After many years or months of consideration, you might have finally decided to pack up and travel the world alone. While you might be itching to hop onto a plane to visit new destinations and soak up different cultures, there are various steps you must take to prevent issues along the way.
If you want to feel 100% prepared to jet off to various destinations around the world, read the following advice on how to prepare for a year of solo travel.
Calculate a Realistic Travel Budget
The last thing you’ll want is to run out of money when travelling the world alone. For this reason, you must calculate a realistic travel budget to ensure you have money available for accommodation, food, and activities.
Work out a daily budget for all the above and add an additional 20% to serve as a financial buffer. You may also want to set money aside to cover any unexpected costs, such as flight changes, health costs, or gear replacements.
Review Your Passport
Once you’ve established a realistic travel budget for the year, review your passport to ensure it won’t expire while abroad. Many countries require travellers to have passports that are valid for at least six months. If your passport is due to expire or will have less than six months towards the end of your year-long adventure, it’s wise to renew it to ensure you can enter the country without issue.
Check Visa Requirements
Don’t travel to a destination without checking its visa requirements. While some countries allow travellers to apply for a visa upon arrival, others might require you to apply for an e-visa from your home country many weeks in advance. For this reason, it’s worth checking a country’s visa requirements at least three months before travel to ensure you’re not refused entry.
Move Items into a Storage Unit
Unless you plan to keep up your rental or mortgage repayments during travel, you’ll need to move your belongings out of your current home. A fully alarmed, flexible self-storage London unit is ideal for temporarily storing your possessions while travelling the world. It keeps your belongings safe day and night, ensuring they’re ready and waiting for you in great condition when you return home.
Visit a Travel Clinic
Depending on where you plan to visit, you may need to visit a local travel clinic to receive one or more vaccinations. Some destinations even require certification to prove you’ve received the appropriate immunisations. For example, you’ll need a Yellow Fever Certificate to enter South America or various parts of Africa.
Some vaccinations are free on the NHS, including:
- Cholera
- Hepatitis A
- Polio
- Diphtheria
- Typhoid
However, you will need to pay to receive the following vaccinations from a travel clinic:
- Yellow Fever
- Rabies
- Hepatitis B
- Tick-borne encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis
Secure Long-Term Travel Insurance
You must not forget to buy long-term travel insurance before embarking on a solo adventure. The insurance policy will provide financial cover for various issues you may face along the way, such as a medical emergency, lost luggage, theft, or an emergency evacuation.
