Travel & Planning Archives - Page 2 of 6

Budgeting for Japan

October 18, 2012 By Lauren

Indisputable Facts:

The sky is blue.

Water is vital for life.

Japan is expensive.

I’m not sure when I developed the opinion that Japan was an expensive place, but it happened well before I ever set foot in the country. When my fiancé and I planned an 8-day trip to Kyoto and Osaka, we were prepared to pay through the teeth and keep to a relatively tight budget. For the first time, I kept a detailed record of every dollar (or, in this case, yen) we spent. In reviewing the notes, I was surprised to find that it wasn’t outrageous, after all.

Here’s our budget breakdown for two people.

**Total cost for 9 days, 8 nights (excluding return transport from Korea)**:
¥104, 960 ($1336)

Food & Drink

Amount spent: ¥43,850 ($558)
Percentage of total: 42%

Food in Japan — Noodles for $8 at a random no-name restaurant in Kyoto. So good, we went back twice.

I was slightly embarrassed to realize that the bulk of our budget went towards food and drink, but then I thought about how much pleasure I get out of those things. Fun fact: we spent $30 on ice cream and $127 on beer, including a ¥6700 ($85) splurge on an all-you-can-eat-and-drink rooftop buffet. All of our breakfasts came from the supermarket, as did a handful of lunches and dinners. We went out for a few nice meals, but not many. Noodle shops were our savior for cheap, hearty meals with a bit of local personality thrown in.

Accommodation

Amount spent: ¥40,645 ($517)
Percentage of total: 38.5%

Four nights in a business hotel in Osaka cost us ¥16,645 ($212), while 4 nights in a traditional ryokan in Kyoto cost ¥24,000 ($305). Breakfast was not included at either place.

Transportation

Amount spent: ¥14,180 ($180)
Percentage of total: 13.5%

Trains to Shin-Osaka — Waiting at the platform in the Shin-Osaka train station.

This included trains, subways, buses, and bicycles. In Osaka, a single journey was roughly ¥250 ($3), but subway passes are available as well. We took return trains from Osaka to Nara and Osaka to Kyoto, both distances of under an hour. No fast trains for us, which would have considerably increased the amount spent on transport.

Entry Fees

Amount spent: ¥5,200 ($66)
Percentage of total: 5%

Bamboo garden Arashiyama, Kyoto — Many attractions were free, like the Bamboo Gardens in Arashiyama, Kyoto.

In Osaka, we paid for entry to Osaka Castle and the Open-air Farmhouse Museum. In Kyoto, we visited the Silver Pavilion, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, and the mysterious womb stone at the Kiyomizu Temple (it cost ¥100 each and was 100% worth it). We got discounted entry at Osaka Castle for showing our 2-day subway pass, so check for discounts if you visit.

Miscellaneous

Amount spent: ¥1,085
Percentage of total: 1%

Broken Sandals in Nara — After this I got to limp/shuffle around Nara for a couple of hours until we found a store.

I brought one pair of sandals to Japan, and they blew out on the second day. First, I bought a pair of rubber flip-flops at the dollar store. They were worn through two days later, due to excessive walking and not, as my fiance insists, my heavy-footed walking style. I bought another pair of sandals at a shop in Kyoto, which lasted the rest of the trip. Lesson: In Japan, it’s hard to find a cheap pair of shoes that will fit a US size 10. Bring at least two pairs with you. My third miscellaneous purchase was a hand-drawn print of two geisha walking down an alley. It’s for my mom, but it’s been two months and I still have it. Oops.

Average per day for 2 people: approximately $150

It’s not exactly a shoestring budget, but it was affordable, especially over a short period of time. The key for us was to focus on a small region instead of trying to cover too much ground; we didn’t have the money or the time to see more.

In the end, I have to agree that Japan is expensive, but not prohibitively so; especially if you cut back on the ice cream and bring a sturdy pair of shoes.

Tempted By A Honolulu Sunrise

July 27, 2012 By Lauren

When I planned a trip to Hawaii last February, I immediately rejected the idea of spending much time in Honolulu.

It’s a city, I reasoned. Why bother?

I forgot one crucial fact: it’s a city in Hawaii. That automatically makes it a little bit more bearable. Yes, the traffic is horrible, and no, it’s not exactly an accurate representation of the islands, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it.

