Travel Tips

Before you go

Overview

After years on the road, here are my top tips for travellers! I have separated them into three pages:

  • Before you go
  • While you’re travelling
  • Life after travelling

Before you go

Before embarking on a big trip, it’s important to get some things prepared before you go, even for the more spontaneous travellers out there!

Here are some examples of why a degree of preparation is a great idea:

  • You’ll need a passport, often a visa and other documentation. These can take time to arrive. 
  • Vaccinations are highly advised and in some places, they are mandatory on arrival – many countries, for example, require proof of a yellow fever vaccination upon entry. Many vaccinations also require more than one dose, with time between injections. 
  • Stress! It’s always nicer to have everything you expect to deal with organised in advance, so it’s just the unexpected you have to look out for.

Where to?

This can often be one of the hardest to decide upon, as it’s a big, beautiful world out there.

Think about:

  • Are you travelling with others?
     Partner? Friend? Friends? Family? If so, what are their interests and aspirations? Pick somewhere you either both like or jump back and forth between places that they like and you like, and make sure that you get out of travelling what you want. Also consider if you do want some time solo, if this is the case, to build your confidence and then reunite.

     

  • What do you enjoy?
     For me, I love hiking and history, so I know that for me, I can’t go wrong if I choose beautiful mountains with a sprinkling of history there too. You may not know what you like, and if that’s the case, that’s fine. Travel to a mixture of places and see what you think, and you’ll find those passions.

     

  • Search for adventure!
     As well as choosing to go somewhere you’ll enjoy, make sure you also try new things you may like and be open-minded. There are some things I’ve tried while travelling which I now love (like surfing) and others which I won’t do again, but were interesting to try all the same.

     

  • Climate
    Pick somewhere with a climate that appeals to you. If you hate hot, humid weather and can’t stand it, maybe don’t follow the crowds to south-east Asia, maybe check out somewhere cooler instead. Also, time your trip for the right time of year: is it the rainy season? Is it too cold there? Are the animals you want to see there at that time? etc.

     

  • Length of trip
    If you are only going for a month, do you want to cover vast distances, spending a lot of time in buses getting from A to B? Potentially not. If you are going for 1 year+ maybe you can cover a larger, more varied area. Are you flying out for a month, then returning for a wedding, then back out again? Think of how much travel time you’d like and the costs associated with getting around, particularly flights.

     

  • Culture
    Do you respect the country’s culture, and would you feel free there to live as you want to? The majority of people around the world are incredibly helpful and welcoming. Some countries’ laws and culture, however, can be at odds with your personal or cultural beliefs. Are you a woman who hates dressing conservatively, or are you openly gay and wanting to travel with your same sex partner? If so, many strict Islamic countries may not be the right place for you to relax and feel yourself. Also, do you have tattoos, particularly any on your face? In which case, locals in countries like Japan may judge you based on these. Do some research into local laws and customs and consider if you would feel safe, relaxed and happy in that country.

     

  • Budget
    For me, I live pretty cheaply, often staying in hostels, cheap hotels or camping. If you want to stay in Dubai in a rooftop suite with a balcony and private pool, then account for this, as it means you won’t be able to travel for nearly as long. Also, some countries are more expensive to travel in than others and depending on where you live, flights to your destination will also vary. A great example is Europeans such as myself travelling to south-east Asia. It’s a common backpacker destination but given the length of the flight its obviously more expensive that flying to somewhere else in Europe however if you’re going for a 3-month trip you’ll likely save money being in south-east Asia compared to a 3-month trip to Europe because the living costs once you are there are so much cheaper, offsetting the cost of a longer, more expensive flight.
     
  • Trust your gut!
    Don’t follow the Instagram crowds blindly. Go somewhere which really excites you! 

Timing

The timing for many big decisions in life is hard. When’s a good time to change jobs? Have a baby? Go travelling? It’s a decision which will affect lots of things, your living accommodation, your career or studies and your finances. Like any big life decision, there is rarely a perfect time to go.

For many, when they hear the word ‘traveller’, their mind jumps to the image of people in their late teens and early 20’s travelling on a shoestring budget and without a care in the world. There is no smoke without fire, and this stereotype is true to an extent, especially in parts of the world which are affordable, sunny and well-stocked with cheap alcohol. But it is not the case for many travellers, myself included, as I’m now in my 30’s. I have often found that if I go to places in the world which interest me, I will find like-minded people who are there for the same reasons as me and therefore, we often have a lot in common, so don’t let thinking that you are too old put you off booking a flight for a second! You can easily travel at any point in your life!

I’ve met people travelling at the age of 18, fresh out of secondary (high) school and also people in their 70’s and everything in between. I’ve met people travelling together as couples, siblings, and groups of friends and even families with young children. Travellers come in all shapes and sizes from all walks of life. The important thing is to ensure that the timing works reasonably well for you, but don’t make the mistake of many by waiting for a ‘perfect’ time to travel because, quite frankly, there isn’t one! 

Young travellers are often faced with the dilemma: do I travel broke and young or save and travel later? Personally, I recommend the first option and to undertake a Working Holiday Visa so that you can earn and travel at the same time! These visas often have age restrictions, typically requiring those to be under 30 or sometimes 35; more on Working Holiday Visas later though! 

For others reading this, you may be at a different crossroads in your life: you may be considering buying a house, planning a family, studying or working towards a big step in your career. When I have travelled, I chose to stay away for years at a time (because flights are expensive) and as a result I have missed milestone birthdays, weddings and baby births of my friends and family and that is a compromise which I have had to make. Thankfully, my loved ones have always been very understanding of this. I encourage you to weigh up the pros and cons and ultimately, carve your own travelling destiny! I often try and make decisions based on what I think my future self would regret if I didn’t do and I find that helps me commit to a decision. Ultimately, though, I often follow my gut instinct. 

Don’t let a lack of funds worry you too much. I also didn’t realise until I started travelling just how cheap it was. Holidays are often more expensive: you have the cost of flights, you are often taking a well-earned rest from work or studying and therefore, we typically treat ourselves to more luxuries. Travelling longer-term, on the other hand, can be significantly cheaper. I often take a few or very short (and therefore cheap) flights and I can fly further afield to countries which still interest me but are cheaper. Places such as Thailand, Mongolia, India, and Sri Lanka are some of my favourite countries to visit, all of which are incredibly cheap. In India, I was often renting a motobike, eating out for every meal and staying in budget hotels for less than £30/day and having the time of my life! Be sure to check out my Destination Guides for these countries if you want more info on them! More on money tips later…

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Destination Guides

It’s your life, though so only you can decide what works for you given your situation, trust your gut!  If you’re still not sure, get onto my podcast! I interview a different traveller each week of all ages and walks of life. They have a wealth of wisdom and life experience, which will hopefully help you with your decision-making.

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Podcast

Vaccinations

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional; check with a medical doctor for any medical advice. 

Trusted websites can advise state vaccination requirements and recommendations for countries; however, I recommend visiting a reputable travel clinic. Try to go in advance of your travel,s as some vaccinations require several doses before you go abroad. 

Some other things to consider are that:

  • Malaria tablets may be advised in areas – check with a doctor and follow local travel guidance.
  • When visiting a travel clinic its best to have an idea of where you may go so that the doctor can advise you on what vaccinations are required for that part of the world. If possible, you can also take any records you have of previous vaccinations to this appointment.
  • Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccinations to be displayed when you enter. 

Money

Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. The below is just my opinion; if you want any financial advice, seek someone who is qualified, experienced and reputable.

This is a big one, so strap in…
I have tried to break things down into smaller subsections where possible to make this easier to follow. 

Cards
I recommend taking several travel cards with you, ideally cards which don’t have any added fees for spending money abroad.  I try to spend as much money as possible using no-transaction-fee bank cards abroad and using cash as little as possible. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, for example in south-east Asia, cash is required as most places don’t take card payments. 

Taking large amounts of cash abroad with you can be a risk, should it be lost or stolen. I typically take some cash with me, but also withdraw cash using my cards. Many bank cards allow free cash withdrawals overseas to a certain value (such as £200/month). Chances are, though, that you’ll be spending more than this. For this reason, I use 3 different cards which have free cash withdrawals to the sum of £200/month, this way I have fewer cash withdrawal fees. Sometimes banks also allow you to pay for a ‘premium’ card, which may come with special perks. These perks can include travel insurance or the ability to withdraw more cash per month without paying an extra fee. These banking deals vary from country to country. When living and exploring Canada I didn’t find any banks offering these deals; however, in the UK, I recommend using: Wise, Monzo and Starling Bank. All of these are online banks. Halifax’s Clarity Card is also a good option for a no-fee travel credit card.

