Long-term travelling/backpacking

[exrpstudent]

Hi guys.

I've been planning to do long-term budget travelling for a year, 2 years, a few years... who knows. I have also been doing my research on how to do it well. I have some savings in my bank account, I'm ready to quit my job as soon as I reach the target amount for my savings, my family is fully supportive of it and I'm ready to travel to as far as the world allows me.

I just want to know the experiences of other Singaporeans who are backpacking/travelling for more than a year. What are your travel hacks? How do you keep your expenditure and budget to a minimum?

I have been reading the e-books and blogs of other backpackers from the US who have travelled for the long term and I realise some of their travel hacks may not be relevant for a Singaporean.

For example collecting mile points from travel credit cards is so easy for them due to the fact that the credit cards don't have any minimum income requirement at all. Whereas for a Singaporean, all credit cards including the ones for travelling have a minimum income requirement as a criteria for application so collecting free mile points may be a challenge. (I know of many other ways of collecting it but I'm more interested in collecting many mile points in the quickest way possible.)


Appreciate any kind of comments you have on this topic.

Peace.

 

[easyippt]

which areas are you planning on travelling to? budget airlines don't usually have mile points and you're probably not going to use them unless you're going on several long haul flights.

 

[wuso]

Well, unless u r planning to do alot of jetsetting, flight hacks to me is of minimal benefit (my prev long term budget trip is 15months, and my credit card points like accumulate 4yrs then enough to redeem flights haha)

My cost cutting measures :
- Using couchsurfing where possible
Using camping where possible
- Bus/trains for public transport - almost no taxis unless its sharing with a few pple.... I did soooo much walking...
- Mostly self catering & street food.... (coupled with lots of walking, I lost 10kg after the 1st 6 months of trip)

The above points are relative "simple" and hardly called "travel hacks" but accumulated, they do go a long way.....

Hi guys.

I've been planning to do long-term budget travelling for a year, 2 years, a few years... who knows. I have also been doing my research on how to do it well. I have some savings in my bank account, I'm ready to quit my job as soon as I reach the target amount for my savings, my family is fully supportive of it and I'm ready to travel to as far as the world allows me.

I just want to know the experiences of other Singaporeans who are backpacking/travelling for more than a year. What are your travel hacks? How do you keep your expenditure and budget to a minimum?

I have been reading the e-books and blogs of other backpackers from the US who have travelled for the long term and I realise some of their travel hacks may not be relevant for a Singaporean.

For example collecting mile points from travel credit cards is so easy for them due to the fact that the credit cards don't have any minimum income requirement at all. Whereas for a Singaporean, all credit cards including the ones for travelling have a minimum income requirement as a criteria for application so collecting free mile points may be a challenge. (I know of many other ways of collecting it but I'm more interested in collecting many mile points in the quickest way possible.)


Appreciate any kind of comments you have on this topic.

Peace.

 

[dilphinus]

almost all the 'temporary full-time' travellers i know, they don't take flights unless they are going to a country where it's an island, ie, Taiwan, Australia, Iceland, USA/Canada. They travel by bus and train usually. Two of my friends took the cargo ship (from NZ to South America. Some of my friends travel by bicycle. My brother travelled by bicycle, bus and train, from Singapore to Kathmandu (via China).

You will meet people, make new friends on the road. I've met a group of Czech people on a train and they offered to host me when I'm in there. I have also made friends while travelling who will host me in wherever they are staying when I want to visit.

 

[geeeek]

Try getting citibank card. It doesn't charge $5 withdrawal fee compared to other banks on Cirus.
Good luck on your trip! Take loads of photo. I regretted not taking enough photos although memories last forever.

 

[exrpstudent]

Ya i will definitely travel by land or sea whenever possible unless they are more expensive than a flight ticket and there are no other transportation options. Good suggestion.

almost all the 'temporary full-time' travellers i know, they don't take flights unless they are going to a country where it's an island, ie, Taiwan, Australia, Iceland, USA/Canada. They travel by bus and train usually. Two of my friends took the cargo ship (from NZ to South America. Some of my friends travel by bicycle. My brother travelled by bicycle, bus and train, from Singapore to Kathmandu (via China).