Pearl Harbor

I’m by no means a history buff, but it felt wrong to skip Pearl Harbor when we were so close. Although we were staying on the windward coast, we drove down for a morning to check it out. But Honolulu? I still wasn’t tempted. We left the infamous site, bypassed the city, and drove back along the north shore of Oahu.

Waikiki Beach

This is one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, but ‘famous’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘good.’ The day before we flew out, I had an afternoon to kill in Honolulu, so I checked out this tourist attraction. The verdict? I was glad I’d visited. A city beach has a different vibe than a country beach, and I found myself really enjoying the people watching.

Group Hula

Hula Lesson, Honolulu, Hawaii — I hope I’m still hula-ing when I’m her age.

In that one afternoon, I realized that I’d made a grave mistake: I’d overlooked the shopping. If you’re coming from the US, this may not tempt you. But I’d been living in rural Korea, where finding a store with clothes that would fit me required making a 2-hour journey to Seoul. I tried to cram in a few shops but I was sidetracked by this amazing group hula session in the middle of a courtyard.

Sunrise in the City

Sunrise in Honolulu, Hawaii — And it was a thousand times more impressive in person.

Seeing that sunrise was like finding a Lotus in Honolulu on my last day in Hawaii. Against the backdrop of the ugly high-rises was this melting morning sky, and suddenly I wanted more. Next time, I’ll plan to explore what else this city has to offer.

How much travel planning is really necessary?

July 16, 2012 By Katherine

You’re ready to travel. Maybe your flight is not quite booked. Maybe your bag is not quite packed. But in your heart, you’re ready to go.

So now that you have the want, how do you make it a reality? Do you call ahead to book your hotel for the week? Do you research things to see and do in your locale of choice? Do you reserve a tour to take you around? Or do you book a one-way ticket, grab a few pairs of underwear and just wing it? In other words, how much travel planning is really necessary?

The answer: not much.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s ok to travel without a set plan. Travel blogs are loaded with tips on how to source the best deals in advance, what you should pack for any given situation and what you should see in every country in the world. It’s true that these tips might, in fact, save you a bit of money and a bit of hassle later on down the road. But all too often the planning process is a turn off for would-be travelers. Suddenly your trip has become a point of stress instead of a point of excitement.

If this happens, here’s what you do: just go. The truth is you can adapt better than you expect. In fact, you will adapt when the situation arises. Whether you’re met at the airport by a chauffeur, or simply by the Great Unknown, you will manage to make a plan.

Traveling is all about the adventure it brings. There’s no greater adventure than heading off to foreign place without an itinerary in place. You can’t help but explore when you need a room for the night. You can’t help but meet new people when you are looking for the cool bar in a new town. Traveling without (much) planning forces you out of your comfort zone, and into the arms of the new place where you’ve landed.

Of course, it’s always smart to act smart. Before embarking on your unplanned excursion, make sure you have enough money to cover a night at an expensive hotel if you can’t manage to find a cheap hostel. Know how to get a hold of the information center and police if you need them. Let friends at home know where you’re headed before you go. If your flight arrives really late at night, maybe book a room for your first night and let the unplanned adventure begin the next day.

Once the basics are in place, buy that bus/train/plane ticket and GO! The rest always manages to fall into place.

Slow Travel For Beginners

July 12, 2012 By Lauren

Slow travel. It’s all the rage these days, but it’s not always easy to arrange, especially when time and money keep getting in the way. Between food, transport, and accommodation, it can seem like your wallet is hemorrhaging money.

There are a few basics for making slow travel work:

Take a gap year. Or a sabbatical from your job. Or hell, just quit your job.
Avoid restaurants and make your own food. Better yet, eat locally and save like crazy.
Volunteer in a location you’ve always wanted to visit. Help + travel = everybody wins.
Save, save, save before you leave. Or hitchhike, dumpster dive, and sleep rough. Whatever works for you.

But there are other, more practical ways to dip your toe into the world of slow travel.

Work at a Hostel

Aussitel Hostel, Coffs Harbour, Australia — I cleaned up at the Aussitel in Coffs Harbour for 6 weeks of free accommodation. That’s right, I’m ‘working’ in this picture.

Accommodation is one of the biggest drains on a traveler’s budget, so it’s best to eliminate that cost altogether.

