Spring break has finally come, time to let loose and have some fun. The time of year your spring break is will depend on what country you in. The southern hemisphere countries will typically have their breaks around the months close to Christmas, whilst the northern hemisphere countries will typically have their breaks closer to mid year. Spring break gives us a great chance to travel. Whether your travel is fairly local or longer distances, there are several things you must consider before heading out. This is quite a long article that covers many types of travel, if you are not using a certain type of travel it may be worth scrolling down till you reach the one applicable to you.
Although your method of travel seems like it is the first thing you should think about, in the majority of situations it is your destination that you should consider first. This is mainly due to the fact that to get good accommodation you may need to book months in advance. If you have a clear destination in mind, then you should book ahead for any accommodation.
Traveling for 12 hours reaching your first destination only to find out that there is nowhere with any accommodation left may mean an uncomfortable sleep in the car or if you traveled by another method it may mean enduring the conditions outside. If you are playing your trip by ear then you should carry along a secondary form of shelter. Although carrying a tent when you don't need one is an extra burden it is a very good safety tool to have with you. Whenever I go hiking even when I know there are huts along the route I still always carry a tent on the off chance that there are problems with the hut, or if conditions mean you can't travel further.
Once accommodation is sorted you shouldn't need to give it much extra thought until you arrive, although it is good practice to ring your accommodation provider before leaving to make sure no unexpected surprises that may have lead to you accommodation provider shutting down or being over booked.
How you are traveling will be one of the most important things to consider. Each form of travel has its own pros and cons. Whether you are traveling by feet and thumb, bike, bus, car, plane or other you will need to do some serious planning.
Hitch-hiking is a cheap form of travel but it is also an extremely risky way of travel that should be avoided wherever possible. While it may still be safe in some countries around the world, the risks far outweigh the benefits of it. If you do choose to take this method make sure you have a couple people that you can send communications to preferably once a day. Mobile phones are a great way to keep people updated on where you are, as well as communicating any problems. In places where mobiles are out of coverage email is a good secondary source if you can reach a provider. These contacts are there to make sure that you are okay and don't need any extra help.
You will need to carry a small amount of cash as its likely you will spend some time at places who will not be able to process electronic transactions. On the other side, do not carry more cash then you need as there are many ways you can lose this money, be it at the hand of another person or just loss of property. On top of this cash on hand, have at least one other back up form of money. This can be debit cards, credit cards, travelers or other forms. Finally for money matters make sure you know someone who can wire you extra cash if the need arises. Clothing will also be extremely important to consider. Pack clothing for all possible weather conditions. Even if the weather has been consistent for long periods of time, it's the unplanned that will catch us out. Pack light clothing for those hot days, as well as clothing that will keep you warm. A sturdy water proof jacket is also extremely important, even areas of drought can have sudden down pours. On top of communications, money and clothing you will need to make sure you have food for when you are far from food stops and a basic first aid kit to fix those blisters and other small things that will come up.
Travel by bus can be cost effective as well as saving you from the many perils of driving. The main things to consider in advance for bus travel is making sure you have your tickets and something to keep you entertained on the long journey. Many buses will not allow you to carry your main luggage inside the main passenger part of the bus and thus to prevent losing your gear it is worth getting off at stops to make sure your gear does not go missing. Even without someone planning to take you gear it can still happen, especially when your bags look similar to another persons. Buses may have several strange people on them, and it is worth exercising caution with who you talk to and what about. Don't over exercise caution here though as you may be able to get some really good advice on places worth visiting at your destination as well as other useful advice.
The iconic road trip is something that many people consider an at least once in a life time ordeal. Whatever distance you will be traveling in your car make sure you check the tire pressure, oil, water levels, wiper levels, external car lights and spare tire. It is worth getting a service on the car to make sure the wheels are aligned properly as well, as improperly aligned tires can fast lead to problems in long distance driving. As above, try and plan your destinations ahead of time but be prepared for holdups along the road. If possible try and make sure that you have two or more people who can drive the car. Take rest stops at least once an hour no matter how great you feel sleepiness is currently one of the biggest killers on the road. There is a chance you might need to spend a night or two sleeping in the car, so make sure to carry a bit of gear to make it slightly more comfortable including pillows and blankets. Make sure to have plenty of fluid on hand as well as travel snakes, including a few more filling food items for those meals away from the shops.
If you are road tripping in your own car, make sure you have insurance. With increased hours on the road, there are increased opportunities for accidents. With insurance you can deal with these, without it you road trip can very quickly become a nightmare. If you are renting a car, make sure you shop around for a deal, but remember cheapest often does not mean the best. Read your contracts closely and make sure that you won't have to foot the majority of costs should anything go wrong. Whether your car is your own or rented, make sure you have a well stocked first-aid kit for any accidents that arise. Finally keep close contact with people at home, which can help you if you need it, as well as being able to report if for whatever reason don't make contact in a certain amount of time.
If you are traveling by plane make sure you have covered all your visa requirements if you are traveling internationally. Reaching a destination only to be told you cannot enter is a surefire way to ruin a holiday. Make sure you know in advance how you are getting to and from the airport, if possible try and get dropped off as leaving your car at airport parking can be expensive and risky. Carry clothing for each weather scenario, but don't take more than you need as this can take you over your luggage allowance quickly. In many countries you can buy good quality cheep clothing suited to their climate. Make sure you check the custom laws of the country as certain items may lead to major problems, including charges or denial of access. As with the other travel methods make sure you have contact people to let them know you made it okay.
Spring break is a great way to get out and see your country or other countries, and although safety precautions may seem tedious, it will be the major difference between a great holiday with little hitches, or a disaster you remember for all the wrong reasons. Planning ahead is the best way to go with any travel. Have a safe spring break and hold those memories for ever.