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How To Prepare For Long-Term Travel: Step-by-Step Guide

August 21, 2023
Last updated: August 21, 2023
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What is long-term travel? The truth is, long-term travel can mean different things to different people.

No matter the span of time you choose, at its core, long-term travel is an incredible way to experience cultural immersion, as well as a period of personal reflection and transformation.

For some, long-term travel can involve trading in a traditional lifestyle for adventure and exploration, while for others it is merely a vacation approached differently. Whether it is six months, a year, or indefinitely long, you will be able to gain firsthand experience with foreign cultures, see sights you would otherwise not find the time to explore and tap into the magical feeling of being found in the expansive world around them.

Preparation for long-term travel is a key step to making the most of your experience. And before you even begin thinking about what to pack , we have some big-picture ticket items to cover. Let’s jump in!

Having the right mindset when preparing for long-term travel is essential. Before hitting the road, it’s important to think through what kind of journey you’re envisioning.

Are you headed out for a spontaneous adventure? Have you decided to take a sabbatical year to learn new skills and expand your horizons? An extended wellness retreat ? Do you intend to continue with your current dreams and goals, potentially taking your job online as you go? Or are you looking for opportunities to volunteer?

Give serious thought to all these possibilities so that, when the time comes, you’re able to hit the ground running. With the right attitude and mindset, you are sure to have an incredible experience that will stay with you forever!

2. PASSPORT

Traveling with a valid and up-to-date passport should be considered essential for any traveler, particularly for someone embarking on a long-term trip.

Start with checking your passport’s exploration date. Many countries require the passport to be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Depending on how long you plan on traveling, you may need to renew your passport before you hit the road.

Not only should you make sure that your passport has not expired, but it should also have enough blank pages for entry stamps and visas. Some countries will deny access if a person’s passport doesn’t have enough usable pages.

To fully enjoy long-term travel, it is important to make sure that you are not hindered by visa requirements.

Before your journey, it is important to check the visa requirements of each country you plan to visit. Do this well in advance of your trip (I’d recommend six months before) because the visa application process can be time-consuming, and you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute.

Depending on the desired duration of stay, there are a variety of visas available including working visas, travel visas, and even digital nomad visas in some countries, if you plan to work remotely while abroad.

Again, each country will have its own rules and regulations, so check your country’s embassy website for an idea of how to get started.

Check out some useful posts:

Remote Digital Nomad Jobs: The 5 Best Sites to Find Them
Best Destinations for Digital Nomads
5 Common Digital Nomad Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

4. BANK CARD

When traveling long-term, most people opt to bring at least two debit cards: one primary and one backup. I recommend this approach, too.

Before taking off, make sure that your bank is aware of where you are traveling so that they will not block your card when you are trying to withdraw money internationally. This applies to both credit and debit cards.

Companies like Wise and Revolut are ideal especially if you plan on frequently traveling abroad. They come with minimal or no transaction fees or foreign exchange fees. However, always be sure to read the fine print before signing up with these companies because various conditions and fees may apply depending on your particular needs.

5. SIM CARD

Preparing a sim card for a long-term travel trip can be somewhat cumbersome and may require advanced preparation. The best option is to purchase a local sim with data. This is usually the lowest-cost option, as well. Research local providers in the country you are traveling to or ask in online forums or Facebook groups for recommendations.

But even if you are planning on buying a local sim, still bring your regular sim card with you, especially if that phone number is connected to your bank account or other important services. In case you need to authorize something or receive a confirmation code on your regular number, you can always switch out the sim card for a couple of hours.

6. HEALTH & TRAVEL INSURANCE (Plus Check-Ups)

Health insurance should be at the top of the list when it comes to planning for a long-term journey. Especially if extended activities such as trekking or high-adrenaline sports are involved.

Health insurance will provide financial protection in case of unexpected medical emergencies or illnesses that may occur during your trip. Without insurance, medical expenses incurred abroad can be costly. Your insurance typically covers the cost of medical treatment, hospitalization, prescription drugs, ambulance services, and other medical expenses. If you are bringing expensive photography gear and computers, consider investing in travel insurance to cover your valuables in case of theft or damage.

Last but not least, I recommend getting a checkup from both your primary care physician and dentist before leaving on the trip. You’ll feel more confident beginning your travels with a clean bill of health.

Get more inspiration:

Travel Medical Insurance for Digital Nomads: Why You REALLY Need It

Digital Nomad Packing List: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Light

Teach English online: How to Find the Best Fit for You

7. INTERNATIONAL DRIVING LICENSE

If you plan on renting a car during your trip, you may need to get an international driving license. You can sometimes get away with using your domestic license but double-check the legal requirements of your destination country.

In some countries, the law requires you to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your domestic license. The fees for the IDP vary depending on where you live, but generally speaking, it is quite affordable and easy to obtain.

8. TAXES & FREELANCE REGISTRATION

For those planning to work while traveling, you may need to do some preparations around taxes and other legal work-related documents.

If you pay taxes in the country of your residence, make sure you are registered as a freelancer and get your tax number OR that your employer will pay taxes and deduct it from your wage if you intend to continue with your job online.

If you’re not sure what the best course of action is, consult with your accountant. I recommend looking for an accountant who specializes in working with nomads or expats. They’ll be most knowledgeable about how to set you up for success.

9. POWER OF ATTORNEY

When you are away from home for an extended period of time, there may be important decisions that need to be made in your absence. Without a power of attorney, it can be difficult to ensure that these decisions will be made in the way you would like them to. And you defenitely don’t want someone making decisions on your behalf without your permission or knowledge.

A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person authority to make certain decisions and act on your behalf while you are away. This could include managing finances, signing documents, or making medical decisions if needed. I know – even in 2023, there are places where you can’t get away with an electronic signature and require a physical one!

Having a power of attorney ensures that any necessary actions can still take place even when you’re not present.

10. YOUR STUFF & HOUSE/APARTMENT

Before departing for a long trip, you’ll need to decide what to do with your stuff and how to handle your house or apartment.

If you own a house, you may want to rent it out or have someone, like a housesitter, manage and maintain it while you’re away. It’s also important to make sure that all your bills are taken care of and automated so you don’t have any surprises when you return.

If you’re renting a place, it may make more sense to give up your lease and move your belongings into storage. This can be a great way to save some money. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a fresh start, you can do a big garage sale for most of your belongings and reduce your possessions to what you can fit in a suitcase.

You should also consider shipping your existing vehicles to your destination as it will help save you money over renting cars or buying a new one.

If you have pets, you’ll need to make plans for their care and well-being while you are away. Consider hiring a pet sitter or asking a friend or relative to take your pet in while you travel.

11. LANGUAGE & CULTURE

To truly elevate and make the most of your travel experience it can be fun to learn a little bit about the language and culture of the destination you are going to.

Learning the basics of the local language can open doors to authentic experiences while traveling. Start learning French , for instance, if you’re headed to Paris. Use language apps, practice with locals, and embrace mistakes. A simple “Bonjour” can lead to meaningful connections, making your journey unforgettable.

Learning just 15 basic phrases in the language of the country you are traveling to is a great place to start. You’ll be surprised how much locals will appreciate the effort you show. It also demonstrates an important level of respect and openness to the culture and people. Doing some extra research on the local ‘do’s and don’ts’ can also spare you from some embarrassing situations related to local taboos and culture.

Knowing basic information about regional history or famous classics may even break the ice in making local friends or finding subtle insider tips from locals. Language and culture really bring travelers closer to a place, so take some time to learn those prior to your next venture – you won’t regret it!

Starting your long-term travel in Asia?

Bangkok Tips: How to Survive Your First Time In the Capital of Thailand
Thailand Travel Guide
The Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai (Update 2023)
Where to go in Vietnam: Must-See Places for Your Vietnam Itinerary
Things to Do in Taipei, Taiwan: Tips on Attractions, Food and Best Hotels

BONUS: MAKE COPIES OF ALL IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

This is an often-overlooked aspect of preparing for a long trip, but it’s essential.

Before you leave, make copies of all your important documents, such as your passport, IDs, flight ticket, health & travel insurance, driving license, tax number document, visas, and any other important paperwork you may have.

Not being lazy about this and making both digital and paper copies has paid off for me more than once while traveling! Store the digital copies in a secure online cloud storage and the physical copies in a travel document organizer. This way, you will always have easy access to the key details and documents on hand if needed.

Wrapping Up

Traveling long-term can be a daunting prospect, but with the right preparation and research, it doesn’t have to be. From getting your finances sorted out to making copies of important documents and learning some local language basics – these tips should help make your travel planning easier.

So don’t let anything hold you back! Go explore new places, meet interesting people and create unforgettable memories on your month–, year–, or full-on digital nomad adventure!

Published: August 21, 2023

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The Secret to Long Term Traveling

the silhouette of a backpacker standing on a cliff at sunset

Serendipitous adventure, carefree nights with newfound friends in foreign lands, delicious foods for bargain prices, and the luxury of time to enjoy it all.

Welcome to the world of long-term travel .

When it comes to this kind of travel, I get a lot of emails asking for my “secret.”

How do you travel so often and for so long? How did you quit your job and escape the grind? You must have a trust fund to afford all that, right?

I’ve written about how I manage to travel in the past ( over and over again), but people still wonder if I am holding something back.

What am I leaving out? What, they ask, is my secret to escaping the cubicle and being a nomad? Did I win the lottery? Do my parents pay for everything?

There must be something that makes me so special.

Well, here it is! The big secret to traveling long-term is…

Absolutely nothing!

There is no special secret.

Vagabonds, nomads, and long-term travelers are nothing special. We have no superpowers or secret Swiss bank accounts. We don’t have a money tree or the ability to teleport everywhere.

Of course, privilege will inevitably play its part , but we’re not unique or doing anything special. This kind of travel has been done for decades, by people from all parts of the world, with a variety of backgrounds.

Long-term travelers are just like you.

When I first discovered long-term travel, I thought the backpackers I had met in Chiang Mai had found some secret to life I didn’t know existed.

a backpacker hiking in beautiful meadow surrounded by mountains

But once I got on the road myself, I saw that there was no secret. I wasn’t unique or special. Millions of people every year did this. Even people with virtually no money were making it work.

I had left home thinking I was going on an exciting adventure few people go on — then I went to Khao San Road and hung out in Amsterdam during the summer. In those places, I met travelers young and old doing exactly the same thing as me — and none of them were trust fund babies.

These travelers just did what they wanted — a revolutionary idea for me at the time. But now, after years of travel, I realize that it’s not so revolutionary. If people really want something, they do it. If you want a big-screen TV or a new computer, you find a way to make it happen. If you really want to eat sushi for dinner, you are going to have sushi for dinner.

If you really want to travel, you will do that, too .

Because, just like you find a way to pay for that TV or your new car, these travelers simply arranged their life so that they could afford to travel .

The only thing these people had that I didn’t have before was the desire to do what they wanted to do, free from the expectations of society, just because they enjoyed it.

They simply said, “I want to travel” and then worked to make it happen.

They saved more, they took second jobs, they stayed home instead of going out to eat or drink, they found work overseas. They did whatever it took.

As the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

It is that simple.

a backpacker hiking on a secluded beach surrounded by trees

People ask me about whether I worry about bills, retirement, and my future. To be honest, not really.

When you travel long-term, all those things disappear. You have no bills because you have no home. You just spend what you spend from day to day (which is usually less than $50 a day ).

My mother told me I should start saving more for my retirement so I could…wait for it…travel more.

Then she stopped herself and said, “Well, I guess you do that already, so never mind!”

I’m a big believer in the idea that we shouldn’t work our lives away and that we should take short breaks to pursue our passions . Why should I spend my best years in an office, saving money for an age I may not even see, or if I do see it, might be too sick to enjoy?

Yeah, we long-term travelers save a bit for a rainy day, but we don’t worry about the future. We enjoy now . Take care of your present, and your future works itself out. When I stop traveling, I’ll figure out what is next.

So, when you ask travelers how they do it, they aren’t lying when they say there is no secret. We simply made a conscious decision to do it and, after that, just worked toward our goal, saving money and making plans just like what you would do for any other goal or venture in your life.

That’s the secret. So, know that you know it, go start making your travel dreams come true!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

SafetyWing (best for everyone)
Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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How To Plan Long Term Travel (With Tips That Actually Help)

Long-term travel is easier than ever, and there are many ways of making it happen.

Quick Links

How to decide if long-term travel is right, tips for starting out on long-term travel, where to live in the world.

Historically, there was a clear distinction between traveling and "normal" life. But with the rise of the internet and the explosion of jobs online and work that can be done remotely, that line has been blurred in many areas. Today many people are traveling for a prolonged period of time - some save up to travel, some find odd jobs to do around the world, others go to one specific place and get a 'normal' job for a year, and others can just enjoy life as a digital nomad.

For the purposes of this article, long-term travel is considered to be traveling for six months or more internationally. This article will assume that one would like to be a traveler more than a typical tourist . After the Pandemic came the Great Resignation , with many people quitting their long-hated jobs and seeking to realize their dreams in life.

Most people need a place to call home and quickly become homesick if they are away from home for a prolonged period of time. But there are some who can travel for a long period of time and enjoy every bit of it.

Deciding if long-term travel is the right choice or not is a personal choice. Long-term travel means leaving one's pets behind and finding someone to basically adopt them. It means leaving family and friends behind - and major events (marriages, birthdays, etc.) are likely to be missed.

Long-term travel is a great way to break the sometimes relentless wheel of life. More often than not, life goes with finishing high school and going straight to university. After graduation, most start their career job and spend the next 20 years climbing the corporate ladder while taking on responsibilities that tend to tie one to a specific place (like marriage, kids, mortgage, pets, etc.).

Long-term travel means one is free of all of that. If one would like to see the world and break the wheel (or at least put it on ice for a while), perhaps long-term travel is the right decision.

