Money, Health and Safety - some questions answered.
How much money should I budget for when travelling?
How long is a piece of string?! It’s a tricky question, as every traveler has different requirements, travel plans and standards of living. There are, however, a few general tips that usually stand strong with the vast majority of round the world travellers.
• Beware of ‘false economies’ – it is easy to get carried away trying to do everything for the lowest possible cost, only to find that you pay out more in ‘extras’ further down the line. A good example of this would be joining a budget tour only to find that you have to pay for all meals, the guide’s meals and some additional accommodation.
• We always recommend pre-booking a first couple of nights accommodation, especially when arriving at a new destination late at night.
• Bear in mind additional costs you may incur by purchasing an unsuitable round the world ticket. We offer some great deals but if you end up having to spend days on a bus or paying for additional flights when abroad you may end up regretting not paying a little more upfront. Speak to you consultant for advice on this.
• Asia and the Indian subcontinent offer fantastic round the world stops if you have a tight travelling budget. Living is cheap and you will find the budget traveler is very well catered for.
• Overland tours and safaris are often the only way to access the ‘must-see’ destinations in places such as East Africa. Don’t always presume that you can do it cheaper independently.
A budget
We are going to stick our necks out and offer some ballpark figures for a few suggested travelling budgets, to help give you a guideline:
Gap Year Traveler - Fresh out of school and on a tight budget – away to travel rather than socialise every night, happy to stay in budget hostels, take the cheapest class of bus or train and eats at the budget restaurants.
- South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent - £15 - £20 per day.
- South and Central America, Africa, Australasia, Middle East - £15-£20 per day.
- North America, Europe, South Pacific - £20 + per day.
Career/Senior Gapper – Looking to travel and to live a little. You like to shop for souvenirs for the home, eat at some nice restaurants now and again, travel on a better standard of bus and stay in mid range accommodation.
- South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent - £20 per day.
- South and Central America, Africa,Australasia, Middle East - £25-£30 per day.
- North America, Europe, South Pacific - £35 + per day.
How to carry your travel money whilst away
In recent years things have changed for the better and it is far easier to carry your travel money safely. Why?
• Firstly, ATM's (holes in the wall or bank machines) are far more widely available and if you have the correct type of card – this usually means Visa, Maestro, Cirrus (you should check with you bank if you are unsure), you can obtain your cash in installments by using them. Guidebooks are usually a great source to find out where you can find the nearest bank machine.
• Getting money transferred is cheaper and easier now than ever before. This saves you carrying large sums of money in cash and travellers cheques.
• You can pay by Visa, MasterCard and various other credit cards in many more outlets than a few years ago. Budget travellers should not expect to be able to pay by card at many hostels, cafes etc but you will be able to withdraw money with your card in the larger towns and cities.
There are lots of ATM's in the Third World, at least in cities, and in many places people would never expect to find them. But sometimes the only ATM around isn't connected to your bank, the power is out, the phone connection is down, or the ATM is out of cash because of a local holiday you've never heard of.
When they work, ATM's are the best way to get money while you are traveling. Leaving your money in a bank because it earns interest until you withdraw it. Almost everywhere, ATM's dispense cash in the local currency, so you don't have to deal with exchanging one currency for another. But don’t count on finding ATM’s *everywhere*, or you might get stuck someplace with no cash and no access to your money. Just in case, have some money readily available.
Credit Cards
Save your credit cards for expensive purchases. For smaller expenses, get cash from ATM's, and if the local ATM withdrawal limits allow, take out enough cash supply to last several days.
Fees are the down side to using ATM’s and credit cards. Check with the company that issues your cards, before you leave home, so you know what to expect and can bring the cards with the lowest fees.
Credit Card and ATM fees
Typical fees include charges for each cash withdrawal or purchase outside your home country or in foreign currency, plus a percentage surcharge over the wholesale exchange rate. For example, you might be charged £5 for each withdrawal by the foreign bank whose ATM you use, and your withdrawal might be converted at an exchange rate 2% worse than the wholesale rate. That works out to a total of £7 on a £100 transaction. So its better to do as few transactions as possible is a good rule of thumb - also don't stress about it too much - ATMs are still the safest way of getting money. Stuart, a Director here, once met a guy in Cambodia who carried all his cash in his moneybelt - he got robbed - and that is expensive.
Travellers Cheques
Traveler’s cheques have largely been replaced by ATM cards, and with good reason. In most of the world, you have to go to a bank (sometimes only certain banks) to cash traveler’s cheques. However, we recommend you carry a few travelers’checks in your money belt in case there are no available ATM's, there is a problem withdrawing from them, or their fees are excessive.
Some tips from the round the world team
• Always carry a few dollars in cash - it’s a great way of ensuring there is a roof over your head and a meal in your stomach if all other options have failed you - it happens now and again!
• Money belts are an essential item. Some choose to use them on an everyday basis whilst others wear them only on long journeys and when carrying larger sums of cash from the banks.
• Never pull out large bundles of cash in public, it attracts unwanted attention and will probably drive the price of any sale up. It’s always advisable to keep a small amount of change in the main part of your wallet or money belt with any larger sums hidden.
• In some countries you will get an enormous number of notes in local currency when you change just a small amount of your home currency. Bear this in mind as you will have to carry it with you.
• Most hostels, hotels and beach huts have safes, often situated behind the reception desk. Take advantage of the opportunity to safely store any of your valuables that you will not need during your stay but be sure to collect your items when you leave…it could be a very long journey back.
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Travel Health
Travel health is a major priority when planning your Round the World flight. Researching your travel destination beforehand is essential to find out the vaccination requirements as well as health advice regarding safe drinking, food, STDs, insect borne diseases and other travel related health issues.
