How to prepare for a long trip?
Preparing for a long trip That's it, you've finally decided to go on the trip of your life. A great adventure lasting several months during which you may cross several countries, venture into experiences you have never had before and leave the daily grind behind you. Except that the time of preparations is also pointing the tip of his nose. Do not panic, here is how to properly prepare for a long trip abroad in 6 steps!
Survival kit for administrative procedures to prepare for a long trip
That's not the funnest part. But once set, it allows you to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. First of all, you must ensure that your papers are in order and valid for the duration of your trip. Check that your passport is up to date, or have one made in your prefecture if this is not the case. Learn more about the passport.
Also find out about visas and the conditions for obtaining them in each country you will visit. Learn more about visas.
About 6 months before departure, start studying the prices of plane tickets. And book as soon as you feel the bargain! If you plan to rent a car during your trip, get an international permit from your prefecture. It's free, but may take a few days to process. So don't do it at the last minute.
On the health side, do not ignore good travel insurance, to warn you in the event of an accident or treatment abroad. Ideally, take the time to do a little "check-up" of basic care before your departure (ophthalmologist, dentist, etc.), to start off on the right foot. Depending on the destination, you will also have to do or redo some of your vaccinations. This part should be checked with your general practitioner. Take advantage of the visit to have your usual medication prescribed for the duration of your trip.
Finally, it is better to leave with a clear mind on the banking side as well. Above all, tell your bank of your trip, so you don't end up with a blocked credit card as soon as you arrive. At best, plan 2 credit cards, a Visa and a Mastercard, to ensure withdrawals worldwide. Also study the offers of online banks, offering withdrawals or payments in foreign currencies without too many commissions, a significant saving in the long term!
The adventurer's trick
You can never be too careful when traveling. We therefore advise you to make a photocopy of the most important papers, such as the passport or your license, to leave a copy at home in the warmth, to travel with another copy in case of loss or theft. And put everything online in the Cloud, permanently accessible.
In the suitcase
Remember only two rules: simplicity & practicality. At first, you will have to decide between suitcase and backpack, both offering pros and cons of weight, maneuverability and resistance. You choose !
Select your wardrobe based on preferred destinations, weather and activities. Only take clothes that match and overlap, to avoid large bulky pieces: t-shirts, sweaters, vests, big scarf, rather than a huge coat. Choose only 2 to 3 pairs of comfortable shoes: walking shoes, flip flops and city tennis. As well as accessories that take up little space: K-way for the rain, microfiber towel for the toilet, etc.
Take along all the electronic devices that you will not be able to do without, and the corresponding chargers. Also, don't forget to pack a few useful accessories, such as a universal adaptor, a filter water bottle, a folding knife and a padlock, to secure your valuables in the hostel.
The adventurer's trick
Forget the notion of “just in case”. This is what fills 50% of our suitcases, and often turns out to be useless in the end. Apart from your identity papers and credit cards, nothing is irreplaceable. You can always buy what you need on the spot. Think light, your shoulders will thank you!
The budget to prepare for a long trip
Let’s tackle the sinews of war: money! When it comes to planning your budget for a long trip, 2 techniques are essential:
The first is to calculate by item of expenditure: flights, accommodation, transport, activities and food, for the essentials. Once the average cost of each position has been identified per day, all you have to do is multiply by the number of days. The advantage is that you will have a fairly precise idea of what awaits you. The downside is that this technique quickly becomes complex and time-consuming on long trips to multiple destinations.
The other technique is to find the average cost of daily expenses in a destination. And multiply by the number of travel days on site. It's much simpler and faster. You will find daily cost references in different destinations on the A-Contresens planner site. Whatever your calculation technique, start saving as soon as possible, ideally 6 months to 1 year in advance for a budget between 5 and 10,000 €, or even more for large budgets!
The adventurer's trick
Get out of your comfort zone by testing new ways of traveling, such as sleeping with locals or using public transport, for example. Traveling slowly and/or playing the authenticity card often rhymes with a more economical budget!
The itinerary of a long journey
Prepare the outline of your overall itinerary beforehand, so as not to waste too much time on research once there.
In the first step, focus on inspiration and indulge yourself. Look at photos, read all the guides and blog posts you find. Then place the points of interest on an online map. Secondly, divide the selected places into 3 categories: the unmissable ones, the important points and those you could do without if necessary. Finally, establish an itinerary based on the first 2 categories. And see how to optimize your trip and the transport options that best suit it.
The adventurer's trick
Planning is good. Leaving room for surprise is even better. You will quickly learn that a successful trip is a mix of the two. So let yourself be guided by the advice of the locals or by chance encounters on the road from time to time. You will quickly see that sharing unique and unexpected moments of life will remain your best memories afterwards!
Once there
You are almost there! The major steps are taken, the suitcase is almost packed, the bank account full and the plane ticket in hand! All that remains is to manage the first days after your arrival. You won't always be able to plan everything in advance during a long trip (and we don't recommend it). But anticipating the first days is often life-saving and avoids stress, the time to acclimatize.
Book accommodation for a few days. Find out the easiest way to get from the airport to your accommodation. Bring the essential mobile applications: Whatsapp, Maps.me, Paypal or Airbnb, to be able to manage easily once there. Have an idea of your program for the first week. After that, the adventure begins! Have a good trip !
The adventurer's trick
Learn a few words in the host language of your country! Simple "hello", "thank you" and "goodbye" always have the best effect wherever you go. It is also the best passport to sympathize with locals, who will be quick to help you. And never forget that smiling is universal!
إرسال تعليق