Take time out to explore the world
Planning a gap year after school or university? Or want to take some time out of the 9-5 with a sabbatical? Whether you're planning a year-long backpacking adventure or looking for ways to fill an empty summer, we're here to help.
Boost your CV with a volunteer project abroad, or learn a new language as you travel. Or grab yourself a working holiday visa and earn while you travel. We offer a range of life-defining adventures and travel experiences to over 60 destinations to help you get the most out of your gap year.
Want to talk to our travel experts about your gap year plans? Book a free travel advice session.
What to do on your gap year
Backpacking adventures
Backpacking is the best way to travel without breaking the bank. By staying in hostels and using local transport, you'll save money on accommodation and expensive flights.
If you like the idea of guaranteed travel buddies and the planning done for you, check out our backpacking itineraries for inspiration.
Volunteering
Make a difference on your gap year and join a volunteer project. It's the perfect way to add to your CV and improve your job prospects when you get back from your travels.
We offer volunteer projects in marine, wildlife and environmental conservation, as well as community projects teaching English and helping with construction.
Working holidays
Learn a language
Round-the-world flights
Trekking expeditions
A gap year is the perfect opportunity to start working your way through your bucket list. And we hope at least one challenging trek is on that list!
Choose from the famous W Trek, the iconic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu or really test yourself by getting to Everest Base Camp or scaling Kilimanjaro.
Your gap year, your way
No two travellers are the same. And no two gap years are the same. That's why we're here to create your dream trip - wherever it is you want to go, and whatever it is you want to do. Use these itinerary suggestions as a guide, but that this inspiration and make it your own.
Email us your plans or book a travel advice session with one of our experts to start planning the gap year of your dreams.
Countdown to your gap year
Gap Year Travel FAQS
When's the best time to take a gap year?
Many young people will take a gap year between studying. You might want to take a year out between finishing high school and starting university or higher education. Or you might prefer to take a gap year after finishing your degree and before starting work. The older adults among you might simply want to sack off full-time work for a while and take the gap year you always dreamed of.
The best time to take your gap year depends on your priorities. You can always defer university for a year and employers won't be put off by you travelling before starting your career. In fact, many companies look for the personal and practical skills that young travellers develop while travelling, so use your gap year to your advantage.
Where should I go on a gap year?
The world is truly your oyster on a gap year! With a round-the-world ticket in your pocket, you can explore multiple continents in one, combining stops in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas for a better rate than booking loads of individual one-way flights.
Australia, New Zealand and Canada are popular destinations for young travellers thanks to their generous working holiday visas. If you're aged between 18-30-years-old (35 for Australia and New Zealand), you can apply for a one-year visa that enables you to work and earn money while you travel. It's a great way of getting to know a country while funding your travels.
Southeast Asia is considered one of the best destinations for a gap year, as it's cheap, easy to get around and you can cover a lot in a short amount of time. Latin America is another great choice - learn just one language and you can talk your way across most of the continent.
How long should a gap year be?
It may be called a 'gap year', but that doesn't mean it has to be exactly 12 months long. You might only have nine months at your disposal, or you might be lucky enough to have a few years free to travel the world.
Again, how long your gap year should be depends on you - if you're not ready to settle down in a career, then keep travelling! We firmly believe travel makes you a better person. So if you want to take a couple years out of real life to travel, we say 'you go for it'.
