When Is The Best Time To Book Your Gap Year?

Online, July 27, 2010 (Newswire.com) - When is the best time to book your Gap Year?

Your Gap Year should be about having the time and freedom to travel and experience exactly where and what you want; however, in order to maximise your Gap Year options it is becoming increasingly important to give yourself sufficient time to plan and book your Gap Adventure.

"Deciding what to do on your Gap Year is a very important decision to make, but with an increasingly wide range of options out there deciding when to book it can be equally important" commented Linley Lewis, co-founder of Ticket to Ride Worldwide Surfing Adventures.

So in order to motivate you to get the most out of your Gap Year, our Ticket to Ride Gap Year travel experts have come up with our 5 top reasons for booking your gap year early.

1. Availability and Early Booking Offers

As the popularity of Gap Years continues to rise amongst school leavers, availability on the top Gap Year courses is becoming increasingly competitive. To avoid disappointment it's more important than ever to book yourself in early on the course of your choice.

There's also a financial incentive to booking early as many of the best Gap Year organisations offer significant discounts to those who are prepared to book ahead for their year abroad.

2. Budget

The sooner you know when, where and with whom you're travelling; the sooner you will know how much money you'll need. This, of course, gives you plenty of time to earn the required amount as well and as an opportunity to apply early for the jobs that actually pay above minimum wage!

Once again, the early bird catches the worm in terms of cheap flights. The price of flights is only going to increase with time, so the longer you delay the booking process the more your wallet will weep.

3. Make the Most of Your Gap Year

For most, the Gap Year is the one and only opportunity to dedicate a significant amount of time to travel, adventure and fun; so nothing is more important than getting it right.

Don't believe everything in the polished brochures and glossy websites of Gap Year travel companies. Starting your research early gives you the time to search for genuine, firsthand reviews of trips and courses that may or may not support the claims of the Gap Year organisations themselves.

See if a company will let you speak to a selection of their former clients. Trip Videos are also essential in getting an authentic taste of what a trip is really like.

4. University

If planned early, your Gap Year does not have to be a period of academic limbo between School and University.

The section 10 of the UCAS form can often be an intimidating space to fill. However, clear and concise plans for your Gap Year can display the very virtues that Universities are looking for; most obviously, self-motivation and organisation.

Many Gap Year trips and courses actually offer the opportunity to gain internationally recognised qualifications, giving you the opportunity to travel and bulk your CV.

5. Focus on your A Levels and the end of school

Finally, with your travel plans sorted and laid to rest you can focus on getting the best results possible.

It also allows you to use your time after school, and before your travels, efficiently so you can get the most out of your post A level parties and earning for what should be one of the most memorable years of your life.