Amando

Imagine this: You’re relaxing on an Asian beach with a cocktail in one hand and a travel itinerary in the other. You’re carefree! Backpacking for months has always been your dream, and now, it’s about to come true.

But for now, you’re at home, eagerly waiting for your departure date.

Are you fully prepared?

I have never embarked on such a long journey before. I initially thought it’d be as easy as a trip to Spain, but I was wrong.

So, what do you need to know? Let’s dive in:

1) Plan Your Trip

There are two ends to the «planner» spectrum. The detailed one that must know which ho(s)tel they will stay at months in advance, and the more «laid back» one who has a rough idea of where they will be but not exactly when or which specific place.

The important thing is that you know at least which countries you will go to, as some of the next things are country-specific.

2) Check Your Passport Validity

Most countries require that your passport is valid for at least six months from the day you leave that specific country. Check this far in advance as passport renewals can take some weeks.

3) Apply for Visa(s)

This topic could be a whole separate article. Researching entry and visa requirements can be a nightmare. Most countries have a Visa on Arrival if you are from the EU/EAA, like Thailand for example. But if you wish to access a country multiple times or if you plan to work there you need to look into a visa. For this I recommend looking into the government site for the countries you wish to visit.

Keep in mind that visa applications can take up to a month some places and sometimes you even have to give your physical passport to the embassy for that period of time. Luckily e-Visas are becoming more and more common which makes the process way easier.

4) Get vaccinated

Depending on where you’re from and where you’ll go (…cotton eye Joe) you may need some vaccines. Many countries have their own official travel advisory websites where they provide guidelines and recommendations for travelers, including recommended or required vaccinations.
Go back to the list of countries you made on step 1, and check for any travel advisories for those countries in your local travel advisory website. Such as this one.

Make sure to start vaccination at least three months before departing since some of them have to be taken in intervals with multiple doses. Vaccinations can also end up being the most expensive part of a trip, but luckily most of the vaccines last for many years, so it will keep you covered for your future trips as well.

5) Apply for a Credit Card

You need at least two credit cards when you’re out. One should be with you at all times, and the other should be left wherever you sleep. The idea is, if you get robbed, you have a backup. Consider finding credit cards where you can gain membership points for airlines, hotel chains etc. (like Bank Norwegian or Delta Sky Miles). Also find a credit card with free cash withdrawal abroad, because you do want to pay in cash where you have the option. Some places won’t accept foreign credit cards or credit card payment under a certain amount.

Tell your bank you will be using your cards in the destinations you plan the visit. Due to fraud and other activities, you cards may be auto-blocked as soon as you try to use them outside your home country.

6) Secure a Long-term Travel Insurance

Regular travel insurance will most likely not cover you if you’re out for multiple months. Check what your current plan (if you have one) already covers and ask for an extension of traveling days or countries covered. This can end up being quite pricy as the insurance companies know that there is a higher risk of things going wrong when you are more or less constantly on the go.

If you’re European and will travel in EU/EEA, get your physical European Health Insurance card. This one will help you with health coverages if you end up needing a doctor’s appointment or the hospital. Their website says the card is «not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property». Read more about the card here.

7) Prepare Your Medication

Do you need specific medication for specific issues? Such as allergies, ADHD, etc.

You may need to bring with you enough stock to cover the time you plan to be away for. Some countries have restrictions on what medication you can bring into the country.

You may also need papers that justify why you need this medication and how much of it you need per day. Some countries are stricter than others when it comes to this, for example Singapore. So, make sure to do research on the countries you plan to visit.

Embassy websites usually share this info, such as this one: Indonesian Embassy in Oslo

8) Cancel Subscriptions

Before you leave, there might be some subscriptions you can cancel in your home country.

Do you really need your gym subscription while you’re away? Probably not. The same applies to:

Netflix, HBO, Disney +, etc.
(Mobile carrier)
Activities (gym, ski resort, climbing hall)
Co-working space
Grocery delivery subscriptions

Cancel everything you don’t need. It can add up to a significant amount of money that is best used on tasty food abroad!

