So you're taking the leap to quit your job, sell your belongings and go travel the world -
but where do you begin when it comes to the planning? All of the steps to take can feel a little overwhelming.
But, we're here to give you a helping hand, as we've gone through this entire process ourselves!
but where do you begin when it comes to the planning? All of the steps to take can feel a little overwhelming.
But, we're here to give you a helping hand, as we've gone through this entire process ourselves!
1. Pick Your Dates - When & How Long?
When do you want to leave by? How long do you want to travel for?
2. Pick Your Destination(s)
Are you doing a round-the-world trip, or are you sticking to certain regions such as, Southeast Asia, or South America?
3. Purchase Your One Way Flight
The most exciting step, that makes it feel real! Then the countdown begins!
4. Book Your Accommodations for the First Week or Two
We highly recommend having your first week or two weeks booked. If you're headed to Southeast Asia, or South and Central America, it's extremely common for travelers to book their accommodations upon arrival. If you don't like a place, you can leave early, and if you like it, you can stay longer. Don't plan too far ahead, you'll want to be flexible and travel rather slowly if you're going for 6 months +.
5. Purchase Your e-Visa (if required)
You'll have to look into this as each country is different. Some you're able to get on arrival, but some you need to get in advance.
6. New 10 Year Passport
If you're planning on a big backpacking trip, you're going to need a new passport with blank pages, as a lot of countries, their visas take up an entire page.
7. Quit Your J-O-B!
Also another very exciting step! See ya later, suckas!
8. Sell Your Belongings You No Longer Need
Money comes and goes, but time does not - so sell your belongings you do not need, items that are very easy to purchase or get again once you're back in your country. Then you'll have more money for your trip, and will be able to travel longer if you just let go of unnecessary items.
9. Purchase Your Necessary Gear
When you're going on a long trip, you're going to need some essentials to make your life on the road just a little bit easier - we've complied a list of the top 35 backpacking essentials.
10. Get Your Vaccines
Each country is different, so you'll have to do a bit of research. However, the most common vaccines are Hep A, Hep B, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. Check the CDC website to see what's needed - We are by no means doctors, so please consult with your doctor first.
11. Purchase Travel Insurance
You need to cover yourself in case something happens - and if something does happen, you'll be glad you have it. We highly, highly recommend World Nomad's.
12. International Drivers Licence
If you plan on driving a vehicle or motorbike at any point during your trip, you're going to need to get an International Drivers License. It's extremely cheap, and very easy to get. If and when you get pulled over, it's the first thing the police will ask you for - so make sure you get it!
13. Advise Bank and Credit Cards of Travel
14. Check Expiry Dates on Your Cards
Ensure the expiry dates on your ID's and debit cards are not expiring during your travels.
15. Purchase Extra Passport Photos
When you travel to certain countries, some of them require passport photos when applying for a visa on arrival, so carrying around extras will save you time and money.
16. Photocopy Your Documents
Photocopy, print, and scan, your Passport and Photo ID. Be sure to print, and e-mail a scanned copy for someone you trust, also, print copies for yourself, and e-mail yourself a copy as well.
17. Unlock Your Phone
This is an important step, because once you're on the road you can purchase sim cards for dirt cheap, to use data while you're traveling around and not rely on WiFi.
18. Download Offline Maps
However, if you do not do the above step, you can offline download google maps while you do have WiFi so that you can check directions while you're out from the hostel.
19. Learn the Local Language
We cannot recommend this enough - always, always, always learn a few phrases in the local language that you're traveling to. Even the basics like, hello, please, thank you, beautiful, and delicious will be enough to get you by, and they'll truly appreciate you for just trying. Also, if you have any allergies, or dietary restrictions, it's best to learn that as well.
20. Download Helpful Apps
Pre-download all of the best travel apps before your trip - be sure to sign up beforehand.
21. Learn Local Prices & Exchange Rates
Download Currency Plus Exchange, and have the current exchange rates on your phone. Also research what the local prices should be - especially when it comes to taxis to and from the airport. This website is great for seeing recent local prices on food, accommodation, transport and more. Do not exchange your cash at home, or the airport - instead take cash out from an ATM once you've arrived in the country.
22. Have a plan for Currency Exchange
We recommend taking out the local currency upon arrival as your best option for exchange rates.
23. Read up on Scams
Heading into the unknown can be a intimidating, however, if you do your research and read up on the usual scam of the country you're traveling to, you'll be more at ease, and be able to say no with confidence.
24. Packing Test
25. Download TV Shows & Movies
26. Charge Your Electronics
27. Check Into Your Flight & Print Boarding Pass (if required)
28. Go With the Flow & Enjoy!
Don't plan everything down to the last minute - be flexible and open-minded, because you'll fall in love with certain places and may want to stay longer than intended, or you may meet an awesome group of people that you'll want to travel with, or you may even dislike a place and want to leave sooner than expected. So keep your plans kind of open, and allow for change!
When do you want to leave by? How long do you want to travel for?
