Cheap Travel Insurance 

So you've decided to put off going to college or starting work for another year and spend the next 12 months travelling the world and having fun. Good choice! Before you set off as a backpacker, here are a few tips to help you on your way.

Find some work

Yep, it's a four-letter word but you might as well face the fact that unless you've got a nice fat trust fund or particularly generous parents you're going to have to work your way around the world.

For a directory of organisations providing jobs, courses and voluntary placements for gapers, go to workingtravel. It has details of all kinds of work from ski guides to surf instructors to teachers. Hard copies of the Working Travel Directory are available from all good bookshops.

Stay healthy

Make sure you get the right jabs for all countries you are planning to visit and check all routine vaccinations, such as tetanus, are up to date. Check with your GP on specific vaccination and anti-malarial recommendations for the places you'll visit. It's also a good idea to get a dental check up before you go to reduce the risk of emergency treatment while you're away.

Make sure you take a well-stocked first aid kit, containing at the very least plasters, bandages, sterile needle packs, insect repellents, antiseptic cream and anti-malarial tablets.

Get a visa

British citizens are able to work in any other EU country but if you plan to travel further afield, say Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand or the United States, you'll need a working visa.

All of the above countries grant temporary work visas to young Brits but age restrictions, time limits and rules vary from country to country. For more detailed information and guidelines on how to apply for visas, see realgap

Buy insurance

And not just any insurance but a policy that is specifically tailored to backpacker travel. Make sure your policy covers you for the whole time you're away and that it provides cover for everything that you intend to do on your travels. For example, if you think you might try bungee jumping in New Zealand, make sure the insurance company will pay up if you bump your head.

If you are planning a particularly active gap year, such as working as a ski instructor or teaching sailing, standard backpacker insurance might not be enough. Instead, you might need a policy designed for adventure travel.

Cheap worldwide insurance is available, but don't just look at the price – check the policy is right for you.

Work out a budget

Student travel specialist STA Travel reckons young people typically spend £3,000 to £5,000 on a gap year. It's a good idea to set up online banking before you go so you can keep a track of your spending.

Consider taking out a Nationwide FlexAccount, which doesn't add foreign loading and transaction charges when you use the debit card for overseas spending.

Protect your travel documents

It makes sense to leave copies of all your travel documents, including your passport and travel insurance policy with someone you trust, just in case the originals get lost or stolen. It's also a good idea to give them details of your itinerary.

Bookmark this article

| | | | | | |