You can’t expect to simply start traveling without preparation. While there are many romantic stories of people simply leaving everything they have behind and hitchhiking their way to a new start, this simply isn’t practical for most people. Instead, you’ll need to build yourself up towards traveling, whether it’s for a single holiday or for an extended period of time. Funding, knowledge, and a reliable network are just some of the things you might need before you begin, so here’s our checklist for what you need before you begin your new journey.

These considerations become especially pertinent when traveling to locations that may not have readily available accessibility features, making wheelchair travel tips a valuable resource for planning.

Money

No matter where you’re going or what you’re doing, you’re going to need money to do it. If you’re traveling, you’ll need money to feed yourself, pay for accommodation, and use public transport; if you’re simply going on holiday, then your travel method, hotel, and most tourist experiences are all going to cost you. Of course, you don’t necessarily need a lot; if you’re savvy, even £500 loans can help you to start traveling, as you can pay for lower-cost public transport and more rough-and-ready accommodation. Either way, though, you’ll need some cash, so think about using savings or asking for help.

Knowledge of where you’re going

Wherever you’re intending to go, you should know as much as you can about the country before you head there. It’s all very well having a romantic notion of leaving it all behind to travel, but if you’re on your way somewhere and you don’t know what rules you need to obey, you could find yourself in a very sticky situation indeed. Do as much research as possible before you embark on your trip. Ask people who’ve actually been where you’re going to tell you their experiences; the reality may be very different to even the most comprehensive online account, after all.

A passport

Passports can cause no end of headaches among even the most enthusiastic travelers, so be sure that you’ve got yours ready before you leave. You need to ensure your passport is valid, that it will suffice for travel, and that you don’t need any extra documents to go to your destination. If you do need extra documents, prepare them far ahead of time so that you don’t get caught short. Don’t skimp on your research; there could be a whole range of documents and proofs required to travel to your chosen location, so make sure you’re apprised of everything you’ll require.

A schedule

Even if you’re planning to travel the world in a laissez-faire kind of way, a loose schedule will still help. This goes double for holidays; you’re spending a limited amount of time at your destination, so maximizing what you can see is probably a priority for you. This way, you can also pencil in time for relaxation so that you don’t overtax yourself and stop enjoying your holiday. As a world traveler, simply knowing what your itinerary looks like - where you’re going to travel and in what order - can help to stop you from losing your way, and consequently, your enthusiasm for your journey.

Vaccinations and medications

Depending on where you’re traveling, you may need to get relevant vaccinations to avoid getting diseases that are endemic to that area. This is becoming even more relevant in our modern pandemic-beset age; some countries will require you to show proof that you have been vaccinated against COVID-19, for example, so it’s worth knowing ahead of time whether you’ll need to show this before you go. Similarly, make sure you take any medications you need with you. These are easy to forget, but there can, as you might imagine, be extremely severe consequences if you do forget them.

Communication methods

A lot of people have beautiful dreams of leaving their smartphones at home and traveling without the burden of constantly checking social media. However, it’s still a good idea to bring your phone with you when you travel. People might need to get in touch with you, and it could be frustrating or worrying for them if you don’t answer. You don’t necessarily need to engage with the trappings of modern technology-obsessed life if you don’t want to; just top up your SIM card with a cursory amount of data and some minutes and texts and you’ll be good to go!

Health insurance

Again, the romance surrounding the trip of a lifetime can sometimes be dulled if you fall ill or get injured while you’re traveling, necessitating a potentially costly visit to healthcare professionals. Not all countries in the world have socialized healthcare; the British NHS is a true institution to be proud of, but a lot of other countries will make you pay for the healthcare you receive. Even if you have romantic dreams of traveling unburdened by the problems of modern life, healthcare insurance is, unfortunately, something of a necessary evil. Make sure you don’t get caught out.

An exit strategy

If things get too tough, it’s good to have an exit strategy so you know you can head back home without any consequences. Of course, this isn’t always going to be easy depending on where you find yourself, but it’s always good to know where the nearest major airport is and whether you can get tickets home on short notice. That’s another reason why it’s a good idea to take a communication method with you; that way, if you really struggle, you can call someone or message them and ask them to help you get back.