Long Term Travel Checklist
So you've booked a long term trip and you're excited to leave. Now what! There are probably a million and one things that you have to do and think about before leaving, especially if you're considering not coming back, or there are other options out there for you that you want to take advantage of! Here's a few lists for the countdown before your trip:
8 Weeks before departure
Make sure all of your flights are booked properly
Better yet, make sure there is travel insurance just in case they are not!
Arrange medical coverage and insurance for your trip so you are completed protected. World Nomad has great deals and you can pick and choose what you're covered for and when.
Take a look at all of the immunizations you need and make sure yours are up to date! There is nothing worse than getting there and realizing you haven't got your typhoid or worse, your long term 6 week long shots.
Start making plans for your stuff. If you live in an apartment, where are your items going to go when you’re out of the country and what can get rid of so that you only store what you need.
Check and make sure that your passport is up to date and has at least 6 months after you get back from your trip on it. Better yet, make sure it has a year so that you have the option of extending your travels.
Take a look at the visas required in the countries that you're going to. Some have longer lead times, and those are important to confirm right away.
6 Weeks before departure
Look into what needs to be cancelled while you’re gone and set up cancellation dates if necessary. That means electricity, cable, internet, Spotify; anything that you can live without or do not need while you’re away can go. Anything subscription based is an easy cut.
Set up your budget for your trip and make sure you have enough money to do so. If need be, set up emergency funds, or lines of credit (be careful with these, living outside your means is not a sustainable way to live) to make sure that you’re protected and have the funds needed while you’re out of country
Take a look at credit cards that have low to no fees while traveling. Theres nothing worse than paying the $5 per withdrawal, but sometimes necessary. Look at your options and make the decision on what you can do.
Start to plan out your trip. If you’re a planner, you can start to map out your entire journey and plan where you’ll be staying down to the minute. Or if you’re wanting to treat this journey as a go-with-the-flow type adventure, plan your first couple hostels or hotels and then go from there. It’s nice to have a starting point and then go from there.
Get rid of as much as possible. I guarantee you that you don't need 10 black dresses (yes I had that many), or 4 pans that are peeling (I also had these), and get rid of them. A lot of your stuff can go to a better home and not be stuck in an expensive storage unit taking up valuable space.
Take a look at the backpack or suitcase you want to take with you. Make sure that you really want a 85L or maybe you’re more into the 35L travel. I’ve written a post about choosing backpacks and I’ve gone with a 65L I pack like its a 35L for my trip.
4 weeks before departure
Start to plan out your departure. Who do you want to say goodbye to and when. Do you need to give your notice at your workplace and should you do it now, or later.
Take a look at what you have to pack and set aside what you think you’ll need. You’ll go through this later and pair it down, but as you’re packing you don't want to be ripping apart boxes looking for your travel pillow at the last moment.
Confirm cancellation of all of your services at this time.
Go shopping! Make a list, check it twice and go out and get what you need. I promise you will have to do this last minute too, but thinking ahead can reduce last minute panic.
Make sure you've confirmed visa requirements. Take a look at my post for SE Visas if you’re heading there.
2 weeks before departure
Pack yourself a 2 week bag and live out of that for the next two weeks. This one might just be me, but its easier to have everything else packed and have to clean up as little as possible right before leaving. Start the traveling mentality early!
Check in with your bank and notify them you’re traveling. It might be best to set up someone at home, likely a parent or significant other that can help sign and manage banking issues while you’re gone. There is nothing worse than having a cheque sent to you and not being able to deposit it for months until you get home.
Plan yourself a departure party. Or if you want to, just make plans to spend one-on-one time with friends. Both are lovely, but remember, quality time is what most people like to do with you so you can have real conversations.
One week before departure
Make sure your stuff is all packed somewhere safe. Ensure important documents are with you and a photocopy is with someone else. Bonus points if you can scan them and put a copy on the cloud to access in emergencies.
Check your flights. Some flights might have been updated since you booked them (mine have been updating weekly), and you want to make sure you are on the right flight, have the right information, right gate etc.
Get $50-100 out in your new local currencies. This is something that is a preference of mine, but I prefer to travel with $50 from each country just in case something happens. A lot of people choose to get out money when they get there, either way works. But if you can get some money out in the country you fly into, you can avoid the high airport currency exchange fees.
Say your goodbyes. This is hard, but just remember where you’re going and the fun you’ll have when you’re there!
Make sure everything is on pause, phone, car payments, insurance, electricity, cable etc. Nothings worse than realizing in a month that you've been paying for all the above while you’re gone.
Take a deep breath and remember as long as you have a credit card, your passport and any essential medications, you will be just fine.
No matter where you go, or for how long, traveling long term can be difficult, but the most important thing to remember is to have fun and enjoy the process. Unless you’re leaving forever, your friends and family will be there when you get back.
Any more tips that you think need to be included, comment below!
Love, E