The thrill of a new city. The sights, sounds, and smells of a new place. Let’s see the world.
Whether you’re heading overseas alone or with friends, travelling for the first time without your parents/guardians is a huge milestone in your life. It can be a little daunting, but very exciting. To make your trip one you’ll never forget, and to help you along the way, our essential guide covers planning, budgeting, and safety advice.
Independent travel
Plan the trip of a lifetime
Young Australians love to travel. According to our research*, 61% of young Aussies aged between 18-25 have already taken their first trip without their parents or guardians. And a further 32% are planning their first trip right now. A first trip overseas without your parents is a chance to not only see the world but to learn about yourself too. You’ll plan your adventures yourself, pick up new skills along the way, meet people from other cultures, and potentially make friends for life.
Unique, exciting, and enriching experiences are all on the agenda.
Travel timeline
Creating your perfect trip
From choosing your destination and booking your flights to getting the most out of your time overseas, our travel timeline has every element of your trip covered.
Jarrod Kris,
Skyscanner Travel Expert
Travel motivations
So, why are young Australians planning adventures overseas without their parents? First, let’s look at the “why” and get you thinking about your reason for planning your first trip.
The main motivator
The biggest motivator for Australians booking a trip overseas without parents is to step out of their comfort zone and explore new parts of the world, with 59% citing this as their reason for booking a trip. This was followed by the desire to enrich themselves and experience new things (57%) and to spend quality time with friends and loved ones (51%). For 44% of young people, it’s about recharging mentally to take their mind off the hustle of everyday life, while 37% want to discover somewhere for a potential future home.
We also see that 58% of young Australians are likely to travel overseas for work.
Booking triggers
Most young Australians (43%) are savvy savers and book when they see a great deal or offer, while 42% book their first trip overseas to take advantage of long weekends, semester breaks and holidays, whilst 40% book for special occasions. Key moments across the world also trigger bookings with 36% wanting to travel to see seasonal phenomena like cherry blossoms in Japan or the northern lights in Scandinavia. Movies, TV shows, and social media trigger 20% to visit a trending destination
Important activities
When it comes to the most important activities to experience on a first trip, young Aussies are much more likely to explore city lights and sights over adventure, beach parties or cultural experiences – 35% of people cite this as their top activity. This could be exploring street food in Seoul or shopping in Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel planning
A first trip overseas means it’s time to get planning. It’s so important to think about the tiny details to make your trip a success. Whether you’re travelling solo, with a romantic partner or in a small group, let’s look at your essential planning requirements.
Creating an itinerary
As many as 68% of young Australians will plan an itinerary for their first trip abroad – covering the route and agenda. It looks like Gen Z travellers are more organised than they often get credit for.
To create the perfect itinerary, start with your dream bucket list. It could be a sightseeing holiday in Europe (Rome? Yes please), a skiing break in Queenstown or a beach vacation in Fiji. Create a calendar of events and map out the activities you want to do. Research the top areas to stay and the best time to visit each destination.
What to plan:
- Create a bucket list of events and landmarks
- Use map apps to plan your routes
- Don’t forget to factor in food!
Packing
Travelling without your parents for the first time puts the onus of responsibility on you. You need to be prepared for the unpredictability of travel and make sure you have everything you need with you. What you pack is so important. Yes, you’ll need essentials like sunscreen for the beach and exploring cities in hot weather. But you’ll also need items like a first aid kit and a torch if you’re in remote areas. Plus, all your tech and charging needs – a battery pack is always essential if you’re going into the wilderness. You also need to plan how you’ll fit everything in too.
What to pack:
- A global adaptor plug is a lifesaver!
- Pack for your environment – think bug spray and aftersun
- Can’t live without your favourite snacks? Bring them with you!
Travel fact file
58% of young Australians are likely to travel for work
68% of young adults create a travel itinerary before their trip
Young Australians look for budget flights overseas
Who you’re travelling with
You might decide to travel solo, as a couple or with a group of friends. Most young Australians (40%), plan to travel in a small group of less than five, whilst just 9% will go in a bigger group of more than five people. Think about what’s best for you. The more people there are the harder it can sometimes be to plan a trip that caters to everyone’s travel tastes and desires.
What to consider:
- Whether a small or big group works for you
- Pick friends with similar travel tastes
- Choose destinations you’ll all enjoy
Researching your destinations
Learn about the go-to activities in the location, the must-see attractions, and the hidden gems. Consider the best areas to stay in and the best time to come. Properly researching your trip can make or break it. So, where to start planning your trip? The highest number of young Australian travellers (59%) go to their parents first for their travel advice. Many (58%) take advice from friends, whilst 51% research online using Google – although this is predominantly women, with 54% using Google compared to just 40% of men. This suggests female travellers are more likely to research before they go as opposed to just relying on word of mouth from parents and friends.
