A-Level results are out, and plans have been hatched. It’s time for the next chapter in your life to begin.
While university and halls living beckon for some, others may have decided to embark upon a path well-trodden (but no less character-building) before another three years of studying get underway. Yep, I’m talking about the gap year.
Some 232,000 people took the rite of passage in 2023, according to experts, travelling between working, interning or volunteering to fuel their finances as well as their souls.
Some take the term gap year at face value; others turn one year into two by working locally to save up the necessary funds and plan before setting sail.
Gap year route ideas
Into the idea, but not sure where to go?
You could follow in the footsteps of those who came before you and make your way via Southeast Asia to Australia, where a working holiday visa means those aged between 18 - 35 can earn while they work.
With its ancient temples, beaches and festivals, South America also has a big backpacker pull - and the strength of the Sterling will help bootstrap budgets to go even further. Then there’s Africa, where you can learn new languages and cultures while soaking up the continent’s abundant natural beauty.
Many companies offer guided tours, which you can base your trip around. Some of the best-rated include:
- TopDeck: European odysseys
- Contiki: More than 200 itineraries across six continents
- Intrepid: Small group adventures
- G Adventures: Adventure tours with local guides
- Tour Radar: Discounts on solo tours
- Tru Travels: Up to 40 per cent off 2025 tours
- BusAbout: Tour plans and festivals
What to pack for a gap year abroad?
Wherever your gap year takes you, there are some essentials you’re going to want to stuff into your backpack before you hit the road.
From tech that keeps you connected to loved ones back home, and sandals that won’t blister - you’ll be grateful when you board your third overnight bus in as many days - plus the neck pillow that renders all others redundant, I’ve pooled my considerable travelling knowledge into this guide to help make your gap year travels as easy as possible.
Shop the list now - and happy travels!
Saily
Best e-SIM deal: Get 5 per cent off data plans with 10GB or more
From the team behind NordVPN comes Saily, a travel eSIM company designed for international fliers.
Shop data plans for a specific country, like Turkey, India or Thailand, or if you’re hopping around a bit, go for a regional plan to cover all bases. Plans run from 1GB for a week-long jaunt to 100GB that will last up to six months, so it’s perfect for longer stints abroad.
Saily runs solely on the app, so there’s no getting out of downloading that. The good news, I’ve found, is that it’s easy to navigate, with key sections listed along the bottom for easy access, including a help portal should you run aground while abroad.
Saily lets you collect credits via referrals and cashback, which you can then splurge on more data. Purchase history is also saved, so you can repeat buy a data package if you visit a certain destination frequently.
The best bit? You may feel more digitally vulnerable when you’re abroad, but Saily has thought of that, too. It leverages security and privacy tools from its parent NordVPN to keep you and your phone cybersecure when travelling. Enable ad blockers, block access to dangerous domains and change your virtual location for heightened encryption.
My only irk? Prices are listed in US dollars. On the upside, that means depending on the currency rate, you’ll probably pay less than the figures displayed.
Buy now, Saily
Mountain Warehouse Nevis Extreme 65 + 15 Litre Rucksack
With a wide zipped entry into the main compartment, this backpack is perfect for travel, allowing you full access without having to dig your stuff out of the bottom. The 65L main bag comes with a 15L mini day back attached, boosting capacity when you need it and also acting as an extra backpack for day trips.
Both feature plenty of pockets and straps to store and secure the design to you, making it as easy as possible to cart around. We like the fact that the side of the main bag features handles, making it easier to grab out of a luggage rack. The rip-stop fabric works to stop minor nicks and cuts from ruining the entire design and there’s even built-in cable access to plug in your headphones when your device is securely packed away.
If you’re remote working while you’re travelling, a dedicated laptop sleeve will keep your tech safe until your next shift. Comes with a rain cover.
Buy now £84.99, Mountain Warehouse
Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag
There can't be a member of Gen Z who doesn't own this bag, but for the unicorns amongst you, Uniqlo's sling design is not just a travel essential - it's a life essential.
The unassuming bag can fit in a lot more than first glance might suggest and thanks to that wide strap, feels almost weightless on. It comes in seven shades, including this bold red, which will add a bolt of colour to your outfits. Two internal slip pockets make it easy to find small, fiddly things in a hurry.
