Gap Year Travel Planning

With one in five young people currently unemployed and the spiralling cost of university putting many people off higher education it is little wonder that gap years are growing in popularity. Follow these tips for gap year travel planning.

Research published in August 2010 found that gap year travel insurance policies were eight times more popular last year than they were in 2009. While a gap year is undoubtedly a life changing opportunity to get out and travel the world, planning for a gap year can be challenging.

Research published in 2008 shows that the average gap year costs over £4,000.

But if you plan on taking an extended gap year out of the country you will not want to keep paying rent on your property – that would just be a waste of money. Many homeowners taking a gap year also look to rent out their home when they are away – this way they can get the mortgage covered without needing to work.

If you are thinking of heading off on a gap year, follow these tips on how best to plan.

Gap Year Travel Planning Tips 

• Shopping around for products like travel insurance before you go. Look online for the best bargains.

• Use Prepaid Cards – these are good for easy spending and budgeting while you are away. They are safer than carrying large amounts of cash on you, too.
  
• Claim a tax refund – If you have been working before you go on a gap year you may be entitled to a tax refund – find out more from HM Revenue and Customs. 
• Choose a high interest savings account or even a Cash ISA savings account to save in before you go away. 
• Before you go, get together anything you no longer want or need and have a car boot sale or make use of websites like eBay. 
• Consider your storage options - if you don’t have anywhere to leave your belongings while you are away, affordable self storage for gap years are one of the most affordable ways to save money while ensuring that you can come back to find all your stuff exactly as you left it.