Articles

Gapyear / Backpacker - Essential Advice

The aim of the article is to condense the vast amount of information available on taking a year out as a student or as a career break, and focussing on the essential areas. There are many sources of such information, but a concise reference point would provide travellers with a useful planning tool. There are also plenty of sites and books to support each area, for further specific reference.

  • It’s that time of year – thinking/planning/part time jobs/saving/dreaming
  • Most will leave at, or around, the turn of the year and into Jan/Feb/Mar.
  • Big step for most
  • Preparation is key

Here’s the ‘essentials’ list

  • Insurance
    • Make sure it’s appropriate to your trip i.e. backpacker/gap insurance rather than just annual multi-trip policy
    • Ensure it covers destinations / any exclusions
    • Ensure it covers activities (bungi, skiing etc) / any exclusions
    • Losses/ stolen items – what happens
    • Emergency aspects – hospitalisation/return flights etc.
  • Flight Tickets
    • Choose journey – long haul, single destination or RTW
    • Compare prices – on-line/Sunday press
    • Discounts – students/late night on-line when released
    • Use provincial airports / cheaper
    • Seasonality – high/low – savings
    • Travel on a holiday e.g. boxing day – cheaper
    • Check flights are on time with your global SIM card
  • Health
    • Research and plan vaccinations – allow time
    • Water – purifying kit, don’t drink/clean teeth
    • Mossy net/repellent/sting cream
    • Sun protection cream
    • Basic first aid kit – plasters, pain killers, diarrea tabs
    • Condoms!
    • Dental check before you go
  • Budget
    • Plan £2000 (flights, Insurance, visa, ,jabs, rucksack, clothes)
    • Consider additional daily budget – accommodation, food, drink, activity &travel.
    • Currency and travellers cheques
    • Credit card – ATM withdrawals
    • Bank details – emergency transfer by parents?
    • Consider communication budgets – a global SIM will help control this.
  • Staying in touch
    • Mobile phone (tri-band) and charger – check suitable for destination
    • Expense of roaming – use a global SIM card
    • Use local SIM card for long stay (e.g. 0044.co.uk Australian SIM)
    • Use an international SIM  or global SIM card for RTW trip
    • Leave global SIM card number with home / contacts
    • Call home but don’t promise exact times (otherwise mum will worry!)
    • Use ‘ICE’ coding – your ‘in case of emergency’ number
  • Working
    • Check out visas / work permits for country
    • Make sure insurance covers you for work
    • Be careful about how you’re paid – is it legal?
    • Get previous employer references before you travel
    • Use a global SIM card number – more chance of getting a call back!
  • Kit
    • Good waterproof rucksack and padlock
    • Mobile phone & charger (tri-band or quad band if possible)
    • Global SIM card to replace your UK SIM
    • First aid – basics
    • Info on destination
    • Appropriate clothes – for climate/culture
  • Accommodation
    • Match to budget
    • Select location carefully (ease of getting around / safety)
    • Check duration/availability
    • Use your global SIM card to call ahead and check booking
    • Book at least your first night or two ahead
    • Research for safety / history / sleeping / room layouts etc
  • Emergency preparation
    • Check embassy details/contacts
    • Leave your itinerary with home / friends in country
    • Note local emergency service numbers – DR’s, ambulance etc
    • Be alert / smart
    • Leave your global SIM card number with key contacts
  • Documents
    • Passport – needs 6 months validity after date of return
    • Visas – check what you need
    • Enter details of key numbers (passport, tickets) into your global SIM card memory and you’ll access it on your phone.
    • Itinerary – leave copy with friends/family
    • Take two copies of everything – 1 for home, 1 for you (proof of ID)
    • Set up hotmail/website – for important info so you can access / download.
    • Driving license – both parts.
    • E111 if needed

Useful websites

www.0044.co.uk (of course!)
www.airsafe.com – airline safety
www.need2know.co.uk – travel portal
www.brookes.ac.uk – world wide travel advice
www.knowbeforeyougo.co.uk – FCO travel advice
www.roughguides.co.uk – travel guides
www.lonelyplanet.co.uk – travel guides
www.hostelworld.com – reputable accommodation
www.fco.gov.uk/travel   - in-country embassies