Before you consider a trip round the world, there are few things you have to sort out:

Can I afford the travel? - It doesn’t mean you have to have the money up front but can you manage to pay it off without causing yourself financial detriment?
Where will I go?
When? For how long?
What should I take with me?
Solo or with companion(s)?
Communications and keeping in touch

COST
The cost of a round the world trip will vary depending on many things. Duration of travel, destinations, activities undertaken during travels, accommodation and the desired lifestyle are all things that can dictate the cost.

Shopping for fares, using discount schemes and general good planning can cut down costs significantly. Take two round the worlders with identical itineraries and you’re bound to have a price difference.

Sample Prices

To get a reasonable idea of what a RTW trip may cost, add the following:

	Flight + taxes
	Visas
	Overland travel (train and coach)
	Insurance
	Medical (vaccinations and prophylaxis)
	Accommodation
	Food
	Transportation (buses, taxis etc.)
	Entertainment and recreation
	Sundries
	Miscellaneous (everything from phone calls, letters and stamps to souvenirs)
	Emergencies
	Any extra gear you require

Do not count on employment income unless you are certain there’s a job for you at the other end.

Do not count on free accommodation: that “friend” from the hostel who promised you a place on his/her floor may not have been all that genuine. Similarly, don’t assume you can pitch a tent anywhere. Camping is illegal in many places and can get you thrown out of some.

Bravado and economising is a dangerous combination. It is one thing to save money by cutting down on some of the conveniences on the road but it is quite something else to put yourself in risky situations. Ask yourself if it is really worthwhile to prolong your trip by limiting yourself to below-par accommodation or transportation when you can shorten the duration and travel in better conditions.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT ALL ENDS?
Then there is the problem of funds once you return from your trip. If you are going to be living with family or going into pre-paid university accommodation, housing costs following your return won’t be a worry. However, if you have to move into your own place, you’ll need to set aside enough money for rent (plus deposit if you’re going into a new place) before you go away. Returning from a long and exciting trip is depressing enough. You really don’t want to add to your sorrows the anxiety of not having a home to go to.

EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH IT?
There are expensive places, cheap places and places in-between. Some countries can give the unsuspecting traveller a terrible shock on seeing a restaurant menu for the first time. However, don’t write off countries if you really want to see them: there may be cost variations between regions within a particular country; there are high and low seasons in most places with fluctuating costs and cities and metropolitan areas tend to be the most pricey for accommodation.

WHERE TO?
The obvious answer in the form of a question is: what do I want to do and see?

If you are adventurous and want to experience the highs and lows of truly independent travel, the lesser known and out of the way places may be a good option. However, those wishing for modern comforts and conveniences will find life in the jungles a bit trying.

Don’t limit yourself to just what you know or have heard of. One of the benefits of a RTW is to make new discoveries. You may plan a long stay or stopover in a place that interests you to learn about the place in detail.

Hit your most important/desired destination first. This way, if you run out of funds and have to cut the trip short, you wouldn’t feel as disappointed.

USEFUL LINKS
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Museums Around the World

The Guide to Cultural Travel

Culture Finder
A directory of the "cultured" events - theatre, arts, music etc. - in US cities.

Routes International
Useful links to info on getting to and around destinations all over the world.

National Geographic Maps

World Weather

WHEN AND FOR HOW LONG
Some travellers keep going until their money runs out. This involuntary ending method may be fine for the most carefree souls but it’s much nicer to know that there’s method and planning to our travels. Imagine being struck by the splendours of a particular country and then realising that you have to leave the next day. Or worse, there isn’t another flight out of there until the following week and you’re forced to go into your emergency reserves. If we had a tuppence for every time we heard someone say “it was so nice at so and such… Just wish I had enough money to stay longer”, we’d have enough to buy a RTW ticket.

PRACTICAL PLANNING
If you plan on working, make sure there are jobs available and you are entitled to work legally. Although “informal” and casual jobs such as fruit picking and restaurant work are available in many places, there’s little protection from unscrupulous employers and poor working conditions if you are working illegally.

You need to prepare for your planned destination. Clothing and gear should suit the climate, seasons and activities.

