If you’re about to embark on the trip of a lifetime, be it a gap year in Thailand or an extended interrailing odyssey through Eastern Europe, you need to be prepared. Having your suitcase packed is only the very first step in ensuring that you’re properly equipped for an extended period on the road.
Embarking on your first long-term travel adventure should be the best experience of your life, meaning that you need to be prepared for every eventuality and possible derailment. Fortunately, you’re in the hands of experts. Read on to find out the five most important preparations to make to guarantee that your trip goes smoothly.
Money
Money matters often prove to be the single biggest concern of any trip. Incorrect conversion, loss, theft, and hefty transfer fees can all be an emotional and a financial drain on your experience, so pre-empty these by taking the necessary measures. Always convert a certain amount of cash for your destinations before departing and load up a Post Office Travel Money Cardwith local currencies as well. Use apps like Revolut and Transferwise to transfer money without paying fees, and make sure you know how to immediately cancel a bank card in case of theft.
Health
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Traveling can take a heavy toll on our bodies, so it’s important to prepare for the health issues that will likely flare up on your journey. It goes without saying that you should get all of the necessary injections if you’re traveling to a tropical country but you should also stock up on any medications and emergency supplies you may need. Make sure to bookmark websites that allow you to order medication online, such as at Many, which allows you to have cold-sore cream and plenty of other medications shipped straight to you.
Orientation
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Obviously, the experience of getting lost on the streets of a strange and exciting city is a magical experience but, sometimes, you just really need to get where you’re going. Prepare yourself for those moments when you’re not in the mood to spend three hours trying to find the way back to your hotel. Download the local street and public transport maps for your destination before leaving and ensure you use sites like CityMapper so you can navigate yourself even when you have no data.
Local Customs
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A cultural faux pax can easily turn a situation ugly, which is the last thing you want on your travels. Use the handy FCO guides on the main local customs for every country in the world and read up on what is considered polite in your destinations of choice. Simply learning the correct way to greet someone or invite someone for a drink can open the door to a kaleidoscope of memorable local experiences that you would otherwise have never had.
Connectivity
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Obviously, if you have an old-school approach to travel, then you’re probably convinced that you can wing it with an atlas, a compass, and as many road beers as you can carry. That’s all well and good but remember that internet and phone call access could prove a literal lifesaver in certain situations. Get in touch with your phone company to see if they can offer you a so-called “passport package” which allows you to continue using your phone as you would at home in any country in the world, for a fee.
Travel done right is about the journey, not the destination. You should allow the unexpected to happen but make sure you’re always prepared in case things go wrong.