A gap year can be the ultimate reset button after finishing A levels or graduating from university. It’s your chance to step off the treadmill of exams and essays, recharge your batteries, and explore the world on your own terms. Whether you’re craving cultural immersion, adrenaline-fuelled adventures, or meaningful volunteer work, a well-planned gap year will leave you more independent, confident, and ready for whatever comes next.
Gap Year inspiration from Explore!
Why Take a Gap Year?
There’s plenty of debate about whether a Gap Year is a good thing, but each year more and more people choose a Gap Year in preference to more education or work at home. So, why should you go?
For many it’s just a question of having had enough of schoolwork and exams, and taking a much deserved break to re-invigorate the mind. More than this though, taking a gap year enables you to take time out to think properly about what you want to do in the future before possibly committing to a further 3/4 years of education.
From a more altruistic point of view, many recognise the fact that in the UK we have it pretty easy compared with much of the world’s population, and you might want to give something back by Volunteering in less fortunate countries.
No matter the reason behind going or where you might end up, the journey is sure to leave you feeling more mature and confident about yourself and your abilities. With around 80% of gappers travelling alone, your new experiences and environments allow you time to learn loads about yourself and others, providing opportunities to make friends all over the world with loads of stories and photos to bring home with you.
Gap Year Decisions
So how do you make the most of your time away? Deciding where to go can be the hardest part but if you consider the following points and do some research, your decision will be infinitely easier:
- think about what your interests are;
- why you want to go;
- what you’re good at;
- what your budget is;
- if you want to volunteer, travel or work abroad;
- when you want to go and, if you can;
- talk to someone who’s been there and done it.
All of these elements will help you decide where to go and what to do when you get there.
Gap Year Planning Tips
Mapping out your gap year doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Break it into bite-sized phases and you’ll create a roadmap that’s both flexible and focused.
- Clarify Your Why
- Are you seeking adventure, personal growth, or a taste of work experience?
- Do you want to volunteer, learn a language, or pick up new skills?
- Set a Realistic Budget
- Calculate flights, accommodation, food, visas, insurance, and spending money.
- Build in a contingency fund (at least 10–15% extra) for unexpected costs.
- Choose Your Destinations
- Prioritise regions that match your interests and budget.
- Consider climate, language barrier, political stability, and peak tourist seasons.
- Create a Rough Itinerary
- Sketch out a three- to six-month timeline with key stops and activities.
- Allow blocks of unplanned time for spontaneous detours and making local connections.
- Research Gap Year Providers
- Look at independent operators for language courses, volunteer placements, or treks.
- Compare reviews, support services, pre-departure training, and refund policies.
- Talk to Fellow Gappers
- Join Facebook groups, read blogs (including Active Outdoors), and ask friends who’ve been there.
- Firsthand tips can help you avoid common pitfalls and discover hidden gems.
Security & Safety Tips for Inexperienced Travellers
Gap Year Companies can help reassure you (and your parents!) of the help and support you’ll receive while you’re away. They can also provide advice on visas, health and safety with some even providing courses to attend prior to leaving, such as weekend courses to bolster your confidence. One example is a Gap Year Safety Course – even Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman from the ‘Long Way Round’ TV series attended one of these, so you’ll be in good company!
Venturing far from home can feel daunting at first. These straightforward precautions will keep you secure—and calm your parents’ nerves, too.
- Get Comprehensive Travel Insurance– Cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and personal belongings. – Declare any pre-existing conditions to ensure full coverage.
- Secure Your Documents– Carry digital backups of your passport, visa, and insurance on a password-protected cloud account. – Keep photocopies in a separate location to the originals.
- Stay Informed– Register with the UK Foreign Office’s safe-travels programme (FCDO Travel Aware). – Monitor local news, weather alerts, and any travel advisories for your region.
- Blend In & Stay Alert– Dress to fit local customs and avoid flashy jewellery or electronic displays. – Keep valuables locked in a money belt or secure locker.
- Trust Your Instincts– If a situation feels off, walk away. It’s better to miss one bus than compromise your safety. – Use reputable transport providers and stay in official taxi ranks after dark.
- Buddy Up & Share Plans– Let family or friends know your daily route and accommodation. – Use a trusted VPN for public Wi-Fi and share your live location with a close contact.
Essential Gap Year Packing List
Aim for versatility and lightness. You’ll thank yourself each time you haul your bag up a hostel staircase.
- Backpack & Daypack– 40–60 L main pack plus a 20–30 L daypack for daily excursions.
- Travel Documents & Wallet– Passport + photocopies, visas, insurance policy, emergency contacts, credit/debit cards.
- Clothing Basics– Quick-dry T-shirts, convertible trousers, warm mid-layer, rain shell, sturdy walking shoes, sandals/sneakers.
- Health & Hygiene Kit– Mini first-aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, travel towel, toiletries in leak-proof bags.
- Tech & Power– Smartphone, universal adapter, power bank, lightweight charger cables.
- Safety Gear– Lockable padlocks, money belt, whistle, small flashlight.
- Extras– Journal and pen, reusable water bottle with filter, lightweight hammock or travel sheet, local phrasebook.
I have compiled a list of the best gap year gear as recommended by other gappers to make your gap year experience much more pleasant.
What You Could See & Do
Whether you have your sights set on Thailand, Cambodia, Peru, Nepal or some other exotic location, a gap year is your blank canvas.
Here are a few threads you can weave together:
- Volunteer & Give Back– Teach English in rural classrooms across Southeast Asia or Latin America. – Join wildlife conservation projects in South Africa or Costa Rica.
- Work & Earn on the Road– Seasonal jobs in New Zealand fruit picking or European summer camps. – Hospitality roles in hostels, bars, or eco-lodges.
- Adventure & Explore– Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, hike Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit, or cycle Vietnam’s Hai Van Pass. – Surf Camps in Bali, coasteering in Cornwall, or white-water rafting in Costa Rica.
- Cultural Immersion– Live with a host family, learn local cooking techniques, or celebrate festivals like Holi in India or Carnival in Brazil. – Language exchanges in Spain, France, Japan, or any country whose culture intrigues you.
- Road Trips & Overland Journeys– Campervan routes across Australia’s Outback or the Scottish Highlands. – Overlanding from London to Cape Town if you crave epic challenges and border-crossing stories.
Gap Year Voluntary Work Overseas Improve Your Employment Chances
On your return, there are positives awaiting you too, with Universities encouraging gap years believing that it will enable you to be more focused on your studies. Some employers, too, actively seek applicants who have travelled because they can prove to be resourceful, well-rounded individuals and successful employees.
Current thinking from most employers is that you are more employable if you have done some voluntary work overseas or within your local community. It demonstrates a higher degree of teamwork and management skills.
Find out more about how Gap Year work overseas improves your employment chances.
Taking a gap year after A levels or university graduation isn’t just a holiday—it’s a launch pad for lifelong skills, friendships, and memories. By planning carefully, packing wisely, and staying safe, you’ll return home with fresh perspectives, a brimming photo gallery, and stories that’ll shape the rest of your life.
Ready to turn your gap year dreams into reality? Explore our other guides to visa applications, volunteer placements, and adventure packing lists—then start stitching together the journey of a lifetime.
Start planning your gap year with Explore!