Also, choose to pay in your local currency when abroad, especially with your no-fee bank cards; this will typically save you some money.

Cash
I recommend taking some cash in the local currency, especially for countries which are still cash-based. I’d also recommend keeping at least $20USD, if not more, with you for emergencies. You never know when you’ll need it. I landed in south India with very little planning and no ATMs would work with my card in the small town I landed in to withdraw rupees (IDR – the local currency). Luckily, I managed to change my USD (United States Dollar) to rupees to get enough cash to buy a ticket on the last train down to the town I wanted to visit and stay in. Also, so much of our banking is now done on our phones; if these are lost/broken/stolen abroad, it can be hard to access your online banking, so having some cash to buy a cheap new phone while away is always good. 

If you do take some emergency USD, try and keep the notes in pristine condition if possible, particularly if you are in south-east Asia.  Many countries in this region only accept USD notes which are in excellent condition with no creases or tears. It is also not uncommon in some countries to find locals regularly accepting payments with US banknotes but giving change back to you in local currency.

Minimising Overheads
If you travel for just a month, it may not be the end of the world having a house/apartment, car, phone contract, etc. back in your home country. If you want to go for several months or years, however, then I recommend minimising your overheads as much as possible. I got the cheapest phone contract I could in the UK (£5/month) just to keep my phone active while travelling so that I could use WhatsApp to contact family and friends. Alternatively, you could use pay-as-you-go contracts. I gave up my rental apartment when I travelled. I had deliberately rented a furnished apartment prior to travelling to save having lots of things going into storage. I lent my car to my family, but you could always sell or not buy one at all if you don’t need one and if you are planning to travel in the near future. While travelling, my overheads are virtually zero. While travelling, I have Spotify for music and ppodcats (be sure ot check out mine) and have at various times had an Audible subscription for audiobooks and a UK phone contract. Realistically, I spend less than £20/month on regular outings while I travel, leaving more money for enjoying where I am at that time. I encourage you to plan ahead and think of how you can minimise your overheads. 

Exchange rates
Search for approximate exchange rates just before you travel. This way, when you arrive, if you don’t have internet access, then you can make sure you aren’t being ripped off.

‘Bug out’ fund
Call it what you like: a ‘bugging out’ fund, a ‘rainy day fund’, but no matter what you call it, please ensure you put some money aside to fly home in a hurry should you need. This means having the funds to book a flight within a day or two’s notice and one which won’t take you ages to get home, bouncing around half a dozen airports to get there. To dip into this is risky in my opinion. 

There are two categories of reasons why you need to set aside this money:

  1. Should you have a meltdown abroad and want to get home, also having the option to get out should you have a meltdown reduces the chance of having one in the first place.
  2. You don’t know what family emergencies/spontaneous special occasions you may want to head home for.

Give yourself a get-out just in case!

Saving for travelling

Although you can travel very cheaply (see my tips on saving money during your travels below), saving up money before you go is a great help; the more the better! To caveat this, I am not a financial advisor, and I have no formal financial training or qualifications, so do with your money what you see fit and of your own volition. For me, though, I wanted to see how I could save money as quickly as possible before I went travelling, increasing my earnings while decreasing my expenditure. To do this, I created the diagram shown below.

May I present to you…The ‘Andy Argo Budgeting Triangle!’ (If you can think of a better name, then I’m all ears).
Don’t worry though, despite its name and shape, this is not a pyramid scheme.

I used this visual diagram, which I made myself, as a way of helping me save for travelling and I wanted to share it should anyone else find it helpful too. I think of it like a funnel: at the top in green is my “income” (all money coming in), “expenses” are shown below in shades of orange, with my “disposable income” shown in blue. The upside-down triangle represents the largest amount of money coming in at the top (income), and this filters down to my disposable income being the smallest at the bottom as my expenses are deducted. I will now talk you through how it works.

Income
All shown in green at the top. My main income (and likely the same for most people) when I was saving to travel back in the UK was my full-time paid employment, shown here as “job”. I also looked into seeing if I could generate more money as ‘passive income’, i.e. income which requires little or no effort to obtain, such as money paid from dividends of shares, etc. or ‘active’ (non-employed work), which can be side hustles and anything outside of my main job where I earn money but which requires some effort. The income section is the broadest, as ultimately expenses come out and money trickles down.

Expenses
As you can see on the diagram, I have organised my expenses into three sections based on their necessity to me:

Essential Expenses
These are costs for things which I am unlikely to be able to remove or reduce significantly and which ultimately are essential for my life, i.e. food, rent, etc. Expenses that, for me, were difficult to alter without a significant detriment to my quality of life. Some things here, like car expenditure, I include in this section as I needed a car for my work; you may find that you don’t need a car for work, and therefore for you it may be a ‘beneficial expense’ as opposed to one which I deem as ‘essential’. 

Beneficial Expenses
These are expenses which are, to me, helping me improve as a person: i.e. things that help me to learn, such as educational books, audible etc., and I also include things which are good for fitness and therefore my mental health, such as an indoor rock climbing membership. For you, this could include money for a gym membership, for example. I am a big believer that physical and mental health are very interlinked, and therefore I am happy paying for sports memberships, etc. and would encourage you to do the same. Getting fit can also be a good thing to do before you travel, as having good cardio in particular will come in handy to get the most out of travelling!   

Non-Essential Expenses
In this section, I included costs which are for fun but which can at times be a bit frivolous, such as drinking, Netflix etc. and ultimately things I could cut back on which wouldn’t significantly affect my happiness; quite frankly, I barely drink now, it’s saved me loads of money and I feel way better for it! Many of you may also find that cutting out dirty habits such as smoking will make your bank balance and your body much healthier. 

Disposable Income
Included here is any money which has trickled down through your savings funnel, making it past your outgoings to the bottom. I’ve separated this into three sections: savings, passive and active. Saving for me goes straight into somewhere safe and low-risk, i.e. my bank account. ‘Passive’ and ‘active’ is money which I would use as investments in the hopes it may generate more wealth for me. Passive income, i.e. shares etc., or other ‘active’ income such as side hustles. Ultimately, any net profits generated by these ventures (shown as numbers ‘1’ & ‘2’ on the diagram) then go back into the top of the filter into the ‘income’ section. Saving is low risk; investments are higher risk. Most people do not bother with investments: passive or active. In my experience, I dabbled in these, but I found my shares were a bit risky, and it also meant that I had money tied up for some time; not ideal when I may need that money at my disposal while travelling. As for the side hustles, I tried a couple, but they take time, and I found the returns weren’t worthwhile. Many side hustles also take time to develop, so if you want a quick financial win to boost your coffers before travelling, this can be hard to do. If you choose to make investments of any kind, do your research and make your own decisions (again, I am no expert). I am certainly not the next Warren Buffett, so educate yourself on how they work and make up your own mind if the risks are worthwhile. As I say, for me, I ultimately chose to stick to keeping my savings in a bank account, and that worked best for me.

Diagram Use
I used the diagram to firstly, look at how I could increase my income, I found that it’s far easier to save more by earning more than it is scrimping and saving the pennies which ultimately is hard work and which can negatively impact your life – either because you miss out on things you would have otherwise done or because you are worried about how much you are spending. I increased my earnings by changing my employer, and another common way is by seeking a promotion or raise. After organising my expenses by priority (as outlined above), I looked at how I could either reduce individual expenses or remove them completely. Ultimately, this often comes with a trade-off in terms of your quality of life; only you can make the decision as to whether that trade-off is worth it or not. You may also categorise expenses differently from me. Some things which I see as more important. For example, I categorise an Audible subscription as a ‘beneficial expense’ as I used it to learn new things, which would help my career at the time. You may see it as purely entertainment, reading fiction books, etc., and therefore make it a lower priority. Haircuts may be really important to you and your confidence, as well as helping you look professional, while others may be happy for their partner or family members to cut it for them. You may even find that paying an accountant costs money but saves you money in the long run, as can be the case for many small business owners. Ultimately, you are at the helm of your own financial destiny. Money also definitely isn’t everything. Think about your own decisions, make your own choices and consider the benefits and detriments of every decision you make. Consider your relationships with your family, friends and your mental and physical health and try not to compromise on things which mean a lot to you.

Disclaimer
As I say, I am no financial advisor, and I have no training. I also do not encourage anyone to use this diagram; I am simply sharing what I found useful to me and how I have saved money for travelling. Make your own choices, do your own research, and if you do want professional help, get someone who is reputable and qualified for the job, not me!