I’m not suggesting you set up camp on a park bench or stay up all night – just mosey over to your hostel’s reception desk and ask if they offer any work in exchange for a bed. Common jobs include cleaning the kitchen & common room, cleaning the dorm rooms, or driving the hostel bus. For an hour’s work a day, you’ve got a free bed.

A work visa may or may not be necessary, and hostels tend to be flexible with the length of time you stay. After all, there’s always someone willing to take your place.

Rent an Apartment

House rental in Oahu — Vacation rental in Oahu. Not bad, not bad at all.

Hostel life a little too grubby for you? Yeah, it’s getting that way for me, too.

Try setting up shop with a short-term rental instead. During a dual family trip to Oahu earlier this year, we rented a 7-bedroom house for a week, which was substantially cheaper than hotel rooms. This August, my fiancé and I have already arranged for a six-week apartment rental in Buenos Aires, and it came to about $26 a night – cheaper than any decent double room we came across.

The downside is that you may have to pony up the money for a refundable deposit, but you get to experience a bit of local life and save money in the long run.

Slash Your Itinerary

Taj Mahal — Some things you don’t want to miss.

I know. It hurts.

But instead of looking at it as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip, realize that it’s in your power to go back. Travel is incredibly attainable if you’re willing to prioritize your life a little bit differently.

Decide what you really, really want to see – what you’re not willing to compromise on – and work around that. In India, I absolutely had to visit the Taj Mahal, so that narrowed our scope considerably. We decided to spend our 3 weeks in Rajasthan, allowing at least three nights in each city we visited.

Traditional definitions of slow travel advocate spending weeks or months in a location, but when you have limited time, a few days can feel like weeks. I missed out on Goa, Sri Lanka, and Bombay, but we didn’t overstretch ourselves, which made the holiday so much better.

Apply for a Working Holiday Visa

Sometimes I can be like a broken record, constantly extolling the virtues of the working holiday visa. But it’s true. Travel while you’re already traveling – what could be better?

Office work in London — I’m laughing because pretending to work was pretty much all I did in London.

How about making money while you do it? With a WHV, you can choose a home base like London or Melbourne, then slowly branch out. Play tourist in your new neighborhood, take weekend trips away, and take advantage of vacations to go to spots that are a little further afield.

Alternatively, work in a casual job for as long as you want, then hit the road and do it again somewhere else. There are no rules, just right.

Sorry. I get kind of cheesy when I talk about working abroad.

Get your own ride

Wicked Campervans UK — In Scotland: admittedly, the rental van’s design wasn’t awesome, but the freedom was.

Think about buying a car. Yes, I’m serious. If you’re savvy, you can sell it at the end of your trip and make back most of your original investment.

In Australia, I went in on an old Peugeot with a few other backpackers. It cost $1000 total and wound up in the scrap heap six months later, but for $250 each it was worth it. You can go where you want, when you want, without relying on public transport. Fuel costs can be a bummer, and this option might not work in every destination. However, you could also consider renting a campervan or, particularly in Southeast Asia, a motorbike.

Did someone say road trip?

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – what are YOUR tips for slow travel?

Busting Your Working Holiday Visa Fears

May 10, 2012 By Lauren

I’ve never understood why more people don’t take advantage of Working Holiday Visas. They give young people the chance to go abroad, earn a (temporary) living, and explore new countries.

In essence, Working Holiday Visas allow you to travel while you’re already traveling.

How can you say no to that? (Unless, of course, you aren’t eligible for a WHV, in which case, I’m really sorry and you should stop reading right now.)

Then I thought back to my first experience on a WHV in Ireland. I had just turned 22 and had absolutely no idea what to expect. My only experience with visas had been swiping them at the mall. Hostels were a completely foreign concept, and I was convinced they were full of people who wanted to steal my stuff.

Moving overseas is scary. Finding a job is scary. Being alone is scary.

But quit trying to talk yourself out of it. I’m here to tell you why you should do it anyway.

1. It seems so complicated. Do I really need a visa?

Filling out tax forms on a working holiday visa in Bundaberg — My friends Alexa and Cole fill out tax forms for fruit picking in Bundaberg, Australia.

Look. Life is complicated. Do you want to travel or don’t you?

If you’re not confident filling the application forms out on your own, I can personally recommend the BUNAC program. It costs a little bit more, but in return you get assistance with your working holiday visa application, a helpful handbook, and an orientation once you arrive.

Red tape is an unavoidable part of working abroad, but it’s not a reason to avoid it altogether.

