9 Tips for Planning Long-Term Travel

Preparing to leave a place you have called home for a while and embarking on a long-term trip might look easy until you get to the actual planning phase. Planning an extensive trip can be quite a hassle.  

Although travelling around the world is on everyone’s bucket list, we humans are naturally drawn to the comfort and stability of living in one place. Here we cover nine invaluable tips you must know as you begin planning your long-term travel.

1. Determine Your Travel Style

*Photo by Rajarshi MITRA on Flickr

A lot of things are going to be determined by the kind of traveller you are. For instance, a traveller visiting for work or a school exchange programme differs from someone touring a country for leisure.

You also need to know if you are a backpacker, travelling solo or as a couple. In such a case, you can probably stick to a lower budget, sacrificing comfort in favour of a lovely experience.

Perhaps, you are on a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon with your partner. If that’s so, you may like to guarantee maximum comfort for you and your partner, creating a good impression at the start of a lasting relationship.

2. Research and Discover Everything about the Area

Where are you going, and what do you expect to see? Perhaps, this is the first question you will need to ask yourself. It is vital to know everything about your destination. The culture, the weather and the types of transportation available are only a few aspects of a new city or country you need to learn about.

While there is no wrong way to travel, it is vital that you learn all there is to know about your destination country, even before embarking on the actual planning. The Internet is an invaluable resource you can use to familiarise yourself with your new home, including the cost of living, nearby embassies, and required documents, just to mention a few. You can start with Wikipedia and Tripadvisor and get into further details by checking local websites.

3. Budget for Your Entire Stay Abroad

If you fail to plan for your finances before you travel, you are setting yourself up for a difficult time away from home. Even when you have an unconditional job offer, it is recommended that you have enough money to sustain yourself for a reasonable amount of time.

Again, you must prepare a budget to determine the kind of lifestyle you can afford. If you are unsure of how to go about budgeting for a place you haven’t been to before, there are some great tools online like Expatistan that provide an insightful cost of living comparison and budgeting tools.

4. Pack the Right Things

*Photo by Marco Verch Professional Photographer on Flickr

Since you are going on a long trip, you cannot take everything with you and have to make some compromises. Of course, you must bring the essential stuff, including your clothes and underwear. The best suggestion is to take two of everything. For example, take two pairs of pants, two t-shirts, and two pairs of shorts.

Sometimes, it is also better to take two suitcases instead of one backpack. Fitting everything into one backpack can be detrimental to your health and may damage your spine. Having spinner wheel luggage instead might look cumbersome, but you will not be carrying them for a long period anyways.

5. Sell, Give Away, or Store Your Valuable Possessions

Do you plan to return after your trip? What will happen to all the valuables that you cannot move with during your travel? Most people choose to either sell, give away, have a friend or family member keep them or, more conveniently, put them in storage.

If you are on a confirmed long-term travel trip and you have a house full of stuff that you cannot afford to lose, it would be best to hire storage space to keep them. Self-storage companies like Big Yellow can guarantee security and will give you peace of mind wherever you may be.

6. Plan Ways to Stay In Touch With Friends and Loved Ones

Are you emotionally prepared to take your trip? Do your loved ones and friends know where you are going and for how long? One very important part of preparing to go on a long-term journey is preparing yourself and those around emotionally for the trip. This means putting in place arrangements to communicate with people back home and what to do should the primary form of communication break down.

Travelling to and settling in a foreign country or state can be traumatising and even dangerous if you do not plan well before packing your bags. By following these four tips, you should be pointed in the right direction as you get ready to travel to or live in a new place.

7. Check Visa Requirements

Visa requirements are essential if you are going on a long trip to a foreign country. Some countries have limited stays, and you can’t stay longer than a month or two, while others are more lenient. 

You also need to make sure your passport is and remains valid for the duration of your stay. You don’t want to be in a predicament finding out your passport expires in a few days, as it takes several days to acquire extra validation.

8. Have a Credit Card with Yourself

*Photo by CafeCredit.com on Flickr

Some people don’t take their credit cards, being afraid they may spend a lot because of their shopping habits. If you are a responsible person, however, it is best to keep your credit card with yourself. You never know what is going to happen during your long stay, and you may need it in emergency situations.

9. Book an Affordable Accommodation

Wherever you go, it is most likely that a big portion of your budget goes to your choice of accommodation. Therefore, it is very important to book a suitable and, at the same time, affordable place to stay in. 

It is possible that the hotels or serviced apartments offer cheaper deals once they find out your stay is a long one. For example, you can check the Paymán Club website for the best deals in the location of your choice.