Related: What You Should Know About International Travel Advisories

Long-term travel requires a little bit of planning (but most can be planned along the way). Here are some tips:

Banking: Many Sure One's Bank Has Low International Fees & Is Notified One Is Traveling
Budgeting: Decide If One Is Using Savings Or Working While Traveling
Living Expenses: Every Country Has A Different Cost Of Living
Passport: Make Sure The Passport Will Be Valid For The Whole Time (Plus 6 Months)

Travel is not as difficult or scary as many people might think. People all around the world are making a living just like everybody else.

It is important not to overthink anything. Make some basic plans and make sure one has enough money to travel, but don't over plan (or overpack). The most important thing is to make a decision to travel. Then the most important thing is to buy a flight ticket - to somewhere, anywhere. The rest will follow on from there.

Related: Is It Actually Better To Solo Travel Around The World?

Both of the following statements are true: it's a small world, and the world is a big place.

The world is a big place because it is almost impossible to see all of the world in a normal lifetime, with around 250 countries to explore in the world (including countries like Greenland). If a traveler spent only a week in each country, it would take around five years of non-stop travel to see them all.

The world is also a small place - it is possible to fly from almost any significant city to any other significant city in less than 36 hours. There are flights to just about any destination in the world for less than $1,000. In a way, that means few places in the world are more than 36 hours and $1,000 away.

This means that travelers can't see the whole world, but they can be just about anywhere they want, whenever they want.

With an American (or other Western) passport, one can just live in many countries in the world without having to worry about visas. Just turn up and stay in Europe for three months or Korea for three months, or Malaysia.

One of the key factors in deciding where to go is the budget. E.g., It will be much cheaper to stay in Thailand than in Germany. Where one should live in the world depends on what one wants - the tropical beaches and exotic food of Thailand? The old cities of Europe? The untapped wonders of Africa?

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How to Prepare for a Long Trip

Written by Dan

Updated on April 15th, 2024

How do you prepare for a long trip abroad? Here's a list of things to do before long-term travel, including long-term travel preparation and how to prepare to travel the world for several months.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

Selling everything and traveling for a year
Travel with an organized remote work and travel program
Rent on Airbnb
Stay in a hostel
Find a roommate from Facebook or other expat groups
How do you do laundry when you travel?
What if I need something specific while I’m in a new country or city?
Get some AirTags to protect against lost valuables
Set up travel insurance for traveling abroad
Using Google Fi for your international phone plan
Get set up with a bank that reimburse foreign ATM and transaction fees
Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Create a travel first aid kit with products you trust

Fun fact: I’ve sold all my things and moved across the world to travel long-term, more than once.

I’ve packed up and left NYC twice, to travel the world and work remotely , and after traveling long-term both times, I came back!

In these experiences, I’ve learned a lot about selling the things that aren’t important, what to know before taking a long trip, traveling full-time and everything that is involved in preparing for a long trip.

I’m happy to share my knowledge and experience, because preparing for long-term travel and leaving everything at home sure doesn’t happen overnight. Here’s my step-by-step guide for a checklist for long-term travel.

First steps: What to do with your house or apartment before traveling

Figuring out what to do with your house or apartment can be tricky. It’s really different for every person, and depends on if you rent or own, and the duration of your upcoming trip.

The variables to consider are:

How long is the trip?
Do you rent or own your apartment or house?
Are you planning on storing your stuff somewhere, or selling everything?

I won’t get into too many specifics about how to handle every variable, but I can go into detail about the two times that I sold everything to travel, while moving in (and then back to) New York City.

Selling everything and traveling for a year

This was a straightforward process for me, the first time. I was moving out of an apartment at the same time that I was expected to leave for my trip.

I was living with roommates, at the time, so I helped get a person to take over the lease of my room, getting someone that everyone else would get along with. I asked my roommates if they would like to buy any of my furniture.

One roommate bought my mattress. Then, I listed everything else on Craigslist, some of the best websites for selling your stuff online .

I held on to a few things that were important to me, like small keepsakes and art. Luckily, my family lives close by, outside Philly, so I was able to store a few small boxes with my parents.

In a slightly different situation, when I was living with Becca, we did a similar process together. Except, her parents (thanks, Becca’s parents!) stored some of our larger items, like a bed, two bar stools and all of our 16 plants.

We still sold most replaceable items, like four bookcases, my desk, our other bar stools, rugs and my desk chair.

We also chose to downsize, rather than throwing things out.

We gave away around six bags of clothing to a weekly clothing drive that we found out was a pop-up on Thursdays, half a block from our apartment.

This time was different because our lease didn’t quite end at the same time of when we wanted to leave to travel.

We found a close friend that was able to sublet our apartment for six weeks while we traveled for the first three months, until the lease ended.

This worked out great because we could keep most of our things in the apartment for her to use. We also knew we’d be back to do the actual move-out.

We adore our old neighborhood, Brooklyn Heights, and if you’re in NYC, we have a list of local tips and secrets for seeing this beautiful neighborhood.

When we came back to the apartment to officially move out, we knew that what we had left in the apartment wasn’t important to us, but, a lot of it went into storage at Becca’s parents’ house.

We were able to determine that some of it wasn’t stuff we missed, because we traveled for three months in Europe without all of those things!

Because of that, it was easier to part with some extra kitchen items, clothes that we weren’t wearing and other random house stuff.

The funny thing about stuff is that after it’s gone, you kind of don’t miss it.

For you, if you own your house or apartment, you can rent it out for long periods of time with no issues. I know people who’ve done this.

I’d suggest against doing several short-term rentals, like Airbnb for homes, as they can become risky and can be a lot to manage over a long period of time with all the cleaning in between guests and whatnot.

Topo Designs travel backpack on a stone ledge during a summer hiking scene

Planning for your trip: Where will you stay while you’re away?

After you’ve figured out what to do with your home, you can now move on to planning where to live while you’re away.

It’s a similar process of comparing your options for accommodation while traveling short-term, but with a few more kickers.

Depending on your situation, you may have long-term accommodations set up for you. If that’s the case, feel free to skip ahead.

Assuming that you don’t know where you’re going to live yet, don’t worry. There are a few tricks that I want to share about how to set up long-term accommodations.

Travel with an organized remote work and travel program

I’ve been on two segments of a trip with Remote Year .

It’s a great way to travel away for a while, while working remotely on your job (if you can do this) and to go with the flow, rather than doing all the logistical accommodation, flight and coworking space stress on your own.

With Remote Year, they’ll set you up with an apartment for the month. They’ll do everything from transportation to and from the airport, to apartment maintenance. Easy.

During my travels with Remote Year, I’ve had electrical issues, water issues and even a small fire [that did not start, yet one that I put out, and saved everyone]!

Remote Year (or the local apartment staff) has helped to make sure everything was safe and up to satisfying living standards.

Cobblelstone historic NYC street with water puddles after a summer rain

Rent on Airbnb

When Becca and I were in Taipei, Taiwan for almost a month, we decided to rent an apartment through Airbnb.

We found that the apartments were relatively expensive in the neighborhood where we wanted to stay because it was centrally-located and close to all sorts of MRT stations.

Because we were going to be long-term guests for the Airbnb property owner, we knew that we had some wiggle room in negotiating a price.

For the owner, it’s expensive and time-consuming to turn over an apartment for lots of guests through lots of weeks.

If you, as the traveler, are able to stay in a place for a few weeks, it’s much more favorable for the owner.

Interested in saving money during your trip ?

Check this out: we sent a few messages to a few properties and told them our situation. We said that we’re coming in for a few weeks and asked if they were able to provide a special offer and discount for the long-term stay.

We got a few offers and ended up with a newer listing for almost 40% off the listed price.

This included the 12-20% discount that some owners offer for guests who stay more than two weeks. If you hunt around, you’ll also see that owners sometimes discount for stays of four weeks or longer, and some even discount if you book far in advance, like three months before your trip.

Want $50 off your first Airbnb? Sign up with this link and get an immediate credit on your first booking.

Mod minimalist 60s style retro bedroom decor

Stay in a hostel

Sometimes hostels have private rooms that seem more like apartments.

When we were in Mexico City, we stayed at the Selina Mexico City Hostel in the downtown neighborhood of Centro Historico.

This was a unique experience because our room was more like a studio apartment, but without a kitchen. It had its own bathroom and plenty of space for us, even a couch, a desk, an entrance area and a closet with shelves.

There was a shared kitchen down the hall on another floor that was different from the regular hostel kitchen because it was for studio apartment guests only.

It was tons (and I really mean tons) cleaner, had a locked door with a code and it was safe to leave our groceries in the fridge even without our names on them.

This was important for us, because you probably know by now how much we love cooking, to stay healthy while on the road .

We met several people that were living in Selina Mexico City for several months.

It’s a little more expensive than a regular apartment, but had so many more accommodation types available. Also, it came furnished, so to speak… so that comes at a premium.

Studio apartment of king sized bed, purple couch and blue chair at Selina Mexico City

Find a roommate from Facebook or other expat groups

Lastly, you can find a roommate or someone renting an apartment through local connections.

If you’re going to be living in a new city for long-term, join a few expat groups in the area. For example, we’re familiar with Medellin and we know that the expat and community for digital nomads there is very strong.

There are several Facebook groups and meetups that you can find and attend, and you’re bound to meet new like-minded people.

Another example is that our friends Cyd and Marc are currently living in Hanoi as expats.

They later told us that our friend Sean, who we know through the Remote Year network, was living with them for a bit during his digital nomad lifestyle month in Hanoi. Isn’t it a small world?

You can always rent an Airbnb or stay in a hostel private room for a few weeks to get to know the city.

During that time, you can meet local people that are looking to fill a room in an apartment elsewhere.

How to meet people in a new city when you’re traveling

So you’ve relocated to a new city and now you’re sitting alone in your room on a Friday night and don’t know what to do.

I’ve for sure done this when I’ve traveled solo or didn’t know too many people in a new city.

When you are planning on taking a new trip, you’re basically moving to a new city for as long as you plan to stay there.

So, whatever you would normally do to meet people in a new city applies for travel, as well.

You can join meetup groups, like a fitness group or a meetup for another shared interest, such as art, reading, history, culture, hiking and more.

You can reach out to your existing network and see if any of your friends have a local or expat connection to someone in your new city. You can join a coworking space and see if there are any events. The ideas are endless, and will be different depending on where you find yourself.

If you plan to be working remotely during your travels, we have a few suggestions for networking and meeting other professionals that you can check out.

How to pack for a long trip

Like most things in this article, everyone has a different situation and different style of travel. I’ll speak to my personal style and hopefully some (or all) of this will also apply to you.

I believe that if you want to pack for a year, you need the same amount of things that you’d pack for a week. You can get by with a few of your favorite shirts and extra pair of versatile travel pants .

If you have space in your new destination, you can always pick up some locally-purchased clothes. You can also ‘dump’ belongings along the way, to lighten your load. You can sell stuff online, if any of these tips for selling your stuff online may work for you.

It’s all part of the minimalist travel mindset .

Row of backpacks taken on a trip by a couple, against a teal wall and with a red beanbag chair

Buying local is not only a sustainable travel practice , but also supports the local economy and also makes you fit in a bit more with the local culture.

For example, locals in warm-weather countries usually wear pants all the time, and it’s only the travelers, expats and backpackers who wear shorts every single day.

If you want to start doing the local thing, look out for what locals do. That includes having a heavy-duty jacket like a winter parka if winters get cold and windy where you are headed.

How do you do laundry when you travel?

What I realized is when I’m home, I do laundry about once a week. This means that I only need about a week’s worth of clothes.

I don’t have to worry about packing 20 T-shirts and 30 pairs of underwear (even though Becca wishes she could).

You can get by with much less.

Also, isn’t it fun to try to figure out laundry machines in other countries? And also fun to see how people dry clothes all over the world? At Nine Coliving , we hung the laundry out to dry on long clotheslines on the beautiful rooftop that had a view of the town and the volcanic islands.

In Taipei , our washer turned into a dryer, but it took around an hour, and we chose to hang-dry anything that wouldn’t dry naturally in the super-humid climate.

Iron with a tag in Spanish on a white metal ironing board

What if I need something specific while I’m in a new country or city?

I thought that I needed to bring everything that I could think of when I left the US to take a long trip.

What I didn’t realize is that there is an entire city, somewhere else, of people that probably need the same thing. For example, if you break a phone charging cable, you can find the local version at a local market.

Unless you are traveling with medication that you can’t get anywhere, I’d think that there’s nothing that you can’t find wherever you’re going to be living long term (that is, unless you’re very particular about brands or if you have super-specific needs like name-brand whey protein or something…I’ve seen people ask about that).

Get some AirTags to protect against lost valuables

We got ourselves some Apple AirTags to bring along on our trips. AirTags can be placed on your checked luggage, backpack, laptop or even your wallet, to help be able to location-track these items if they become lost, stolen or just misplaced.

We’ve seen a lot of travelers invest in AirTags as a way of having peace of mind during long-term travel, and we’ve even seen how they work out (see our safety guide for Mexico City for the full story).

What to set up at home before traveling long-term

Set up travel insurance for traveling abroad.

Becca and I use World Nomads travel insurance to insure us on our international trips.

We’ve also heard great things about SafetyWing . Depending on your age, length of trip, destinations and a few other factors, World Nomads will give you a quote and you can choose to proceed with getting reliable travel insurance.

World Nomads will help insure things like delayed baggage, emergency medical expenses overseas, flight cancellations due to severe weather and hospitalization abroad.

If you’re a scuba diver, there are also specific insurance plans for diving. Our friends Alex and Ryan chose this add-on. You can ask them how it’s going!

We initially signed up with World Nomads based on a recommendation from a friend.

The rates are reasonable and we’ve heard that World Nomads are responsive if you ever have to make a claim. We haven’t had to make a claim yet, but we feel at ease knowing that if anything were to happen, we are covered.

Using Google Fi for your international phone plan

I use Google Fi and have data usage all over the world. You can now bring most phones to Google Fi!