Health and medical planning should be done with the destinations in mind. Consult your doctor to find out which vaccinations are required. Some travellers get the yellow fever vaccine even if they are not going into an infected area as travel changes may take them to areas that require vaccination certificates. Malaria prophylaxes differ in regions so you will need to be treated accordingly.

Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your travel. It may not be all that easy to renew it once you’re on your travels.

USEFUL LINKS
UK Passport agency

Make sure - BEFORE YOU LEAVE - that your insurance will cover you for the activities you wish to participate in. Many general cover policies exclude high-risk activities such as diving, bungee jumping and climbing. In addition, problems arising out of political insurrections and terrorism may not be covered so if you are venturing somewhere with a history of instability, read the small print and enquire with the insurance company.

Most RTW tickets have some flexibility. Enquire when purchasing. You may wish to alter plans and routes while on your journey. Also, circumstances beyond your control may force you to abandon or postpone plans. Enquire if overland trips can be made and ask if backtracking is allowed. Ask about surcharges and hidden taxes.

PACK THAT BACKPACK
Pack appropriately and efficiently. Make a list of everything you’ll need starting with the most important things and differentiate between items you will need for the entire duration of the trip and items that you can replenish or buy during the trip.

Clothing needs will differ depending on season, climate and region. But be prepared for extreme conditions.

FEWER IS BETTER - much of what you’ll need, you’ll be able to purchase when you’re out there. It may not be necessary to take 20 bars of soap or a dozen pads of writing paper.

Remember, there is a maximum weight allowance for airlines. Smaller regional airlines tend to be considerably less generous than the major international carriers and excess weight is either charged for or not allowed.

Keep commonly used items in an easy to reach area of your backpack. This will save you from missing your train because you had to unpack your backpack in order to find your passport. But make sure valuables and important documents are kept secure.

IMPORTANT: Make at least three copies of all your important documents. Leave one copy at home with a trusted friend and take the other two copies with you. Pack them in separate places. This way if anything should happen to the originals (especially your passport or travel tickets) you will have proof of citizenship and that you have paid for your travel.

SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR AN EXTENDED JOURNEY (THREE MONTHS OR MORE) ON A BUDGET:

Backpack
The best way to take things on the road. Although RTW suitcase travellers are not unknown, this really isn’t the most practical way to travel (imagine trying to get a wheelie suitcase up gravel hill paths).

A backpack should be comfortable to carry, durable, secure, suitable size for the duration of your trip AND suitable for your size. Make sure that it has internal support bars so that your stuff doesn’t flop all over the place. Like so many other things in life, backpacks are designed for the average male so try out a few for proper fit and comfort.

Packing Items
	Backpack cover/rain cover - to keep the pack dry in torrential downpours.
	Daysack/small rucksack - for your outings.
	Plastic bags - to keep things confined and dry.
	Box - a small waterproof box - plastic is probably best - to keep small and fragile items.
	Money belt or pouch for your valuables.

Clothing
	Rain gear
	Swimwear
	Boots - the all-purpose walking variety. Should be already broken in.
	Sports sandals
	Hat - for keeping the sun off
	Hat - for keeping warm. Even in warmer climates, nights can get chilly and mountainous terrain can experience severe temperature dips. A woollen or fleece toque is good for this.
	T-shirts
	Loose-fitting shirt with long sleeves - light coloured is best for hot places. You may also find it useful where women are required to cover their arms.
	Shorts
	Trousers - should be comfortable, quick drying and requiring minimal ironing.
	Long skirt - if you are visiting places where women do not display their legs. It can also double up as smart gear.
	Hair ties - long hair should be tied back to minimise unwanted attention in certain places.
	Underwear - practical ones! A lace pushup bra can be very uncomfortable on a sweaty train journey.
	Socks - wool is best for cold weather and specialist synthetic (common in many sports socks) are best for hot weather.
	Sunglasses
	Smart gear/going out clothes - keep to a minimum! Unless you’re going to be attending a series of job interviews, you don’t need a suit. One nice shirt and skirt should suffice.

Security Items
	Small padlocks/combination locks - to tie down possessions in hostels or wherever you fear a bagsnatch (such as beaches and when sleeping on airport benches).
	Doorstop or latches - for securing doors at night.

