Deciding to go on a backpacking trip is an accomplishment in itself. I had been thinking of traveling for over a year and finally saying yes was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Preparing and planning for a trip like this takes a long time, so I didn’t want to wait until the last minute to get things done!
I thought I’d put together some important “to do’s” that I’ve made sure to cross off my checklist so that you can get a sense of what to think about while planning your own trip!
Register Your Trip
Once you know the places you’ll be traveling to, register your trip with the Department of State. This allows you to be able to receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in the countries you are visiting. Registering your trip also helps the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether it’s a natural disaster, civil unrest, or even a family emergency. The program is called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and takes just a few minutes to set up!
Travel Insurance
I’m not one to ever really buy travel insurance. I’m a healthy gal that always takes precautions when traveling, but I knew that for a multi-month trip abroad, it was a necessity. Travel insurance is more than just medical coverage; it helps cover baggage and personal belongings as well. If you like to travel with a laptop, camera and other electronics, it gives you peace of mind knowing that if anything happens, you’re covered. I’m going to be using World Nomads travel insurance on my trip. They have a Standard plan and Explorer plan that covers a range of activities. Since I’m the adventurous type who will be doing a lot of scuba diving and other activities, I went with the Explorer plan.
Expenses
After reading many blogs and articles about how to handle money overseas and even talking to some friends who have recently travelled abroad long-term, I’ve learned the best thing to do is to take two good credit/debit cards. Your credit card can be used for making bigger purchases (flights, etc) while your debit card will be your day-to-day card of use. Cash is the main way to make purchases, especially in Southeast Asia, but no one wants to travel around with a lot of cash for safety reasons.
That’s why the great thing about having a debit card is being able to go to an ATM whenever you need to withdraw money. However, most ATMs require a fee to use, and when traveling long-term you can keep racking those fees up. Thankfully there’s the Charles Schwab Debit Card. This card has no international transaction fees, no currency conversion fees, no monthly maintenance fees and no annual fee. You will still be charged by ATMs for taking money out, but Schwab reimburses you every month for the charges.
Also, don’t forget to call your bank(s) to tell them where and when you’re traveling so you don’t get a hold put on your account!
Visas
Some countries require visas to enter, which means you need to have them BEFORE arrival (ie: Vietnam). Don’t leave getting visas until the last minute! Research your destinations, contact consulates (and even go in person if you can) and get your paperwork in. You don’t want to be left scrambling at the last moment to get it nor do you want to show up and realize you can’t enter the country.
There are a few countries, like Thailand and Indonesia, where you can get your visa upon arrival at the airport or land border crossing. Make sure you do your homework so you know the rules and processes for each country!
Vaccinations
Visit a travel clinic or infectious disease specialist and ask about vaccination requirements to the places you’re heading to. I did some research ahead of time and looked at the Center for Disease Control‘s website for recommended vaccinations. Travel clinics can be very expensive, as most don’t take insurance, so talk to a doctor and see if you can get any vaccinations covered.
Documents
Make sure to photocopy and email yourself important documents like your passport, credit/debit cards, and license. You never know when it may slip out of your bag or if someone swipes it. Having copies of your documents makes replacing them way easier. Be sure to take one set of photocopies with you and leave one at home with family or someone you trust.