Many people dream of dropping everything, taking their savings and travelling the world for a few years. Even if they intend to return home after some time, travelling is an incredibly exciting prospect that thousands aspire too – yet, few people get to actually achieve this dream?
Most of the time, those who want to travel but don’t are held back by external factors. They wonder how they will raise the money? What they will need to travel successfully? How they will earn more money travelling? What they will need to bring with them? All of these questions can become overwhelming and in the end, people give up on their travelling dreams and settle for annual holidays abroad instead.
In this guide, we are going to explore the most important points to consider when preparing to travel the world. With this as a starting point, any budding traveller will be able to begin planning for the long-term getaway they dream of.
Medical Checks, Inoculations and Safety Research
To start with, before travelling anywhere, health and safety should be your top priority. There’s no doubt that some countries are more dangerous than others, both in terms of conflict and in terms of disease, illness and general health risks. The most common example ofthis is malaria, a collection of potentially life-threatening diseases passed on by mosquitos which are an issue in a host of different countries.
Learning about the most dangerous diseases in the countries you wish to travel is essential. The more you know about where you are going, the safer you can be. Similarly, there are several countries which require certain inoculations before you can travel to them. For example, Yellow Fever inoculations are compulsory for entry to certain countries in South America and Africa. Therefore, if you intend to visit these places, you will need to secure your vaccination before leaving.
This is just the tip of the iceberg but to summarise, ensure that you complete detailed research on the risks associated with the countries you wish to visit. Whether it’s HIV, infectious diseases or ongoing conflicts, you should be fully aware of what you are walking into before travelling to any destination.
Budgeting, Earning and Saving Money
Budgeting and saving money is usually the most worrying part of preparing to travelling the world. In truth, collecting travel funds isn’t too difficult and comes down to two main strategies:
- If you are planning on travelling for between 3 and 12 months, it’s possible to save up money through working and intelligent investments, depending on where you are going.\
- If you are planning on travelling for longer than a year, it’s worth understanding that you are unlikely to raise all the money you’ll need before you leave. Instead, think about how you can make money whilst travelling.
For the first strategy, the key is discipline. Everyone uses different methods when trying to save money but in general, most are about removing money from your spending accounts to make sure that even if you wanted to spend it, you can’t. The best way to do this is to set up a standing order to automatically take money out of your main account after each paycheque, therefore immediately removing it so that you can save in a separate savings account
Additionally, thinking about generally reducing your outgoings. It can be hard to cut expenditure, especially during the summer months but it’s definitely possible. Reduce the amount you are eating out and start saving every penny you can.
For the second strategy, the key is remote working. In the modern age where the internet is widely available, you can work from your laptop and make more than enough money to live. Therefore, before leaving you should research, train, and get the skills needed to work whilst abroad. Common avenues include travel blogs, YouTube channels and any i8nternet based work like digital marketing, web design or development and freelance copywriting
Think about how you can leverage your current skills to make money whilst away and then get experience trying it before you leave. This should help supplement your income, too, meaning you can save money more quickly.
Packing
Finally, we have the packing process. Even for people who are used to packing light, when preparing to leave your home and travel the world, you can feel like you need to bring everything. Try to resist this urge and stick to just the fundamentals. Here is a checklist to get you started:
- Key Documentation (passports (including photocopies), insurance documents, inoculation information etc
- Comfortable clothes and one or two smarter outfits
- Rainwear
- Swimwear
- Durable shoes
- First aid kit and other medical items
- Laptop and necessary electronics
- Sewing Kit
- Basic Toiletries
- Diary or Journal
- Sleeping Bag and/or Hammock
Note that you shouldn’t bring a host of different clothing and shoe options. Similarly, aside from the very basics like toothpaste and soap, you won’t need to bring lots of bathroom essentials as you should be able to get them wherever you’re going anyway.
A sleeping bag or hammock should be considered essential as both the most exciting and challenging part of travelling is the uncertainty. You never know where you will end up and that means you might be sleeping outdoors every so often, so having appropriate sleepwear is key.
Similarly, investing in a high-quality, more expensive backpack which includes back support should be top of your list. As you will be wearing this backpack for hours, it needs to be durable and as gentle on your back as possible.
However, if you have decided to pack some of your belongings in a small size suitcase on wheels it’s important to choose the right luggage for your around-the-world adventure. A suitcase with dimensions of 55x40x20 centimeters is a great choice, as it meets the size requirements for most airlines’ carry-on baggage. This means you can conveniently keep your belongings with you throughout your journey and avoid the hassle of checking in larger bags. Just make sure to choose a durable and functional companion that features well-organized compartments and pockets, allowing you to efficiently pack your essentials and keep everything easily accessible. One such example is the Eminent suitcase 55x40x20 with its sleek and modern design, practicality, and compact size. Other options include popular brands like Samsonite, Travelpro, and Delsey, which offer a range of high-quality suitcases suitable for your long journey.
With these three starting points in mind, you should be ready to begin your journey towards world travel. AS everyone travels to different places with different climates and needs, you should always take your time preparing and researching everything you need to know. Trying to learn a few phrases for where you’re going is also a great idea, too. Good luck!