At this price, it should be standard issue with your exam results.
Buy now £14.90, Uniqlo
Prezlock Fingerprint Padlock with Key Backup
When faced with hostel lockers, a padlock is the first line of defence between your stuff and roving thieves. Trouble is, if you lose the key, it'll cost you a hell of a lot more to liberate your things.
This smart padlock comes with a fingerprint scanner to biometrically secure your precious items, a feature that will come in handy should you misplace the included key.
Buy now £59.95, Amazon
AUNNO Universal Travel Adapter
Why shell out for an adapter in every continent when this little gadget will cover the whole world for you? The highly-rated design offers international plug points from America to Australia, and a couple of USB ports, so you should be able to charge your phone, earbuds and tablet with ease.
It can support fast charging too, and comes with an indicator light so you know when power is flowing (or if you should move to another socket).
Buy now £13.59, Amazon
Belkin 20000 mAh Portable Power Bank - Blue
Weight: 420g
You needn’t fret over battery power with Belkin’s power bank in your pocket - it offers up to 140 hours of extra battery life for a smartphone and up to 38 hours more for tablets.
The device comes with a USB to USB-C cable included in the box, and it’s pre-charged, so no need to worry if it’s a last-minute purchase for a trip; you can use this right out of the box.
Plus, the blue makes a nice change from all the black and grey models around.
It comes with a two-year warranty.
Buy now £27.99, Currys
Scan Reader Pen, 134 Language Translator Device
Designed with international students in mind, the scan reader pen offers instant translation for books and textbooks written in foreign languages. Though it can be connected to Wi-Fi, the pen comes with an impressive 14 pre-downloaded languages including Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, French, Malay, Spanish, Portuguese and more.
We’re big fans of the fact that the innovative scanner comes with a camera, smart recording, voice translation and dictionary applications. You can also save certain words to a vocabulary application to improve fluency on the move.
Buy now £69.99, Amazon
Seenda Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
Perfect for working remotely or on the move, this tri-folding keyboard unfurls into a full-size design and comes complete with a touchpad mouse with the ability to right-hand and left-hand click.
The compact folded dimensions make it easy to slip into a weekend bag or backpack, and it pairs with any Bluetooth-supporting device, including iOS and Android handsets. It even comes with a collapsible phone stand to help you create a mini workstation when you’re away from home.
I have very few grumbles about this folding keyboard; it’s probably the most useful thing I’ve ever bought from Amazon. The touchpad mouse takes a little getting used to and it would be nice to see this keyboard in more colours, but these are minor irks.
Similarly, the two-hour charge time is a small price to pay for 150 days of battery life when on standby mode. In all, this folding keyboard is an excellent piece of tech that will raise productivity levels when you’re remote working in the truest sense - and all at a price you just can’t quibble with.
Buy now £34.19, Amazon
Eagle Creek Pack-It Mixed Packing Cubes Set
Frequent flyers, we have found the durable packing cubes for you. Eagle Creek has some of the best models on the market to keep your possessions organised trip after trip. These come as a set of three but you can add more individual pouches.
The pouches have been made from post-consumer recycled fabrics with a micro-weave and double-diamond design to prevent holes and tears, as well as a mesh window to easily see the contents. Great for those squeezing a whole holiday into a carry-on case or backpackers who want their items neat and easily accessible.
Buy now £42.34, Amazon
Roll Up Vacuum Storage Bags for Travel - 4 Pack
If the words “packing light” aren’t in your vocabulary, these travel bags will be a godsend. Give yourself options and outfit changes while sticking to the ever-decreasing airline baggage restrictions by placing your items in these storage bags and making the most of their vacuum sealing. The brand says you will have 75 per cent more space so you can pack prepared.
Buy now £11.04, Amazon
LifestrawPeak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle with Filter
Capacity: 650ml
By far the most high-tech, adventure-approved foldable water bottle we’ve ever come across, Lifestraw’s life-saving collapsible water bottle is equipped with the brand’s innovative micro membrane filter, which removes over 99.9 per cent of bacteria while maintaining a super speedy flow rate to quench your thirst at a moment’s notice. It’s leak-proof thanks to the custom screw-top cap and is designed to streamline your outdoor experience. The filter lasts up to 2,000 litres.