Documentation

Passport
Make sure it’s in date and won’t expire or be close to expiring while you’re away. Most countries won’t allow you to enter if your passport only has six months remaining before it expires. If you are considering long-term travel, then I would recommend having at least three years left on your passport. I know from experience that many people (myself included) set out to travel for a set period of time, then before you know it, you’ve been on the road for years. Even if you don’t think you have the money to travel for years, you will be surprised how this can change: you may end up working or volunteering abroad, you may travel to cheaper countries than you first planned, where your money goes further and who knows, you may even meet a great love on your travels and end up staying with them! Long-distance flights are expensive, and as you need to renew your passport in your home country, I strongly suggest that if in doubt, get a new passport to keep your options open! Also, visas are linked to your passport, so changing your passport and, therefore, passport number mid-travel could also make your life more difficult.

If you have changed your appearance significantly, then consider updating it to a more recent photo if you plan on travelling a lot, particularly to parts of the world where bribery is commonplace. Corrupt officials can often look for any excuse to try to extort a bribe from you, claiming that something is out of place or illegal. Although I haven’t heard of officials using the “we don’t think this photo is you” line on anyone, it could, in theory, happen, and in my opinion, it’s best not to take any chances. 
I also recommend taking photos of your important travel documents, such as your passport and driving license, etc. Make sure it’s stored securely in case anyone hacks into your phone, but this can potentially get you out of a bind if you do find your documents lost or stolen.

Visas
This is specific to you, so do your own research. Whether you need a visa or not depends on several factors, such as your nationality, how long you plan to spend in a country, if you plan to work in that country, and sometimes you may even need a different visa type to visit certain regions within a country, for example, visiting Tibet in China.

Do you need an eVisa? eVisas are an online visa that can often be filled in at short notice, although some require them several days before travelling to allow for processing times. Also, beware of listening to other travellers who got their visas approved instantly may lead you astray. Nowadays, many visas arrive incredibly quickly, but they are specific to you, and yours may require a review depending on where you are from and what information you have included. Also, for those with dual nationality, you can often travel more easily, entering a country with whichever passport is viewed more favourably by the country you are visiting. 

Do your homework, ideally well in advance, to save yourself hassle. Many common tourist destinations, however, enable Westerners to enter with minimal stress: in many cases, visa-free or with a visa on arrival (getting a visa when you land at the airport). Visas are based on your intention to, so you need a visa which enables you to work in a country if that’s what you intend to do. Many countries let you volunteer using just a tourist visa; check for your specific destination, as some countries can require you to get a different visa even if you intend to volunteer and receive no pay. 

International Driving Licence
Do you plan on driving abroad? My advice is to get an international driving licence before you go away. They can often only be obtained in your home country. Even if you don’t plan on driving while abroad, plans can change, and international driving licences are normally very cheap. They are typically a cardboard document that you show in conjunction with your card driving licence. If you end up driving abroad without one, it could even mean that your travel insurance refuses to pay out should you have an accident. Many people ride scooters (mopeds) abroad, particularly if you are heading to south-east Asia, so in my opinion, I recommend you get a license just in case. In some countries, there are different types of international driving licences. When I got one in the UK, I got 3 different types (all very cheap, around £5 each) to cover the whole world, as different countries would require a different type of international driving licence. While having a Canadian driving licence, however, there was only one type of international driving licence which covered me for the whole world. Check the specifics for where you are, though I strongly recommend that you get one. It also means you’re less likely to have any problems with officials if you are caught driving without one. 

Medical / Travel insurance
There are loads of options out there. Do read your policy to make sure that you are covered for what you want to do. Some don’t cover you for extreme sports like skiing and scuba diving, for example. As noted above, take an international driving licence to avoid the risk of not having one, jeopardising your insurance while driving abroad. Some banks also offer travel insurance. Many banks offer a ‘premium’ card which costs a sum per month, but can also include travel insurance with it. This can sometimes be a good alternative. Many policies must also be taken out in your home country before you depart for your travels.

If you are doing a working holiday visa, this may also dictate whether you do or don’t take out travel insurance. For example, I was required to have 2 x years of travel insurance upon entering Canada to enable me to get the full 2-year work permit. I chose to get a very basic travel insurance for this time; however, once I started working in Canada, I was eligible for some medical insurance. When I went to Australia to live and work there on a working holiday visa, I chose not to have any travel insurance as the UK and Australia have a reciprocal medical agreement, meaning that I was covered on their national health insurance. This, however, did make some difficulties for my onward travels to south-east Asia afterwards, as it limited the number of travel insurance providers who would take me, as many require you to sign up to a policy in your home country, and I have already been abroad for nearly 1.5 years at this time.

SafetyWing 
You will find that most travel insurance providers have plans which are designed more for holiday-makers and those on short-term trips rather than longer-term travel. I found very few who offer insurance for more than one year and they are often expensive. I strongly recommend SafetyWing. I think they are good value for money and are really flexible. They also have a subscription service, which is great for travellers and digital nomads. To make your life easy, I have also included a cost calculator for them below. 

If you want more information on the perks of SafetyWing and why I think it’s the best around, then you can expand the blue text below. 

Longer-trips
Most travel insurance is designed for holiday makers and doesn’t cover you for longer trips. SafetyWing works on a subscription model and you can set it up to travel for as long as you like! Few providers let you travel for more than 12 months and even fewer for more than 24 months. This makes it ideal for backpackers and digital nomads.

Flexibility
You can also take out a policy while you’re abroad! Most providers don’t allow this and require you to take out travel insurance before you start your trip and depart your home country. Presumably because they don’t trust you not to take out insurance the day you break your leg to then claim for it, which is a massive pain in the ass for several reasons:

  • What if you decided to extend your trip while you’re travelling? That’s a big no-no for many but with SafetyWing, you can easily extend your trip and add extra cover (such as extreme sports) during a trip, as it works on a subscription model.
  • Sometimes you may go through phases in your travels where you don’t need travel insurance. I have undertaken working holidays (see my travel tips for more info.) in Australia and Canada, where, for the most part, I didn’t need travel insurance as I was covered there. After leaving Australia, I went to travel Asia and when in Canada, I travelled directly to Latin America. I don’t know about you guys but I definitely didn’t fancy taking a flight from Australia to the UK and back again just to activate travel insurance which I would (hopefully) never use. This is a huge win for SafetyWing.
  • You can return home during a trip, which saves life admin. Last I checked, it allows for 30 days in your home country every 3 months, so for those wanting to nip in and out of home to see family and friends, this is a nice perk.

Cost
I find SafetyWing the best value travel insurance provider for me. You can get an idea of costs using SafetyWing’s widget above.

Flight to destination
I use Skyscanner to book my flights. When I travel, I normally book a one-way ticket and go from there, but each to their own.It is possible to book an ‘around the world ticket’ where you pre-book all of your flights around the world in advance over a 12-month period. This may be a good option for some people if you know that you are away for a year and you want to plan everything in advance however, for me, I prefer to be spontaneous and not have too many things like flights booked far in advance (except for my first one to that region). For example, I flew to Australia with a one-way ticket and then booked other spontaneous flights from there and I’ve kept a similar approach for most of my travels since. 

I typically find that booking around three months in advance is often the cheapest. Skyscanner has a great feature where you can choose ‘explore everywhere’ in the destination box. This is great to see where the cheapest flights from that place are. Rather than setting a specific date for my flights, I also use the ‘search entire month’ feature and flick through to find the cheapest days. I often combine both of these tools (explore everywhere and flexible dates) to see where cheap regular connections go. This way I often break up my longer journeys with stop-offs in cheap locations, so rather than just sitting in airports waiting for a connecting flight I’ll often spend a day or two in that place at least and enjoy it, since I am passing anyway! You can also combine cheap flights with other modes of travel to save money. For example, when I was aiming to travel to Sri Lanka from western Cambodia, I could have booked flights from western Cambodia to the capital and then to Sri Lanka. Instead, I knew that Bangkok airport is a travel hub and chose ot get a bus from western Cambodia across the border to Bangkok, Thailand and fly from there to Sri Lanka. This saved me time, hassle and money! 

On one occasion, I had been travelling full-time for over two years and was, at that point in my trip, in north India. I decided to book a flight back to the UK in two days’ time. It was fairly cheap, but it comprised four flights, all with self-transfers to save money while getting me back quickly. Could I have booked the same destination for the same price with fewer stops and time in the air had I booked sooner and planned ahead? Yes. Would it mean that I can’t be as spontaneous? Yes. Do I regret travelling that way? Not at all! Also, if you travel long-term and if you are anything like me, then you will likely be taking cheap, shorter-distance flights anyway, making this less of an issue. 

