When it comes to travel, there's so much variation, it's hard to give guide prices for things, but we've tried to give approximate average prices wherever possible. You might want to spend more in some cases, for a better product (like a backpack) or for your own comfort (like an impregnated mosquito net instead of an ordinary one). To save money, borrow stuff wherever you can, and buy online.
| Item | Guide price | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Round-the-world ticket | Varies according to when and where you go. Usually £700 – £1,200. |
|
| Insurance | Dependant on where you're going, how long for, and whether you want to include sports. £18 – £400. |
|
| Passport | If it needs renewing, it'll cost £42 (£70 or £89 if you're in a hurry). |
|
| Visas | They're usually around £20 - £30 each, but you might find you have to pay handling fees, postage etc. |
|
| Clothes | Most people need to buy at least a few things, like practical trousers or a long-sleeved shirt. Walking shoes will add more to the cost. £50 – £200 (add another £50 – £100 if you need a backpack as well). |
|
| Washing, sleeping etc | If you buy everything on our ‘What to take' list, it would cost around £160. Assuming you have the basics, but not specific travel things, you might have to spend around £100. |
|
| First aid | A first-aid kit, with plasters, bandages etc, will cost £10 – £35. The items on the ‘What to take list' will add another £30. Malaria pills will be more – they cost 30p - £2.25 each. |
|
| Vaccinations | Some (like tetanus) are free, but you'll have to pay for the rest. A comprehensive set of vaccinations might cost around £100, depending, of course, on what you need. |
|
| Miscellaneous travel stuff, like a torch, guide book etc | Assuming you already own things like sunglasses and an address book, the extras might set you back £50. A decent digital camera will be at least £150, plus memory card and batteries. |
|
| Spending money | The best way of trying to calculate this is to look at your guide book for its suggested daily budget, or ask someone who's already done it. Remember as well to think about the sort of things you like doing – scuba diving costs a fair bit but wandering around chatting to locals doesn't. |
|
| Emergency money | How much is a matter of personal choice. If you're insured properly, you hopefully won't need too much, but check your policy to see if it pays out on the spot or if you have to claim it back. |
|