If you are going for your first long travel then there are some things that you should follow. I have written them here so you can read and note them for future reference.
So, what are these tips? Well, I am also a traveler, I visit various places and I know how it feels to not know anything. I was like that at first too. But bit by bit I gained knowledge from my travels. I going to share them here.
Invest in Good Equipment
First thing first, you should always in invest in good equipment even if they are costly. Don't buy cheap or flimsy equipment for travel because there is no guarantee when they would break.
For example, if you are buying a tent, then you should buy a tent with good quality cloth and stand material. If you buy a flimsy tent because of its price or its look which is not practical, then while using it can get easily blown away by strong wind or it can tear by hails.
Let us take another example, you want to buy a selfie stick but you bought one which has flimsy material as its rod. So what would happen if your phone is a bit bulky and you fully extend the rod. Obviously, the rod would bend. And what would you do if the whole purpose of your trip is to get some selfies for social media or school/college project ?
I hope now you understood why it is important to invest in good quality equipment which are not just showy but practical.
Get a Bag pack and A Pair of Shoes
If you are going to multiple places, a good bag pack that fits you good & well and a comfortable pair of shoes will be your two most important investments before you leave home. If you are going to splurge somewhere, splurge on these two essentials.
Purchase Travel Insurance
Purchasing travel insurance can help you when something unexpected happens during your travel, like, your equipment breaks, you forgot your equipment somewhere, or someone steal your belongings. Travelling insurance helps you cover these. Purchasing travel insurance can help you focus on your trip without worrying about something bad happening.
Where I can buy travel insurance?
You can buy travel insurance online or offline (if it is available in your area/locality). Tata, reliance, ICICI bank, HDFC bank are some of the major companies that offer travel insurance. Their prices vary according to the different plans that they offer.
Plan Your Budget Carefully
Budget planning is the first and foremost thing that you should do while travelling. Plan your budget carefully by focusing on the areas where you should spend and the areas where you should not.
Before travelling make a list of places where you want to visit and check the fare if you are going to travel through public transport. If you are going to use your own vehicle then check the distance and according to your vehicles average petrol consumption check how much it is going to cost you.
If you are planning to visit tourist spots which usually charge for tickets, check the prices of tickets online where you are planning to visit.
While travelling, you are also going to eat outside. Check beforehand the ratings, which kind of food a eatery serves and their prices. This should help to make a estimated amount you are going to spend on food in a journey.
There is also the price of souvenirs, which you are going to buy from the place that you visit. Souvenirs are the memories, keepsakes or gifts for yourself or someone else that you buy or get from the places that you visit in a journey or while travelling.
I hope you got a rough idea of how you can plan your budget and here's a tip. Always take more money whether cash or on account while you are travelling because unexpected things can always happen. And don't put all the money in the same place. Put money in different safe places.
Brush Up on Safety Tips
Review safety tips of the places you are going to visit. Listen to what the locals tell you about safety tips. While travelling safety is the biggest concern.
If you are travelling with family, then their safety is your biggest concern. Do not avoid any safety tips. If you hire a guide, then listen to what the guide says about safety concern about that area.
Talk to Your Bank
Preparing with your bank before traveling helps ensure that your finances run smoothly during your trip and prevents any unexpected issues with accessing your money. What happens when you talk to your bank before travelling:
Prevent Card Declines: Banks and credit card companies often monitor transactions for suspicious activity. If they see charges from an unexpected location (like a foreign country), they might assume your card has been stolen and block it. Informing your bank about your travel plans helps avoid this issue.
Learn About Foreign Transaction Fees: Some banks charge fees for using your card abroad. By contacting your bank, you can find out what fees might apply and decide whether you want to use your card or explore other options like a travel-friendly card or cash.
Set Up Travel Notifications: Many banks offer a travel notification feature, which alerts them to expect transactions from your travel destination. This reduces the risk of your card being flagged for fraud.
Access Emergency Support: If your card is lost or stolen while traveling, knowing the bank's emergency contact number can help you quickly resolve the issue. Your bank may also provide advice on how to handle such situations.
Know Your ATM Network: Some banks have partnerships with international ATM networks, allowing you to withdraw cash with reduced fees. Checking with your bank can help you locate these ATMs and save money on withdrawals.
Check Daily Withdrawal Limits: Some banks impose limits on how much money you can withdraw daily. It's useful to confirm or adjust these limits before your trip to ensure you have access to enough cash when needed.
Understand Currency Exchange Services: Your bank might offer competitive currency exchange rates or services. By talking to them, you can learn about your options for obtaining foreign currency.
I hope you understood why it is important to let your bank know that you are travelling and don't want any interruptions in accessing your money while travelling.
Consider Camping
Consider camping to save money if possible. But make sure you make safety your biggest concern. Camping out in the wild is a good experience that you should get once a lifetime. It saves your money and gives you a new perspective about life and nature.
If you are alone or with friends then camping can make a wonderful memory of your lifetime. Camping out with family is also a great idea but make their safety your biggest concern if you are doing so. Because children are very curious about every new thing that they see.
Do a Work Exchange Program to Stay Longer
Many tourist places and rest houses provide a work exchange program. In this program, you have to help out with their work to stay longer in their campus.
The works vary from place to place, like, they would ask you work on reception, cleaning work or any other volunteer work.
Make sure to check this before you start your travel. You can do this on internet or by calling their facility to ensure the work you would have to do is suitable for your skills.
Conclusion
We talked about how investing in good equipment is very important and how a comfortable bag which is big enough to carry your essentials is also important. A good comfortable pair of shoes do wonder while you travel by reducing your focus on the pain you feel while you walk. And about how you should plan your budget and talk to your bank before travelling, and how camping and volunteer work can save your money. I hope reading this article gives you insights of what you should consider before and while travelling.
This is a guest post by Vishal Kanojiya - Heaven Himachal Photography. You can read more of their articles by visiting their website.