Check to see if your phone is supported to get all of the amazing benefits.

I like Google Fi because it’s flexible and affordable, and it even works in places that many people would consider to be off-the-beaten-path countries . It’s about 25 USD for a phone and text plan and 10 USD per GB that we use.

Most of the time, I’m on WiFi in a coworking space and we don’t end up using that much data.

Local SIM cards are almost always cheaper. I like to have Google Fi to help navigate a new destination for a few days.

I’ll switch to a local SIM if I know that I’m going to be using a lot of data.

When Becca and I were in Taipei, we got a local SIM and tethered off of it to do work in our Airbnb because the WiFi was a little slow at times.

This goes along with a general recommendation of researching WiFi speeds, one of our best tips for remote work during travel.

Woman using a smartphone next to a foosball table

Get set up with a bank that reimburse foreign ATM and transaction fees

You’ll want to take out cash, obviously, but might not want to always pay the ATM fees that go along with taking our money. It’s the worst when you have to take our large amounts of money because you’re trying to justify the fee for the ATM.

I use checking accounts from Fidelity and Charles Schwab bank. They both offer excellent checking accounts that reimburse all ATM fees domestically and internationally.

It’s been a lifesaver to pull out the equivalent of 10 USD to pay for a cab or something here and there without having to pay 3 USD in ATM fees.

See more about our recommendations for traveling with money when you’re ready to take your next trip.

Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees

We often get asked about our moey advice for trips abroad .

For credit cards, I use the United Explorer card , which doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees. It also has a nice sign-up bonus, Global Entry reimbursement and many more great benefits.

We typically like using credit as much as we can while we’re away. We’ve found that we get the best conversion rates and don’t need to take out too much cash if we’re using credit often.

Typically, the best credit cards for getting no transaction fees might be travel credit cards that come with a fee. But, in exchange for that fee, you’re probably going to get nice benefits like 3x points or miles on travel purchases and things like that! You can see more in our guide about travel hacking with travel credit cards .

If you use a point of sale machine, make sure to use their local currency. Let your bank do the conversion and not the point of sale device!

Create a travel first aid kit with products you trust

As much as Becca and I try to not get sick while we travel, it happens. We even wrote this list of tips for avoiding being sick while traveling .

When we go away for a while, we share a travel first aid kit that has a few trusty items from home: Band-Aids, travel packets of Advil tablets, a travel-sized Neosporin, travel-sized Vaseline, a small bottle of travel illness pills and some sheets of Benadryl/antihistamines.

These things have come in very handy, especially if we’re traveling in a place where pharmacies are closed on Sundays, for example.

It’s also good to have products you know and trust in case you cannot read the language in the country where you’re traveling. Our travel-sized first aid kit has gotten us pretty far.

As a bonus tip, you can bulk up your emergency travel kit while you’re abroad. Did you know that lots of medications are tons cheaper outside the US?

Maybe you’ve realized this by now, but in case you haven’t, try grabbing antihistamines, antidiarrheals or other types of medications that are sold by local pharmacies in different parts of the world and you’ll see how affordable the prices are.

Your travel-sized health kit should only take up the size of two decks of playing cards. If it’s any bigger, it will start to feel in the way.

Remember that you can usually get help to buy medicine while you’re abroad, but in case you’re in a remote location like on a hike, take enough with you so that you’re set and not regretting bringing more medication along.

If you’re looking for more specific travel gear suggestions, make sure to check out our list of the best travel accessories to see what we use on all our trips.

Essential Considerations for Long-Term Travel

When it comes to long-term travel, there are many things to think about. Read our expert advice before setting out on your next big adventure!

Long-term travel is the dream, right? Getting paid to travel just sounds cool, and those that can pull it off become the envy of everyone they know. While long-term travel does afford you life-altering cultural experiences, access to earth’s greatest wonders, and a freedom not available in most jobs, is it all that it’s cracked up to be? I can tell you personally, it’s wonderful, but there are some essential considerations for long-term travel that you really need to ponder before setting out on your next big adventure.

“How to travel full-time” is not found in any guidebook. It’s not like your vacation. It’s more like a nomadic version of your life now. You’ll have to work. You’ll move from place to place every few days with no home base. Saying goodbye to friends and family is hard, and the emotions you encounter in yourself and others may greatly surprise you. It takes a good plan, a strong personality, and a rooted foundation to succeed at this life.

About the author: Most full-time travelers are on a gap year of travel (or two), exploring the world on a backpacker budget until their “real life” starts. My story is a bit different. I lived the American dream for 15 years-the college degrees, the perfect marriage, the big house-I had it all. However, my mind was always in another place. I was happy at home, but I was always mind-wandering. After years of traveling a few times a year, my husband and I sold everything we owned, and we set out to see the world and meet its people. The considerations in this guide come out of our personal experience and are in no way meant to discourage any would-be traveler, but are to inform you of some likely encounters and prepare you for success!

“Pack” the Let’s Roam Adventure App !

Before you set out for some long-term travel, download our adventure app so you can find scavenger hunt tours wherever you roam. Explore cities around the world with new friends you meet along the way. It’s a wonderful way to see the sights, bond with travel mates, and make lifelong memories. Try one on your next trip!

38 Long-Term Travel Tips

The planning you do before departure, the fewer yucky surprises you will run into once on your trip. While it’s impossible to foresee every situation in advance, here are a few travel tips to consider before you take off.

1. You’ll need travel insurance.

Travel insurance is a debatable purchase for short-term travel, but for a long-term trip, it’s a must. First off, many destinations require that you have it. Plus, you’re going to need at least basic medical coverage. The biggest companies out there are World Trips and World Nomads. However, one of the most comprehensive plans is a newer one from SafetyWing . It covers all travel-related expenses, Covid-coverage, and major medical. It gets our vote for the best all-around, and the customer service is class!

2. Taxes can get complicated.

You’ll likely need to work if you’re planning on traveling for any period of time. If you’re American, this means you will have to pay self-employment tax. These taxes are hefty, and you need to have a good plan on how to deal with them. A tax consultant who is familiar with money earned outside of the United States is valuable, but you’ll also need to do a few things yourself.

Keep a virtual copy of all receipts for anything that you do with “aims to make money.” Depending on your job, this could include travel expenses, food, or office equipment. If you spend less than 35 days in U.S. territory a year, you can opt out of the self-employment tax by claiming the foreign-earned income tax exemption and declaring your tax home in another nation, so you’ll need to keep track of your days in the US and in international air or waters. You must spend 330 days in a foreign country to claim this. Tax apps like FlyFin can help you organize your receipts, pay your taxes quarterly to avoid fines, and consult a CPA when you need help!

3. A detailed budget is your lifeline.

Let me just state this for the record, like remodeling a home, full-time travel will cost you more than you estimate. It’s impossible to account for every little thing, especially as travel comes with extra costs that you can’t prepare for, like that one anal gate agent that insists on weighing your personal item and charging you an overage fee, though the last 200 flights have not.

To make sure you have enough for those unexpected expenses, you need to have an organized budget. Whether you use a budget app, a Google Sheet, or an Excel file, detailing all the expenses you know you’re going to have gives you a much better idea of how much wiggle room (if any) you have in your bank account.

In addition to creating a trip budget, we highly suggest keeping a spreadsheet of all the money you spend and where! This will allow you to see where your spending weaknesses are and brainstorm on how to decrease those costs.

4. A good travel credit card will save you thousands.

I cannot express the importance of a good travel credit card. Not only does it ensure the security of your purchases around the world, but the points and benefits can save money and stress during your travels. We personally use the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, which has a very high yearly fee, but it comes with a $300 travel credit yearly, huge point rewards for travel-related purchases, a dedicated travel booking platform, travel insurance, and discounts for car rentals and rideshares. It also provides us with Priority Pass lounge access for airports, which not only decreases the stress of the airport but gets you free food and drinks all over the world.

I also highly recommend getting the Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account. It’s fully manageable online and reimburses all ATM fees, worldwide, which can really add up in nations where you need to use cash.

5. Ensure stress-free travel.

There is no dispute. Travel is stressful. There is the constant uncertainty of whether all the paperwork is done. Did you need a visa? Do you have the right Covid test? Can you even cross this border, or is your departure destination on the red list? Where are you going to stay? Did you get the best hotel deal? There is a lot to think about. Do your research before your trip and get your mind wrapped around all the details. Take notes so you don’t have to look up the same information repeatedly. Being prepared, and decreasing stress where you can .

6. Travel groups are helpful.

When making your travel plans, consider joining Facebook groups for that destination. Almost every major destination has one, and they are worth their weight in gold for gaining access to travelers who have been there and can give advice on everything from cultural no-nos to accommodation recommendations. Travel groups range from solo female travel to destination-specific groups, and even topical groups focused on eco-travel or working travel. These groups are invaluable.

7. Choose your destinations carefully.

Some destinations are popular with digital nomads, and there is a good reason for it. Not all places are created equal when it comes to long-term travel. What you need will depend on your travel style, but it pays to consider the three I’s—internet, interests, and infrastructure.

You need a place that’s economical, has good internet, has reasonable public transit, and has plenty of places to meet people. It also needs to interest you and provide you with the infrastructure you need to be comfortable. Not all areas can provide this. This doesn’t mean you can’t spend a week in the bush, please do, but for places you intend to stay longer, these are important considerations. Popular destinations include Eastern Europe, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

8. Packing is tough.

Packing for a normal vacation can be a pain, but you’re only going to one place, one season. It pales in comparison to packing for full-time travel through multiple weather situations, activities, and cultural expectations. That’s tough!

Packing light is important. Trains are crowded. Bus doors are small, and virtually no airlines offer free checked bags anymore. Learning to travel long-term is learning to live without certain things. You cannot carry all those facial lotions and cleansers you love at home. Your hair is not going to be as well cared for. It’s just part of it.

Find items that can be used for multiple things. For instance, a small vat of coconut oil is a great facial cleanser, a moisturizer, a hair conditioner, and a lip balm. A linen scarf makes the perfect beach towel, sarong, head wrap, grocery bag, shade-maker, and it works as an actual scarf for windy days too. (This is my most used travel item!) Think of clothes that you can layer and wear interchangeably. Black is your new friend. A low-key sneaker that can be worn with shorts, skirts, jeans, etc. is smart-something versatile and comfortable.

9. Review phone plans.

There are very few international phone plans that are economical. Only two companies offer true international plans: T-Mobile and Google-Fi. I have used both. Of the two, I find Google Fi to be a much better option. For the same price, it gives you way more highspeed data, and I find the coverage to be better. It’s especially good if you buy a Google Fi phone. This allows your phone to bounce from tower to tower, switching as it finds a more stable connection. It’s a pretty cool plan that keeps you connected.

We also carry an unlocked phone and buy cheap local sim cards with data plans. This gives us great internet and a local number, which often comes in handy!

10. Get a streaming device.

In order to stay connected with your home base and have a sense of normalcy, take a streaming stick like a Roku with you. You can access your Netflix wherever you are, which is a nice comfort. You might not know that internet searches, Netflix show availability, and many other accesses vary by country, so don’t just assume you’ll be able to get all the things you’re used to unless you bring it yourself.

11. Sign up for a VPN.

You’re about to become a WiFi connoisseur, so make sure your information is protected. For very little money, you can download a VPN like Nord. They usually cover several devices, and you can pay in advance for up to three years. It’s well worth the money since you’re going to be doing all your banking, work, and personal bookings online. Plus a VPN will allow you to search for accommodations and flights from the local sites, which can save you big bucks!

12. Consider a mobile hot spot.

One of the most irritating things about international travel is the spotty internet in certain destinations. This is especially stressful when you’re lost! This always seems to happen in a place with no cell service and no one speaks English … talk about stress! Have a backup plan. We use a service called SkyRoam . It’s a pay-by-use service with a small mobile device. It has saved us more than once!

Staying Afloat

Contrary to popular belief, most full-time travelers are not rich. We’re not out here on dad’s money or living off someone else. Unless you’re one of the lucky ones, you are going to need a job to travel for extended periods. You’re also going to become a master budget traveler and travel hacker.

13. Figure out how you’ll make money.

To finance a big trip, you’re likely going to need to work … at least a little. I know. I know. You’re going to be a YouTube sensation. I believe in you, but it’s a good idea to have a backup plan too! Many digital nomads are travel bloggers, but again, you might find it hard to fund your trips, at least at first, with just a travel blog.

Work forums like Upwork hire professionals to do all kinds of work from video and photo editing to ghostwriting to personal assistants, and most can be done remotely. It’s a digital world now, and the options for online work are numerous and varied. Don’t be afraid to get out there and try something new!

Having a steady form of income increases your travel experience in every way. You’ll have the funds to do all the things on your bucket list. You won’t be as stressed out about every penny, and you can take that last-minute road trip with the peeps you met in the hostel. It will also give you purpose (more on this later). Do yourself a favor and get a job!

14. Put your passions to work.

When choosing a job, make sure to pick something that makes you happy! You’re going to spend a lot of time doing it, so make sure it’s something that you love. You’ll be tempted to take any job that comes along at first, and there is nothing wrong with that, but always be working towards your ultimate goal of doing what you want. Having a life of freedom isn’t just not going into a 9-5 you hate. It’s building a life of financial, mental, and physical freedom that truly allows you to enjoy long-term travel.

15. Figure out how to eat inexpensively.

Learning to eat cheap is a big part of controlling your budget. You’ll want to try all the local delicacies in your travels, but you have to learn to do it in an economical fashion. Ask locals where they eat. Hit up the food trucks and street vendors. Go to the grocery store! You cannot eat out every meal. It’s bad for your health and your wallet. Plus, finding some comfort food from home every once in a while will help you stay rooted and comfortable in your new surroundings.

16. Live like a local.

In order to keep traveling, you’ll (probably) eventually lean towards slow travel. This happens for many reasons, but one is that it’s always less expensive to book apartments on Booking.com or Airbnb for long periods of time. Most guesthouses also offer discounts for stays longer than a week.

