By far the biggest issue faced by gappers when planning their travels is getting their funds together. On average, a first time gapper, generally pre or post university, will spend between £3000 and £4000 on their time away. Those breaking their careers will spend up to £9000 and if you’ve finished work for good and hitting the road, then expect to spend around £5000. Take a look at a host of ideas, some wackier than others, from travellers who have been there, done that.

When you’re at home, health is easy to take for granted, but when you’re thousands of miles from home even the most minor ailment can suddenly take on epic proportions. Tooth-ache tops most people’s list of scary health issues whilst travelling, but there are many other ways of getting sick.

It’s easy to imagine that the world is pretty much all as safe as it is at home. But, without wishing to scare anyone, there are a minority of people out there who will see you as an easy source of income. No matter how cash-strapped you feel, eking out the pennies day-by-day, in many parts of the world, your meagre possessions will represent a substantial amount of wealth.

It makes sense therefore to wise-up, to take simple precautions to stay safe and as unobtrusive as you can. Do your research on the places you’re going to visit, find out what the local scams might be and the areas you should definitely avoid. Check out gapyear.com’s message-boards for first-hand insight and tips. The government FCO travel advice website is a great place to start as is (strange as it may seem) the USA government’s CIA World Factbook

For females travelling either solo take a look at this great information pack on what to think about and what to look out for before and during your travels.

No matter who you are and where you’re going though, a few simple tips will help keep you safe.

• Before arrival in any new destination, book some accommodation to get you through the first couple of nights. This saves you the hassle of finding a safe place to stay when you’re at your most vulnerable and gives you the opportunity to get acquainted with the place in your own time.
• Check out our City Intro deals
• Arrange regular “phone-home” times, so that family and friends at home can keep track of your movements and potentially raise and alert if you miss a call.
• Take out good insurance, appropriate for the sort of travel you’re doing, the places you’re visiting and the activities you might get up to. Read the small print, many policies expressly exclude things such as white-water rafting and bungee jumping etc.
• Manage your cash. Don’t take great wads of money with you. Arrange a cash-card that can be pre-loaded and then topped up as you go, either by you, by an automatic direct-debit, or by family and friends back home.
• Resist the temptation to take expensive jewellery, watches or other bling with you. If you have a camera or phone, keep them hidden – on no account wander around with a camera slung around your neck, you’ll just be asking for trouble.
• Be aware. At all times, in all ways, just keep your eyes open and your wits about you.