First time 3 Month Travel.

Hi there,

My partner and I have booked a 3 month trip around a few countries that we both haven't been to, Mumbai, Kerala, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brisbane to Sydney, Athens (to visit family) then home.

Looking for any tips for longer term travel, im getting nervous now, the thought of being away for so long, but trying to keep positive. I have always wanted to take a big trip but never had the chance, so it really will be an experience for me. Is it normal to get nervous before? I think its just the feeling or the irregular and unknown.

... Also, im freaking out a wee bit about the cleanliness of India, but hoping I will be fine when I get there!

Quoting obrip32

Looking for any tips for longer term travel...

Pack light - if you haven't any luggage or a backpack yet, consider NOT buying a giant bag; that encourages you to fill it with stuff you may regret bringing in the first place. Anything over 36L, in my opinion, is excessive - the extra weight and bulk can get old quick. You should easily be able to pick up clothes, toiletries and stuff on the road, often for cheaper than what you'd get them for at home.

Pack things that can serve double-duty. For an example, I use soap to wash my hair. Most of the time soap is provided - I carry a bar anyway. I'd never consider taking up space and adding weight by packing along a bottle of shampoo. Or you can use shampoo as a type of shower gel, if you want to look at it that way. Have a think along these lines and see what you come up with yourself.

Quoting road to roam

Quoting obrip32

Looking for any tips for longer term travel...

Pack light - if you haven't any luggage or a backpack yet, consider NOT buying a giant bag; that encourages you to fill it with stuff you may regret bringing in the first place. Anything over 36L, in my opinion, is excessive - the extra weight and bulk can get old quick. You should easily be able to pick up clothes, toiletries and stuff on the road, often for cheaper than what you'd get them for at home.

Pack things that can serve double-duty. For an example, I use soap to wash my hair. Most of the time soap is provided - I carry a bar anyway. I'd never consider taking up space and adding weight by packing along a bottle of shampoo. Or you can use shampoo as a type of shower gel, if you want to look at it that way. Have a think along these lines and see what you come up with yourself.

hey " )

yeah we are only taking one larger backpack for 2 of us and then a small back pack for day trips.

good idea with the soap bar : )

Thanks for the feedback.

Where are you starting from? If from Europe maybe round trip flights to Athens and return might save money. The rest of your flights are more in Asia and Oceania.

When you write "booked 3 month trip" does this mean you already purchased your plane tickets for the major flights or still thinking about it?

What months will you be in Asia? (Weather.)

Assuming you already have passports. (Your passport will determine what type of visa you will need.)

Money. Plan a budget out and determine how much per day you have for day to day expenses AFTER paying for your flights. Do not leave home with a single source of income. Have more than one debit card with each of you. Have credit cards for unanticipated expenses that may come up. If you only travel with a single card you could lose it or damage it making it useless. (Usually crap happens at the worse possible time like damaging a single card or someone steals a single card!)

Not everywhere you go you use a debit card to pay for some cheap item. If you intend to use ATMs for cash the ATM fee may be the same for a small withdrawal amount or the maximum your bank and the ATM permits. I notify my bank, credit union and credit card providers when I will be overseas while still at home. For my protection my banks may deny ATM withdrawals that suddenly start to come up from foreign countries assuming the withdrawals are fraudulent. (Some banks do this and some don't.)

Insurance. Tourists get hurt and even killed on their holiday trips. Some insurance good for medical - hospital costs on your trip might come in handy.

Passport. Keep your passport safe and dry! Damage, lose or mutilate your passport somehow will be a big problem for one of you!

Scams. For each country you visit first research any scams you may encounter.

"we are only taking one larger backpack for 2 of us and then a small back pack for day trips.."

Big backpacks may be too big and not be allowed into the seating area on flights. So check your particular airline. Have packs you can put a padlock on especially if you intend to use some sort of hostel type accommodation. (If you have to check your pack in before flying out make sure your straps or other stuff that could get caught in the machinery are out of the way. Some travelers even put their pack in a bag.

"..freaking out a wee bit about the cleanliness of India.."

Sometimes it is not only the food that could make you sick. You can get sick from crap on your hands that you transfer to food you touch and then eat. So, immediately before you touch food you consume clean your hands off! Consider everything you touch from washing up at your hotel and touching food is contaminated. Don't transfer nasty stuff to your food and then to your belly!

Good luck.

[ Edit: Edited on 15-Dec-2019, 20:27 GMT by karazyal ]

Quoting karazyal

Where are you starting from? If from Europe maybe round trip flights to Athens and return might save money. The rest of your flights are more in Asia and Oceania.

When you write "booked 3 month trip" does this mean you already purchased your plane tickets for the major flights or still thinking about it?

What months will you be in Asia? (Weather.)

Assuming you already have passports. (Your passport will determine what type of visa you will need.)

Money. Plan a budget out and determine how much per day you have for day to day expenses AFTER paying for your flights. Do not leave home with a single source of income. Have more than one debit card with each of you. Have credit cards for unanticipated expenses that may come up. If you only travel with a single card you could lose it or damage it making it useless. (Usually crap happens at the worse possible time like damaging a single card or someone steals a single card!)

