Posted on Friday December 14, 2018

Planning Your First Trip without Your Parents: What You Need to Know

You're planning your first major trip without your parents. Are you dreaming of heading out West to do some snowboarding? Perhaps you'd rather fly south to chill on the beach for a week? Your first big trip without your parents is a major milestone. To set yourself up for success on your adventure, review the following key points before you pack your bags.

Travel budget:
When travelling abroad, it's important to try to go through every detail of your trip in order to budget accurately. Consider the following:

Essentials:

• cost of passport
• cost of any necessary visas
• cost of vaccines

Factors that may influence your choice of destination:

• transportation budget (air, rail, bus, boat, car, etc.)
• accommodation budget (Airbnb, youth hostels, etc.)
• activity budget (museums, historic sites, sports events, etc.)
• food budget (groceries, street food, restaurants, etc.)
• budget for unforeseen expenses

Formalities: valid passport, consent letter, visas
You need a passport to travel abroad; some countries require additionally that it be valid for at least six more months. Check with the embassy of the country you'll be visiting to ensure you have the latest information. You can also consult the Government of Canada website to learn more about any restrictions or warnings concerning hot spots around the world you may want to avoid.

If you are not yet of age, it is wise to ask your parents to write a consent letter for you to carry with you. Although this is not mandatory in many countries, you're better safe than sorry. If you're going on an organized trip, the letter should indicate the name of the adult (for example, your teacher) who will be acting as chaperone. Make copies of all your important documents (consent letter, passport, visas, etc.) and then keep one in your inbox and one in your luggage.

Some countries require that you get a visa depending on your citizenship and the duration of your stay. Although sometimes issued at no charge, they can also cost several hundred dollars in some cases. To quickly check the visa requirements for specific countries, simply visit the website VisaHQ. For countries with restricted access such as China or Russia, it's recommended to consult the embassy's website (or a reputable travel agency!) to ensure you have accurate information and don't get refused entry to the country.

Planning vaccines
Requirements (and health hazards) vary widely depending on the country and time of year. Consult the federal government website for an up-to-date list of vaccines. Many people overlook this critical consideration.

Check the main laws of the destination country, including laws on the age of majority
This age varies from one region or country to the next. For example, the minimum age to consume alcohol is 19 in New Brunswick, only 18 in Quebec and 21 in the United States. Similarly, some countries restrict access to certain services or places (renting a car or hotel room, visiting religious sites, etc.). By checking ahead for example, by visiting the European Union website, you can embark on your trip armed with the correct information.

Getting around: booking train, boat and bus tickets
Travellers often underestimate transportation costs when planning longer trips. Consider booking your plane, bus, train or boat tickets in advance so you can find the lowest prices and avoid having to make difficult travel decisions after you are already on the ground. This way you can save money and keep your stress level to a minimum!

Where to stay: hostels, campgrounds, Airbnb
You will likely spend the greatest part of your travel fund on accommodations. If you've opted for a road trip in a rural setting, then you'll probably be spending some time camping out! In addition to being economical, this option also means maximizing your time outdoors so you can escape the city and reconnect with nature. If you're seeking inspiration, Huffpost has compiled a list of the 30 most beautiful places to camp in Canada!

Since setting up your tent in the middle of a major city is not an option and hotel prices may be out of reach, travellers to urban centres may want to try staying in a reputable youth hostel. In addition to being generally centrally located and affordable, hostels are a great way to meet other travellers, who will likely be happy to share their advice and experiences to help you plan the next leg of your adventure.

If you're travelling as a group of three or four, a short-term rental through Airbnb or a similar service may be a good solution when it comes to both price and location.

Purchase a mobile phone package before you leave home
If you plan on using your mobile phone while out of the country, you're better off purchasing a travel package before leaving home to avoid getting a shock on your next phone bill. Contact your service provider for more information.

As far as language goes, being able to get by in English and French evidently means being able to travel almost anywhere in North America, Europe and even Africa without problem. A number of mobile phone apps, like Google Translate, can also come in handy when trying to make yourself understood in another language. Bon voyage!