I plan on traveling for a year after I graduate from my community college (a year and a half from now) & I need tips & advice
I'm 18 right now and plan on traveling at the age of 20. It's something I really want to do. I love adventure. I know I'm young to travel, but I believe that I'm at an age where I'm healthy and able to drop everything a bit more easily than others. I live with my friend and her family and I won't have to worry about home expenses when I leave.
I want to travel Europe (Greece, etc) & Asia.
Possibly somewhere else too. I want to travel for a year...
I know it won't be easy, so please don't discourage me, but instead....provide me with constructive criticism and advice.
I want to start planning now.
Thank you in advance 😊
Reply to this Hello Elaine 😊
I know it won't be easy, so please don't discourage me, but instead....
As if anyone who loves travel, enough to be a member of this site would discourage somebody from travelling. 😉 I was only slightly older than you are, when I left home and started travelling. You can do it, and will likely love and benefit from it more than you yet realise.
I'm at an age where I'm healthy and able to drop everything a bit more easily than others.
This is true. You are at a stage, when you dont have to make the decision to give up the financial security you will build up later, in order to take off on a long trip. As well as that, you are young enough to still have time when you get back to decide how you want to proceed where career and finance is concerned, and if you want to mix them with travel or if you want to do just one or the other mostly. I have mixed them, and added on a child as well. I like the variety and balance this gives my life.
I know it won't be easy...
It will be easier than you think. It really is just a matter of saving up the money, and then taking off. It has its challanges, but if you can overcome the challanges you would have with life when you dont travel, you can also overcome the challanges of a life which includes travel. Travel might even improve your abilities to deal with adversity.
What about a round the world plane ticket, for you?
I find the Lonely Planet guide books very good for information. They have advice about almost everything that concerns a backpacker. They are pricey, but worth it for the information they give, in my opinion. These days I buy the ones for whole regions, rather than individual countries, because it is more economical and there is also plenty of information on the internet, so they are enough.
Mel
Reply to this Even though you mentioned that expenses will not be an issue, I believe at some point in time of a traveler you will know how to budget your finances and start traveling wisely by fixing your budget ahead. 😊
Know how to save on airline expenses. You may want to check
Screw the Airlines. It's where I got tips on being able to save some money on airline fees, etc.
And yes, the Beginners guide to independent travel has also helped me a lot. Even though I read it late, I still learned a lot from it. You should check it out.
Reply to this I checked out the guide to independent travel. It's great. & thanks! I was wondering about airline stuff. Perfect :D
Reply to this For airlines, I find the way to get the best deals is to use an internet search engine.
The one I use most for long haul flights is
BilligFluege.de
If you search in German, the flights tend to cost less, for some reason.
For regional flying, such as within Europe, there are other search engines that give good flight prices. Which one is best, depends on where you are flying to and from.
You could also check out the following link on TravelBlog, to find cheap flights if you want.
Cheap flight
Also, some travel agents these days, can find very competitive prices.
Reply to this hello...travel is the desire of all people in need but a very strong intention to do so, and I think you have that intention, so do what the petition. precisely with a young age you will easily travel, lots of interesting things in this world you must see. and if you will travel to Asia have nothing to lose if you come to my country Indonesia, especially to java, a lot of interesting things what you'll find, and that you will never forget the hospitality of the people, so congratulations to travel and please visit my place
slam
Reply to this oh that sounds like an interesting place to go 😊
Hmm, I think another question I have for travelers is how they travel from one country to another.
I mean, continent-wise, its by airplane most likely...but country to country...has anyone tried something else?
Like, just moving along finding a way there as they go?
I've been reading the Alchemist...and there is this part where the main character is left with no money in a foreign place.
& he talks about how it's his chance to be like the characters from books that he admired.
but this is also a book. Maybe I'm being unrealistic?
Reply to this Hey
Well of course within continents you can travel overland, by bus or train or whatever. So long as you have the right visas you can go from country to country, finding your way along as you go.
This is how most people travel South East Asia and Europe. Probably Central and South America too.
Reply to this the right visas?
im so new to this all.
where and when am i supposed to get the correct visas? Do i do it all before leaving the US?
Reply to this It depends where you want to go. Most visas you can get en route from either the embassies or from travel agents. Some you may need to get before you leave the US. If you plan to stay in Europe for an extended period you may need a schengen visa.
Have you read the beginners guide to independent travel that Mell has suggested above? That will explain the process for visas and things that you need to arrange before you go. Guidebooks for various countries will also explain whether you need a visa or not. Have a look at
First Time Around the World. It's a book that tells you all the things you need to know and arrange before you start travelling.
Hope this helps
Reply to this Ah. Okay. Thanks. I must have skimmed through that section.
I'll take a better look at it.
Reply to this Hi. I think you should travel. Here are a few tips I've learned. Add up the cost of plane tickets, equipment, number of days in country times cost per day (check Lonely Planet and add 20-30% of what they say it will cost) as well as visas and create a basic spreadsheet in Excell or openoffice. Does the sum sound like something you can afford? Look at Ryan Air or Easy Jet for cheap flights in Europe and Air Asia for Asia. The further south and east you travel in Europe the cheaper it is, and in Asia the further south you travel. In my experience point to point tickets can be cheaper than RTW tickets. Try Kayak.com. Some people buy all their guidebooks before leaving but I've usually been able to trade as I go. Obviously the longer you stay in one spot the cheaper it will be instead of changing places daily. Some of the best advice you can get is just by talking to other travelers on the road. A lot of them have just been through what you're about to do. It's easy to overwhelm the beginner with loads of info, just use your common sense. 😊
Reply to this 😊 Thanks.
& yes, everything is a bit overwhelming.
But it's also exciting information that I look forward to putting into action.
I really do appreciate everyone's advice & wouldnt mind AT ALL having some more.
hah.
thanks a bunch guys.
Reply to this ...everything is a bit overwhelming.
It always seems more complicated when planning it, than when actually doing it. 😊
One of the best feelings about travel, is that you have overcome the fear barrier and gone out there and done it. It will give you the confidence to know that everything is worth a try if it seems like something you want in your life, and hardly anything is as difficult in reality as you thought it would be.
Reply to this Hmm. I'd have to agree with you on that one Mell. There are definitely alot of things that get blown out of proportion to how it really is.
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