
Some of the areas to cover when planning your gap year travel include: |
Travel route
Decide on which countries you would like to visit but keep the route flexible in terms of the cities or areas to visit. This will allow you to change route at short notice if you meet new people or find information on more interesting ..more on travel route >>
Flights
If your route takes in two or more continents, consider a round the world ticket as these can be be quite economical compared to individual flights. Travelbag is a good site for round the world tickets and it also has a route planner. Many ..more on flights >>
Visas
Check that your passport is valid and covers the dates of your trip for the countries you will be going to. Many countries will give a 30 day or longer visa at ..more on visas >>
Accommodation
It is advisable to pre-book the first night or two of your trip in a hostel or hotel. Sites such as Hostelworld or Hostelbookers offer the facility to book online. They also allow you to check ratings for each hostel / hotel posted by previous travellers & they cover a wide range of locations around the world. Pre-booking a hostel can save an enormous amount of time and energy - especially after a long journey or when arriving at a popular resort where hostel places may be in short supply.
Travel Insurance
Taking out good quality travel insurance is essential before going on a world trip or to a few countries. Shop around as the cheapest insurance is not necessarily the best option. Some of the more reputable insurance companies include Columbus Direct and Go Travel Insurance. Travel insurance will cover ..more on travel insurance >>
Health
Check with your local doctor about which immunisations you will need for the countries that you will be going to. Some immunisations may be free under the NHS but there will be charges for some others. In addition, you will have to take precautions when travelling to countries with malaria, rabies, hepatitis and other diseases including HIV / Aids and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). See the travel health section for more information.
Finance
Decide on how you will finance day to day expenses when travelling. There are many options available today including debit and credit cards, travellers cheques, local currency and money transfers. There is also the big issue of finding the money to finance the trip before you go. Finding a well paid job is the best solution but it may take many sacrifices to save the money required including reducing nights out & purchases. See the finance secion for further information.
Documentation
Make scans and photocopies of all important documents such as passports, visas, insurance policies, immunisations, accommodation bookings, travellers cheques, contact numbers etc. and email these to yourself as well as keeping copies in your rucksack.
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