Hitting the Road: Preparing For the Long Haul

Preparing for a long term trip requires you to think beyond packing. While packing is an essential part of the process (especially if you are headed out for a lengthy excursion) it can occasionally be viewed as the worst part of the trip.

You may have quit your job to travel the globe or decided to study abroad, but whatever your choice, there are preparations that should be made at home before you take off. Once you have decided on your destination and planned out your itinerary and even more importantly, established a budget, it's time to create a list of tasks that need to be accomplished before it’s time for “wheels up!”

One Year Ahead

It would be helpful if the first stages of planning start approximately a year before you depart. You will pick your destination and hone in on why you are taking this new adventure. Put together that budget so you have a solid idea of what your travel costs will be. This will also allow you extra time to cut out expenditures and save a little extra for a buffer. While you are saving up, do a little research on how you can cut down on some of those foreign travel costs.

Six Months Out

Choose your departure window, ensure your passport is valid (and will continue to be while you are gone.) Apply for any necessary visas that may be needed in the countries you are headed to, then research different flight options. Utilize a travel app or on online travel site to assist you in finding the best flight deals possible.

Depending on your plans you might be selling your home or just ending your lease. Either way you will potentially have personal items to leave behind. It will be important to research and plan out your best storage options.

You may also want to sell or donate some of your belongings so there is less stuff to store. However, even after you get rid of a few things, there may be purchases you need to make. You could create your own travel blog to document your adventures, so you may need a new laptop. If it’s your intent to do quite a bit of hiking, a new backpack might be in order.

Catch up on any appointments. Visit your dentist, your doctor, and take care of any necessary immunizations. Start eating lots of immunity boosting fruits and veggies, like carrots and tomatoes, before your trip. You never know what kind of new germs you’ll be exposed to in foreign places, so it’s best to make sure your immune system is in tip-top shape before you get there.

A Month Before

Things will begin to ramp up at this point. You may have done this already, but it’s officially time to give notice to your employer (unless you have made previous arrangements for a leave of absence.)

Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended, and make sure to figure out your currency options. Do you need a money card that you can load with foreign currency? Or do you know what payment options are available where you are headed? Speaking of your bank, be sure to let your financial institution know that you will be traveling. It would be incredibly disappointing to show up in Europe and your bank account is frozen.

Make arrangements to have your mail forwarded elsewhere. The best choice would likely be a parent or other family member. This way you would feel comfortable with that person opening your mail and ensuring that any issues, such as unpaid bills, that may pop up can be taken care of.

Only One Week to Go

Create a checklist of the items you intend to pack. Start laying everything out and do any necessary laundry. Ensure that all your documents are together and make copies of everything that is important. Leave a copy with a trusted family member and pack another copy in a different bag, just in case.

There’s nothing wrong with throwing yourself a little bon voyage party or indulging in a few of your favorite food rituals. There might not be any fantastic take-out pizza where you are headed and your mom probably isn’t coming along as your personal chef.

Departure Day

Plan ten or so minutes to give your home a good once-over before you lock the doors, get to the airport early, and enjoy your new adventure!

By AJ Earley