9) Make a Data/Phone Plan

You will probably want to have access to live Google Maps while you’re on the go in a new country. There are multiple options when looking into data packs. First of all, your mobile provider in your home country will probably have an offer for a data pack abroad. Some of these offers are not too bad if you are willing to pay more for the efficiency and the fact that you can keep your original phone number. However, if you don’t bother with having a local SIM and a different phone number there are way better deals to be made. We’re talking tens of GB for under 10 dollars a month.If you end up using a local SIM in the country you’re visiting, keep in mind that 2-factor authentication for your bank, etc, will not work.

Here are some options to consider when buying a data plan:

Dual SIM

If your phone has two physical SIM card slots, this is straightforward. You can still keep your original phone number and you get a local phone number for the country you are in.

eSIM

ESIM is a virtual SIM card that you don’t have to physically insert into your phone. Instead you just have to install it. Super super handy. Most modern phones support eSIM.

If you do this, consider using Airalo to buy eSIMs from absolutely anywhere you go. If you use my code AMANDO2889 during checkout, you get $3 off your first purchase. I got 50GB in Thailand for $6.30, which is quite a steal!

4/5G Router

A 4/5G router is a battery powered router that accepts a SIM card and creates a wifi hotspot you can connect to with your phone, laptop, etc.

Meaning multiple people can be on the same wifi hotspot without tethering (and using your phone battery!).
It’s a great device I’ve used for 6+ months when travelling in my van.

10) Prepare Your Apartment

If, like me, you rent an apartment. You probably have a few questions of what to do with it when traveling. Let’s go over the most popular ones a rate them on two scales: Convenience and cost effectiveness!

Do you keep it and eat the cost of the rent while you’re away?

Convenience: 10/10

Cost effectiveness: 2/10

You don’t have to worry about moving your stuff anywhere. Especially if you own furniture. But you have to eat a high cost month after month for an apartment you don’t use.

Do you sub-let it?

Convenience: 5/10

Cost effectiveness: 10/10

You have strangers living on your stuff. But you don’t have to pay rent while they’re there. Great option if you can rent to a friend. But the process of finding someone trustworthy to rent to was too cumbersome for me to like the idea.

Do you give it up and move everything to storage?

Convenience: 1/10

Cost effectiveness: 10/10

Depending on how much you own this could be the best option. The more you own, the less convenient it is. If you can fit your life into a backpack, and don’t mind losing your apartment, this is great.

Pro Tip: Negotiate with your landlord

Convenience: 10/10

Cost effectiveness: 8/10

Landlords usually calculate an 11 month occupancy rate when renting out property. This means that, if you’ve been at your apartment for 2 years, your landlord has made 2 more rents than predicted.
If you’re a good tenant and rent from a good private landlord, they may put other options on the table, such as half rent while you’re away or at least for a period of time.

I mentioned my travels to my landlord and said I wanted to sublet. He suggested doing half rent while I’m away. Less hassle for the both of us, and I get to keep a great apartment in my favorite part of the city.

11) Find a Place for Your Car

If you live in a place that gets snow in winter, it may be a good idea to find a garage spot to put it in. But it’s not as simple as just locking it in the garage and calling it a day!
This article explains very well what you should consider doing for best results and to have a good experience when you’re back and start it up again.

12) Tell Your Government Where You Are

In case of emergencies like natural disasters most governments want to know where their citizens are. You should register where you are at all times so you can get the help needed if something were to happen on your trip. In Norway you can do this here.

Conrad Bangkok – Luxury in the city

1. Introduction

2. Booking Process

3. First Impressions

4. Room & Amenities

5. Dining

6. Facilities & Services

7. Location & Accessibility

8. Staff & Service

9. Value for Money

10. Conclusion & Recommendation

11. Rating

12. Photographs

13. Contact Information of the Establishment

Traveling Long-Term? Here’s What You Need to Know