Before setting off on your gap year travels, it's worth spending some time getting fit by walking, running, swimming and any number of different sports. Although travelling will make you fit and walking for long distances will seem quite normal after some time, exercising and eating healthily before you go will help prepare you for the journey ahead.
Also ensure that you leave plenty of time to obtain all the necessary vaccinations before setting off on your travels. This could be a few months in advance in some cases. Travel health issues will vary from country to country but some of the things to look out for include:
Too much sun
Heat stroke, sunburn, skin cancer and a variety of ill effects can all result from too much sun exposure. Babies, children and fair skinned people are at greater risk especially in tropical areas. The general advice here is to use a good sunscreen, drink lots of water, avoid over exertion, avoid alcohol, wear a hat, stay out of the mid day sun and minimise time spent on tanning.
Water and food
There are a large number of diseases which can be contracted from infected water and food including Escherichia coli, dysentery, giardiasis and hepatitis A. Less common diseases for travellers include typhoid and cholera. The general rule here is to drink bottled water (where the top has not been tampered with) and to use bottled water for brushing teeth. Water can also be treated by boiling, chemical disinfection through a tincture of iodine and through the use of portable water filters. With regards to food poisoning, travellers must be cautious when travelling in areas of poor hygiene and sanitation. Milk products, salads, uncooked or undercooked vegetables and meat must be avoided. Fruit which can be peeled and piping hot food is generally safe.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and AIDS are commonly contracted through casual sex. Symptoms vary but early treatment is often essential to avoid long term complications. Prevention is through abstinence, using water based lubricants and through the use of latex condoms. Condoms can vary in quality and if in doubt, always try to purchase well known brands or buy them from home before travel.
If you have any concerns regarding a condition you may have or a travel health issue, consult your doctor before going and also ensure that you take out a good travel insurance policy.
Vaccination Chart
One vaccination does not automatically offer protection against a disease for life. Many vaccines need to be routinely boosted to offer continued protection. The following chart gives some idea of how often boosters should be administered according to the UK Guidelines. This chart is offered as a guideline (it is not definitive!) and should be used together with specialist advice from your travel health advisor or GP. Before travel you should ensure you have had all of your childhood routine vaccinations. Take advice from your GP about whether you really need Yellow Fever and Rabies inoculations depending on the areas you are going to. The following is a very general list of jabs most people would take on most general RTWs - but please make sure you see a qualified medical professional before you go.
| Diphtheria/Tetanus |
Following initial course of five doses boost every 10 years for adults and adolescents |
Given as a Tetanus/Diphtheria combination for travel to risk areas |
| Hepatitis A |
First injection gives protection for one year. Booster at 6-18 months gives protection for 10 years - some vaccines can be boosted up to three years after first dose |
Protection occurs 10-14 days after the primary dose. |
| Japanese B Encephalitis |
Following primary course boost after 2 years |
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| Meningitis A&C |
After initial vaccination boost every 3-5 years |
Travel to Mecca - certificate of injection valid after 10 days. |
| Polio (oral) |
After initial course - boost every 10 years |
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| Tetanus/Diphtheria |
Following initial course of five doses boost every 10 years for adults and adolescents |
Given as a Tetanus/Diphtheria combination for travel to risk areas |
| Typhoid (injection) |
After initial vaccination boost every 3 years |
Partial protection occurs 10-14 days following first injection |
| Typhoid (oral) |
Following 3 capsule course protection lasts for 1-3 years |
Protection against typhoid following a 3 capsule course is 70% after 7-10 days after initial course |
| Yellow Fever |
After initial vaccination boost after 10 years |
Certificate valid 10 days after vaccination |
Malaria
This is transmitted by the female mosquito usually during the period from dusk to dawn. Malaria can kill and early symptoms include chills, fever, body aches and sweating. For the prevention of malaria, travellers are advised to:
- wear light coloured long sleeve tops and trousers
- take the appropriate malaria prophylaxis before, during and after the period of travel.
- apply insect repellent. Both DEET based products and natural insect repellents such as those based on oil of eucalyptus and citronella are available.
- Use a mosquito net or stay in a room with mosquito netting on the windows.
General Safety Tips
Many of these tips are based on common sense and may help you deal with people, situations or events in a new country or location:
• Spend some time researching your destination to find problem areas.
• Avoid walking alone after dark in an unknown environment or an area which is deemed to be unsafe at night.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewellery, clothes and other valuable items.
• Note down contact numbers for embassies, health clinics or hospitals and any other organisation which may be of assistance to you in the event of an emergency.
• Learn and respect local customs. This may help you to avoid causing offence and deal with any unnecessary situations that may arise.
• Do not accept or agree to carry any parcels or objects from strangers or casual acquaintances.
• Keep a record and photocopies of all important documents and contact numbers in a separate place away from the originals. Leave copies with friends and relations in case of emergencies and email them to yourself as well.
• Be cautious at ATMs or cash machines. If you any doubts, find another machine or return later.
• Alcohol related problems are numerous for travellers who drink to excess or are unable to remain clear headed after a few drinks. Drinking responsibly and in moderation can add to the enjoyment of travelling. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach and if possible, drink some water to counter the effects of alcohol and dehydration. Never drink and drive.
• For many travellers and especially women, keep an eye on your drinks to avoid them being spiked and ask a friend to do the same when you have to visit the toilets.
Tailor-Make your own RTW brochures for 2009
We've given up on big papery brochures - they cost a fortune to produce and they're rubbish for the enviroment. But we still have got some superb Hotels, Tours and land product for 2009 and we have two new and innovative ways of seeing our brochures.
1. You can custom-make your brochure by selecting only the pages you want to see. Just click on one of the thumbnails below, browse our bochures online, and your chosen pages will then be emailed to you via our ebrochure service
2. We can email you any of our RTW brochures. Just click here