Introduction

Welcome to Tiani Travels! I see you’ve decided you’re finally going to take the plunge and travel the world. Congratulations! Travelling is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in life. But with so much to organize, it can feel a little daunting to get started.

Don’t worry, I’m here to help. In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know before your trip. I’ll start by helping you pick the right destination for you, and then give you some advice on how to budget for your trip. I’ll also show you how to find cheap flights, and tell you what documents you’ll need to travel.

Last but not least, I’ll share some tips on how to stay safe while you’re away. So sit back, relax, and let me guide you through the basics of travelling the world.

Picking Your Destination

First things first! Think about what you want from your holiday. If you’re looking for a relaxing beach break, then you’ll want to consider destinations in the Caribbean or Asia. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a city break full of culture and history, then Europe is the place to be.

Start your search for the best fares by heading over to Google Flights. This is a great way to get an overview of what’s available and start to compare prices. Once you have an idea of the destinations you can afford, it’s time to start narrowing it down.

Set your budget up front and then start looking at destinations that fit that budget. This will help you to stay practical and avoid overspending on your holiday.

If you are planning to travel long-term, I recommend switching up the type of destinations that you choose each month. For example, if you spend some time in beach destinations for a while, you could then choose a city destination to visit afterwards. This is how I personally like to plan my long-term trips because I enjoy the variety.

Budgeting for Your Trip

Once you’ve determined your destination, it’s time to start budgeting for your trip. This can be a bit daunting, but don’t worry,—I’m here to help!

The first step is to figure out how much money you’ll need for the basics: airfare, lodging, food, and transportation.

Next, you’ll want to start saving up for your trip. This can be difficult, but there are a few ways to make it easier. You can start by setting aside a specific amount of money each month to go towards your trip. Or, if you have a specific goal in mind, like saving for airfare, you can set up a separate savings account just for your trip.

I really like using Revolut to schedule transfers into a vault so that I can save money without even realising it!

Start by checking the cost of your flight. The sooner you book, the cheaper they will be. You should also check to see if you need a visa for your destination and whether or not your passport is expiring in the near future.

If you are planning on staying in one place long-term (e.g. 1-3 months), I suggest checking out long-term stay deals on Airbnb. Often the longer you stay in an apartment, the bigger deal you can receive. Another great tip that I use often is to contact the Airbnb host directly to see if they can offer you a better long-term stay deal. It’s always worth asking!

Now that you know how to budget for your trip, you’re ready to start planning your dream vacation!

Booking Cheap Flights

There are a few things to remember when booking cheap flights: the first is to be flexible with your dates. Often by extending your travel dates by a day or two, you can save a lot of money. The second is to compare prices across a few different flight search engines, as they don’t all list the same flights.

I personally like to use Google Flights to compare prices in the beginning and find the right flights for me. Once I’ve done that I will head over to the airline website that I want to use, such as Thai Airways, and I will book the flights directly through the airline company website. Often by doing this and not using comparison websites, I tend to save money!

When booking flights for your travels, keep in mind that Tuesdays and Saturdays typically have the lowest rates. That said, always double-check for cheaper last-minute deals on other days as well since fares can change drastically between days or weeks depending on destination and seasonality.

Another thing to remember when booking cheap flights is to be aware of the fees and taxes that are added to the base fare. These can sometimes add up to a significant amount, so it’s important to factor them into your overall budget.

Also, be aware that the flight prices shown on search engines such as Google Flights do not include add-ons such as baggage. The less baggage you take with you on your trip, the cheaper your flight will be!

If you’re flexible with your travel plans, sign up for fare alerts from a few different airlines. This way, you’ll be notified as soon as prices drop for your desired route.

Lastly, remember to book in advance where possible. Usually, the closer you get to your departure date, the more expensive the flights will be.

So there you have it: a few tips to remember when booking your next flight. With a little bit of flexibility and some careful comparisons, you can save a lot of money on your travel.

Visa Requirements & Passport Expiration Dates

Let’s talk visas and passports. Before you book your flight, you absolutely must make sure your passport is valid 6 months after your arrival date. Your passport renewal should happen 6-8 weeks before travel to avoid any issues. And when it comes to visas? Double-check the country’s requirements and what type of visa you need, if any.

Make sure to look over the expiry dates of both your passport and visa, as well as any other documents you may need for your travels—like a driver’s license or medical certificate. It’s also a good idea to make copies of all these documents just in case. And remember to keep them somewhere safe!

If you’re travelling to multiple countries, make sure you’re familiar with the visa requirements of each. For example, some countries require that your passport be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date. Others may have different requirements, so it’s always best to check in advance.

Some countries also require that you have a certain amount of blank pages in your passport, so if you’re running low, it’s time to get a new one. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination only to find out you can’t enter because your passport doesn’t meet the requirements.

If everything looks good and is up-to-date, congrats! You can start planning for the fun stuff like what to pack or where you want to visit first—which I get it, can be pretty overwhelming but don’t worry, I will cover all this next!

Packing For Your Trip

Now for the fun part! Packing for your trip! This is an important step that you need to start thinking about at least a few weeks before your departure date.

One tip I like to offer first-time flyers is to make a travel checklist of all the items you will need for both your flight and your stay. This checklist should include everything from clothing and toiletries to documents like passports, visas and tickets.

If you need some help getting started on packing, I have a free packing checklist you can download here. This includes a list of clothes, toiletries, and other items you may need during your trip so that you don’t leave anything behind!

Assuming you have your travel checklist, it’s time to start packing! I suggest starting with the essentials first, such as toiletries and clothing. For toiletries, you will want to make sure you have everything you need for both your flight and your stay. This includes items like toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo. As for clothing, you will want to pack a few changes of clothes, including both long and short-sleeved shirts, as well as pants and shorts. You should also pack a jacket or sweater, as well as a swimsuit if you’re planning on spending time at a beach or pool.

Insurance & Security Measures to Take Before You Travel

Before taking off on your trip, you’ll want to make sure to look into insurance and security measures. One of the most important things is to check the location of where your policy details are stored. You want to understand any contractual obligations and make sure that you are covered in case of any medical emergencies or if something unexpected happens while travelling.

Having fully comprehensive travel insurance in place will protect you in case of any unforeseen problems, like lost baggage or cancelled flights. You can compare different policies and find the best one for you at Comparethemarket.com.

I personally use Directline.com to buy comprehensive travel insurance at an affordable price. Direct Line is especially good for long-term trips and their customer service is excellent!

It’s also important to do your research on the destination before travelling so you know what kind of risks you may be exposed to. Remember, safety always comes first! If you have any reservations or worries about a particular area, don’t travel there unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Finally, be sure to share your travel plans and flight details with someone you trust. It is important that someone else knows where you are planning to be and when.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! My complete guide for first-time travellers. Picking your destination, budgeting, booking cheap flights, getting travel insurance and sharing your travel plans with someone you trust are all important things to consider before you set off on your adventure.

Hopefully, this guide has given you a good idea of what to expect and how to prepare for your first big trip. Now all that’s left to do is book that flight and start packing your bags!

I hope this guide has been helpful and has given you some peace of mind as you start to plan your trip. Happy travels!

If you liked this guide, be sure to check out my other travel guides here!

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me via email: tianitravels@gmail.com or via social media.