Staying in one place decreases stress too, as you aren’t packing and moving every day. Hostels have a lot of perks, but with some negotiation skills and research, you might be able to score full apartments for the same price. Plus, having a place of your own gives you a home base that’s more comfortable than sharing a room for 12.

Be sure to read our guide on finding the best hotel deals .

17. Sightsee on the cheap.

Another big expenditure will be sightseeing. I recommend choosing a handful of the highest priority sites you would like to see and doing those first. Then, you can add in more as your budget allows. Always look for city passes that include admission to major sites and free public transit. They aren’t always worth it, but you should always check.

When it comes to sightseeing, locals are your friends. Sure, there are lots of great articles out there, but they will never know all the things that the guy on the corner knows. We have found incredible free hikes that were as awesome as the well-worn expensive trails. We have taken local ferries to iconic destinations for pennies, that cost hundreds of dollars by tour. Talk to locals and other travelers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

18. Learn about safe transportation options.

You’ll constantly be on the look for the cheapest way to get from one place to another. You’ll need to balance the cost with the comfort and safety of travel. While you can take a bus ride through most of Central America, it might not be the safest or the most comfortable experience (though some are very nice)!

For more budget travel hacks, see our “ Budget Travel Hacks From a Full-Time Traveler .”

19. Splurges are necessary!

In order to keep your sanity, you’ll need to splurge on a healthy meal or a room with a bathtub every now and then. Every traveler is different, but there will be activities and creature comforts that are worth splurging on. Don’t feel guilty about it. Control your budget elsewhere and splurge on what really makes you happy. This whole thing is worthless if you don’t enjoy yourself!

Staying Connected To Important People

Perhaps the hardest part of long-term travel is the distance between you and the ones you love. Your relationships will change due to this venture! They will. That’s something you need to know beforehand and be okay with. Here are a few things I have noticed about relationships during full-time travel.

20. You will get lonely.

I have the luxury of traveling with my husband, which helps, but we do find that we miss our friends and family. I’m not even a person that generally feels lonely. I never felt it until traveling full-time. You’ll meet and interact with more people than you ever have before, and yet somehow feel more alone than ever.

People come and go like ships passing in the night, and very few real connections are made. You’ll find people you like and share a common traveler bond with, but they are likely to disappear from your life soon, with a few exceptions. It’s important that you keep in contact with your long-term friends and family!

21. Set appointments to call home.

In order to preserve your important relationships, make appointments to call home. You’re likely going to be in different time zones, and everyone is worried about everyone else sleeping or being busy. Before you know it, it will have been a month since you talked to your mom or sister. Distance in your relationships is a real concern, and it takes a determined person to keep them intact. You’re the one who chose this alternate lifestyle, so a lot of the communication responsibility is going to fall on you. Be prepared for this and just take up the mantel. It’s worth it.

22. Old friends may become acquaintances.

Long-term travel will change you, and your relationships with friends will change too. You’ll no longer have all the things in common that you once did, and you may find that your closest friends become more like acquaintances. This will happen to an extent no matter what you do, but it will be much worse without an intentional plan to prevent it. I suggest setting up a GroupMe group with your “framily” before you leave on your big trip. This will allow you all to stay in contact daily and know what’s going on in each other’s lives.

23. People back home will lose interest.

When you first leave for your journey, most people will be very excited for you! They will have a lot of questions about your plan and will express their envy. This will not last. Eventually, a lot of those people that joined your Facebook page or started following you on Instagram will fade away. Your life is not something they can really understand or relate to. They may like your travel photos, but you’ll notice on your trips home that they really don’t have all the questions and interests anymore. You and your travels will become old news.

If you’re really excited to share your travel stories, and no one really wants to listen, it can hurt! Remember you’re doing it for yourself, not for others. Most people only really care about what affects them. It will hurt your feelings, but you need to prepare yourself for it.

24. Your closest allies may support you the least.

While most friends and family will attempt to be supportive, you may see that those closest to you have the hardest time. They miss you. They don’t understand why you choose to be away for so long. It doesn’t make sense to everyone. Try to ensure that your closest peeps know how important they are to you. Attempt to be there for special things, and make sure you stay involved in their daily lives. They need you, and you need them.

25. You’ll miss important moments.

Full-time travel means you’re away. This means you miss your niece’s kindergarten graduation and your nephew’s big game. You might miss Grandma’s 80th birthday or family holidays. Not only is this hard on you, but it’s hard on your family. When possible, be there for the big stuff. When it’s not possible, call to see how it went. Ask for video streaming of the game or send gifts for the party. Make sure you stay connected!

26. Social media friendships aren’t real friendships.

It’s no secret by now how big a farse social media is. Everyone presents their ideal lives and neglects the truth of what’s actually going on. You’ll indeed meet other travelers online. You will have conversations and find common ground, but they are not going to show up when your world falls apart. They might offer some comforting words, but they don’t know you like your oldies and besties. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that this community is your real one. It’s easy to do. Don’t fall into that trap.

Cultural Considerations

27. culture shock is real.

When you think of culture shock, you may go extreme in your mind to mystical rituals, bizarre foods, or poverty, and all those things are valid. However, it’s the daily cultural differences that are likely to get to you after a while. For instance, unless you’re from NYC, the sheer amount of people in Bali or Thailand is likely to be a shock. The endless sea of motorbikes, crazy traffic, and lack of personal space are all potential stressors, especially after a few weeks.

Do your best to prepare for each nation you visit. Look up common foods, traffic, cultural taboos and norms, and the general personality of the people. Look at some pictures. Research solutions for each destination and know the common scams.

28. Engagement fatigue is a thing.

Full-time travel causes you to engage on a different level than any other time in your life. You’re going to meet, get to know, and say goodbye to new people every day. If you’re a typically emotional person or deep-feeler, you may find this very difficult. Most people’s inadvertent protective mechanism is to become a bit jaded. Why form a new friendship today that I’m just going to have to say goodbye to tomorrow? It can lead to a lonely path.

Getting to know new people and cultures takes a vast amount of effort. It’s easy for a while, but after some time, it becomes exhausting. You’ll find that you care less about all those cultural novelties that intrigued you at first, and you may find that you don’t really care to invest in people. This comes in waves, and you can get past it, but this is why keeping in contact with your roots is so important.

29. You will always be a tourist.

No matter how long you spend in a place and how you view yourself, the local population is always going to see you as a tourist. You may encounter tourist fatigue from locals and get some attitude here and there. Most people are great, but it happens to those who live in heavily-touristed areas from time to time. You can imagine how it would feel if you put yourself in their place. For their sake, try to be a respectful tourist. For a few tips on this, check out our “ Tips To Make Your More Culture Conscious .”

On the flip side, it can be exhausting to constantly be treated as an outsider. People are always trying to sell you something. You’ll likely pay more for most things than locals, and though people are kind, you’re not one of them. It’s kind of a constant feeling of being outside looking in.

30. There will be places that aren’t for you.

You’re going to run into places that you just don’t vibe with. That’s cool. Move on! Even if every other traveler thinks it’s amazing, if it isn’t for you, move along. Every person is different. Try hard. Experience things. Open your mind to the frustrating parts by doing your research and getting involved, but then if it doesn’t work out, don’t feel bad about getting out.

31. Simple pleasures aren’t so simple.

What you consider to be simple things might not be so simple everywhere. You’ll discover that Coke tastes different in other nations. You might not be able to find your favorite chocolate, and that one you thought would be a good substitute turns out to be filled with coconut, but you didn’t know that because you didn’t know the Bulgarian word for coconut. It won’t bother you the first time, but the tenth time, it can get to you.

32. Flexibility is key.

As you have probably realized by this point in the article, you’re going to need to be very flexible. Your travel plans will not go like you thought. Changes will happen all the time, and you’re just going to have to roll with the punches. Put on your patient pants and resolve to live a life of last-minute alterations. You can stress yourself out about it and be angry all the time, or you can learn to ride the wave with pleasure, knowing it will lead to even better experiences than you ever imagined.

33. You’ll need to take breaks.

In the planning stage, you’re filling your itinerary with all the bucket list items to conquer on your trip. But the truth is, after some time, you’re going to just need days to chill and watch Netflix. You need laundry days, days to devote to finding jobs and housing, days to call home. Schedule these into your itinerary from the beginning, so you don’t hit the complete burnout stage before you realize you need a break. It will hit you all of a sudden. Keep yourself from crashing by inserting these breaks before you get to that point.

34. You will end up in a routine.

You’re likely taking this path to get away from the same-old-same-old. It might surprise you how your human brain gravitates back to a routine though. All travelers have a routine, a set of systems that work for them, and you will, too, if you’re going to survive out here.

Social Complications

There are a few things about international, full-time travel from a social perspective that might surprise you. The way you see yourself and your life is not always the way that others see it, and this can affect you pretty deeply if you let it. The more you know now, the more you can prepare yourself.

35. You are never allowed to complain.

Remember, you’re living the dream. So, even on your worst day, you’re not allowed to complain! I’m being a bit facetious here, but if you post that Instagram about being scammed or about your terrible, no-good day, don’t be surprised if you get negative responses from total strangers like “oh poor you, must be terrible to travel all the time,” or “well, at least you didn’t have to go to work today.” As previously stated, nobody really understands this weird lifestyle until they live it. It looks very different from the outside. Prepare yourself for other people’s perceptions.

36. Been there, done that.

You know how excited you get when planning a vacation? After traveling for long periods, you’ll notice that excitement wanes a lot. I still love travel! I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t, but I don’t have the anticipation I used to. There are still a lot of things on my list that I’m excited to do, but when travel is your life, it loses some of that novelty.

Be careful about this when talking with family and friends. They are super-excited about their two-week vacation, and you’ll have a tendency to downplay it because you have already been there or done that. Don’t be that kind of traveler. Revel in their excitement. Don’t be a snobby downer.

37. You can lose yourself.

Even the most grounded individuals are going to change immensely due to long-term travel. It’s likely that home won’t feel like home. In fact, nowhere really will. You’re at home anywhere … and nowhere! It’s kind of a weird phenomenon.

You’re going to encounter ideals contrary to your raising, and you’ll have to expand your thinking. This can cause some real turmoil. You may find that those spiritual beliefs you have always held are being challenged, and it may take you some real soul searching to get to a place of stability again. You may find that you’re not as tough as you thought, or that you’re way more resilient than you knew. One of the most common problems is a lack of purpose.

Travel is fun, but it’s not inherently purposeful. You can fool yourself (for a time) into thinking that your life mission is to inspire others to get out there and live life. In a way that’s true, but it isn’t enough of a purpose for most people. This is another reason why having a job is important. We also recommend that you engage on a regular basis with organizations that line up with your passions. There is no shortage of fabulous non-profits, eco-programs, and religious organizations that would love your help! You have time to volunteer, and it will increase your personal happiness immensely.

38. You need to have a plan for your health.

Traveling can take a toll on your spiritual, mental, and physical health. You aren’t eating as well as at home. You don’t have all your vitamins handy. It’s likely you won’t sleep as regularly or soundly, and you’re being challenged around every corner.

Make a plan. I carry a fishing tackle box of vitamins and supplements. Overkill? Maybe, but it ensures that my body has what it needs to function at its best when I am eating train station food. If you’re prone to anxiety or depression, keep an online therapist and make sure you find a way to nourish your spiritual needs. If that means attending church in a foreign nation on Sunday or finding a quiet place to meditate in the mornings, take time to do it! Keep in touch with your mentors and those people who keep you grounded, and make sure to get some exercise!

Closing Thoughts

I hope you can see from these considerations that full-time travel is more than a long vacation. It’s a full-on life change. It’s worth it, but you need to be prepared for BIG change! If you think it’s going to be all sunshine and rainbows, you’ll be sorely disappointed. But, if you prepare adequately and go into the process with realistic plans and expectations, you can have a life of freedom and purpose!

If this article has made you think, you might want to find out if the digital nomad lifestyle is right for you . It’s a fantastic way to support yourself while engaging in long-term travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Extensive travel is a lifestyle change like no other. Long-term travelers need to consider several things, like insurance, banking options, taxes, and plans to nurture your health on the road.

Long-term travel should be carefully thought out. Some things to consider include how to make money, how to protect your relationships back home, and dealing with loneliness.

Long-term travel takes some preparation. Start with securing a good travel credit card, practice your travel skills with local adventures, and begin researching the culture of your travel destination.

Long-Term Travel in Europe: How to Stay for More Than 90 Days

Mind-blowing history, delicious food, and charming cities with a history beyond imaginable — Europe is a fascinating place, and long-term travel here is a dream for many.

Unfortunately, visa issues & travel costs often make it difficult to travel through Europe for an extended amount of time, which can throw a lot of travelers away.

But don’t let this discourage you… there are still options for determined humans!

First, you gotta really sink in that Europe isn’t just one place, and when people talk about the 90-day limit, they’re talking about restrictions on the Schengen Area and the visa policy that governs a total of 27 countries. It includes most of the European Union as well as a few non-EU countries.

And that’s mostly what I’m covering here.

This guide will not only show you the options for staying more than 90 days, but also tips for long-term travel in Europe. It may not be easy, but there’s definitely a way or two to make it happen. 😉

Let’s make your dreams come true.

First Things First: The Schengen 90-Day Rule Explained

Money-saving advice for long-term travel in europe, faqs on long-term travel in europe and the schengen 90-day rule, final words of wisdom.

Simply put, the Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries that work together to make traveling between them easier.

By removing passport controls and border checks, people (and goods) can travel freely in the area without too much hassle – kinda like traveling in a single big ass country.

All you need is a valid passport to enter a Schengen Area country and boom – you’re set.

girl traveler hiking with hands up in the swiss alps

The Schengen Area got its name after the 1985 Schengen Agreement, signed in the village of Schengen in Luxembourg, and it encompasses some of the most popular backpacker destinations in Europe (The Netherlands, France Portugal… you name them).

