Planning and Budgeting Travelling

[Andy C]

Next summer I want to go away for 1-1.5 months and travel. Im most probably going to go with just the GF (we have lived together and travelled around america for a month last summer so this shouldnt be an issue). We wants to to Oz/New Zealand and possible SE asia.

Problem is I have no idea how to go about planning. I should have about £2k maximum including flights (taking a student loan out for this year while on paid placement and put any I dont spend in an ISA). Will this be enough?

Anyone done simular? I dont like to have to much of a schedule but at the same time like to know roughly where I want to go.

Any help is greatly aappreciated:up:
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[Tonka]

It really depends on how you want to travel and what you hope to see, but my experience....

I was on a serious budget, as I had hated Australia and decided to cut my losses and head to NZ instead, so I had an extra flight to fund (got upgraded to first class which was a total bonus!!) It was quite a while ago now, but my budget was the same as yours, for two of us and a similar time scale too (4 weeks).

Couldn't afford the camper van, but didn't want to do the bus either, so hired a Suburu Legacy and slept in the back, as already had camping stuff with me. You'll need a credit card for the deposit and make sure you have appropriate licence with you. If I did it now I may well hire a bike instead, albeit the roads were sketchy in places and an adventure style bike would have been most suitable for where I ended up! So costs for this can be calculated before you get there - hire costs and approximate fuel costs - changed since I was there but you can source this online no doubt? If you're more sociable the buses or trains may suit the pair of you better, but you'll have to include accommodation either campsite, hostel or B&B depending on your desired comfort level! Wild camping is de rigeur but obviously not in towns, so again depends on what you're planning on doing and where you want to go. I did a lot of hiking and sporting stuff, so was out in the sticks quite a bit.

Again food is down to your preferences - I just did the supermarket/self-catering thing wherever possible. As at home, in town is pricier for eating out but cheaper in the shops and there are fast food places nearly everywhere if that's something you like!

Doing stuff is the big unknown as tours and activities can be expensive but again you can have a look and decide what you fancy doing and what you can do for free. Whale watching is wonderful if you get to see one, a bit disappointing if you don't, so a risk you take! I didn't do the bungee jumping and for the same price had a whole day's canyoning - one of the most memorable experiences of my life! Tried the Shotover Jet and it was good but expensive when on a tight budget.

I limited myself to the South Island, as I didn't think I had enough time to see both properly. Possibly regret that a little now, as I haven't managed to get back and wish I'd seen a bit more of the North Island at the same time, but I'm very much a 'quality not quantity' sort of person, so that's the downside!

HTH!
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Andy C]

Thanks Tonka. I hadnt thought of getting a car and sleeping in it as reckon that could be a good way to do it!

You reckon you could tell me more about your trip and how you planned as sounds very simular to what I have in mind. I think im up for seeing lots of places and doing lots of walking and hate the idea of paying lots extra for organised tours as like to do things when i want.
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[carvell]

I went travelling around europe with the GF for a month last year and it cost us £1.5k each. This is staying in hostels and budget 'hotels' and using an interrail ticket.

That should give you some idea of the cost...
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Yamaha TDM 850

[iooi]

If you are going to be using bank or credit cards. Inform your bank to know when and where you might be and a mobile contact number if possible.
Also carry their phone number.
Also carry more then 1 card in case of problems from diffrent banks.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Clanger]

I think you could be pushing it a bit with your time scale...if you want to see lots of NZ, then hopping on and off The Magic bus could be your ideal solution. It's totally up to you which route you take, which town you get dropped off in and which accommodation you take.

It is a fantastic way of seeing both islands (I can't believe Tonka did not do North Island...I loved both north and south!!!)

The BB Hostel card is the cheapest and most cost effective way to do the accommodation, if you don't opt for the estate car and mattress route.

You need to sit down and think 'where do you want to go', 'what you want to see'. SEAsia is amazing but there is lots of it...I spent 5 months there, and wish now I had allocated more time, because it's so beautiful and cheap and there is so much to see, explore and do (and eat!)

Check out www.travellerspoint.com - or Lonely Planet, they have masses of information on such trips, and forums dedicated to exactly what you want to know.

Top Tip: don't get bogged down with too much info in the LP books (for example) they are not always strictly correct.

If you want to know anymore, pm me...I was away travelling for 9 months 2005-2006.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Tonka]

I didn't think I had time to do both Islands justice, so decided to concentrate on South and one day I'll return to tour the North Island. It's just taking me longer than I originally thought and to be honest I'd happily visit South Island all over again! Definitely personal preference as I know others will visit Australia, NZ and some of SE Asia on a whistle stop tour and be perfectly happy.

I just reviewed the guide books and asked around as to what was good to do and see. I'm not one for being herded, so liked to go under my own steam. Disadvantage of this is that you are under pressure to do it all yourself as oppose to sitting and letting someone else organise for you - after a while that can seem very appealing and the Tour Guides can impart some seriously interesting stuff that you miss when on your own!

I wanted time to cycle/walk in the hills and along the beaches and to explore - you need to be careful though as some of it is seriously remote! Much of it was off the cuff though as would go through somewhere and think this looks good and stop, whereas other places we'd just drive through. Weather can make a difference too - I went in February/March so Autumn in Southern Hemisphere.
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)