The Founder of Gap Year Escape Reveals His Top Travel Tips

scuba honduras — Amar Hussain of Gap Year Escape scuba diving in Honduras. Amar Hussain/Gap Year Escape

2016-09-21T19:06:54.000Z

Amar Hussain is the founder and editor-in-chief of Gap Year Escape, a blog that hopes to inspire adventure seekers to take time off to escape the everyday.

Hussain turned his own gap year into a "gap life" when, at 22, he graduated business school into a recession, and made traveling his full-time gig.

Seven years later, he's been to every continent, Gap Year Escape is read in 138 countries, and he's learned a thing or two about traversing the globe.

He shared some of his best travel tips with INSIDER via email from London, where he was preparing for an upcoming trip to Sri Lanka.

Know where your passport and credit cards are at all times.

"With these two you can pretty much get out of any jam."

Keep backup credit cards separate from your wallet in case of emergencies.

Let your bank know you're going abroad so they don't freeze your account.

Get travel insurance.

"Going anywhere without travel insurance is foolish. You always think it won’t be you, but then it happens."

Make sure your travel vaccinations are up to date.

"Your health is not something to be taken lightly."

Avoid checked baggage fees with a carry-on backpack.

He recommends these.

Try grocery shopping abroad instead of eating out.

"It’s cheaper and always an experience."

Hostels are great sources of information.

"Even if you aren’t staying at a hostel, visit one and ask what’s going on in the place you’re in. They are always very knowledgeable about places to eat and things to do."