Travel Tips: Part 5 - Backpacking and Gap Year Travellers

Backpacking around the world is an increasingly popular way to spend your Gap Year. However planning an extended trip with just the contents of your back pack can seem a bit daunting. Here's our guide to planning your adventure of a lifetime.

Planning your trip

Make a list of countries you want to visit with attractions or sights you want to see in those countries.

Visas – check the entry requirements of each country you intend to visit well in advance.

Click here for travel advice by country from the FCO

Vaccinations and immunizations

Visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations or other preventative measures (such as malaria tablets)

Money and documents

• Organize a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, Travellers cheques and cash.
• Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
• Make two photocopies of documents such as your passport, drivers licence, tickets, visas and Travellers cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

Staying in contact

• Set up a free web mail account and build up a list of people to send updates to. Email a copy of your passport and other documents to yourself so that they can be printed off in an emergency.
• If you are taking a mobile phone check with your service provider to make sure it will work abroad..

What to pack

• Unless you are going trekking across the desert you will be able to buy most of what you need to survive on the road and for a fraction of what you will pay at home. You only need to pack the basics and essentials. Remember the golden rule - If in doubt, leave it out!
• Pack larger and heavier objects first and keep them close to your back so they do not pull the backpack away from you.
• Assume your backpack will get wet. Anything of value, travel docs, electronics and books should be in zip lock or waterproof bags.
• Carry a small medical kit with you at all times. Include items such as headache tablets, antacids, antiseptic lotion, cotton wool, band-aids, bandages, safety pins, 30+ sunscreen and an appropriate insect repellent.

Keep your belongings safe

• Don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
• Wherever possible, leave passports, Travellers cheques and other valuables in a safety deposit box or safe at your hotel.
• If you have to carry them with you, keep your passport and valuables in something that can be worn around the neck, under your clothes and out of sight.
• Never leave your bag unattended, even for a short period of time.
• Always keep your valuables on your person. Don't place in checked in luggage or in the luggage hold.
• Pack lighter items rather than valuables around the outer edge of your backpack, if your pack is slashed while you are wearing it, they'll get is a handful of clothing rather than a camera.

More Travel Tips

> 10 ways to stay healthy on holiday

> What to do if you are ill on holiday - Our top tips

> 8 ways to avoid being a victim of crime on holiday

> What to do if you do become a victim of crime - Our top tips

> 10 tips to keep your valuables and baggage safe on holiday

> What do you do if your bags are lost or stolen

> 8 tips for taking care of your passport

> What to do if your passport is lost or stolen

> Backpacking and gap year travellers