2. Pick Your Destination(s)
Are you doing a round-the-world trip, or are you sticking to certain regions such as, Southeast Asia, or South America?
3. Purchase Your One Way Flight
The most exciting step, that makes it feel real! Then the countdown begins!
4. Book Your Accommodations for the First Week or Two
We highly recommend having your first week or two weeks booked. If you're headed to Southeast Asia, or South and Central America, it's extremely common for travelers to book their accommodations upon arrival. If you don't like a place, you can leave early, and if you like it, you can stay longer. Don't plan too far ahead, you'll want to be flexible and travel rather slowly if you're going for 6 months +.
5. Purchase Your e-Visa (if required)
You'll have to look into this as each country is different. Some you're able to get on arrival, but some you need to get in advance.
6. New 10 Year Passport
If you're planning on a big backpacking trip, you're going to need a new passport with blank pages, as a lot of countries, their visas take up an entire page.
7. Quit Your J-O-B!
Also another very exciting step! See ya later, suckas!
8. Sell Your Belongings You No Longer Need
Money comes and goes, but time does not - so sell your belongings you do not need, items that are very easy to purchase or get again once you're back in your country. Then you'll have more money for your trip, and will be able to travel longer if you just let go of unnecessary items.
9. Purchase Your Necessary Gear
When you're going on a long trip, you're going to need some essentials to make your life on the road just a little bit easier - we've complied a list of the top 35 backpacking essentials.
10. Get Your Vaccines
Each country is different, so you'll have to do a bit of research. However, the most common vaccines are Hep A, Hep B, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. Check the CDC website to see what's needed - We are by no means doctors, so please consult with your doctor first.
11. Purchase Travel Insurance
You need to cover yourself in case something happens - and if something does happen, you'll be glad you have it. We highly, highly recommend World Nomad's.
12. International Drivers Licence
If you plan on driving a vehicle or motorbike at any point during your trip, you're going to need to get an International Drivers License. It's extremely cheap, and very easy to get. If and when you get pulled over, it's the first thing the police will ask you for - so make sure you get it!
13. Advise Bank and Credit Cards of Travel
14. Check Expiry Dates on Your Cards
Ensure the expiry dates on your ID's and debit cards are not expiring during your travels.
15. Purchase Extra Passport Photos
When you travel to certain countries, some of them require passport photos when applying for a visa on arrival, so carrying around extras will save you time and money.
16. Photocopy Your Documents
Photocopy, print, and scan, your Passport and Photo ID. Be sure to print, and e-mail a scanned copy for someone you trust, also, print copies for yourself, and e-mail yourself a copy as well.
17. Unlock Your Phone
This is an important step, because once you're on the road you can purchase sim cards for dirt cheap, to use data while you're traveling around and not rely on WiFi.
18. Download Offline Maps
However, if you do not do the above step, you can offline download google maps while you do have WiFi so that you can check directions while you're out from the hostel.
19. Learn the Local Language
We cannot recommend this enough - always, always, always learn a few phrases in the local language that you're traveling to. Even the basics like, hello, please, thank you, beautiful, and delicious will be enough to get you by, and they'll truly appreciate you for just trying. Also, if you have any allergies, or dietary restrictions, it's best to learn that as well.
20. Download Helpful Apps
Pre-download all of the best travel apps before your trip - be sure to sign up beforehand.
21. Learn Local Prices & Exchange Rates
Download Currency Plus Exchange, and have the current exchange rates on your phone. Also research what the local prices should be - especially when it comes to taxis to and from the airport. This website is great for seeing recent local prices on food, accommodation, transport and more. Do not exchange your cash at home, or the airport - instead take cash out from an ATM once you've arrived in the country.
22. Have a plan for Currency Exchange
We recommend taking out the local currency upon arrival as your best option for exchange rates.
23. Read up on Scams
Heading into the unknown can be a intimidating, however, if you do your research and read up on the usual scam of the country you're traveling to, you'll be more at ease, and be able to say no with confidence.
24. Packing Test
25. Download TV Shows & Movies
26. Charge Your Electronics
27. Check Into Your Flight & Print Boarding Pass (if required)
28. Go With the Flow & Enjoy!
Don't plan everything down to the last minute - be flexible and open-minded, because you'll fall in love with certain places and may want to stay longer than intended, or you may meet an awesome group of people that you'll want to travel with, or you may even dislike a place and want to leave sooner than expected. So keep your plans kind of open, and allow for change!
Need saving tips & packing lists?
Now that you know what needs to get done, you need to start packing and saving - Let us help you with the tips and list!
How to Save Money for Travel
Now that you've started the planning process, here's how you can save for that trip.
Backpacking Essentials
Everything you need to pack for your trip.
How to Save Money While Traveling
To save even more money and stretch your budget even farther, try these tips, your wallet can thank us later!
Now that you've started the planning process, here's how you can save for that trip.
Backpacking Essentials
Everything you need to pack for your trip.
How to Save Money While Traveling
To save even more money and stretch your budget even farther, try these tips, your wallet can thank us later!