What to research:
- The top locations to stay in
- The weather at various times of year
- The must-see spots and hidden gems
Insider tip:
Think carefully about when you plan to visit certain destinations. For example, Rome is busiest in April, May, June, September, October, and early November. The weather is great, but it will be busy at the major attractions. Visiting in January and February isn’t as good weather-wise, but the queues will be much smaller.
PACKING CHECKLIST
• Travel documents
• Smartphone
• Chargers
• Battery packs
• Adapters
• Headphones
• Any prescription medication
• First aid kit
• Torch
Travel concerns: Budgeting
As many as 78% of young people consider their budget as one of the most crucial factors for their first trip. Although this is more of a priority for women (82%) than men (63%).
For most young Australians, their travel budget comes from personal savings (69%) and income from their job (63%). We know from our data that the average spend on flights is between $500-$1000 for a first trip overseas. And we can also see that 53% of young people prioritise travel over larger and more long-term financial commitments like savings or buying a house.
This suggests that young Aussies are actively making travel an important financial choice and using their own savings and income to pay for it. But when it comes time to book, it’s all about hunting for those bargains.
So, how can you cut the costs of your flights? Setting Skyscanner Price Alerts is the first thing to do – it’s super simple to set up and you’ll get instant notifications when flight prices decrease. Also, don’t be fussy about your preferred airline – shopping around can get you great deals.
But where budget is concerned, there are certain non-negotiables.
Just over one in three (35%) young people state that visiting bustling cities and exploring culture is the most important part of their trip.
And they wouldn’t give it up even with a limited budget.
Insider tip:
When searching for accommodation, be flexible with your dates and change up your searches to compare prices. Hotels have in-demand days during holidays and over the weekends, so a couple of days’ difference can save plenty of your budget.
Insider tip:
To save money on your travels, it might be worth taking out a fee-free credit card or opening an account that will not charge you foreign transaction fees. However, fee-free credit cards with 0% fees on foreign transactions are ideal for your first trip as a safety net to have in your back pocket in case of emergencies. Bankwest, Bendigo, and Coles all have good options. If you do decide to go for a credit card, look for perks that include travel insurance and/or 0% annual fees.
Source:
https://www.money.com.au/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards
Safety
For 70% of young Australians, safety is one of the most crucial factors when travelling overseas.
It’s so important to get to know your destination before you land. Read traveller reviews online and understand the areas that are safest and any potential spots to avoid. Not only will this help you choose the right hotel for your budget, but it will also assist with safety too.
Scan any important documents and make copies, so you’re not carrying your key documents on your person. Make sure you lock them in the safe in your hotel. Always keep your family and friends updated on your whereabouts. This includes if you’re going on a trek or trip where you might not have Wi-Fi or a phone signal for a few days.
Always understand your surroundings. If you want to grab a picture at a famous tourist spot, do it quickly and be aware of any people around you. And wait until you’re back in your hotel or at a restaurant to take your time posting on social media – don’t do it on the move where you’re concentrating on your filters rather than who’s around you.
SAFETY CONCERNS CHECKLIST
• Properly research your destination
• Take care with valuables in public
• Scan your important travel documents
• Lock your travel documents in a safe in your room
• Be careful accessing public WiFi
• Regularly update family and friends
• Buy comprehensive travel insurance
• Only carry small amounts of cash
• Don’t walk with earbuds/headphones
• Only use official taxis
Travel aspirations and destinations
When it comes to the chosen destinations for a first trip away, it’s all about the classics – 47% of young Australians want to travel to well-known and popular destinations. Just 13% want to get off the beaten track for their first trip away and explore lesser-known destinations.
Whilst 40% plan to take their first trip closer to home in Australasia, 24% have Europe at the top of their bucket list despite the cost and the length of the trip. This was followed by destinations a little closer to home, with 14% planning a trip to Southeast Asia (Bali anyone?). And just 7% of young Australians want to explore the US and Canada on their first trip away.
Insider tip:
We’re super lucky in Australia that we can travel to around 190 countries across the world without having to apply and pay for a visa. Top destinations include Malaysia, Fiji, the Philippines, New Zealand, the UK, and Mexico.
However, it’s always important to check if you need a visa to enter the countries that you are planning to travel to, how long the application process is, and how much the visas cost (especially if you’re on a tight budget).
Source:
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/where-australians-can-travel-in-2024-without-a-visa/8f80bonli
The bright lights of Rome. Skiing in QT. London’s famous monuments. Or the food scene in LA. Wherever your first trip takes you, you’ll discover new cultures and learn about yourself at the same time. Remember to budget, stay safe, and pack for a trip you’ll never forget.
Thinking of planning your next trip? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.
*First Trip with Skyscanner OnePoll survey results based on answers from 1000 respondents
