Whatever the case may be, leaving a little room for the plan to change slightly could help with costs.īudgeting before you leave on your gap year Or, you may want to book it all in advance so that you have everything planned out and know the exact cost. Flexibility could be the key to making your budget last longer! You might want to book only the first few weeks or months of your gap year and leave the rest open depending on your budget and what deals you might find. Keep your eye out for flight deals and sales too. Spend some time researching your travel destinations in order to plan out the best offseason route you can find. In Indonesia, September and October seem to be the best month to plan a trip there. In Greece, March is the best time to visit. In New Zealand, the offseason is from June to August (which is their winter), meaning that’s the best time to take a trip there. If you wait till late in the fall or winter - especially around November - prices will drop a good deal. If you have your heart set on spending part of your gap year in Europe, try not to plan your time there during the Spring or Summer. The best time to travel is during the "shoulder" or "low" seasons - when tourist numbers are low, your wallet will thank you for the added savings. Traveling during the "high" season in heavy tourist areas means that prices for accommodations, food, and activities are going to sky-rocket. Of course, your in-country budget depends as much on when you go as it does on where. In Africa, depending on the country, you may be able to get by on significantly less than places in Europe, the United States, and Australia, for example, which tend to be the most expensive. Your budget will last the longest in countries in Southeast Asia or Central and South America. Also keep in mind that some countries may require an additional cost for visas, vaccines, and of course, the different types of transportation needed to get there.īelow is a list of popular destinations grouped by their average cost. If your currency has a weak exchange rate in your destination, your money is not going to last as long. You might also want to think about your country’s current currency exchange rate. (Here's a helpful resource on how far a $5,000 gap year budget will go.) Know that $5,000 in Southeast Asia, where the average daily cost of a country such as Thailand is $28, is going to last you a lot longer than $5,000 in Europe, where the average daily cost of traveling through Spain is $90. Don’t be afraid to dream of new places, but be realistic about your budget. Once you decide how you would like to spend your gap year, you can begin to think about where you would like to go. Using an official organization, however, will require program fees upfront - from around $300 to upwards of $1,000, and remember a paid job is not always guaranteed.Ģ. You can partner with an established company, such as BUNAC, who has programs in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and many more locations, that will help you search for jobs and apply for visas. That being said, paid opportunities to go abroad are competitive and difficult to find. Although you will still have the upfront costs of flights, securing housing, travel insurance, food, and activities, you'll be able to actually make money while you travel. If you’re looking for the option that will cost the least amount of money, finding a paid job or internship during your gap year would definitely be your best bet. Would you rather apply to an established program, follow a set itinerary and have support every step of the way? Or would you rather be able to choose your own destinations and activities, plan the entire year yourself, and travel independently? Or possibly you’d like a combination of both? Each option will have its benefits and drawbacks, especially when it comes to your bank account. Decide what type of gap year you're takingĭeciding what type of Gap Year you would like to take will be your first step. Most of these costs have to do with what type of gap year you’re planning, where you want to go and when, and how much assistance you will need before you leave. Most people think budgeting for a Gap Year begins after you’ve already left the country, but even before you choose a destination, there are some upfront planning costs to consider.
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