Getting Ready for Your Trip to the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is a great holiday destination but your trip can turn into a total disaster if you don’t think things through in advance. We will try to help you figure out the important parts of your vacation so that you have the best time of your life and as few bumps in the road as possible.

Budget

This is perhaps the most important thing you should think about before planning a trip to the Isle of Wight, or to any place in the world for that matter. You have to take into account costs related to transportation, accommodation, restaurants, fun activities, cultural activities and event tickets, if you are planning to attend any. When it comes to transportation, don’t forget about ferry tickets. Considering that peak ferry fares sometimes cost as much as £100, you really have to factor them in. During the winter, you can pay as little as £35 per car and £6 per passenger.

In order to save money on food, choose a hotel with “all you can eat” deals and refrain from eating out often. Keep your money for other fun activities like water sports and horse riding instead of spending it on food. If you travel on a budget, choose the least expensive accommodation option (most likely a B&B) and buy food from the supermarket instead of eating out.

What to take with you

First off, don’t forget your ID and/or passport if you travel internationally. Secondly, we are talking about England, so it would be wise to get a plastic raincoat or at least an umbrella. The raincoat is more versatile though especially if you plan to attend open air events. Take proper shoes. It would be best to leave the high heels for inside parties and get something comfortable and waterproof for the outside. If you plan on hiking and/or cycling through the countryside, take appropriate gear.

Remember that the UK uses pounds not euros, so it would be wise to change money in your own country instead of withdrawing pounds from your EUR account through their ATMs, or worse, getting a really bad currency rate at the hotel or train station. Always have cash on you. In fact, credit cards are best left at home in case you become the victim of thieves who pry on tourists.

Bring travel insurance if any, health insurance, reservations and itineraries, contact information for the hotel where you will stay, transportation tickets, visas, and student ID if any (you might get discounts). The British electrical system uses a 3-pong flat head plug at 230/240 volts, so assess whether you need a power converter based on the power outlets in the country where you come from.

Here are the things you must bring (except for clothes) regardless of where you travel to:
Smartphone and charger
Headphones
Electrical converters
Hand sanitizer
Any medication you take on a regular basis
Glasses and case, if applicable
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hair comb
Deodorant
Shampoo
Makeup and makeup remover, if applicable.
Small first aid kit for those who like to be prepared.