Bonus tip: Time zones and midnight. Beware of changing time zones when booking flights and accommodation, as these can even vary within a country. Make sure your alarm is set for the correct day – if you set your alarm after midnight, it may go off a day too late! Also, ensure you know the difference between midnight and midday: if your flight is at 12:40, is that just after midnight or just after midday? In case you are wondering it’s just after midday on a 24-hour clock, which airports typically use for plane tickets.  

Entry requirements: Onward flight/accommodation
Many countries require proof of a flight to exit the country when you arrive at immigration. Some also want proof of funds for your trip there to ensure that you will have the means to support yourself and leave. Also, some countries, such as China, want proof of your accommodation for your trip when you apply for the visa. Proof of accommodation and funds being requested is rare howeve,r I have been asked several times for details of my outbound flight. This can be particularly annoying if you are in Latin America or South Asia, where you will often be booking a bus or boat to another country and therefore don’t require a flight out. Also, in larger countries, where you may be there for many months, you may want to keep your plans fluid. In most countries, if you are asked and once you have shown your visa, you can stay until the date that immigration has told you. This is typically the usual for that type of visa (for example, 3 months). It is possible, however, that the immigration officer could even reduce that to the date your flight takes you out, but it’s rare.

If you are asked for your departure flight on arrival, you have options:

  1. You book a flight out and stick to it. Booking flights in advance can often be cheaper, although this does remove some flexibility. 

  2. You book any flight out with free/cheap cancellation. You can have that flight as your intended flight or just book any near your visa end date, cancel it straight away and then rebook nearer the time or use a boat/bus to cross the border elsewhere.

  3. I have used onwardticket.com before. I’m not sure how they do it but it’s a really quick to book what I believe is a legitimate plane ticket in seconds for around $16 USD (last time I checked, don’t quote me on that) and it’s got me through immigration before and then I just book a flight/boat out at a later date when it suits me; of course don’t overstay your visa though. I can’t guarantee it will work, and it isn’t a ticket that’ll get you onto the plane, so I can’t advise you to do this; however, I have used it several times without issue.

Disclaimer: I do not accept responsibility if you choose to ignore the instructions of any officials in a country you visit, including immigration officers. Do so at your own risk.

Bonus Tip: Be conscious that if you go abroad, you may need to update your banks, etc., with a new address. Potentially notifying them of your parents’ address, for example, may be an option. You may also need to notify them that you are abroad if you intend to use that card while travelling so that your bank doesn’t suspect fraud/theft and block your card. 

Apps

Mobile phone apps can make your life so much easier when travelling. I recommend making a folder or two on your phone and putting some in there to keep an eye on them, or screenshot this webpage to remind yourself what they all do if you download them. 

Here are a few I’d suggest you consider getting: 

  • Banking apps
    Internet banking apps can be a massive help to manage your finances and move money around. When travelling, there is a chance of losing your cards or being robbed, so setting up notifications via your banking app to alert you of where payments have been made can help you to notice if someone else is using your card. For Brits, I recommend banks such as Monzo, Wise, and Starling for debit cards to use while travelling. The Halifax Clarity Card can also be a good choice for a credit card while travelling.
  • Transport Apps
      • Taxi apps
        Uber works well in many countries and reduces the risk of you being scammed by local taxis, who in some areas will famously quote one price and then find excuses to inflate this or drop you elsewhere to extort you. Uber isn’t worldwide, however, in south-east Asia ‘Grab’ is the Uber equivalent, and I found it really good, cheap and easy to use. You can also get a ‘Grab bike’ in many places where someone picks you up on a scooter instead of a taxi, which is cheap, quick and really fun in many areas.
      • Bus apps
        Some major bus companies in your area may also have apps for easy travel, but these are typically specific to each country or region. Sometimes using a website is easier. Typically, you can ask around at your hostel or hotel and download these once you’re in your destination.
      • Train apps
        If you intend to use a lot of train travel, sometimes apps can make things easier. In the UK, I use the Trainline app. In India, it was a little clunky, and I ended up using two apps for trains there (and even then, it was often easier to buy them in person at the station) because their systems were difficult to use. Typically, you can ask around at your hostel or hotel and download these once you’re in your destination.
      • Rideshare apps – I am a big fan of ridesharing apps. They are typically cheap, in many cases I found them as cheap, if not cheaper than taking a bus, but much quicker, with drivers sometimes going slightly out of their way to pick me up/drop me off rather than having to get to a bus stop. ‘Blablacar’ is popular in Europe, and I have used ‘Poparide’ many times in Canada. There may well be more for other regions which I haven’t come across yet. Typically, you pay a small amount to cover some petrol money, and you may be sharing a trip with just the driver or sometimes 1-2 other ride sharers in the vehicle with you.

        There are two main disadvantages of ridesharing vs buses from what I’ve seen:

      1. There is a greater risk that a rideshare driver could cancel on you at short notice, so if you are rushing to an airport for a flight, it may be safer to book a reputable bus company or taxi.
      2. Sometimes luggage space can be a bit tight, so check with the driver that you can fit your bags in. If you have a lot of things, you may be better off taking a bus which has more storage.
  • Translation apps
    ‘    Google Translate’ is incredible! I recommend downloading it and then downloading the languages for the countries you go to so that you can use it offline. It takes up very little storage space to do this, but it means that you can translate and communicate without an internet connection. Also, ‘Google Lens’ is amazing. You can take photos using the app, and it translates the text on that photo into your language. I found this really useful for menus in restaurants, and you may find it particularly useful if you have dietary requirements.

     

  • Communication apps
      • WhatsApp
        Pretty much the whole world (minus Canada and the USA) uses WhatsApp all the time. If you haven’t already got it, I recommend it. It means you can easily keep in touch with other travellers and people back home. Another massive benefit is that in many developing parts of the world, businesses don’t have websites; everything is booked and organised via WhatsApp. Some of the best tours I’ve been on have been arranged via WhatsApp. Some hostels also have WhatsApp groups, which they use to organise social events. The app is great for easily making groups and sharing photos, although when you do share photos, note that a small ‘HD’ button can be pressed to increase the quality.
      • Instagram
        I tried to resist getting Instagram, but I caved in while travelling, as everyone else seems to use it. Now that I have it, I do enjoy seeing where people are. Looking at people’s stories (posts that last just 24 hours) makes for a great way to reconnect with people and cross paths with people you meet several times on each trip. I have seen several people in multiple countries simply because one of us has seen on Instagram that the other is by chance in the same area at the same time, which has been incredible. It’s great to see a familiar face and even more uplifting when you are solo travelling. Instagram can also be a good way of seeing inspiration for other travel adventures; take travel photos and videos with a pinch of salt, however, as many people omit the crowds in busy tourist areas to make it look like they have found an ‘off the beaten track’ destination.
      • Polarsteps – I honestly should be on commission for this app, given the number of people I’ve recommended it to! I absolutely love it! You can easily add where you are on an interactive map, using it like a diary, adding photos, videos and written notes. It’s a great way to visually see where you’ve been, and the app knows when you’ve travelled overland or by plane just based on the speed of your travel. It’s free (they make money by offering to sell you photo albums and other things from your trip.
        It’s great for so many reasons:
          • My family can see what I’m doing and that I’m safe, as it tracks my location. 
          • It improves conversation with my family when I catch up with them, as they already know what I’ve done since the last time I saw them, and they have seen photos of the places I’ve been to and the people I’ve seen. 
          • It helps me better remember the places I’ve been to and jog my memory. You can also easily make videos of trips to look back on for a smile and nostalgia later. 
          • It automatically gives you a summary of your travels (a scratch-map and other stats: countries visited, days on the road, furthest place visited from home, etc.).
          • It’s great for helping with visas: When I applied for my Indian Visa I had been travelling for around two years full-time and had been to a LOT of countries. For my visa, it requested the dates of every country I had visited in the last 10 years (with my passport being stamped, they can also see if you’ve made mistakes) and using the app made this a lot easier. 
      • It can take more time to do it retrospectively, though, so I recommend starting it before your trip. Once you’re up and running, though, it’s really easy to use. I only share it with close family; however, as the tracker is incredibly accurate, my advice is either not share it with every Tom, Dick, and Harry you meet on the road or at least change the accuracy settings to make your movements harder to track. Personally, though, I recommend just keeping it to family. 
  • Photocircle
    I’ve used this a few times as a means of sharing photos easily between groups and at high quality.

     

  • VPN
    There are many VPN apps out there which enable you to change your phone/computer to show you are in a different country than where you are. If you are visiting countries like China, you may need to use one if you intend on using certain apps like WhatsApp to contact family back home, which are banned in China. You can also use them to watch TV shows from your home country, which may not be available in your current location. They’re not essential, and I have only used them to watch TV here and there.