Not everywhere you go you use a debit card to pay for some cheap item. If you intend to use ATMs for cash the ATM fee may be the same for a small withdrawal amount or the maximum your bank and the ATM permits. I notify my bank, credit union and credit card providers when I will be overseas while still at home. For my protection my banks may deny ATM withdrawals that suddenly start to come up from foreign countries assuming the withdrawals are fraudulent. (Some banks do this and some don't.)

Insurance. Tourists get hurt and even killed on their holiday trips. Some insurance good for medical - hospital costs on your trip might come in handy.

Passport. Keep your passport safe and dry! Damage, lose or mutilate your passport somehow will be a big problem for one of you!

Scams. For each country you visit first research any scams you may encounter.

"we are only taking one larger backpack for 2 of us and then a small back pack for day trips.."

Big backpacks may be too big and not be allowed into the seating area on flights. So check your particular airline. Have packs you can put a padlock on especially if you intend to use some sort of hostel type accommodation. (If you have to check your pack in before flying out make sure your straps or other stuff that could get caught in the machinery are out of the way. Some travelers even put their pack in a bag.

"..freaking out a wee bit about the cleanliness of India.."

Sometimes it is not only the food that could make you sick. You can get sick from crap on your hands that you transfer to food you touch and then eat. So, immediately before you touch food you consume clean your hands off! Consider everything you touch from washing up at your hotel and touching food is contaminated. Don't transfer nasty stuff to your food and then to your belly!

Good luck.

hey

yeah I already booked the flights so we have an itinerary, which may seem over organised but I feel we got a good deal.

we leave end of January from Edinburgh, to Mumbai, 3 days, Kerala, 8 day, FEB to cambodia to siem reap 19days, then onto vietnam MARCH, thenBrisbane to Sydent in April 19 days, then Greece 8 days, then back to Edinburgh.

im feeling good, as I have a spreadsheet to work out a budget and time lines, to do's. but im not planning every step, just the places we land.

i'll get a padlock : )

thanks for the feedback.

I think it is better to be organised than to take things as it is. More things are being seen and experienced that way. Kudos on you!

For Vietnam, if you are taking a domestic flight, do check if it includes a check in luggage. The fee to check in one when boarding is outrageous. Coming from my Indian friends and colleagues, always use bottled water to brush your teeth and wash your face. Bring your own toothbrush. Street food is fine but really, pick wisely. Are you both female or there is a female traveler? Personal safety is no joke there. Take care!

Your plan looks good. Not too busy. Only weak point is you've put the difficult places first when you are more likely to be overwhelmed - if you find it getting crazy with culture shock, thinking what have I done, remind yourself that when you get to Australia it will seem like coming back to your home culture.

You've had good advice so far. Not much I can add.

How big is your "larger" pack? The suggestion of max 37L bags each is a good one - loads of advantages. You may not need to check them in airline holds, or an equal security risk bus holds on overland travel in Asia. You don't need someone to guard the luggage when say going to the toilet, each is small enough to go with you. They'll fit in hostel lockers. The danger is whoever is carrying the big bag gets miserable.

Packing tips. Take half the clothes you think you need. Skip anything where you're not sure you'll need it - you can buy everything on the road, usually cheaper than at home. Do take a universal sink plug for when the plug is missing. Don't bother with mosquito nets (they're always provided if needed) or sleeping bags (banned in some of the countries you're visiting due to risk of cross contamination with bed bugs etc). Ditch all makeup and fashion ideas for the duration. Take minimal footwear, it's a space hog. Scale down your electronics, and try to make the power supply for any gadgets do double duty by having things that all take the same connection such as micro USB. For me this is just a smartphone with a short lead and charger. Add headphones to help while away long journeys and give you an excuse to ignore tedious people.

Trim down the number of undies and socks you need by planning on more frequent laundry, which can often be informal laundry handwashing in the sink and letting them air-dry overnight.

Gather together a compact home-made first aid kit - plasters, adhesive tape, antiseptic and antihystamine, painkillers. I'd include some sachets of rehydration salts to get over tummy upsets quicker - that's going to be India.

You'll be fine in India and other places if you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer, before eating. Avoid oily foods; that bout of TD might not be from contaminated food and water but from ingesting oily food. Also know that in some countries food mostly is prepared once a day for the main meal, usually lunch. So you might have to pay extra to have a meal prepared from scratch in the evening. Be observant, wash your hands, and you'll be OK.

One more thing. It's normal to get the jitters as travel often entails the unknown. Difficulties will arise. If so, deal with them promptly and move on. Don't worry; keep positive; and make the most of every situation. That way you'll enjoy your trip ever so much more.

I have been traveling a long time, and I always get nervous before I leave even for places I've been many times before. After the first long flight, give yourself some time to adjust to the new climate/way of doing things and to get over jet lag. Be prepared to fall asleep at dinner and wake up and want something to eat at 2 am.

And relax and just enjoy everything.

Also keep some kind of journal (digital or on paper)