By CORINNA LAGERBERG

It started with the grand tour in the 17^th century, when young upper-class Brits would round-off their education by travelling around Europe. There they would soak in the culture, museums, paintings and food of foreign countries. All of them would return wiser, more experienced and knowledgeable of the world beyond their domestic borders.

Fast-forward a few hundred years and the rise of cheap flights means more students are taking time off and seeing the world outside their mundane classrooms.

No trip is easy. You can be confronted with scams, illness and being broke, and you can get homesick and lonely. But with a bit of preparation, you can minimise the lows and maximise the highs.

I sat down with the store manager of STA Travel Clayton Campus Michael Capomolla to get  some tips about travelling for university students and on a budget.

His No.1 piece of advice is to be organised and do your research.

“Plan ahead, it will save you a lot of heartache in the long run and it will generally be cheaper,” Mr Capomolla says.

“Ask lots of questions, ask people who have been there and get advice. Don’t go in blind and think you can wing it, it doesn’t work like that.”

He says people travelling on a budget can’t afford to be picky. “If you want to travel cheaply don’t be fussy, take whatever is going – be prepared for long transits and being uncomfortable,” Mr Capomolla says.

“Be flexible and, as mentioned, plan ahead – the earlier ahead you plan, the cheaper it will be.”

I've combined his advice and my research to create some tips to get your travels started on the right foot.

Those who fail to plan, plan to fail

One of the most difficult decisions when planning a trip is where to go. Although tempting, never choose a location without thorough research. If you aren’t interested enough or passionate enough to research the culture, geography and language of a place, you aren’t committed enough to travel there.

Here are some options to get your research started.

• lonelyplanet.com/thorntree
• lonelyplanet.com/destinations
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
• virtualtourist.com

Tourism websites, online travel agents and bookers such as Expedia and Travelocity, guidebooks and travel agencies are also great sources.

Happiness … is paperwork

We all know that paperwork is boring, but when travelling it’s essential and can save you from some terrible situations.

Your passport is your main ID when you’re overseas, so it’s really important you have it at all times. Make a copy of the photo page of your passport or write down your passport number and keep it somewhere separate. This way if you lose your passport it will be easier to replace and you’ll have some form of identification.

Don’t forget to check the expiry date of your passport before you leave. Most countries require that it be valid for at least six months. If you don’t have a passport don’t fret, most post offices can give you the necessary forms and process your application. Currently, a passport costs $200-300.

Always check if any of the countries you’re planning on travelling to require a visa for entry and if you need to get them before you leave – they’re usually issued by the country's local embassy or consulate. Don’t forget to include visa costs in your budget – they can range from $20 to $110. Check the type of visa that works for you: tourist visas generally last 30-90 days, but consider if you need a single or multiple-entry visa.

Travel insurance may seem like a waste of money but it’s definitely not. There is every chance you will get sick, have an accident or lose your luggage. Travel insurance policies are easy enough to get, but read the fine print first. When arranging travel insurance some things to look out for include: activity coverage, cancellation, extension, illegal activities, luggage and valuables, and pre-existing health conditions. 

Good things come to those who book flights

Your trip probably won’t feel real until you book your ticket, but before you do anything, shop around! You have three main options for buying: airlines, travel agents and online bookers.

Going straight to an airline can be good if you’ve already looked at other prices, but you might not be able to customise your flight very easily, particularly if you want to visit obscure locations. Doing your own research can turn up even better deals using online flight comparison sites. Fare Compare (www.farecompare.com) is popular and thorough, and both momondo.com.au and skyscanner.com.au are regularly recommended. 

Finally, buying from a travel agent can be more expensive, but if you want to save some of the legwork and have access to some expert knowledge, it’s the way to go.

Money, money, money …

No one likes budgeting, but planning for costs allows you to anticipate how much money you will need and to save accordingly. You don’t have to count every euro, yen or baht, but make sure you give yourself ample spending room to enjoy your trip. The best way to budget is to be on top of it – look at your expenses while you're travelling and see how long the money you have will last if you keep spending at that rate.

Taking your money with you can be a nerve-racking thought, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s a great idea to get a travel money card, which you can get from a bank or post office. You can load them with a range of currencies, and have the advantage of knowing exactly what exchange rate you are getting. Take note of what fees they charge for what services and how easy they are to reload – some have free withdrawals, some don't.

Don’t underestimate the benefits of cold, hard cash, it will come in handy. Other options include credit cards, wired money and travellers' cheques.

Bon voyage!

Hopefully this has provided a starting point for your travel plans. With any luck, you’ve been inspired to go out and see the world. What are you waiting for?