And now, while this all sounds like great news, the only issue is that you’ll need a visa (which is difficult to get) if you wish to stay more than 90 days.

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How the Schengen Area Affects You

Citizens from countries such as the US, Canada, or Australia, are allowed to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. That’s not a whole lot of time, so you’ll want to make the most of it.

Once you hit that 90-day limit, you’ll need to take a break and stay outside the Schengen Area for another 90 days. But don’t worry, the countdown clock stops when you leave, and doesn’t start again until you come back.

So, in theory, you can stay for 30 days, leave for a bit, and come back for another 60 days, as long as it all adds up to 90 days or less.

It’s important to keep in mind that these rules apply to Schengen in general, not just one country. So, if you’re planning a grand European tour, make sure you’re keeping track of how long you’ve been in the area. You don’t want to get caught out and have to leave before you’re ready.

List of Schengen Area Countries

Non-schengen area countries.

There’s more to Europe than the Schengen zone, so it’s worth mentioning a few exceptions. Each of them will have its own set of rules on how long a traveler can stick around without a special visa.

These will be even more important when you lay out your strategy on how to stay in Europe for more than 90 days, but more on that later.

Some noteworthy countries include:

United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): 180 days
Republic of Ireland : 90 days
Bulgaria : 90 days
Georgia : up to 365 days! (so you should definitely give it a go )
Others : you’ll have to look into the particular country you’re planning to visit. The US State Department has compiled all this information for US citizens .

Alright, folks, now for the meat of it. The truly juicy question. The reason why y’all clicked on this article in the first place…

How the heck does one stay in Europe longer than 90 days?

It is NOT possible to extend a tourist visa to Europe, the Schengen 90-day rule is real, and exceeding it can result in fines, deportation, and a ban from re-entering. Enforcement of this rule varies greatly between countries — some may not enforce it as strictly, but it is still not advisable to overstay.

There’s an easy and a hard way to stay longer, though, and we’re gonna look into both. Baby steps.

The Easy Way: Splitting Things Up

There is indeed an easy way to stay in Europe for more than 90 days — you just have to split things up.

Most non-Schengen countries, such as Ireland, Romania, and some other Balkan countries , allow you to stay for up to 60 or 90 days. In the UK, you can stay up to 180 days, and countries like Albania and Georgia even let Americans stay up to a year!

So, in theory, all you need to do to extend your stay in Europe beyond 3 months is to spend 90 days in the Schengen Area, take a trip to Ireland for a couple pints of Guinness, immerse yourself in Bulgarian folk culture for a while, and then return to the Schengen Area with a renewed Schengen visa.

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We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

The “Hard” Way: Longer Term Visas & Life Hacks

If you’re determined enough about moving to Europe, or just politely overstaying as long as possible, know that there is a way — you just gotta be determined enough.

Working Holiday Visa

A working holiday visa might be one of the easiest and best ways to actually travel long-term in Europe. This type of visa is designed with young travelers in mind, meaning people that want to work and travel abroad for a period of time.

In Europe, several countries (both in and outside the Schengen Area) offer working holiday visas. For example, people from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand can apply for a working holiday visa in several European countries, including Germany, France, and Spain.

They allow you to travel and work for up to 12 months , but may have restrictions on the type of work, hours, and specific qualifications or funds required. Make sure to check for specific requirements !

People looking to move to Europe from the US through this method will have a harder time though, as only a couple of countries offer this possibility. The next few options might give you a better chance.

Long-Term-Stay Visa

The majority of Schengen countries do not provide long-term-stay visas for tourists or visitors who do not plan to work in the country. To get a long-stay visa, one must typically apply for a work or residency visa.

The Schengen area does offer a temporary residence visa (C- or D-class, depending on the country) for up to one year, but requirements and availability vary among countries. Some may be more difficult to obtain than others.

Also, some countries may require you to have up to 20,000€ in savings before you can move.

statue in paris overlooking the eiffel tower

Student Visa

International students can apply for a student visa once they’ve received an admission letter from a recognized European university program. This is the most common type of visa for international students, and it will allow you to enter the country to follow a specific course or program.

These are relatively easy to obtain if you do plan on studying abroad, and it gets better: even though each country has its own set of policies, the European Union advocates for international students to be allowed to stay for at least 9 months to find suitable jobs.

Freelancer/Remote Worker Visa

This one can be a little bit more complex for casual tourists, and you’ll likely be denied if that’s your case. If you live life as a digital nomad, though, then this visa is probably the right choice for you.

There are several countries that offer freelancer visas and visas geared towards the increasing number of remote workers, Germany being one of the most popular ones with their Freiberufle visa .

A freelance visa like this is typically granted for three months, after which it can and should be converted into a residence permit. You apply, pay a fee, submit proof that your business can survive, and then wait to be accepted.

Month to month payments, no lock-in contracts, and no itineraries required: that’s the exact kind of insurance digital nomads and long-term traveller types need. Cover yo’ pretty little self while you live the DREAM!

Get a European Passport/Marry a European

If your parents or grandparents (sometimes even great-grandparents) have citizenship in a European country, you may be able to apply for a passport. With one, you could work in any EU country without paperwork or restrictions! The process can be very time-consuming, but it’s worth it.

Alternatively, you can fall in love and apply for a marriage visa! You’ll get to stay there while the application process goes through and then you can move to Europe and stay there forever with the love of your life (a chocolate croissant).

All jokes aside, leave love out of your visa extension attempts as much as you possibly can.

If you’re planning to stay in Europe for a year or more, costs will definitely add up, even if you just wander around the cheapest countries .

And as you’re probably gonna spend part of this time without work, you’ll need to find ways to make life as inexpensive as possible.

Here are a few different ways you can make this process easier:

Embrace Hostelling: Hostel life is the best life! Besides saving you a ton of money, hostels are places where you get to meet awesome, like-minded travellers. Just book yourself an epic hostel in Europe and let the magic come to you.
Try Couchsurfing: For Broke Backpackers that want to go the extra mile, Couchsurfing is the way to go . The community is amazing, and you’re likely to have experiences you would never normally have had — I attribute many of my traveling highlights to it, and highly recommend looking into it.
Experience Volunteering/Work-Exchange: Do good & experience the world fully by signing up for a volunteering program! There’s definitely a lot to it, as this strategy has gotten a bit of a bad rep over the years, but we address it all in our comprehensive guide to volunteering abroad .

A group of people watch the sunset over Porto, Portugal

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

How long can you stay in Europe without a visa?

Travelers with a Schengen Visa can stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. They have a 180-day countdown, during which you can only stay for a total of 90 days, regardless of how many times you enter or exit the area.

Are there any special visas for Americans looking to move to Europe?

There are no special visas specifically for Americans, but there are a variety of options for long-term stays, such as student visas, work visas, or long-term residency permits. It’s best to check with the specific embassy or immigration office of the country you’re interested in.

How long can an American stay in Europe?

Generally, Americans can stay in EU countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. This can vary with the country though, as countries like Albania and Georgia let American citizens stay up to a year. Always check with the embassy or consulate before traveling.

Do all European countries use the euro?

Not all European countries use the Euro as their currency. Only the member states of the Eurozone use it, which currently includes 19 out of 27 European Union countries. Places like the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Poland, for example, are not in on that.

Can I stay in Europe longer if I start drinking wine like a true European?

If you can drink wine like a true European and make the border control officer believe that you can’t live without it, it might just work. But if you can’t hold your liquor, they might just think you’re a liability and send you back home. Best stick to the 90-day rule.

That’s all for today, my fellow dreamers. The main takeaway here is that long-term travel in Europe IS possible! Don’t let visa issues and travel costs give you a hard time — just tell ’em where to stick it.

With the right knowledge and trip planning , it is possible to travel through the Schengen Area and other parts of Europe for more than 90 days.

But remember: Europe is not just one place and there are options available for those who REALLY want it. Don’t let anything hold you back from exploring its beauty. And come say hi in Lisbon!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Tomás Monteiro

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can you stay in Spain and France for 60 days, go to England for 30 days, then back to Spain for 30 days.

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10 advantages of long term travel

We believe long term travel made us stronger people, more capable of facing anything. Here's 10 advantages of long term travel to inspire you to start your journey as soon as possible.

TravelB4Settle

Apr 19, 2024

Long term travel can be one of the most enriching experiences you have in your life .

We love long term travel because we know it molded us into the resilient, strong people we are today! In short, long term travel has made us better humans. For that reason alone, we always recommend everyone around us to experience long term travel at least once in their lifetime. But be careful... it's addictive!

Work exchange played a huge rule when we were backpacking long term , and Worldpackers was a major resource for that! In this article, we cover our experience using work exchange to travel long term, and breakdown 10 advantages of long term travel .

But first, what is long term travel and how do you know if you're ready for long term travel ?

What is long term travel?

There is no exact definition for long term travel.

Some people say it means traveling for more than 3 or 6 months , others say it's traveling 1 or 2 years . It really depends... For us, long term travel is freedom . Not only physically but especially mentally. It's jumping off a cliff and building a plane on the way down. Well, not literally! Please, don't try this at home. I doubt you have a cliff at home, but you get our point.

Long term travel is buying a one-way ticket and not knowing when or from where you are flying back home . It's not having anything planned. It's ending up staying a month in a place you fell in love with, when originally thought you were only staying overnight. It's changing your itinerary last-minute because you met a friend you connected with, or who knows, the love of your life! It's going against the grain of the typical touristic route. It's having local friends... and so much more.

Long term travel is about more than simply visiting places, it's about experiencing them. Ultimately, it's about doing whatever in the world you want with your "tomorrow." Now that's what we call freedom!

How do you know if you're ready for long term travel?

Well... you don't. But chances are, you are ready!

Allow us to explain. You may have read a ton of long term travel blogs to get inspired. Or gone through a long term pre-travel checklist to feel prepared, but... you are still not feeling ready. The truth is that the moment where you'll realize you are ready for long term travel will never come, because it doesn't exist!

"Jump before you are ready." We use this quote all the time. It works for everything in life. We don't know who created it, but we absolutely love it!

There are only a few basic things regarding your health and documentation you should take care before leaving for long term travel , but other than that, all you need is a big leap of courage and NOTHING else! Well, a Worldpackers account will make your life a lot easier.

We know this is way easier said than done, and it's certainly easier for some than for others. But trust us, if you're considering long term travel, you should go for it. Seriously, if at any point you've dreamt of long term travel, stop dreaming — just go! Long term travel has truly never been easier ; now is the time! And if you have never considered or dreamt of it, we challenge you to do it anyway. We guarantee you will benefit from it, love it, and in the end, you'll end up thanking us.

So without further ado, let's dive into the advantages of long term travel .

You gain a deeper understanding of foreign cultures and religion
Traveling becomes way cheaper
Bye Materialism. Hello, minimalism!
More flexibility means more spontaneity!
Learn new languages
It's healthier (physically and mentally)
Freedom to chase the best weather/seasons
Stronger relationships that are more likely to last!
You value your country and the people you left behind
Huge (positive) impact on your personal life

1. You gain a deeper understanding of foreign cultures and religions

When you travel long term , you take time out of the equation and enable yourself to stay longer in places. And the longer you stay, the more you get the local experience.

You can listen to thousands of stories about a specific place. Or even study its culture and religion for years! But nothing will make you understand and truly appreciate a place like living in it will.

The same religion can be followed differently in different places. Sometimes, beliefs and traditions may only make sense when you experience them firsthand, when you're able to see and feel them in practice. In this regard, long term travel is a great way to learn how to embrace cultural differences while traveling .

Naturally, when you start absorbing different cultures and religions, you start analyzing and comparing them. As a result you learn and take the best and the worst of each. And as a direct consequence, you grow and become a better person!

2. Traveling becomes way cheaper

Traveling long term is way healthier for your wallet, especially if you travel slowly . In many cases, long term backpacking can even be cheaper than staying in your hometown.

Take accommodation, for example. It's almost always cheaper to rent a place for a few weeks or months instead of for a few days. But that's not all! By staying longer periods of time in places, you'll practically be a local, meaning you'll know which markets to shop at and the best, affordable restaurants to eat at.

If you plan to travel long term , seriously consider joining the Worldpackers community . Worldpackers connects travelers with hosts around the globe . In exchange for a few hours of work each day, travelers receive free accommodation and other benefits.

The Worldpackers travel experience is a great way to enjoy a local experience while drastically lowering your expenses and saving tons of money while traveling . Your wallet will thank you big time!

3. Bye materialism. Hello, minimalism!

Traveling long term will change the way you see your material things and the importance you give to them.

The minimalist travel mindset shift begins before before you even take off. Preparing for big trips will make you want to take everything you have with you, but for obvious reasons, that's just not possible. So you'll have to make decisions even before getting on that plane. You'll have to decide what is and what is not important. Spoiler alert: you'll probably take more than you actually need anyways.

Whether you follow a minimalist packing strategy or bring your entire life with you, you'll soon discover that some of the things you are carrying everywhere are not actually being used that often. Consequently, you'll end up leaving things behind! And trust us, this is a good thing.

Less is more has never held truer than it does in terms of what to pack for long-term travel . Releasing that extra clutter is good not only for your back but also for your mind! You'll discover that things you give importance to are not that important for you, and you'll start to give more value to things that really matter (people, experiences, feelings, etc).

Solo traveler hitchhiking on a forest road

4. More flexibility means more spontaneity!

When you travel for a vacation or short trip, you tend to plan more. And that makes sense — you have a short time period and you want to take maximum advantage of it! Some people even plan to exhaustion with Excel sheets and time stamps. Our first trip was like this and we quickly understood that was not our style for sure.

However, when you travel long term the opposite happens. When you take time out of the equation you become free! You have more flexibility, which can lead to better experiences and connections.

