Getting Around Overseas
There are plenty of ways to get around overseas. Whether by plane, bus, car, bike or even horseback, there's an endless list of possibilities that will all depend on your personality, the sort of travel you want to do, your time availability and of course your budget. Travelling on the road is a great way to get around as well as see the sights of another country. If you'd rather just sit back and take in the countryside or cityscapes out your window then it's probably best going for a mode of transport where you're not actually driving yourself, or else considering a packaged tour. The great thing about a tour is that all of the effort and costs involved in organising transport are included in the tour package, which takes a big load off your shoulders. However, while this is more relaxing than having to do it on your own you will also find it a lot more costly.
If you're travelling on a shoestring and keen to save every bit of cash you can, then its best doing things your own way. This will, of course, take a fair bit of planning, but if you do your research properly it can result in the trip of a lifetime. First of all you need to work out your budget. The most obvious factor that will determine whether you can splash out on your transport or accommodation, or have to stretch every dollar as far as you can, is the amount of time that you can be away for. If you are restricted by work or study then it may be a shorter trip, in which case you can probably afford to step things up a level in terms of the way you travel. Not having any time constraints can be extremely liberating, as you don't have any reason to return home other than the funds in your bank account. If you do plan on going backpacking for a lengthy trip then working out a budget is crucial. The first thing you need to factor in are your flights to and from your destination, as well as any airport or entry taxes you are going to have to pay. Then you need to set aside a bit of money for food every day as well as spending money. After you have worked this out you will know how much you can afford to spend on getting around, and will be able to work out whether you will be on bikes or buses, or perhaps even be buying or renting a car.
If you do intend on buying your own car or renting a vehicle overseas then there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Firstly and most obviously, you will need an international drivers licence. Make sure you organise this in advance of your trip to save yourself the hassle. Secondly, no matter what type of travel you are doing, it is crucial that you organise travel insurance. Any kind of overseas travel is full of risks, particularly if you are driving yourself in either a rental vehicle or else a car that you have purchased second-hand. Having an accident back home is bad enough, but having one in another country is a nightmare.
Driving is a fantastic option, but with petrol and hire costs it can be a bit more expensive. Have a read up on the public transport system of your destination before you go so that you can be an expert on it by the time you get there, and you'll be surprised how much you can save. If you're not travelling long distances then you might want to consider hiring or buying a bicycle, or even travelling on foot. Whatever your style, with a bit of research beforehand you won't have any trouble finding a way of getting around that suits you.