Sleeping Items
You can omit these if you plan on staying only at higher-grade accommodation (or those with proper beds anyways).
	Sleeping bag - get one that is compact without sacrificing function.
	Sleeping mat - if you’re going to be sleeping outdoors or on the floor.
	Tent - if you’re going to do camping. But a tent can add considerable bulk so consider your options carefully.
	Sheet and pillowcase - the ones in the hostels may not always be clean.
	Mosquito net - an absolute necessity and protection against disease (especially malaria) if you are going to mosquito-infested places. Some nets come impregnated with insecticide.

Food/Drink Items
Even if you don’t plan on cooking, you may not always have a restaurant handy.
	Swiss army knife - not only for food but an all-round useful tool. Try to find one with tin opener, corkscrew and bottle opener.
	Scissors
	Matches/lighter - will always be useful.
	Water bottle - a strong plastic one is best. In hot climates and/or during physically demanding activities, you must drink plenty of water.
	Water purification tablets - although boiling normally does the trick, this option may not always be available.
	Spoon, knife and fork - easier than using your hands to eat a can of baked beans.
	Sink plug - for laundry

Health
	First aid kit - should contain: plasters, sterile gauze, bandages, antiseptic cream, tweezers.
	Sunblock
	Insect repellent
	Stomach upset remedies
	Blister remedy

Toiletries
Unless you have specialist requirements, most toiletries like soap and shampoos can be purchased during your trip. Avoid buying the largest bottles even though buying in bulk is usually cheaper. If you use tampons take at least two months’ supply with you, especially if you are travelling outside of Europe. Tampons are not always the easiest things to find. Take a towel with you that doesn’t take a long time to dry. You could try substituting a huge pillow case - it takes up less space and dries much faster.

Others
	Safety pins
	Duct tape
	Sewing kit
	Washing line
	Extra tissues/toilet paper - you won’t always find bogroll in the loos.
	Torch (and batteries)
	Specialist gear and sports equipment for activities you intend to take part in - but keep in mind, if hiring the equipment is feasible at the destination, you may cut down on a lot of weight.
	Repair kit for any specialist gear you have

COMPANIONSHIP OR SOLO JOURNEY
The obvious pros to travelling in a group or with a companion are safety, support when you need it and the general joys to be gained in shared common experiences. However, the biggest cons are conflict (differences over planning, direction, personal priorities and money) and that general irritation factor - knowing that you are being forced into making compromises when you’ve spent all that money for the privilege of seeing the world.

You may or may not need a travelling party. If you are going to developed countries with reasonable records on safety and convenience, you will probably do okay on your own. Also, some popular destinations are backpacker meccas (Australia for example) and you are bound to run into like-minded people that you can do things with (short-term travelling buddies can become good friends). On the other hand, there are plenty of places where you won’t see another tourist for months at a time.

Many a friendship have come to an acrimonious end on the road. With the stresses and strains of the road, we often find a target in those nearest to us and it doesn’t take much for escalation. There are things you can consider to make a pleasant travelling party rather than an enforced chaingang.

How similar are your outlooks, activities and interests? A quiet outdoor enthusiast and a nightclub prowler may not make the best possible pair on the road. Personal differences that can normally be downplayed will become pronounced and unavoidable in close confines over a long period. What will a left-wing vegetarian feel towards a pro-hunting monarchist after three months of sitting on trains and sharing sleeping quarters?

Establish some rules on practical matters at the beginning: Money - what sort of budget; maximum you’re all willing to spend on accommodation etc. Health and safety - anyone who jeopardises the well-being of others is bad news. If someone insists on inviting strange men to your hotel room or takes illegal drugs where your judgement tells you this is not on, it’s best to give her the boot.

Take breaks from one another. You can do different things or take different routes - where it’s safe to do so - and meet up later on.

COMMUNICATIONS AND KEEPING IN TOUCH
It is very important to keep in touch with someone back home not only for your safety but to put their minds at ease.
Email - probably the best way to keep in touch. Facilities are available in most cities through hotels, youth hostels and internet cafes. Some public libraries allow free or cheap access.
Snail Mail - can be unreliable and/or slow in some developing countries so if the message is urgent, don’t count on the post.
Mobile Phones - many phones can be used abroad. However, mobile overseas calls are expensive and you may want to limit their use to emergencies and occasional calls back home.