Travelling is something that so many of us want to achieve in life, even if right now we’re staring out of the window and daydreaming about places to go rather than actually going to them. It’s the bucket list item that almost everyone has in their head, especially as travelling the globe doesn’t just expose us to new cultures and adventures, but to new memories. If you’re stuck in a rut with the gloom of the morning commute, the constant rhythm to life that is plain and boring, and you are desperate for new scenery and experiences, then travelling is the way out. You can really discover your own resourcefulness when it comes to planning a long trip, and you really can figure out where you can save your money.
Travelling can be costly; when you hop from place to place on long haul adventures, you can expect there to be some costs involved. Many people try and make their trip as budget-friendly as possible, and rightly so. You want to be able to enjoy your adventure without breaking the bank and leaving yourself destitute. You don’t often need thousands to have a good time, but it’s the flights, visas and accommodation that can be the expensive part. Whether you want to plan your trip on a budget or not, you need to have a carefully crafted itinerary so that your trip goes without a hitch. Travelling the globe should be a fun, happy experience and not one that induces stressful feelings for you. for that to happen, you need to look at what you can afford, and what you really shouldn’t skimp on. You can find tips like this that tell you where to cut corners, but here are certain things you really shouldn’t cut down so that your trip can be a happy and successful one.
Luggage
So, if you’re planning on taking a trip around the globe, you need to invest a little cash in the luggage you are using. There’s nothing wrong with backpacking, but if you’re planning to use the same camping backpack you’ve had for fifteen years, it’s time for a rethink. Luggage needs to hold its own against all the wear and tear of moving from place to place. Baggage handlers don’t exactly handle with care for much of the time, so it’s up to you to ensure that you are buying luggage is ready for anything. Cheap luggage won’t necessarily fall to pieces at the seams, but why take the risk when you’ve planned to use it for weeks on end? Check out these sturdy luggage options for backpacking!
Accommodation
Everyone knows that the places you book to stay in are the most expensive part of a trip, especially if staying in more than one location. If you are staying in one place for a few weeks before moving on, you should check out long term property for rent instead of a standard hotel. It may cost you a little more up front, but you get the luxury of your own space that you don’t have to share like you’d have with a hostel. You also get the chance to self-cater and cook yourself food as and when you wish to. Book your trip for the off seasons and you can get good discounts on apartment rentals.
Shoes
Most people choose to go on holiday when it’s warm. Beaches and sunbathing often call out to us and therefore it makes sense that sandals are the shoe of choice. However, for those who want more than just a beach break and plan to do some trekking, you need to spend out on decent and supportive shoes. You need support around the ankles, good socks and ideally something you’ve worn in before you start trekking up the sides of mountains. If you forget to support your feet properly, then you shouldn’t be shocked when you are dealing with bloody and painful toes at the end of the day.
Safety
We’re not suggesting that you don a whistle and bottle of pepper spray on your travels, but vigilance is so important when you are somewhere new. You don’t need to have a crime map to work out which areas of your vacation spots you should be more careful in, but you should arrange to buy a money belt. These are great for vacations, as if someone snatches your bag at any point, your cash and cards are still on your person. You should also budget to be able to hop a taxi whenever you want, especially if you feel vulnerable.
Experience
Wherever you choose to travel, you should look for the ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences that may be available, such as swimming with dolphins or shark-cage experiences. You could swap five-star accommodation for a hostel to be able to splash out on the experiences, but there’s no point in going to new places if you aren’t going to soak up every single experience that you can. Find the wonders of the world and make sure you spend the money on them; it’ll be so worth it.
Insurance
While you probably know that travel insurance is important, there’s a chance you didn’t spend on it because you were naïve and didn’t think anything would go wrong. The thing is, if you don’t spend out on insurance, you could find your whole trip down the pan. Imagine a flight delay meaning you have to cancel subsequent flights, accommodation, experiences – all which you’ve already paid for. Without insurance to cover your back, you could lose out on a lot of money and make your trip far more stressful than it needs to be. Search websites like this for the best insurance for your trip and make sure you take the time to spend the money on it. It could make all the difference to your vacation.
Health Care
One of the biggest things you need to plan in your trip budget is healthcare. If you’re visiting a country that is well-known for great public healthcare, you shouldn’t have much of an issue, but ensuring you have insurance to cover you in case of accidents and illness could make the difference between shocking and fantastic care. It’s always worth the extra costs involved seeing a private doctor, and if that’s going to take the edge off your holiday woes then it’s worth every penny.
Water
Travelling abroad is exciting, but depending on where you go it’s never advised to drink the local tap water, even in Europe. Create a portion of your budget strictly for water so you don’t have to resort to the tap water. It may be deemed fine, but because your stomach will not be used to the water of the area it’s not worth risking possible stomach bugs. If you’re staying in an apartment, it’s worth buying a filter jug so that you can enjoy fresh water that doesn’t cost much.
Your long-awaited trip should be planned to perfection, with a few extra dollars aside for emergency expenses. There are a lot of places you can save money and you can still save money on the above list by shopping around. Vacations are exciting and should be treated as such so that you don’t have to stress out – and there isn’t any need to as long as you’ve got everything dated and planned. Stick to the plan and your trip could be the one that you never come home from – it’s just that good!