     

  • eSIMs
    If you have a phone with the scope for 2 SIM cards, that’s my preference: either two physical SIM cards or one eSIM (ideally for the SIM card for your home country) and one physical SIM card slot free for the country you’re travelling in. This is because buying a physical SIM in the country you travel to is often the cheapest. Alternatively, if you want to make life easy for yourself, you can use an app like Airalo to buy an eSIM for your chosen country before you go there. This means that you’ll have mobile data as soon as you land, which is great. Please note, though, that you often pay for this privilege, and it’s typically more expensive than buying a SIM card yourself in your destination country but it definately saves you time and hassle. In many hostels in south-east Asia, you can also buy a SIM card from your hostel or from local cornerships. Do some research before you go and make your life easy.


    Bonus tip 1    : I typically keep a cheap SIM card for my home country so that I can do the essentials: use WhatsApp to speak to family back home without changing my number all the time whenever I jump over a border. This also means things like banking security codes, which sometimes get texted to you, can still be received; hopefully.

    Bonus tip 2: I have been able to still use WhatsApp with my number from your home country, even if I remove the physical sim card from my phone, so if you are juggling SIM cards or only have 1 physical SIM card slot, this may help. Make sure you keep your sim card somewhere safe; however, if you do remove it. 

  • Accomodation
      • Hostelworld
        It’s a great app and a must-have in my opinion, especially for young backpackers. You can use it to book hostels, easily see reviews and see if the vibe, price and accommodation are right for you. It’s also good for socialising. Some hostels have WhatsApp groups for organising social events, but Hostelworld instantly connects you to 2 groups when you confirm your booking at a hostel: the first is a chat for everyone in your hostel, and the other is for everyone in that town/city. This makes it easy to find people for socialising (even if your hostel is quiet, you can potentially tag along with people from another hostel) or share tacos from the airport to your hostel with other travellers.
      • Airbnb
        A good low-budget booking app. People renting out rooms in their house or sometimes entire apartments, etc., via the app.
      • Booking.com
        More hostels are coming on here, and sometimes it can be cheaper than booking through Hostelworld. You also get perks if you use it to book a lot. Hostels should, in theory, be cheap, but in some areas I found shared hostel dorms more expensive than a private hotel room with an en suite, as greedy hostel owners try to charge a premium for some common space and extra social vibe.
      • Agoda
        Similar to booking.com, however, I found that this has some lower prices sometimes than booking.com, especially in Sri Lanka and India.
      • Couchsurfing
        Unfortunately, you have to pay to sign up now. I haven’t found people overly responsive on it (I think girls have more luck than a lone male like me), but some people swear by it. You can stay on people’s couches (or sometimes in a spare bedroom) for free. It’s a good way to meet local people and save some money.
      • Workaway
        More on this later under saving money, but this is a website where you can stay with someone and get food and accommodation in return for work. There are also other similar platforms other than Workaway, such as HelpX, Worldpackers and WWOOFing.
      • Housesitting
        Websites like Trustedhousesitters are a great way for travellers to often get great, free accommodation while they’re travelling. Homeowners allow travelelrs ot stay in their home for free, and this typically comes with the responsibility of looking after their pets, plants, etc. while they are away. I haven’t done this myself but I know plenty who have and all of them have had great experiences, especially those who love animals. The key downside to this is that its often harder to do spontaneously, as many hosts have planned their trips away months in advance, so few come available at short notice. 
      • Campervans / camping
        There are several apps for you to find campsites or parking for campervans. Many depend on where you are, but if you do foresee yourself doing this sort of thing, they are definitely worth looking into. If you are camping/parking a campervan, many countries have varying degrees of flexibility depending on where you are going, so be sure to check up on local rules. In some countries, you can camp anywhere which isn’t private land or a national park, in others, they may be more strict. In Mongolia, for example, you could camp anywhere outside of major cities without issue and enjoy great freedom, whereas in England, you can onlydo so in a designated campsite. 
  • Bounce
    This app is little-known but can be really useful. Bounce lets you store luggage in many locations, often paying per item stored per day. If you can, save yourself some money and ask your hostel or hotel to hold your bags for you, but if not, this can be a useful alternative. I found this handy if I am heading on a motorbike or hiking trip where I want to travel a bit lighter before returning to my starting location to pick up the rest of my things.
  • Navigation
      • Google Maps
        I use this constantly while travelling. In short, I plot points on my Google Maps for places I want to see, be it from recommendations or things I’ve seen on TV, online or read about in books, etc. I then join up the dots, route, easy!
        Google Maps is easy to use and free. I use it to plan all my trips, and while helping me to be spontaneous.
        To keep things concise here, I have spared my more in-depth walkthrough of how I use Google Maps to revolutionise my travel experience in a blog article, and I have linked it below. I recommend that you open my blog post in a new tab and give it a read after you have finished my travel tips, as it really does take a lot of the stress out of travelling when used to its full potential.
Pen-nib

Google Maps Blog

      • Maps.me
        This is a good offline map you can download. It has hiking trails, etc. Sometimes I’ve noticed it can show the odd route which isn’t there, but it was extremely helpful in places where no official trails exist. I use it in Canada and loads when I was in Mongolia, when I did a motorbike trip.
      • All Trails
        A popular hiking app, it costs nothing, though I rarely use it, but many people swimwear but it. From memory, you have to pay to use it offline, so I often look before I hike and check out reviews, then use Google Maps and maps.me instead.
      • Gia
        Another popular hiking app which tracks your hikes. It also has an interesting feature where you can see other hikes people have done, so if you are doing something off a beaten trail, you can potentially follow someone else’s route who has reached that location. This, of course, has drawbacks: you don’t know the other person’s ability, who you are following; did they rock climb up sections with ropes, which you don’t have the equipment or experience to do, etc. Also, I have followed routes before, which were done at different times of the year. One route I followed while trekking up a mountain in the Canadian Rockies showed the route of another across a river, which I had presumed I could cross at the same point. I only realised when I arrived that the river was a massive raging torrent and that the other hiker must have crossed it while it was frozen in the winter. Because of this, I had to trek further downstream to cross at a bridge instead. The app is good, but use some common sense and take it with a pinch of salt. 
      • Relive
        This is also a cool hiking app with some free features. It tracks your route and then makes a 3D map of your journey afterwards, which is a nice memento.
      • Stargazing
        Depending on your location, you will no doubt see various stargazing apps where you can angle your phone to the skies and see what you’re looking at. I recommend these if you are going to places with good amounts of dark skies – I’ve seen beautiful night skies in Australia, New Zealand, Mongolia and Canada, which all have incredibly low light pollution.
  • Calendar
    I use Google Calendar as it automatically pulls my flight details from emails into there. It is also linked to my Google account so that I can restore everything if my phone is broken/lost/stolen. I would also get in the habit of putting your flight and visa end dates in here to make sure that you don’t miss flights and don’t overstay your visa.

     

  • Google Wallet / Apple Pay
    Using your phone as a card is a game-changer; it’s quick, easy, and often requires a fingerprint to unlock it as well. I recommend them as a backup should you lose your wallet/purse overseas, so that you can still pay for things.

     

  • Google Keep 
    I use Google Keep as my main digital notepad. It is easy enough to use, but my main reason is that the notes are linked to my Google account and are backed up.  You can put anything in there that you find useful. For me, I make notes on the language for the country I am in by spelling words phonetically – I usually try to keep this basic if I’m not there for long, learning: hello, thank you and goodbye. However, if I am there for longer, I will expand this. For my style of learning, I find this helps me a lot. I’ve also written down funny sayings and words of wisdom from my travels along the way. I also recommend that you write down any ideas you have while travelling.

