You’ve finished school, survived the exams and waved goodbye to teachers who watched you grow from a nervous Year 7 duckling into a (nearly) functional duck. Now, the world is calling… and if you’re planning to do some gap year travel, it’s calling quite literally.
For many school leavers, gap year travel is the perfect time to explore before university, TAFE or full-time work begins. It’s a year of freedom, discovery and figuring out who you are without a timetable or your parents. It’s an exciting time, and planning your trip is half the fun.
But where do you begin?
Whether you want an organised adventure, to explore with friends, or set out solo, there’s a gap year travel style for every kind of explorer and budget.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to planning a gap year that’s everything you’re hoping for.
Step 1: Decide your gap year travel style
Your “travel style” will shape everything from your budget to your itinerary to how often you’ll need to have clean clothes. Here are the main types of gap year adventures and some pointers for getting ready for them.
1. The organised tour
Perfect for: first-time travellers who want structure and a ready-made group of friends.
Think Contiki, G Adventures, Topdeck or Intrepid. These companies specialise in group travel for 18–35s, and most travellers are in the younger age bracket. This usually means travelling with like-minded people at a similar life stage. Tours typically include transport, accommodation, some meals and most activities, which makes budgeting easier and lets you focus on enjoying the ride.
Pros: Easy, social, safer and great value if you want to see a lot in a short time. There’s generally a party atmosphere, so this is a good choice if that’s your thing. Budgeting is easy because you pay upfront for most things, and tours will usually tell you roughly how much extra spending money you’ll need. You don’t need to plan much at all, just enjoy the company and the sights.
Cons: Less freedom to choose where you want to go. You’ll likely feel more like a tourist than a traveller. The pace can be zippy, leaving you less time to explore places you love. Early wake-ups are often brutal after big nights. Expect at least one person on the bus to grate on your nerves for the entire trip.
Approximate average daily budget (including tour cost) in AUD:
Read the fine print. Some tours include meals and activities, others just the bus.
- Europe: $180–$250
- Asia: $120–$180
- South America: $150–$200
- North America: $200–$250
- Middle East: $170–$220
- Africa (safari-style tours): $200–$300
2. Travelling with friends
Perfect for: social butterflies who have trusted friends who also want to do a gap year.
Grab a mate, or even a few, and plan your own adventure. You can split costs, share rooms and have built-in company on long train rides. This option works best if everyone has a similar travel style. If one person wants to sleep on a beach and the other wants a five-star resort, it can get… tricky.
Pros: Shared memories with your school crew, safety in numbers and splitting costs makes it cheaper. You’ll also have trusted backup if anything goes wrong. Plus, you’ve got mates for the in-between times.
Cons: Friendship dynamics can get messy. Even when you love your buddy, the strain of daily travel can stress even the closest friendship. Being in a group can also mean you might meet fewer travellers from elsewhere. If something goes wrong for your friend, it goes wrong for you too.
Approximate average daily budget (depending on accommodation style) in AUD:
Agree on a shared budget before you go. Nothing kills friendship faster than arguing about who owes who $14.50 for pizza in Prague. Use an app like Splitwise or Settle Up to share expenses.
- Europe: $120–$180
- Asia: $60–$100
- South America: $80–$130
- North America: $150–$220
- Middle East: $100–$150
- Africa: $120–$200
3. The solo trip
Perfect for: independent souls who want to do things their own way.
Travelling alone can be the most rewarding, and sometimes the scariest, thing you’ll ever do. You’ll make decisions for yourself, meet people you’d never have spoken to otherwise and gain a boss-level of confidence.
Start small if you’re nervous. Maybe a solo trip within your state, Australia or New Zealand. Manage that, then branch out. Stay in hostels or join short tours to meet other travellers along the way. Tell someone at home your rough itinerary and check in regularly. Independence is brilliant, but safety always comes first.
Pros: Complete freedom like you’ll probably never experience again. Deep personal growth and bragging rights forever. You’ll also likely meet more people from around the world than you might if you were travelling with friends from home. Solo travel can give you the full immersion experience that’s hard to get any other way.
Cons: It’s flat-out terrifying at times to be on your own in a place you don’t know, far from home. You’ll probably also feel lonely now and then, even if things are going well. There are also higher single costs than travelling with a friend. Plus, you’ll mostly be relegated to selfies if you want to get in the picture.
Approximate average daily budget in AUD:
- Europe: $130–$200
- Asia: $50–$90
- South America: $70–$120
- North America: $180–$250
- Middle East: $90–$140
- Africa: $100–$180
4. The working holiday
Perfect for: budget-conscious travellers who want to stay longer and experience real life abroad.
Australia has working holiday visa agreements with many countries, including the UK, Canada, Japan and much of Europe. These visas let you work short-term jobs while you travel. You might pour pints in a London pub, teach English in Japan or work a ski season in Canada. Apply early, as some visas take months to process.
Pros: A working holiday can make travel affordable. You’ll earn money, meet locals and experience culture beyond the tourist track. Staying in one place longer also means you can really get to know it, and you’re more likely to build friendships with locals. You might even learn a new language while you’re away.
Cons: There’s usually a lot of admin involved, including visas, travel and life admin. It takes effort to find work and housing, and the jobs aren’t always glamorous. Depending on where you end up, it can feel more working than holiday, and you might not see as much as you expected.
Approximate average daily budget (after earning potential) in AUD:
- Europe (UK, Ireland): $100–$150
- Asia (Japan, Korea): $70–$120
- North America (Canada): $120–$180
- South America: $60–$100
5. The volunteer experience
Perfect for: big-hearted travellers who want purpose as well as passport stamps.