Of course you'll have a rough plan in your head, but the key is that you'll be flexible enough to stay longer in that one place you loved, or stay only a day in a place you thought you were staying longer because you didn't like the energy of it. You'll be able to join the travel itinerary of someone you connected with in a hostel, or even change your route entirely because you fell in love. (It happens more often than you might think!)

5. Learn new languages

The best teacher is necessity.

When you travel to a place for more than a few days, you will naturally feel the need to speak the local language. At the beginning some simple words may work, like "hi", "please", and "thank you", but with time you'll naturally want more and more.

Long term travel is, without a shadow of doubt, an ideal way to learn new languages. If you already have some language skills for the destination you're visiting, traveling long term can help you develop your communication skills or even become fluent! As a bonus, if you look like a tourist and try to speak the local language, locals will give you a huge smile because you are showing an effort to use their language.

Did you know that some people travel just to learn new languages?

6. It's healthier (physically and mentally)

There aren't many people who don't like to travel. In fact, every year there's more and more people who do it! However, although traveling is good for your soul, it's not that healthy for your body.

Traveling short term can be very stressing. You have a limited period of time to explore a place, and you'll want to take maximum advantage of it. This often results in many trips from one place to another, with no stops or breaks or downtime. The place you sleep is always changing, you normally eat on the go and there is no time to get sufficient rest or exercise. You might end up needing a vacation from your vacation.

On the other hand, if you travel long term you get to explore places in a more relaxed way. You spread your trips so you don't cover too much time on the road per week. You often have time to exercise and cook healthy, nourishing meals. In general, traveling long term means you have more time for to take care of your physical and mental health.

Woman in the ocean, Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

7. Freedom to chase the best weather/seasons

This one is pretty obvious.

When your long term travel schedule is flexible, you can manage to visit places during their optimal time and avoid them during their worst time. You can run away from winters and always chase summers (or vice versa) year-round! Essentially, you can do as you please.

If you have that sort of freedom and flexibility, why would you stay in a place during its rainy season, right?

8. Stronger relationships that are more likely to last!

Everyone knows traveling is an excellent way to meet new people from all over the world. However, when you travel short term, you stay less time in places and the relationships you make along on the way are more superficial. It'll most likely be the first and last time you see friends you make, even if you promise to be friends forever!

Long term travel results in more time to share moments and experiences with the people around you. Those moments and experiences naturally build strong bonds, which create honest and genuine relationships that really can last forever. In these cases, it's unlikely that you won't find a way to see each other again at some point in life.

The only downside of this is that when both sides proceed with their travels, the "goodbyes" are way harder and more intense!

9. You value your country and the people you left behind

Living amongst other cultures and traditions is amazing, but it can also be lonely and incredibly hard. It's not easy to spend months away from where you belong.

When you're in a foreign country 24/7, it's inevitable that you'll feel miss home. You'll find yourself missing simple things like food and familiar smells... to deeper and more meaningful things like strong relationships you left behind. However, the distance will make you value those things like you have never before. When you go back, you will make sure to look at things differently, and truly love and appreciate what is important to you.

10. Huge (positive) impact on your personal life

To sum up this entire article in one big advantage: traveling long term will have a huge, positive impact on your personal life .

Traveling is a pure form of education . Constantly living with different people in different places with different cultures, languages, religions and traditions will open your eyes and your mind. Travel will make you more tolerant, more patient and will influence the way you see the world and the way you carry yourself... forever.

Research now shows that travel changes you for the better . And it's true. The more you travel, the more you'll learn, grow, and mature... and a better version of you will arise!

Solo traveler photographing a mountain sunrise

We really believe long term travel made us stronger people, more capable of facing anything in life. And that's why we really want you to experience the magic of traveling long term !

We really hope the 10 advantages of long term travel we've listed in this article inspire you to get out there and start your long term travel journey as soon as possible. Don't overthink it, just go! You'll figure out how to make it work along the way, and when you get back, we'll be here to hear your stories.

Safe travels,

Matilde & Miguel — TravelB4Settle

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TravelB4Settle - Matilde & Miguel

We are a couple of Digital Nomads from Portugal. Two years ago we left everything behind to travel the world. Since then we have travelled Asia, Europe and South America, very slowly! We created a business online to sustain our lifestyle and our main goal is to inspire and help you do the same! :)

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How Travel Changes You? | Explained by Remote Year

27. Oct. 2021

Much has been said about the profound impact travel can have on a person, in particular, its ability to change you. Songs have been sung, poems have been written, blog posts have been crafted (ahem), in an ode to the life-changing magic that you experience when you travel the world.

Now, research has confirmed it. A new study by Rice University, in conjunction with Columbia University and the University of North Carolina, revealed that people who live abroad for long periods of time have increased “self-concept clarity” - essentially, they understand themselves better than people who never live in a different country.

Tell us something we don’t know.

It’s no secret in the travel community that self-reflection comes hand in hand with interactions with local cultures and people with diverse backgrounds and individual beliefs. How does this person’s values align with or contradict my own? Do the beliefs I’ve held my entire life stand up to the unique experiences that I’ve been a part of during this time spent abroad?

In the face of discomfort and strangeness, we become either more sure of our opinions and values, or we question them and adopt new ways of seeing the world. We find out which of our beliefs are fundamental to who we are, and which we’ve simply absorbed from our own cultural upbringings.

The study that we mentioned earlier quoted German philosopher Hermann von Keyserling as a part of their research. Prepare yourself for this game-changing declaration: “The shortest path to oneself leads around the world.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Ready to change your perspective - and your life? Join a work and travel program today.

Interestingly, the study showed that sense of self was not affected by the number of countries that a person has traveled to, but rather the length of time that they spent away from home. When travelers give themselves a chance to fully experience the culture of the city that they visit, they are more likely to experience a clearer self-concept.

These findings align with the lifestyle that work and travel programs support. Travel isn’t just a means to escape the demands of modern society through temporary solutions like taking a vacation. It can become a way of life through more holistic opportunities like work and travel programs.

While transitioning into a flexible work arrangement is a major benefit of joining a work and travel program, it’s clear from this study that there are personal growth benefits as well. Along with the daily excitement and curiosity that comes with living in a new environment, you’ll be repeatedly confronted with chances to re-evaluate your own values, preconceived notions, and long held opinions related to business and personal life. You will become familiar with the customs and cultures of the people whose country you are living and working in, and you will develop empathy toward others in a way that isn’t possible when you stay inside of your bubble.

“Traveling, long-term or not, helps cultivate empathy,” Olga Kraineva , a member of Remote Year Veritas, said. “After your very first trip outside of your native country, you begin to see that your way of living is not the only way to live. Different cultures have different values and customs which are equally important to them as your habits and customs are to you.”

“This, in turn, helps open your world view, improve compassion for others, and cultivate new ideas. One of the biggest changes for me coming back after continent-hopping and living abroad for 14+ months was realizing that I don't have to continue living exactly as I had before. I can adopt new practices, new philosophies or new habits based on what I've picked up on the road for an overall richer life. That translates into happiness.”

That kind of global perspective is an integral part of succeeding in today’s interconnected society. We are no longer confined to our hometowns, or even our home countries, when it comes to our professional pursuits. Companies are increasingly likely to hire prospective candidates with experience working with global communities, a skill that you’re bound to pick up on a work and travel program.

“Extended periods of time spent in a foreign country can yield numerous benefits that come with a clear sense of self, ranging from greater life satisfaction to decreased stress, improved job performance and - as the new research shows - enhanced clarity about the types of careers that best match an individual's strengths and values. Having a clear sense of self could thus become increasingly important in today's world with its unprecedented range of available career options,” the researchers said in the press released that followed their study.

So, yes, traveling does make you different. You’ll not only understand yourself better, you’ll understand other people better as well. Compared to those who stick around their home countries, you’ll have had more opportunities for personal and professional growth - and likely have an upper hand in life because of them. There are just some things that you can’t learn from a book, and the life experiences that you’ll gain from travel will teach you most - if not all - of them.

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17 Top Long-Term Travel Packing List Items for 2024 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

Packing for long-term travel can be challenging. It’s hard to predict what you’ll need if you’re visiting multiple places for an extended period. While it’s an amazing feeling to have everything you need in a backpack while traveling long term, it can also be a battle to make everything fit!

That’s why I’ve drawn from my own experiences to put together this long-term travel packing list. Also, you’ll find sections on what to wear during long-term travel , what NOT to bring, and FAQ answers.

While you’ll want to pack light, you also need to make sure you’re prepared for anything and have everything you need to feel safe, refreshed, and comfortable, wherever in the world you end up.

What to Pack for Long-Term Travel – 17 Essentials

1. backpack.

Packing for long-term travel starts with a good backpack. During your travels, you’re likely to be moving around a lot. Being able to carry all of your luggage on your back makes that easy, whereas juggling suitcases and multiple bags is difficult when you’re walking through cities, and hopping on and off of busses and trains. Make sure to get a backpack with anti-gravity suspension so that your load feels lighter, and it’s also important to buy for your gender as women’s backpacks are fitted for the female body whereas men’s backpacks distribute the weight differently.

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Travel Towel

A travel towel is absolutely essential for long-term travel. These travel towels pack small and dry quickly, so they’re perfect for carrying around on the move. You also don’t need to clean them as frequently as a normal towel, which is great when you aren’t able to do laundry as frequently. I use my travel towel both outdoors and for bathing.

3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN protects your security. This means hassle free transactions at airports, hotels, AirBnBs, cafes and even roadside vendors without worrying about your credit card number being hacked or stolen. Unfortunately, I’ve learned from personal experience that travelers are easy targets for credit card fraud. With a VPN you can feel safer and more free in your transactions.

View NordVPN.com Options ➜

4. Packing Cubes

When you’re living out of a backpack, things can get messy really quickly. That’s why I rely on packing cubes. They organize your luggage so that finding your belongings, packing and unpacking is a breeze. When you’re moving from place to place, you’ll be grateful that your backpack is so organized.

5. Neck Wallet

It can be easy to lose track of your valuables while traveling long term. Especially as you move through bus stations, train stations and airports, you want to always be sure that your passport and wallet are safe. This pouch allows you to carry your passport, debit cards, cash and documents safely under your shirt where pickpockets can’t reach them. This neck wallet even comes with RFID blocking to prevent e-thieves from stealing your credit card details.

6. Lifestraw Water Bottle

I can’t understate the importance of traveling with your own water bottle. If you don’t, you can easily end up wasting a lot of unnecessary money and plastic. A Lifestraw water bottle is best because it filters and purifies water on the go, which means that you can drink from anywhere. Depending on where you are, often your water source won’t be reliable, so a water bottle with a built-in filter is a huge plus.

7. Universal Power Adapter

Moving between different countries, you’ll need a good universal power adapter so that you can plug in your electronics anywhere. This one has a built-in fuse to protect your devices during a power surge, and is lightweight and compact.

8. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

Whether you spend ten hours on a bus or stay overnight camping somewhere remote, you’ll likely have periods without access to electricity during your travels. This portable charger is lightweight, compact, and greatly extends the battery life of your electronics. It’s much nicer to venture off the beaten track when you know that you’re carrying around your own pocket-sized power supply!

9. Activated Charcoal

When visiting new countries, it is likely that not all of the new foods that you try will sit well in your stomach. In fact, during long-term travel I accept the reality that generally my stomach is likely to frequently be upset. Activated charcoal is a hero for the stomach, as it absorbs toxins, helping you to recover quickly. It’s essential to keep handy when you’re trying new cuisines.

10. Daypack

In addition to your big backpack, you’ll need a smaller pack for day use. I love daypacks that fold up small so that they don’t take up any extra space in your larger pack, but also can be used as an option if you, say, have a shopping trip and your luggage starts to overflow. This daypack is rainproof and ultralight.

11. Travel Pillow

I love my travel pillow. It comes in handy for long flights or bus rides, as well as camping and budget accommodations that are less than comfortable. It rolls up small so it is easy to carry around, but when unrolled this Thermarest travel pillow is so comfortable that you can literally fall asleep anywhere.

12. Lightweight Sleeping Bag

I’ve visited hostels around the world where the insulation and bedding just doesn’t cut it. That’s why I think it’s important to always have your own sleeping bag onhand. This one is light so it won’t add unnecessary weight to your bag. A sleeping bag can make a huge difference when it comes to a good night’s sleep, particularly if you’re traveling somewhere that can get cold.

13. Packable Down Jacket

This packable down jacket is perfect because it can keep you very warm, but isn’t as bulky as most winter wear. It packs small and is extremely light, so it can easily fit into your backpack without adding weight. It’s versatile and works equally well on a chilly summer night, as a fall or spring coat, and as a winter layer.

14. Hiking Boots

During long-term travels, it is likely that you’ll live in your hiking boots. Long-term travel can entail lots and lots of walking, so you want to make sure that you wear shoes that are kind to your feet. Merrel makes great hiking boots that are durable, comfortable, stylish, waterproof, and have fantastic grip for tough terrain.

15. Travel Hammock

A travel hammock is a must for long-term travel. You can string it up in a forest or on a beach and have a perfect rest day. Best of all, it only takes a minute or two to set up. This travel hammock is relatively lightweight and small, and it’s worth carrying around for some luxury and comfort wherever you are.

16. Waterproof Compression Sacks

Using compression sacks for packing has revolutionized travel for me. It saves space in your luggage by compressing your clothes, sleeping bag and towel, removing air to pack down smaller. As you travel and shop at local markets, accumulating stuff, this will be the gift that keeps on giving. These compression sacks are also waterproof, and it is always good to have that added protection on a rainy day.

17. Travel Insurance

Because you never know what might happen while traveling abroad, travel insurance is necessary. Especially if you want to venture out of your comfort zone while traveling – which you should! – you’ll feel better if you are insured. TravelInsurance.com is the best, protecting you in unpredictable events from illness and injury to theft. Plus, you can compare policies from top companies to find the one that best fits you and your travel plans.

