Your first-time travel questions answered
Planning your first big trip? We’ve got the answers to the questions that every newbie traveller asks
Doug Lansky has travelled to over 120 countries. As author of The Rough Guide to First-Time Around the World and The Rough Guide to First-Time Europe, he is an expert on what those heading off on their first travel adventure want to know – and need to know.
I’ve just got three months. Is that too short to travel around the world?
Well, since the actual flight time to circumnavigate the planet is about 40 hours, no it’s not, but it is too short to try to see most of it. As long as you don’t attempt to visit too many destinations, you’re fine. In fact, you’ll likely have a far more enriching trip than someone who travels for twice as long but tries to see four times as much.
Need more information?
10 ways around the world (for every budget)
Round the world – without flying
I’ve got $5,000 saved up. Will that get me around the world?
No problem. You can find great deals on round-the-world tickets for about a third of that price or hitchhike on yachts for free. The more important question is what kind of trip do you want to take and how long do you want it to last? Try to figure out a daily budget that fits your comfort level, and learn which countries offer the best value.
Need more information?
12 travel classics vs budget options
Galapagos Islands on a budget
9 budget-friendly trips
How do you know where to sleep each night, what to see during the day, and how to get around?
Carry a guidebook – or a digital version of one. It will cover all the sights in each town, with a short review of the best affordable accommodation, often accompanied by a helpful map (although getting a bit lost now and then is a healthy way to travel).
In peak season, you may want to book accommodation a day or two ahead of time, easily done on the internet from wherever you are staying, since just about every remote hostel around the planet has a high-speed connection these days. If you want to think even less, just wander into the tourist office, conveniently located in train and bus stations or in the centre of town, tell them your budget, and they’ll call around and make a booking for you, draw it on a free map, and tell you how to get there.
Need more information?
4 of the best travel apps
8 crazy travel apps you must download
Get 10% off maps and guidebooks at Standfords
Get paid to travel: How to become a guidebook writer