Buy now £44.00, Blacks
trtl Pillow Original
There is no comfortable way to sleep upright in planes: fact. Well, it was at least.
Enter trtl’s (turtle) game-changing neck pillow that turns this idea on its head. The design looks like a snood but comes with an internal brace to give your neck the support it needs as you try to catch crucial shut-eye on the journey, be it plane, road or rail.
We tried it on a 12-hour flight to Cape Town, and felt overjoyed to wake up to no neck cricks or back pain. It’s so good that our travel essentials list now reads: passport, ticket, trtl.
If you want to get a step ahead of jetlag and arrive feeling ready to hit the ground running, you need the trtl. Yes, it’s on the expensive side - but that’s what makes it such a great gift for a traveller.
Buy now £39.99, Trtl
WLLHYF Silk Sleep Mask
Budget travel often means having to get up in the middle of the night to make your cheap connection. Once you're on board, you'll no doubt want to catch up on your 40 winks - and this is the sleeping mask to help you do it.
The adjustable sleep accessory comes with a contoured ridge to stop it from pressing into your eyelids while creating the total darkness that is necessary to help you drift off. It comes in an array of colours and is made with soft fabric that feels comfortable against the skin.
Buy now £7.49, Amazon
Loop earplugs Quiet 2
These are a popular choice for those looking for ear protection on a budget. With nine products in the range, Loop’s Quiet 2 are said to be best for “deep focus, travel, commutes, and napping”.
They’re ideal for clubs, loud transport, and travel, as they’re ultra-light and easy to carry around (they come in a small disc travel case). They also come in four stylish colours.
Loop’s distinct style means the earplugs sit comfortably in the ear with the signature loop shape on display from the side; from a distance, they look like they’re part of a curated ear.. While they won’t offer full sound protection, they’re a great choice for day-to-day protection if you live in a noisy city or attend loud events.
Buy now £19.95, Amazon
Merrell Women's District 4 Backstrap
If you're talking travel footwear for women (as I am right here), then I'd put my money on Merrell every single time.
Not only are the brand’s range of sandals and hiking boots comfortable straight out of the box, but they come in a range of cute colours too, so you'll have no hesitation pairing them with everything in your rucksack. This District 4 design comes with chunkier straps over the heel and top of the foot, ensuring a secure fit while looking dressy enough to pair with a maxi.
Buy now £70.00, Merrell
Lifesystems Expedition MAX
A fresh launch, Lifesystems replaced its 95 per cent DEET Expedition 100 with this potentially life-saving formula. It pairs 50 per cent DEET with a DermoLOC liquid that keeps the repellent lingering on your skin for longer, so you’ll actually experience complete 24-hour protection.
Not only can you apply it to more areas, but Expedition MAX can also be used by kids as young as two, making this an excellent option for protecting the whole family.
Buy now £7.99, Amazon
General Medi Mini First Aid Kit
A small pouch with a large capacity, attach this mini first aid kit to your bag using its carabiner and always have first aid close to hand, whether out hiking, driving around or on the tube.
Inside the strong, tear-proof kit which has been made water-resistant for extra protection, you will find 92 items of valuable medical supplies to equip yourself with whatever the requirement- from an emergency blanket to cleaning swabs and bandages. There’s also a mini first aid handbook to help guide you through.
Buy now £8.02, Amazon
Victorinox Huntsman knife
With a history that stretches back 125 years, a Swiss Army Knife is the perfect useful tool for all. The utility knife has it all, from a selection of blades, a can opener, a screwdriver, mini saw, tweezers and more.
Buy now £45.00, Victorinox
Weatherman Travel Umbrella
Built to last, the Weatherman umbrella was designed by - you guessed it - a real-life weatherman. Fed up with umbrellas collapsing on him while doing live weather reports, US meteorologist Rick Reichmuth designed his own.
Amongst the collection is this travel umbrella, tested to withstand wind speeds of up to 45mph. Available in a variety of colours, including can’t-miss-it neon yellow, fibreglass poles and ribs hold open a strong, water-repellant canopy made from recycled materials. It’s light, it’s compact, and it will keep you dry. As far as brollies go, I’d say that’s all boxes ticked.
Buy now £74.41, Weatherman