You will meet people, make new friends on the road. I've met a group of Czech people on a train and they offered to host me when I'm in there. I have also made friends while travelling who will host me in wherever they are staying when I want to visit.

 

[exrpstudent]

Thank you for that suggestion... Will definitely consider citibank

Try getting citibank card. It doesn't charge $5 withdrawal fee compared to other banks on Cirus.
Good luck on your trip! Take loads of photo. I regretted not taking enough photos although memories last forever.

 

[exrpstudent]

Ooooh yes, i will definitely want to camp out somewhere. Did you camp at random places or did you go to like a designated area for camping? Did you have to carry your own camping gear around? I hear you can actually rent out the gear at some of these places but they come with a price.

Im prepared to lose weight ahaha so i dont mind a lot of walking.

Well, unless u r planning to do alot of jetsetting, flight hacks to me is of minimal benefit (my prev long term budget trip is 15months, and my credit card points like accumulate 4yrs then enough to redeem flights haha)

My cost cutting measures :
- Using couchsurfing where possible
Using camping where possible
- Bus/trains for public transport - almost no taxis unless its sharing with a few pple.... I did soooo much walking...
- Mostly self catering & street food.... (coupled with lots of walking, I lost 10kg after the 1st 6 months of trip)

The above points are relative "simple" and hardly called "travel hacks" but accumulated, they do go a long way.....

 

[exrpstudent]

Im planning to go to most continents particularly Europe, Africa, Australasia, central Asia etc. I would want to use a combination of long haul and budget flights but as a last option. I want to travel by land or sea whichever cheaper. But i also want to redeem miles for long hauls in case i really need to and if there are no other options.

which areas are you planning on travelling to? budget airlines don't usually have mile points and you're probably not going to use them unless you're going on several long haul flights.

 

[dilphinus]

Im planning to go to most continents particularly Europe, Africa, Australasia, central Asia etc. I would want to use a combination of long haul and budget flights but as a last option. I want to travel by land or sea whichever cheaper. But i also want to redeem miles for long hauls in case i really need to and if there are no other options.

Have you any miles now? How are you planning to accumulate the miles?

Consider a rtw ticket. It may work out cheaper.

Some countries don't allow wild camping. Get a weather proof lightweight tent. It's costly but worth the price. Also sleeping bag and liner, do your research.

Also look at visas.

 

[wuso]

Depends on places/countries. Camping for me is for treks where instead of lodges, I camped cos cheaper. But if u have own tent, some hostels/guesthouses allow you to pitch ur tent and u pay for space/usage of facilities etc.
For wild camping, pls check the local rules etc.

Ooooh yes, i will definitely want to camp out somewhere. Did you camp at random places or did you go to like a designated area for camping? Did you have to carry your own camping gear around? I hear you can actually rent out the gear at some of these places but they come with a price.

Im prepared to lose weight ahaha so i dont mind a lot of walking.

 

[exrpstudent]

No but I just signed up with KF amex. I hope to get about 8000 miles from that. Planning to just sign on with credit cards that offer miles and i was thinking of going on holiday to collect miles also but that would cost money. Im trying to collect it for free.

I heard RTWs are very restrictive in a sense that u need to plan them in advance and u have to go to these countries in one direction. I'm more of a flexible type of person and I just wanna go with the flow.

I would definitely consider buying my own camping gear, thanks

Oh ya forgot about visas

Have you any miles now? How are you planning to accumulate the miles?

Consider a rtw ticket. It may work out cheaper.

Some countries don't allow wild camping. Get a weather proof lightweight tent. It's costly but worth the price. Also sleeping bag and liner, do your research.

Also look at visas.

 

[Lex1989]

you guy or girl?

how old? later mindef ask you go back reservist how?

need report if u travel more then 14 days. for years i dont know.

 

[exrpstudent]

you guy or girl?

how old? later mindef ask you go back reservist how?

need report if u travel more then 14 days. for years i dont know.

Im a girl so dont need to worry about that

 

[sendtolee]

Im a girl so dont need to worry about that

Look at this blog....she travelled alone...

http://holidayplace.co.uk/profile/caroline-howley