And YES. You need a visa.

2. I’d love to take a working holiday, but it’s expensive.

Thames and London Eye - England — When I worked in London, one pound was worth two dollars. Bad at first, but great when I got paid.

A mortgage is expensive. Vacations are expensive. That daily Starbucks habit is expensive.

Traveling is all about priorities. Yes, the initial outlay for a WHV can be pricey. You need to pay the visa fees, airfares, and bring enough money to survive on until you find work. But if that’s what you really, truly, want to do, it’s worth it. Remember that you’ll be working once you arrive, so it’s not one long vacation. There is a paycheck in it for you.

Just between you and me, though – it can feel like one long vacation. Especially if you’re working in Australia.

3. What if I don’t find a job?

Sydney Royal Easter Show - Australia — You might not LOVE your job, but you should be able to FIND one.

This was the number one question I got from people before I left. It’s legitimate, but extremely unhelpful. The real question you need to ask yourself is, “What if I don’t find the job I want? What kind of work am I willing to do?” If you’re open to fruit picking, bar work, and retail, relax. You will find a job. If you refuse to take a job that isn’t explicitly linked to your degree, sit down and reconsider.

The key thing to remember is that this is a working holiday. It’s not a career, even if some of us *ahem* pretend that it is. You must be flexible and persistent in your job search. Do something different. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Have fun.

4. What if I don’t find an apartment?

Merchants Road Flat - Galway, Ireland — My first flat in Galway, Ireland. Shared with an American & 2 Irish students.

Finding an apartment in a foreign country is surprisingly like finding an apartment at home. All you need is a little bit of patience and a cash deposit.

Okay, a lot of patience. Of course, I can’t guarantee that you’ll find a place; but I did it! In Galway, London (four times!), Coffs Harbour, Auckland, and Christchurch.

And if I did it, you can do it. Look in the papers. Talk to people in your hostel. Get on Google. You might share a studio apartment with someone else. You may share a house with strangers. You could find your own place. There’s no knowing how it will turn out, but don’t stress. It works out in the end.

5. What if I don’t meet anyone?

Auckland Easter Show - New Zealand — I met this guy within days of arriving in Auckland, New Zealand. See? Easy.

At first it was tough. I can be pretty introverted and had to force myself to start conversations with strangers. My friends at home actually told me afterwards that they’d been worried I wouldn’t talk to anyone.

But it got easier and easier. Suddenly, I was living with people I’d just met, going for drinks after work, and, well, making friends. I’m not going to lie – travel can be lonely, especially if things aren’t going smoothly. But give it time. You won’t be alone for long.

Budgeting for Japan

Indisputable Facts:

**Total cost for 9 days, 8 nights (excluding return transport from Korea)**:
¥104, 960 ($1336)

Food & Drink

Accommodation

Transportation

Entry Fees

Miscellaneous

Average per day for 2 people: approximately $150

Tempted By A Honolulu Sunrise

How much travel planning is really necessary?

Slow Travel For Beginners

Work at a Hostel

Rent an Apartment

Slash Your Itinerary

Apply for a Working Holiday Visa

Get your own ride

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – what are YOUR tips for slow travel?

Busting Your Working Holiday Visa Fears

1. It seems so complicated. Do I really need a visa?

2. I’d love to take a working holiday, but it’s expensive.

3. What if I don’t find a job?

4. What if I don’t find an apartment?

5. What if I don’t meet anyone?

So what are you waiting for?

Recent Comments

Banking on the Road

Adventure Guides

Indisputable Facts:

Total cost for 9 days, 8 nights (excluding return transport from Korea): ¥104, 960 ($1336)

Food & Drink

Accommodation

Transportation

Entry Fees

Miscellaneous

Average per day for 2 people: approximately $150

Work at a Hostel

Rent an Apartment

Slash Your Itinerary

Apply for a Working Holiday Visa

Get your own ride

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg – what are YOUR tips for slow travel?

1. It seems so complicated. Do I really need a visa?

2. I’d love to take a working holiday, but it’s expensive.

3. What if I don’t find a job?

4. What if I don’t find an apartment?

5. What if I don’t meet anyone?

So what are you waiting for?

Recent Comments

Banking on the Road

Adventure Guides

**Total cost for 9 days, 8 nights (excluding return transport from Korea)**:
¥104, 960 ($1336)