     

  • Entertainment
    As a traveller, you will spend a lot of your time travelling! Long bus, train and aeroplane journeys are inevitable. While I recommend that you try and spend as much time as possible without having headphones in so that it’s easier to pick up on things, take in your surroundings and meet people, it also makes you look way more approachable if you don’t have headphones in vs those who do. That being said, you will need some downtime every once in a while, and you may need headphones for loud overnight bus rides to sleep or on occasion in noisy hostel dorms. Definitely take wireless headphones but also consider the following apps.
      • Audible
        Owned by Amazon, Audible is great for getting Audiobooks. Many of my happiest travelling memories are listening to books set in the country I am travelling in while slaloming through mountain roads on motorbikes. I find they can really help immerse you in a country. Check out my list of book recommendations for some ideas. You can also learn languages via audiobooks too. Audible also has a sleep timer, which you can set (i.e for 20 minutes) so that it automatically stops your book in that time if you are listening to a book while you fall asleep.
      • Spotify
        I’m a big fan of Spotify. You can use it to listen to music and podcasts – including my podcast! Follow the link below to check out my podcast. I make playlists periodically while travelling, which, when I listen back to, take me mentally back to a time on my travels and make for amazing, treasured memories for me, even long after I have left a particular place. I also met a chap while travelling who asked everyone he met and spoke to while travelling to add a song they liked to a playlist he had, using that as a way to find new music from all over the world. Spotify isn’t the cheapest, but you can potentially save costs if you are part of a group family plan.
      • Streaming sites
        Such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, etc. There are loads of these around now. To be honest, I find I didn’t really use these while travelling. Some negatives are that these apps: take up your attention, making you unable to look around you unlike podcast and music which can be enjoyed while still doing something productive or enjoying the moment, take up extra battery life and for me, they can also take up more time that audiobooks and music which I find it easier to pick up and put down spontaneously without being sucked in. You may also find difficulties using these apps abroad, as many have licenses only in certain countries. You can bypass this by getting a VPN, which, when engaged, will make it appear like you are in your home country, although these often cost a subscription fee as well. I found that if I was craving something to watch in bed on an evening, I would just watch YouTube. You can also use YouTube to help learn more about your local country, including the culture, food, history, language(s) and tourist attractions..
Microphone-alt

My Podcast

Be conscious of anything that costs you a regular monthly fee, i.e. a regular overhead. Spotify, Audible and streaming sites typically have these, and ideally, you want to keep your overheads as low as possible; subscribing to several can cause costs to add up, so bear that in mind. The same applies to choosing a sim card, too and other routine expenses.

Safety (preparation)

When travelling, you have to be conscious of your safety, those you are travelling with and the safety of your valuables. Most people are very considerate in this regard; however, you will find that just like in your home country, the majority of people in the world are helpful, polite and genuine. That being said, it helps to err on the side of caution. 

Here are some of my top tips for travelling safely:

Money
As mentioned previously, I advise that you have Apple / Google Pay on your phone, should you lose your wallet. Keep your money somewhere secure, and if you do go for a big drunken night out in a foreign country with a reputation for theft, you may want to consider leaving a card locked in your hostel locker, should you be robbed or lose your wallet, so you can have at least one working card while away. 

Passport
Keep it somewhere safe! Check the procedure for if you lose it, so you know what to do: often this can mean visiting your country’s embassy or consulate. Many Western countries have an embassy in pretty much every other country; if you are from a small or less wealthy nation, this may not be the case. Try not to let your passport out of your sight if you can help it. If your passport is lost and you are planning to hop countries, this could be a disaster, as you may need to go back to your home country to get a new one. 

Phone
Keep it somewhere safe. Handbags, etc., can be a risk if people can open them without you seeing. Even as a man keeping my phone in my front pocket with my hands in my pockets too, I still got pickpocketed. My advice is to have it on a string around your wrist. You may also want to consider buying a waterproof sealable bag to keep your phone with you when you go swimming (although test the bag first without your phone in it to ensure it works). You can also set up trackers like ‘Track My iPhone’ before your trip. 

Code words
Should you get into an emergency, try to have your family’s email, phone number, etc. memorised so that you can contact them. There have been cases when scammers have impersonated travellers and contacted their victims’ parents to inform them of a fake kidnapping to extort money from them. Try to set up code words or ask about memorable events so that if you do need to make contact, your family will know it’s really you, especially with AI on the rise now and deep fakes becoming ever more convincing. 

Clothing and dress 
Dressing modestly: Particularly for women. It is socially acceptable in most Western countries to be able to wear what other cultures may deem to be more revealing clothing. Some other cultures have laws and customs regarding how to dress, and for many countries, particularly strict Islamic countries, showing too much skin can be deemed either inappropriate or even illegal, depending on where you visit. Do some research on where you are visiting and make sure that you dress appropriately for their culture. If you do choose to visit a country with a strict dress code, you may not need to take too many sets of clothes, as you can often buy clothing there, which is culturally appropriate and which can make for a great souvenir too.

  • Dressing modestly
    Particularly for women. It is socially acceptable in most Western countries to be able to wear what other cultures may deem to be more revealing clothing. Some other cultures have laws and customs regarding how to dress, and for many countries, particularly strict Islamic countries, showing too much skin can be deemed either inappropriate or even illegal, depending on where you visit. Do some research on where you are visiting and make sure that you dress appropriately for their culture. If you do choose to visit a country with a strict dress code, you may not need to take too many sets of clothes, as you can often buy clothing there, which is culturally appropriate and which can make for a great souvenir too.

     

    Even when dressing modestly is not a legal requirement, women could be more likely to be targeted in some areas of the world if they do not dress modestly. Risks can be greater in densely populated areas where groping and sexual assaults can be difficult to prevent, so trust your gut, do some research and follow local advice. Travelling with a group of friends or a reputable organised tour can also mitigate this risk.

  • Tattoos
    In some cultures, tattoos are prevalent – for example, the Maori people of New Zealand are famous for having face tattoos and equally famous for being easily some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Many Western cultures also see people with tattoos facing little to no stigma. In many parts of the world, however, tattoos are viewed negatively, such as in Japan, where historically tattoos have been used to mark criminals, and the stigma surrounding their use has continued to this day. I advise doing some research, and should you feel it necessary, you may wish to cover tattoos.  

Mentally Prepare
Don’t dwell on these to the point it freaks you out and stops you from doing your trip; however, it doesn’t hurt to run through some worst-case scenarios in your head before your travels and think about what you would do in that situation, so you are prepared. This may include what you would do if you become sick while abroad or what to do if you lose your passport or phone. Think about what you would do next and undertake some research if needed. This way, if the worst should happen, you will be calm, collected and be able to get through it more easily. The chances are there will be people around you to help should anything bad happen to you, hostel and hotel operators and other travellers, as well as locals, are often happy to help.

Safety (common scams)

Although rare scams can take place. From my experience, it’s more likely that people will try to overcharge you for something rather than rob you. There are countless scams, and many are disguised in different forms and variations, but here are some to keep in mind, which I have come across:

Passport Deposit Use
You will also find that in many parts of the world that hostels, hotels and even scooter rental companies will ask for a passport as a deposit while you are staying there or renting a vehicle from them. I personally hate this as I don’t want anyone else having it. If I am staying at a reputable hostel, however, and they keep passports in a locked safe, then I have had no choice but to leave it there.

There is, of course, a real risk that you can be extorted should someone else have your passport. It’s an ID and your ticket home/to your next country, so they really do have you by the balls. I would personally say don’t leave your passport with a scooter/jet ski rental company, etc. Ask if they will take something else. Sometimes they will take a deposit, often cash, in which case make sure it’s a reasonable amount and make sure to have a receipt signed by both of you confirming the details. There have been times when I wanted to rent a scooter, and I didn’t trust the person I was renting from, as they insisted on a passport only as a deposit, so instead I gave them an expired credit card and ID instead, which they accepted. Ultimately, your best bet is to use a company with good reviews or which has been recommended to you. Sometimes hostels can also rent scooters, etc., to you. 

Don’t get me wrong, if the rental company says upfront that any damage is my fault and I have to pay, as long as they are charging a fair amount for the repairs, then I, as the renter, should and will pay up. Most rental companies in developing countries don’t offer insurance with rental vehicles, so it’s on you to sort it or be extra cautious.

I have also heard of a scam whereby tourists rented a jet ski and gave a passport as a deposit. The scammer had an associate ram into them with another jet ski so that he could then extort them.

Ultimately, your best bet is to use a company with good reviews or which has been recommended to you. 

Tea scam
This scam can come disguised in many different forms, so keep your wits about you. The scam starts with a friendly local coming up to you and being interested in you, asking about your life and making conversation. You get on well, and they invite you to a tea shop, restaurant, etc., where you enjoy a nice time together. When you are ready to leave, your new friend infers it is for you to pay the bill (not them or splitting the bill). The tea shop/restaurant is also in on this scam and charges you an exorbitant sum, and a very large bouncer-like figure will block the door. This is a sad one because it does make you wary of trusting locals, and it is initially really hard to spot. On my travels, I’ve had many great experiences of meeting locals and going for food or tea with them, and often they will pay for me, and it’ll be a great time. My advice: trust your gut. If they are really pushy, they may have ill intentions. Trust your gut.  

