Long-Term Travel: How Do They Do It?!
Whether it’s a few weeks or a few years, long-term travel isn’t just about relaxing on a beach and drinking cocktails all day. In fact, it’s hardly that at all. Long-term travelling has its ups and downs, and usually, they’re very high ups and pretty low downs.
Here I go over a quick guide to start you off on your long-term travel journey. Everything from that first initial idea, how to turn that idea into reality, and some tips for your time on the road.
If you want to travel long term, you make it work. Simple as that. Some like fancy cars, some like the idea of buying a house, some like getting a Starbucks every day, some want kids and a big family, and some put all of that aside for plane tickets.
So stop the ‘how do you do it’. Everyone chooses to spend their money in their own way, and you don’t need to be super-rich to travel long term.
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Before Leaving Home
Do you really want to do this?
Long-term travel, despite what you might see on social media, really isn’t easy. Ask yourself what are your goals and aims of your journey? Are you doing it just because everyone else is and it seems great? Because there are difficult sides you’re not being shown, too.
Long-term travel isn’t for everyone, and it’s ok to give up at any point in your journey.
Where will you go? For how long?
Planning is key. But getting the right balance between planning and winging it is difficult. Of course, plans change and life destroys many of them anyway. Often whilst travelling, the best things that happen are the unexpected ones. However, it is important to plan some things, such as a rough idea of your route and your budget, and how long you expect to be away for.
Decide on Type of Trip
This is important in terms of budget and length of the trip. Will you be backpacking for months or will you be carrying a suitcase around and staying in hotels and resorts for a few weeks before you head back?
Find an Opportunity
Got a friend who lives abroad? Want to find out more about your family routes? Someone’s hiring for your perfect job half a world away? Opportunities like this are the best to give you a kick up the bum to get you moving. But, that doesn’t mean you need one to travel. Use them as fuel to help you on your journey.
Ignore People
A lot of people, including friends and family, will probably try to talk you out of it. Whilst it’s a good idea to listen to the advice of your loved ones, you know best. They’re probably just jealous, anyway.
Get Over Your Fears
What are you waiting for!
There’s a whole world out there waiting to be explored.
Follow social media accounts and read blogs of those in a similar position to you to help you make that step.
How To Travel Long-Term Cheap
Sell Stuff
You’re about to leave it all behind and live from the stuff you’re about to pack into one (or two) bags. You don’t need the rest of it. And if you don’t believe me now, you will believe me by about 3 weeks into your trip. Before you go, sell a lot of your things you won’t be needing and make some extra cash for your trip, as well as creating some space if you need to pack all your belongings away and put it all in storage.
Thrifty
Learn to be thrifty! Do you really need that Starbucks every morning?
Have a sit-down with your finances and see where you can save and even if it’s only a few dollars every day, it will add up to the cost of a few flights in a few months and you’ll thank yourself down the line.
Become Savvy
Learn the best money-saving travel hacks. Everything from using a sink and washing powder to wash your clothes in, or using tools such as Skyscanner to make sure you are getting the best deal on big expenses. You could also consider taking local buses instead of more foreigner-friendly air-conditioned ones or booking hostels that have a free breakfast to help you start the day on a full stomach.
My biggest tip on this one would be only YOU know what is worth saving on for you. You may live for that morning latte, or maybe you absolutely just cannot sleep without the air-conditioning on. Maybe you get anxious sharing a room with others and need your own room of an evening, and buying new clothes every so often helps pick you up. Only you know what you can miss out on and what’s not worth suffering without.
I’ve tried to be the skimpiest traveler, doing everything I could to save me money. But at that point when you have let everything go, there is very little you may be able to find enjoyment in.
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Earn Before You Go
Help decide on a budget by working hard before you leave. Not for everyone, but an option is to work as hard as you can for a year and skimp whilst you do so, so you can enjoy a more luxurious travel experience whilst you’re going around the world. Or, just be conscious for a few months of your spending and always put some aside.
Your budget can determine where you’ll go and how long you’ll go for, so it’s important to consider this ahead of time.
Work on the Road
There is an obvious money maker that I cover a little further down! You could grab odd jobs along the way as well if you are staying in one area for a little while.
On the Road Long-Term Travel Tips
Travel Slowly
Remember, long-term travel is ‘living’, not ‘travelling’. You are no longer on a quick city break to Spain or a beach resort in Greece. Take it slowly and forget about the fast-paced life you left behind. Take a day off a week like you would back home. You have time. And it’s impossible to be on the move 24/7. Plus, you will be too tired to enjoy it if you are.
Find a Hobby
Whether it be reading, playing cards, or drawing – you will need something to do. Just like you have a hobby now, you’ll need something when you’re travelling, too. It’s not just all sight-seeing, especially long-term travel. Make sure you pick something you enjoy that is simple to do on the go.
Work
Arguably the best ting to do during long-term travel, work will help to sustain you financially, but also helps mentally, too. There are thousands of digital nomads out there now. Working whilst traveling takes the pressure off having to “enjoy” and “do” stuff all the time. You have work, and at least that is an excuse to chill out and not walk around for a while. It also gives you a chance to not have to plan things yourself, which can get very tiring!
Volunteer
Find yourself a bit without purpose when you’re on the road? Or lonely? Volunteering is one of the best ways to immerse yourself into a culture, meet new people, and take a step back from just ‘sight-seeing’. Plus, you are giving back to a community that has also given you something. You could stop off in one area, or decide to volunteer in a few places where you go for similar things, e.g. animal sanctuaries in various places in the world, if that’s what you’re interested in.
Food
TRY LOCAL. But also don’t force yourself.
One of the best ways to immerse yourself into local culture is through the local cuisine. There is no reason why you shouldn’t try it once, but if you decide it’s not for you, then that’s fine too.
Keep An Open Mind
You’re going to come across a lot of people and cultures that don’t share your mindset. But be aware, you are the foreigner in their country. Travel with an open mind to these areas and you are bound to enjoy the experience more.
Keep Fit
Keep fit! Especially if that’s something you usually do. If you regularly go for runs or go to the gym, there is nothing stopping you from doing this on the road, too.
Pack Wisely
Arguably the most important tip. Your suitcase or backpack will be your most important travel buddy. You want to make sure it looks after you like you look after it. Don’t overpack – but also don’t under-pack. A fine balance, and a fine art.
My general rule is to note the things I use regularly on a 2 week period. If I don’t touch the item in a 2 week period, I don’t bring it. 2 weeks is probably too lenient, too. Of course, you will want to make sure you have emergency items too, and there are some travel-specific items you should also think of.
Pack light. Clothes can be bought on the road. In fact, so can a lot of things.
Final Thoughts
My biggest takeaway from long-term travel is that once it becomes long-term, it’s not just travel. It’s living and you will need to change your ideas of both the concept of ‘living’ and ‘travel’ as these two intermingle to form your new way of life. Go easy on yourself as you find this balance, and know it might not be easy at first.
Don’t get slack after a few months. If nothing bad has happened since you left, great! But that doesn’t mean nothing ever will. Stay vigilant when it comes to safety and always let people know where you are. Carry a photocopy of passport wherever you go and don’t forget the safety precautions you took at first.
Most importantly, stay happy! Don’t force yourself to enjoy the experience, but let it happen naturally. And, it’s OK to go home.
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I like to bring peanut butter. And crackers.