Compare policies at TravelInsurance.com ➜

Other Long-Term Travel Packing items not to forget

Sleeping mask
Headphone splitter
First Aid Kit
Toiletry bag
Toothbrush cover
Miniature hairbrush
Travel umbrella
Kindle case
Pencil case
Waterproof phone case
Waterproof camera
Shampoo bar
Thermal underwear
Reef safe sunscreen
Insect repellant
Tea tree oil
Travel toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Passport photos
Hiking socks

What to Wear During Long-Term Travel

Three types of shoes are essential for women during long-term travel: hiking boots, flip flops, and lightweight comfortable flats. While hiking boots are necessary so that you can regularly walk long distances comfortably, flip flops are good for slipping on and hostel use, and lightweight flats can be worn out to dinner or whenever you’re sick of wearing your hiking boots. Women should pack a couple of versatile dresses that work equally well for a casual day or a night out, depending on whether they’re dressed up or down. A cross body purse is also helpful for casual excursions. Leggings are great for long-term travel because they’re light and pack small, and are comfortable for both sleeping and travel. What men should wear during long-term travel (Click to expand) Below is a sample men’s clothing list. (All items link to Amazon.com for your convenience).

Packing for the Long-Term Travel

Seasons vary depending on where you are going, so you’ll have to do individual research for the specific places you’re planning to visit. I’ve put together this rough guide though, to help you with your ideas.

Springtime can be wet, so make sure that you have a good rain jacket. Be prepared with layers for changing temperatures throughout the day, and active wear with long sleeves. A compact jacket is good to carry around wherever you go, just in case temperatures suddenly get cold.

Summer is the easiest time to travel in terms of your packing list. You can wear shorts (menwomen), lightweight pants (men & women), summer dresses, and t-shirts or tank tops. Flip flops are great for summer travel because they’re easy to slip on and off. You also may want to travel with hiking sandals (men & women) instead of or in addition to your hiking boots, because they’re cooler and more comfortable for warmer weather.

As for springtime travel, make sure that you always have layers on hand for when temperatures get cool. This should include merino base layers, which are fantastic because they can keep you both cool or warm depending on what your body needs. Also carry around your compact down jacket for quick and easy warmth when you need it. Hiking boots are the most practical footwear for fall travel. A flannel, and more lightweight sweaters, are also comfortable for travel during this season.

In the winter, though bulky, you usually do need to travel with a proper winter coat. A ski jacket is versatile for many activities and perfect for snow. You’ll also want a microfleece sweater, and thermal base layers for layering up. Merino hiking socks will keep your feet warm, and make sure to pack hiking boots that are insulated and keep your feet dry in rain or snow. Don’t forget a neck warmer, which is often lighter and easier to travel with than a scarf, and a good warm beanie.

RAINY SEASON

You may be traveling to somewhere with a rainy season. In that case, you’ll want to wear clothing that can easily get wet. Waterproof or quick drying shorts and a rain jacket are key. It’s also best to wear hiking sandals with good grip during the rainy season, so that they can get wet and dry quickly, keeping your feet comfortable.

Hiking – For hiking and other outdoor adventure activities, make sure you wear your hiking boots and hiking pants or shorts. Activewear shirts with sweat-wicking technologies are best for keeping you comfortable and cool, and if it is particularly cold wear merino base layers that will keep you warm when cold and cool as you warm up.

Religious sites – Research local customs to make sure that you dress respectfully for visiting religious sites like temples. Carry long sleeves and a sarong to wrap around your shoulders or waist, because often it is disrespectful to show shoulders or legs at various religious sites.

Nightlife – Don’t overdress for nightlife with chunky heels and clothing that is fancy and impractical. Women can get away with flats and a dress, while men can wear nice lightweight shoes, jeans, and a button-down.

The beach – If you’ll be spending lots of time at the beach, be sure to pack a stylish and comfortable beach cover-up in addition to your bathing suit and flip flops. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen.

What NOT to bring for long-term travel

1. bulky or uncomfortable shoes.

Leave high heels and other fancy impractical shoes behind. They take up too much room in your baggage and also can be easily damaged when lugged around. Both women and men should only pack shoes that are lightweight and comfortable for long-term use, in addition to hiking boots.

2. Many books

No matter how much you love to read, carrying around too many books on your back is heavy and impractical. I recommend just investing in a kindle for your travels, which is much lighter and also means that you can buy books on-the-go wherever you have wifi.

3. Unnecessary Valuables – including clothes

Traveling long term and moving around a lot, it may at times become difficult to keep track of all of your things. Leave unnecessary valuables behind, including clothing that is precious to you. Apart from necessary items like your passport, wallet, and phone, you should be prepared for the possibility of damaging or losing whatever you travel with long-term.

4. Delicate items

Because you’ll most likely be traveling with a large backpack and moving around a lot, delicate items are not likely to fare well during long-term travel. Leave delicates behind and pack durable, practical items that can handle getting tossed around.

5. Too many clothes

You don’t have room in your backpack for an entire wardrobe, unfortunately. Only pack a few practical outfits, and clothing that is versatile and that you don’t mind wearing over and over again.

6. Lots of cash

Both because of pickpocketing and border crossings with changes in currency, try to keep the cash you carry to a safe but practical minimum. When you take out cash, it can also be a good idea to note the ATMs you use in case of hacking and fraud.

7. Bath towel

A bath towel is impractical because it takes a long time to dry and is bulky in your luggage. It can make your whole backpack mouldy. Bring a travel towel instead.

FAQs about Long-Term Travel

1. how can i travel long-term on a low budget.

Budgeting is especially important when traveling long term. In addition to staying in budget-friendly hostels, it is also a good idea to look into work exchange through www.workaway.info or www.wwoof.net . This gives you accommodation in exchange for work rather than money, and also often includes amazing cultural experiences where you can interact more deeply with locals and spend more time in one place. Don’t be afraid to use local public transport, usually cheaper than private travel, and to try delicious local street foods. It is often more practical to cook many of your meals at your hostel rather than relying on eating out every day. Look into free experiences, like free city walking tours, to learn about where you are without paying extra.

2. Where should I stay while traveling long term?

Look into budget accommodation, like hostels and homestays. As mentioned, also look for accommodation that suits your interests through work exchange, so that you don’t have to spend money for every night of your trip. www.workaway.info and www.wwoof.net are full of amazing cultural experiences that can both deepen and cheapen your trip. If you’re traveling in places like New Zealand or Hawai’i, look into using a camper van or even just a tent.

3. How and when should I get my visas?

Visa rules are different in every country, so make sure that you do careful research and plan ahead for everywhere you go. I’ve learned this the hard way! Start early because some visas require multiple embassy visits and a few weeks wait, while many you can get online and instantly.

4. What are the best regions for travel long-term?

The region you travel in depends on your interests. Southeast Asia is classic for low-budget travel, warm weather, natural beauty and depth, and diversity in cultural experiences. There is also a well-established infrastructure of hostels there, which makes life easier if you’re new to traveling long term. Central and South America are similarly amazing regions to travel in, full of adventures, but can be slightly more expensive. Europe, of course, is the most expensive, but fantastic for art and cities. Southeastern Europe and the Balkans have amazing cultures, histories, wine, and beaches without costing as much as Northern and Western Europe. Central Asia is extremely adventurous and off-the-beaten-track and can be stunningly beautiful. Particularly if you’re a more seasoned traveler and desire more local experiences without as much tourism “industry,” Central Asia is worth looking into. There is also never enough time to spend in single countries that you fall in love with. In countries like India or New Zealand, you can travel for months without ever getting bored.

5. What is the best way to get around while traveling long term?

Transport also depends on where you are. Public transport is often the cheapest mode of travel while also offering the best insights into local life, but it can also be uncomfortable and slow. Sometimes the best option is to rent or even buy your own car for total freedom and autonomy to explore. To travel sustainably, do reduce your flights and travel by land (or sea!) when you can.

Blood Clots and Travel: What You Need to Know

More than 300 million people travel on long-distance flights (generally more than four hours) each year. 1 Blood clots, also called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can be a serious risk for some long-distance travelers. Most information about blood clots and long-distance travel comes from information that has been gathered about air travel. However, anyone traveling more than four hours, whether by air, car, bus, or train, can be at risk for blood clots.

Blood Clots and Travel: What You Should Know

This podcast is designed to help people reduce their risk of blood clots during long-distance travel of four hours or more.

Blood clots can form in the deep veins (veins below the surface that are not visible through the skin) of your legs during travel because you are sitting still in a confined space for long periods of time. The longer you are immobile, the greater is your risk of developing a blood clot. Many times the blood clot will dissolve on its own. However, a serious health problem can occur when a part of the blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs causing a blockage. This is called a pulmonary embolism, and it may be fatal. The good news is there are things you can do to protect your health and reduce your risk of blood clots during a long-distance trip.

Understand What Can Increase Your Risk for Blood Clots

Even if you travel a long distance, the risk of developing a blood clot is generally very small. Your level of risk depends on the duration of travel as well as whether you have any other risks for blood clots. Most people who develop travel-associated blood clots have one or more other risks for blood clots, such as:

Older age (risk increases after age 40)
Obesity ( body mass index [BMI] greater than 30kg/m 2 )
Recent surgery or injury (within 3 months)
Use of estrogen-containing contraceptives (for example, birth control pills, rings,patches)
Hormone replacement therapy (medical treatment in which hormones are given to reduce the effects of menopause)
Pregnancy and the postpartum period (up to 3 months after childbirth)
Previous blood clot or a family history of blood clots
Active cancer or recent cancer treatment
Limited mobility (for example, a leg cast)
Catheter placed in a large vein
Varicose veins

The combination of long-distance travel with one or more of these risks may increase the likelihood of developing a blood clot. The more risks you have, the greater your chances of experiencing a blood clot. If you plan on traveling soon, talk with your doctor to learn more about what you can do to protect your health. The most important thing you can do is to learn and recognize the symptoms of blood clots.

My name is Amaris White and I want to share my personal experience with blood clots. My hope is that by sharing this information, you will learn the signs and symptoms of this potentially fatal condition and know how to protect yourself and others.

Recognize the Symptoms

Deep vein thrombosis (dvt).

About half of people with DVT have no symptoms at all. The following are the most common symptoms of DVT that occur in the affected part of the body (usually the leg or arm):

Swelling of your leg or arm
Pain or tenderness that you can’t explain
Skin that is warm to the touch
Redness of the skin

If you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

You can have a PE without any symptoms of a DVT. Symptoms of a PE can include:

Difficulty breathing
Faster than normal or irregular heartbeat
Chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing
Coughing up blood
Lightheadedness, or fainting

If you have any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

For more information on blood clots

Blood Clots and Long Distance Travel: Advising Patients

View this video to learn more about how healthcare providers can advise their patients on long-distance travel and blood clots.

Protect Yourself and Reduce Your Risk of Blood Clots During Travel

Know what to look for. Be alert to the signs and symptoms of blood clots.
Talk with your doctor if you think you may be at risk for blood clots. If you have had a previous blood clot, or if a family member has a history of blood clots or an inherited clotting disorder, talk with your doctor to learn more about your individual risks.
Move your legs frequently when on long trips and exercise your calf muscles to improve the flow of blood. If you’ve been sitting for a long time, take a break to stretch your legs. Extend your legs straight out and flex your ankles (pulling your toes toward you). Some airlines suggest pulling each knee up toward the chest and holding it there with your hands on your lower leg for 15 seconds, and repeat up to 10 times. These types of activities help to improve the flow of blood in your legs.
If you are at risk, talk with your doctor to learn more about how to prevent blood clots. For example, some people may benefit by wearing graduated compression stockings.
If you are on blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations on medication use.

1 Gavish I, Brenner B. Air travel and the risk of thromboembolism. Intern Emerg Med 2011 Apr;6(2):113-6.

Yellow Book chapter on DVT and travel
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How to Protect Your Home During Extended Vacations, From Security Systems to House Sitters

By Jessica Poitevien

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All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, it’s becoming easier to lead what was once considered a “nontraditional” lifestyle full of travel. Whether you’re a retiree spending a few months at a vacation home, at sea , or visiting family, a digital nomad traversing the globe, a burnt out employee planning an adult gap year , or someone like me whose job requires extended stays away from home, that time away brings with it a new consideration: how to ensure your residence will be safe as it patiently awaits your return.

Ahead, we’ll dive into practical tips, products, and services to protect your home and put your mind at ease whenever you leave for long periods of time. From home security systems to finding a house sitter, we’ll cover it all.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Protect your home from disaster.

Securing your home before departure goes beyond locking all the doors and windows. Start by sealing any small holes leading outside to prevent animals from making themselves comfortable in your floorboards or roof. Adding fresh batteries to smoke alarms can be a lifesaver in case of emergency, too. However, homeowners often overlook another common cause of extensive issues: water.

“By installing water sensors, or water shut-off devices, you could be alerted to water leaks while you’re away and help prevent costly damage,” says Sarah Jacobs, vice president of personal lines product development at Nationwide . If possible, Jacobs recommends shutting off the main water valve completely. Not sure how? Check out this video for a few tips on how to locate and cut off your home’s water supply. If you need additional assistance, HomeX's Remote Assist tool can connect you via phone or video call with a trained technician who will walk you through the process and help with any other home repairs or pre-trip preparations you’re having trouble with.

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With these tips, you can spend less time worrying while away from home.

Set your home to “vacation mode.”

To reduce your electricity bill and protect your belongings from any power surges, be sure to unplug everything possible, from the washing machine to lamps and televisions. When it comes to your thermostat, the strategy depends on your environment. In cold climates , you can prevent frozen pipes by setting a temperature in the high 50s, while warmer areas require a temperature in the high 70s to avoid mold and mildew. These temperatures are warm/cool enough to keep your home in good condition without running up the electric bill.

Take care of the mail.