Taxis (prices)
Agree on a price for a taxi before you get in it and confirm that it is the price for the number of people you have, with luggage to the chosen destination. Be specific and ensure the taxi driver agrees to those terms so they can’t argue otherwise later. Sometimes they will try to make excuses to inflate prices or have fare clocks which run at accelerated rates, etc., to extort you. You can always ask your hostel or hotel to book you a taxi and get them to give you an idea of pricing first, or my personal favourite is to use an app such as Uber or Grab (Grab being the Uber of south-east Asia). These apps show fares in advance, and payment is often via the app. Airports often have wifi for you to book taxis using these services too. 

Taxis (dodgy destinations)
Some taxis will take you here, there, and everywhere, dropping you at other shops to try and get you to buy from the shops along the way. These shops are often operated by their friends or family members who will give the taxi driver a financial ‘kickback’ for increasing sales at their business. If this happens, insist you are taken to your destination, and remember to only pay a taxi driver once you are dropped off. If not, threaten to leave and not pay them anything. 

Ear wax scam
You can be approached by people who will often clean your ears, often putting a stick into your ear and removing it with brown cream on it, stating they got that from inside your ear and that it needs cleaning. Sometimes they will even clean your ear and remove ‘stones’ from your ear for a commission of $10, etc. per stone, which they found inside your ear. It’s common, it’s stupid, but people do fall for it. 

Investment scams
Sometimes a local will befriend you, invite you to their home, it all seems very genuine, and then they will start asking you for money to invest in their business, their hostel, etc., saying their family members are sick and asking you for money, etc. This one is particularly sad because you can feel like you’ve made a genuine connection with people, and then they show their true colours, and you know you were just being used. 

Fake ticket/guide scam
Some areas may be free entry or have free parking, but you will have people walking around asking for money for parking tickets. This can be hard to identify, as unlike in Western countries, where officials wear a uniform, many Asian businesses do have ligament workers who don’t wear a uniform. My advice is look for the locals, are they paying anything? Trust your guy. I found a fair bit of this in north India when I was there, and sometimes you have to be firm with them.  

Pickpocketing
It’s sadly an epidemic, be it in London, Barcelona or Delhi. As derived before, keep your phone on a string if you can and your items secured, ideally in front kip pockets or some kind of ‘bum bag’ / ‘fanny pack’ (ideally under your shirt on your front if you are in high-risk areas. Be careful of anyone:

    • Bumping into you or crowded places 
    • Distracting you or trying to create a diversion

Pickpockets often work in groups too; whoever distracted you probably isn’t the person who has your phone/wallet if you have been robbed, and they commonly pass stolen goods between them to avoid being caught. In some areas, you may even want to take a dummy wallet / cheap phone out with you and keep your other one somewhere secure and more hidden or in a safe back at your hotel room, especially at festivals such as Rio Carnival.
If you are checking your phone for directions, try to do so in the entrance to a shop, turning your back to the street so that it’s hard for people to grab your phone, either passing you on foot or on a scooter.  

Children (selling goods)
In a lot of poorer countries, children will try to sell you things, even at 11:30pm at night at a bar. You will likely find yourself inclined to buy these goods with the thought that you will give these children a better life. Check with local guidance; however, in many places, especially those with free education, you are actually encouraging truancy as parents use their children for short-term profit. All this does in reality is stop these children from going to school, meaning their prospects are severely limited due to their low level of education. If you do want to help, it’s often good to consider which reputable charities (NGOs) help that area and donate to them. 

Children (begging)
As with children selling goods, I tend not give them money, particularly in countries where education is free, as it encourages truancy. In parts of the world having children beg or pester you for money can be relentless. In the slums of Mumbai for example, I found that taking bags of sweets worked well to placate the children. I am often afraid that if you do hand out some money, they will only want more and more to descend on you. As mentioned before, if you do want to help, it’s often better to consider which reputable charities (NGOs) help that area and donate to them. 

Pushy sellers
It happens, but often it’s not as bad as you’d think. Obviously, the more tourists there are, the more common this is. To my knowledge, the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, are reported to be some of the worst places in the world for this, so much so that it can kill the vibe of the whole place, sadly.

These are just a handful of those I have come across myself or heard others close to me come across. It never hurts to read up on those, especially common ones, for where you’re visiting. In my view, scams are very rare and in most instances in poorer countries, locals may want to inflate prices for you as a tourist. Do note, though, that pickpockets are typically professionals; they look for victims all day, every day, it is literally a career for them, so to outsmart them is incredibly difficult, as I sadly know from personal experience.

Packing List

What you buy before travelling depends on what you want to do and how you want to travel. I prefer to travel light; it’s a skill that comes with time. Chances are, on your first trip, you will overpack, carry large bags and still regret not bringing extra things that you feel you can live without. Once you get more experience, however, you will likely cut out more and more. I advise you in general to travel light. Backpacks beat suitcases in my opinion, as it’s far easier to get around a busy town with a backpack than rolling one of those around, especially in developing nations where footpaths are often poorly maintained, congested or non-existent.

My top tips for packing for your travels are:

Travel light
You may think that taking more bags will only cost you more on the airplane but they are also a nuisance to carry too. Carrying heavy bags around is far from ideal, especially in warm, humid climates. It’s also more difficult to store things in buses, etc. A lot of packing depends on where you go and what you are doing. Are you going solely to countries with warm climates, like Central America or south-east Asia? If that’s the case, in my opinion you should be aiming to take carry-on luggage only. 

For a detailed list of specific items to take on your trip, check out my Packing List, which can be accessed using the link below: 

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Packing List

Cameras and Laptops
I took a laptop and camera on my first trip and found that I used them both very little: the camera took time to take out, I also found myself constantly worried about where it was and if it was likely to be lost, stolen, damaged, etc., Most of my best photos were spontaneous and taken on my phone, especially with phone cameras being so good nowadays.

The laptop I took for a project I was working on and I used it a handful of times for visa applications, although I could have done this on my phone.

For the majority of travellers, I would say a good phone with reliable battery life, a good camera, and storage will suffice for most travellers in terms of electronics. You must also consider that any camera and laptop you take often has its own associated charging cables, adapters, etc., and this all adds up.

Packing for the culture
Some countries require you to dress conservatively, sometimes at all times in public and for others just in holy places. I wouldn’t worry too much about this, as you can often buy appropriate clothing and look like a local when you’re there if this is required, but consider what you are wearing on the plane for when you arrive, and to ensure you have at least one set of culture-appropriate clothes if you are going to a conservative country.

This also doesn’t just apply to women; for anyone with tattoos, you may want to consider covering them in countries like Japan.

In Thailand, I found people could wear whatever they liked (as long as they covered the usual bits); however, in some religious buildings and palaces, you are required to dress more conservatively. The chances are, however, that there are plenty of markets here where you can buy clothing to cover up, and again, they make for great souvenirs afterwards.

Medicine
If you take routine medication, ensure that you have a sufficient supply for your trip or do some research to ensure that you can obtain some while overseas. Also, try to bring medication in an official container which has your details on as prescribed to you.


Drugs and contraband
Be conscious that when you cross borders, what may have been legal in the last country you were in may be illegal in the next. Make sure you search and think hard about any potentially illegal items you may have. A great example is people flying from the Netherlands, Canada, etc., where cannabis is legal to countries where it isn’t. You may have even forgotten you have some in your bag before the flight, so be sure to check. Check for local quirks too, in countries like Singapore, chewing gum is illegal (true story, Google it if you don’t believe me), so it’s always best to have a quick internet search before you visit a new country to see if there is anything which may seem ordinary to you, which is in fact illegal in your destination.

Toiletries
As my travels have gone on, I have gradually reduced the amount of toiletries I take. You must also be conscious that if you are taking only carry-on luggage (if you are not taking a checked bag onto the aeroplane), you are limited by the quantity of liquid you can take.

I’m going to give you an idea of what I take in terms of toiletries for what I see to be the essentials:

  • Manual toothbrush and toothpaste  (taking a charger that only works for one thing is too much for me)
  • Nail scissors/clippers (if you’re a nail-biter, you can maybe do away with these)
  • Comb (hair brush is more space, but you make the choice)
  • Very small travel-sized tub of moisturiser
  • Very small travel-sized tub of hair wax
  • Electric razor (replaceable battery-powered to save weight)

I pack all of this in a small net-like zip-up bag, which I believe was sold as a pencil case. This means it can air out easily and not go mouldy and it can fit into whatever shape I need. Sometimes I put it in a plastic string-pull-close back, which is waterproof in case it leaks when I’m on longer journeys, but this adds no extra weight or space.

