Help! Is it possible to plan a trip in 4 weeks?? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Leavin'Quick · 06-15-2004, 02:47 PM

I need some advice... I've been wanting to spend a month or 2 backpacking europe, and I was originally planning on leaving LA in mid September and travelling until like mid november. But, from the sounds of it, the weather is better sooner and there will be many fewer people to meet and have fun with by then... So I'm thinking of quitting the job early and trying to push up the date to mid July. Only thing is... is it even possible to plan a 2 month long trip in only about 3-4 weeks??? Or will it be better to do it in September as planned? Help?!?

**joanofarc** · 06-15-2004, 03:20 PM

it is absolutely possible - and we're here to help! let us know how.

**omisan** · 06-15-2004, 03:37 PM

No problem at all! I planned both my Europe trips last winter in a couple of weeks each, since I didn't really know when I'd have my time off. Granted, they weren't long journeys, but I can't imagine it would've made a difference. (9 days in London in November, and then a week in Dublin, a week in Paris, and a few days in London in December)

The only catch is a flight from LA in July will likely cost a lot more, but keep your eyes peeled for last minutes specials - that can make a short-notice trip even cheaper!

**omisan** · 06-15-2004, 04:08 PM

BTW - if you have a job where you can sit around on the net and post on TP like I do all day, then planning within a few weeks should be NO problem at all!

**joanofarc** · 06-15-2004, 04:09 PM

haha, ditto!

**butterj** · 06-15-2004, 05:11 PM

You will be fine i leave on saterday and i still don't have, a map or a bag or a guide book. And well plans are very vague, so 4 weeks i recon you have plenty of time

James

**omisan** · 06-15-2004, 05:18 PM

The other thing is that when backpacking, it's pretty easy to do things on the fly - especially in Europe. Hostels, trains, etc. are plentiful, and you never know where you'll end up - depends on the people you meet, and what opportunities arise!

Everytime I get to a city, I have some places/things to do in mind, but beyond that, everything's open - day trips, road trips, exploring another part of the country... It's all pretty open when you're living out of a backpack.

Leavin'Quick · 06-15-2004, 05:48 PM

Well, glad to know that it's do-able... I'm not so worried about planning what I'm gonna do once I'm there. I'm looking forward to landing with nothing but a rail pass, a backpack, and a whim

It's the planning to get there, and what I'll do when I come back that's the tough stuff. Anyone with any stories about what they came home to? (Jobs? Apartments? Parents' Basements?) Right now I'm looking at returning to LA homeless, carless, and jobless, and I'm trying to figure out how to get back on my feet...

**omisan** · 06-15-2004, 06:01 PM

Well, I left LA because I was homeless, jobless, and (nearly) carless, so I moved back in with my 'rents. Granted, that's what gives me the ability to travel without much worry now, so it's kinda cool, as dorky as it is!

First off, if you don't want to go back to your parents, I'd arrange for a place to crash when you get back. Preferably with a friend who understands that it might take you a while to find a job. I was lucky to have that, so my month of couch-surfing only comprised of 2 couches!

Secondly, it wouldn't hurt to apply for new jobs before you leave. It takes so damn long for employers to get back to you these days, that it could work out. Also, you can set up an online resumé, etc. etc. and do a bit of job hunting while you're at internet cafes abroad. Keep a cell phone active while you're gone to serve as voicemail - or use aforementioned friend's number.

Start checking out the joblistings at http://losangeles.craigslist.org - a lot of the employers who post there take a much more casual approach to hiring, and who knows? Maybe you can find someone understanding of your situation and have interviews lined up for when you get back!

Finally, and I'm sure this is obvious, have a good chunk of cash tucked away somewhere so you're ready for anything when you come home. That's the toughest part, though.

**Carisia** · 06-16-2004, 11:39 AM

Good points Omisan!

Leavin' Quick, sounds like you'll be fine goin' there, the tough part is coming, I know... last time I went abroad I came back to my parents place, as you can imagine, there are good and bad points about doing that... just do what you need to do, it's as simple as taking care of business, but I don't mean to sound terribly esoteric and impractical, but here are my 2 cents: "Do what you want to do, and don't do what you don't want to do..."

So, if coming back home to your family's abode is not an emotional and psychological option for you then plan ahead to stay with friends or save enough cash to get a cheap in-between place for you to stay upon your return...