Round the World trip Tips any needed Thank you

eproctophilia

Hello

Going to take a 'gap yarr' in january or February next year, my vague plan is still in the early days and i am open to any advice on places to go, experiences not to be missed and ways to reduce costs etc.

Does anyone want to share their experiences or ideas with this kind of thing?

Thanks

P

Doshwaster

The most important question is what is your budget? I've known plenty of people who head out for a year to see the world only to come back home after a few weeks, have to live on instant noodles or need to plead to their parents for extra funding because they have blown their money.

I don't usually recommend travel agents, but if you have a Trailfinders near you then pop in for a chat as they have a lot of experience with round the world tickets. See http://www.trailfinders.com/around-the-world for some sample routes.

There are loads of online resources out there. Many RTW travellers keep a blog of their experiences so just research, research, research until you have a rough idea of a route taking into account seasons, visas and any places/events you want to see (or avoid!)

I wish you well. It's something I would love to do. I've often had enough time and money but never at the same time.

Gavin83

Do you have any ideas on where you want to go? As mentioned above budget is one of the most important factors and please take into account that you'll spend more than you think you will.

MrsBunny

all I would say is save save save!!! you can never have enough money. I would say you would need a good £2k for flights / insurance / first few nights accommodation / visas etc and that's before you have left UK. Even though hostels or b&bs seem cheap, it all adds up and if you were like me....needed some luxury eventually! then there is the everyday getting around, those 'cheap' bus fares, admission fees to attractions, breakfast, lunch, dinners plus a few beers all soon add up. Plus laundry charges, any unexpected side trips to the neighbouring country, internet cafes.....the list is endless!!!

There are some amazing places around the world but taking a gap year is not cheap. If you go to Oz or NZ, you can get a working visa if your under 30, work is not easy to come by, we struggled for a while if your not in the right place at the right time.

danandjens_worldtravels

Don't take the biggest rucksack you can find, you'll hate lugging it around and never use the bottom third anyway. We have 50 litre ones and they are fine.

Take nothing that is irreplaceable, things get lost and broken, if you will worry about losing it don't take it

Scan and email yourself passport and other important docs, if you need to they are then accessible via inernet

take time to open a Metro bank account

take your manners and a smile

We've not got further than NZ, so not sure how to make it all the way round yet!:rotfl:

VfM4meplse

Round the World trip Tips any needed Thank you

Take loads of money and see it in style!

eproctophilia

Hi

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Some good suggestions there! Photocopying documents i didn't think of that.

Roughly:

Budget = 15k
Coutries on the list:
Thailand
China
Hong Kong
Vietnam
Japan
West australia
East australia
New Zealand
West or central america
West Canada (calgary stampede hehe)
Bahamas (Nassau, paradise island)

Thats about it. Going to head out Mid January hopefully and arrive back the following year. I have a TEFL so was going to teach english in Japan if i can and do a paper round in USA hahaha

Thanks Again keep the advice coming i am noting it all down.

PS whats a Metro account?

marky_p

With that kind of budget I'd strongly recommend getting to Asia by train. Travelling across Russia on the Trans-Siberian route is amazing, the best travel experience I've ever had. Book a cheap flight to Russia or Helsinki and start from there if you don't want to travel across Europe first. Then I'd recommend stopping in Siberia - somewhere like Lake Baikal and again in Mongolia, then on to Beijing.

China is hard work to backpack in, depending on where you go.

If you're going to Thailand and Vietnam you shouldn't miss Cambodia and Laos, they're my favourite countries in that region. I'd also try and factor in Burma if you can, things are changing quickly there.

Hong Kong is very expensive and not all that great, although a nice English-esque break from Asia. I'd try and factor it in as a flight stopover rather than making a special effort.

anna_24

marky_p wrote: »

With that kind of budget I'd strongly recommend getting to Asia by train. Travelling across Russia on the Trans-Siberian route is amazing, the best travel experience I've ever had. Book a cheap flight to Russia or Helsinki and start from there if you don't want to travel across Europe first. Then I'd recommend stopping in Siberia - somewhere like Lake Baikal and again in Mongolia, then on to Beijing.

China is hard work to backpack in, depending on where you go.

If you're going to Thailand and Vietnam you shouldn't miss Cambodia and Laos, they're my favourite countries in that region. I'd also try and factor in Burma if you can, things are changing quickly there.

Hong Kong is very expensive and not all that great, although a nice English-esque break from Asia. I'd try and factor it in as a flight stopover rather than making a special effort.

I'm hoping to be able to take 5 months as a career break at the end of next year, will be mainly spent in SE Asia - I hadn't thought about the train option, I'll have to look into it too!
I'll also agree with you, if you're going for a year, and heading to Thailand, would definitely recommend adding in Cambodia and Laos too (it's where I'm spending most of time, and my most favourite part of the world!) - you could also make use of your TEFL whilst you are there and volunteer in some local schools.
A friend recommended roundtheworldflights.com - she used them for her round the world trip last year,

PompeyPete

anna_24 wrote: »

...would definitely recommend adding in Cambodia and Laos too (it's where I'm spending most of time, and my most favourite part of the world!)

+1.
Also worth thinking about Burma, and even Nepal.

eproctophilia

Excellent, Didn't think of Cambodia and Laos, why is Burma changing? is it for the good or bad?

I'll check out the train option to those places then that might save some money too instead of flying to each of the places.

Is your career break with the NHS Anna?

Thanks