You may have noticed that I am missing the following items:

  • Deodorant – It takes up space, weight, and they’re hard to get in small bottles. In a hot country, everyone is hot and sweaty and there often isn’t loads you can do about it. Personally, I prefer to shower more often instead.  
  • Shampoo and conditioner – Depending on where I’m going, most hostels and hotels provide these anyway. If they provide small bottles of these or small bars of soap, I’ll normally take them for a rainy day in case a hostel doesn’t provide toiletries, but worst case scenario – you wash with water, as long as the sweat is off, that’s the main thing in my opinion.

I know many of you may judge me now for not using deodorant and not having shampoo or conditioner unless it’s provided, but I feel clean, I shower once or twice a day, and for me, that works. If you want something more luxurious, like if you feel there is a shampoo you can’t live without going crazy, but I can assure you it is possible to live with just these items, and that is now my usual load-out for an adventure.

Language

If you are a native English speaker, you are in luck: other travellers speak it, many people working at hotels and tour companies speak it and in many places the locals speak it, often to varying degrees but the chances are there will be someone somewhere you can help. Apps like Google Translate and Google Lens are also amazing, and I use them regularly.

In my opinion, however, it is respectful to try and learn some of the local lingo, even if it’s just simple words like “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye”. You will also notice in most countries that making some effort means the locals will appreciate it and open up to you much more. I have always been curious about other cultures and languages, so even before I went travelling, I would ask other people about where they are from and to teach me some basics. My greatest teachers have been taxi drivers and those working at takeaways/ international restaurants. Learning online, using tools such as YouTube or watching foreign films with subtitles in your native language can also help. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you how much of someone else’s language you choose to learn. Some basics are useful to show respect; anything more is a bonus, but don’t fret if you barely speak a word of the lingo before you go, especially in areas common for backpackers and tourists. I have a notes page on my phone where I spell words phonetically so that I can learn them more easily or refer back to them should I need. This has really helped me pick up languages and remember them. 

You will also find that in some areas it’s very hard to learn the language; they may make sounds which you don’t make in your language; many non-native English speakers struggle to pronounce ‘th’, for example. You may also come into difficulty in areas such as India, where the language varies from state to state and even sometimes within a state itself. That being said, in places like India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka, etc. and in many other former British colonies, you will often find many people speak some level of English, many very well. 

Going abroad is also an excellent way to learn another language. You can go and teach abroad, either doing paid work or as a volunteer. It is common for native-English speakers to teach English in Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand. You can also undertake language courses; many English speakers, for example, learn Spanish in Latin America at a language school once they’re there.

If you are from a non-native English-speaking country, I highly recommend that you learn some English before your travels. It is the international language of the world and is the main means of communication within hostels and the travelling community. 

Language exchange – if you meet someone who wants to learn your language, do help them out! It’s a great thing to share our languages and cultures.

My top language tips are:

  • Don’t stress
    How much you learn is up to you. In most countries I visit, I don’t speak any of their language until I arrive, and then I try to learn a few words once I’m there. 
  • Language apps
    Google Translate can work well for more in-depth conversations. Be sure to download the local language so it works offline too. Google Lens can work well to translate menus and signposts. 
  • Immersion
    To state the obvious, you learn a language more quickly when you are surrounded by it. When I was in Mongolia, very few people spoke English and going out of my way to spend time with locals meant that I had to learn to communicate.
  • Hand gestures
    They go a long way
  • Games
    When I was in Mongolia, I did a solo motorbike trip and spent some time with locals. Google Translate didn’t work well for the Mongolian language, presumably because relatively few people speak the language. I took with me a travel-sized chessboard, however and had some great times playing chess with the locals and using that as a way to socialise and bond with locals despite the language barrier. Likewise, I have friends from Chile who I play chess with, and we use that as a great means to learn each other’s language while bonding too.

The bottom line is get stuck in! I will finish this section with one of my favourite quotes…

If you are interested in some of my findings on languages from around the world, feel free to read on. If you are in a rush, feel skip down to ‘My Top Language Tips’ and past the text in italics. 

I always find it fun to get stuck in and try a few words of the local language if nothing else. The locals normally appreciate the effort, too, which is great. You will make mistakes, but it’s all part of the fun. A great example of this from my travels was when I was attempting to speak Spanish, trying to apologise for my poor Spanish and explaining that I was embarrassed by my poor Spanish. I found that in many instances, adding an ‘o’ on the end of many English words works in many instances. It was only several months later when I was, in fact, informed that “embarazado” does not mean ‘embarrassed’ but instead means pregnant, and people had been too polite to correct me! Ironically, this resulted in me being more embarrassed! 

Languages like Chinese are also ‘tonal’, making it more difficult for non-native speakers to express their emotions through speech, as it could change the tone and therefore the word. On the topic of Chinese and other large and ancient countries, don’t make the mistake that they have only one language. There are many languages spoken across China, with most tourists visiting areas which speak either Mandarin Chinese or Cantonese (Cantonese being spoken in Hong Kong, Macau and parts of mainland China such as Guangzhou). The same can be said for other large and diverse countries. I was shocked to find out the Mayan language is still in use in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico as many inhabitants’ first language whic in my ignorance, I had presumed may have been lost to history before my trip there. In other large countries like India, you will find that although Hindi is spoken by many in the north, many in the south do not speak it. 

Examples of language quirks
As you travel, you will find how other languages differ from English and other languages if you speak them too. As a native English speaker, here are a few interesting things which I have noticed on my travels and which I find fascinating.

  • Mongolian
    In Mongolian, they use the same words for ‘left’ and ‘right’ as they do for ‘east’ and west’. I presume this is because, other than the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, which was built during the Soviet Era, there are no other major settlements, so there was no real need for these terms. 
  • Korean
    In Korean, they have two words for goodbye, which depend on the context. One way translates to the equivalent of “stay well” to be used when you are leaving and the person you are speaking to is staying in the same place – for example, when thanking a shop owner. You can also say another, which roughly translates to “go well” to be used when the person you are talking to is leaving that location. 
  • Cantonese (spoken in parts of China, including Hong Kong, Macau, etc.)
    In Cantonese, they have two words for ‘thank you’ depending on the context. To my best understanding, the first is used when thanking someone for a translation, such as receiving goods or services. The other is used when thanking someone for gifts or compliments. 
  • Bengali (Spoken in Bangladesh and parts of India)
    In Bengali, there is no different word for ‘to eat’ or ‘to drink’; they use one term akin to that of ‘to consume’ for both.

     

  • Masculine and Feminine
    Of course, the classic shock for English speakers is the widespread use of masculine and feminine in other languages. This can vary from language to language. I found it interesting in Thai how words like “hello” and “thank you” had different endings depending on the gender of the person who is saying the words. This can mean that you have to be careful what words you are picking up from the locals to avoid using the incorrect gender. All fascinating stuff!

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart”.
Nelson Mandela

Local Customs

It’s good to do some quick research for a country to see if there are any cultural norms you should be aware of. Cultural norms can vary; you’ll learn most once you’re in the country from locals, hotel and hostel staff, other travellers, etc. Some research can help, though. In some cultures, you may need to dress conservatively, or in others, such as Japan, it is frowned upon to speak on the phone in public transport.

Communication

I mainly use WhatsApp for my day-to-day life, including abroad. To find out more, see the ‘apps’ section of this website, where I outline in greater detail how this works. For my friends reading this from the USA and Canada, the use of WhatsApp is not as widespread as in the rest of the world. Its a great tool for keeping in touch with family back home at low cost and for contacting other travellers and joining chat groups at hostels. You can also arrange tours through WhatsApp. 

Try to back up your photos and messages on your phone – I use Google so that if my phone is lost/stolen/broken, I have a chance of getting my memories, etc. back more easily. I believe that Apple iCloud works similarly. To me, losing my photographs is one of the saddest things to happen while travelling. Of course, losing access to online banking, etc., can also be an inconvenience. 

As outlined in my ‘apps’ section, I also strongly recommend the app Polarsteps and sharing it with close family, such as your parents. It allows them to track your location and works like a diary, saving your family stress and giving you an awesome map and diary of where you have been.

Summary

I hope that you have found these tips useful! Although some preparation before a trip is necessary (getting your travel documents, etc.), to what degree you plan your route and other such details is really up to you!

I strongly recommend that you check out my travel tips page for ‘while you are travelling’, which includes ways to save money, avoid common scams and ultimately have a great time! My ‘Packing List’ page gives advice on what to take travelling. You can also find other advice and tips in my blogs and on my podcast! 

Happy travels! 

Andy Argo

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I hope that you have found my travel tips page useful and interesting. If you have, please consider donating. Thank you! Andy Argo

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Title image: Me in the Gobi Desert, southern Mongolia.