How To Travel The World

- TIPS - TRAVEL ADVICE -
Paul Dow on 23 Sep 2009Read Time1 minute read

TravMonkey

If you are looking to go backpacking or even just want to know how to go about planning a trip around the world, sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. In reality planning to travel around the world isn’t as complicated as many first timers think.

It’s natural to be slightly nervous about traveling to unknown places and first timers usually over plan in order to put their mind at rest.

Here are the key areas you should cover in order to travel around the world:

Get some motivation for travel

Get an idea of where you want to travel

Save some money

Organise yourself

  • If you have an idea of where you are going then check out the Visa situation for the countries you maybe visiting.
  • Once you know how long you need to save enough money, you can book your flight. This will help you focus and give you a definitive time frame.
  • Buy some travel insurance.
  • Get your vaccinations. Check out Travel Health and visit your local doctors.
  • Buy a backpack and any items you’ll need. Don’t go overboard you probably won’t need the kitchen sink – 5 Reasons Backpackers Should Travel Light.
  • Photocopy your passport, vaccine certificate, insurance, contact details etc.
  • Sort out your banking. Think about opening a Nationwide Flexi Account for a debit card with the cheapest withdrawal charges abroad.
  • Optional: Buy a guide book, or don’t. See – 5 Reasons Not To Trust Your Guide Book.
  • Optional: Book your first few nights in a hostel. See –  Web Booking Sites For World Travel.

Then Relax

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Paul Dow

Hello! I'm Paul, an award winning travel blogger who focuses on solo adventure travel and has a passion for using new technology. I write, take photos and produce videos about travel, food, craft beer, coffee and adventure. I'm also the founder of Traverse, organiser of influencer conferences, campaigns and projects. I've also launched indepartures.com.com, to crowdsource airport tips for airports all over the world!

Comments

  1. There’s some nice tips in there, Paul! Booking a flight early is key, I think. Then you’re comitted. First time I went travelling I got my flight way too soon, though, and then had to work much much more to save up the money I needed…

  2. Hi Boris,

    Yeh I definitely agree with that. Book the flight, it’s stops you from making excuses and not tackling the planning process.

    Thanks,

    Paul @
    TravMonkey.com

  3. Hey there Paul,
    Im fallowing you on twitter now,
    Love this site, really great!
    Found it thanks to twobackpackers
    I have been reading some of your articles, and I enjoy them.

    I am a hiker who travels around the world, this is my hiking site , more of a guide though. Looking forward to hear more from you and this site!

    Great day Paul!

  5. Hi Paul, I'm heading off to Phuket in March I've got my flights booked but not accomodation, I want it to be a long trip around that part of the world, do you have any advice for staying in 1 place for a couple of weeks/months at a time. More for where to stay rather than what to do?

    Great site by the way, I've had it book marked for a couple of months now.

    Tom

  6. Hi Tom,

    It really depends on what you want to do while you are there really. It's usually a good idea to book your first nights accommodation so that once you get there you don't have to worry about finding somewhere.

    After that, if you want to stay a few more nights (if it's a good place) you can usually just book them when you are there. If not you can continue onwards.

    As I said it really depends what happens and what you what to do… for example I did some scuba diving on Koh Tao, I roughly planned to stay a week but ended up staying for 2 weeks. That's the great thing about travel if you have the flexibility of time… you can stay when you find a place you really like and you can move on if the place isn't very good etc.

    There tends to be a range of accommodation in Thailand depending on your budget, but the more you spend the more comfortable you'll be. I personally didn't mind a simple little hut on the beach… that's perfect for me.

    If you do intend on staying somewhere for a week or more it could be worth bartering for a good discounted price.

    The best way to go is just simply go with the flow and enjoy yourself!

    Hope this helps,

    Paul @
    TravMonkey.com

  7. My Mom and Dad always pushes me to travel around the world but i dont want when they are not with me, cause i'm their only son and they has a great love for me that's why every birthday that i have they want he best for me.

  9. Then you’re comitted. First time I went travelling I got my flight way too soon, though, and then had to work much much more to save up the money I needed…

    There tends to be a range of accommodation in Thailand depending on your budget, but the more you spend the more comfortable you’ll be. I personally didn’t mind a simple little hut on the beach… that’s perfect for me.

    Cheers for great tips!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ___________________________________________________
    Whiteblack

  10. Thanks Paul, Great tips there.

    A friend sent me this article as I'm thinking of traveling the world. I've now stopped thinking about it and I'm going to do it!!

    I'm planning to go next year end of May. This gives me enough time to save and plan my trip. I will take Boris' advice and book my flight early! that way there's no turning back!

    I'm looking forward to getting out of the rat race and having some me time! Great website, I will definitely be back on here for some more top tips!

    Keep up the good work!

    Cheers,

    Nathan

  14. A great way to travel is by train, my wife and me took the train to Moscow(from holland) and after staying a night there we continued to Beijing. Excellent way to get used to time zones en coping with different cultures.

  15. Hi Trotskakkerlak,

    Yeh I agree train travel is good fun! I took many over night trains in China… once you get used to sleeping on them it's good fun 🙂

    Thanks for the heads up bpl – I think nationwide have changed their deal with the flexi account.

    Thanks again,

  16. All excellent tips mine would be just booking the flight so I wouldnt continue to put off the trip altogether.

  17. The best travel bank account (debit card) comes from the Norwich & Peterborough building society. They have a no fee, no commission, no conversion Visa debit card for overseas withdrawal and spending. You just have to ensure you pay in to the account £500 per month or have an average balance of £5000 (just transfer £500 in and out of the account from a different bank each month we have a standing order in each account set up to do this automatically for us) or you have to pay a £5 monthly fee. We used the card in Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, NYC, LA, San Fran, Berlin, Dublin in both atm’s and shops and restaurants, all with no issues or charges whatsoever. Your spending gets converted at Visa’s daily banking rate, which is much better than any pre pay card or high street bank or bureau de change. We worked out that we saved over £300 on our 3 week trip to Australia alone!!

    Hope this helps
    Darren

  18. Hey Darren, great info!

    This article needs updating! 🙂

    Back when I was travelling long term… it was all about Nationwide, you didn’t even have to have any sort of incoming cash each month. I think they’re still competitive but charge these days (sad times).

    Are you still on the road or back home?

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