Nothing screams “this home is vacant” quite like an overflowing mailbox or unattended packages waiting for porch pirates to strike. Instead of relying on loved ones to check your mailbox, sign up for the USPS mail hold service to stop deliveries for up to 30 days or try temporary mail forwarding for longer absences.

Expecting something important to arrive? Anissia West, a DEI consultant and life coach who leaves home for extended periods at least five times per year, recommends a virtual mailbox like iPostal1 . The company collects your mail, uploads photos of it through an app, then allows you the option to discard it, forward it, or have it scanned so you can digitally read your mail from anywhere.

Make it look like someone is home.

Another way to ward off would-be robbers is to create the illusion that you never left home. That could be as simple as arranging for regular landscaping service, but Royal Williams goes the extra mile. “To make the house seem lived in, I use light timers, so for a few hours every night, the living room lights turn on,” says the online teacher and graduate student who splits her time between California and Colombia . Light timers like this Amazon bestseller are relatively inexpensive, but “smart” lights can also be programmed to periodically turn on and off without the extra purchase.

Find someone to care for your plants and pets.

Whether you’re leaving for a few days or a few months, TrustedHousesitters connects homeowners with travelers who will take care of their property, pets, and plants in exchange for free accommodation. I once spent two weeks taking care of an adorable kitten at her apartment in downtown Miami, but not everyone is comfortable with a stranger setting up camp in their private space. That’s where digital marketing specialist and travel influencer Lauren Kokoskie suggests using TaskRabbit , a website that allows users to hire local gig workers for special errands. Kokoski, for example, once hired a landscaper to care for her indoor plants. “I met with them in person and showed them how to water my plants. They returned weekly while I was gone,” she says. “I made sure to lock up my valuables since it was still a stranger in my home, [but] I had a positive experience.”

Install smart home security.

Long gone are the days of leaving a spare key under a flower pot by the door. Instead, invest in a smart lock and make it easier to grant access to your home as needed. There are dozens of options on the market, but I personally use a keypad deadbolt from Schlage . When I go on vacation or work trips, I give the cat sitter a temporary code that only works during the designated times she’s scheduled to be at the house. I get notifications whenever the door is unlocked and can also remotely control the deadbolt from my phone using the Schlage app, Apple Home, Alexa, Ring, and other home automation systems. Several of these systems, including Ring and Nest , also offer other smart home security services such as indoor and outdoor cameras, motion-activated floodlights, alarms, and more.

Prepare for a smooth return.

It may feel like a burden to tack on extra cleaning before a long trip, but you’ll thank yourself later when you have an inviting space to welcome you home. For freelance writer Giulia Alvarez-Katz, that pre-trip cleaning routine includes covering furniture with blankets to prevent excessive dust build up and eating all the food in her refrigerator so there’s nothing left to spoil should her appliances lose power. Alvarez-Katz also stocks up on key supplies she’ll need to make her return as stress-free as possible. “There’s nothing worse than coming home to an apartment with no toilet paper,” she says.

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Travel Tips for Long Flights. Here’s What You Need to Know

Medium shot of couple working on smart phone and laptop on airplane

W ith the end of the year upon us, so is the holiday travel rush. AAA estimates 115 million Americans will head 50 miles or more from home over the festive period, making it the second busiest end-of-year travel season since the company started tracking in 2000, topped only by 2019.

If you’re joining many people heading to the airport for holidays or homecomings, here are some frequently asked questions and tips for long flights. While some answers depend on personal preferences, they also include advice from travel and health experts.

How do I prepare my body for flying?

Jeff Kahn, CEO of the sleep tracker app Rise Science, told Condé Nast Traveler that the best way to ensure you travel and sleep well is to start a trip with “low sleep debt.” A few days ahead of a long-haul trip, you could also begin gradually adjusting your sleep times so that you’re more in-sync with the time zone of your destination.

Before boarding, Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) suggested exercising to get worn out and ready for sleep, especially if the flight is later in the day. Elsewhere, flight attendants have said they book red-eye flights, as those tend to be quieter and emptier, and the timing can help you get over jet lag.

Staying away from screens, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and if possible, choosing a seat location that’s best for you to sleep, are among other top tips.

Should I eat before or on the flight?

Travel journalist Andrea Bennett, writing for flight search site KAYAK, has recommended drinking lots of water, and not alcohol or caffeine, before a long flight, so that you can be as relaxed and hydrated as possible—guidance echoed by other travel pros.

Flight attendant Major has also advised that eating before a long-haul flight can maximize your sleeping time, without getting interrupted by on-board food service. However, you may not have time to do so or don’t want to spend money on airport food beforehand. He suggested bringing your own snacks, especially if you’re traveling with kids or have dietary needs, since you won’t be served food for at least an hour after the flight takes off.

If you are eating on the flight, you could consider adjusting your meal times to coordinate with your destination to help get over jet lag, which a 2017 scientific study said can work.

What should I wear?

Flight search website Skyscanner has recommended wearing several loose and comfy layers to adjust your temperature while you fly, since it can be chilly on airplanes. Closed-toed shoes are better than flip flops in an emergency, per the travel site, but travelers are encouraged not to wear shoes that are too snug, since feet can swell at high altitudes.

If you plan on removing your shoes, make sure your socks are clean, so as not to bother other passengers with any smells, flight attendant Kris Major told CNN Travel .

Packing sandals or slippers for going to the restroom is also highly recommended , although not everyone will have room for that in their hand luggage.

How can I make my economy seat more comfortable?

Some travel pros suggested bringing a neck pillow, portable footrest or foot hammock, and/or blanket. However, if you don’t have room to carry extra items, you could use repurposed clothing, such as a scarf, that collapses easily and can serve as a pillow.

Multiple experts, such as certified sleep science coach Alex Savy, recommended using noise-canceling headphones or earplugs and an eye mask to help you sleep.

If you’re worried about turbulence, Major has advised sitting near the front of the aircraft because passengers will feel less bumps there than in the back. If your priority is sleep, then consider paying more for a window seat so you can lean up against the window.

Bennett said if you’re tall, you may want to sit in the exit row, but pointed out this is also where passengers with babies put bassinets, so if you’re concerned about crying, that may not be the place for you. The further up you sit, the quieter the engine noise will be, but the back could be less busy, although it’s best to not sit right by the toilets since that could be disruptive.

Should I exercise, and do compression socks really work?

Sitting for long periods of time without movement can raise the risk of forming a deep vein thrombosis or a blood clot that can be dangerous, UCLA doctors advised. Blood clots can best be prevented by taking frequent walks throughout the cabin, doing in-seat exercises such as ankle circles, foot flexes, knee lifts and shoulder and neck rolls, and wearing compression socks.

“Even people with no physical risk factors can benefit from wearing compression socks on lengthy flights,” the doctors said.

Healthline also recommended not crossing your legs on a plane, wearing loose clothing and staying hydrated to keep up blood flow and prevent clots.

Major said that even just wiggling your toes while sitting in your seat can help, although it's best that people with blood circulation issues speak to a doctor before long flights.

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Emirates Needs Time to Clear Flood Backlog as Clark Says Sorry

Abandoned vehicles on a flooded highway after a rainstorm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on April 17.

Emirates said it will need “some more days” to clear the backlog of rebooked passengers and stranded bags after the worst rainfall in 75 years plunged Dubai into chaos last week and disrupted travel for thousands of customers.

The world’s largest airline group said it’s created a task force to help sort and deliver about 30,000 pieces of baggage left behind at the airport. Emirates was forced to temporarily halt check-in and cancel almost 400 flights as flood wreaked havoc in Dubai, blocking roads for travelers and airline staff alike.

Biden to speak about abortion in Tampa. Everything to know about Florida’s abortion laws

President Joe Biden will be in Tampa on Tuesday, April 23, to talk about the increasingly restrictive abortion bans in Florida and other GOP-led states. Meanwhile, his opponent in this year's presidential race is on trial in a New York City courtroom over whether he falsified business records to hide a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

Biden's campaign, coming to former President Donald Trump's backyard this way, may be taking advantage of a perceived weakness in Trump's attempt to regularly take credit at his rallies for Roe v. Wade getting struck down while trying to avoid the backlash to abortion bans that GOP candidates have received in races since then. But he'll also be taking on Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis signed Florida's 15-week abortion ban in 2022. Then, while it was challenged and ultimately pushed to the state Supreme Court for a decision, he signed a 6-week ban passed by the Florida Legislature last year.

When the Florida Supreme Court ruled the 15-week ban was constitutional , overruling 34 years of precedent that had held that a privacy provision in the state constitution protected a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy, the more restrictive 6-week ban was triggered.

"When Florida’s ban takes effect, it will severely restrict reproductive health care access across the entire Southeastern United States, including neighboring battlegrounds of Georgia and North Carolina," Biden Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez wrote in a memo released Tuesday, adding: "Many women in the Southeast desperately in need of care will have to drive for a day or more to reach the closest clinic."

When the 6-week ban goes into effect, nearly all abortions after six weeks will be illegal in Florida. But, six months later, voters will have the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment to bring Florida's abortion laws back closer to what they were when Roe v. Wade was still in force.

Florida abortion rulings: A win for both sides, but voters have last say with Amendment 4

What were Florida's abortion laws before?

Before the 15-week ban, the Roe v. Wade standard had applied across the country for decades. Abortions were legal:

To the end of the first trimester (up to 12 weeks) for any reason
During the second trimester (up to 24 weeks) to protect the health of the pregnant person
During the third trimester if necessary to preserve the pregnant person's life or health

A full-term pregnancy is considered to be 39-40 weeks.

Protection for abortion travelers: Biden's new HIPAA rule shields medical records for out-of-state abortions

What abortions are legal in Florida now?

At the moment, abortions are legal in Florida up to 15 weeks and illegal after that .

The only exceptions are if carrying the pregnancy to term would result in serious injury or death for the pregnant person or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. Two physicians must certify, in writing, that one of those conditions warrants the procedure. The physicians risk penalties for doing so. There are no exceptions for rape, incest, trafficking or mental health .

The 2022 law also redefined "gestation" from "between fertilization and birth" to "as calculated from the first day of the pregnant woman's last menstrual period."

Abortions in Florida: Now that Roe v. Wade is gone, here's what's legal and what's not

How many people got abortions in 2023? New report finds increase despite bans

Does Florida have a waiting period for abortions?

Yes. As of April 2022 , the state requires anyone seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours after an initial doctor’s visit before returning to undergo the procedure.

What does the Florida 6-week abortion ban do?

Under the new law, all abortions (with a few exceptions) would be illegal in the state of Florida after a "physician determines the gestational age of the fetus is more than 6 weeks," a time when many pregnant people don't yet know they're pregnant. People may have as little as two weeks after missing a period to find out and get both appointments at the state's overworked clinics, which leaves an extremely narrow window for a pregnant person in a potentially traumatic situation to take action.

However, while the law reduces the amount of time pregnant people have to get an abortion, it does provide some exemptions for rape and incest that the 15-week ban lacked, something that drew criticism even from some supporters.

When do most people find out they're pregnant?

According to a 2021 study from ANSIRH (Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health) at the University of California San Francisco, about one in three people confirm their pregnancies after six weeks, and one in five after seven weeks.

"Later confirmation of pregnancy is even higher among young people, people of color, and those living with food insecurity," the study's summary said, "suggesting that gestational bans on abortion in the first trimester will disproportionally hurt these populations."

Does Florida's 6-week abortion law include exemptions for danger to the mother?

Yes, but only for extreme cases. Two physicians must certify, in writing, that in their judgment an abortion is necessary "to save the pregnant woman’s life or avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function." One physician may certify it if another is unavailable at the time.

This requires physicians willing to risk possible fines, loss of license and even imprisonment to go on record against oversight committees and the state. Attempts by Democrats to clarify the conditions under which a physician may make that call without risking their medical license were struck down.

Does the 6-week abortion ban in Florida include exemptions for a fetus that has died or is going to die?

Yes. If two physicians have certified in writing that in reasonable medical judgment, the fetus has a fatal fetal abnormality, the pregnancy may be terminated. However, the bill included new language requiring that the pregnancy must not have "progressed to the third trimester," which could be interpreted to mean that abortions for fatal fetal abnormalities are banned after 27 weeks.

Does the 6-week abortion ban in Florida include exemptions for rape or incest?

Abortions are permitted in the case of rape, incest or human trafficking but only up to 15 weeks, and only if the pregnant person has copies of "a restraining order, police report, medical record, or other court order or documentation" to provide evidence that they are a victim of rape or incest.

If the pregnant person is a minor, the physician must report the incident of rape or incest to the central abuse hotline.

Abortion rights battle: Abortion rights inspire these young voters like no other issue. How they're fighting ahead of 2024.

Does the 6-week abortion ban in Florida ban abortion pills?

For anyone except licensed doctors administering them to you in person, yes.

So-called "abortion pills" — actually two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol , taken up to 48 hours apart — which cause a person’s cervix to dilate and their uterus to contract, emptying the embryo from the person’s uterus, have dramatically risen in popularity in the last few years both for the relative convenience compared to surgical abortions and to get around abortion bans. Access to them has been challenged and will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court .

The 6-week abortion law clearly states that abortions may only be performed by a physician in the same room. Telehealth sessions are specifically banned.

Can I go to jail for getting an abortion after 6 weeks in Florida?

Anyone willfully performing or actively helping someone get an abortion outside of the restrictions will be committing a third-degree felony, punishable by fines and imprisonment of five years. It is unclear if the pregnant person is also liable.

When does Florida's 6-week abortion ban go into effect?

May 1, 2024, 30 days after the Florida Supreme Court's ruling.

What would Amendment 4, Florida's abortion amendment do?

The proposed amendment submitted by Floridians Protecting Freedom that will appear on November's ballot reads:

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”

Fetal viability has been put at about 24 weeks.

For the amendment to pass it must win by a supermajority, or at least 60% of the vote. According to an exclusive USA TODAY/Ipsos poll of more than 1,000 Floridians, half said they would vote in favor.

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