After years of working hard and saving every euro, your world trip or long backpacking trip is finally approaching. Such a long trip usually takes a lot of work to prepare everything properly. What’s involved when you go on a long trip? Here we share a handy checklist for your world trip!
Make a global plan for your world trip
Where do you want to go? What do you want to see? What do you want to book in advance? Is there a particular region you have in mind or do you just want to get away and the destination doesn’t really matter? The most important tip: talk to other people who have traveled a lot. Listen to their stories to see if the country or continent draws you. There are also, of course, hundreds of blogs by previous travelers, fun to read and for inspiration. For example, check out some of our travel itineraries to get a good idea of the different countries and what they have to offer. However, don’t get too hung up on a plan and be guided by your journey.
Pick a plane ticket
It can sometimes be convenient to buy a world ticket if you are going to visit several continents. By the way, keep in mind that you often only have a visa for an average of 30 days per country and you have to be able to prove that you are going to leave the country again. So it is handy to have a (fake) transit ticket if you do not buy a world ticket or mainly book all your airline tickets separately.
Set a budget
Luxury or budget backpacking, it’s all possible. The only important thing is that you have enough money to do the things you want to do. Some travelers have no problem living on noodles and peanut butter bread for a month, while others want to skydive, scuba dive and go out every day. You should roughly count on the following costs:
Region | budget p.p. per day | airfare |
australia , New Zealand | € 45 – 65 – 80 | € 900 – 1500 |
united States | € 50 – 65 – 80 | € 500 – 1000 |
south America | € 30 – 40 – 55 | € 600 – 1200 |
asia | € 25 – 35 – 50 | € 500 – 1000 |
west – Europe | € 45 – 65 – 80 | € 100 – 500 |
eastern Europe | € 30 – 45 – 60 | € 100 – 500 |
Taking out insurance
In addition to your basic insurance you need a travel insurance, for trips longer than 60 days even a ‘long trip’ insurance. Whereas a few years ago there was only Globetrotter insurance, nowadays almost every insurance company also offers long trip insurance. You can also opt for continuous travel insurance. Although then you are often insured for a maximum of 180 days at a time. It is worth comparing the cheapest travel insurance policies, but read the terms and conditions carefully. If you want to do extreme sports, insure for that as well. Also make sure there is no limit on search costs, as this can quickly add up.
Pick a good backpack
It is worth investing in a good backpack, after all, it is your closet and best friend for your entire trip. Especially if you are going on long treks, it is important that your backpack fits well and is comfortable. Also make sure you have a rain cover for your backpack and a flight bag. Read our tips for choosing a good backpack beforehand. When packing for your world trip, you can use this packing list for backpackers to make sure you don’t forget anything.
Get your vaccinations
Unfortunately there is a chance of getting a nasty infection abroad, vaccinations can help prevent this. If you have supplementary health insurance, it often covers part and sometimes all of it. On Reisprik you can see per country which vaccinations are optional, recommended or necessary. It is also one of the cheaper vaccination providers. Some vaccinations are required long in advance, so check in time which ones you need so there are no surprises.
Arranging medication
Do you use medication at home? Then you will probably need them during your world trip as well. Let your pharmacy and doctor know that you will be traveling for a long time. Don’t put this off until the last minute, because pharmacists don’t always have enough supplies. Also keep in mind that some medications require a statement from your doctor.
Finding visas
Always check carefully what visas you need to have. Different rules apply to each country. Sometimes you can easily arrange your visa yourself but for other countries it is very difficult to arrange this yourself. A visa agency such as Visumcentrale.nl can help. They arrange your visa so you do not have to go to the embassy. Because they have agreements with the embassies it often goes a lot faster than when you have to arrange it yourself. Of course you pay a little extra for this service.
Cancel subscriptions
Phone: many companies allow you to take a break and stop your subscription for a certain number of months. If you can’t find it, give them a call, your phone company may be willing to cut a deal with you. Gym: hup, hup, get in shape fast and then cancel that subscription! Magazines/newspapers: cancel them or change your address so one of your friends can read them.
Get your banking affairs in order
Are you happy with your current bank and the options it offers abroad? Look at the fees for withdrawing money and using your credit card. You can save a lot of money by looking into this well in advance. Do you pay per transaction or a percentage of the total amount? Dutch debit cards work with Maestro, but this is not used everywhere, on the website of Maestro you can localize any ATM that accepts it. In some countries it is better to have a VISA card because they are more widely accepted. Also check the validity of your debit and credit cards so that you do not suddenly run out of cards. Also, you have to set your debit card to “worldwide use” these days because otherwise you can’t use it outside Europe. You can do this in your bank’s app or online banking.
Apply for care allowance
No income for a long time means you are entitled to care allowance. Apply quickly!
Check your calendar
You are away from home for several months, but don’t forget any important appointments? A dentist visit or perhaps a wedding or birthday that you would like to make a personal gift for?
In shape
You may not have thought about this, but you are rarely photographed as often as during a trip. Are you more comfortable in your own skin if you’re a few pounds slimmer? Then make it work and dive into that gym (but cancel your subscription in time!).
Farewell party!
You’re going on a trip around the world, so there’s every reason for a party right?