Volunteering can be anything from teaching English to conservation projects to building schools. Just do thorough research before you commit, because not all volunteer programs are ethical. Go via Australian Volunteers, or look for options that partner with local communities. Check reviews on sites like Projects Abroad or AVI before signing up. Also keep in mind volunteering abroad can sometimes cost more than simply travelling.
Pros: Meaningful work that makes a difference. Volunteering can also feel safer, as you’re usually supported by an organisation throughout your trip. There’s often a stronger cultural connection when you’re working alongside local groups. Many programs organise logistics for you, so planning and admin are kept to a minimum. It’s also great for your resume, though you don’t need to travel to volunteer.
Cons: It can be emotionally tough. You’ll likely be restricted in what you can do and when. It can also be more expensive than expected, sometimes more expensive than regular travel.
Approximate average daily budget (including program fees) in AUD:
- Asia: $70–$120
- South America: $80–$130
- Africa: $100–$150
- Middle East: $90–$130
Step 2: Plan your budget
Let’s be honest, travel is incredible, but it costs loads. A little smart money planning before you leave can mean the difference between a dream trip and calling Mum from Madrid because you’ve maxed your card. By the way, you can always call Mum from the road, at any time, for any reason.
How much do you need?
Use the approximate daily budgets above, then add flights, travel insurance, visas and at least a $500 emergency buffer for any “OMG, I lost my wallet and passport, where am I?” moments.
How to save for your trip
The main thing is to plan your gap year travel dates well in advance so you have plenty of time to save the money you need. It’s never a good idea to put your trip on a credit card. Interest rates are brutal, and it’s zero fun paying off a trip months, or even years, after the experience.
- Set a target and timeframe. If you’re planning to leave next year, calculate what you’ll need and divide it by how many weeks you have left. That’s your weekly savings goal.
- Get a job now. Café work, babysitting, tutoring or retail will all get you there eventually. Even earning $100 a week becomes $5,000 in a year. If one casual job won’t get you enough in your timeframe, try a second or third. Work as much as you can now, because soon you’ll be tripping around the world without a boss in sight.
- Open a separate savings account. Choose one that’s harder to access so you don’t “accidentally” use your travel fund for concert tickets. Keep yourself motivated with photos of the places you want to visit.
- Sell stuff you don’t use. You can bring in extra money by selling old clothes, gadgets, games, knick-knacks, even textbooks. Facebook Marketplace is your new best friend. Ask your parents first, as they may have bought half your stuff.
- Ask for travel money gifts. Instead of birthday or Christmas presents, tell your family you’re saving for flights and ask them to contribute.
How to save money on the road
Saving up to go is one thing, making your money last once you’re there is another. Here are a few tips for stretching your travel budget further, no matter how you decide to travel. Always have a backup stash of $100 in local currency and a spare debit card hidden deep in your luggage, just in case.
- Travel off-season. Europe in October or Asia in May can be half the price and twice as peaceful. Aim for shoulder seasons, but check what will actually be open.
- Use local transport. Buses, trains and tuk-tuks over taxis and Ubers. Don’t underestimate your own two feet either. Seeing a place on foot is often the best way to travel.
- Eat like a local. Street food and markets often beat restaurants. Even better, hit the supermarket and make your own food. Hostels usually have kitchens, and plenty of good travel food doesn’t require cooking.
- Sleep smart. Hostels, couch-surfing or short-term rentals can make a big difference, as accommodation is often your biggest daily expense. Consider overnight trains to combine transport and accommodation. House or pet-sitting can score you a free bed if you’re staying a while. If you hire a van, make sure you have the right licences and insurance.
- Book activities directly. Skip third-party markups and book direct with local operators. For big attractions, book early. Queues can be a nightmare, and “skip the queue” fees are sometimes worth it.
- Use travel apps. Download TripIt, Google Translate, CityMapper, Venmo and Airalo. Apps like Converter+, TimeShifter, AllTrails and Duolingo are also handy.
- Set a daily spend limit. Then actually stick to it, except for the occasional treat.
Step 3: Get your admin straight
Before you jet off, there’s a surprising amount of adulting involved. It’s not the glamorous part of travel, but it’s what keeps you safe, healthy and solvent when things go sideways.
- Check your passport. It needs at least six months’ validity beyond your return date. Renewal can take a while, so if you need a new passport, get onto it now.
- Get your visas sorted. Research entry requirements early. Some visas can be picked up on arrival, others take weeks or even months.
- Book travel insurance. Don’t skip it. Hospital stays in the US or evacuation from a trekking mishap in Peru can cost tens of thousands. Travel insurance is non-negotiable.
- See your doctor. Make sure you’re up to date on vaccines and get any recommended travel immunisations. If you take prescription medication, organise enough supply for your trip, keep a valid prescription, and bring a letter from your doctor explaining what you take and why.
- Organise your money. Set up online banking, pack a travel card (Wise or Revolut are good options), and let your bank know you’re going overseas. Make sure you have a debit card for everyday access and a credit card for emergencies.
- Share your itinerary. Give family or a trusted friend a copy of your plans, key contact numbers and copies of your documents. Check in regularly via email or messages.
- Have an emergency plan. Keep digital and paper copies of your passport and ID, and know where your nearest embassy or consulate is. Add an ICE contact to your phone. Photograph important documents and save them to your phone and a secure cloud folder.
Step 4: Keep an open heart
The best gap year travel experiences aren’t perfectly planned. They’re made up of detours, surprises and moments that change how you see the world, and yourself.
So yes, book your flights and pack your bag and follow the steps above. But also leave plenty of space for spontaneity and adventure. Whether you end up on a beach in Thailand, hiking through Argentina, working in a Dublin pub or volunteering in Kenya, create space to meet the world exactly where you are.
The rest of life will wait.
Feature image by Te lensFix; backpacks by veerasak Piyawatanakul; volunteer by Caleb Oquendo; hostel by Ketut Subiyanto
